Vacuum Fluctuations in Optical Metamaterials Containing Nonlinear Dielectrics

We investigated the influence of zero-point fluctuations (vacuum fluctuations, optical quantum noise) to the optical response of electromagnetic metamaterials containing dielectrics with third-order Kerr-like nonlinearity. We determined the zero-point noise and calculated it for different analytes, including those used in forensic analysis and organic pollutants. The zero-point noise level is highest for shortest-wavelength plasmons and decreases towards long-range plasmons. It may be tailored through a convenient design of the metamaterial structure. Since noise spectral power is proportional to the nonlinearity of the analyte species present, we considered the possibility to use zero-point noise as an auxiliary tool for identification of targeted nonlinear samples. We believe that our investigation could be of importance in homeland defence, forensics, biomedicine, etc

Synthetic, Crystallographic, and Computational Study of Copper(II) Complexes of Ethylenediaminetetracarboxylate Ligands

Copper(II) complexes of hexadentate ethylenediaminetetracarboxylic acid type ligands H4eda3p and H4eddadp (H4eda3p = ethylenediamine-N-acetic-N,N′,N′-tri-3-propionic acid; H4eddadp = ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic-N,N′-di-3-propionic acid) have been prepared. An octahedral trans(O6) geometry (two propionate ligands coordinated in axial positions) has been established crystallographically for the Ba[Cu(eda3p)]·8H2O compound, while Ba[Cu(eddadp)]·8H2O is proposed to adopt a trans(O5) geometry (two axial acetates) on the basis of density functional theory calculations and comparisons of IR and UV−vis spectral data. Experimental and computed structural data correlating similar copper(II) chelate complexes have been used to better understand the isomerism and departure from regular octahedral geometry within the series. The in-plane O−Cu−N chelate angles show the smallest deviation from the ideal octahedral value of 90°, and hence the lowest strain, for the eddadp complex with two equatorial β-propionate rings. A linear dependence between tetragonality and the number of five-membered rings has been established. A natural bonding orbital analysis of the series of complexes is also presented.

Fishnet-Based Metamaterials: Spectral Tuning Through Adsorption Mechanism

In this work we consider the tuning of spectral reflectance of fishnet metamaterials with circular or elliptic apertures due to the presence of dielectric analyte adsorbed within the pores of the dielectric part. We simulated the electromagnetic response of the fishnet metamaterials for the optical range utilizing the finite element method. Our investigation is dedicated to ultrathin, freestanding laminated structures (metal-dielectric-metal self-supported nanomembrane sandwiches with nanometric thickness). We also investigated some issues connected with experimental fabrication of the freestanding fishnets for adsorbtion-based sensors

Chelating properties of EDTA-type ligands containing six-membered backbone ring toward copper ion:Structure, EPR and TD-DFT evaluation

The P-APC ligands (EDTA-like aminopolycarboxylate ligands comprising 1,3-propanediamine backbone) H(4)pdta, H(4)pd(3)ap, H(4)pddadp and H(4)pdtp (H(4)pdta = 1,3-propanediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetatic acid; H(4)pd(3)ap = 1,3-propanediamine-N,N,N'-triacetic-N'-3-propionic acid; H4pddadp = 1,3-propanediamine-N,N'-diacetatic-N,N'-di-3-propionic acid; H(4)pdtp = 1,3-propanediaminetetra-3-propionic acid) were investigated. The chelating ligands coordinate to copper(II) via five or six donor atoms affording distorted trigonal-bipyramid and octahedral structures that were verified by X-ray analysis for Ba[Cu(pd(3)ap)]center dot 6H(2)O (1) and trans(O-6)-Ba[Cu(pddadp)]center dot 8H(2)O (2) complexes respectively. The impact of counter-ions on the P-APC complexes is shown in detail together with the analysis of another strain parameters. EPR spectral results confirm the penta-coordination of 1 and hexa-coordination of 2 in aqueous solution, even if several Cu(II) species with different protonation degree exist as a function of pH, and indicate that a hexa-coordinated structure is favored when the two axial COO- donors close five-membered chelate rings. We also present here the results of molecular mechanics (LFMM) calculations based on our previously-developed force field along with results of DFT (Density Functional Theory). On the basis of extensive DFT and TD-DFT calculations the B1LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level has been seen as an accurate theory for calculating and predicting the UVVis spectra in case of copperP-APC compounds. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Field effect transistor based on protons as charge carriers

We demonstrated a field effect transistor based on the modulation of the proton flow in confined water-containing nanochannels. The device resembles an MOSFET transistor with the difference that the charge carriers here are ions (i.e. protons) instead of electrons. The effective cross-section of the conductive channels in the transistor is defined by the intensity of the electrical double layer and by the potential applied to the transistor gate.Proc. Eurosensors XXIV, September 5-8, 2010, Linz, Austri

Bioavailability of Echinacea Constituents: Caco-2 Monolayers and Pharmacokinetics and the Alkylamides and Caffeic Acid Conjugates

Many studies have been done over the years to assess the effectiveness of Echinacea as an immunomodulator. We have assessed the potential bioavailability of alkylamides and caffeic acid conjugates using Caco-2 monolayers and compared it to their actualbioavailability in a Phase I clinical trial. The caffeic acid conjugates permeated poorly through the Caco-2 monolayers. Alkylamides were found to diffuse rapidly through Caco-2 monolayers. Differences in diffusion rates for each alkylamide correlated to structural variations, with saturation and N-terminal methylation contributing to decreases in diffusion rates. Alkylamide diffusion is not affected by the presence of other constituents and the results for a synthetic alkylamide were in line with those for alkylamides found in an ethanolic Echinacea preparation. We examined plasma from healthy volunteers for 12 hours after ingestion of Echinacea tablets manufactured from an ethanolic liquid extract. Caffeic acid conjugates could not be identified in any plasma sample at any time after tablet ingestion. Alkylamides were detected in plasma 20 minutes after tablet ingestion and for each alkylamide, pharmacokinetic profiles were devised. The data are consistent with the dosing regimen of one tablet three times daily and supports their usage as the primary markers for quality Echinacea preparations

