Instability and Spontaneous Reconstruction of Few-Monolayer Thick GaN Graphitic Structures.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are a very hot topic in solid state science and technology. In addition to van der Waals solids that can be easily formed into 2D layers, it was argued that single layers of nominally 3D tetrahedrally bonded semiconductors, such as GaN or ZnO, also become flat in the monolayer limit; the planar structure was also proposed for few-layers of such materials. In this work, using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that contrary to the existing consensus the graphitic structure of few-layer GaN is unstable and spontaneously reconstructs into a structure that remains hexagonal in plane but with covalent interlayer bonds that form alternating octagonal and square (8|4 Haeckelite) rings with pronounced in-plane anisotropy. Of special interest is the transformation of the band gap from indirect in planar GaN toward direct in the Haeckelite phase, making Haeckelite few-layer GaN an appealing material for flexible nano-optoelectronics.

Toward the ultimate limit of phase change in Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5).

The limit to which the phase change memory material Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) can be scaled toward the smallest possible memory cell is investigated using structural and optical methodologies. The encapsulation material surrounding the Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) has an increasingly dominant effect on the material's ability to change phase, and a profound increase in the crystallization temperature is observed when the Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) layer is less than 6 nm thick. We have found that the increased crystallization temperature originates from compressive stress exerted from the encapsulation material. By minimizing the stress, we have maintained the bulk crystallization temperature in Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) films just 2 nm thick.

Plasmonic devices with controllable resonances--an avenue towards high-speed and mass fabrication of optical meta-materials.

We report on the fabrication of plasmonic devices with adjustable resonances in the visible portion employing a thermal lithography method. The genuine approach enables the fabrication of nanostructured pattern at a spatial resolution comparable to other nanofabrication techniques, but at significantly larger speeds and over extended spatial domains. The fabricated structures consisted in periodically arranged nanoholes in a silver thin film and supported localized plasmon resonance (LPR) in the vicinity of 370 nm. Results from measured spectral properties were in good agreement with simulations based on rigorous diffraction theory. The method was evaluated towards a potential application to realize large-scale meta-materials with effective negative refractive index in the visible.

Biomolecular sensors utilizing waveguide modes excited by evanescent fields.

Properties of evanescent-field-coupled waveguide-mode sensors consisting of a multi-layer structure made of a SiO(2) waveguide, a thin metal layer (Au, Cu, W or Ti), and a high refractive index glass substrate illuminated under the Kretschmann configuration have been theoretically and experimentally investigated. In all cases, reflectivity changes attributed to streptavidin combining to biotinyl groups were observed in close spectral vicinity of the waveguide resonances. The sensors with the Au and the Cu layers show superior sensitivity as compared to those with the W and the Ti layers, whereas the W and Ti layers show better thermal and chemical stability. The results indicate that the materials of thin metal layers should be chosen in accordance with the purpose of sensors and/or environment in which the sensors are used.

Understanding Phase-Change Memory Alloys from a Chemical Perspective.

Phase-change memories (PCM) are associated with reversible ultra-fast low-energy crystal-to-amorphous switching in GeTe-based alloys co-existing with the high stability of the two phases at ambient temperature, a unique property that has been recently explained by the high fragility of the glass-forming liquid phase, where the activation barrier for crystallisation drastically increases as the temperature decreases from the glass-transition to room temperature. At the same time the atomistic dynamics of the phase-change process and the associated changes in the nature of bonding have remained unknown. In this work we demonstrate that key to this behavior is the formation of transient three-center bonds in the excited state that is enabled due to the presence of lone-pair electrons. Our findings additionally reveal previously ignored fundamental similarities between the mechanisms of reversible photoinduced structural changes in chalcogenide glasses and phase-change alloys and offer new insights into the development of efficient PCM materials.

Thermal-induced optical properties of a PdOx mask layer in an optical data storage system with a superresolution near-field structure.

Optical-thermal and thermal-optical properties of a PdOx mask layer in a system with a superresolution near-field structure are investigated with a Z-scan technique and a heating experiment. The high photothermal stability of the PdOx mask is shown, and the reversible limit of the PdOx mask layer and a weak switch effect are revealed. The PdOx decomposition, which results in a bubble with Pd particles, is confirmed, and the laser-induced physical and chemical mechanisms in the PdOx mask layer are clarified and discussed. Our microscopic studies and heating analysis are consistent with the Z-scan results. The PdOx mask sample is also compared briefly with a PtO2 mask layer that has the same structure.

