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Fe–Pt exchange-spring film magnets composed of both order and disorder phases were fabricated by the sputtering method followed by an annealing process, and an increase in thickness was achieved up to 7 μm. The remanence value for the films with the thickness ranging from 1.7 to 7 μm showed approximately 0.9 T which exceeded a theoretical value of 0.7 T for an isotropic Fe–Pt film composed of only order phase. For example, the values of remanence, coercivity, and (BH)max for a 7-μm-thick film were 0.87 T, 490 kA/m, and 118 kJ/m3, respectively. The film also had a superior recoil rate compared to that of a Fe–Pt film composed of only order phase. These results indicate that we can obtain Fe–Pt exchange-spring thick films with good magnetic properties and a recoil rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of investigation. To investigate the prognosis of high-risk early-stage cervical cancer patients who did not receive postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Materials and Methods. The characteristics and outcomes of high-risk early-stage cervical cancer patients who did not receive postoperative CCRT were collected. They were separated into two groups according to the type of adjuvant treatment: no further therapy (NFT group) or chemotherapy (chemotherapy group), and the clinico-pathological characteristics, recurrence rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were investigated. Results.A total of 23 patients were included. After a median follow-up period of 115 months, 19 had developed recurrent disease, and 17 had died of disease progression. The median PFS and OS of all patients were ten and 29 months, respectively. The recurrence rate of the NFT group (n=10) was similar to that of the chemotherapy group (n=13) (80% vs. 85%, p > 0.05). Although the PFS and OS of the chemotherapy group were slightly longer than those of the NFT group, the differences were not statistically significant (PFS, 10 vs. 36 months, p > 0.05; OS, 28 vs. 59 months p > 0.05). Conclusion. High-risk early-stage cervical cancer patients who did not receive postoperative CCRT have dismal prognosis irrespective of the type of adjuvant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background People with Down syndrome (DS) often have sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Unusual sleep postures, such as leaning forward and sitting, are observed in people with DS. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of unusual sleep postures and their relationships with SDB-related symptoms (SDB-RSs), such as snoring, witnessed apnoea, nocturnal awakening and excessive daytime sleepiness. Methods A questionnaire, including demographic characteristics and the presence of unusual sleep postures, as well as SDB-RSs, was completed by 1149 parents of people with DS from Japan. Results Unusual sleep postures were recorded in 483 (42.0%) people with DS. These participants were significantly younger and had a history of low muscle tone more frequently than people without unusual sleep postures. In all ages, the leaning forward posture was more frequent than sitting. People with DS with unusual sleep postures suffered from SDB-RSs. Those who slept in the sitting posture had more frequent SDB-RSs than did those who slept with the leaning forward posture. Snoring, witnessed apnoea and nocturnal awakening were observed in 73.6, 27.2 and 58.2% of participants, respectively. Snoring increased with aging. Witnessed apnoea was more common in males and in those with hypothyroidism than in females and in those without hypothyroidism. Conclusions Our study shows that there is a close relationship between unusual sleep postures and SDB-RSs. We recommend that all people with DS with unusual sleep postures should be checked for the presence of SDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 64-year-old, postmenopausal woman with abdominal distension and pelvic pain. Topics discussed include results of various medical tests; complications of pleural effusion and upper abdominal dissemination; and the usage of abdominal examination, computerised axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the treatment.

