bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE pp → ppπ0π0 REACTION AND ITS LIMITING CASE, FUSION TO QUASI-BOUND 2He, IN SEARCH OF THE ABC EFFECT
Authors:   CELSIUS-WASA COLLABORATION, SKORODKO T. , BASHKANOV M. , BOGOSLOWSKY D. , CALÉN H. , CLEMENT H. , DOROSHKEVICH E. , EKSTRÖM C. , FRANSSON K. , GUSTAFSSON L. , HÖISTAD B. , IVANOV G. , JACEWICZ M. , JIGANOV E. , JOHANSSON T. , KELETA S. , KHAKIMOVA O. , KOCH I. , KREN F. , KULLANDER S. , KUPŚĆ A. , KUZNETSOV A. , MARCINIEWSKI P. , MEIER R. , MOROSOV B. , PAULY C. , PETTERSON H. , PETUKHOV Y. , POVTOREJKO A. , PRICKING A. , RUBER R. J. M. Y. , SCHÖNNING K. , SCOBEL W. , SHWARTZ B. , SOPOV V. , STEPANIAK J. , THÖRNGREN-ENGBLOM P. , TIKHOMIROV V. , TURWIECKI A. , WAGNER G. J. , WOLKE M. , YAMAMOTO A. , ZABIEROWSKF J. , ZŁOMANĆZUK J.
Published: February 2011

The π0π0 production in pp -collisions has been investigated in exclusive and kinematically complete measurements from threshold up to Tp = 1.4 GeV . For incident energies Tp > 1 GeV , i.e. in the region beyond the Roper excitation, the ΔΔ excitation process takes over. The data are well explained by the t-channel ΔΔ process dominated by pion exchange. There is no low-mass enhancement (ABC effect) in the π0π0-invariant mass distribution beyond that given by the conventional t-channel ΔΔ process. This is also true for the limiting case, where the protons are in the quasi-bound 2 He state.
PION INDUCED REACTIONS ON 4He IN THE Δ RESONANCE ENERGY REGION
Authors:   THE PAINUC COLLABORATION, ANGELOV N. , ARTONI M. , BAGINYAN S. , BALESTRA F. , BATUSOV YU. , BATYUK P. , BELOLAPTIKOV I. , BIANCONI A. , BLOKHINTSEVA T. , CHIOSSO M. , COLANTONI M. L. , CORRADINI M. , DEMYANOV A. , DROZDOV V. , FROLOV V. , GARFAGNINI R. , GNESI I. , GRASSO A. , GREBENYUK V. , IVANOV V. , KIRILOV A. , KOVALENKO V. , LODI RIZZINI E. , LYASHENKO V. , MAGGIORA A. , MOISEENKO A. , PANYUSHKIN V. , PANZIERI D. , PARSAMYAN B. , PIRAGINO G. , PONTECORVO G. , ROZHDESTVENSKY A. , RUSSAKOVICH N. , SCALAS E. , SCHEPKIN M. , TOSELLO F. , VENTURELLI L. , ZOSI G. F.
Published: February 2011

The analysis of new data on π±4 He interaction at T π =106 MeV provided information on the in-medium modifications of the Δ resonance and revealed signatures of the excitation of a nuclear collective state. Evidences for a reaction channel with thermal emission of photons are also presented.
DOUBLE PION PHOTOPRODUCTION OFF 7Li
Authors:   FOR THE A2 COLLABORATION, MAGHRBI YASSER , KRUSCHE BERND
Published: February 2011

Data for quasi-free photoproduction of π0π0 and π0π+/- pairs from 7 Li have been analyzed in view of the in-medium properties of hadrons. Data have been measured with the CB/TAPS detector setup using the Glasgow photon tagging spectrometer for incident photon energies up to 820 MeV. The double π0 invariant mass distributions show an enhancement with respect to the mixed charged channel at small invariant masses. This enhancement could be consistent with an in-medium modification of the ππ interaction in the I = J = 0 channel, however effects from final state interactions must also be considered.
MEASUREMENT OF TAU DECAYS INTO KAONS AT BABAR AND DETERMINATION OF |Vus|
Authors:   REPRESENTING THE BABAR COLLABORATION, ADAMETZ ALEKSANDRA
Published: February 2011

We present recent measurements of τ decays into final states with kaons, which are based on several hundred million τ+τ- pairs produced in electron-positron annihilation data collected with the BABAR detector. These measurements can be used to determine the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |Vus| with a tiny systematic error and in two different methods affected by different systematic effects.
CHIRAL DYNAMICS AND DUBNA-MAINZ-TAIPEI DYNAMICAL MODEL FOR PION PHOTOPRODUCTION REACTION
Authors: YANG SHIN NAN
Published: February 2011

We demonstrate that the Dubna-Mainz-Taipei (DMT) meson-exchange dynamical model, which starts from an effective chiral Lagrangian, for pion photoproduction provides an excellent and economic framework to describe both the π0 threshold production and the Δ deformation, two features dictated by chiral dynamics.
η-PHOTOPRODUCTION OFF 3He: SEARCH FOR η-MESIC NUCLEI
Authors:   FOR THE CRYSTAL BALL/TAPS COLLABORATION, PHERON FRANCIS
Published: February 2011

