Experimental observation of Dyakonov plasmons in the mid-infrared

AbstractIn this work, we report on observation of Dyakonov plasmons at an interface with a hyperbolic metamaterial in the mid-IR. The hyperbolic metamaterial is implemented as a CMOS-compatible high aspect ratio grating structure with aluminium-doped ZnO (AZO) ridges grown by atomic layer deposition in deep trench silicon matrix. The dispersion of Dyakonov plasmons is characterized by the attenuated total reflection method in the Otto configuration. We demonstrate that Dyakonov plasmons propagate in a broad range of directions (a few tens of degrees) in contrast to the classical Dyakonov surface waves (about one tenth of degree). The obtained results provide useful guidelines for practical implementations of structures supporting Dyakonov plasmons in the mid-IR. </jats:p

Ionic Liquid 3-Methyl-1-sulphonic Acid Imidazolium Chloride {[Msim]Cl}: A Highly Efficient, Mild and Green Catalyst for the Synthesis of &#946;-Acetamido Ketones

Brønstedacidic ionic liquid 3-methyl-1-sulphonic acid imidazolium chloride {[Msim]Cl} is utilized as a highly efficient, inexpensive, mild and green catalyst for the synthesis of β-acetamido ketones by the one-pot multi-component coupling between acetophenones, arylaldehydes, acetonitrile and acetyl chloride at room temperature. Under these conditions, the title compounds are produced in high to excellent yields and in relatively short reaction times. In addition, this method is superior to reported methods, for the synthesis of β-acetamido ketones and is applicable for the synthesis of tris(β-acetamido ketone).Keyword: 3-Methyl-1-sulphonic acid imidazolium chloride {[Msim]Cl}, β-acetamido ketone, Brønsted acidic catalyst, ionic liquid, one-pot multi-component reaction, acetophenon

CFD-DEM Analysis of Particle Attrition in a Jet in a Fluidised Bed

In fluidised bed processes, the solids are in vigorous motion and thus inevitably subjected to mechanical stresses due to inter-particle and particle-wall impacts. These stresses lead to a gradual degradation of the particles by surface wear, abrasion and body fragmentation commonly termed attrition. One significant contribution of attrition comes from the air jets of the fluidised bed distributor. Particles are entrained into the air jet, where they get accelerated and impacted onto the fluidised bed particles. The jet induced attrition only affects the part of the bed which is limited by the jet length, where the mode of attrition is largely collisional. The overall jet attrition rate is therefore the result of the combination of the single particle damage and the flux of particles entering into that region. The attrition behaviour of particles in the jet region is analysed by evaluating their propensity of breakage experimentally and by simulating an air-jet in a bed of particles by CFD-DEM. The frequency of collisions and impact velocities are estimated from which the attrition due to a single air-jet is predicted

Some exact solutions of F(R) gravity with charged (a)dS black hole interpretation

In this paper we obtain topological static solutions of some kind of pure $F(R)$ gravity. The present solutions are two kind: first type is uncharged solution which corresponds with the topological (a)dS Schwarzschild solution and second type has electric charge and is equivalent to the Einstein-$\Lambda$-conformally invariant Maxwell solution. In other word, starting from pure gravity leads to (charged) Einstein-$\Lambda$ solutions which we interpreted them as (charged) (a)dS black hole solutions of pure $F(R)$ gravity. Calculating the Ricci and Kreschmann scalars show that there is a curvature singularity at $r=0$. We should note that the Kreschmann scalar of charged solutions goes to infinity as $r \rightarrow 0$, but with a rate slower than that of uncharged solutions.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, generalization to higher dimensions, references adde

Lubiprostone Stimulates Duodenal Bicarbonate Secretion in Rats

Lubiprostone, a bicyclic fatty acid, is used for the treatment of chronic constipation. No published study has addressed the effect of lubiprostone on intestinal ion secretion in vivo. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that lubiprostone augments duodenal HCO3 − secretion (DBS). Rat proximal duodenal loops were perfused with pH 7.0 Krebs, control vehicle (medium-chain triglycerides), or lubiprostone (0.1–10 μM). We measured DBS with flow-through pH and CO2 electrodes, perfusate [Cl−] with a Cl− electrode, and water flux using a non-absorbable ferrocyanide marker. Some rats were pretreated with a potent, selective CFTR antagonist, CFTRinh-172 (1 mg/kg, ip), 1 h before experiments. Perfusion of lubiprostone concentration dependently increased DBS, whereas net Cl− output and net water output were only increased at 0.1 μM, compared with vehicle. CFTRinh-172 reduced lubiprostone (10 μM)-induced DBS increase, whereas net Cl− output was also unchanged. Nevertheless, CFTRinh-172 reduced basal net water output, which was reversed by lubiprostone. Furthermore, lubiprostone-induced DBS was inhibited by EP4 receptor antagonist, not by an EP1/2 receptor antagonist or by indomethacin pretreatment. In this first study of the effect of lubiprostone on intestinal ion secretion in vivo, lubiprostone stimulated CFTR-dependent DBS without changing net Cl− secretion. This effect supports the hypothesis that Cl− secreted by CFTR is recycled across the apical membrane by anion exchangers. Recovery of water output during CFTR inhibition suggests that lubiprostone may improve the intestinal phenotype in CF patients. Furthermore, increased DBS suggests that lubiprostone may protect the duodenum from acid-induced injury via EP4 receptor activation

Existence of a lens-shaped cluster of surfaces self-shrinking by mean curvature

We rigorously show the existence of a rotationally and centrally symmetric "lens-shaped" cluster of three surfaces, meeting at a smooth common circle, forming equal angles of 120 degrees, self-shrinking under the motion by mean curvature.Comment: 22 pages, 2 figure