We analyzed the interference of two high-order harmonic generation processes in mixtures of different materials. These studies were carried out using mixtures of silver and gold nanoparticle suspensions, as well as mixtures of boron and carbon. These samples were ablated using picosecond pulses and probed by femtosecond pulses. While the harmonic cutoffs remained approximately the same for the mixtures and the separate ingredients, the conversion efficiency in the case of plasma plumes containing the mixtures of the above materials noticeably decreased around all spectral ranges of harmonic generation. These studies show that destructive interference in these media dominates over constructive interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of lower (third) and higher harmonics of femtosecond laser radiation in plasmas produced by laser ablation of different targets with a small atomic number Z (B, Be, Li) has been investigated. The high (10) efficiency of third-harmonic generation was observed in plasma produced on the boron surface. Efficient third-harmonic generation was also observed in beryllium plasma using femtosecond pulses of Ti:sapphire laser radiation (λ = 790 nm) and its second harmonic (395 nm). We could tune the higher harmonics generation spectrum by tuning the crystal converter when using 395-nm radiation to be converted. It is shown that, in plasmas formed on targets with small Z, the conversion efficiency and limiting generated harmonic order depend on the delay between the ablation pulse and the pulse to be converted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of investigation of high harmonics of radiation of a Ti:sapphire laser propagating through a laser plasma generated on the surface of different targets are presented. For most of the targets, the intensity distribution of the high harmonics generated is found to form a plateaulike pattern similar to that observed in the case of gas jets. The generation of high harmonics (up to the 65th harmonic, λ = 12.24 nm) is caused by the interaction of femtosecond laser radiation with ions. The conversion efficiency in the plateau region varies from 10−7 to 8 × 10−5 depending on the target. The main restriction on the conversion efficiency and the peak intensity of the harmonics generated is caused by the self-defocusing of the femtosecond radiation due to free charge carriers formed as a result of tunnel ionization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The generation of high harmonics (up to the 23rd order, λ =34.6nm) of Ti:sapphire laser radiation in the prepulse-produced magnesium plasma is studied. The steady decrease of conversion efficiency for each next harmonic order is observed, unlike the plateau pattern registered in the case of boron plume. The main contribution on the limitation of conversion efficiency was caused by the self-defocusing of femtosecond beam. The analysis of spatial and spectral characteristics of high-order harmonics is presented. The conversion efficiency of 17th harmonic generated in magnesium plasma was measured to be 4×10−7. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nowadays, it has become very common to find in Japan that nitrate nitrogen concentrations are very high in spring water and in well water where the land use of a watershed is agricultural. We have often observed around 50 mg/L of nitrate nitrogen in the spring water where we live. Crops produced in those fields are mainly vegetables such as celery, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and so on. Green tea is also popular in Japan. In order to produce good quality green tea, farmers apply a great amount of nitrogen fertilizer. This amount can reach up to 1,000 kg/ha in some areas, although the average application amounts to 628 kg/ha in Japan. As a result, ground water that is rich in nitrate flows into the river, which results in a high nitrogen concentration in river water and ground water. Further, this causes a low pH in river water in some tributary rivers in Japan, though this kind of case is very rare. We knew from field tests that if water contained a high nitrogen concentration and was introduced into paddy fields, high nitrogen removal would be performed. This paper presents the outline and results of a system on how to remove nitrogen using paddy fields (wetlands). Further, this paper presents the evaluated results of the removal quantity at the watershed level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current activities on our research of soft X-ray lasers and higher harmonic generations using intense, subpicosecond lasers are reviewed. Especially for soft X-ray lasers we experimentally demonstrate that by longitudinally pumping 2-mm-long molybdenum preformed plasma with high-intensity 475 fs duration laser pulse, a highly directive soft-X-ray laser at 18.9 nm wavelength is generated. The divergence of the beam is evaluated to be of the submilliradian order, and only requires pump laser energy of 150 mJ. Simulations show that the pedestal in the main pump pulse can generate electron density and gain profiles with large spatial gradients, which result in the selective amplification of low-order transverse modes. The present result is the demonstration of an efficient and alternative method of improving the spatial coherence of X-ray lasers with amplified spontaneous emission medium, with possibilities of becoming an excellent tool to explore various application experiments. In higher harmonic generation, topics related to observation of blue shift due to collisionless absorption process is described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three D-type cyclins, cyclin D1, D2 and D3, belong to the G1 cyclin, which regulates the G1/S transition of the cell cycle, and feature highly homologous amino acid sequences. The cyclin D1 gene was found to be transcriptionally activated in B-lymphoid malignancies with t(11;14), but available information is limited regarding expression of cyclin D2 and D3 in hematopoietic malignancies. We examined the expressions of three D-type cyclins to investigate how these homologous genes are differentially used. Northern blot hybridization with densitometric analyses was performed to examine 64 cell lines and 159 patients with various hematopoietic malignancies. Among lymphoid malignancies, cyclin D1 overexpression was exclusively detected in B cell malignancies accompanied by a genetic event consisting of 11q13 chromosomal translocation, consisting of 13 of 19 (68%) patients with mantle cell lymphoma, two of 11 (18%) with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and one of six (17%) with multiple myeloma. The cyclin D2 expression was significantly higher in T cell malignancies than in B cell malignancies (P = 0.003 for cell lines and P < 0.0001 for patient samples, respectively). In the T cell malignancies, cyclin D2 overexpression was predominantly recognized in those with mature phenotype. Furthermore, cyclin D2 expression was upregulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation of normal T-lymphocytes, suggesting that this simply represents the proliferation status of mature T cells. Although cyclin D3 was ubiquitously expressed, its expression was reduced in lymphoid malignancies with cyclin D1 or D2 overexpression. In myeloid leukemias, although three D-type type cyclins were differentially expressed, no preference for particular D-type cyclins was found. This selective usage of D-type cyclins in lymphoid malignancies suggests an existence of a regulatory mechanism among three D-type cyclins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes evolutional changes in interior structures of mixed population biofilms grown on domestic wastewater using a cryosectioning technique and an image analysis. Transport of particulates into the biofilms; Relation between biofilm structure and the transport of the fluorescent microbeads; Quantification of biofilm structural heterogeneity.