Photoproduction of η-mesons off 3 He has been studied via the η → 2γ and η → 3π0 decay modes at the tagged photon beam of the Mainz MAMI accelerator using the combined 4π Crystal Ball/TAPS calorimeter. The main motivation for this experiment was the search for η-mesic nuclei. A possible signature for such states is a threshold enhancement of coherent η-photoproduction similar to what has been observed in hadronic induced reactions at COSY.8
THREE-NUCLEON INTERACTION DYNAMICS STUDIED VIA THE DEUTERON-PROTON BREAKUP
Authors: STEPHAN E. , KISTRYN St. , KALANTAR-NAYESTANAKI N. , BIEGUN A. , BODEK K. , CIEPAŁ I. , ESLAMI-KALANTARI M. , JHA V. , KIRILLOV DA. , KIRILLOV DI. , KIS M. , KLICZEWSKI St. , KŁOS B. , KOZELA A. , KRAVCIKOVA M. , KYRYANCHUK V. M. , LESIAK M. , MACHNER H. , MAGIERA A. , MAHJOUR-SHAFIEI M. , MARTINSKA G. , MESSCHENDORP J. , MICHERDZIŃSKA A. , PISKUNOV N. , PROTIC D. , RAMAZANI A. , VON ROSSEN P. , ROY B. J. , SAKAI H. , SEKIGUCHI K. , SITNIK I. , SIUDAK R. , SWORST R. , URBAN J. , ZEJMA J. , ZIPPER W.
Published: February 2011

Rich sets of high precision cross sections, vector and tensor analyzing powers for the [Formula: see text] breakup reaction were measured at 130 and 100 MeV beam energy with the use of detection systems covering large parts of the phase space. The cross section data allowed to establish evidences for three-nucleon force contributions and to confirm predictions of sizable effect of the Coulomb force in the breakup reaction. Analyzing power data are generally quite well described by theoretical predictions even with pure nucleon-nucleon interactions. However, in some regions discrepancies has been observed for tensor analyzing powers at 130 MeV.
RESCATTERING EFFECTS IN DEUTERON-PROTON ELASTIC SCATTERING AT INTERMEDIATE ENERGIES
Authors: LADYGINA NADEZHDA B.
Published: February 2011

The deuteron-proton elastic scattering is considered at the deuteron energies from 500 up to 2000 MeV. The multiple-scattering-expansion technique is applied to evaluate the reaction amplitude. The one-nucleon-exchange, single scattering and double scattering contributions are taken into account. Also, some relativistic effects are included into consideration. The obtained results are compared with the experimental data both for the differential cross section and polarization observables.
THE PROPERTIES OF THE ${\bar K}^*$ MESON IN DENSE MATTER
Authors: MOLINA R. , TOLÓS L. , OSET E. , RAMOS A.
Published: February 2011

In this talk we review the properties of [Formula: see text] mesons in nuclear matter. A unitary approach in coupled channels within the framework of the local hidden gauge formalism is used to account for the interaction of the antikaon with the nucleons and the [Formula: see text] decay channel is incorporated in matter. The in-medium [Formula: see text] interaction accounts for Pauli blocking effects and the inclusion of the [Formula: see text] self-energy in a self-consistent manner. At normal nuclear matter density, the [Formula: see text] meson feels a moderately attractive potential while the [Formula: see text] width increases enormously becoming up to five times larger than in free space. We also perform the transparency ratio for the γA → K+K*-A′ reaction, which can be a feasible scenario in experimental facilities.
MESONS IN THE MEDIUM: EXPERIMENTS WITH CLAS AT JEFFERSON LAB
Authors:   FOR THE CLAS COLLABORATION, WOOD M. H. , NASSERIPOUR R. , PAOLONE M. , DJALALI C. , WEYGAND D. P.
Published: February 2011

In this article, we report on on investigations of the in-medium meson-nucleon interaction for the ω, ɸ, and [Formula: see text] mesons. Their in-medium cross sections and collisional widths can be measured by their absorption in a nucleus. In Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab), the CLAS detector was used to study these long-lived mesons in nuclei. All of the mesons were produced by a photon beam with E γ < 4 GeV in targets of 2 H , C , Fe , and Pb . The vector mesons were reconstructed through their decay into e+e-. The [Formula: see text] mesons were measured with their dominant π+π- decay. The in-medium widths of the ω and ɸ mesons are found to be substantially larger than their values from the elementary reaction with a free nucleon. The analysis with the [Formula: see text] is preliminary, and its status will be discussd in this paper.
DIELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY IN COLD NUCLEAR MATTER
Authors:   FOR THE HADES COLLABORATION, WEBER MICHAEL
Published: February 2011

We report recent data on e + e - pair emission in proton nucleus collisions at energies slightly above the light vector meson production threshold. Invariant mass distributions for the p + Nb system at Ekin = 3.5 GeV/c2 show a clear ρ/ω signal and are compared to data from elementary p + p reactions. We observe a constant π0/ω yield ratio for both systems.
EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION OF π+π- PAIRS IN PROTON-PROTON AND PROTON-ANTIPROTON COLLISIONS
Authors: LEBIEDOWICZ PIOTR , SZCZUREK ANTONI
Published: February 2011

We report on a detailed investigation of four-body pp → ppπ+π- and [Formula: see text] reactions which constitute an irreducible background to three-body processes pp → ppM, where M is a broad resonance in the π+π- channel, e.g. M = σ, ρ0, f0(980), f2(1275), f0(1500). We include double-diffractive contribution (both pomeron and reggeon exchanges) as well as the pion-pion rescattering contributions. The first process dominates at higher energies and small pion-pion invariant masses while the second becomes important at lower energies and higher pion-pion invariant masses. We compare our results with the experimental data. We make predictions for future experiments at PANDA, RHIC, Tevatron and LHC energies. The two-dimensional distribution in rapidity space of pions (yπ+, yπ-) is particularly interesting. The higher the incident energy, the higher preference for the same-hemisphere emission of pions. The processes considered constitute a sizeable contribution to the total nucleon-nucleon cross section as well as to pion inclusive cross section.
DIFFRACTIVE AND COULOMB DISSOCIATION OF PIONS INTO THREE CHARGED PIONS AT LOW MOMENTUM TRANSFER AT COMPASS
Authors:   FOR THE COMPASS COLLABORATION, GRABMÜLLER STEFANIE
Published: February 2011

