[en] Here, we review progress studying unique plasmonics in topological insulators (TIs). First, we describe exfoliation and deposition synthesis approaches. TI materials have substantially improved: it is now possible to grow samples with few trivial electrons and controllable doping. We then describe the theory behind the unique behavior of the coupled, 2D Dirac plasmons. While reviewing experimental efforts, we note that Dirac plasmons have been conclusively demonstrated in TIs and they show remarkable properties including long lifetimes, large mode indices, and huge modulation depths. Finally, we describe the opportunities that are present now that high-quality materials can be obtained, including spin and nanoparticle plasmons.

[en] We measured size–resolved PNCs in the 5–560 nm range at two different types (4– and 3–way) of TIs in Guildford (Surrey, UK) at fixed sites (∼1.5 m above the road level), sequentially at 4 different heights (1, 1.5, 2.5 and 4.7 m), and along the road at five different distances (10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 m). The aims were to: (i) assess the differences in PNCs measured at studied TIs, (ii) identify the best fit probability distribution curves for the PNCs, (iii) determine vertical and horizontal decay profiles of PNCs, (iv) estimate particle number emission factors (PNEFs) under congested and free–flow traffic conditions, and (v) quantify the pedestrian exposure in terms of respiratory deposition dose (RDD) rates at the TIs. Daily averaged particle number distributions at TIs reflected the effect of fresh emissions with peaks at 5.6, 10 and 56 nm. Despite the relatively high traffic volume at 3–way TI, average PNCs at 4–way TI were about twice as high as at 3–way TI, indicating less favourable dispersion conditions. Generalised extreme value distribution fitted well to PNC data at both TIs. Vertical PNC profiles followed an exponential decay, which was much sharper at 4–way TI than at 3–way TI, suggesting ∼40% less exposure for people at first floor (4.7 m) to those at ground floor around 4-way TI. Vertical profiles indicated much sharper (∼132–times larger) decay than in horizontal direction, due to close vicinity of road vehicles during the along-road measurements. Over an order of magnitude higher PNEFs were found during congested, compared with free–flow, conditions due to frequent changes in traffic speed. Average RDD rate at 4–way TI during congested conditions were up to 14–times higher than those at 3–way TI (0.4 × 10¹¹ h⁻¹). Findings of this study are a step forward to understand exposure at and around the TIs. - Highlights: • Traffic intersections (TI) are pollution hotspots but exposure analysis is limited. • Vertical and horizontal decay in particle number concentration (PNC) at TIs noted. • Characteristic dispersion height at 3-way TI was 3.2-times higher than at 4-way TI. • PNC emission factor in congested driving were up to 10-times of those in free-flow. • Generalised extreme value fitted well to frequency distribution of PNC at both TIs. - Emissions of PNCs at traffic intersections is over an order of magnitude higher during congested “red traffic light” compared with free flow “green traffic light” conditions.

No abstract available

[en] Due to an increasing trend of building construction in Thailand. Lightweight concrete has been recently introduced into the structural engineering applications. This study was aimed to investigate two aspects; the first one is studying the properties of Cellular Lightweight Concrete (CLC) and verifying that the lightweight concrete satisfies Thai Industrial Standard (TIS Standard) [12]. To verify with the TIS Standard, investigated properties of CLC are dry unit weight, water absorption and compressive strength. Researcher prepared admixtures with sand cement ratio (S/C), water cement ratio (W/C) and percentage of foam to collect statistical data and analyse. Verified by the standard, specimens that pass the standard criteria will be chosen for proper applications in manufacturing of prefabricated construction materials. (paper)

[en] All-optical switching by domain wall motion has been obtained in Co/Pd superlattices with a TiS oscillator. Heat accumulation is part of the switching process for our experimental conditions. Numerical calculations point to a connection between domain wall motion and in-plane heat diffusion. (paper)

