801 research outputs found
Skyrmion Lattice in a Chiral Magnet
Skyrmions represent topologically stable field configurations with
particle-like properties. We used neutron scattering to observe the spontaneous
formation of a two-dimensional lattice of skyrmion lines, a type of magnetic
vortices, in the chiral itinerant-electron magnet MnSi. The skyrmion lattice
stabilizes at the border between paramagnetism and long-range helimagnetic
order perpendicular to a small applied magnetic field regardless of the
direction of the magnetic field relative to the atomic lattice. Our study
experimentally establishes magnetic materials lacking inversion symmetry as an
arena for new forms of crystalline order composed of topologically stable spin
states
spl(2,1) dynamical supersymmetry and suppression of ferromagnetism in flat band double-exchange models
The low energy spectrum of the ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model on a N-site
complete graph extended with on-site repulsion is obtained from the underlying
spl(2,1) algebra properties in the strong coupling limit. The ferromagnetic
ground state is realized for 1 and N+1 electrons only. We identify the large
density of states to be responsible for the suppression of the ferromagnetic
state and argue that a similar situation is encountered in the Kagome,
pyrochlore, and other lattices with flat bands in their one-particle density of
states.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur
Topological Hall effect in the A-phase of MnSi
Recent small angle neutron scattering suggests, that the spin structure in
the A-phase of MnSi is a so-called triple- state, i.e., a superposition of
three helices under 120 degrees. Model calculations suggest that this structure
in fact is a lattice of so-called skyrmions, i.e., a lattice of topologically
stable knots in the spin structure. We report a distinct additional
contribution to the Hall effect in the temperature and magnetic field range of
the proposed skyrmion lattice, where such a contribution is neither seen nor
expected for a normal helical state. Our Hall effect measurements constitute a
direct observation of a topologically quantized Berry phase that identifies the
spin structure seen in neutron scattering as the proposed skyrmion lattice
Single sample preparation for the simultaneous extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids and endogenous steroids in hair
A combined sample preparation for the simultaneous extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids and endogenous steroids was developed based on three independent fully validated analytical methods.
Recently, we published a multi-analyte method for the simultaneous analysis of 116 drugs and pharmaceuticals including different substance groups like opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, z-drugs, antidepressants and neuroleptics based on a single sample workup followed by a single analytical measurement with LC-MS/MS. However, in some cases, additional analysis of further substance groups, such as cannabinoids and endogenous steroids, is required, which are analyzed in our laboratory using separate sample preparation and separate analytical methods. The goal of this study was to use the knowledge from the different sample preparations and combine them into a single sample preparation and extraction workflow for the simultaneous extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids, and endogenous steroids to be analyzed with the appropriate analytical methods. A partial validation of selected parameters such as selectivity, linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and robustness for the different analytical methods was carried out and revalidated. In addition, comparative measurements of quality controls and authentic pools were performed and statistically evaluated using the unpaired t-test or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. The results using the newly established sample preparation and extraction were in good agreement with the original data. In conclusion, the newly established sample preparation is suitable for the combined extraction of drugs, pharmaceuticals, cannabinoids and endogenous steroids, and gives reliable results for quantification of various substances
TetR Is a Positive Regulator of the Tetanus Toxin Gene in Clostridium tetani and Is Homologous to BotR
Relationship between periparturient diseases, metabolic markers and the dynamics of hair cortisol concentrations in dairy cows
Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) might represent a promising marker for retrospective welfare assessment of dairy cows. The objective of the study was to explore the dynamics of HCC in diseased and healthy cows from eight-week ante partum (AP) to eight-week post partum (PP). Twenty-four pregnant cows were followed from drying off to week eight PP. Tail hair was used to measure cortisol at five different time points. The occurrence of peripartum diseases, lameness and the body condition score (BCS) were monitored on a weekly basis. Blood β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acids, calcium and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations were measured. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was continuously recorded.
The median values of HCC in all cows were 0.4, 0.3, 0.6, 0.8 and 0.5 pg/mg at weeks eight, four AP, calving, weeks four, eight PP, respectively. There was no association between HCC and the occurrence of peripartum diseases (P ≥ 0.05). A positive correlation between HCC and BCS loss (P < 0.01) and THI (P < 0.05) was observed. The occurrence of peripartum diseases was associated with low IGF-1 during the study period but no relationship was found between cortisol and IGF-1 levels (P ≥ 0.05). Brown Swiss cows showed higher HCC (P < 0.01) at weeks eight, four AP, and week four PP and lower average milk yield (P < 0.05) than Holstein–Friesian cows. In conclusion, HCC was not a suitable marker for peripartum diseases but it could reflect a stress response, which is linked to BCS loss, heat stress and breed
Simultaneous quantification of steroid hormones and endocannabinoids (ECs) in human hair using an automated supported liquid extraction (SLE) and LC-MS/MS – Insights into EC baseline values and correlation to steroid concentrations
Endogenous steroid hormones and endocannabinoids (ECs) are important regulators in the stress response of the human body. For the measurement of chronic stress, hair analysis has been established as method of choice for long-term and retrospective determination of endogenous stress markers. A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of five steroid hormones (cortisone, cortisol, androstenedione, testosterone, progesterone) and four endocannabinoids (anandamide, palmitoylethanolamide, 2-arachidonylglycerol, oleoylethanolamide) in hair was developed and validated. The hair samples were extracted with methanol and cleaned up with a fully automated supported liquid extraction (SLE) before analysis. Special attention was paid to the difficulties accompanying the quantification of endogenous analytes in hair.
Five different strategies for endogenous compound quantification in hair (surrogate analyte, standard addition, background correction, stripped matrix and solvent calibration) were tested and compared. As a result, the approach of the surrogate analyte was used for the quantification of steroid hormones whereas background correction was used for endocannabinoids. The measurement of 58 samples from healthy young adults allowed insights into endocannabinoid ranges in hair and the correlation to steroid hormones. No significant differences in steroid and EC concentration levels of male and female in hair were found, except for testosterone (p < 0.001) and androstenedione (p < 0.0001). Cortisol to cortisone and testosterone to androstenedione concentrations were significantly and positively correlated. There were significant intercorrelations between endocannabinoids
Van Hove singularity and spontaneous Fermi surface symmetry breaking in Sr3Ru2O7
The most salient features observed around a metamagnetic transition in
Sr3Ru2O7 are well captured in a simple model for spontaneous Fermi surface
symmetry breaking under a magnetic field, without invoking a putative quantum
critical point. The Fermi surface symmetry breaking happens in both a majority
and a minority spin band but with a different magnitude of the order parameter,
when either band is tuned close to van Hove filling by the magnetic field. The
transition is second order for high temperature T and changes into first order
for low T. The first order transition is accompanied by a metamagnetic
transition. The uniform magnetic susceptibility and the specific heat
coefficient show strong T dependence, especially a log T divergence at van Hove
filling. The Fermi surface instability then cuts off such non-Fermi liquid
behavior and gives rise to a cusp in the susceptibility and a specific heat
jump at the transition temperature.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
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