bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can positron emission tomography with the dual tracers [11C]acetate and [18F]fludeoxyglucose predict microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma?
Authors: Cheung Tan To , Chan See Ching , Ho Chi Lai , Chok Kenneth Siu Ho , Chan Albert Chi Yan , Sharr William Wei , Ng Kelvin Kwok Chai , Poon Ronnie Tung Ping , Lo Chung Mau , Fan Sheung Tat
Published: June 2011

Microvascular invasion is a poor prognostic indicator of the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical treatment. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fludeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) as a tracer has been employed to predict the prognosis before surgery for various kinds of tumors, but it has not been found to be sensitive enough for HCC. Thus, [11C]acetate has been adopted as an additional tracer. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of dual-tracer PET ([18F]FDG and [11C]acetate) to predict microvascular invasion before liver resection or transplantation. Fifty-eight HCC patients who were preoperatively examined with whole-body dual-tracer PET were studied. Twenty-five patients were [18F]FDG-positive, and 56 were [11C]acetate-positive. The sensitivity of [18F]FDG in detecting primary HCC was 43%, and the sensitivity of [11C]acetate was 93%. Twenty-nine patients had HCC with microvascular invasion according to the final pathological examination. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of [18F]FDG PET in predicting microvascular invasion were 55.2%, 69%, 64%, and 60.6%, respectively; the corresponding rates for [11C]acetate PET were 93.1%, 0%, 48.2%, and 0%. The factors associated with HCC recurrence, which included multifocal involvement, a large tumor size, microsatellite lesions, poor HCC differentiation, and an advanced stage of disease, were analyzed and compared with positive PET results. A tumor size greater than 5 cm was significantly associated with positive [18F]FDG PET results; [11C]acetate was not associated with poor prognostic indicators. Preoperative [18F]FDG PET may predict microvascular invasion. The addition of [11C]acetate improves the overall sensitivity of PET, but it has no incremental value in predicting microvascular invasion. Liver Transpl 17:1218–1225, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Physical Gels of a Syndiotactic Polystyrene Derivative with a Large Side‐Chain Group
Authors: Sago Tomohiro , Tokami Tomokatsu , Itagaki Hideyuki , Ishihara Nobuhide , Canter Christina , Guenet Jean‐Michel
Published: June 2011

Summary: Gelation of syndiotactic poly(p‐tert‐butylstyrene) (sPTBS), a syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) derivative having a larger side‐chain group, was first examined with several solvents. The temperature‐concentration phase diagram of sPTBS/trans‐decalin gel clearly exhibited that sPTBS formed a polymer‐solvent molecular compound with a ratio of 2.7 trans‐decalin per one monomer unit. Our polarized fluorescence technique demonstrated that there appeared to exist more spacious free volume among sPTBS chains than sPS in a gel state. A cause determining the morphology of sPTBS with organic solvents was discussed in the present paper.
Hydration of Temperature‐Responsive Polymers Observed by IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Maeda Yasushi
Published: June 2011

Summary: Phase separation of aqueous solutions of temperature‐responsive polymers such as poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAm) and poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PdEA) was investigated. IR spectroscopy was proved to be a quite useful method observing changes in the hydration states of individual chemical groups of the polymers. For example, the analyses of the amide I and II bands provides important information concerning the hydrogen bonding of the CO group and the N‐H group, respectively. Changes in the CH stretching bands indicate hydration changes of the alkyl groups. In addition, molecular simulations based on quantum chemistry give a strong support to the interpretation on molecular level. Our recent progress on this subject was presented and the relationship between the molecular interactions and the macroscopic phase behaviors was discussed.
Interpolymer Complexes of Poly(N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide/Poly(Styrene‐co‐Acrylic Acid): Thermal Stability and FTIR Analysis
Authors: Hadj Hamou Assia Siham , Djadoun Said
Published: June 2011

Summary: This contribution will focus on the elaboration and characterizations of new materials with optimal properties as interpolymer complexes, upon mixing poly (styrene‐co‐acrylic acid containing 18, 27 and 32 mol % of acrylic acid (SAA‐x) and poly (N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA), through the control of the densities, strength, self‐association and accessibility of the interacting species. These elaborated interpolymer complexes, of different structures, investigated by DSC and TGA, exhibited a significant improved thermal stability. Their DSC analysis showed that all these materials showed one composition‐dependence glass transition temperature Tg, indicating the formation of a single homogeneous phase. The different behaviors of Tg‐initial composition observed with these systems were analyzed by the approaches of Kwei and Brostow et al., recently developed. The specific interactions that occurred within the elaborated materials were evidenced qualitatively by ATR/FTIR spectroscopy, from the appearance of new bands in the 1800–1550 cm−1 region.
Poly[2‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino) Ethyl Methacrylate] /Poly(Styrene‐Co‐Methacrylic Acid) Interpolymer Complexes
Authors: Abdellaoui‐Arous Naima , Djadoun Said
Published: June 2011

