Coherent lidars based on intracavity heterodyning of echo signals

The development and technical realization of the method of laser sounding of the atmosphere based on the effects of mixing of reference and external fields of scattering inside a laser cavity are presented. An approximate theory of the method was developed on the basis of the investigations using the model of a three-mirror laser. The nonlinear effect of a wideband laser on frequency-dependent external influences of the atmosphere was investigated. The field measurements of gaseous composition of the atmosphere were performed on the basis of a given method of coherent reception using a tunable CO2 laser

Island model with genetic algorithm for solution of crystal structure from X-ray powder diffraction data

In this paper, we consider the problem of the study of polycrystalline substances: restoration of a substance atomic structure by full-profile analysis of powder diffraction data. This task is specific since it is not necessary to find very good solutions on average, but it is necessary to find the best one at least sometimes. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use an evolutionary algorithm based on the cooperative island model. The article describes the main stages and features of the algorithm and notes the qualitative advantages of this model in comparison with other methods (including evolutionary). The description of innovations proposed and the results of computational experiments are given. Conclusions from the experimental results are given, and further prospects for improving the efficiency of this method were noted

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ ЛАЗЕРНОЙ АТОМНО-ЭМИССИОННОЙ СПЕКТРОСКОПИИ ДЛЯ АНАЛИЗА ЦЕМЕНТА

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy has been applied for a rapid determination of the main components in flooding cement. Spectra of the erosion plume formed under the action of dual laser pulses were recorded. We used the calibration-free approach based on the detailed diagnostic of the laser ablation plasma, without using standard samples of known composition. The accuracy of determining the basic elements for such an analytical approach was ~4 %.Лазерный атомно-эмиссионный спектральный анализ применен для экспрессного определения основных компонент заводненного цемента. Регистрировались спектры эрозионного факела, образованного под воздействием сдвоенных лазерных импульсов. В работе использовался безэталонный подход, основанный на детальной диагностике лазерной плазмы, исключающий калибровку по образцам с известным составом. Точность определения основных элементов для такого варианта анализа составила ~4 %

СПЕКТРОСКОПИЧЕСКАЯ ДИАГНОСТИКА ДВУХИМПУЛЬСНОЙ ЛАЗЕРНОАБЛЯЦИОННОЙ ПЛАЗМЫ В ЖИДКОСТИ ДЛЯ ОПТИМИЗАЦИИ ПРОЦЕССА СИНТЕЗА НАНОЧАСТИЦ

The features of plasma formation in double-pulse laser ablation in liquid have been studied to optimize the process of nanoparticles synthesis. On the basis of spectroscopic plasma diagnostics the spatial structure and the time range of laserinduced plasma emission have been revealed and the composition of its component has been determined. Исследуются особенности плазмообразования при двухимпульсной лазерной абляции в жидкости с целью оптимизации процесса синтеза наночастиц. На основе спектроскопической диагностики выяснена пространственная структура и временной диапазон излучения лазерно-индуцированной плазмы, создаваемой под действием сдвоенных лазерных импульсов в жидкости, и определен ее компонентный состав.

Direct Numerical Simulation Of Turbulent Multispecies Channel Flow With Wall Ablation

The design of solid rocket motors requires the prediction of changes induced by the ablation process occurring at the nozzle throat. The present study aims at understand-ing the effects of ablation on the turbulent boundary layer performing direct numerical simulations in a channel flow configuration. An ablation boundary condition for arbitrary chemical composition and pyrolysis scheme is developed and presented in this paper. Then, two DNS of a seven species reacting flow are performed: a) with inert walls; b) with ablated walls. Generated data are compared and analyzed looking at first order statistics. It is shown that the classical law of the wall for velocity and temperature are not appropriate to represent the numerical result. The chemical equilibrium assumption is shown to be valid in the inert case and a wall function consistent with this assumption is in fair agreement with the results. Nomenclature m ̇ wall mass flux, kg · m−2 · s−1 ṙc carbon surface recession rate, m/s ṡk surface production rate of k, kg · m−2 · s−

Finding the Cell Center by a Balance of Dynein and Myosin Pulling and Microtubule Pushing: A Computational Study

