Comparison of three EIT-type resonances formed in Rb nanocell

Abstract

The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomenon is studied using a nanometric thin (L = 795 nm) Rb vapour layer. EIT-type resonances that are formed in three different energy-level systems are reported. It is demonstrated that the EIT resonance which is formed in a Λ-system where the ground levels are separated by the hyperfine splitting (EIT_H-resonance) has the smallest linewidth (~10 MHz). The EIT resonance which is realized in a Λ-system formed by the Zeeman sublevels of the F_g = 2 → F_e = 1 transition (EIT_Z-resonance) has a larger linewidth (~14 MHz). The EIT_V-resonance which is formed in the V-system has the largest linewidth (~40 MHz). The uniqueness of the EIT phenomena reported here is that they can be formed in different types of Λ-systems even for L < 1 μm. The splitting of the EIT_Z-resonance into two components in a transverse magnetic field is reported. The theoretical model well describes the experiment.     

Surface characterization of BiSbTe thermoelectric films electrodeposited from chlorides aqueous solutions and choline chloride based ionic liquids

Investigations of obtaining BiSb, BiTe, SbTe and BiSbTe films in concentrated chloride aqueous solution (5 M NaCl + 1 M HCl) or in ionic liquid based on choline chloride + malonic acid mixture were reported. The concentrations of Bi, Sb, Te, existing as complex anions due to high Cl⁻ concentration, were within 10–90 mM. The measurements were carried out at room temperature for aqueous medium and 85 °C for ionic liquid. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using Pt electrode were used for investigating the interface process in both electrolytes. The morphology and chemical composition of films deposited on Cu in chloride aqueous solution using current pulses or potential pulses were determined by AFM and SEM microscopy. For BiSb, the effects of change from unipolar to reverse pulses and increase in cathodic current were shown as favorable. SEM images for BiSbTe confirmed the morphology modification by increasing the current pulses, while energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses indicate a dramatic change of composition.     

The Footprint of Kynurenine Pathway in Neurodegeneration: Janus-Faced Role in Parkinson’s Disorder and Therapeutic Implications

Progressive degeneration of neurons and aggravation of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta results in the loss of dopamine in the brain of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Numerous therapies, exhibiting transient efficacy have been developed; however, they are mostly accompanied by side effects and limited reliability, therefore instigating the need to develop novel optimistic treatment targets. Significant therapeutic targets have been identified, namely: chaperones, protein Abelson, glucocerebrosidase-1, calcium, neuromelanin, ubiquitin-proteasome system, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the kynurenine pathway (KP). The role of KP and its metabolites and enzymes in PD, namely quinolinic acid (QUIN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), 3-hydroxyanthranillic acid (3-HAA), kunurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), etc. has been reported. The neurotoxic QUIN, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, and neuroprotective KYNA—which antagonizes QUIN actions—primarily justify the Janus-faced role of KP in PD. Moreover, KP has been reported to play a biomarker role in PD detection. Therefore, the authors detail the neurotoxic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory neuroactive components, alongside the upstream and downstream metabolic pathways of KP, forming a basis for a therapeutic paradigm of the disease while recognizing KP as a potential biomarker in PD, thus facilitating the development of a suitable target in PD management.     

红地球、巨峰葡萄采后果实品质变化的研究

研究了红地球和巨峰葡萄采后果实品质的变化规律。结果表明：无论在常温下还是在贮藏过程中，红地球和巨峰葡萄中还原糖、可滴定酸、VC含量逐渐减少，其中可滴定酸VC含量变化与贮藏时间呈显著的负相关；保鲜剂处理能明显降低还原糖、可滴定酸、VC的降解和损失。红地球葡萄的耐藏性明显好于巨峰葡萄，在0℃ CT-2 聚乙烯塑料包装条件下，巨峰葡萄贮至135d好果率为87.8%，而红地球葡萄贮至150d好果率仍达92.7%。     

Rhodium stabilized Prussian Blue-modified graphite electrodes for H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> amperometric detection

Graphite electrodes chemically modified with Prussian Blue (G/PB) were obtained by spreading, on the electrode surface, appropriate volumes of 100 mM K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and 100 mM FeCl₃ solutions, both containing 10 mM HCl. In order to improve the electrochemical response stability, the potential of G/PB electrodes was cycled (in the domain where PB exhibits electrochemical activity) in 0.1 M KCl solution (G/PB-K), as well as in 2 mM RhCl₃ solution, containing 0.05 M KCl (G/PB-Rh). Compared with G/PB-K, the G/PB-Rh modified electrodes showed: (i) higher relative stability of the PB electrochemical response; (ii) better analytical parameters for H₂O₂ amperometric detection; (iii) slightly lower rate constant corresponding to the second order electrocatalytic reaction for H₂O₂ amperometric detection; (iv) an electrocatalytic activity not affected by the H₂O₂ concentration.     