Summary: Poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA), copolymers of different compositions of styrene with 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (SDMAEMA) or methacrylic acid (SMA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization and characterized by several techniques. Different ternary mixtures containing proton‐acceptors PDMAEMA or SDMAEMA, proton‐donor copolymers SMA and a solvent (butan‐2‐one or THF) were prepared. The present study, that investigated several factors that affected the phase behaviors of the ternary mixtures above, confirmed that, indeed depending on the nature of solvent, densities of interacting species, amounts of efficient specific interactions that occurred between the two copolymers, interpolymer complexes of different structures were elaborated. The complexation phenomena, observed with these different systems were analyzed in solution by viscometry that confirmed these effects in monitoring the formation of interpolymer complexes. The specific interactions that occurred between pairs of polymers of each system above were qualitatively evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy from the appearance of new bands or their new redistribution. The glass transition temperature Tg of the obtained complexes of different structures determined by DSC varied differently with the weight fraction of one of the copolymers. These various Tg‐compositions were analyzed using the Kwei and Brostow et al. approach recently developed. Thermal analysis of some of the elaborated complexes, examined by thermogravimetry, confirmed their improved thermal stability.
Effect of Solvent on the Morphology and Microstructure of Light Emitting Organogels
Authors: Dasgupta D. , Srinivasan S. , Ajayaghosh A. , Guenet J.M.
Published: June 2011

Summary: Self assembly of oligo(phenylene vinylene) based gelator is studied in three different solvents namely, trans‐decahydronaphthalene (trans‐decalin), benzene and benzyl alcohol. The morphology as well as the thermal properties are different for benzyl alcohol gel as compared to those gels in trans‐decalin or benzene. X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that in case of benzyl alcohol gel, the molecular organization is highly ordered with respect to the fibrils grown in other two solvents.
Immortalization of swine umbilical vein endothelial cells (SUVECs) with the simian virus 40 large‐T antigen
Authors: Chrusciel Marcin , Bodek Gabriel , Kirtiklis Lech , Lewczuk Bogdan , Hyder Claire L. , Blitek Agnieszka , Kaczmarek Monika M. , Ziecik Adam J. , Andronowska Aneta
Published: June 2011

Implementation of the swine umbilical vein endothelial cells (SUVECs) model in vitro can be instrumental in determining the biology of endothelial cells. We have generated an immortalized endothelial cell line, G‐1410, using Simian virus 40 T‐antigen (SV40 T‐ag) primarily to overcome the short life span before the onset of senescence and high variability among enzymatically isolated cells of primary cultures. Fast proliferating cells were selected from cultures and, after a fifth passage, examined for the presence of the SV40 T‐ag by PCR and immunocytochemistry. Phase contrast and transmission electron microscopy revealed that G‐1410 cells did not differ morphologically from SUVECs. The G‐1410 cells exhibited positive staining for vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin and von Willebrand factor (vWF), and formed capillary‐like tube structures on Matrigel. Despite the strong oncogenic signal provided by SV40 T‐ag, these transformed G‐1410 cells have remained karyotypically normal and non‐tumorigenic. G‐1410 cells also responded to stimulation with VEGF, FGF‐2, and newborn calf serum. Moreover, G‐1410 cells showed elevated expression of VEGF120, VEGF164 (VEGF‐A), and FGF‐2 at both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, based on the cytological and functional evaluation of the newly obtained immortalized cell line, it can be concluded that G‐1410 cells provide a useful tool for studying the effects of VEGF and FGF systems, and other signal transduction pathways related to angiogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:597–610, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative tissue oxygen measurement in multiple organs using 19F MRI in a rat model
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Shah Sameer J. , Wilmes Lisa J. , Feiner John , Kodibagkar Vikram D. , Wendland Michael F. , Mason Ralph P. , Hylton Nola , Hopf Harriet W. , Rollins Mark D.
Published: June 2011

Measurement of individual organ tissue oxygen levels can provide information to help evaluate and optimize medical interventions in many areas including wound healing, resuscitation strategies, and cancer therapeutics. Echo planar 19F MRI has previously focused on tumor oxygen measurement at low oxygen levels (pO2) <30 mmHg. It uses the linear relationship between spin‐lattice relaxation rate (R1) of hexafluorobenzene (HFB) and pO2. The feasibility of this technique for a wider range of pO2values and individual organ tissue pO2 measurement was investigated in a rat model. Spin‐lattice relaxation times (T1= 1/R1) of hexafluorobenzene were measured using 19F saturation recovery echo planar imaging. Initial in vitro studies validated the linear relationship between R1 and pO2 from 0 to 760 mmHg oxygen partial pressure at 25, 37, and 41°C at 7 Tesla for hexafluorobenzene. In vivo experiments measured rat tissue oxygen (ptO2) levels of brain, kidney, liver, gut, muscle, and skin during inhalation of both 30 and 100% oxygen. All organ ptO2 values significantly increased with hyperoxia (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates that 19F MRI of hexafluorobenzene offers a feasible tool to measure regional ptO2 in vivo, and that hyperoxia significantly increases ptO2 of multiple organs in a rat model. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A B1‐insensitive high resolution 2D T1 mapping pulse sequence for dGEMRIC of the HIP at 3 Tesla
Authors: Lattanzi Riccardo , Glaser Christian , Mikheev Artem V. , Petchprapa Catherine , Mossa David J. , Gyftopoulos Soterios , Rusinek Henry , Recht Michael , Kim Daniel
Published: June 2011