This paper presents an analysis of π- Pb → X- Pb → π-π-π+ Pb events at 190 GeV/c beam momentum and low four-momentum transfer t′ < 0.01 ( GeV /c)2. Coherent scattering off the lead nucleus as a whole dominates with contributions from Reggeon, Pomeron and photon exchange. Photoproduction becomes apparent at lowest t′ and can be extracted statistically as well as by a partial-wave analysis, indicating also the overlap of diffractive and photo-production of the 3π events.
WAYS TO MAKE POLARIZED ANTIPROTON BEAMS
Authors: KILIAN K. , GRZONKA D. , MÖHL D. , OELERT W.
Published: February 2011

For making polarized antiproton beams the so called filter method is normally discussed. It is based on the depletion of one spin component due to the spin dependent interaction if a stored beam passes a polarized target. The method has been proven by the FILTEX collaboration and detailed studies are presently performed by the PAX collaboration.

Another source for polarized antiprotons is the antilambda decay as it was used in the only experiment with polarized antiprotons so far at FERMILAB.

Furthermore the antiproton production process itself if showing polarisation, would be by far the best way to get polarized [Formula: see text]. It can be assumed to result from a quasi-free proton-nucleon collison. Up to now it has never been investigated in detail. In such a hadronic interaction the antiprotons may have substantial polarisation which would simplify the preparation of a polarized antiproton beam drastically.

It is proposed to measure the polarisation of antiprotons produced in a fixed target experiment.
IS THE MESON SPECTRUM LIMITED?
Authors: GONZÁLEZ PEDRO , MATHIEU VINCENT
Published: February 2011

A precise description of the high excited meson spectra is obtained from the solution of the spinless Salpeter equation for a static radial potential. The coulombic asymptotic behavior of such potential suggests that the meson spectra are limited so that no single [Formula: see text] states may exist beyond a limiting mass.
SINGLE-SPIN AZIMUTHAL ASYMMETRY IN EXCLUSIVE ELECTROPRODUCTION OF ɸ AND ω VECTOR MESONS ON TRANSVERSELY POLARIZED PROTONS
Authors: AUGUSTYNIAK WITOLD
Published: February 2011

The hard exclusive electro-production of ɸ and ω vector mesons was studied with the HERMES spectrometer at the DESY laboratory by scattering 27.6 GeV positron and electron beams off a transversely polarized hydrogen target. The single-spin azimuthal asymmetry with respect to the transverse proton polarization was measured.
COMPASS HADRON SPECTROSCOPY — FINAL STATES INVOLVING NEUTRALS AND KAONS
Authors:   ON BEHALF OF THE COMPASS COLLABORATION, NERLING FRANK
Published: February 2011

The COMPASS experiment at CERN is well designed for light-hadron spectroscopy with emphasis on the detection of new states, in particular the search for JPC-exotic states and glueballs. We have collected data with 190 GeV/c charged hadron beams on a liquid hydrogen and nuclear targets in 2008/09. The spectrometer features good coverage by electromagnetic calorimetry and a RICH detector further provides π K separation, allowing for studying final states involving neutral particles like π0 or η as well as hidden strangeness, respectively. We discuss the status of ongoing analyses with specific focus on diffractively produced (π0π0π)- as well as [Formula: see text] final states.
DIRECTIONAL AND POLARIZATION PROPERTIES OF A PLASMONIC CROSS NANOANTENNA
Authors: KUMAR V. DINESH , BHARDWAJ ABHINAV , MISHRA DEEPAK , ASAKAWA KIYOSHI
Published: February 2011

The response of dipole nanoantennas (DNAs) studied widely in optical frequency range is sensitive to polarization of incident field. In this paper, we report the implementation of a cross nanoantenna (CNA) consisting of two orthogonal DNAs with a common feedgap and investigate its directional and polarization properties and compare them with those of the DNA. Interestingly the response of CNA is independent of polarization. We can operate the CNA in turnstile mode by using two identical light sources with cross polarization in phase quadrature. In such a case the radiation from the CNA is found omnidirectional like radio frequency turnstile antenna. We believe CNA could open new possibilities to study the novel phenomenon of light matter interaction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a turnstile antenna in optical frequencies.
MODAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PLASMONIC NANOSTRIP WAVEGUIDES AND THEIR USE FOR FUNCTIONAL DEVICES
Authors: LEE HYUN-SHIK , SONG JUN-HWA , O BEOM HOAN , LEE SEOUNG GOL , LEE EL-HANG
Published: February 2011

Modal characteristics of plasmonic nanostrip waveguides (PNWGs) have been analyzed for their use in the design of functional plasmonic devices. Also, the beat lengths of the plasmonic nanostrip directional coupler and the multimode interference (MMI) coupler, have been analyzed. We found a peculiar phenomenon in the direction coupler, which makes the coupling length zero and does not allow the optical coupling between two parallel PNWGs. We also found that there exists a minimal beat length in the gap between the two metal films in the MMI coupler. From these results a nano-ring resonator switch and a MMI wavelength splitter were designed.
METAL-NANOSHELL/QUANTUM-DOT ARRAY WAVEGUIDES WITH COMPENSATED LOSS
Authors: HOLMSTRÖM PETTER , THYLÉN LARS , BRATKOVSKY ALEXANDER
Published: February 2011

