Efficient second-harmonic generation in Tl3AsSe3 using focussed CO2 laser radiation

The nonlinear material Tl₃AsSe₃ was used to convert pulsed 10.6 m laser radiation into the second harmonic. The laser beam was tightly focussed, and an energy conversion efficiency of 57% was obtained, which is the highest reported to date in the mid-IR.     

Visual spatial memory is enhanced in female rats (but inhibited in males) by dietary soy phytoestrogens

Background  

In learning and memory tasks, requiring visual spatial memory (VSM), males exhibit superior performance to females (a difference attributed to the hormonal influence of estrogen). This study examined the influence of phytoestrogens (estrogen-like plant compounds) on VSM, utilizing radial arm-maze methods to examine varying aspects of memory. Additionally, brain phytoestrogen, calbindin (CALB), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were determined.     

Improved crystal quality and harmonic generation in GaSe doped with indium

GaSe crystals were doped with indium, and improvements in the mechanical properties and second-harmonic efficiency over pure crystals were obtained. Both effects are due to an improvement in the crystal quality of the material, and it was shown that doping with low levels of indium did not alter the intrinsic value of the nonlinear d coefficient.     

The application of homotopy analysis method to solve nonlinear differential equation governing Jeffery–Hamel flow

In this paper Jeffery–Hamel flow has been studied and its nonlinear ordinary differential equation has been solved through homotopy analysis method (HAM). The obtained solution in comparison with the numerical ones represents a remarkable accuracy. The results also indicate that HAM can provide us with a convenient way to control and adjust the convergence region.     

Neuromodulation by soy diets or equol: Anti-depressive &; anti-obesity-like influences,age- &; hormone-dependent effects

Background  

Soy-derived isoflavones potentially protect against obesity and depression. In five different studies we examined the influence of soy-containing diets or equol injections on depression, serotonin levels, body weight gain (BW) and white adipose tissue (WAT) deposition in female Long-Evans rats at various stages of life [rats were intact, ovariectomized or experienced natural ovarian failure (NOF)].     

Gold(I)-catalyzed synthesis of highly substituted furans

Cationic triphenylphosphinegold(I) complexes are excellent catalysts for a cascade reaction of propargyl-Claisen rearrangement and heterocyclization to synthesize tri- and tetrasubstituted furans. Starting from easily accessed propargyl vinyl ethers, the furans are obtained in 72-99% yield. [reaction: see text]     

The physics of diamond

The accurate measurement of the thermal conductivity of metals still poses considerable experimental difficulty. The reasons for this, and the main ways in which the problem has been approached, are summarized. A detailed examination of the development in technique and methods of measurement shows that while most of the steady-state methods introduced over 50 years ago are still being improved, the emphasis in the last few years has been on the development of methods which give more rapid results, particularly at high temperatures.