Numerical investigations are performed on false gain due to axial plasma expansion, which is expected to be important in initial proof-of-principle studies of recombination-pumped soft-X-ray lasers with extended capabilities. Modelling calculations of experiments with slab boron nitride targets reveal large false gain coefficients approaching 20 cm[sup -1] in the case of plasmas with short active medium lengths. The false gain in the case of fiber targets is found to be of equal magnitude to that for slabs in the case of plasmas with less than 0.1 cm active medium lengths. Calculations for slab targets predict that adopting a tolerance of ±1 cm[sup -1] for gain will severely restrict the time and the active medium length of the plasma that can be used for error-free observations, while those for fiber targets are found to be considerably relaxed. The effects of false gain in the 54.2 Å Na Balmer α laser is also investigated, again revealing the importance of this phenomena under optimum gain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a considerable broadening of the harmonics generating in laser plasma using the laser pulses propagating through the filaments in air. A fourfold increase of harmonic bandwidth was achieved in the case of phase-modulated laser pulses, alongside with an increase in harmonic conversion efficiency (from 5×10-6 to 1.2×10-5). We also present the studies of harmonic generation using phase-modulated pulses at different ranges of ellipticity of the polarization of laser beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry and wet depositions of atmospheric ammonia (NH 3) is one of the important pathways of nitrogen loads to aquatic ecosystems and should be managed to mitigate lake eutrophication. Crop and livestock agriculture, one of the largest emitters of NH 3 in Asian countries, are known to cause high spatial and seasonal variation of NH 3 and influence the surrounding lake basin areas via its dry and wet deposition. However, the spatial characteristics of the NH 3 concentration in basin scale are not completely understood for regulation in NH 3 emission because a paucity of monitoring network is currently available for NH 3 in many Asian countries. Here we aim to clarify dominant factors of spatial and seasonal variations of the NH 3 concentration in a shallow eutrophic lake basin (Lake Kasumigaura basin) surrounded by agricultural areas in eastern Japan. Passive sampling over various land use categories in the basin was conducted at 36 sites in total from October 10, 2018 to January 14, 2020. Mean NH 3 concentration in the observational period was in the order of farmland (6.6 ppbv), lake (5.9 ppbv), rural (3.5 ppbv), and forest (2.6 ppbv). Interestingly, the observed NH 3 concentration near the livestock houses were higher in winter than summer, which was inconsistent with knowledge of seasonal changes of current NH 3 emission inventory based on temperature-driven volatilization process. Comparing monthly NH 3 concentrations at farmland and lake sites with various meteorological factors, we suggested the importance of seasonal advection of NH 3 from high emission sources to which has been rarely paid attention by the previous past studies. Consequently, a higher nitrogen input by dry deposition of NH 3 was preliminarily estimated over the lake than that of wet deposition of total nitrogen. Our finding of a role of seasonal advection in NH 3 spatial pattens should be considered for lake ecosystem management since its deposition is known to be closely related to the ecological processes such as phytoplankton blooming. • Passive sampling of NH 3 was made at 36 sites in a lake basin for 16 months. •High NH 3 concentration in winter was observed around emission source areas. •A role of advection was suggested in a lake basin under a monsoon circulation. •Estimated dry deposition of NH 3 was higher than wet deposition over the lake. •Advection of NH 3 should be considered in lake ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the chemical structure and property of fluorine-containing species on the hydrofluoric acid (HF) etched silicon surface. Oxidation rate of HF etched silicon surface; Flourine content on HF etched silicon surface; Chemical reactivity of fluorine-containing species.

Presents a technique for controlling the chemical reactivity of a silicon single-crystal surface through chemical modification with atomic hydrogen. Details on the experiment; Results of the study; Conclusion.