Early detection of cartilage degeneration in the hip may help prevent onset and progression of osteoarthritis in young patients with femoroacetabular impingement. Delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage is sensitive to cartilage glycosaminoglycan loss and could serve as a diagnostic tool for early cartilage degeneration. We propose a new high resolution 2D T1 mapping saturation–recovery pulse sequence with fast spin echo readout for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage of the hip at 3 T. The proposed sequence was validated in a phantom and in 10 hips, using radial imaging planes, against a rigorous multipoint saturation–recovery pulse sequence with fast spin echo readout. T1 measurements by the two pulse sequences were strongly correlated (R2 > 0.95) and in excellent agreement (mean difference = −8.7 ms; upper and lower 95% limits of agreement = 64.5 and −81.9 ms, respectively). T1 measurements were insensitive to B1+ variation as large as 20%, making the proposed T1 mapping technique suitable for 3 T. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nanofibrillar Patterns on PET: The Influence of Plasma Parameters in Surface Morphology
Authors: Wohlfart Ellen , Fernández‐Blázquez Juan P. , Arzt Eduard , del Campo Aránzazu
Published: June 2011

This manuscript studies the formation of nanopatterns onto PET films under different experimental conditions. Homogeneous patterns with randomly distributed bumps or nanofibrils were observed depending on the plasma parameters. The influence of the power, oxygen pressure and electrode charge in the etching rate and final nanotopography is studied and discussed. The superhydrophobic properties of the nanostructured films are analysed.

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Experimental assimilation of DIAL water vapour observations in the ECMWF global model
Authors: Harnisch F. , Weissmann M. , Cardinali C. , Wirth M.
Published: June 2011

A unique airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) for water vapour observations was developed at the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft‐ und Raumfahrt (DLR). Installed on board the DLR Falcon 20 aircraft, the system measured a dataset of about 3900 water vapour profiles during the T‐PARC field campaign. These high‐resolution humidity observations were assimilated into the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global model using a version of the operational four‐dimensional variational data assimilation system. The assimilation system is able to extract the information for DIAL observations, and verification with independent dropsonde observations shows a reduction in the analysis error when DIAL water vapour observations are assimilated. The forecast influence of the humidity observations is found to be small in most cases, but the observations are able to affect the forecast considerably under certain conditions. Systematic errors are investigated by comparison between humidity model fields, DIAL and dropsonde observations. Overall, DIAL observations are roughly 7–10% drier than model fields throughout the troposphere. Comparison with dropsonde observations suggests that the DIAL observations are too dry in the lower troposphere but not above it. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Multi‐sensor satellite remote sensing of dust aerosols over North Africa during GERBILS
Authors: Christopher Sundar A. , Gupta Pawan , Johnson Ben , Ansell Catherine , Brindley Helen , Haywood Jim
Published: June 2011

In this paper we provide an overview of various satellite products over the Sahara Desert that were available during the GERBILS field campaign. Our results indicate that all mid‐visible satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) products match well with AERONET retrievals. For low AOD (AOD < 1), the satellite AODs compare well with aircraft AOD values but they tend to underestimate at high AOD values. We then assessed the satellite products in 0.5 × 0.5 degree grids for the entire study region (10–30°N and 20°W–10°E). If we use a multi‐angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR) as a benchmark for AOD retrievals over bright targets, the estimated AOD derived from the ozone‐monitoring instrument aerosol index–MISR relationship performs best when compared with MISR for the entire study region. Although differences exist among satellite products, the advancement in satellite retrieval techniques now provide AOD retrievals over bright targets such as deserts, which are useful for numerical modeling simulation comparisons and other studies. Furthermore, the in situ information from aircraft and the ground continue to provide valuable information for validating satellite products and for assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society and British Crown Copyright, theMet Office
Venture failure, stigma, and impression management: A self‐verification, self‐determination view
Authors: Shepherd Dean A. , Haynie J. Michael
Published: June 2011

We offer a theoretical basis for understanding how and to what end entrepreneurs employ impression management strategies in response to the negative attributions associated with the stigma of venture failure. Our framework offers counterintuitive insights into why some entrepreneurs stigmatized by failure will use impression management strategies to align their conception of self with how others perceive them—even if that means adopting a negative view of self. Our model highlights a potential paradox related to competing individual (the entrepreneur) and organizational goals, with regard to actions positioned to enhance the psychological well‐being of the failed entrepreneur. Copyright © 2011 Strategic Management Society.
Five Years of siRNA Delivery: Spotlight on Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Lytton‐Jean Abigail K. R. , Langer Robert , Anderson Daniel G.
Published: June 2011

Gold nanoparticles have become widely used in scientific research due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In the last several years their use as siRNA delivery agents has been investigated. Here, progress made using gold nanoparticles for siRNA delivery is described and the different strategies employed are compared.
Quantitative Sensory Testing to assess the sensory characteristics of cancer‐induced bone pain after radiotherapy and potential clinical biomarkers of response
Authors: Scott A.C. , McConnell S. , Laird B. , Colvin L. , Fallon M.
Published: June 2011

Background/aims

Radiotherapy (XRT) is the gold standard treatment for cancer‐induced bone pain (CIBP), but only 50% of patients achieve adequate pain relief within 6 weeks. No predictors of analgesic response to XRT are known. The aim of this preliminary study was to explore the effect of XRT on sensory changes in CIBP with a view to predicting response.