The European Registered Toxicologist (ERT) : Current status and prospects for advancement

Acknowledgements We would like to thank the participants of the five workshops in which the issues presented in this paper were discussed and the revised guidelines prepared, as well as the EUROTOX Executive Committee and the societies of toxicology of Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and France for their support which allowed the workshops to take place.Peer reviewedPostprin

European Mixed Forests: definition and research perspectives

peer-reviewedAim of study: We aim at (i) developing a reference definition of mixed forests in order to harmonize comparative research in mixed forests and (ii) briefly review the research perspectives in mixed forests. Area of study: The definition is developed in Europe but can be tested worldwide. Material and methods: Review of existent definitions of mixed forests based and literature review encompassing dynamics, management and economic valuation of mixed forests. Main results: A mixed forest is defined as a forest unit, excluding linear formations, where at least two tree species coexist at any developmental stage, sharing common resources (light, water, and/or soil nutrients). The presence of each of the component species is normally quantified as a proportion of the number of stems or of basal area, although volume, biomass or canopy cover as well as proportions by occupied stand area may be used for specific objectives. A variety of structures and patterns of mixtures can occur, and the interactions between the component species and their relative proportions may change over time. The research perspectives identified are (i) species interactions and responses to hazards, (ii) the concept of maximum density in mixed forests, (iii) conversion of monocultures to mixed-species forest and (iv) economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by mixed forests. Research highlights: The definition is considered a high-level one which encompasses previous attempts to define mixed forests. Current fields of research indicate that gradient studies, experimental design approaches, and model simulations are key topics providing new research opportunities.The networking in this study has been supported by COST Action FP1206 EuMIXFOR

The ADMORPH approach for Adaptively Morphing Embedded Systems

peer reviewedDue to the increasing performance demands of missionand safety-critical Cyber-Physical Systems (of Systems), these systems exhibit a rapidly growing complexity, manifested by an increasing number of (distributed) computational cores and application components connected via complex networks. However, with these systems’ growing complexity and interconnectivity, the chances of hardware failures and disruptions due to cyber-attacks will also quickly increase. In the ADMORPH project we explore system adaptivity, in terms of dynamically remapping application components to processing cores, to fuse fault- and intrusion tolerance with the increasing performance requirements of mission- and safety-critical CPS(oS). This paper describes the overall ADMORPH architecture and provides an overview of the developed methodologies, methods and tools for the specification, design, analysis and runtime deployment of adaptive mission- and safetycritical CPS(oS) that are robust against both component failures and cyber-attacks

Growth and yield of mixed versus pure stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L. ) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) analysed along a productivity gradient through Europe

Mixing of complementary tree species may increase stand productivity, mitigate the effects of drought and other risks, and pave the way to forest production systems which may be more resource-use efficient and stable in the face of climate change. However, systematic empirical studies on mixing effects are still missing for many commercially important and widespread species combinations. Here we studied the growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in mixed versus pure stands on 32 triplets located along a productivity gradient through Europe, reaching from Sweden to Bulgaria and from Spain to the Ukraine. Stand inventory and taking increment cores on the mainly 60-80 year-old trees and 0.02-1.55 ha sized, fully stocked plots provided insight how species mixing modifies the structure, dynamics and productivity compared with neighbouring pure stands. In mixture standing volume (+12 %), stand density (+20 %), basal area growth (+12 %), and stand volume growth (+8 %) were higher than the weighted mean of the neighbouring pure stands. Scots pine and European beech contributed rather equally to the overyielding and overdensity. In mixed stands mean diameter (+20 %) and height (+6 %) of Scots pine was ahead, while both diameter and height growth of European beech were behind (−8 %). The overyielding and overdensity were independent of the site index, the stand growth and yield, and climatic variables despite the wide variation in precipitation (520-1175 mm year−1), mean annual temperature (6-10.5 °C), and the drought index by de Martonne (28-61 mm °C−1) on the sites. Therefore, this species combination is potentially useful for increasing productivity across a wide range of site and climatic conditions. Given the significant overyielding of stand basal area growth but the absence of any relationship with site index and climatic variables, we hypothesize that the overyielding and overdensity results from several different types of interactions (light-, water-, and nutrient-related) that are all important in different circumstances. We discuss the relevance of the results for ecological theory and for the ongoing silvicultural transition from pure to mixed stands and their adaptation to climate change.The networking in this study has been sup-ported by COST Action FP1206 EuMIXFOR. All contributors thanktheir national funding institutions to establish, measure, and analysedata from the triplets. The first author also thanks the BayerischenStaatsforsten (BaySF) for supporting the establishment of the plots,the Bavarian State Ministry for Nutrition, Agriculture, and Forestryfor permanent support of the project W 07 ‘‘Long-term experimentalplots for forest growth and yield research’’ (# 7831-22209-2013) andthe German Science Foundation for providing the funds for the pro-jects PR 292/12-1 ‘‘Tree and stand-level growth reactions on droughtin mixed versus pure forests of Norway spruce and European beech’’.Thanks are also due to Ulrich Kern for the graphical artwork, and totwo anonymous reviewers for their constructive criticism