Describes the preparation of diamondlike carbon (DLC) films through electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition. Properties of DLC; Composition of films deposited at low cavity bias voltage.

Characterizes the evaporated thin films of merocyanine dyes. Vacuum evaporation of merocyanine dyes; Absorption of the dye film on quartz; Difference in color between a film deposited on the bare silicon substrate and one on a quartz glass plate.

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant or adjuvant immunotherapy can improve outcomes in patients with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Perioperative regimens may combine benefits of both to improve long-term outcomes. METHODS We randomly assigned patients with resectable NSCLC (stage II to HIB [N2 node stage] according to the eighth edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual) to receive platinum-based chemotherapy plus durvalumab or placebo administered intravenously every 3 weeks for 4 cycles before surgery, followed by adjuvant durvalumab or placebo intravenously every 4 weeks for 12 cycles. Randomization was stratified according to disease stage (II or III) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (>l°/o or <1%). Primary end points were event-free survival (defined as the time to the earliest occurrence of progressive disease that precluded surgery or prevented completion of surgery, disease recurrence [assessed in a blinded fashion by independent central review], or death from any cause) and pathological complete response (evaluated centrally). RESULTS A total of 802 patients were randomly assigned to receive durvalumab (400 patients) or placebo (402 patients). The duration of event-free survival was significantly longer with durvalumab than with placebo; the stratified hazard ratio for disease progression, recurrence, or death was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53 to 0.88; P=0.004) at the first interim analysis. At the 12-month landmark analysis, event-free survival was observed in 73.4% of the patients who received durvalumab (95% CI, 67.9 to 78.1), as compared with 64.5% of the patients who received placebo (95% CI, 58.8 to 69.6). The incidence of pathological complete response was significantly greater with durvalumab than with placebo (17.2% vs. 4.3% at the final analysis; difference, 13.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 8.7 to 17.6; PcO.OOl at interim analysis of data from 402 patients). Event-free survival and pathological complete response benefit were observed regardless of stage and PD-L1 expression. Adverse events of maximum grade 3 or 4 occurred in 42.4% of patients with durvalumab and in 43.2% with placebo. Data from 62 patients with documented EGFR or ALK alterations were excluded from the efficacy analyses in the modified intention-to-treat population. CONCLUSIONS In patients with resectable NSCLC, perioperative durvalumab plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with significantly greater event-free survival and pathological complete response than neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, with a safety profile that was consistent with the individual agents. (Funded by AstraZeneca; AEGEAN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03800134). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the generation of harmonics up to the 27th order ( λ =29.9 nm) of 806 nm radiation in the boron carbide plasma. We analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this target compared with the ingredients comprising B 4 C (solid boron and graphite) by studying the plasma emission and harmonic spectra from three species. We compare different schemes of the two-color pump of B 4 C plasma, particularly using the second harmonics of 806 nm laser and optical parametric amplifier (1310 nm) as the assistant fields, as well as demonstrate the sum and difference frequency generation using the mixture of the wavelengths of two laser sources. These studies showed the advantages of the two-color pump of B 4 C plasma leading to the stable harmonic generation and the growth of harmonic conversion efficiency. We also show that the coincidence of harmonic and plasma emission wavelengths in most cases does not cause the enhancement or decrease of the conversion efficiency of this harmonic. Our spatial characterization of harmonics shows their on-axis modification depending on the conditions of frequency conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quasi-phase-matching of the high-order harmonics generating in the multiple plasma jets produced on the surfaces of perforated Ag, V, and Mn targets is demonstrated. The 20× and 30× enhancement factors of quasi-phase-matched harmonics of 804 nm radiation in the range of the 35th harmonic in the cases of silver and vanadium plasmas were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the advanced properties of extended plasma plumes (5 mm) for efficient harmonic generation of laser radiation compared with the short lengths of plasmas (~0.3-0.5 mm) used in previous studies. The harmonic conversion efficiency quadratically increased with the growth of plasma length. The studies of this process along the whole extreme ultraviolet range using the long plasma jets produced on various metal surfaces, particularly including the resonance-enhanced laser frequency conversion and two-color pump, are presented. Such plasmas could be used for the quasi-phase matching experiments by proper modulation of the spatial characteristics of extended ablating area and formation of separated plasma jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GNE myopathy is an extremely rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the GNE gene, resulting in reduced sialic acid synthesis and progressive muscle weakness. So far, no established treatment has been identified. For the replacement therapy of aceneuramic acid, extended-release formulation of aceneuramic acid (SA-ER) tablets have been developed. