Proximity-induced magnetization in graphene: Towards efficient spin gating

Gate-tunable spin-dependent properties could be induced in graphene at room temperature through magnetic proximity effect by placing it in contact with a metallic ferromagnet. Because strong chemical bonding with the metallic substrate makes gating ineffective, an intervening passivation layer is needed. Previously considered passivation layers result in a large shift of the Dirac point away from the Fermi level, so that unrealistically large gate fields are required to tune the spin polarization in graphene. We show that a monolayer of Au or Pt used as the passivation layer between Co and graphene brings the Dirac point closer to the Fermi level. In the \Co/\Pt/\Gr system the proximity-induced spin polarization in graphene and its gate control are strongly enhanced by the presence of a surface band near the Fermi level. Furthermore, the shift of the Dirac point could be eliminated entirely by selecting submonolayer coverage in the passivation layer. Our findings open a path towards experimental realization of an optimized two-dimensional system with gate-tunable spin-dependent properties.Comment: 10 page

Positron and positronium annihilation patterns in zeolites and bulk ceramics

Positron lifetime (LT) measurements have revealed that in porous media the annihilation pattern is probably dominated by a near-saturation level trapping both for the positron and the positronium as well, which masks the contribution from the ldquofree annihilationrdquo, i.e., annihilation from delocalised positrons. In this work we compare positron lifetime spectra of crystalline zeolites with bulk ceramic materials fabricated by sintering from the same constituents as the zeolites and analyse common features and differences between them. For the dense ceramic samples the contribution from long-living components to the annihilation pattern is substantially lower than that for the zeolites. The results are analysed with the aim to extract new knowledge for the zeolites and for the sensitivity limits for free volume studies in ceramics. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

High Chern number van der Waals magnetic topological multilayers MnBi2_2Te4_4/hBN

Chern insulators are two-dimensional magnetic topological materials that conduct electricity along their edges via the one-dimensional chiral modes. The number of these modes is a topological invariant called the first Chern number $C$, that defines the quantized Hall conductance as $S_{xy}= C e^2/h$. Increasing $C$ is pivotal for the realization of low-power-consumption topological electronics, but there has been no clear-cut solution of this problem so far, with the majority of existing Chern insulators showing $C=1$. Here, by using state-of-the-art theoretical methods, we propose an efficient approach for the realization of the high-$C$ Chern insulator state in MnBi$_2$Te$_4$/hBN van der Waals multilayer heterostructures. We show that a stack of $n$ MnBi$_2$Te$_4$ films with $C=1$ intercalated by hBN monolayers gives rise to a high Chern number state with $C=n$, characterized by $n$ chiral edge modes. This state can be achieved both under the external magnetic field and without it, both cases leading to the quantized Hall conductance $S_{xy}= C e^2/h$. Our results therefore pave way to practical high-$C$ quantized Hall systems.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

A cross-country examination on the fear of covid-19 and the sense of loneliness during the first wave of covid-19 outbreak

The aim of the current study is to examine gender, age. and cross-country differences in fear of COVID-19 and sense of loneliness during the lockdown, by comparing people from those countries with a high rate of infections and deaths (e.g., Spain and Italy) and from countries with a mild spread of infection (e.g., Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina). A total of 3876 participants (63% female) completed an online survey on “Everyday life practices in COVID-19 time” in April 2020, including measures of fear of COVID-19 and loneliness. Males and females of all age groups in countries suffering from the powerful impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reported greater fear of COVID-19 and sense of loneliness. In less endangered countries, females and the elderly reported more symptoms than males and the young; in Spanish and Italian samples, the pattern of differences is considerably more complex. Future research should thoroughly examine different age and gender groups. The analysis of emotional well-being in groups at risk of mental health issues may help to lessen the long term social and economic costs due to the COVID-19 outbreak

Osteogenesis imperfecta: pregled suvremenih spoznaja o radiologiji koštanoga sustava i nove genetske spoznaje