Methods

After ethics committee approval, patients with CIBP were assessed prior to and 4–6 weeks after palliative XRT. This included completion of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and bedside Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) measuring evoked sensations to quantified stimuli on the skin over the area of CIBP and a control site.

Results

Twenty‐three patients were assessed pre and post XRT. Thirteen (57%) had an analgesic response (defined as ≥30% reduction in total BPI). Those patients who had normalisation of abnormal warm sensation (“warm responders”, n = 6) were different in that they had higher baseline functional BPI pain scores (median score (IQR) in warm responders = 43 (31.75–58) compared to 31 (12–39.5) in the remaining patients, p = 0.039), larger reductions in pain scores (median difference of 33.5 in total BPI, p = 0.027) and increased likelihood of resolution of sensitivity to pinprick.

Conclusions

This is the first clinical study to demonstrate alterations in sensory responses in CIBP. Alterations in specific sensory characteristics seem to be associated with an increased likelihood of successful analgesia from palliative XRT. This supports the use of QST in further biomarker studies to predict response to therapy and aid clinical decision making.
LipoxinA4 induced antinociception and decreased expression of NF‐κB and pro‐inflammatory cytokines after chronic dorsal root ganglia compression in rats
Authors: Sun T. , Yu E. , Yu L. , Luo J. , Li H. , Fu Z.
Published: June 2011

Inflammatory and immune responses following nerve injury have been shown to play an important role in neuropathic pain. Lipoxins are endogenous lipoxygenase‐derived eicosanoids performing protective roles in a range of pathophysiologic processes. Here, we examined the effects of intrathecal lipoxinA4 (LXA4) on NF‐κB activation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine (TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6) expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following chronic compression of DRG (CCD), a model of neuropathic pain. Daily intrathecal injection of vehicle or LXA4 (10 ng or 100 ng) was performed for three successive days post‐CCD. CCD induced both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, and increased the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and NF‐κB. Intrathecal injection of LXA4 prevented the development of neuropathic pain and inhibited NF‐κB activation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine upregulation in a dose‐dependent manner. In this study, we have shown the strong protective effect of intrathecal LXA4 on the development of nociceptive behaviors induced by CCD and that these effects might be associated with its anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolution properties.
A new meta-analytic method for neuroimaging studies that combines reported peak coordinates and statistical parametric maps
Authors: Radua J. , Mataix-Cols D. , Phillips M.L. , El-Hage W. , Kronhaus D.M. , Cardoner N. , Surguladze S.
Published: June 2011

Meta-analyses are essential to summarize the results of the growing number of neuroimaging studies in psychiatry, neurology and allied disciplines. Image-based meta-analyses use full image information (i.e. the statistical parametric maps) and well-established statistics, but images are rarely available making them highly unfeasible. Peak-probability meta-analyses such as activation likelihood estimation (ALE) or multilevel kernel density analysis (MKDA) are more feasible as they only need reported peak coordinates. Signed-differences methods, such as signed differential mapping (SDM) build upon the positive features of existing peak-probability methods and enable meta-analyses of studies comparing patients with controls. In this paper we present a new version of SDM, named Effect Size SDM (ES-SDM), which enables the combination of statistical parametric maps and peak coordinates and uses well-established statistics. We validated the new method by comparing the results of an ES-SDM meta-analysis of studies on the brain response to fearful faces with the results of a pooled analysis of the original individual data. The results showed that ES-SDM is a valid and reliable coordinate-based method, whose performance might be additionally increased by including statistical parametric maps. We anticipate that ES-SDM will be a helpful tool for researchers in the fields of psychiatry, neurology and allied disciplines.
ON α-LIKE RADICALS
Authors: FRANCE-JACKSON H.
Published: June 2011

A radical ρ is called prime-like if for every prime ring A, the polynomial ring A[x] is ρ-semisimple. Let α be a radical satisfying the polynomial equation α(A[x])=(α(A))[x] for every ring A. A radical γ is called α-like if for every α-semisimple ring A, the polynomial ring A[x] is γ-semisimple. In this paper, we study properties of α-like radicals. We show that α-likeness is a generalization of prime-likeness and extend some results concerning prime-like radicals. This allows us easily to find distinct special radicals which coincide on simple rings and on polynomial rings, which answers a question put by Ferrero.
Geographical distribution of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths among school children in informal settlements in Kisumu City, Western Kenya
Authors: ODIERE MAURICE R. , OPISA SELPHA , ODHIAMBO GLADYS , JURA WALTER G. Z. O. , AYISI JOHN M. , KARANJA DIANA M. S. , MWINZI PAULINE N.
Published: June 2011

