Steering between Bloch oscillation and dipole oscillation in parabolic optical waveguide arrays

We study the optical oscillations of supermodes in planar optical waveguide arrays with parabolically graded propagation constant in individual waveguide interacting through nearest neighbor couplings. In these arrays, we have identified a transition between a symmetric dipole oscillation (DO) and a symmetry-breaking Bloch oscillation (BO) under appropriate conditions. There exist obvious correspondences between gradon localization and various optical oscillations. By virtue of an analogue between the oscillation of optical system and that of a plane pendulum, we propose a shift of the graded profile to cause a transition from BO to DO. We confirm the optical transition by means of Hamiltonian optics, as well as by the field evolution of the supermodes. The results offer great potential applications in optical switching, which can be applied to design suitable optical devices.Comment: Submitted to JOSA B for publication

Microscopic Investigation of Vortex Breakdown in a Dividing T-Junction Flow

3D-printed microfluidic devices offer new ways to study fluid dynamics. We present the first clear visualization of vortex breakdown in a dividing T-junction flow. By individual control of the inflow and two outflows, we decouple the effects of swirl and rate of vorticity decay. We show that even slight outflow imbalances can greatly alter the structure of vortex breakdown, by creating a net pressure difference across the junction. Our results are summarized in a dimensionless phase diagram, which will guide the use of vortex breakdown in T-junctions to achieve specific flow manipulation.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Protein Enrichment Of Pycnoporus Sanguineus For Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis

Controlling sizes of nanomaterials are attracting a great deal of attention because of their unit properties for achieving specific processes especially in biological and medical applications. In this context, Ag which possesses good antimicrobial effects is of interest. A simple and effective approach for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles by reduction mechanism of proteins synthesized by several species of white rot fungi was studied. Pycnoporus sanguineus was found to produce smallest Ag nanoparticles with degree of monodispersity. A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize a fermentation medium for the production of protein by the selected fungi. The four variables involved in the study were glucose, malt extract, yeast extract and pH. The optimized medium contained 8.39 gL-1, 18.34 gL-1, 14.71 gL-1 of yeast extract, glucose and malt extract respectively with initial pH 6.66; and produced the maximum protein at 0.858 gL-1. Kinetic growth of the fungi, glucose consumption and product formation of the tested fungus were also reported. It is showed that at initial glucose concentration of 20gL-1, Richard-modified logistic model (R2 =0.9839) for microbial growth, modified Gompertz model (R2 =0.9610) for product formation and first order non-growth associate (R2 =0.9736) for glucose consumption were fittd well with the experimental data. Sequential optimization strategy based on one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method and statistical experimental design were employed to optimize the process parameters for the enhancement of Ag nanoparticles synthesis. Based on the OFAT method, three significant factors influencing the size of Ag nanoparticles such as AgNO3 concentration, incubation temperature and agitation spee

American Daoism: A New Religious Movement in Global Contexts

This thesis explores the phenomenon of American Daoism. It assumes that American Daoism is a New Religious Movement, and argues that it has roots in counterhegemonic religious movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I will explore these roots and describe how they are counter-hegemonic. Furthermore, I will build upon Elijiah Siegler’s doctoral dissertation, “The Dao of America: The History and Practice of American Daoism,” by using post-modern theories of identity to discuss how American Daoist identity is formed. This thesis argues that American Daoist identity is a combination of Chinese and American cultural objects that form a hybrid religious identity. American Daoism has largely been influenced by globalization and consumer culture. I will argue that there is some degree of commodification in American Daoism. The process of commodification is not negative, rather it facilitates American Daoism’s spread into new markets. I also discuss the negative aspects of commodification in relation to Daoism, and the problems encountered when differentiating between the two

Are Husbands Involving in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness for their Wives’ Pregnancies?: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

INTRODUCTION: Husbands’ involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) has been encouraged as a new approach to improve maternal health for safe motherhood since 2000. However, Myanmar is a patriarchy society and despite the strong domination of husbands on the health of their families, their role and involvement in maternal health are still limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess husbands’ involvement in BP/CR for their pregnant wives in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was a cross sectional study which was carried out through a structured questionnaire among 198 husbands of pregnant women aged 18 years and above in Nay Pyi Taw. RESULTS: The results showed that 42.4% of husbands included in the study had poor involvement in BP/CR for safe motherhood. Approximately 38% of husbands failed to plan health facility for delivery, 45% did not plan for a skilled birth attendant, 20% did not save money for the delivery, 43% neglected transportation arrangement and 66% did not identify a blood donor in case of emergency. Husbands having good knowledge and positive attitude were significantly (p-value <0.001) involved in BP/CR as compared to those who did not. In addition, husbands who planned the pregnancy along with wives were involved in BP/CR more than those who did not and association was significant at p<0.001. Conclusion: Level of husbands’ involvement in BP/CR is slightly low for their wives’ pregnancies. It was, therefore, recommended that effective husband involvement intervention programmes should be promoted at all levels of healthcare for safe motherhood

Schizophyllum Commune As Nano-Factory For Biosynthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are the noble metal nanoparticles that are being studied extensively due to their antimicrobial properties[1]

The accessibility of public housing in Hong Kong : an analysis of government policy and action

published_or_final_versionPolitics and Public AdministrationMasterMaster of Public Administratio

Harmonic oscillations and their switching in elliptical optical waveguide arrays

We have studied harmonic oscillations in an elliptical optical waveguide array in which the coupling between neighboring waveguides is varied in accord with a Kac matrix so that the propagation constant eigenvalues can take equally spaced values. As a result, long-living Bloch oscillation (BO) and dipole oscillation (DO) are obtained when a linear gradient in the propagation constant is applied. Moreover, we achieve a switching from DO to BO or vice versa by ramping up the gradient profile. The various optical oscillations as well as their switching are investigated by field evolution analysis and confirmed by Hamiltonian optics. The equally spaced eigenvalues in the propagation constant allow viable applications in transmitting images, switching and routing of optical signals.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure