Abstract
This paper presents a numerically investigation of the performance analysis of a conventional photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a planar metamaterials structure for refractive index sensing, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), using the finite element method (FEM). We study the concentration metamaterials conformed by the aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and silver (Ag) and compared its performance with a single metal (Ag), assessing their impacts in the effective refractive index. Furthermore, we also use different types of mechanics to describe the effects of varying the structural parameters sensor on the evanescent field and the sensor performance.

Abstract
We present a proposal for the local control of the nonlinearity in quasi-one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates induced by a local pinching of the transverse confining potential. We investigate the scattering of bright matter-wave solitons through a pinched potential using numerical simulations of the full three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation and the corresponding effective one-dimensional model with spatially varying nonlinearity.

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils (EOs) of plants naturally occurring in northern Portugal on the spoilage of fresh Maronesa beef burgers stored at 2 and 8 degrees C under different packaging conditions. EOs were obtained from dried leaves of laurel (Laurus Nobilis L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinallis L.) by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Analysis of volatile composition of essential oils of rosemary and laurel was achieved by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity Detection (GC-TCD) resulting in the detection of 95.8% and 89.4% of its compounds, respectively. Fresh beef (semitendinosus and semimembranosus) of DOP-Maronesa breed (males; n = 4) were obtained from local market and transported to the laboratory. Samples were stored at 2 and 8 degrees C in two different conditions: aerobiosis (A) and vacuum (V) and analyzed at 0,1, 2, 3, 5, 7,10,14, 21 and 28 days for Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Fungi, Total mesophilic (TM) and psychrotrophic (TP), color (L*a*b*) and pH. Laurel was the most effective EO keeping pH from increasing. Coordinates L* and a* were higher on samples containing laurel EO for both A and V packaging. Laurel also showed better effect in reducing microbiologic counts in samples packed in A at both 2 and 8 degrees C and packed in V at 8 degrees C. Rosemary was effective in reducing microbial counts on all V samples stored at 2 degrees C. This study allows to conclude that Laurel EO has significant effect in shelf-life, maintaining fresh beef color.

Abstract
After carrying out a revision of the literature on the enhancement of Er3+ diffusion in LiNbO3 crystals by Er3+/Ti4+ co-diffusion and analyzing our own experimental results, we conclude that no reproducible results were reported, meaning that further research on this subject is necessary.

Abstract
In this work, a non-commercial triaxial geometry energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) setup and a benchtop mu-XRF system were used to identify postmortem contamination in buried bones. For two of the individuals, unusually high concentrations of Cu and Pb, but also Zn (in one individual) were observed. The pigments of the burial shroud coverings have been identified as the source of contamination. Accurate and precise quantitative results were obtained by nondestructive process using fundamental parameters method taking into account the matrix absorption effects. A total of 30 bones from 13 individuals, buried between the mid-XVlllth to early XIXth centuries, were analyzed to study the elemental composition and elemental distribution. The bones were collected from a church in Almada (Portugal), called Ermida do Espirito Santo, located near the Tagus River and at the sea neighbourhood. The triaxial geometry setup was used to quantify Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Sr and Pb of powder pressed bone pellets (n=9 for each bone). Cluster analysis was performed considering the elemental concentrations for the different bones. There was a clear association between some bones regarding Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Pb content but not a categorization between cortical and trabecular bones. The elemental distribution of Cu, Zn and Pb were assessed by the benchtop p.-analysis, the M4 Tornado, based on a polycapillary system which provides multi-elemental 2D maps. The results showed that contamination was mostly on the surface of the bone confirming that it was related to the burial shroud covering the individuals.

Abstract
Portable instruments based on X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) have the potential to assist in field-based studies, provided that the data produced are reliable. In this study, we evaluate the performance of two different types of XRF instrument (XOS prototype and Thermo Niton XL3t). These two XRF analysers were evaluated in a laboratory setting, and data were reported for 17 elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn). Samples analysed (n = 38) included ethnic herbal medicine products (HMPs), ethnic spices (ES), and cosmetic products (CPs). Comparison analyses were carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). In general, results reported for Cd, Cu, and Pb by the XOS prototype analyser, using the non-metal mode, were negatively biased (5–95%) as compared to ICP-OES. In contrast, results reported for Pb, As, Cd, Cu and Zn by the Niton, using the soil mode, were positively biased, in some instances (Cd) by up to four orders of magnitude. While the sensitivity of both instruments was insufficient for reliably ‘quantifying’ toxic elements below 15 mg/kg, XRF was still capable of positively ‘detecting’ many elements at the low single-digit mg/kg levels. For semi-quantification estimates of contaminants at higher levels, and with limited sample preparation, both XRF instruments were deemed fit for the purpose. This study demonstrates that modern XRF instrumentation is valuable for characterising the elemental content of food, cosmetic, and medicinal products. The technology is particularly useful for rapidly screening large numbers of products (100’s per day) in the field, and quickly identifying those that may contain potentially hazardous levels of toxic elements. Toxic elements can be confirmed by examining the raw spectrum, and the limitations of factory-based calibration are generally manageable for field-based studies. © 2015 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health.