Does the nonlinear Schroedinger equation correctly describe beam propagation?

The parabolic equation (nonlinear Schrödinger equation) that appears in problems of stationary nonlinear beam propagation (self-focusing) is reconsidered. It is shown that an additional term, which involves changes of the propagation constant along the propagation direction, should be taken into account. The physical consequences of this departure from the standard approximation, which uses the parabolic equation, are discussed. A numerical simulation showing the difference between the new approach and the standard nonlinear Schrödinger equation is given as an example. © 1993 Optical Society of AmericaPeer Reviewe

Mode of action and characterization of a novel biological response modifier isolated from fractionated caprine serum

Immune Cell Potentiating Factor (ICPF) represents a class of biological response modifiers initially only found within active caprine serum fractions. Controlled studies have since demonstrated active ICPF derived from several non-caprine mammalian sources; including equine and human. ICPF is able to increase survivability in murine gram negative induced sepsis (60%) as well as secondary infection and subsequent sepsis in canines infected within canine parvo virus 2 (36%) despite showing no innate antiviral properties. ICPF is able to initiate systemic proteomic changes within several organ systems; including serum, liver, brain, lung, and spleen. ICPF initiated an early acute phase response, specifically through the increased expression of serum amyloid A, with systemic serum levels increasing from 1.5 μg/mL to 403.0 μg/mL within 24 hours and increased to 3,400 μg/mL within 48 hours following ICPF administration. Evaluation of cytokine expression following ICPF treatment revealed the up-regulation of IL-6, INF-γ, and the chemokine CXCL1\KC in vivo as well as the expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ in vitro within 3 hours of treatment. Development of an in vitro bioassay through the expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ within whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells will allow for further elucidation and testing of ICPF outside of an animal host. The early expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, an acute phase response including serum amyloid A, and ICPF’s inability to alleviate mortality in a lipopolysaccharide animal mortality model strongly indicates an active role for ICPF as an immune regulatory peptide capable of promoting an early inflammatory response to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium thereby reducing the risk and mortality associated with sepsis

Neurotrophic Factor Genetics of Cognitive Progression and Neuropsychiatric Symptom Presentation in Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Related Disorders

The Cache County Study on Memory in Aging (CCSMA) and subsequent Dementia Progression Study (DPS) were two research studies that took place in Cache County, Utah. These studies followed 5092 participants aged 65 or older for approximately 12 years and looked at risk and protective factors for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. One of the factors investigated was genes that are known to influence brain health, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein found in the brain that helps with the survival of brain cells. BDNF genes have been shown to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) risk, but little is known about the influence these genes have after dementia is diagnosed. The current study looked at how BDNF related genes were associated with learning and memory abilities (i.e. cognitive ability) and problematic behaviors (e.g. delusions, agitation/aggression, anxiety) in individuals from the CCSMA and DPS who were diagnosed with ADRD. This research is important to help understand what may contribute to often-seen differences in dementia progression and help inform possible treatment decisions. The results of the current project showed that BDNF genes influenced both progression of cognitive difficulties and problematic behaviors in individuals with ADRD. Additionally, it was shown that many of these effects depended on the sex of the individual, such that men and women progressed at different rates and were influenced by different BDNF related genotypes. These results provide evidence of the influence of BDNF genes after dementia diagnosis and highlights the need to investigate contributing factors related to the sex of the individual. Targeted medication or behavioral treatment of dementia that both improves BDNF function in the brain, as well as mitigates any sex-related effects, may also be another avenue for future research

Packaging management system based on digital technology

Choosing the right packaging and upgrading existing packaging systems is a growing challenge in industry practice, mainly due to the significant expansion of product structures, the rise of e-commerce and the variety of seasonal packaging. In the article, the literature related to the topic will be reviewed, and then the operating principle of the concept of a packaging management system will be presented, which supports the review and continuous improvement of the packaging system already established at the company’s site. The packaging management system concept is presented in 3 main parts. These are: selecting the right packaging for a new product, proposing packaging improvements for an existing product, and checking packaging using digital twin technology. This paper presents a systematic literature review of the field under study and the 3 main areas of the packaging management system we have identified, with a process description. This study summarizes the initial results of a PhD research. In the future, a detailed conceptualization of the 3 areas identified is planned. This publication is a summary of the results achieved so far

Microstructure of Bimetallic PtPd Catalysts under Oxidizing Conditions

Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), which decrease the amount of harmful carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions in engine exhaust, typically utilize Pt and Pd in the active phase. There is universal agreement that the addition of Pd improves both the catalytic performance and the durability of Pt catalysts. However, the mechanisms by which Pd improves the performance of Pt are less clear. Because these catalysts operate under oxidizing conditions, it is important to understand these catalysts in their working state. Herein, we report the microstructure of PtPd catalysts that are aged in air at 750 °C. After 10 h of aging, EXAFS and XANES analysis show that the Pt is fully reduced but that almost 30 % of the Pd species are present as an oxide. HRTEM images show no evidence of surface oxides on the metallic PtPd particles. Instead, the PdO is present as a separate phase that is dispersed over the alumina support. Within the metallic particles, Pt and Pd are uniformly distributed and there is no evidence of core–shell structures. Therefore, the improved catalytic performance is likely associated with the co‐existence of metallic Pt and Pd on the catalyst surface. Structured learning: A comparison of the evolution of aged and aged‐plus‐reduced Pt, Pd, and bimetallic PtPd particles is reported. The bimetallic particles grow in size and both Pt and Pd stay metallic in the form of large particles with a portion of Pd present as a dispersed Pd phase.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99700/1/cctc_201300181_sm_miscellaneous_information.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99700/2/2636_ftp.pd

High Resolution Triple Axis X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of II-VI Semiconductor Crystals

The objective of this research program is to develop methods of structural analysis based on high resolution triple axis X-ray diffractometry (HRTXD) and to carry out detailed studies of defect distributions in crystals grown in both microgravity and ground-based environments. HRTXD represents a modification of the widely used double axis X-ray rocking curve method for the characterization of grown-in defects in nearly perfect crystals. In a double axis rocking curve experiment, the sample is illuminated by a monochromatic X-ray beam and the diffracted intensity is recorded by a fixed, wide-open detector. The intensity diffracted by the sample is then monitored as the sample is rotated through the Bragg reflection condition. The breadth of the peak, which is often reported as the full angular width at half the maximum intensity (FWHM), is used as an indicator of the amount of defects in the sample. This work has shown that high resolution triple axis X-ray diffraction is an effective tool for characterizing the defect structure in semiconductor crystals, particularly at high defect densities. Additionally, the technique is complimentary to X-ray topography for defect characterization in crystals

A LIFE OF CURIOSITY

I have always wanted to be a science writer; I just did not know it. Constant questions plagued my science teachers through grade school, and I could never settle on any one field to study, so decided to choose all of them by studying journalism. Now that I have committed to a career of learning, I have gone back through my life and pulled from the environment I grew up in, interests both as a child and adult, and some of the most impactful moments of my life to make up for lost time and answer a few of those ceaseless questions