Transient propagation of optical beams in active media

The coherent interaction of short optical pulses with a nonlinear active resonant medium is calculated. The rigorous and self-consistent solution of the coupled nonlinear Maxwell-Bloch equations including transverse and time-dependent phase variations predicts the onset on an on-resonance self-focusing that agrees very well with a previous perturbation treatment and with recent experiments in sodium and neon. The formation of this dynamic self-action effect is elucidated as being due to the combined effects of diffraction and the inertial response of the active media. Accuracy and computational economy are achieved simultaneously by redistributing the computational grid points according to the physical requirements of the problem. Evenly spaced computational grids are related to variable grids in physical space by a range of stretching and rezoning techniques including adaptive rezoning where the coordinate transformation is determined by the actual physical solution. Work supported in part by the Mobil Oil Corporation and the Office of Naval Research.     

Analysis of two stacked cylindrical dielectric resonators in a TE₁₀₂ microwave cavity for magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The frequency, field distributions and filling factors of a DR/TE??? probe, consisting of two cylindrical dielectric resonators (DR1 and DR2) in a rectangular TE??? cavity, are simulated and analyzed by finite element methods. The TE(+++) mode formed by the in-phase coupling of the TE??(δ)(DR1), TE??(δ)(DR2) and TE??? basic modes, is the most appropriate mode for X-band EPR experiments. The corresponding simulated B(+++) fields of the TE(+++) mode have significant amplitudes at DR1, DR2 and the cavity's iris resulting in efficient coupling between the DR/TE??? probe and the microwave bridge. At the experimental configuration, B(+++) in the vicinity of DR2 is much larger than that around DR1 indicating that DR1 mainly acts as a frequency tuner. In contrast to a simple microwave shield, the resonant cavity is an essential component of the probe that affects its frequency. The two dielectric resonators are always coupled and this is enhanced by the cavity. When DR1 and DR2 are close to the cavity walls, the TE(+++) frequency and B(+++) distribution are very similar to that of the empty TE??? cavity. When all the experimental details are taken into account, the agreement between the experimental and simulated TE(+++) frequencies is excellent. This confirms that the resonating mode of the spectrometer's DR/TE??? probe is the TE(+++) mode. Additional proof is obtained from B?(x), which is the calculated maximum x component of B(+++). It is predominantly due to DR2 and is approximately 4.4 G. The B?(x) maximum value of the DR/TE??? probe is found to be slightly larger than that for a single resonator in a cavity because DR1 further concentrates the cavity's magnetic field along its x axis. Even though DR1 slightly enhances the performance of the DR/TE??? probe its main benefit is to act as a frequency tuner. A waveguide iris can be used to over-couple the DR/TE??? probe and lower its Q to ≈150. Under these conditions, the probe has a short dead time and a large bandwidth. The DR/TE??? probe's calculated conversion factor is approximately three times that of a regular cavity making it a good candidate for pulsed EPR experiments.     

Pharmacognostic and acute toxicological evaluation of Scaptotrigona aff. postica propolis extract in pre-clinical assays

The propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica is popularly used in Maranh?o State, Brazil, for treating wounds and respiratory illnesses. Nevertheless, little is known about the chemical composition of this propolis and the adverse effects of its use. Hence, this study is a pharmacognostic characterisation of the propolis hydroalcoholic extract (PHE) from S. aff. postica. The methodology consisted of an evaluation of the sensory and chemical parameters. Chemical analysis of PHE indicated high concentrations of phenolic and triterpens substances, and the absence of steroids. Additionally, we evaluated the acute toxicity of propolis using 48 Swiss male and female mice. The animals received single doses of PHE (1000, 2000 or 4000 mg kg?1) orally and were observed for 14 days. After this period, the mice were sacrificed and the blood was used for biochemical and haematological evaluation. PHE did not induce any death, and the acute treatment significantly reduced serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The resultant data indicate that PHE from S. aff. postica has low toxicity when used orally, even in high doses.     

Simple Zeros of the Riemann Zeta-Function

Assuming the Riemann Hypothesis, Montgomery showed by meansof his pair correlation method that at least two-thirds of thezeros of Riemann's zeta-function are simple. Later he and Taylorimproved this to 67.25 percent and, more recently, Cheer andGoldston increased the percentage to 67.2753. Here we proveby a new method that if the Riemann and Generalized LindelöofHypotheses hold, then at least 70.3704 percent of the zerosare simple and at least 84.5679 percent are distinct. Our methoduses mean value estimates for various functions defined by Dirichletseries sampled at the zeros of the Riemann zeta-function. 1991Mathematics Subject Classification: 11M26.     

Quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno paradoxes

Continuous observation of a time independent projection operator is known to prevent change of state (the quantum Zeno paradox). We discuss the recent result that generic continuous measurement of time dependent projection operators will in fact ensure change of state: an anti-Zeno paradox.     

粉粒体两相流的电容层析成象测量

粉粒体系统中的固相浓度分布的在线测量是十分困难的问题．电容层析成象技术是一种近年来发展起来的非侵入式快速浓度场测量技术．它不干扰流场，不受流动中颗粒浓度、加速度、不透明等因素的制约．本文讨论其测量原理、应用、近期进展、存在的主要问题及其解决的对策．