Dispersion properties of nanoarray waveguides composed of near-field-coupled arrays of metal-clad quantum dots (QDs) are calculated. The high loss due to operation of the metal shells close to resonance is mitigated by using optical gain in the QDs. The conditions for achieving loss compensated operation are given, with realistic material parameters and neglecting inhomogeneous broadening.
OPTICAL LIMITING CHARACTERISTICS OF CORE-SHELL NANOPARTICLES
Authors: VINITHA G. , MANIRAHULAN K. , RAMALINGAM A.
Published: February 2011

TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method at 180°C from TiOSO4 aqueous solution with 1 m/l concentration. The obtained products were coated with silica by means of a seeded polymerization technique for a coating time of 1440 minutes to obtain well-defined TiO2@SiO2 core-shell structure. The uncoated and coated nanoparticles were characterized by using X-Ray diffraction technique (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to study their physico-chemical properties. Evidence from XRD and FTIR results show that SiO2 is homogenously coated on the surface of titania particles. FTIR spectra show that there exists an interaction between TiO2 and SiO2 and results in the formation of Ti-O-Si chemical bonds at the interface of TiO2 particles and SiO2 coating layer. The open aperture z-scan was carried out in both pulsed and CW laser. The RSA observed using CW laser and effective three-photon type absorption seen using pulsed laser at this wavelength, is of potential application in fabricating optical limiting devices. The non linear optical limiting properties of TiO2 and TiO2@SiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in ethylene glycol were studied at 532 nm using 5 ns Nd:YAG laser pulses and diode pumped Nd:YAG laser. Results indicate that these compounds are a potential candidate for low-power optical limiting applications and it is seen that the optical nonlinearity is enhanced in core-shell structures when compared with single counterparts.
PHOTOREFRACTIVE POLYMER WITH HIGH OPTICAL GAIN UNDER NON-ELECTRIC FIELD
Authors: NISHIDE JUN-ICHI , KIMURA-SUDA HIROMI , IMAI TOSHIRO , SASABE HIROYUKI , KAWABE YUTAKA
Published: February 2011

We developed new composite polymer system with monolithic azo dye substances (NACzE and NACzH) and high optical quality polymer hosts (PMMA and PEMA), and obtained quite high photorefractive performances of two beam coupling (2BC) gain 451 cm-1 (PMMA/NACzE) and 340 cm-1 (PEMA/NACzH), respectively, without applying external electric field.
THEORETICAL CHARACTERS OF MgX (X = Te, Se, S AND O) CLUSTERS
Authors: XU SHUHONG , WANG CHUNLEI , CUI YIPING
Published: February 2011

At DFT/B3LYP/LANL2DZ theoretical level, a series of MgX clusters with Mg3X3 hexagon, Mg4X4-t tetrahedron and Mg4X4-o octagon conformations are investigated. Their wavelengths of absorption spectra are calculated with time-dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) using water as solvent. Firstly, the lowest vibrational frequencies, bond lengths, Dipole Moment and Raman spectra of them present regular change. Dipole Moment result shows that different clusters have different charges. From Raman spectra, we have discovered that they correlate with the conformation and variety of clusters. Conformations of MgO clusters have different optimizing characters with MgS , MgSe and MgTe molecules. Secondly, through Molecular Orbital and Nature Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis, we have found that all these clusters are materials with wider gaps. MgTe structures have stronger bonding. Besides, MgO have different transition from the other clusters. The order of wavelengths of absorption spectra is MgTe > MgSe > MgS . In a word, except MgO molecules, these clusters have similar or regular characters. These results are significant for experimental study of MgX nanocrystals.
BROADBAND COHERENT ANTI-STOKES RAMAN SCATTERING MICROSPECTROSCOPY USING THE SOLITON PULSES FROM A PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBER — OBSERVATION OF RAMAN LINE IN DIAMOND POWDERS
Authors: TADA K. , YAMANAKA A. , KARASAWA N.
Published: February 2011

We have investigated broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microspectroscopy using the soliton pulses from a photonic crystal fiber. CARS spectrum shows a dispersive shape due to the contributions from a frequency-independent nonresonant component and from a resonant component that corresponds to spontaneous Raman scattering. To extract the resonant component from the CARS spectrum, the functional form of this component was commonly assumed to be a simple Lorentzian function and a nonlinear fitting procedure was used previously. In this study, we derived a CARS spectral function that takes into account the finite spectral width of a pump pulse and the CARS spectrum of diamond powders was fitted using the derived spectral function. It was found that the linewidth obtained using this function agreed with the linewidth of spontaneous Raman scattering much better than the linewidth obtained using a CARS spectral function commonly used previously.
LOW-Tg BISMUTH PHOSPHATE GLASSES FOR GLASS-IMPRINTING AND FABRICATION OF 2D SUB-WAVELENGTH STRUCTURE
Authors: KITAMURA NAOYUKI , FUKUMI KOHEI , NAKAMURA JUNICHI , HIDAKA TATSUO , IKEDA TAKUROU , HASHIMA HIDEKAZU , NISHII JUNJI
Published: February 2011

We have developed zinc-bismuth-phosphate glasses, which have deformation temperatures under 450°C and refractive indices higher than 1.7, in order to produce an antireflection structure on the surface by a glass-imprinting process. Two-dimensionally arrayed conical cavities of sub-wavelength size were fabricated on a SiC mold by electron lithography and dry etching techniques. The sub-wavelength periodic structure was transferred onto the glass surface by a glass-imprinting process using the mold. The sub-wavelength structure suppressed the reflectance by approximately 90%. A weak maximum was observed in the reflection spectra around 400–500 nm, which decreased in intensity and shifted toward shorter wavelengths with decreasing pitch.
RADIATION PHOTONICS: A CASE OF METAL-NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITES
Authors: PLAKSIN OLEG A. , TAKEDA YOSHIHIKO , KONO KENICHIRO , AMEKURA HIROSHI , KISHIMOTO NAOKI
Published: February 2011

