Regular 2D lattices of evanescently coupled waveguides may provide in the near future photonic components capable of combining interferometrically and simultaneously a large number of telescopes, ...thus easing the imaging capabilities of optical interferometers. In this paper, the theoretical modelling of the so-called discrete beam combiners (DBCs) is described and compared to the conventional model used for photonic beam combiners for astronomical interferometry. The performance of DBCs as compared to an ideal ABCD beam combiner is discussed and applications to astronomical instrumentation are analysed.
A multitude of micro- and nanoparticles have been developed to improve the delivery of systemically administered pharmaceuticals, which are subject to a number of biological barriers that limit their ...optimal biodistribution. Bioinspired drug-delivery carriers formulated by bottom-up or top-down strategies have emerged as an alternative approach to evade the mononuclear phagocytic system and facilitate transport across the endothelial vessel wall. Here, we describe a method that leverages the advantages of bottom-up and top-down strategies to incorporate proteins derived from the leukocyte plasma membrane into lipid nanoparticles. The resulting proteolipid vesicles-which we refer to as leukosomes-retained the versatility and physicochemical properties typical of liposomal formulations, preferentially targeted inflamed vasculature, enabled the selective and effective delivery of dexamethasone to inflamed tissues, and reduced phlogosis in a localized model of inflammation.
Much of the progress in astronomy has been driven by instrumental developments, from the first telescopes to fiber fed spectrographs. In this review, we describe the field of astrophotonics, a ...combination of photonics and astronomical instrumentation that is gaining importance in the development of current and future instrumentation. We begin with the science cases that have been identified as possibly benefiting from astrophotonic devices. We then discuss devices, methods and developments in the field along with the advantages they provide. We conclude by describing possible future perspectives in the field and their influence on astronomy.
We report the first experimental observation of three-dimensional light bullets, excited by femtosecond pulses in a system featuring quasi-instantaneous cubic nonlinearity and a periodic, ...transversally modulated refractive index. Stringent evidence of the excitation of light bullets is based on time-gated images and spectra which perfectly match our numerical simulations. Furthermore, we reveal a novel evolution mechanism forcing the light bullets to follow varying dispersion or diffraction conditions, until they leave their existence range and decay.
Context. Optical long baseline interferometry is a unique way to study astronomical objects at milli-arcsecond resolutions not attainable with current single-dish telescopes. Yet, the significance of ...its scientfic return strongly depends on a dense coverage of the uv-plane and a highly stable transfer function of the interferometric instrument. In the last few years, integrated optics (IO) beam combiners have facilitated the emergence of 4-telescope interferometers such as PIONIER or GRAVITY, boosting the imaging capabilities of the VLTI. However, the spectral range beyond 2.2 μm is not ideally covered by the conventional silica based IO. Here, we consider new laser-written IO prototypes made of gallium lanthanum sulfide (GLS) glass, a material that permits access to the mid-infrared spectral regime. Aims. Our goal is to conduct a full characterization of our mid-IR IO two-telescope coupler in order to measure the performance levels directly relevant for long-baseline interferometry. We focus in particular on the exploitation of the L and M astronomical bands. Methods. We use a dedicated Michelson-interferometer setup to perform Fourier transform spectroscopy on the coupler and measure its broadband interferometric performance. We also analyze the polarization properties of the coupler, the differential dispersion and phase degradation, as well as the modal behavior and the total throughput. Results. We measure broadband interferometric contrasts of 94.9% and 92.1% for unpolarized light in the L and M bands. Spectrally integrated splitting ratios are close to 50%, but show chromatic dependence over the considered bandwidths. Additionally, the phase variation due to the combiner is measured and does not exceed 0.04 rad and 0.07 rad across the L and M band, respectively. The total throughput of the coupler including Fresnel and injection losses from free-space is 25.4%. Furthermore, differential birefringence is low (<0.2 rad), in line with the high contrasts reported for unpolarized light. Conclusions. The laser-written IO GLS prototype combiners prove to be a reliable technological solution with promising performance for mid-infrared long-baseline interferometry. In the next steps, we will consider more advanced optical functions, as well as a fiber-fed input, and we will revise the optical design parameters in order to further enhance the total throughput and achromatic behavior.
