Fragmentation and Multifragmentation of 10.6A GeV Gold Nuclei

We present the results of a study performed on the interactions of 10.6A GeV gold nuclei in nuclear emulsions. In a minimum bias sample of 1311 interac- tions, 5260 helium nuclei and 2622 heavy fragments were observed as Au projec- tile fragments. The experimental data are analyzed with particular emphasis of target separation interactions in emulsions and study of criticalexponents. Multiplicity distributions of the fast-moving projectile fragments are inves- tigated. Charged fragment moments, conditional moments as well as two and three -body asymmetries of the fast moving projectile particles are determined in terms of the total charge remaining bound in the multiply charged projectile fragments. Some differences in the average yields of helium nuclei and heavier fragments are observed, which may be attributed to a target effect. However, two and three-body asymmetries and conditional moments indicate that the breakup mechanism of the projectile seems to be independent of target mass. We looked for evidence of critical point observable in finite nuclei by study the resulting charged fragments distributions. We have obtained the values for the critical exponents gamma, beta and tau and compare our results with those at lower energy experiment (1.0A GeV data). The values suggest that a phase transition like behavior, is observed.Comment: latex, revtex, 28 pages, 12 figures, 3tables, submitted to Europysics Journal

Phosphatidylserine Targets Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes to Professional Phagocytes In Vitro and In Vivo

Broad applications of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) dictate the necessity to better understand their health effects. Poor recognition of non-functionalized SWCNT by phagocytes is prohibitive towards controlling their biological action. We report that SWCNT coating with a phospholipid “eat-me” signal, phosphatidylserine (PS), makes them recognizable in vitro by different phagocytic cells - murine RAW264.7 macrophages, primary monocyte-derived human macrophages, dendritic cells, and rat brain microglia. Macrophage uptake of PS-coated nanotubes was suppressed by the PS-binding protein, Annexin V, and endocytosis inhibitors, and changed the pattern of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Loading of PS-coated SWCNT with pro-apoptotic cargo (cytochrome c) allowed for the targeted killing of RAW264.7 macrophages. In vivo aspiration of PS-coated SWCNT stimulated their uptake by lung alveolar macrophages in mice. Thus, PS-coating can be utilized for targeted delivery of SWCNT with specified cargoes into professional phagocytes, hence for therapeutic regulation of specific populations of immune-competent cells

Relativistic Laser-Matter Interaction and Relativistic Laboratory Astrophysics

The paper is devoted to the prospects of using the laser radiation interaction with plasmas in the laboratory relativistic astrophysics context. We discuss the dimensionless parameters characterizing the processes in the laser and astrophysical plasmas and emphasize a similarity between the laser and astrophysical plasmas in the ultrarelativistic energy limit. In particular, we address basic mechanisms of the charged particle acceleration, the collisionless shock wave and magnetic reconnection and vortex dynamics properties relevant to the problem of ultrarelativistic particle acceleration.Comment: 58 pages, 19 figure

Capital Without Statehood: Empirical Studies in Staraya Ladoga, Kasimov and Myshkin

The article covers the concept of "capitaleness" and "geographical identity". Our research will make an attempt to analyze an institute of capitals at functional as well as symbolic levels. In that case capitals serve not only as a place to dispose the governmental bodies, but their functions include national representation to themselves and the environment. Capitals are the idealized image of nation and national history, a sort of nation in miniature. Interregional differentiation within a state through establishing and maintaining mental boundaries between center and periphery is the mechanism to detect the territories needing the support for preserving the compliance with national norms and, thereafter, maintaining stateness. Two major territorial bases of stateness are traditionally singled out: nation-building and threats to security or, in other words, mental boundaries marking of "Us" community and actualization of "Others". Contemporary political geography is turning to the study of the third mechanism - internal "Other". Two strategies are possible to prove that interregional differentiation is a mechanism of nation-building. Analysis of different discursive and institutional practices marginalizing regions would be logical. However such way leads us to the large number of cases differing from each other in the multitude of variables and, therefore, exclude generalization in the conclusions. Thereupon we consider it possible to address another strategy, such as the search for evidence that center is purposefully opposed to periphery and is given symbolic national and centrifugal functions as well as administrative ones. The existence of one dichotomic pole should confirm the existence of the opposite. There are three cases - of Staraya Ladoga, Myshkin and Kasimov - which interpret differently the peculiarities of geographical space. Besides, the authors give illustrative examples of the construction of the myth about "stolichnost" and describe the instruments of symbolic politics

The Construction of Identities in Space Inversion (the Case of Blagoveshensk and Chei-Che)

Abstract: The article represents a collective research of space identities at the Russian-Chinese border. The authors analyze the space configuration formed at the frontier of Blagoveshensk and Chei-Che regarding it as a social construction. It was an attempt to define the mechanisms of creating space identity at the flexible border marked by fluctuations of economic, political and cultural flows. There is a case of the Chinese town Chei-Che which is more open towards a Russian influence as well as to a deeper integration with the Russian side. Besides, there is a case of Blagoveshensk and its residents’ perception of their Chinese “neighbor”. Two major spatial bases of stateness are traditionally singled out: nation-building and threats to security or, in other words, labeling mental boundaries of community “Us” and actualizing “Others”. Threats to security or, rather, a discourse on them, form “Others” image, on the opposition to which is based nation and its geopolitical code. Existing stable centre-peripheral relations in each country put some thought about the third state-building mechanism - internal “Other”. Interregional differentiation within a state through establishing and maintaining the internal mental boundaries between centre and periphery comprises a mechanism to identify territories which need support to continue to act in compliance with national norms and thereof to facilitate stateness. Russian history could be interpreted as a periodic artificial reproduction of semi-periphery which sets the mental boundaries of internal “Other”. Suburban colonized territories which created an attractive image of Russian state in other territories’ eyes and were funded to the detriment of Russian internal regions became semi-periphery. The research conclusions derive from series field research made in two-cities, during which some sociological and qualitative methods were used. The authors make a conclusion that Blagoveshensk and Chei-Che have two different patterns of space identities determined by official discourse and ordinary perception

Effect of dispersion of gold nanoparticles on the properties and alignment of liquid crystalline copper phthalocyanine films

The inclusion of hexadecylamine capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into the ordered matrix of hexagonal columnar mesophase of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) has been investigated. The effects of AuNPs on the liquid crystalline behaviour, optical and electrical properties of CuPc films is investigated by different physical methods. The molecules orientation in the films of CuPc and its composites with AuNPs, deposited on the surface of one substrate and between two electrodes, is studied by polarized Raman spectroscopy and polarized microscopy. It has been shown that thin films of the composites confined between ITO and Al electrodes are characterized by homeotropic alignment while no homeotropic alignment was observed in films deposited on ITO substrate with air constituting the upper interface. The I(V) dependences for the films confined between ITO and Al electrodes were measured. Appreciable enhancement of the DC conductivity is observed in the case of composites containing gold nanoparticles