This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence and distribution of schistosome and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among 1,308 children aged 10–18 years in 34 primary schools in 8 informal urban settlements in Kisumu City, western Kenya. Stool samples were collected and examined for eggs ofSchistosoma mansoniand STH (Hookworms,Ascaris lumbricoidesandTrichuris trichiura) using the Kato-Katz technique. Haematuria was used as a proxy indicator of urinary schistosomiasis. Schools and water bodies were mapped using a geographical information system. Overall, 34% of children were infected with one or more helminth species whereas 16·2% of children were infected with one or more STH species. Schools in closest proximity to Lake Victoria and River Nyamasaria had the highestS. mansoniprevalence while schools with STH were more homogenously distributed. Mean school prevalence ofS. mansoniinfection was 21% (range=0–69·7%),S. haematobium3·6% (range=0–12%), hookworms 6·1% (range=0–20%),A. lumbricoides4·9% (range=0–18·4%), andT. trichiura7·7% (range=0–18·6%). Helminth-related morbidities were not associated with infection. Our study demonstrates that schistosomiasis and STH are important health priorities among schools in informal settlements of Kisumu City, and highlights the need for routine deworming in similar settings.
Space, Time and Mind-Dependence
Authors: Baiasu Sorin
Published: June 2011

The interpretation of Kant's Critical philosophy as a version of traditional idealism has a long history. In spite of Kant's and his commentators’ various attempts to distinguish between traditional and transcendental idealism, his philosophy continues to be construed as committed (whether explicitly or implicitly and whether consistently or inconsistently) to various features usually associated with the traditional idealist project. As a result, most often, the accusation is that his Critical philosophy makes too strong metaphysical and epistemological claims.

In his The Revolutionary Kant, Graham Bird engages in a systematic and thorough evaluation of the traditionalist interpretation, as part of perhaps the most comprehensive and compelling defence of a revolutionary reading of Kant's thought. In the third part of this special issue, the exchanges between, on the one hand, Graham Bird and, on the other, Gary Banham, Gordon Brittan, Manfred Kuehn, Adrian Moore and Kenneth Westphal focus on specific aspects of Bird's interpretation of Kant's first Critique. More exactly, the emphasis is on specific aspects of Bird's interpretation of the Introduction, Analytic of Principles and Transcendental Dialectic of Kant's first Critique.

The second part of the special issue is devoted to discussions of particular topics in Bird's construal of the remaining significant parts of the first Critique, namely, of the Transcendental Aesthetic and the Analytic of Concepts. Written by Sorin Baiasu and Michelle Grier, these articles examine specific issues in these two remaining parts of the Critique, from the perspective of the debate between the traditionalist and revolutionary interpretation. The special issue begins with an Introduction by the guest co-editors. This provides a summary of the exchanges between Bird and his critics, with a particular focus on the debates stemming from the differences between traditional and revolutionary interpretations of Kant.
Bird on Kant's Mathematical Antinomies
Authors: Moore A. W.
Published: June 2011

The interpretation of Kant's Critical philosophy as a version of traditional idealism has a long history. In spite of Kant's and his commentators’ various attempts to distinguish between traditional and transcendental idealism, his philosophy continues to be construed as committed (whether explicitly or implicitly and whether consistently or inconsistently) to various features usually associated with the traditional idealist project. As a result, most often, the accusation is that his Critical philosophy makes too strong metaphysical and epistemological claims.

In hisThe Revolutionary Kant, Graham Bird engages in a systematic and thorough evaluation of the traditionalist interpretation, as part of perhaps the most comprehensive and compelling defence of a revolutionary reading of Kant's thought. In the third part of this special issue, the exchanges between, on the one hand, Graham Bird and, on the other, Gary Banham, Gordon Brittan, Manfred Kuehn, Adrian Moore and Kenneth Westphal focus on specific aspects of Bird's interpretation of Kant's first Critique. More exactly, the emphasis is on specific aspects of Bird's interpretation of the Introduction, Analytic of Principles and Transcendental Dialectic of Kant's first Critique.

The second part of the special issue is devoted to discussions of particular topics in Bird's construal of the remaining significant parts of the first Critique, namely, of the Transcendental Aesthetic and the Analytic of Concepts. Written by Sorin Baiasu and Michelle Grier, these articles examine specific issues in these two remaining parts of the Critique, from the perspective of the debate between the traditionalist and revolutionary interpretation. The special issue begins with an Introduction by the guest co-editors. This provides a summary of the exchanges between Bird and his critics, with a particular focus on the debates stemming from the differences between traditional and revolutionary interpretations of Kant.
Identification and isolation of active N2O reducers in rice paddy soil
Authors: Ishii Satoshi , Ohno Hiroki , Tsuboi Masahiro , Otsuka Shigeto , Senoo Keishi
Published: June 2011

