Switchable wavelength generation by injection-locked fiber laser based on GS-RSOAs

This paper proposes a switchable wavelength fiber laser (SWFL) based on an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and a gain-saturated reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA). The SWFL was experimentally implemented in the C- and L-bands. In order to achieve narrow-linewidth oscillation, the SWFL was driven by bidirectional injection-locked RSOAs. The RSOA was operated in the gain-saturated region, using gain compression properties to obtain uniform power over a wide bandwidth. Based on this configuration, we obtained 40 C-band international telecommunication unit (ITU) wavelengths with 100-GHz channel spacing. The SWFL displayed a narrow 3-dB bandwidth (<0.06 nm), a high and uniform peak power (P _max > 0.22 dB, ΔP _max < 0.26 dB), and a high and uniform side mode suppression ratio (SMSR > 66 dB, ΔSMSR < 1 dB). The peak-power and wavelength stabilities were ±0.24 dB and ±0.01 nm, respectively, at room temperature over a 1 h period.     

Hydrophilic microsphere based mesoscopic-lens microscope (MMM)

By increasing the hydrophilicity of microsphere, the evaporation of liquid around the microsphere will be evidently eliminated, so that the droplet can remain stable, and it is more feasible to introduce the liquid immersed MMM system in practical utilizations that require long-time observation. Compared with the non-immersed one, the liquid immersed MMM system performs better in various aspects, and it is convenient to choose microspheres on a wider scale.     

Analysis of carbenoxolone by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in mouse brain and blood after systemic administration

Carbenoxolone is a derivative of glycyrrhetinic acid found in the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, colloquially known as licorice. It has been used as a treatment for peptic and oral ulcers. In recent years, carbenoxolone has been utilized in basic research for its ability to block gap junctional communication. Better understanding the distribution of carbenoxolone after systemic administration can lead to a better understanding of its potential sites of action. Presented is an ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC–MS/MS) method for the identification and quantification of carbenoxolone in mouse blood and brain tissue. Twenty mice were injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg carbenoxolone and brain tissue and blood were collected for analysis. Blood concentrations (mean ± SD) at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min were determined to be (n = 5) 5394 ± 778, 2636 ± 836, 1564 ± 541 and 846 ± 252 ng/mL, respectively. Brain concentrations (mean ± SD) at 15, 30, 60 and 120 mins were determined to be (n = 5) 171 ± 62, 102 ± 35, 55 ± 10 and 27 ± 9 ng/g, respectively. The analysis of these specimens at the four different time points resulted in blood and brain half‐lives in mice of ~43 and 41 min, respectively. The UHPLC–MS/MS method was determined to be sensitive and robust for quantification of carbenoxolone.     

An Anthracene-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Selective Photo-Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid Coupled with Water Oxidation

A Zr-based metal-organic framework has been synthesized and employed as a catalyst for photochemical carbon dioxide reduction coupled with water oxidation. The catalyst shows significant carbon dioxide reduction property with concomitant water oxidation. The catalyst has broad visible light as well as UV light absorption property, which is further confirmed from electronic absorption spectroscopy. Formic acid was the only reduced product from carbon dioxide with a turn-over frequency (TOF) of 0.69 h⁻¹ in addition to oxygen, which was produced with a TOF of 0.54 h⁻¹. No external photosensitizer is used and the ligand itself acts as the light harvester. The efficient and selective photochemical carbon dioxide reduction to formic acid with concomitant water oxidation using Zr-based MOF as catalyst is thus demonstrated here.     

Impact of the ΔPhe configuration on the Boc-Gly-ΔPhe-NHMe conformation: experiment and theory

Conformational propensities of N-t-butoxycarbonyl-glycine-(E/Z)-dehydrophenylalanine N′-methylamides (Boc-Gly-(E/Z)-ΔPhe-NHMe) in chloroform were investigated by NMR and IR techniques. The low-temperature crystal structure of the E isomer was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and the experimental data were elaborated by theoretical calculations using DFT (B3LYP, M06-2X) and MP2 approaches. The β-turn tendencies for both isomers were determined in the gas phase and in the presence of solvent. The obtained results reveal that the configuration of ΔPhe residue significantly affects the conformations of the studied dehydropeptides. The tendency to adopt β-turn conformations is significantly lower for the E isomer (Boc-Gly-(E)-ΔPhe-NHMe), both in gas phase and in chloroform solution.

     

Measurements in Situ and Spectral Analysis of Wind Flow Effects on Overhead Transmission Lines

In the paper an important issue of vibrations of the transmission line in real conditions was analyzed. Such research was carried out by the authors of this paper taking into account the cross-section of the cable being in use on the transmission line. Analysis was performed for the modern ACSR high voltage transmission line with span of 213.0 m. The purpose of the investigation was to analyze the vibrations of the power transmission line in the natural environment and compare with the results obtained in the numerical simulations. Analysis was performed for natural and wind excited vibrations. The numerical model was made using the Spectral Element Method. In the spectral model, for various parameters of stiffness, damping and tension force, the system response was checked and compared with the results of the accelerations obtained in the situ measurements. A frequency response functions (FRF) were calculated. The credibility of the model was assessed through a validation process carried out by comparing graphical plots of FRF functions and numerical values expressing differences in acceleration amplitude (MSG), phase angle differences (PSG) and differences in acceleration and phase angle total (CSG) values. Particular attention was paid to the hysteretic damping analysis. Sensitivity of the wave number was performed for changing of the tension force and section area of the cable. The next aspect constituting the purpose of this paper was to present the wide possibilities of modelling and simulation of slender conductors using the Spectral Element Method. The obtained results show very good accuracy in the range of both experimental measurements as well as simulation analysis. The paper emphasizes the ease with which the sensitivity of the conductor and its response to changes in density of spectral mesh division, cable cross-section,tensile strength or material damping can be studied.