A multilayer non-linear optical structure based on the metal nanoparticles has been fabricated by sequential vapor deposition of silica and implantation of 60 keV Cu- ions. The multilayer structure showed an enhanced non-linear optical response.
PLASMONIC FOCUSING BASED ON CdS NANORIBBON
Authors: FANG ZHEYU , HONG QI , WANG CHEN , ZHU XING
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we propose and simulate the surface plasmon polariton nanofocusing process by using Finite-difference Time-domain (FDTD) method. The maximum enhancement factor at the taper end area is optimized with different wavelength of the excitation laser. With the advantage of SNOM, the SPP nanofocusing is experimentally observed by illuminating the tapered CdS nanoribbon deposited on the Ag film. The SPP dispersion is used to predict the optimal taper angles of the structure. As the emission of the focused SPP at the taper end, the proposed plasmonic structure can be severed as a light nanosource emitter in the future optical integrated circuits.
PHOTONIC PROPERTIES OF Ti DOPED OPTICAL FIBER
Authors: KIM YOUNGWOONG , JU SEONGMIN , JEONG SEONGMOOK , HAN WON-TAEK
Published: February 2011

The photonic properties of Ti doped optical fiber were investigated for application of optical nonlinear devices and a fiber-type UV sensor based on its high third order optical nonlinearity and photoluminescence characteristics. The structure and defect states of Ti incorporated in silica glass network of the fiber core were examined by measurement of optical properties such as optical absorption, photoluminescence, Raman shift, and by transmission electron microscopy. The nonlinear refractive index, n2, of the fiber was measured to be 5.73 × 10-20 m2/W by continuous-wave self-phase modulation method, which was 2.5 times larger than that of the same optical fiber without Ti incorporation. The photoluminescence of the Ti doped optical fiber was found to appear over the range from 360 nm to 480 nm upon the Xenon-lamp illumination, and it was found to increase linearly with the increase of the lamp power.
SILICON WAVEGUIDE SIDEWALL SMOOTHING BY RESIST REFLOWING
Authors: CAI JINGNAN , LIM PENG HUEI , ISHIKAWA YASUHIKO , WADA KAZUMI
Published: February 2011

We present a chip-upending method to reflow the resist and reduce the line edge roughness of submicron single mode waveguide. The resist expansion effect was studied and it was found that the expansion could be suppressed by using the chip-upending method while reflowing the resist. The line edge roughness was estimated to be reduced from ~8 nm to ~6 nm by theoretical calculation. Optical transmission measurements also demonstrated that the sidewall roughness can be smoothed. This kind of reflow process is operated at low temperature and is adaptable for different resists and it could be available for various waveguide materials as well.
A STRUCTURE FOR COUPLING WHISPERING GALLERY MODE WITH SURFACE PLASMONS
Authors: YAMAGUCHI KENZO , FUJII MASAMITSU , FUKUDA MITSUO
Published: February 2011

The three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method was used to demonstrate a novel structure for coupling whispering gallery mode (WGM) with surface plasmons (SPs). As for this structure, a micrometer-sized optical resonator composed of a silver film coated on a silica microsphere containing apertures is set on a glass substrate. The SPs couple with higher-order WGM, and their intensity is clearly enhanced by this structure.
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BROADBAND TERAHERTZ WIRE-GRID POLARIZER
Authors: CHEN Z. C. , HONG M. H. , CHONG T. C.
Published: February 2011

A wire-grid terahertz polarizer fabricated on quartz substrate working in broadband is demonstrated. The transmission spectra of the fabricated wire-grid polarizer are characterized by terahertz time domain spectroscopy, showing the good performance of this polarizer in the terahertz frequency range up to 3.5 THz. The transmission of the peak in the time domain is 80% when the incident terahertz wave polarization is perpendicular to the wire-grid. The transmission of the peak is lower than 10% when the incident polarization is parallel to the wire-grid. The polarization factor ranges from 0.92–0.99 with the mean value of 0.97 in the frequency range from 0.1 to 3.5 THz, which is better than that of the free-standing wire-grid polarizer.
PLASMONIC RACETRACK RESONATOR FOR APPLICATION TO PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AT SUB-WAVELENGTH
Authors: OKAMOTO HIROYUKI , YAMAGUCHI KENZO , HARAGUCHI MASANOBU , OKAMOTO TOSHIHIRO
Published: February 2011

A racetrack resonator, several hundred nanometers in size and composed of plasmonic waveguides is presented. The wavelength spectrum of the plasmonic racetrack resonator has been numerically evaluated by using finite-difference time-domain method. As compared to the conventional plasmonic ring resonator, the output light intensity of the proposed plasmonic racetrack resonator is greater by almost one order of magnitude. The cavity mode of the plasmonic racetrack resonator has also been investigated.
PREPARATION OF NANOCRYSTALLINE SILICON CARBIDE FILMS WITH HIGH SEEBECK COEFFICIENT AND LOW RESISTIVITY
Authors: HOU Q. R. , GU B. F. , CHEN Y. B.
Published: February 2011

Nanocrystalline silicon carbide ( SiC ) thin films with 5 ~ 10 nm grain size, large Seebeck coefficient (-0.393 mV/K), and low electrical resistivity (3.2 ×10-4 Ohm-m) have been successfully prepared on oxidized silicon substrates by magnetron sputtering of SiC and Al targets. It was found that the addition of a small amount of Al into the SiC film, the high deposition temperature (760 K), and the high thermal annealing temperature (1063 K) were necessary to achieve the goal. The Seebeck coefficient versus logarithm of temperature in the temperature range 383 K to 533 K was a straight line with a slope of -0.999 mV/K. The value of 0.999 mV/K is much larger than the theoretical value of 0.129 mV/K for conventional semiconductors.
SYNTHESIS OF MAGNETIC SBA-15 AND Fe–SBA-15 MESOPOROUS NANOCOMPOSITES WITH COBALT FERRITES
Authors: JIN HONGXIAO , LI LIANG , CHEN MIN , XU JINGCAI , HONG BO , HUANG BAO , JIN DINGFENG , GE HONGLIANG , WANG XINQING
Published: February 2011