Dissolved N2O is occasionally detected in surface and ground water in rice paddy fields, whereas little or no N2O is emitted to the atmosphere above these fields. This indicates the occurrence of N2O reduction in rice paddy fields; however, identity of the N2O reducers is largely unknown. In this study, we employed both culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to identify N2O reducers in rice paddy soil. In a soil microcosm, N2O and succinate were added as the electron acceptor and donor, respectively, for N2O reduction. For the stable isotope probing (SIP) experiment, 13C-labeled succinate was used to identify succinate-assimilating microbes under N2O-reducing conditions. DNA was extracted 24 h after incubation, and heavy and light DNA fractions were separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and clone library analysis targeting the 16S rRNA and the N2O reductase gene were performed. For culture-dependent analysis, the microbes that elongated under N2O-reducing conditions in the presence of cell-division inhibitors were individually captured by a micromanipulator and transferred to a low-nutrient medium. The N2O-reducing ability of these strains was examined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results of the SIP analysis suggested that Burkholderiales and Rhodospirillales bacteria dominated the population under N2O-reducing conditions, in contrast to the control sample (soil incubated with only 13C-succinate). Results of the single-cell isolation technique also indicated that the majority of the N2O-reducing strains belonged to the genera Herbaspirillum (Burkholderiales) and Azospirillum (Rhodospirillales). In addition, Herbaspirillum strains reduced N2O faster than Azospirillum strains. These results suggest that Herbaspirillum spp. may have an important role in N2O reduction in rice paddy soils.
Unravelling the effect of interparticle interactions and surface spin canting in γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 superparamagnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Pereira André M. , Pereira Clara , Silva Ana S. , Schmool David S. , Freire Cristina , Grenèche Jean-Marc , Araújo João P.
Published: June 2011

The present study investigates the magnetic properties of spherical monodispersed maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles coated with multiple silica (SiO2) layers of different thicknesses, forming core-shell multifunctional nanomaterials. This study was performed using a combination of local probe techniques (Mössbauer spectrometry) and magnetization measurements. At room temperature, both techniques confirm the superparamagnetic state of the samples, even after being coated with the SiO2 shells. The zero-field-cooling–field-cooling magnetization curves of the silica-coated γ-Fe2O3 nanomaterials with different shell thicknesses allow the evaluation of the intensity of the interparticle dipole–dipole interactions. We estimate the interparticle energy within the framework of dipolar interaction models and relate it with the hyperfine parameters. We further observe that this dipole–dipole interaction increases the superparamagnetic energy barrier, which largely depends on the interparticle distance. Finally, we consider the effect of spin canting at the surface (“dead layer”) of uncoated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles manifested by a layer of ∼0.5(1) nm.
THz electrical instability of a hybrid system composed of quantum dot and quantum well with drifting electrons
Authors: Kochelap V. A. , Kukhtaruk S. M.
Published: June 2011

We studied the hybrid system composed of a polarizable nanoparticle and a quantum well. For coupled oscillations of dipole excitations of the nanoparticle and two-dimensional electron gas, we determined frequencies and damping of the Landau-type. We found that under the drift of two-dimensional electrons, electrostatic coupling between the nanoparticle and the quantum well gives rise to a novel type of electrical instability in the terahertz frequency range. Under this electrical instability, amplitudes of the dipole and plasma oscillations increase in time due to the energy transfer from the drifting electrons. The instability arises when the electron drift velocity exceeds a critical value. Long relaxation times of the dipole excitations of the nanoparticle are favorable for development of the instability. We presented estimates, which demonstrate that the instability can be realized in quantum dot—quantum well hybrid systems fabricated by contemporary semiconductor technologies. This instability can provide a new mechanism for generation of THz radiation.
Effect of plasma parameters on growth and field emission properties of spherical carbon nanotube tip
Authors: Sharma Suresh C. , Tewari Aarti
Published: June 2011

The effect of plasma parameters (e.g., electron density and temperature, ion density and temperature, neutral atom density and temperature) on the growth (without a catalyst), structure, and field emission properties of a spherical carbon nanotube (CNT) tip has been theoretically investigated. A theoretical model of charge neutrality, including the kinetics of electrons, positively charged ions, and neutral atoms and the energy balance of the various species in plasma, has been developed. Numerical calculations of the radius of the spherical CNT tip for different CNT number densities and plasma parameters have been carried out for the typical glow discharge plasma parameters. It is found that upon an increase in the CNT number density and plasma parameters, the radius of the spherical CNT tip decreases, and consequently the field emission factor for the spherical CNT tip increases.
Cavity quantum electrodynamics for photon mediated transfer of quantum states
Authors: Rahman Md. Mijanur , Choudhury P. K.
Published: June 2011

An enhanced approach for transferring quantum state between quantum nodes is proposed wherein photons serve as the information carrier. Each node consists of a Rubidium (87Rb) atom trapped inside a two-mode optical cavity. The approach is based on cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) wherein a system of lasers is applied on the atom in order to generate photon through Raman transition. Logic states ‘0’ and ‘1’ are represented by two subspaces of the hyperfine energy levels with magnetic sub-levels of 87Rb atom. A static magnetic field is applied upon the atoms so that the hyperfine states of 87Rb atom are split into the magnetic sub-levels (due to Zeeman effect). Depending on the logic state of the transmit node, a right- or left-circularly polarized photon with designated frequency is produced through a cavity assisted Raman process. When the photon is received at the receive node via an optical fiber, the logic state of the transmit node is restored (through a cavity QED process) into the receive node. A desirable feature of the approach is that, during the transmission of logic state, the transmit node itself should not significantly change its quantum state; this is successfully validated through simulations.
Investigation of Ag-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate nanocomposite films prepared by a one-step aqueous method
Authors: Wang Seok-Joo , Choi Yong-June , Park Hyung-Ho
Published: June 2011