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SA-ER for GNE myopathy, phase II/III study and the efficacy confirmation study were performed in Japan. These studies involved patients genetically diagnosed with GNE myopathy, allocated in SA-ER and placebo group (n=16:4 in Ph II/III, and n=10:4 in confirmation study, respectively). The evaluation of efficacy includes the primary endpoint of changes in upper extremity composite (UEC) score, with the secondary endpoint including GNE myopathy functional activity scale (GNEM-FAS). In the phase II/III study, the mean change in UEC at Week 48 was as small as -0.1 ± 3.7 kg in the SA-ER group versus -5.1 ± 3.4 kg in the placebo group with significant difference in two groups (P=0.0013) in the generalized estimating equation test repeated measurement analysis. The least squares mean (LSM) difference (95% CI) between the groups was 4.8 kg (-0.3 to 9.9; P=0.0635). Also, in the efficacy confirmation study, decrease in LSM change in UEC score at Week 48 with SA-ER (-0.115 kg) was numerically smaller as compared with placebo (-2.625 kg), with LSM difference (95% confidence interval) of 2.510 (-1.720 to 6.740) kg. Additionally, plots of GNEM-FAS upper extremity, mobility and total scores separated from each other between the SA-ER group and the placebo group. No clinically significant adverse events were observed in either study. Two sets of trial reproducibly showed a trend towards slowing of loss of muscle strength and function with orally administered SA-ER, indicating supplementation with sialic acid might be a promising replacement therapy for GNE myopathy. Aceneuramic acid received manufacturing and marketing approval in March 2024 following Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)'s review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and central nervous system (CNS) relapse has historically been very poor. Although chemo-radiotherapy has improved outcomes, some patients still have a poor prognosis after CNS relapse. Therefore, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo- SCT) has recently become an option for treatment of CNS leukemia; however, information, particularly on the long-term outcome of transplant recipients, is limited. We performed allo-SCT in eight pediatric patients with ALL (n =7) or T-cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 1), who had isolated CNS relapse. All patients survived for a median of 70.5 (range, 13-153) months after SCT. Sequelae developed late in some patients: mental retardation (IQ = 47) in one patient, severe alopecia in two patients, limited chronic graft-versus-host-disease in three patients, and amenorrhea and/or hypothyroidism in three patients. Except for a pre-school child with post transplant CNS relapse, six out of seven patients show normal school/social performance. Our results clearly indicate a high cure rate of isolated CNS relapse by allo- SCT in pediatric lymphoid malignancies; however, there needs to be further studies to determine which are the appropriate candidates for transplantation and what is the best transplant regimen to achieve high cure rate and maintain good quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear refractive index γ of CS2 is studied using laser pulses of various durations (from 110 fs to 75 ns). It is found that γ increases with increasing pulse duration within the picosecond region (from (3 ± 0.6) × 10−15 cm2 W−1 at 110 fs to (3.5 ± 0.7) × 10−14 cm2 W−1 at 75 ns) due to orientational nonlinearities. Variations in the sign of γ caused by the thermal effect at different pulse durations and repetition rates are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the fast electronic component, the component associated with molecular processes, causing positive nonlinear refraction, and the acoustic component, responsible for negative nonlinear refraction, manifest themselves simultaneously. The results of a study of the nonlinear absorption of carbon disulfide are presented. The two-and three-photon absorption coefficients of CS2 are determined to be (5 ± 1.5) × 10−11 cm W−1 and (2.8 ± 0.8) × 10−23 cm3 W−2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical, structural, and nonlinear optical characteristics of GaAs nanoparticles obtained by laser ablation in different liquids were investigated. Thermally induced self-defocusing in GaAs solutions was observed using both a high pulse repetition rate and nanosecond pulses. In studying the nonlinear optical characteristics of GaAs solutions using picosecond and femtosecond pulses, two-photon absorption was observed. The nonlinear absorption coefficient of an aqueous GaAs solution measured by the Z-scan technique and the nonlinear susceptibility of GaAs nanoparticles were, respectively, 0.7×10–9 cm W–1 and 2×10–9 esu at a wavelength of 795 nm. © 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the discovery and characterization of lipoxygenase-1 (LOX-1) null mutants in barley. Six lines did not exhibit any significant LOX activity in the silenced seed extract. Immunological analysis showed that these lines lacked the authentic LOX-1 protein. Genetic analysis of the F2 population revealed that this trait was governed by a single recessive gene located at the LoxA locus on chromosome 4H. The six LOX-1 null mutants shared similar features and the same unique polymorphism in a structural gene region, implying that these mutants might be derived from the same ancestral origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of high-order harmonics of the ultrashort pulses of Ti:sapphire laser in the plasma plumes produced during laser ablation of various semiconductors (Te, Se, Si, As, Sb, and Ge) is reported. Application of two-color pump allowed the generation of enhanced odd