By comparing computer modeling predictions with observations, we conclude that strong dynein and weaker myosin-generated forces pull the microtubules inward competing with microtubule plus-ends pushing the microtubule aster outward and that the balance of these forces positions the centrosome at the cell center

Prospects in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Tendencies in five main branches of atomic spectrometry (absorption, emission, mass, fluorescence and ionization spectrometry) are considered. The first three techniques are the most widespread and universal, with the best sensitivity attributed to atomic mass spectrometry. In the direct elemental analysis of solid samples, the leading roles are now conquered by laser-induced breakdown and laser ablation mass spectrometry, and the related techniques with transfer of the laser ablation products into inductively-coupled plasma. Advances in design of diode lasers and optical parametric oscillators promote developments in fluorescence and ionization spectrometry and also in absorption techniques where uses of optical cavities for increased effective absorption pathlength are expected to expand. Prospects for analytical instrumentation are seen in higher productivity, portability, miniaturization, incorporation of advanced software, automated sample preparation and transition to the multifunctional modular architecture. Steady progress and growth in applications of plasma- and laser-based methods are observed. An interest towards the absolute (standardless) analysis has revived, particularly in the emission spectrometry.Comment: Proofread copy with an added full reference list of 279 citations. A pdf version of the final published review may be requested from Alexander Bol'shakov <[email protected]

An Experimental and Computational Study of Effects of Microtubule Stabilization on T-Cell Polarity

T-killer cells eliminate infected and cancerous cells with precision by positioning their centrosome near the interface (immunological synapse) with the target cell. The mechanism of centrosome positioning has remained controversial, in particular the role of microtubule dynamics in it. We re-examined the issue in the experimental model of Jurkat cells presented with a T cell receptor-binding artificial substrate, which permits controlled stimulation and reproducible measurements. Neither 1-µM taxol nor 100-nM nocodazole inhibited the centrosome positioning at the “synapse” with the biomimetic substrate. At the same time, in micromolar taxol but not in nanomolar nocodazole the centrosome adopted a distinct peripheral rather than the normally central position within the synapse. This effect was reproduced in a computational energy-minimization model that assumed no microtubule dynamics, but only a taxol-induced increase in the length of the microtubules. Together, the experimental and computational results indicate that microtubule dynamics are not essential for the centrosome positioning, but that the fit of the microtubule array in the deformed body of the conjugated T cell is a major factor. The possibility of modulating the T-cell centrosome position with well-studied drugs and of predicting their effects in silico appears attractive for designing anti-cancer and antiviral therapies

Updated Iberian archeomagnetic catalogue: new full vector paleosecular variation curve for the last three millennia

In this work, we present 16 directional and 27 intensity high‐quality values from Iberia. Moreover, we have updated the Iberian archeomagnetic catalogue published more than 10 years ago with a considerable increase in the database. This has led to a notable improvement of both temporal and spatial data distribution. A full vector paleosecular variation curve from 1000 BC to 1900 AD has been developed using high‐quality data within a radius of 900 km from Madrid. A hierarchical bootstrap method has been followed for the computation of the curves. The most remarkable feature of the new curves is a notable intensity maximum of about 80 μT around 600 BC, which has not been previously reported for the Iberian Peninsula. We have also analyzed the evolution of the paleofield in Europe for the last three thousand years and conclude that the high maximum intensity values observed around 600 BC in the Iberian Peninsula could respond to the same feature as the Levantine Iron Age Anomaly, after travelling westward through Europe

Advances in estrogen receptor biology: prospects for improvements in targeted breast cancer therapy

Estrogen receptor (ER) has a crucial role in normal breast development and is expressed in the most common breast cancer subtypes. Importantly, its expression is very highly predictive for response to endocrine therapy. Current endocrine therapies for ER-positive breast cancers target ER function at multiple levels. These include targeting the level of estrogen, blocking estrogen action at the ER, and decreasing ER levels. However, the ultimate effectiveness of therapy is limited by either intrinsic or acquired resistance. Identifying the factors and pathways responsible for sensitivity and resistance remains a challenge in improving the treatment of breast cancer. With a better understanding of coordinated action of ER, its coregulatory factors, and the influence of other intracellular signaling cascades, improvements in breast cancer therapy are emerging