19,663 research outputs found
Theory of disorder-induced multiple coherent scattering in photonic crystal waveguides
We introduce a theoretical formalism to describe disorder-induced extrinsic
scattering in slow-light photonic crystal waveguides. This work details and
extends the optical scattering theory used in a recent \emph{Physical Review
Letter} [M. Patterson \emph{et al.}, \emph{Phys. Rev. Lett.} \textbf{102},
103901 (2009)] to describe coherent scattering phenomena and successfully
explain complex experimental measurements. Our presented theory, that combines
Green function and coupled mode methods, allows one to self-consistently
account for arbitrary multiple scattering for the propagating electric field
and recover experimental features such as resonances near the band edge. The
technique is fully three-dimensional and can calculate the effects of disorder
on the propagating field over thousands of unit cells. As an application of
this theory, we explore various sample lengths and disordered instances, and
demonstrate the profound effect of multiple scattering in the waveguide
transmission. The spectra yield rich features associated with disorder-induced
localization and multiple scattering, which are shown to be exasperated in the
slow light propagation regime
Approach Considerations in Aircraft with High-Lift Propeller Systems
NASA's research into distributed electric propulsion (DEP) includes the design and development of the X-57 Maxwell aircraft. This aircraft has two distinct types of DEP: wingtip propellers and high-lift propellers. This paper focuses on the unique opportunities and challenges that the high-lift propellers--i.e., the small diameter propellers distributed upstream of the wing leading edge to augment lift at low speeds--bring to the aircraft performance in approach conditions. Recent changes to the regulations related to certifying small aircraft (14 CFR x23) and these new regulations' implications on the certification of aircraft with high-lift propellers are discussed. Recommendations about control systems for high-lift propeller systems are made, and performance estimates for the X-57 aircraft with high-lift propellers operating are presented
Endothelial Glycocalyx Degradation in Critical Illness and Injury
The endothelial glycocalyx is a gel-like layer on the luminal side of blood vessels that is composed of glycosaminoglycans and the proteins that tether them to the plasma membrane. Interest in its properties and function has grown, particularly in the last decade, as its importance to endothelial barrier function has come to light. Endothelial glycocalyx studies have revealed that many critical illnesses result in its degradation or removal, contributing to endothelial dysfunction and barrier break-down. Loss of the endothelial glycocalyx facilitates the direct access of immune cells and deleterious agents (e.g., proteases and reactive oxygen species) to the endothelium, that can then further endothelial cell injury and dysfunction leading to complications such as edema, and thrombosis. Here, we briefly describe the endothelial glycocalyx and the primary components thought to be directly responsible for its degradation. We review recent literature relevant to glycocalyx damage in several critical illnesses (sepsis, COVID-19, trauma and diabetes) that share inflammation as a common denominator with actions by several common agents (hyaluronidases, proteases, reactive oxygen species, etc.). Finally, we briefly cover strategies and therapies that show promise in protecting or helping to rebuild the endothelial glycocalyx such as steroids, protease inhibitors, anticoagulants and resuscitation strategies
Lead Precipitation Fluxes at Tropical Oceanic Sites Determined From ^(210)Pb Measurements
Concentrations of lead, ^(210)Pb, and ^(210)Po were measured in rain selected for least influence by local sources of contamination at several tropical and subtropical islands (Enewetak; Pigeon Key, Florida; and American Samoa) and shipboard stations (near Bermuda and Tahiti). Ratios expressed as ng Pb/dpm ^(210)Pb in rain were 250–900 for Pigeon Key (assuming 12% adsorption for ^(210)Pb and no adsorption for lead), depending on whether the air masses containing the analyzed rain came from the Caribbean or from the continent, respectively; about 390 for the northern Sargasso Sea downwind from emissions of industrial lead in North America; 65 for Enewetak, remote from continental emissions of industrial lead in the northern hemisphere; and 14 near Tahiti, a remote location in the southern hemisphere where industrial lead emissions to the atmosphere are much less than in the northern hemisphere. (The American Samoa sample yielded a higher ratio than Tahiti; the reason for this is not clear but may be due to local Pb sources.) The corresponding fluxes of lead to the oceans, based on measured or modeled ^(210)Pb precipitation fluxes, are about 4 ng Pb/cm^2y for Tahiti, 10 for Enewetak, and 270 for the Sargasso Sea site, and between 110 to 390 at Pigeon Key
Endothelial Glycocalyx Degradation in Critical Illness and Injury
The endothelial glycocalyx is a gel-like layer on the luminal side of blood vessels that is composed of glycosaminoglycans and the proteins that tether them to the plasma membrane. Interest in its properties and function has grown, particularly in the last decade, as its importance to endothelial barrier function has come to light. Endothelial glycocalyx studies have revealed that many critical illnesses result in its degradation or removal, contributing to endothelial dysfunction and barrier break-down. Loss of the endothelial glycocalyx facilitates the direct access of immune cells and deleterious agents (e.g., proteases and reactive oxygen species) to the endothelium, that can then further endothelial cell injury and dysfunction leading to complications such as edema, and thrombosis. Here, we briefly describe the endothelial glycocalyx and the primary components thought to be directly responsible for its degradation. We review recent literature relevant to glycocalyx damage in several critical illnesses (sepsis, COVID-19, trauma and diabetes) that share inflammation as a common denominator with actions by several common agents (hyaluronidases, proteases, reactive oxygen species, etc.). Finally, we briefly cover strategies and therapies that show promise in protecting or helping to rebuild the endothelial glycocalyx such as steroids, protease inhibitors, anticoagulants and resuscitation strategies
Prostaglandin Eâ‚‚ impacts multiple stages of the natural killer cell antitumor immune response
Tumor immune escape is a major factor contributing to cancer progression and unresponsiveness to cancer therapies. Tumors can produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an inflammatory mediator that directly acts on Natural killer (NK) cells to inhibit antitumor immunity. However, precisely how PGE2 influences NK cell tumor-restraining functions remains unclear. Here, we report that following PGEâ‚‚ treatment, human NK cells exhibited altered expression of specific activating receptors and a reduced ability to degranulate and kill cancer targets. Transcriptional analysis uncovered that PGEâ‚‚ also differentially modulated the expression of chemokine receptors by NK cells, inhibiting CXCR3 but increasing CXCR4. Consistent with this, PGEâ‚‚-treated NK cells exhibited decreased migration to CXCL10 but increased ability to migrate toward CXCL12. Using live cell imaging, we showed that in the presence of PGE2, NK cells were slower and less likely to kill cancer target cells following conjugation. Imaging the sequential stages of NK cell killing revealed that PGEâ‚‚ impaired NK cell polarization, but not the re-organization of synaptic actin or the release of perforin itself. Together, these findings demonstrate that PGEâ‚‚ affects multiple but select NK cell functions. Understanding how cancer cells subvert NK cells is necessary to more effectively harness the cancer-inhibitory function of NK cells in treatments
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