Anisotropic but nodeless superconducting gap in the presence of spin density wave in iron-pnictide superconductor NaFe1-xCoxAs

The coexisting regime of spin density wave (SDW) and superconductivity in the iron pnictides represents a novel ground state. We have performed high resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on NaFe1-xCoxAs (x = 0.0175) in this regime and revealed its distinctive electronic structure, which provides some microscopic understandings of its behavior. The SDW signature and the superconducting gap are observed on the same bands, illustrating the intrinsic nature of the coexistence. However, because the SDW and superconductivity are manifested in different parts of the band structure, their competition is non-exclusive. Particularly, we found that the gap distribution is anisotropic and nodeless, in contrast to the isotropic superconducting gap observed in an SDW-free NaFe1-xCoxAs (x=0.045), which puts strong constraints on theory.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures + supplementary informatio

Floating Microparticulate Oral Diltiazem Hydrochloride Delivery System for Improved Delivery to Heart

Purpose: To formulate and evaluate floating microparticulate oral diltiazem delivery system for possible delivery to the heart.Method: Floating microspheres were prepared using cellulose acetate and Eudragit RS100 polymers by emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The dried floating microspheres were evaluated for micromeritic properties (flow properties, density, particle size determination) scanning as well as by electron microscopy, and in vitro floatability and drug release studies.Results: The microspheres showed good buoyancy, good flow properties (angle of repose ranging from 24.29 to 29.02 º), particle size (262.09 to 409.60 μm) and good drug loading (74.29 to 92.09 %). The microspheres were porous, hollow and spherical. All the formulations showed good in vitro controlled drug release in the range of 77.62 ± 2.12 to 97.50 ± 1.04 % at the end of 12 h. Drug release was diffusion-controlled and followed zero order kinetics.Conclusion: Microparticulate floating (gastroretentive) oral drug delivery system of diltiazem prepared using cellulose acetate and Eudragit R5100 may be an effective alternative to conventional oral tablets for cardiac drug delivery.Keywords: Cardiac, Microparticulate, Drug release, Gastroretentive, Floating microspheres, Diltiazem hydrochlorid

Discrepant gene functional potential and cross-feedings of anammox bacteria Ca. Jettenia caeni and Ca. Brocadia sinica in response to acetate

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd Although the enhancement of anammox performance for wastewater treatment due to the addition of small amount of acetate has been reported, discrepant metabolic responses of different anammox species have not been experimentally evaluated. Based on metagenomics and metatranscriptomic data, we investigated the competitiveness between two typical anammox species, Candidatus Jettenia caeni (J. caeni) and Candidatus Brocadia sinica (B. sinica), in anammox consortia under mixotrophic condition, where complex metabolic interactions among anammox bacteria and heterotrophs also changed with acetate addition. Contrary to J. caeni, the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium pathway of B. sinica was markedly stimulated for improving nitrogen removal. More acetate metabolic pathways and up-regulated AMP-acs expression for acetyl-CoA synthesis in B. sinica contributed to its superiority in acetate utilization. Interestingly, cross-feedings, including the nitrogen cycle, amino acid cross-feeding and B-vitamin metabolic exchange between B. sinica and other heterotrophs seemed to be enhanced with acetate addition, contributing to a reduction in metabolic energy cost to the whole community. Our work not only clarified the mechanism underlying discrepant responses of different anammox species to acetate, but also suggests a possible strategy for obtaining higher nitrogen removal rates in wastewater treatment under low C/N ratio

Emission and absorption cross-sections of an Er:GaN waveguide prepared with metal organic chemical vapor deposition

This is the published version. ©Copyright 2011 American Institute of PhysicsWe repost the characterization of emission and absorption cross-sections in an erbium-doped GaN waveguide prepared by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The emission cross-section was obtained with the Füchtbauer–Ladenburg equation based on the measured spontaneous emission and the radiative carrier lifetime. The absorption cross-section was derived from the emission cross-section through their relation provided from the McCumber’s theory. The conversion efficiency from a 1480 nm pump to 1537 nm emission was measured, which reasonably agreed with the calculation based on the emission and absorption cross-sections