Enhanced Magneto-Optic Properties in Sputtered Bi- Containing Ferrite Garnet Thin Films Fabricated Using Oxygen Plasma Treatment and Metal Oxide Protective Layers.

Magneto-optic (MO) imaging and sensing are at present the most developed practical applications of thin-film MO garnet materials. However, in order to improve sensitivity for a range of established and forward-looking applications, the technology and component-related advances are still necessary. These improvements are expected to originate from new material system development. We propose a set of technological modifications for the RF-magnetron sputtering deposition and crystallization annealing of magneto-optic bismuth-substituted iron-garnet films and investigate the improved material properties. Results show that standard crystallization annealing for the as-deposited ultrathin (sputtered 10 nm thick, amorphous phase) films resulted in more than a factor of two loss in the magneto-optical activity of the films in the visible spectral region, compared to the liquid-phase grown epitaxial films. Results also show that an additional 10 nm-thick metal-oxide (Bi2O3) protective layer above the amorphous film results in ~2.7 times increase in the magneto-optical quality of crystallized iron-garnet films. On the other hand, the effects of post-deposition oxygen (O2) plasma treatment on the magneto-optical (MO) properties of Bismuth substituted iron garnet thin film materials are investigated. Results show that in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (at 532 nm), the O2 treated (up to 3 min) garnet films retain higher specific Faraday rotation and figures of merit compared to non-treated garnet films.

A Mass Burial of Fossil Lions (Carnivora, Felidae, Panthera (Leo) ex gr. fossilis-spelaea) from Eurasia.

The vertebrate fauna from the cave deposits in Imanai Cave in the Southern Urals (53°02' N, 56°26'E) has been studied. It contains 715 bones that belonged to at least 11 individuals of fossil lion (Panthera (Leo) ex gr. fossilis-spelaea). It has been established that this is one of the largest Eurasian burial sites of fossil lions. The bones were accumulated due to the natural death of animals inside the cave. The age and sex estimations have shown that at least six adult males and five adult females died there. According to the accompanying fauna, radiocarbon, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses and archaeological finds, the interval of the lion bone accumulation is determined as the first half to middle of Late Pleistocene (OIS 5-3).

Acousto-optic filters based on the superposition of diffraction fields [Invited].

Methods for the calculation of the acousto-optic (AO) transfer functions forming as a result of superposition of two AO fields with similar and orthogonal light polarizations are proposed. Specific calculations are made on the basis of the parameters widely used in practice with uni-axial gyrotropic crystal paratellurite. It is revealed that the resulting field is generally very inhomogeneous but contains domains with two-dimensional behavior properties. These domains can be used for two-dimensional image edge enhancement based on Fourier processing. Theoretical conclusions are verified by means of the optical image Fourier processing with the spatial frequency AO paratellurite filters.

Carbon nanomaterial Formation on Fresh-Reduced Iron by Converted Natural Gas.

The mechanism of carbon nanomaterial formation at moderate temperatures while processing fresh-reduced iron by products of air conversion of natural gas is considered. It is shown that under given conditions, the size and the shape of the resulting carbon are dependent on the temperature and the size of microscopic iron grains formed during reduction. These iron grains are the catalyzer of the reaction of carbon monoxide disproportionation. It is concluded that the formation of a nucleus of the new carbon phase occurs at the contact boundaries of neighboring grains of newly reduced iron with the subsequent formation in these places of ring-shaped carbon cuffs. Nanotubes are forming as a result of further carbon crystallization, and separation of iron particles from the main mass is occurring, i.e., there is a fragmentation of the substance of the catalyst. According to the results of laboratory studies, the optimum temperature of carbon nanotube formation in the environment of converted gas is 600-650 °C. The evidence of the hypothesis that the mechanism of the reaction of carbon monoxide disproportionation flows through the intermediate stage of iron oxides formation is given.

Optical Properties and Aggregation of Graphene Nanoplatelets.

In the present paper, the optical density of dispersions of randomly oriented multilayer graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) was estimated. Calculated and experimental data were compared for aqueous GNP dispersions stabilized with various surfactants. It was shown that the sonication of an expanded graphite compound (EGC) in aqueous surfactant solutions leads to the transformation of EGC worm-like particles into weak GNP aggregates which are able to pass into solution upon dilution and agitation of the system. They may be filtered and washed out of surfactants. The concentrated GNP dispersions containing these weak aggregates can be used to synthesize different graphene-based nanostructures and obtain novel composite materials.

Enhanced magneto-optical effects in magnetoplasmonic crystals.