and even harmonics. The resonance-induced enhancement of single harmonics was observed in the Ge, Se, Sb, As, and Te plasmas. The enhanced 35th harmonic obtained from selenium plasma was twelve times stronger than the neighboring harmonics. We also demonstrate the quasi-phase-matching of the harmonics generated in the As plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic studies of the harmonic generation of ultrashort laser pulses in the 5-mm-long Zn and Mn plasmas (i.e., application of nanosecond, picosecond, and femtosecond pulses for ablation, comparison of harmonic generation from atomic, ionic, and cluster-contained species of plasma, variation of plasma length, two-color pump of plasmas, etc.) are presented. The conversion efficiency of the 11th-19th harmonics generated in the Zn plasma was ~5×10-5. The role of the ionic resonances of Zn near the 9th and 10th harmonics on the enhancement of harmonics is discussed. The enhancement of harmonics was also analyzed using the two-color pump of extended plasmas, which showed similar intensities of the odd and even harmonics along the whole range of generation. The harmonics up to the 107th order were demonstrated in the case of manganese plasma. The comparison of harmonic generation in the 5-mm-long and commonly used short (⩽0.5mm) plasma plumes showed the advanced properties of extended media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the studies of the high-order harmonic generation of 802-nm, 64-fs pulses in the extended plasmas contained the carbon-based clusters (fullerenes, nanofibers, nanoparticles, and nanotubes). Our studies show that the 11th-19th harmonics in the 15-33 eV range may originate from the low-sized nanoparticles produced during ablation of large clusters and agglomerates. The conversion efficiency of the 11th harmonic generated from the 5-mm-long fullerene plasma was estimated to be 2×10-5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the studies of the high-order harmonic generation of 802-nm, 64-fs pulses in the extended plasmas contained the carbon-based clusters (fullerenes, nanofibers, nanoparticles, and nanotubes). Our studies show that the 11th-19th harmonics in the 15-33 eV range may originate from the low-sized nanoparticles produced during ablation of large clusters and agglomerates. The conversion efficiency of the 11th harmonic generated from the 5-mm-long fullerene plasma was estimated to be 2 x 10-5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate third- and higher-order nonlinear optical processes in Au, Pt, Pd, and Ru nanoparticles. We measured the nonlinear refractive indices and nonlinear absorption coefficients of the suspensions of these nanoparticles using the 792 nm femtosecond and picosecond pulses. The highest values of these parameters were observed in the case of Au nanoparticles (-8×10-14 m2 W-1 and 1.7×10-10 m W-1), when the 210 ps pulses were used as a probe radiation. The high-order harmonic generation was studied during the propagation of the 120 fs pulses through the plasmas produced on the surfaces containing the nanoparticles. The highest harmonic cutoff (33rd order) was observed in the case of gold nanoparticle-contained plasma. These results were compared with the harmonics generating from the plasma produced on the surfaces of the bulk materials of the same origin. A two- to sixfold enhancement of harmonic yield was observed in the case of nanoparticle-contained plumes with regard to the bulk materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pump and probe system is developed, where the probe pulse duration τ is less than 60 fs while the pump pulse is stretched up to 150–670 fs. The time-resolved excitation processes and damage mechanisms in the omnidirectional reflectors SiO2/TiO2 and ZnS/MgF2 are studied. It is found that as the pump pulse energy is higher than the threshold value, the reflectivity of the probe pulse decreases rapidly during the former half, rather than around the peak of the pump pulse. A coupled dynamic model based on the avalanche ionization (AI) theory is used to study the excitation processes in the sample and its inverse influences on the pump pulse. The results indicate that as pulse duration is longer than 150 fs, photoionization (PI) and AI both play important roles in the generation of conduction band electrons (CBEs); the CBE density generated via AI is higher than that via PI by a factor of 102–104. The theory explains well the experimental results about the ultrafast excitation processes and the threshold fluences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plateau pattern of the harmonic distribution up to the 65th order (λ=12.24 nm) and the 5×10-7 conversion efficiency were achieved after the propagation of femtosecond pulses through the laser-produced boron plasma. The optimization of high-order harmonics generation was carried out at the focusing conditions when the confocal parameter of fundamental radiation was close to the plasma sizes. A study of cutoff energy showed its dependence on the second ionization potential of nonlinear medium. The spatial distribution of the radiation propagating through the boron plume showed the appearance of ringlike pattern at the intensities exceeding a saturated intensity of singly charged ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical and mechanical design of a VUV beamline BL-7B in PF-KEK are presented. The optical characteristics are discussed by use of the data of gas absorption spectrum and those of photoelectron spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details a study which examined the epitaxial growth of a silicon thin film by ultrahigh vacuum electron cyclotron resonance plasma chemical vapor deposition. Relationship between cleaning condition of a substrate and the quality of epitaxially grown silicon film; Experimental procedures; Results and discussion.