[en] Purpose: To investigate the clinical history, management, and pattern of recurrence of very early-stage anal canal cancer in a French retrospective survey. Methods: The study group consisted of 69 patients with Stage Tis and T1 anal canal carcinoma ≤1 cm treated between 1990 and 2000 (12 were in situ, 57 invasive, 66 Stage N0, and 3 Stage N1). The median patient age was 67 years (range, 27-83 years). Of the 69 patients, 66 received radiotherapy (RT) and 3 with in situ disease were treated by local excision alone without RT. Twenty-six patients underwent local excision before RT (12 with negative and 14 with positive surgical margins). Of the 66 patients who underwent RT, 8 underwent brachytherapy alone (median dose, 55 Gy), 38 underwent external beam RT (median dose, 45 Gy) plus a brachytherapy boost (median boost dose, 20 Gy), and 20 underwent external beam RT alone (median dose, 55 Gy). Results: Of the 69 patients, 68 had initial local control. Of the 66 patients treated by RT, 6 developed local recurrence at a median interval of 50 months (range, 13-78 months). Four patients developed local failure outside the initial tumor bed. Of the 3 patients with Tis treated by excision alone, 1 developed local recurrence. No relation was found among prior excision, dose, and local failure. The 5-year overall survival, colostomy-free survival, and disease-free survival rate was 94%, 85%, and 89%, respectively. The rate of late complications (Grade 1-3) was 28% and was 14% for those who received doses <60 Gy and 37% for those who received doses of ≥60 Gy (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Most recurrences occurred after a long disease-free interval after treatment and often outside the initial tumor site. These small anal cancers could be treated by RT using a small volume and moderate dose (40-50 Gy for subclinical lesions and 50-60 Gy for T1)

[en] Here, we present the successful fabrication of Te/TiS₂ heterostructure nanocables with enhanced thermoelectric (TE) performance by a two-step route (a facile solvothermal approach for Te nanowires and then the Te nanowires are used as templates for the controllable growth of the Te/TiS₂ nanocables), which is scalable for practical nanodevice applications. The heterostructure nanocables of different sizes can be prepared by varying the synthetic composition. Measurements of the Seebeck coefficient (S), electrical conductivity ( σ ), and thermal conductivity ( κ ) are carried out on the same nanowires over a temperature range of 2–350 K. The heterostructure nanocables show an ultrahigh power factor (S² σ ) with a maximum value of 0.58 Wm⁻¹ K⁻², which comes from a high electrical conductivity and a strongly enhanced Seebeck coefficient. The figure of merit (ZT) can reach 1.91 at room temperature from a single nanocable with a diameter of 60 nm, which is thought to contribute to the formation of the hetero-phase core/shell structure. These results are expected to open up new application possibilities in nanoscale TE devices based on individual Te/TiS₂ heterostructure nanocables. (paper)

[en] The crystal structure of 3R-LiTiS_2 was studied with combined experimental and theoretical approaches. The 3R polymorph of lithium titanium disulfide crystallizes rhombohedrally in the well-known NaCrS_2 type with lattice parameters a = 352.98(1) pm, c = 1807.51(3) pm. The relative stability of 3R-LiTiS_2 with respect to other known and hypothetical polymorphs was evaluated theoretically at DFT level employing the hybrid method B3LYP. 3R-LiTiS_2 is less stable than the most common 1T phase (by 4 kJ.mol"-"1), and is more stable (by 5 kJ.mol"-"1) than the known phase c-LiTiS_2 thus confirming the importance of this phase for further investigations. (Copyright copyright 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

[en] Nowadays hybrid materials started to be more and more popular. The main attention is focused on materials containing organic–inorganic components. Different combinations of organic and inorganic components allow the achievement of exceptional properties, such as electrical, catalytic, antibacterial, radiation-resistant, optical, excellent thermal, and mechanical properties. It gives a potential application for tis materials in completely new fields. The main objective of the article is to analyse challenges and future trends for new composites - inorganic-organic polymers as well as shows the results of preliminary research. The article based on: critical analysis of literature sources and laboratory research: visual assessment and compressive strength test. (paper)

[en] Differences were studied in the elastic contribution to the in-plane 2-body attractive interaction associated with local strain fields around isolated Li ions intercalated into graphite and TiS₂. This was done by comparing the concentration dependences of stage 1 package thicknesses for the compounds Li/sub x/C₆ and Li/sub x/TiS₂