A new nanocomposite based on SBA-15 mesoporous materials combined with Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles was prepared via sol–gel growth. The nanostructures and magnetic properties of the SBA-15 nanocomposite were investigated by X-ray diffraction topography, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Results indicate that α- Fe2O3 nanoparticles are present in the frame or micropores of SBA-15 (denoted as Fe –SBA-15 below) and that CoFe2O4 nanoparticles are confined in the mesoporous channels of Fe –SBA-15. Our results also reveal that the addition of CoFe2O4 and α- Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles critically affects their magnetic properties. The saturation magnetization of the SBA-15 nanocomposite is attributed to ferrimagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and antiferromagnetic α- Fe2O3 nanoparticles, whereas the coercivity increases with the content of CoFe2O4 . Moreover, the presence of the couple exchange interaction between the magnetic nanoparticles is confirmed, which can enhance the magnetic properties of the SBA-15 nanocomposite.
DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION OF MULTIPHOTON MICROSCOPY IN EPITHELIAL TISSUES
Authors: JIANG XINGSHAN , ZHUO SHUANGMU , CHEN JIANXIN
Published: February 2011

Epithelial cancer comprises more than 85% of human cancers. The detection and treatment at the early stage has been demonstrated to apparently improve patient survival. In this review, we summarize our recent research works on the diagnostic application of epithelial tissue based on multiphoton microscopy (MPM), including identification of the layered structures of esophagus, oral cavity, skin and bronchus tissues, establishment of the diagnostic features for distinguishing gastric normal tissue from cancerous tissue, linking collagen alteration and ectocervical epithelial tumor progression for evaluating epithelial tumor progression, and differentiating normal, inflammatory, and dysplastic ectocervical epithelial tissues. These results provide the groundwork for developing MPM into clinical multiphoton endoscopy.
Neurotrophin and GDNF family ligand receptor expression in vagal sensory nerve subtypes innervating the adult guinea pig respiratory tract
Authors: Lieu TinaMarie , Kollarik Marian , Myers Allen C. , Undem Bradley J.
Published: February 2011

We combined retrograde tracing techniques with single-neuron RT-PCR to compare the expression of neurotrophic factor receptors in nodose vs. jugular vagal sensory neurons. The neurons were further categorized based on location of their terminals (tracheal or lungs) and based on expression of the ionotropic capsaicin receptor TRPV1. Consistent with functional studies, nearly all jugular neurons innervating the trachea and lungs expressed TRPV1. With respect to the neurotrophin receptors, the TRPV1-expressing jugular C-fiber neurons innervating both the trachea and lung compartments preferentially expressed tropomyosin-receptor kinase A (TrkA), with only a minority of neurons expressing TrkB or TrkC. The nodose neurons that express TRPV1 (presumed nodose C-fibers) innervate mainly intrapulmonary structures. These neurons preferentially expressed TrkB, with only a minority expressing TrkA or TrkC. The expression pattern in tracheal TRPV1-negative neurons, nodose tracheal presumed Aδ-fiber neurons as well as the intrapulmonary TRPV1-negative presumed Aβ-fiber neurons, was similar to that observed in the nodose C-fiber neurons. We also evaluated the expression of GFRα receptors and RET (receptors for the GDNF family ligands). Virtually all vagal sensory neurons innervating the respiratory tract expressed RET and GFRα1. The jugular neurons also categorically expressed GFRα3, as well as ∼50% of the nodose neurons. GFRα2 was expressed in ∼50% of the neurons irrespective of subtype. The results reveal that Trk receptor expression in vagal afferent neurons innervating the adult respiratory tract depends more on the location of the cell bodies (jugular vs. nodose ganglion) than either the location of the terminals or the functional phenotype of the nerve. The data also reveal that in addition to neurotrophins, the GDNF family ligands may be important neuromodulators of vagal afferent nerves innervating the adult respiratory tract.
Effect of long-term leisure time physical activity on lean mass and fat mass in girls during adolescence
Authors: Völgyi Eszter , Alén Markku , Xu Leiting , Lyytikäinen Arja , Wang Qin , Munukka Eveliina , Wiklund Petri , Tylavsky Frances A. , Cheng Sulin
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this 7-yr prospective longitudinal study was to examine if the level and consistency of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during adolescence affected the quantity and distribution of lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) at early adulthood. The study subjects were 202 Finnish girls who were 10–13 yr old at baseline. LM and FM of the total body (TB), arms, legs, and trunk were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the left leg was assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Scores of LTPA were obtained by questionnaire. Girls were divided into four groups comprising those with consistently low (GLL) or consistently high (GHH) physical activity, or those whose physical activity changed from low to high (GLH), or from high to low (GHL), over the 7 yr of follow-up. At baseline, no differences were found in LM, FM, and FM% among the groups in any of the body segments. By the end of the study GHHand GLHhad higher values of LM of the TB, arms, legs, and trunk than that of the GHLand GLLgroups ( P < 0.05, respectively). High FM% of the TB was associated with low level of LTPA, but no significant differences were found in the absolute amount of FM and mCSA among the LTPA groups. Our results suggest that a consistently high level of LTPA during the transition from prepuberty to early adulthood has a positive effect on lean mass gain in girls. Participating in 5 h of LTPA per week had a significant effect on FM% but not on the absolute amount of fat mass.
Targeting Ovarian Tumor Cell Adhesion Mediated by Tissue Transglutaminase
Authors: Khanna May , Chelladurai Bhadrani , Gavini Aruna , Li Liwei , Shao Minghai , Courtney David , Turchi John J. , Matei Daniela , Meroueh Samy
Published: February 2011

