1,353 research outputs found
Far-Field Tunable Nano-focusing Based on Metallic Slits Surrounded with Nonlinear-Variant Widths and Linear-Variant Depths of Circular Dielectric Grating
In this work, we design a new tunable nanofocusing lens by the linear-variant
depths and nonlinear-variant widths of circular grating for far field practical
applications. The constructively interference of cylindrical surface plasmon
launched by the subwavelength metallic structure can form a
subdiffraction-limited focus, and the focal length of the this structures can
be adjusted if the each groove depth and width of circular grating are arranged
in traced profile. According to the numerical calculation, the range of
focusing points shift is much more than other plasmonic lens, and the relative
phase of emitting light scattered by surface plasmon coupling circular grating
can be modulated by the nonlinear-variant width and linear-variant depth. The
simulation result indicates that the different relative phase of emitting light
lead to variant focal length. We firstly show a unique phenomenon for the
linear-variant depths and nonlinear-variant widths of circular grating that the
positive change and negative change of the depths and widths of grooves can
result in different of variation trend between relative phases and focal
lengths. These results paved the road for utilizing the plasmonic lens in
high-density optical storage, nanolithography, superresolution optical
microscopic imaging, optical trapping, and sensing.Comment: 14pages,9figure
Intervention study of finger-movement exercises and finger weight-lift training for improvement of handgrip strength among the very elderly
AbstractObjectivesTo examine the effects of finger-movement exercises and finger weight-lift training on handgrip strength and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS) values.MethodsA total of 80 very elderly adults (aged ≥80 years) were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). Subjects in the intervention group performed finger-movement exercises and weight-lift training for a period of 3 months, while subjects in the control group received no intervention, and were unaware of the interventions received in the other group.ResultsAfter completing 3 months of finger-movement exercises and weight-lift training, the average handgrip strength of the 40 participants in the intervention group had increased by 2.1 kg, whereas that in the control group decreased by 0.27 kg (P < 0.05). After receiving intervention, the number of subjects in the intervention group with an ADLS score >22 points decreased by 7.5% (P < 0.05, vs. pre-intervention).ConclusionsThe combined use intervention with finger-movement exercises and proper finger weight-lift training improved the handgrip strength and ADLS values of very elderly individuals. These rehabilitation exercises may be used to help the elderly maintain their self-care abilities
Radiative thermal switch via metamaterials made of vanadium dioxide-coated nanoparticles
In this work, a thermal switch is proposed based on the phase-change material
vanadium dioxide (VO2) within the framework of near-field radiative heat
transfer (NFRHT). The radiative thermal switch consists of two metamaterials
filled with core-shell nanoparticles, with the shell made of VO2. Compared to
traditional VO2 slabs, the proposed switch exhibits a more than 2-times
increase in the switching ratio, reaching as high as 90.29% with a 100 nm
vacuum gap. The improved switching effect is attributed to the capability of
the VO2 shell to couple with the core, greatly enhancing heat transfer with the
insulating VO2, while blocking the motivation of the core in the metallic state
of VO2. As a result, this efficiently enlarges the difference in photonic
characteristics between the insulating and metallic states of the structure,
thereby improving the ability to rectify the NFRHT. The proposed switch opens
pathways for active control of NFRHT and holds practical significance for
developing thermal photon-based logic circuits
Observation of forbidden phonons and dark excitons by resonance Raman scattering in few-layer WS
The optical properties of the two-dimensional (2D) crystals are dominated by
tightly bound electron-hole pairs (excitons) and lattice vibration modes
(phonons). The exciton-phonon interaction is fundamentally important to
understand the optical properties of 2D materials and thus help develop
emerging 2D crystal based optoelectronic devices. Here, we presented the
excitonic resonant Raman scattering (RRS) spectra of few-layer WS excited
by 11 lasers lines covered all of A, B and C exciton transition energies at
different sample temperatures from 4 to 300 K. As a result, we are not only
able to probe the forbidden phonon modes unobserved in ordinary Raman
scattering, but also can determine the bright and dark state fine structures of
1s A exciton. In particular, we also observed the quantum interference between
low-energy discrete phonon and exciton continuum under resonant excitation. Our
works pave a way to understand the exciton-phonon coupling and many-body
effects in 2D materials.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure
(E)-Methyl N′-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarboxylate
The molecule of the title compound, C11H14N2O3, adopts a trans configuration with respect to the C=N bond. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the hydrazinecarboxylate plane is 12.06 (9)°. Molecules are linked into a one-dimensional network by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π interactions. The benzene rings of inversion-related molecules are stacked with their centroids separated by 3.777 (1) Å, indicating π–π interactions
Overview of Contraindicated Chinese Medicines for Pregnancy
Chinese medicines should be classified into drugs, which have both beneficial and harmful effects. For centuries, Chinese medicines have been widely used to relieve many symptoms and to treat complications during pregnancy. It is not clear how safe the Chinese medicines are being used during pregnancy and if there is any adverse effects to embryo-fetal development and prenatal and postnatal growth. Some Chinese medicines are indicated that they cannot be used in pregnancy. In this chapter, we will conduct a systematic review to summarize and characterize in details the Chinese medicines classified as contraindicated, not recommended and cautiously used for pregnancy in most updated version of Pharmacopeia of the People’s Republic of China. Clinical reports including clinical trials, case reports, case series and animal studies including short-term and long-term toxicity, specific organ toxicity and different species of the Chinese medicines will be studied. Unlike those pharmaceutical drugs not recommend for use during pregnancy because of known or suspected adverse or teratogenic effects evident by animal studies and/or clinical trials, most of the Chinese medicines were utilized for long history in culture which, however, has very limited scientific data regarding the adverse pregnant outcomes
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