On the Analysis of Chemical Composition of Moon's Surface by Direct Methods

Proportional counter for X ray emission detection and chemical analysis of lunar surface element

Optical phase dynamics in mutually coupled diode laser systems exhibiting power synchronization

We probe the physical mechanism behind the known phenomenon of power synchronization of two diode lasers that are mutually coupled via their delayed optical fields. In a diode laser, the amplitude and the phase of the optical field are coupled by the so-called linewidth enhancement factor, $\alpha$. In this work, we explore the role of optical phases of the electric fields in amplitude (and hence power) synchronization through $\alpha$ in such mutually delay-coupled diode laser systems. Our numerical results show that the synchronization of optical phases drives the powers of lasers to synchronized death regimes. We also find that as $\alpha$ varies for different diode lasers, the system goes through a sequence of in-phase amplitude-death states. Within the windows between successive amplitude-death regions, the cross-correlation between the field amplitudes exhibits a universal power-law behaviour with respect to $\alpha$.Comment: J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 44 (2011

Coherence and incoherence in an optical comb

We demonstrate a coexistence of coherent and incoherent modes in the optical comb generated by a passively mode-locked quantum dot laser. This is experimentally achieved by means of optical linewidth, radio frequency spectrum, and optical spectrum measurements and confirmed numerically by a delay-differential equation model showing excellent agreement with the experiment. We interpret the state as a chimera state

A systematic review of studies investigating the acute effects of N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor antagonists on behavioural despair in normal animals suggests poor predictive validity.

The ability of the N-methyl- D -aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine to induce a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect has led to a surge in pre-clinical studies investigating underlying mechanisms and seeking novel treatments. Animal models are key to this research as they can provide a behavioural readout linking underlying mechanisms to clinical benefits. However, quantifying depression-related behaviours in rodents represents a major challenge with the validity of traditional methods such as models of behavioural despair (forced swim test and tail suspension test) a topic of debate. While there is good evidence to support the value of using these behavioural readouts to study the effects of stress, these approaches have largely failed to detect reliable phenotypic effects in other disease models. In this systematic review, we identified publications which had tested N-methyl- D -aspartate receptor antagonists in normal animals using either the forced swim test or tail suspension test. We compared findings for different doses and time points and also drugs with different clinical profiles to investigate how well the outcomes in the rodent model predicted their effects in the clinic. Despite clear evidence that N-methyl- D -aspartate receptor antagonists reduce immobility time and hence exhibit an antidepressant profile in these tasks, we found similar effects with both clinically effective drugs as well as those which have failed to show efficacy in clinical trials. These findings suggest that behavioural despair tests in normal animals do not provide a good method to predict clinical efficacy of N-methyl- D -aspartate receptor antagonists

Wavelength stability in a hybrid photonic crystal laser through controlled nonlinear absorptive heating in the reflector

The need for miniaturized, fully integrated semiconductor lasers has stimulated significant research efforts into realizing unconventional configurations that can meet the performance requirements of a large spectrum of applications, ranging from communication systems to sensing. We demonstrate a hybrid, silicon photonics-compatible photonic crystal (PhC) laser architecture that can be used to implement cost-effective, high-capacity light sources, with high side-mode suppression ratio and milliwatt output output powers. The emitted wavelength is set and controlled by a silicon PhC cavity-based reflective filter with the gain provided by a III–V-based reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). The high power density in the laser cavity results in a significant enhancement of the nonlinear absorption in silicon in the high Q-factor PhC resonator. The heat generated in this manner creates a tuning effect in the wavelength-selective element, which can be used to offset external temperature fluctuations without the use of active cooling. Our approach is fully compatible with existing fabrication and integration technologies, providing a practical route to integrated lasing in wavelength-sensitive schemes

Bistability and hysteresis in an optically injected two-section semiconductor laser