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid films containing Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by a one-step aqueous method. The embedded Ag nanoparticles were produced using PEDOT as a reducing agent and PSS as a stabilizer. We have also demonstrated nanoparticle growth with increasing reaction time and silver nitrate content. Finally, as a nanocomposite-containing nanoparticle without surface-capping molecules and embedded in a conducting polymer matrix, the Ag NPs-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite is interesting because it represents a type of material in which a metallic nano-island is embedded in the semiconducting matrix with a pure interface. One-step synthesized silver nanoparticles were found to induce a lowering of the work function and an increase of the highest occupied molecular orbital level in pristine PEDOT:PSS films by electron exchange with PEDOT, and also induced an inhibition of the electrostatic bond between PEDOT and PSS.
Correlation of surface domain structure and magneto-impedance in amorphous microwires
Authors: Ipatov M. , Chizhik A. , Zhukova V. , Gonzalez J. , Zhukov A.
Published: June 2011

The correlation between surface domain structure (SDS) and high frequency magneto-impedance (MI) in amorphous microwires has been systematically studied. First, we applied the magneto-optical polarizing microscopy to determine the SDS and found that it is considerably different in unstressed microwire and in microwires to which tensile and torsional stress were applied. Then, we measured the longitudinal and off-diagonal MI in these microwires and also observed quite different MI dependencies. We analyzed the experimental MI curves and their dependence on the SDS with the help of a simple model that nevertheless yields good qualitative agreement with experiment. We have demonstrated that the analysis of the MI dependencies, especially the off-diagonal one, can reveal the SDS in the microwires. The obtained results can also be useful for magnetic and stress sensing applications.
10 MeV electrons irradiation effects in variously doped n-GaN
Authors: Polyakov A. Y. , Lee In-Hwan , Smirnov N. B. , Govorkov A. V. , Kozhukhova E. A. , Kolin N. G. , Korulin A. V. , Boiko V. M. , Pearton S. J.
Published: June 2011

We studied 10 MeV electron irradiation effects in a group of n-GaN films grown by standard metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and by epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) techniques. The samples were either undoped or Si-doped, so that the shallow donor concentrations ranged from 1014 cm−3 to 3 × 1018 cm−3. It was found that electron irradiation led to the compensation of n-type conductivity and that the carrier removal rate substantially increased with an increase in the starting donor concentration. For the MOCVD samples, it was observed that the main compensating defect introduced by electrons was a 0.15 eV electron trap detected by admittance spectroscopy. Once the Fermi level crossed the level of these traps two other centers with activation energies of 0.2 and 1 eV were found to contribute to the compensation, so that after high doses, the Fermi level in moderately doped samples was pinned near Ec −1 eV. In ELOG samples the 0.15 eV electron traps were not detected. Instead only the 0.2 and 1 eV traps were introduced by irradiation. The carrier removal rate in the ELOG n-GaN was found to be measurably lower than for MOCVD samples with a similar doping level. The results are compared to previously published data and possible models of compensation are discussed.
Theoretical studies of the tunneling splitting of malonaldehyde using the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree approach
Authors: Schröder Markus , Gatti Fabien , Meyer Hans-Dieter
Published: June 2011

Full dimensional multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree calculations of the zero point energy and the tunneling splitting of malonaldehyde using a recently published potential energy surface [Y. Wang, B. J. Braams, J. M. Bowman, S. Carter, and D. P. Tew, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 224314 (2008)] are reported. The potential energy surface has been approximated by a modified version of the n-mode representation and careful convergence check has been performed to ensure accurate results. The obtained value for the splitting (23.4 cm−1) is in acceptable agreement with the experimental value of 21.583 cm−1. The computed zero-point-energy is 14 670 cm−1 which is lower than previous results of Wang et al., but likely to be about 4 cm−1 too low because of shortcomings of the n-mode representation of the potential. The energies reported in this abstract contain a correction to account for neglected vibrational angular momentum terms.
Defects at nitrogen site in electron-irradiated AlN
Authors: Son N. T. , Gali A. , Szabó Á. , Bickermann M. , Ohshima T. , Isoya J. , Janzén E.
Published: June 2011

In high resistance AlN irradiated with 2 MeV electrons, an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, labeled EI-1, with an electron spin S=1/2 and a clear hyperfine (hf) structure was observed. The hf structure was shown to be due the interaction between the electron spin and the nuclear spins of four A27 nuclei with the hf splitting varying between ∼6.0 and ∼7.2 mT. Comparing the hf data obtained from EPR and ab initio supercell calculations we suggest the EI-1 defect to be the best candidate for the neutral nitrogen vacancy in AlN.
Optical group-velocity control in a phase-shifted narrowband filter
Authors: Horn Wolfgang , Kroesen Sebastian , Denz Cornelia
Published: June 2011