Develops a new procedure to prepare the clean surface of a silicon single crystal. Tests which proved that prepared surface has a hydrogen monoatomic layer; Effect of hydrogen termination; Manner of removing the oxide layer in a silicon single-crystal held in the air.

X-ray absorption measurements at the Ru L3 edge have been used to study the adsorption of Ru3(CO)12 on Cu(100) surfaces at submonolayer and monolayer coverages and the subsequent formation of Ru–Cu bimetallic aggregates at these surfaces. The analysis of the Ru L3 edge x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) reveals (a) the surface Ru–Cu bimetallic aggregates are three dimensional clusters of which the Ru atoms are in the ‘‘bulk’’ and the surface of the cluster is covered with Cu atoms, and (b) relative to pure Ru metal, Ru in the bimetallic aggregates gains d character. The chemical properties of these bimetallic surfaces and the effect of the cluster size on their electronic properties revealed by XANES as well as LEED and Auger are also reported. These results are compared with previous results of Ru3(CO)12/Cu(111). The implications of these observations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of a preoperative leukocyte alteration in patients with surgically-treated early-stage cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: The baseline characteristics and outcome data of early-stage cervical cancer patients who were treated with radical hysterectomy between 1996 and 2011 were collected and retrospectively reviewed. The patients were separated into three risk groups (low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk) according to the pathological risk factors exhibited by their tumors. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate the prognostic significance of a preoperative leukocytosis (≥ 10,000 µ/l). Results: A preoperative leukocytosis was observed in 0.9%, 6.6%, and 8.6% of the patients in the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a preoperative leukocytosis was found to be an independent prognostic factor in intermediate-risk or high-risk groups. Conclusion: The preoperative leukocytosis is an independent predicator of shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in surgically-treated early-stage cervical cancer patients, especially those with intermediate-risk or high-risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ru L2,3 edge XANES (x-ray absorption near edge structure) together with AES (Auger electron spectroscopy) and LEED (low energy electron diffraction) studies of Ru3(CO)12 adsorbed on Cu(111) reveal the following: (a) Ru3(CO)12 adsorbs molecularly on Cu(111) at low temperature (<=-50°). (b) Upon electron bombardment, Ru3(CO)12 dissociates to form bare Ru aggregates which exhibit very broad Ru L2,3 white lines and featureless absorption in the XANES spectrum indicating that the Ru atoms are not well ordered on the Cu(111) surface. (c) Annealing of the bare Ru aggregates on Cu(111) at 450 °C results in the formation of Cu/Ru bimetallic clusters in which the Ru atoms are in the core and exhibit bulk-like Ru L2,3 XANES while the surface is covered with Cu atoms. Analysis of the Ru L3 white line intensity indicates that charge redistribution in the Ru d band occurs upon the transformation from the bare Ru aggregates to the bimetallic Cu/Ru clusters on Cu(111). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the method of the measurements of electron density in the low-dense, low-ionized laser-produced plasma using the nonlinear optical process of high-order harmonic generation of ultrashort pulses at the conditions of the quasi-phase-matching of driving and harmonic waves. Electron density was defined using the relations of quasi-phase-matching. We show the results of our measurements of electron density in the range of 10-10 cm using the multi-jet silver plasma produced for the harmonic generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]