Research aims to study the effect of organic fertilizer dosages and Biofilmed Biofertilizer formula on nitrogen uptake and shallot yield in Alfisols. Field experiment was conducted at Sukosari ...Village, Jumantono, Karanganyar district, Central Java, Indonesia. The experimental design used was Randomized Completely Block Design with two factors namely dose of organic fertilizers (D0, D1, D2) and Biofilmed biofertilizer formula (F0, F1, F2, F3). Each combination treatment repeated three times. Variables observed included N-uptake, plant fresh and dry weight, number and diameter of bulb, and shallot yield. Data was analyzed by F test at 95% of level confidence, followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) if any significant influence. The result showed that organic fertilizer doses influence significantly on bulb weight, while the interaction of organic fertilizer dose and biofertilizer formula influence N uptake. Highest bulb weight achieved by the use of 20 tons ha-1 organic fertilizer (62,9 g clump-1), increase 348,65% from control treatment (14.04 g clump-1). The highest N-uptake was taken from the treatment combination of 10 tons ha-1 organic fertilizer and biofertilizer formula F1 (0,17 gr N/clumps), increase 183,33% from control treatment (0.06 g clump-1).
Abstract
The efficiency of phosphatic (P) fertilization in seasonal crops is commonly low, and most of the residual fertilizer remains in the soil. Increasing the efficiency of phosphate fertilizer ...is urgent to reduce its contribution to the warming climate, hence promoting climate change. Increasing the efficiency may be done by applying fast soluble phosphate (FSP) fertilizer which is applied in split application method. The research aimed to assess the growth response of soybean to the application of fast soluble P fertilizer and obtain a more efficient P fertilization method for soybean in potentially P-binding soils, Alfisol. This research was conducted using potted Alfisols of Jumapolo Karanganyar treated with several doses of slow and fast soluble P fertilizers which were arranged in a factorial design. This research concluded that FSP fertilizer in Alfisol has increased growth and P uptake of soybean. The treatment of FSP fertilizer at the dose of 100 kg ha
-1
produced soybean biomass significantly higher than the application of slow-released Superphosphate (SP36) fertilizer at 150 kg ha
-1
. The application of FSP also increased the uptake efficiency of P fertilizer and agronomic efficiency compared to the use of SP36 fertilizer.
Abstract
The KEK Mandalika area, the southern coast of Lombok Island, is an area that is growing up in the tourism sector. The main need for tourist areas is the availability of clean water. The ...problem that occurs in coastal areas is seawater intrusion. The seawater intrusion can cause the changes in subsurface conditions, especially in groundwater. These changes have an impact on changes in subsurface physical properties, which can be detected by geophysical measurements and modeling based on geoelectric and gravity data. In monitoring the changes of subsurface conditions, it is necessary to observe the constraints based on the value of conductivity, density, viscosity, and fluid flow rate so that physical modeling can be carried out. The method used was an experiment with 11 mixed solutions of groundwater and seawater with different concentrations. The results show that the salinity, conductivity and density have a proportional relationship with viscosity. The higher the viscosity, the lower the groundwater flow rate, and vice versa. Based on these results, the value of the constraints for each variable is obtained, which is conductivity (1.930- 38)
mS
; density (0.995-1.021)
kgm
−3
; salinity (1.06-25.1)
ppt
; viscosity (0.835-0.876) x10
−3
kgm
−1
s
−1
; fluid flow rate (1292-1388)
ms
−1
.
We present measurements of a magnetic reconnection in a plasma created by two laser beams (1 ns pulse duration, 1 x 10(15) W cm(-2)) focused in close proximity on a planar solid target. Simultaneous ...optical probing and proton grid deflectometry reveal two high velocity, collimated outflowing jets and 0.7-1.3 MG magnetic fields at the focal spot edges. Thomson scattering measurements from the reconnection layer are consistent with high electron temperatures in this region.
Abstract
Research has been carried out to determine the subsurface formations in the Sutami dam area and its surroundings using the magnetic method of pseudogravity transformation and satellite ...imagery gravity anomaly data. This study aims to compare the subsurface formations in the area around the Sutami Dam between the data of the pseodu-gravity transformation magnetic method and the gravity anomaly data of satellite imagery. Data acquisition using the pseudogravity magnetic transformation method was carried out using the Proton Precession Magnetometer (PPM) Scientrex Model G-8 with a spacing of 300 meters. Satellite imagery gravity anomaly data was taken from the Gravity Model Plus (GGM plus) with a spacing of 220 meters. The radius of geomagnetic data acquisition was 15 km. The number of data for the magnetic method of pseudogravity transformation was 1,372 measurement points and satellite imagery gravity anomaly data was 3,000 measurement points. The results showed that the rock formations from the magnetic method of pseudogravity transformation and satellite gravity anomaly data were compatible. There are 4 types of subsurface formations in the study area, namely soil (Δρ = 1.6 g/cm
3
), Butak Volcanic Product (Δρ = 2 g/cm
3
), Tuff Deposit (Δρ = 2.1 g/cm
3
) and Campurdarat Formation (Δρ = 2.6 g/cm
3
).
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