503 research outputs found
Optical conductivity of rattling phonons in type-I clathrate BaGaGe
A series of infrared-active optical phonons have been detected in type-I
clathrate BaGaGe by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The
conductivity spectra with the lowest-lying peaks at 1.15 and 1.80 THz are
identified with so-called rattling phonons, i.e., optical modes of the guest
ion Ba with symmetry in the oversized tetrakaidecahedral
cage. The temperature dependence of the spectra from these modes are totally
consistent with calculations based on a one-dimensional anharmonic potential
model that, with decreasing temperature, the shape becomes asymmetrically sharp
associated with a softening for the weight to shift to lower frequency. These
temperature dependences are determined, without any interaction effects, by the
Bose-factor for optical excitations of anharmonic phonons with the nonequally
spaced energy levels.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Magnetic excitations in SrCu2O3: a Raman scattering study
We investigated temperature dependent Raman spectra of the one-dimensional
spin-ladder compound SrCu2O3. At low temperatures a two-magnon peak is
identified at 3160+/-10 cm^(-1) and its temperature dependence analyzed in
terms of a thermal expansion model. We find that the two-magnon peak position
must include a cyclic ring exchange of J_cycl/J_perp=0.09-0.25 with a coupling
constant along the rungs of J_perp approx. 1215 cm^(-1) (1750 K) in order to be
consistent with other experiments and theoretical results.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Molecular Interaction between PICK1 and PKC
PICK1 is a protein which was initially identified as a protein kinase Cα (αPKC) binding protein using the yeast two-hybrid system. In addition to αPKC, the PICK1 complex binds to and regulates various transmembrane proteins including receptors and transporters. However, it has not been clarified when and where PICK1 binds to αPKC. We examined the spatiotemporal interaction of PICK1 and PKC using live imaging techniques and showed that the activated αPKC binds to PICK1 and transports it to the plasma membrane. Although the membrane translocation of PICK1 requires the activation of αPKC, PICK1 is retained on the membrane even after PKC moves back to the cytosol. These results suggest that the interaction between αPKC and PICK1 is transient and may not be necessary for the regulation of receptors/transporters by PICK1 or by αPKC on the membrane
Far-Infrared Spectroscopy in Spin-Peierls Compound CuGeO_3 under High Magnetic Fields
Polarized far-infrared (FIR) spectroscopic measurements and FIR
magneto-optical studies were performed on the inorganic spin-Peierls compound
CuGeO_3. An absorption line, which was found at 98 cm in the dimerized
phase (D phase), was assigned to a folded phonon mode of B symmetry. The
splitting of the folded mode into two components in the incommensurate phase
(IC phase) has been observed for the first time. A new broad absorption
centered at 63 cm was observed only in the axis
polarization, which was assigned to a magnetic excitation from singlet ground
state to a continuum state.Comment: 9 pages multicolREVTeX, 10 figure
Pressure induced Superconductor-Insulator transition in the spinel compound CuRh2S4
We performed resistivity measurements in CuRhS under
quasi-hydrostatic pressure of up to 8.0 GPa, and found a pressure induced
superconductor-insulator (SI) transition. Initially, with increasing pressure,
the superconducting transition temperature increases from 4.7 K at
ambient pressure to 6.4 K at 4.0 GPa, but decreases at higher pressures. With
further compression, superconductivity in CuRhS disappears abruptly
at a critical pressure between 5.0 and 5.6 GPa, when it becomes an
insulator.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Predictive value of skin invasion in recurrent head and neck cancer patients treated by hypofractionated stereotactic re-irradiation using a cyberknife
Reirradiation of head and neck cancer focusing on hypofractionated stereotactic body radiation therapy
Reirradiation is a feasible option for patients who do not otherwise have treatment options available. Depending on the location and extent of the tumor, reirradiation may be accomplished with external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, radiosurgery, or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Although there has been limited experience with hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (hSRT), it may have the potential for curative or palliative treatment due to its advanced precision technology, particularly for limited small lesion. On the other hand, severe late adverse reactions are anticipated with reirradiation than with initial radiation therapy. The risk of severe late complications has been reported to be 20- 40% and is related to prior radiotherapy dose, primary site, retreatment radiotherapy dose, treatment volume, and technique. Early researchers have observed lethal bleeding in such patients up to a rate of 14%. Recently, similar rate of 10-15% was observed for fatal bleeding with use of modern hSRT like in case of carotid blowout syndrome. To determine the feasibility and efficacy of reirradiation using modern technology, we reviewed the pertinent literature. The potentially lethal side effects should be kept in mind when reirradiation by hSRT is considered for treatment, and efforts should be made to minimize the risk in any future investigations
Quantitative assessment of inter-observer variability in target volume delineation on stereotactic radiotherapy treatment for pituitary adenoma and meningioma near optic tract
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To assess inter-observer variability in delineating target volume and organs at risk in benign tumor adjacent to optic tract as a quality assurance exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We quantitatively analyzed 21 plans made by 11 clinicians in seven CyberKnife centers. The clinicians were provided with a raw data set (pituitary adenoma and meningioma) including clinical information, and were asked to delineate the lesions and create a treatment plan. Their contouring and plans (10 adenoma and 11 meningioma plans), were then compared. In addition, we estimated the influence of differences in contouring by superimposing the respective contours onto a default plan.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median planning target volume (PTV) and the ratio of the largest to the smallest contoured volume were 9.22 cm<sup>3 </sup>(range, 7.17 - 14.3 cm<sup>3</sup>) and 1.99 for pituitary adenoma, and 6.86 cm<sup>3 </sup>(range 6.05 - 14.6 cm<sup>3</sup>) and 2.41 for meningioma. PTV volume was 10.1 ± 1.74 cm<sup>3 </sup>for group 1 with a margin of 1 -2 mm around the CTV (n = 3) and 9.28 ± 1.8 cm<sup>3</sup>(p = 0.51) for group 2 with no margin (n = 7) in pituitary adenoma. In meningioma, group 1 showed larger PTV volume (10.1 ± 3.26 cm<sup>3</sup>) than group 2 (6.91 ± 0.7 cm<sup>3</sup>, p = 0.03). All submitted plan keep the irradiated dose to optic tract within the range of 50 Gy (equivalent total doses in 2 Gy fractionation). However, contours superimposed onto the dose distribution of the default plan indicated that an excessive dose 23.64 Gy (up to 268% of the default plan) in pituitary adenoma and 24.84 Gy (131% of the default plan) in meningioma to the optic nerve in the contours from different contouring.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Quality assurance revealed inter-observer variability in contour delineation and their influences on planning for pituitary adenoma and meningioma near optic tract.</p
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