Asymptomatic versus symptomatic infarcts from vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: serial magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: By use of serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we prospectively investigated the incidence of and the risk factors associated with infarction caused by vasospasm with or without a delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: In 125 patients who underwent surgery for early aneurysms, postoperative MRI scans were obtained at four time points. We defined an infarct from vasospasm as a new lesion not present on the initial MRI within 3 days after SAH and therefore not attributable to primary brain damage or surgical complications. RESULTS: Overall, symptoms of infarction (i.e., DIND) occurred in 38% of patients (48 of 125); DIND with a new infarct on MRI was evident in 34% (43 patients), whereas 4% (5 patients) showed no new lesion but had a DIND. However, 29 patients (23%) showed a new infarct but no DIND on MRI studies (asymptomatic infarction). Asymptomatic ischemic lesions due to vasospasm tended to involve noneloquent brain areas in the territory of intraparenchymal perforators. Multivariate analysis identified variables associated with symptomatic infarction to be of poor SAH grade, advanced age of the patient, angiographic findings of vasospasm, multiple cortical infarcts on MRI studies consistent with vasospasm, and chronic hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the data confirmed the occurrence of asymptomatic infarcts due to vasospasm. These infarcts often developed in noneloquent areas representing perforator territory. MRI investigation of vasospastic lesions referable to intraparenchymal vessels such as perforators complements the study of extraparenchymal major vessel vasospasm in patients with SAH by computed tomographic angiography.

Results of early surgical evacuation of packed intraventricular hemorrhage from aneurysm rupture in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of early surgical evacuation of "packed" intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: The authors performed surgery within 24 hours after onset of SAH, identified on neuroimaging as a cast distending the ventricular system, in 74 patients with poor-grade SAH (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grades IV and V) without intracerebral hemorrhage. Eighteen of these patients had packed IVH; in these patients the intraventricular clots were extensively evacuated via frontal corticotomy performed under microscopic view. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 42% of the 74 patients undergoing craniotomy in the acute stage had favorable outcomes, whereas 30% died. Using multivariate analysis, variables significantly associated with favorable outcome in patients with poor-grade SAH included absence of a packed intraventricular clot on computerized tomography scanning; absence of a history of cardiac disease; and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 11 or 12. None of the 18 patients who had packed IVH had favorable outcomes and seven of these died. In six recently treated patients with packed IVH, which was examined using fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging, extensive periventricular brain damage was found both immediately after surgery and during the chronic stage. Accordingly, the authors believe that irreversible periventricular brain damage is already complete immediately after packed IVH occurs.

Efficacy of neuroendoscopic procedures in minimally invasive preferential management of pineal region tumors: a prospective study.

OBJECT: This prospective study is based on a consecutive series of 20 patients with pineal region tumors who underwent minimally invasive preferential management. The purpose of this report is to discuss the role of neuroendoscopic procedures in the management of pineal region tumors. METHODS: If the tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin were not detected in serum and there was significant ventricular dilation visualized on neuroimages, neuroendoscopic surgery was first applied for tumor debulking with tissue diagnosis and gross morphological analysis of the tumor and the intraventricular structures, followed by third ventriculostomy. Subsequent procedures were determined on the basis of verified individual tumors. For treatment of germinomas and pineoblastomas, if no tumor dissemination was confirmed by pre-, intra-, or postoperative findings, stereotactic radiotherapy or radiosurgery was performed after one course of chemotherapy with the ICE regimen (isofomid, cisplatin, and etoposide) and followed by two additional courses of chemotherapy. For treatment of malignant germ cell tumors, after extensive surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy with the ICE regimen was performed in three courses in all cases. Then radiotherapy was started using various methods, depending on the evidence of tumor dissemination. For treatment of teratomatous and neuroectodermal tumors other than pineoblastomas, extensive surgical removal was performed. As for adjuvant therapy, if the tumor was a low-grade glioma or if the patient was younger than 5 years of age, postoperative treatment did not include radiotherapy. If the tumor was a malignant teratoma or high-grade glioma, conventional focal radiotherapy was performed, followed by chemotherapy with ICE for 1 year. All but two treated patients had ventriculomegaly. Neuroendoscopic procedures were performed in six of 15 treated patients. Neuroendoscopic biopsy with tumor debulking offered enough material for tissue diagnosis, including immunohistochemical analysis and, in one case, revealed evidence of tumor dissemination undetectable on neuroimaging. With one exception, no shunt was required in any patient undergoing endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Stereotactic radiotherapy was performed in indicated cases. Favorable therapeutic outcomes were obtained in all cases of germinoma and pineoblastoma, with follow-up periods ranging from 24 months to 6.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our minimally invasive preferential regimen clarified the precise indication for neuroendoscopic procedures, and the majority of our patients with dilated ventricles and no evidence of tumor markers were treated satisfactorily with effective neuroendoscopic procedures as the initial procedure, avoiding unnecessary craniotomy and radiotherapy and promising excellent therapeutic outcomes. The treatment for malignant pineal region tumors remains a subject for further study.

