Features of surface modes in metamaterial layers

In this paper, we present a study of the waveguiding properties of metamaterial layers. We pay particular attention to peculiar features that have not yet been given sufficient consideration in previous publications, with an emphasis on the physical interpretation of these results. We attempt to follow the transition of waves guided by a solitary “metamaterial–vacuum” boundary (the so-called true surface wave—TSW) to modes guided by the metamaterial layer. We considered the way TSW of different types (forward, backward and degenerated) transform to the layer modes and examined the features arising in the dispersion curves. For example, “pulling” of the dispersion curve into the frequency region where TSWs do not exist separately, presence of the bend for all modes produced by backward TSWs, existence of the waves with complex conjugate propagation constants, etc.     

Sensitized anti-stokes luminescence centers in AgCl crystals

In the AgCl microcrystals with adsorbed methylene blue dye molecules, sensitized anti-Stokes luminescence centers formed as a result of a photostimulated low-temperature (77 K) process are observed. The emission is recorded on excitation of the samples by radiation with the flux density 10¹⁴?10¹⁵ photon cm^?2 s^?1 in the spectral range 620–750 nm corresponding to optical absorption in the adsorbed dye molecules and adsorbed Ag₁, Ag₂, and Ag₃ clusters. It is shown that the anti-Stokes luminescence centers formed by photo-stimulation present (adsorbed dye molecule)—(silver subnanocluster) hybrid nanostructures, in which the bonding between the components is weak but sufficient to provide the possibility for two-photon interband transitions that occur due to transfer of the electron’s excitation energy from the dye molecule to the silver cluster with subsequent photoionization of the cluster.     

Evolution of aerosols in large pressurized spaces

Results of experiments in pressurized spaces of 100 to 3200 m³, including a manned space station, carried out to study the evolution of aerosols and ions in the course of their spontaneous decay and removal by an electric field or mechanical means are considered. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 844–850, July–August, 2000.     

Numerical simulation of turbulent convection of air in a square cavity heated on the side

A set of three-dimensional unsteady-state equations is used, with the Rayleigh number of 1.58×10⁹, to calculate the turbulent, statistically two-dimensional convection of air in a closed cavity with side walls heated to different temperatures. The turbulence is simulated using the equation of transfer of kinetic energy of turbulent motion, with the dissipation rate calculated differently in the vicinity of and away from the walls. The calculation results are compared with available data of experimental and numerical investigations of other authors. The possibilities are discussed of using this approach to predict averaged characteristics of free convection.     

Development of the Flow-Through Unit in an Annular Cyclone Chamber for Producing Silicate Melts

The drawbacks of the production of sodium disilicate in glass-melting tank furnaces are described, and the expedience of melting soluble glass in an annular cyclone chamber using industrial sulfate waste is demonstrated. A method for the calculation of the flow-through part of the cyclone chamber for a preset output is proposed. The results of the calculations of a cyclone chamber and a whole aggregate with an output of 40 tons/day are provided, including the environmental, technical, and economical parameters of the production of sodium disilicate and liquid glass based it.     

Matrix metalloproteases and their inhibitors in the pleura

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a frequent inflammatory process in women but it has not been widely studied in female sex workers (FSWs). To estimate the frequency of Candida species infection in FSWs and to identify related risk factors and clinical findings, we carried out a retrospective study of 1923 FSWs over 11 years. We also performed a prospective study of 163 consecutive FSWs with a history of candidiasis during a 4-year period. Candida species were isolated in 1967 samples (18.5% of the total). Candida albicans (89.3%) was the most frequent species, followed by Candida glabrata (2.7%), Candida parapsilosis (1.2%) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (0.4%). In the prospective study of 163 patients, we found vaginal discharge in 76.1% of cases, soreness in 52.1% and vulval pruritus in 32.5%. We identified 12 patients (7.4%) with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. No statistical difference was found between recurrent vulvovaginitis and the use of oral contraceptives, oral sex, tight-fitting clothing and synthetic underwear. FSWs have the same prevalence of candidiasis as other groups of women described in published literature. The proportion of albicans and non-albicans species does not differ between women with recurrent and non-recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).