Scalable Functionalization of Optical Fibers Using Atomically Thin Semiconductors

Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides are highly promising for integrated optoelectronic and photonic systems due to their exciton-driven linear and nonlinear interactions with light. Integrating them into optical fibers yields novel opportunities in optical communication, remote sensing, and all-fiber optoelectronics. However, the scalable and reproducible deposition of high-quality monolayers on optical fibers is a challenge. Here, the chemical vapor deposition of monolayer MoS₂ and WS₂ crystals on the core of microstructured exposed-core optical fibers and their interaction with the fibers’ guided modes are reported. Two distinct application possibilities of 2D-functionalized waveguides to exemplify their potential are demonstrated. First, the excitonic 2D material photoluminescence is simultaneously excited and collected with the fiber modes, opening a novel route to remote sensing. Then it is shown that third-harmonic generation is modified by the highly localized nonlinear polarization of the monolayers, yielding a new avenue to tailor nonlinear optical processes in fibers. It is anticipated that the results may lead to significant advances in optical-fiber-based technologies.     

Social support and recovery from surgery.

Examined the relationship of naturally occurring social support from the spouse with the preoperative anxiety and postoperative recovery of 56 male coronary-bypass patients (aged 38–69 yrs). Ss were divided into groups based on whether the overall perceived quality of their marital relationship was relatively good or bad at the time of surgery and on whether they received relatively high or low spouse support in the hospital (defined in terms of frequency of visits). Ss were also compared with 16 unmarried male coronary-bypass patients. Married Ss who received more hospital support took less pain medication and recovered more quickly than low-support Ss. In contrast, perceived quality of the marital relationship was relatively insignificant. Speed of recovery for unmarried Ss was generally slower than for married, high-support Ss and faster than for married, low-support Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Particulate Matter Intervention Study: A Causal Factor of Building-Related Symptoms in an Older Building

Abstract Five floors of a 20-year old 6-story office building were investigated using an integrated step-by-step investigation strategy. This involved a walkthrough inspection, an occupant questionnaire, and targeted environmental monitoring of indoor air quality and comfort parameters. The initial questionnaire survey revealed a high occurrence of building-related symptoms. The walkthrough inspection and environmental monitoring identified deposits of surface dust (indoor surface pollution – ISP) on carpets and hard surfaces, and elevated levels of carbon dioxide and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSP) throughout the building. An intervention study (blinded to the occupants) was targeted at reducing ISP levels by replacing normal carpet cleaning practices with higher performance vacuum cleaners and improved cleaning practices. The intervention reduced ISP levels and significantly lowered RSP concentrations by approx. 80% from initial values and against control floors. A follow-up SBS questionnaire revealed significant reductions in all but two of the symptoms. The most significant reductions occurred with symptoms of eye irritation, throat irritation, dry unproductive cough, and nose irritation. The study showed that in older buildings with poor ventilation, a build-up of ISP, and elevated RSP levels, using higher performance carpet cleaning practices can reduce RSP to acceptable levels and can reduce SBS symptoms.     

Opposite effects of polyamines on glutamate deamination in isolated renal tubules and permeabilized kidney cortex mitochondria of rabbit

The effect of polyamines on glutamate deamination has been studied in both isolated tubules and permeabilized kidney cortex mitochondria of rabbit. Spermine, spermidine and putrescine resulted in a decrease of ammonium release in isolated renal tubules incubated with glutamate in the presence of MSO and AOA, inhibitors of glutamine synthetase and aminotransferases, respectively. This was not due to the inhibition of glutamate transport across renal tubular membranes since transport of [14C]glutamate into brush border membranes vesicles was not decreased by polyamines. In contrast, polyamines stimulated glutamate deamination in permeabilized mitochondria. This effect was additive to the action of ADP, an allosteric activator of glutamate dehydrogenase. Since these compounds decreased both glutamate-induced mitochondrial swelling as well as [14C]glutamate accumulation in mitochondria, the inhibitory effect of polyamines on glutamate deamination in renal tubules might be due to a diminished glutamate transport across the mitochondrial membrane.     

Zur Häurtung von Bisphenol-A-diglycidether mit Dicyandiamid in Gegenwart von Beschleuniger-Addukten

Single-component formulations of epoxy resins with reactive accelerators must be storable. The preparation of several blocked accelerators is described. The basicity of tertiary amines, which correlates with accelerating effects, as well as acidity and structure of polyphenols and modified novolacs influences the extend of blocking. The curing process was investigated by measurements of gel time and viscosity.     

Serial combination drying processes: A measure to improve quality of dried carrot disks and to reduce drying time

Conventional drying processes like hot air-drying (HAD), freeze-drying (FD) and microwave vacuum drying (MVD) have specific advantages and disadvantages concerning product quality and drying time. Recent studies have shown that serial combinations of these processes can lead to better product quality (water content, color, hardness, rehydration, volume, and ingredient retention) and favorable process parameters (shorter time, less energy consumption). However, little is known about the timing of the changeover point between the different processes. In this study, we investigated the development of quality parameters (volume retention, rehydration properties) during FD, HAD, and MVD either as a single or as a serial combination process with varying changeover point. Therefore, carrot disks were processed in a modular drying processor to different final relative moisture contents. On this basis, recommendations were derived for certain combinations of drying processes to achieve desired product quality parameters, partially with shorter drying times.     

Anisotropic stick-slip friction of highly oriented thin films of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) at the molecular level

Lateral force microscopy (LFM) studies of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films with molecular resolution are reported. Thin PTFE layers with a high degree of orientation were obtained by pressing and sliding a block of polymer on a clean, heated muscovite mica substrate. LFM nanographs obtained on these films by scanning at directions between ca. 40 and 90° with respect to the film orientation direction, i.e. with respect to the direction of the polymer chains, showed a stick-slip type frictional motion of the LFM probe tip at the molecular level. The friction force observed at constant load decreased with decreasing scan angles. Chain-chain packing distances obtained by LFM and contact-mode atomic force microscopy were the same to within the experimental error and had a value of 5.8 Å. Dual-mode contact AFM/LFM imaging was also performed by scanning in the chain direction. Here LFM nanographs showed no distinct stick-slip phenomenon. The contact mode AFM images, however, exhibited clear molecular resolution with the expected chain-chain periodicity. The disappearance of the stick component in LFM scans performed in the chain direction was attributed to the smooth surface of PTFE on the molecular scale.     

Control of the chromium-oxygen reaction in pure iron melts

Oxygen activities in Fe-O-Cr melts, equilibrated with chromium oxide, were determined as a function of chromium content by EMF measurements using ZrO₂(CaO) plug-type sensors with a Cr-Cr₂O₃ reference. Plug-type sensors with or without Cr₂O₃ saturator were used in the experiments. From the experimental results values for the activity coefficient f_O and the interaction parameters and were evaluated. Raoultian chromium activity features a slight positive deviation from ideal solution behaviour in the temperature range from 1550 to 1650°C. Taking into account the calculated interaction parameters, the equilibrium constant K_Cr-O was redetermined at 1550 to 1650°C. In comparison with previous studies a better agreement was obtained with existing thermochemical data.