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a transpeptidase involved in protein cross-linking through generation of ϵ-(γ-glutamyl)lysine isopeptide bonds. It also promotes cell adhesion through interaction with fibronectin and facilitates formation of fibronectin–integrin complexes. This interaction is involved in tumor cell adhesion to the matrix and in the process of tumor dissemination. Its inhibition by small molecules may therefore be useful in blocking metastasis. To that end, we screened more than 800,000 compounds following an in silico docking approach targeting two distinct cavities in the vicinity of the fibronectin-binding site on TG2. A total of 120 compounds were acquired and tested in cell culture–based assays for inhibition of ovarian tumor cell adhesion and proliferation. Seven compounds showed more than 50% inhibition of cell adhesion at a concentration of 25 μmol/L. A follow-up fluorescence polarization study revealed that one compound in particular (ITP-79) inhibited binding of a TG2 peptide to a 42-kDa fragment of fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was confirmed in cancer cells by coimmunoprecipitation. A competition assay with surface plasmon resonance showed that ITP-79 modulated binding of TG2 to fibronectin. Direct binding of compounds that inhibited adhesion to TG2 were examined with differential scanning fluorimetry, which measures the effect of the compound on the melting temperature of the target. Two compounds, including ITP-79, reduced TG2 stabilization, mimicking the effects of GTP, a known negative allosteric regulator of TG2 enzymatic function. This suggests a potential allosteric mechanism for the compound in light of its distal target site. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(4); 626–36. ©2011 AACR.
Development of a Large Animal Model for Investigation of Deep Brain Stimulation for Epilepsy
Authors: Stypulkowski Paul H. , Giftakis Jonathon E. , Billstrom Tina M.
Published: February 2011

Background/Objectives: To better understand the mechanism of action of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for epilepsy and to investigate implantable device features, it is desirable to have a large animal model to evaluate clinical-grade systems. This study assessed the suitability of an ovine model of epilepsy for this purpose. Methods: Animals were anesthetized for surgery and 1.5 T MRIs collected. Unilateral anterior thalamic DBS leads, hippocampal depth electrodes and catheters were implanted using a frameless stereotactic system. Evoked responses and local field potentials were collected and stored for off-line analysis. Results: Despite limited neuroanatomic information for this species, it was possible to reliably implant leads into the target structures using MR-guided techniques. Stimulation of these regions produced robust evoked potentials within this circuit that were dependent on stimulus location and parameters. High-frequency thalamic DBS produced a clear inhibition of both spontaneous and penicillin-induced ictal activity in the hippocampus which far outlasted the duration of the stimulation. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the sheep model may be useful for further investigation of DBS for epilepsy. The demonstration of marked suppression of network excitability with high-frequency stimulation supports a potential therapeutic mechanism for this DBS therapy.
Daily Sodium Intake in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients during Nephrology Clinic Follow-Up: An Observational Study with 24-Hour Urine Sodium Measurement
Authors: Aybal Kutlugün Aysun , Arıcı Mustafa , Yıldırım Tolga , Turgut Didem , Yılmaz Rahmi , Altındal Mahmut , Altun Bülent , Erdem Yunus , Yasavul Ünal , Turgan Çetin
Published: February 2011

Objective: To determine daily sodium intake in ‘real practice’ in a large group of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who were under regular follow-up in a nephrology clinic. Methods: A total of 373 consecutive outpatients with CKD stages 1–5 (not on dialysis; men: 52.3%, mean age: 51.6 ± 15.4 years) were included in the study. All patients had at least 3 or more nephrology visits and received information on reducing their sodium intake. Data for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, number of antihypertensive medications and 2 consecutive 24-hour urinary sodium levels were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Results: The mean 24-hour urinary sodium levels of 2 consecutive urine samples were 168.8 ± 70.3 and 169.3 ± 67.4 mEq/day (p > 0.05). Only 14.7% of the patients had a sodium excretion <100 mmol/day. There was no difference in daily sodium intake from stages 1 to 4, but it was significantly lower in stage 5 (126.6 ± 60.5 mEq/day, p < 0.05). No relation was found between 24-hour urinary sodium output, number of antihypertensives or thiazide use. Conclusions: This study showed that almost 85% of CKD patients under regular nephrologic care were consuming more sodium than the recommended level. More robust measures should be devised to increase patient and physician compliance with reducing sodium intake in CKD.
Functions of Lipopeptides Bacillomycin D and Fengycin in Antagonism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C06 towards Monilinia fructicola
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhou Ting , He Dan , Li Xiu-zhen , Wu Huijun , Liu Wenzhe , Gao Xuewen
Published: February 2011

In previous studies, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C06 has been proven to be effective in controlling brown rot of stone fruit caused by Monilinia fructicola. When tested in vitro, cell-free filtrate of B. amyloliquefaciens C06 significantly inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination of the fungal pathogen. This study aimed to determine the role of the antifungal compound(s) in the cell-free filtrate of B. amyloliquefaciens C06 by an approach combining a DNA-based suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method with MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. It was demonstrated that B. amyloliquefaciens C06 harbored two genes, bmyC and fenD, involved in biosynthesis of bacillomycin D and fengycin, two lipopeptides belonging to the iturin and fengycin family, respectively. To determine the roles of bacillomycin D and fengycin of B. amyloliquefaciens C06 in suppressing M. fructicola, the mutants of B. amyloliquefaciens C06 deficient in producing bacillomy- cin D, fengycin or both were constructed, and evaluated in vitro together with the wild-type B. amyloliquefaciens C06. The results indicated that bacillomycin D and fengycin jointly contributed to the inhibition of conidial germination of M. fructicola, and fengycin played a major role in suppressing mycelial growth of the fungal pathogen.
Glucose-Mediated Transcriptional Repression of PCB/Biphenyl Catabolic Genes in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1
Authors: Araki Naoto , Niikura Yuji , Miyauchi Keisuke , Kasai Daisuke , Masai Eiji , Fukuda Masao
Published: February 2011