Zero-Energy-Buildings in Different Climates： Design Strategies,Simulation and Prognosis METHOD for Energy Demand

The European Directive 2010/31 claims that by 2020 only （nearly-） ZEB （zero-energy-buildings） may be built. To reach this goal, it is pertinent for buildings to be energetically optimized first. The remaining energy demand must then be covered by on-site renewable energies （PV, geothermal, etc.）. With the area of use （energy demand） and the size of the building envelope/estate （renewable energy supply） in competition with each other, the maximum number of building stories will be most likely limited. For 15 different climatic locations worldwide, the energy demand of optimised office rooms has been simulated and compared with the possible renewable energy production on site. For every location, a good correlation has been found between the simulated energy demand and data like heating and cooling degree hours. Correspondent linear equations are given here. As another result, the maximum numbers of possible stories for ZEBS have been derived, being between 3 and 10 depending on the location.     

Evaluation of innovative immersion vacuum cooling with different pressure reduction rates and agitation for cooked sausages stuffed in natural or artificial casing

Effects of different pressure reduction rates and liquid agitation (523 rpm) on sausage successful rate, cooling time, cooling loss, texture properties, chemical and physical parameters were analysed by ANCOVA. Tested linear pressure drop rate from 320 mbar to 50 mbar was 20 (L 20), 30 (L 30), or 40 (L 40) mbar/min for artificial casing sausages (ACS) and 60 (L 60), 80 (L 80), or 100 (L 100) mbar/min for natural casing sausages (NCS). From 50 mbar until 6.4 mbar, 5 mbar/min was used for both casings. NCS were more suitable than ACS for IVC. The recommended pressure reduction rate was 30 mbar/min for ACS and 60 mbar/min for NCS. ACS under 30 mbar/min with agitation (LA 30) presented significantly higher texture property values than that without agitation (L 30) (P < 0.05). Cooling time (to 4 °C) of NCS under 60 mbar/min and agitation (LA 60) was significantly shorter than that without agitation (L 60) (P < 0.05). This study could assist meat processors or manufactures when choosing a suitable pressure drop rate for different types of sausages.     

Vacuum cooling of meat products: current state-of-the-art research advances

Vacuum cooling (VC) is commonly applied for cooling of several foodstuffs, to provide exceptionally rapid cooling rates with low energy consumption and resulting in high-quality food products. However, for products such as meat and cooked meat products, the higher cooling loss of vacuum cooling compared with established methods still means lower yields, and important meat quality parameters can be negatively affected. Substantial efforts during the past ten years have aimed to improve the technology in order to offer the meat industry, especially the cooked meat industry, optimized production in terms of safety regulations and guidelines, as well as meat quality. This review presents and discusses recent VC developments directed to the cooked meat industry. The principles of VC, and the basis for improvements of this technology, are firstly discussed; future prospects for research and development in this area are later explored, particularly in relation to cooling of cooked meat and meat products.     

Application of immersion vacuum cooling to water-cooked beef joints - Quality and safety assessment

Immersion vacuum cooling (IVC) was compared against air blast cooling (AB) and vacuum cooling (VC), to establish its applicability to cool water-cooked beef joints. Process parameters (cooling time and cooling loss) and quality parameters (proximate; physical; sensory and microbial analysis) were compared. Results showed IVC samples have lower cooling losses and improved quality properties compared to VC, while generally comparable to AB samples. IVC cooling times were slower then VC, but faster than AB. Sensory results showed no preference between samples (P > 0.05), even though differences in tenderness and juiciness were detected. Cooling methods had no significant effect on thermoduric spore survival or heat activation in the case of Bacillus atrophaeus and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores. Results confirmed IVC is capable of combining rapid process times and lower mass losses producing microbiologically safe beef joints of overall high quality in terms of sensory, physical and composition characteristics.     

Ag Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications—Synthesis and Characterization—A Review

Silver nanoparticles have been intensively studied over a long period of time because they exhibit antibacterial properties in infection treatments, wound healing, or drug delivery systems. The advantages that silver nanoparticles offer regarding the functionalization confer prolonged stability and make them suitable for biomedical applications. Apart from functionalization, silver nanoparticles exhibit various shapes and sizes depending on the conditions used through their fabrications and depending on their final purpose. This paper presents a review of silver nanoparticles with respect to synthesis procedures, including the polluting green synthesis. Currently, the most commonly used characterization techniques required for nanoparticles investigation in antibacterial treatments are described briefly, since silver nanoparticles possess differences in their structure or morphology.