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The direct measurement of the Mandel parameter of weak laser pulses, with 10 ns pulse duration time and the mean number of photon per pulse &nmacr; being approximately 0.1, is investigated by recording every photocount event. With the Hanbury Brown and Twiss detection scheme, and not more than one photon per pulse being detected during the sample time by single-photon counters, we have found that the single mode diode laser with driving current lower than the threshold yields a sub-Poissonian statistics. In addition, when the diode laser driving current is much higher than the threshold, it is validated that the Mandel parameter QC of the Poissonian coherent state is nearly -&nmacr;/2. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical prediction considering the measurement error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary environment can be restored qualitatively or semi-qualitatively by using elements or element combinations that are sensitive to paleoenvironment conditions. By measuring the major elements, trace elements and rare earth elements of 23 shale samples collected from coring wells in the Central Nanpanjiang Basin, we discussed the paleoenvironment conditions, including paleo-water depth, redox conditions, paleoclimate and provenance. La and Co contents indicate that the paleo-water depth in the Central Nanpanjiang Basin gradually deepened during the Late Permian. The ratios of U/Th, Uau, V/Cr, Ni/Co and V/Sc suggest that the Central Nanpanjiang Basin was in an oxic condition in the Late Permian, which was stable during the Permian Longtan and Dalong depositional periods. C-value (Climate index value) and binary diagrams of Sr/Cu and Ga/Rb show that the Central Nanpanjiang Basin was characterized by a warm and arid climate during the depositional of the Permian Longtan Formation, a warm and humid climate in the lower part of the Dalong Formation, and a warm and arid climate again in the upper part of the Dalong Formation. The chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA), index of chemical variability (ICV), and Th/U and K/Rb values can indicate the geological tectonic settings of source regions. From the Longtan period to the Dalong period, the small CIA amplitude and relatively stable ICV indicate that chemical weathering in the source area was constantly slighty weak. However, Th/U increased significantly but PIA increased slightly in the lower Dalong Formation, indicating an obvious climate change in the early deposition of the Dalong Formation. In addition, the geochemical discrimination calculation and plots show that the provenance of the studied shales was related to felsic volcanic rocks and the tectonic settings of the Upper Permian shale source areas in the Central Nanpanjiang Basin were mainly oceanic island arc and continental arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To lay a foundation for alleviating the influence of mining shaft deformation (MSD) on the guide rail (GR) and monitoring the shaft deformation state, this paper studies the deformation law and mechanism of the guide rail under the MSD. Firstly, a spring is used to simplify the interaction between the shaft lining and surrounding rock soil mass (SRSM) under MSD, and its stiffness coefficient is deduced by the elastic subgrade reaction method. Secondly, a simplified finite element model is established based on spring element, the stiffness coefficient is calculated by the derivation formula, and its effectiveness is verified. Finally, the deformation law and mechanism of GR are analyzed under different types and degrees of MSD, and the deformation characteristics are studied under the disconnection between the shaft, bunton and guide rail. The results show that the established finite element model can better simulate the interaction between the shaft lining and SRSM, and the calculation efficiency is greatly improved. The guide rail deformation (GRD) has a strong ability to characterize MSD and owns the distinctive feature corresponding to different types and degrees of MSD and the connection state. This research can provide reference and guidance for the shaft deformation monitoring and the maintenance and installation of the GR, and also lays a groundwork for studying operation characteristic of hoisting conveyance under MSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and other neurodegenerative diseases of central nervous system (CNS) disorders are serious human health problems. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is emerging as a potentially important therapeutic target relevant to inflammatory neurodegeneration diseases. This is supported by studies showing the beneficial effects of fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, in inflammatory neurodegeneration diseases. MS is an autoimmune disease resulting from inflammation and demyelination in the white matter of the CNS. It has been postulated that activation of Rho/ROCK causes neuropathological changes accompanied with related clinical symptoms, which are improved by treatment with ROCK inhibitors. Therefore, inhibition of abnormal activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway appears to be a new mechanism for treating CNS diseases. In this review, we extensively discussed the role of ROCK inhibitors, summarized the efficacy of fasudil in the MS conventional animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), both in vivo and in vitro, and highlighted the mechanism involved. Overall, the findings collected in this review support the role of the ROCK signaling pathway in neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, ROCK inhibitors such as fasudil can be novel, and efficacious treatment for inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials possessing high two photon absorption (TPA) are highly desirable for a range of fields, such as three-dimensional data storage, TP microscopy (TPM) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Specifically, for TPM, high TP excitation (TPE) brightness (σ × ϕ, where σ is TPA cross-sections and ϕ is fluorescence quantum yield), excellent photostability and minimal cytotoxicity are highly desirable. However, when TPA materials are transferred to aqueous media through molecule engineering or nanoparticle formulation, they usually suffer from the severely decrease of quantum yield (QY). Here, we report a convenient and efficient method for preparing polymer-encapsulated quantum dots (P-QD). Interestingly, the QY was considerably enhanced from original 0.33 (QDs in THF) to 0.84 (P-QD in water). This dramatic enhancement in QY is mainly from the efficiently blocking nonradiative decay pathway from the surface trap states, according to the fluorescence decay lifetimes analysis. The P-QD exhibits extremely high brightness (σ × ϕ up to 6.2 × 106 GM), high photostability, excellent colloidal stability and minimal cytotoxicity. High quality cellular TP imaging with high signal-to-background ratio (> 100) and tissue imaging with a penetration depth of 2200 μm have been achieved with P-QD as probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]