Rhodococcus jostii RHA1, a Gram-positive polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrader, exhibited biphasic growth in a medium containing biphenyl (BPH) and glucose (Glc), with consumption of Glc and low 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase activity in the first growth stage. These results suggested the repression of BPH metabolism in the presence of Glc, in which RHA1 preferentially utilized Glc in the first growth stage and BPH in the second stage. A reporter assay using a transcriptional fusion of the bphAa promoter (PbphAa) and the luxAB luciferase genes was performed, and lower luciferase activity was observed during the first growth stage, indicating transcriptional repression of PbphAa activity in the presence of Glc. Transcription levels of the representative genes of five BPH catabolic enzyme gene clusters (bph/etb gene clusters) and their transcriptional regulatory genes (bphST) were examined by real-time reverse transcription PCR. The results obtained indicate that transcription of the targeted bph/etb genes, which were upregulated by BPH, was repressed in the presence of Glc. Among the substrates examined, fructose in addition to Glc induced the repression of PbphAa transcription. These results indicate that BPH utilization in RHA1 is under the control of carbon catabolite repression at the transcriptional level in addition to BphST-dependent transcriptional regulation.
Relationship between Biochemical Markers and Radial Cortical Bone Changes in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Fujimori Akira , Okada Shioko , Sakai Makoto , Tome Katsuyuki , Fukagawa Masafumi
Published: February 2011

Background/Aim: Bone loss in patients with osteoporosis may be predicted by the elevation of biochemical markers of bone turnover. Therefore, we studied the relationship between biochemical markers, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the 2-year change in radial cortical bone in patients under chronic hemodialysis. Methods: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, whole PTH, and total intact PTH were measured in 53 patients under maintenance hemodialysis. Additionally, radial cortical bone mineral density (BMD) and relative cortical area (RCA) were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography 2 years apart. Results: In all patients, BMD decreased by 2.5% and RCA decreased by 5.8% during 2 years. TRACP-5b levels significantly correlated with decreased RCA in all and female patients, but not with decreased BMD. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase correlated with decreased BMD in all patients and with decreased RCA in all and female patients. Whole PTH did not correlate with decreased RCA or BMD. Total intact PTH significantly correlated with decreased BMD in all and male patients and with decreased RCA in all and female patients. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, TRACP-5b and total intact PTH were selected as explanatory variables for decreased RCA and decreased BMD, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that TRACP-5b and total intact PTH are powerful markers to predict radial cortical bone loss in hemodialysis patients.
Metformin: The Safest Hypoglycaemic Agent in Chronic Kidney Disease?
Authors: Nye Helen J. , Herrington William G.
Published: February 2011

Metformin is the first-line oral agent in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and has many established benefits, including the reduction of macrovascular complications of diabetes. Its prescription in patients with renal impairment is limited by concerns relating to the theoretical risk of lactic acidosis, a fear which is perpetuated by numerous case reports in which it is implicated. Critical review of this literature calls into question the validity of these claims, with metformin usually acting as an ‘innocent bystander’ in acutely unwell patients with conditions well recognised to precipitate lactic acidosis such as sepsis or hypovolaemia. In fact, the evidence supports the safe use of appropriate doses of metformin in patients with chronic stable renal impairment, and highlights the important possible greater risks of the alternatives, most notably severe hypoglycaemia in patients taking sulphonylureas and/or insulin and fluid retention in patients taking a thiazolidinedione. Other traditional contraindications to metformin use such as heart failure are also being re-evaluated, as the benefits of metformin in these patients are increasingly recognised. Physicians should weigh this evidence carefully before deciding to withdraw metformin therapy in their patients with stable chronic kidney disease.
Single- and Multi-Locus Association Tests Incorporating Phenotype Heterogeneity
Authors: Darabi Hatef , Humphreys Keith
Published: February 2011

Taking disease subtypes into account when testing for an association between genetic factors and disease risk may help to identify specific aetiologic pathways. One way to assess a genetic association, whilst accounting for heterogeneity, is to use polytomous regression. This approach only allows heterogeneity to be considered in terms of a single categorical variable. In this article, we describe an alternative and novel test of association which incorporates multivariate measures of categorical and continuous heterogeneity. We describe both a single-SNP and a global multi-SNP test and use simulated data to demonstrate the power of the tests when genetic effects differ across disease subtypes. Applying the tests to the study of genetic variation in the oestrogen metabolic pathway and its association with breast cancer risk and prognosticators strengthened our understanding that the modulation of aromatase activity can influence the occurrence of tumours, and their grade and size, in postmenopausal women.
Advances in imaging angiogenesis and inflammation in atherosclerosis
Authors: Zagorchev Lyubomir , Mulligan-Kehoe Mary Jo
Published: February 2011

Advances in imaging technology have provided powerful tools for dissecting the angiogenic and inflammatory aspects of atherosclerosis. Improved technology along with multi-modal approaches has expanded the utilisation of imaging. Recent advances provide the ability to better define structure and development of angiogenic vessels, identify relationships between inflammatory mediators and the vessel wall, validate biological effects of anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic drugs, delivery and/or targeting specific molecules to inflammatory regions of atherosclerotic plaques.