Plasmonics allows light to be localized on length scales much shorter than its wavelength, which makes it possible to integrate photonics and electronics on the nanoscale. Magneto-optical materials are appealing for applications in plasmonics because they open up the possibility of using external magnetic fields in plasmonic devices. Here, we fabricate a new magneto-optical material, a magnetoplasmonic crystal, that consists of a nanostructured noble-metal film on top of a ferromagnetic dielectric, and we demonstrate an enhanced Kerr effect with this material. Such magnetoplasmonic crystals could have applications in telecommunications, magnetic field sensing and all-optical magnetic data storage.

[Diagnostics of mycotic sensitization in children with allergic respiratory diseases by the ImmunoCAP technique].

The need to verify sensitization to mycotic allergens in children with allergic bronchopulmonary diseases is due to the severity of their clinical course, the high frequency of complications, and the inadequate efficiency of conventional treatment regimens. The sensitivity of most techniques used in clinical practice to estimate the level of specific artibodies to mycotic antigens is inadequately high. Recently clinically introduced high-technology diagnostic methods allow one to attack the problem at a qualitatively new level. The application of one of these methods, namely the highly sensitive semiautomatic diagnostic technology ImmunoCAP, permits the determination of the rates of IgE- and IgG-associated specific immune reactions in children with allergic respiratory diseases.

Giant magneto-optical orientational effect in plasmonic heterostructures.

Magneto-optical (MO) properties of perforated heterostructures consisting of a thin metallic film perforated with a periodic array of subwavelength slits and a smooth magnetic dielectric are investigated. Rigorous modeling revealed a magnetization-even MO effect determined by the relative change in the intensity of the transmitted or reflected light when the sample is magnetized in-plane perpendicularly to the slits. The effect takes its maximum value when the p-polarized incident light excites quasi-waveguided eigenmodes in the magnetic layer with the phase velocity close to the one of the TE mode in the nongyrotropic planar waveguide.

Observation of multiple volume reflection of ultrarelativistic protons by a sequence of several bent silicon crystals.

The interactions of 400 GeV protons with different sequences of bent silicon crystals have been investigated at the H8 beam line of the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The multiple volume reflection of the proton beam has been studied in detail on a five-crystal reflector measuring an angular beam deflection theta = 52.96 +/- 0.14 microrad. The efficiency was found larger than 80% for an angular acceptance at the reflector entrance of 70 microrad, with a maximal efficiency value of epsilon = 0.90 +/- 0.01 +/- 0.03.

Volume reflection dependence of 400 GeV/c protons on the bent crystal curvature.

The trend of volume reflection parameters (deflection angle and efficiency) in a bent (110) silicon crystal has been investigated as a function of the crystal curvature with 400 GeV/c protons on the H8 beam line at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. This Letter describes the analysis performed at six different curvatures showing that the optimal radius for volume reflection is approximately 10 times greater than the critical radius for channeling. A strong scattering of the beam by the planar potential is also observed for a bend radius close to the critical one.

[Topical problems in the organization of cytological studies in departments of pathology (the experience of a cytological center as part of the Leningrad Regional Department of Pathology)].

Cytological studies of biopsy specimens in the Center of Cytology are one of the promising lines in the activity of the Leningrad Regional Department of Pathology. For the time being, there is no standard for cytological activities. This fact adversely affects the training system of laboratory physicians and assistants, the organization of their work in health care facilities, and the testing quality system. Cytological studies are a promising method in the morphological evaluation of biopsy specimens and surgical material and they should be considered as a morphological method in morbid anatomy.

Experimental study for the feasibility of a crystalline undulator.

We present an idea for creation of a crystalline undulator and report its first realization. One face of a silicon crystal was given periodic microscratches (grooves) by means of a diamond blade. The x-ray tests of the crystal deformation due to a given periodic pattern of surface scratches have shown that a sinusoidal-like shape is observed on both the scratched surface and the opposite (unscratched) face of the crystal; that is, a periodic sinusoidal-like deformation goes through the bulk of the crystal. This opens up the possibility for experiments with high-energy particles channeled in a crystalline undulator, a novel compact source of radiation.

High-efficiency beam extraction and collimation using channeling in very short bent crystals.

A silicon crystal was used to channel and extract 70 GeV protons from the U-70 accelerator with an efficiency of 85.3+/-2.8%, as measured for a beam of approximately 10(12) protons directed towards crystals of approximately 2 mm length in spills of approximately 2 s duration. The experimental data follow very well the prediction of Monte Carlo simulations. This demonstration is important in devising a more efficient use of the U-70 accelerator in Protvino and provides crucial support for implementing crystal-assisted slow extraction and collimation in other machines, such as the Tevatron, RHIC, the AGS, the SNS, COSY, and the LHC.

[Comparative evaluation of clinical, cytological and cell culture methods of candida vulvovaginitis diagnosis]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka klinicheskogo, tsitologicheskogo i kul'tural'nogo metodov diagnostiki kandodoznogo vul'vovaginita.