A case of amylase-producing lung cancer.

A case of lung cancer with hyperamylasemia was studied. Small cell carcinoma was diagnosed histologically. The salivary gland and pancreas had no clinical involvement in the hyperamylasemia. Saliva-type amylase was dominant as observed from amylase isozyme patterns in the serum and tumorous tissue. Levels of amylase were higher in tumorous tissue than in normal lung tissue. Immunohistochemical study showed amylase localized in tumor cells. Observation of the ultrastructure revealed electron-dense granules in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Findings suggested that amylase was being produced by the lung cancer in this case.

[Delayed ischemic neurological deficit that developed over 15 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage].

We retrospectively studied subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients with delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND), and analyzed the factors causing extremely late onset of deficits occurring over 15 days after onset of the SAH. Among 605 patients with SAH, 201 (33%) developed DIND. Among DIND patients, 137 had undergone early aneurysm surgery. In these 137 patients, onset date of DIND was definite in 131 patients. Six patients (5%) developed DIND over 15 days after SAH. All 6 had asymptomatic angiographical vasospasm and infections, most often meningitis, before the onset of DIND. Compared with cases in which there was ordinary onset of DIND, other statistically significant factors among these 6 patients were intracerebral hemorrhage, sepsis and meningitis. We suspect that DIND were manifested subclinically in the early period because of the associated hyperdynamic hemodynamics resulting from sepsis in these patients.

Delayed ischemic neurological deficit of short duration in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

We retrospectively examined the duration of delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DIND) attributed to vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in order to delineate the nature and involved factors. Among 605 patients with SAH, 201 developed DIND, and 137 of these had undergone early aneurysmal obliteration. In these 137, duration of DIND was clearly determined in 67 cases. Hypervolemic therapy was instituted only after the onset of DIND. In the 67 patients, the mean duration of DIND was 5.2 days (ranging from 2 to 13 days); 22 patients had DIND lasting only 2 to 3 days, 26 patients had DIND lasting 4 to 6 days, and in 19, DIND lasted 7 to 13 days. Clinical factors associated with short DIND duration (2 to 3 days) as determined by multivariate analysis included internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery aneurysm, age under 60, and a good World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grade on admission. No patients developed pulmonary edema from hypervolemic therapy, and the outcomes of all 67 patients were extremely favorable. In SAH patients developing DIND after early aneurysmal surgery, 16% (22 of 137) had a documented brief duration of DIND. We believe DIND rapidly improved and resolved with hypervolemic therapy because antecedent brain damage from SAH or surgical manipulation had been minimal.

[A case of gastric cancer of Borrmann type IV complicated with carcinomatous peritonitis responding well to chemotherapy of tegafur only].

A 46-year-old-male was admitted to our hospital with an unresectable stage of gastric cancer of Borrmann type IV with carcinomatous peritonitis. He was treated only with tegafur 900 mg/day. After 2 months' treatment, computed tomography showed ascites disappeared and a remarkable improvement was observed by barium meal study and endoscopic examination. The patient has survived for 12 months without any abdominal complaints and ascites since the beginning of treatment. Thus, this is a rare case responding well to chemotherapy of tegafur only.

[Combined effects of radiation and 5-FU derivatives].

The combined effects of X-ray irradiation and 5-FU derivatives (5-FU, tegafur, HCFU) treatment were investigated in mouse adenocarcinoma-755. Mice were given a single irradiation 5 Gy or 10 Gy of 6-MV X-rays and orally administered 5-FU derivatives at the time of pre- or post-irradiation. Under these conditions, antitumor activity and survival time were compared between pre- and post-irradiation. Under these conditions, antitumor activity and survival time were compared between pre- and post-irradiation, in combination with 5-FU, tegafur or HCFU. The antitumor effects and survival time were greater for pre-irradiation treatment than for post-irradiation. Among 5-FU derivatives, the highest combination effect was shown by HCFU, followed by 5-FU and tegafur. The concentration of 5-FU in the tumor was correlated with the antitumor effect of each drug.