We demonstrate group-velocity control with an optically reconfigurable narrow-band filter at 1550 nm based on a volume-holographic Bragg grating. The filter is dynamically addressed to obtain different tunable magnitude and phase function by modification of the length, coupling strength, apodization, and phase discontinuities. We characterize the switching behavior, group-delay, electro-optical tuning, and Gaussian pulse propagation.
Delta-doped epitaxial La:SrTiO3 field-effect transistor
Authors: Nishio K. , Matvejeff M. , Takahashi R. , Lippmaa M. , Sumiya M. , Yoshikawa H. , Kobayashi K. , Yamashita Y.
Published: June 2011

We show that by delta doping a deep depletion layer at a SrTiO3/CaHfO3 interface with La, it is possible to achieve a separation of physical dopants from the current transport layer in SrTiO3. This allows us to construct an epitaxial top-gate field-effect transistor that can switch a channel with a physical dopant density of ∼1014 cm−2 between insulating and metallic states with a finite threshold shift and without carrier mobility degradation at low temperature.
Simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain by combining a fiber Bragg grating and the pigtail fiber covered with epoxy resin
Authors: Wu Xiaowei , Xue Hongchao , Meng Hongyun , Shen Wei , Wang Wei , Tan Chunhua , Huang Xuguang
Published: June 2011

A fiber sensor for simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain based on a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with the pigtail fiber covered with epoxy resin is presented. The side mode suppression ratio of the FBG will vary with the temperature due to the Fresnel reflection from the interface between the pigtail fiber and the epoxy resin whose refractive index is sensitive to the temperature. The sensor is also capable of simultaneous measurement temperature and strain by combining the Bragg wavelength shift characteristics as the temperature and strain of the FBG.
Roles of translational and reorientational modes in translational diffusion of high-pressure water: Comparison with soft-core fluids
Authors: Yamaguchi T. , Koda S.
Published: June 2011

The dynamics of two soft-core fluids that show the increase in diffusivity with isothermal compression is studied with the mode-coupling theory (MCT). The anomalous density dependence of the diffusivity of these fluids is reproduced by the theory, and it is ascribed to the decrease in the first peak of the structure factor. The mechanism is quite different from that of high-pressure water revealed by MCT on molecular liquids described by the interaction-site model [T. Yamaguchi, S.-H. Chong, and F. Hirata, J. Chem. Phys., 119, 1021 (2003)]. The structures used in that study, calculated by the reference interaction-site model integral equation theory, showed the increase in the height of the first peak of the structure factor between oxygen atoms, whereas the structure obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations shows the decrease in the peak height. In this work, calculations with MCT are performed on the simple fluids whose structure factor is the same as that between oxygen atoms of water from MD simulation, in order to clarify the role of translational structure on the increase in diffusivity with compression. The conclusion is that both the translational and reorientational modes contribute to the increase in diffusivity, and the effect of the latter is indispensable for the anomaly alone at least above freezing temperature.
The effect of the static magnetic susceptibility on the spin precession in MgO based magnetic tunnel junction
Authors: Pi Ung-Hwan , Lee Sung-Chul , Kim Kwang-Seok , Kim Keewon , Shin Jay-Kwang , Chung U-in
Published: June 2011

We studied the steady state precession of the spins in the magnetic tunnel junctions. In the field range below the spin-flop transition of synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer, the precession mode depends upon the current bias polarity. Above the spin-flop transition, however, the spin precession shows symmetric behavior on the current bias. The dominant mechanism of the spin precession changes from the spin transfer torque to thermal excitation at around the spin-flop transition. The enhancement of thermal fluctuation above the spin-flop transition is analyzed in relation to the static magnetic susceptibility.
Effect of ion bombardment on the a-Si:H based surface passivation of c-Si surfaces
Authors: Illiberi A. , Kudlacek P. , Smets A. H. M. , Creatore M. , van de Sanden M. C. M.
Published: June 2011

We have found that controlled Ar ion bombardment enhances the degradation of a-Si:H based surface passivation of c-Si surfaces. The decrease in the level of surface passivation is found to be independent on the ion kinetic energy (7–70 eV), but linearly proportional to the ion flux (6×1014–6×1015 ions cm−2 s−1). This result suggests that the ion flux determines the generation rate of electron–hole pairs in a-Si:H films, by which metastable defects are created at the H/a-Si:c-Si interface. Possible mechanisms for the ion induced generation of electron–hole pairs are discussed.
Čerenkov third-harmonic generation in χ(2) nonlinear photonic crystal
Authors: Sheng Yan , Wang Wenjie , Shiloh Roy , Roppo Vito , Kong Yongfa , Arie Ady , Krolikowski Wieslaw
Published: June 2011

We report on the observation of Čerenkov emission of a third-harmonic frequency in a two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal, where the second-order nonlinearity χ(2) is spatially modulated by the reversal of ferroelectric domains. We analyze both spatial and polarization properties of the emitted radiation and find the results in agreement with our theoretical predictions.