The effect of coherent single frequency injection on two-section semiconductor lasers is studied numerically using a model based on a set of delay differential equations. The existence of bistability between different CW and non-stationary regimes of operation is demonstrated in the case of sufficiently large linewidth enhancement factors

Bistable regimes in an optically injected mode-locked laser

We study experimentally the dynamics of quantum-dot (QD) passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers under external optical injection. The lasers demonstrated multiple dynamical states, with bifurcation boundaries that depended upon the sign of detuning variation. The area of the hysteresis loops grew monotonically at small powers of optical injection and saturated at moderate powers. At high injection levels the hysteresis decreased and eventually disappeared

Variations in the Adaptive Response of <i>Burkholderia pseudomallei</i> to Cold Stress

The aim of the study was to analyze differential gene expression in Burkholderia pseudomallei strains with different survival rates under cold stress conditions.Materials and methods. Three strains of B. pseudomallei (sequence types ST 46, ST 70, and ST 85) were used as model strains. The RNA was isolated using the membrane columns method and stabilized through dehydration. The cDNA was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Gene functions were classified using the KEGG PATHWAY database.Results and discussion. Based on the analysis of transcriptomes of B. pseudomallei strains after prolonged exposure to cold stress, the molecular mechanisms of B. pseudomallei adaptation to low temperatures have been described for the first time ever. It was shown that adaptation of B. pseudomallei to cold stress is associated with regulatory processes leading to a significant decrease in the total transcriptional activity. Two strategies of adaptation to low temperatures have been found: 1) modulation of regulatory processes leading to suppression of gene expression of the main metabolic pathways to the minimum level that ensures cell viability and activation of the minimum required set of stress response genes, and 2) less noticeable suppression of general metabolism in combination with activation of expression of an extended range of genes for cold and heat shock, general, osmotic, and universal stresses. Both mechanisms provide the causative agent of melioidosis with survival under conditions of prolonged cold stress at low positive temperatures. The first strategy showed greater efficiency at negative temperatures. The transition of B. pseudomallei to a viable but uncultivated state occurs in the long term (at least 2 years). While with the second strategy, this happens within 2 months. Assessment of the potential and molecular mechanisms of adaptation of this bacterium to cold stress is necessary to understand the degree of risk in case of a possible introduction of B. pseudomallei into regions with a temperate climate and to develop effective measures to ensure the biosafety of the environment

Antigenic identity of immunodominant proteins of <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> genovariants

Introduction. The main biological raw materials for the production of immunobiological preparations for identification of Bacillus anthracis are its specific antigens, the protective antigen and the EA1 protein. Purpose. To determine the antigenic identity of immunodominant proteins of different genovariants of B. anthracis isolated by gel chromatography and electrophoresis. Materials and methods. Culture filtrates of isogenic variants of B. anthracis strain 575/122 (pXO1+, pXO2+): R01 (pXO1+, pXO2); R00 (pXO1, pXO2) were used in the study. Gel chromatographic fractionation and electrophoretic separation were carried out according to standard methods. The antigenic properties of proteins isolated by gel chromatography and electrophoresis were studied by immunodiffusion with polyclonal monospecific sera against the protective antigen and the EA1 protein of the S-layer. Results. Gel chromatographic separation of B. anthracis 575/122 culture filtrates R01 (pXO1+, pXO2) and R00 (pXO1, pXO2)yielded fractions 1 and 5. Sera against EA1 protein and antigens of fraction 1 of strains B. anthracis 575/122 R00 and B. anthracis 575/122 R01 culture filtrates identified the identical antigens. Serum against antigens of fraction 5 of B. anthracis 575/122 R01 contained antibodies to numerous proteins, including the protective antigen isolated by electrophoresis. Discussion. The antigenic identity of immunodominant proteins isolated by gel chromatography and electrophoresis was identified. Conclusion. EA1 and PA proteins isolated by electrophoresis and gel chromatography can be used for production of monoclonal and polyclonal monospecific antibodies suitable for the design of diagnostic preparations