[Imaging diagnosis of the insulinoma--the clinical usefulness of intraductal ultrasonography of the pancreas and color Doppler sonography].

5 cases of small-sized insulinoma of the pancreas were studied to evaluate the ability of diagnostic imaging techniques to determine tumor location. Techniques used were extracorporeal ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), angiography, percutaneous transhepatic portal catheterization and CT. EUS was superior to the other modalities in diagnosing the location of insulinomas. We employed Color Doppler (CD) ultrasonography in one case and obtained color expression in the tumor and a pulsatile wave in the FFT analysis. Intraductal sonography of the pancreas (IDSP) was also performed in this case resulting peripheral echo-lucent, central echogenic mass. From these results, we expect that CD and IDSP will be useful in clinical application for diagnosing various tumors.

Study of band inversion in the PbxSn1-xTe class of topological crystalline insulators using x-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Pb(x)Sn(1-x)Te and Pb(x)Sn(1-x)Se crystals belong to the class of topological crystalline insulators where topological protection is achieved due to crystal symmetry rather than time-reversal symmetry. In this work, we make use of selection rules in the x-ray absorption process to experimentally detect band inversion along the PbTe(Se)-SnTe(Se) tie-lines. The observed significant change in the ratio of intensities of L1 and L3 transitions along the tie-line demonstrates that x-ray absorption can be a useful tool to study band inversion in topological insulators.

Transport properties in a Sb-Te binary topological-insulator system.

Sb-Te layers having various compositions between Sb2Te3 and Sb2Te are grown using molecular beam epitaxy. The structural and electrical properties of the layers change gradually with composition but exhibit a discontinuity involving a bistability. The holes in the layers are generated by Sb bilayers intercalated between Sb2Te3 quintuple layers and their mobility is governed by the scattering from the parent acceptors. Magnetoresistance for compositions around SbTe is linear, for which the reduction of the parabolic component due to low mobility is crucial. Density functional calculations predict Sb2Te3 and SbTe to be topological insulators (TIs) resembling Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te3, respectively. The prefactor of the weak antilocalization effect is α =- 1 regardless of the composition. The Sb-Te system is thus a family of TIs possessing undisturbed surface states for which the location of the Dirac point with respect to the bulk band gap is adjustable.

Distortion-triggered loss of long-range order in solids with bonding energy hierarchy.

An amorphous-to-crystal transition in phase-change materials like Ge-Sb-Te is widely used for data storage. The basic principle is to take advantage of the property contrast between the crystalline and amorphous states to encode information; amorphization is believed to be caused by melting the materials with an intense laser or electrical pulse and subsequently quenching the melt. Here, we demonstrate that distortions in the crystalline phase may trigger a collapse of long-range order, generating the amorphous phase without going through the liquid state. We further show that the principal change in optical properties occurs during the distortion of the still crystalline structure, upsetting yet another commonly held belief that attributes the change in properties to the loss of long-range order. Furthermore, our results suggest a way to lower energy consumption by condensing phase change inducing energy into shorter pulses or through the use of coherent phonon excitation.

Interfacial phase-change memory.

Phase-change memory technology relies on the electrical and optical properties of certain materials changing substantially when the atomic structure of the material is altered by heating or some other excitation process. For example, switching the composite Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) (GST) alloy from its covalently bonded amorphous phase to its resonantly bonded metastable cubic crystalline phase decreases the resistivity by three orders of magnitude, and also increases reflectivity across the visible spectrum. Moreover, phase-change memory based on GST is scalable, and is therefore a candidate to replace Flash memory for non-volatile data storage applications. The energy needed to switch between the two phases depends on the intrinsic properties of the phase-change material and the device architecture; this energy is usually supplied by laser or electrical pulses. The switching energy for GST can be reduced by limiting the movement of the atoms to a single dimension, thus substantially reducing the entropic losses associated with the phase-change process. In particular, aligning the c-axis of a hexagonal Sb(2)Te(3) layer and the 〈111〉 direction of a cubic GeTe layer in a superlattice structure creates a material in which Ge atoms can switch between octahedral sites and lower-coordination sites at the interface of the superlattice layers. Here we demonstrate GeTe/Sb(2)Te(3) interfacial phase-change memory (IPCM) data storage devices with reduced switching energies, improved write-erase cycle lifetimes and faster switching speeds.