98 patients with Candida vulvovaginitis (CVV) were examined clinically, cytologically and culturally. Three clinical forms of CVV were distinguished: acute and subacute (26 and 23 patients, respectively)--before treatment, and remission (49 patients)--after treatment. The clinical diagnosis of CVV before the treatment was confirmed cytologically and/or in cultures (87.7%), in remission cytologically (4%), by cultures (20 patients). Candida in the phase of budding and pseudomycelium were prevalent in acute CVV (84.4%). In a subacute form Candida occurred in 30.3%, while in the remaining cases blastospores were observed. Significant correlation between the intensity of Candida colonies growth and phase of development on the mucous membrane was not found. Compared to the cultural method, the cytological technique is more cost effective, faster and simpler.

Magnetic spin ladder (C5H12N)2CuBr4: high-field magnetization and scaling near quantum criticality.

The magnetization, M(H< or =30 T,0.7< or =T< or =300 K), of (C5H12N)2CuBr4 has been used to identify this system as an S = 1/2 Heisenberg two-leg ladder in the strong-coupling limit, J( perpendicular) = 13.3 K and J( parallel) = 3.8 K, with H(c1) = 6.6 T and H(c2) = 14.6 T. An inflection point in M(H,T = 0.7 K) at half saturation, M(s)/2, is described by an effective XXZ chain. The data exhibit universal scaling behavior in the vicinity of H(c1) and H(c2), indicating that the system is near a quantum critical point.

[The immune response of viral hepatitis patients who use narcotic preparations]. / Immunnyi otvet u bol'nykh virusnymi gepatitasmi--potrebitelei narkoticheskikh preparatov.

The characteristics of cell-mediated and humoral immunity were studied in 611 patients with different etiological forms of acute virus hepatitides (HB, HC, HB + C, HC + HBsAg). As the result of the systematic abuse of psychoactive preparations, introduced by intravenous injection, in 166 patients (27.2%) drug addiction developed, ehile 445 (72.8%) patients had no addiction. The study revealed that in drug users with HB the secondary T-cell immunodeficiency of the hyposuppressor type in combination with depression in B-cell-mediated immunity (a decrease in the absolute number of B lymphocytes) could be registered, and in patients having no drug addiction the secondary T-cell immunodeficiency characterized by a decrease in the content of T helpers simultaneously with the increased content of T suppressors and B lymphocytes.

[Prolonged regional intra-arterial therapy in multimodal treatment of patients with severe skeletal trauma]. / Dlitel'naia regionarnaia vnutriarterial'naia terapiia v komplekse lecheniia postradavshikh s tiazheloi skeletnoi travmoi.

A total of 108 victims with open fractures of long tubular bones of different localization are examined. Regional intraarterial therapy was added to their treatment protocols. Stable functional disorders in local hemodynamics in these patients impede the repair processes and can lead to development of infectious complications. Regional intraarterial therapy allows early elimination of hemodynamic disorders, selective antibiotic therapy, and improves the adaptation potential of the immune system.

[The cause of recurrent ureteral obstruction]. / K prichine retsidivnoi obstruktsii mochetochnika.

A clinical analysis was performed in 88 patients with ureteral obstruction. Causes having made the origination of recurrent ureteral obstruction occur were stricture (n = 59) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Origination of the stricture of the ureter was caused by scar and sclerotic changes in its wall and neoimplanted ostium. Causes of VUR origination included surgical techniques that do not envisage creation of antireflux defence for the ureter and insufficiently complete removal of the pathology at the supra- and infravesical levels. Causes of unsatisfactory results of treatment of megaureter after ileoplastics of the ureter included neglect of creation of antireflux mechanisms of defence for the upper urinary tract, ischemia of distal segments of transplants and of the ureter.

[The ureter's modeling during ureterocystoneostomy]. / Modelirovanie mochetochnika pri ureterotsistoneostomii.

While complex examination of patients with megaureter in late stages it was established the afection in the first place of the ureter's muscular layer and the disorder of its contractice capacity. The causes of megaureter's occurrence were: obstruction of the ureter's intramural portion and vesico-ureteric reflux. Longitudinal resection of megaureter was conducted in 25 patients, the longitudinal ureter's fold formation--in 6, intraureteric plasty was done in 28. In 93% of observations the intraureteric plasty efficacy was noted.

Vertical Ionization Energies and Electron Affinities of Ions in Solution from Outer-Sphere Charge Transfer Transition Energies.

Outer-sphere charge transfer (OSCT) transitions are shown to correlate with previously published photoelectron emission threshold energies. From these data it is possible to generate a set of parameters, I(D) and I(A), which define these OSCT energies, where I(D) is identified as the solution phase vertical ionization potential, and I(A) is the solution phase vertical electron affinity. An easy procedure for deriving these data for a wide variety of cations and anions is presented. The application of these data leads to a powerful procedure for extracting reorganization and solvation energies of value in a variety of applications.