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorder of bone and connective tissue characterized by osteoporosis, fragile bones, hyperextensible joints, dentinogenesis imperfecta, bluish coloration of the sclerae, and adult-onset hearing loss. Medical history, careful physical examination, radiographic features of fractures, and biochemical analysis of skin collagen are the four cornerstones of accurate diagnosis. As osteogenesis imperfecta affects the whole skeleton, radiologic diagnostic features could be seen on any bone at any age of the patient. A radiology specialist should be aware of subtle changes seen on radiographs of axial skeleton (i.e. skull, spine and pelvic bones) and appendicular skeleton (i.e. long and short bones of extremities) as well as of specific osteogenesis features (i.e. “popcorn” calcifications) and difficult differential diagnosis (i.e. hypertrophic callus formation versus osteosarcoma; child abuse fractures versus true osteogenesis imperfecta). About 300 different mutations have been identified within COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes that encode the chains of type I collagen. More than 90% of these are heterozygous single base pair mutations unique to the affected individuals within families. Depending on the location of the mutation within the collagen gene, these produce a variety of clinical pictures which range from mild (OI type 1), lethal (OI type 2) to severely deforming (OI type 3) and mildly deforming (OI type 4). Each of the four types has a common radiologic appearance that helps in establishing the diagnosis. However, recent findings have confirmed that new genes other than type I collagen could be responsible for three new types of OI (OI type 5; OI type 6 and rhizomelic OI). Here we describe the complexity of the phenotype-genotype correlation in OI, and the recently proposed new classification.Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) je genetski i klinički heterogena bolest kosti i vezivnoga tkiva s odrednicama: osteoporoza; lomljivost kostiju; labavost zglobova, dentinogenesis imperfecta; plavičaste bjeloočnice i nagluhost u odrasloj dobi. Ključ točne dijagnoze su četiri bitna postupka: precizna anamneza; pažljiv fizikalni pregled; uočavanje radioloških značajka prijeloma i promjena kostiju i biokemijska analiza kolagena kože. Uobičajena je podjela na četiri tipa OI: od blagog (tip 1), letalnog (tip 2) do teško deformirajućeg (tip 3) i umjereno deformirajućeg oblika (tip 4). Svaki od četiri tipa ima zasebne radiološke značajke koje pomažu kod postavljanja točne dijagnoze i klasificiranja. Dijagnostičko-radiološki znaci postoje na cijelom mišićno koštanom sustavu od novorođenačke do kasne životne dobi. Za radiologa je važno prepoznati brojne sićušne i specifične promjene na rendgenogramima aksijalnog (lubanja, kralješnica, zdjelica) i apendikularnog (kosti udova) skeleta. Znaci korisni u diferenciranju osteosarkoma prema stvaranju hipertrofičnog koštanog kalusa kod OI i drugi posebni znaci bolesti, primjerice metafizne “popcorn” kalcifikacije, prepoznaju se dobrom radiološkom obradom. Dosad je otkriveno oko 300 različitih mutacija na COL1A1 i COL1A2 genima odgovornima za oblikovanje lanaca kolagena tip I. Klinička slika OI razlikuje se prema mjestu mutacije na genu za kolagen. Nedavni nalazi su potvrdili da i drugi geni, uz kolagen tip 1, mogu biti odgovorni za nastanak tri nova tipa OI: tip 5; tip 6 i rizomelični tip OI. Nadalje, u tekstu je opisana složenost fenotipske i genotipske korelacije, kao i nedavno predložena nova klasifikacija OI

Superlattices of Gadolinium and Bismuth Based Thallium Dichalcogenides as Potential Magnetic Topological Insulators

Using relativistic spin-polarized density functional theory calculations we investigate magnetism, electronic structure and topology of the ternary thallium gadolinium dichalcogenides TlGdZ2 (Z= Se and Te) as well as superlattices on their basis. We find TlGdZ2 to have an antiferromagnetic exchange coupling both within and between the Gd layers, which leads to frustration and a complex magnetic structure. The electronic structure calculations reveal both TlGdSe2 and TlGdTe2 to be topologically trivial semiconductors. However, as we show further, a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic topological insulator (TI) state can potentially be achieved by constructing superlattices of the TlGdZ2/(TlBiZ2)n type, in which structural units of TlGdZ2 are alternated with those of the isomorphic TlBiZ2 compounds, known to be non-magnetic 3D TIs. Our results suggest a new approach for achieving 3D magnetic TI phases in such superlattices which is applicable to a large family of thallium rare-earth dichalcogenides and is expected to yield a fertile and tunable playground for exotic topological physics.M.M.O. and M.B. acknowledge the support by Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Grant No. PID2019-103910GB-I00) and the University of the Basque Country (Grant no. IT1527-22). A.Yu.V. and E.K.P. acknowledge support from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation within State Task No. FSWM-2020-0033 (in the part of bulk and surface electronic structure calculations). E.V.C. acknowledges support from Saint Petersburg State University (Grant ID No. 90383050). Yu.M.K. acknowledges support from the Government research assignment for ISPMS SB RAS, project FWRW-2022-0001 (in the part of the topological classification of bulk band structure)

Osteogenesis imperfecta: pregled suvremenih spoznaja o radiologiji koštanoga sustava i nove genetske spoznaje

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorder of bone and connective tissue characterized by osteoporosis, fragile bones, hyperextensible joints, dentinogenesis imperfecta, bluish coloration of the sclerae, and adult-onset hearing loss. Medical history, careful physical examination, radiographic features of fractures, and biochemical analysis of skin collagen are the four cornerstones of accurate diagnosis. As osteogenesis imperfecta affects the whole skeleton, radiologic diagnostic features could be seen on any bone at any age of the patient. A radiology specialist should be aware of subtle changes seen on radiographs of axial skeleton (i.e. skull, spine and pelvic bones) and appendicular skeleton (i.e. long and short bones of extremities) as well as of specific osteogenesis features (i.e. “popcorn” calcifications) and difficult differential diagnosis (i.e. hypertrophic callus formation versus osteosarcoma; child abuse fractures versus true osteogenesis imperfecta). About 300 different mutations have been identified within COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes that encode the chains of type I collagen. More than 90% of these are heterozygous single base pair mutations unique to the affected individuals within families. Depending on the location of the mutation within the collagen gene, these produce a variety of clinical pictures which range from mild (OI type 1), lethal (OI type 2) to severely deforming (OI type 3) and mildly deforming (OI type 4). Each of the four types has a common radiologic appearance that helps in establishing the diagnosis. However, recent findings have confirmed that new genes other than type I collagen could be responsible for three new types of OI (OI type 5; OI type 6 and rhizomelic OI). Here we describe the complexity of the phenotype-genotype correlation in OI, and the recently proposed new classification.Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) je genetski i klinički heterogena bolest kosti i vezivnoga tkiva s odrednicama: osteoporoza; lomljivost kostiju; labavost zglobova, dentinogenesis imperfecta; plavičaste bjeloočnice i nagluhost u odrasloj dobi. Ključ točne dijagnoze su četiri bitna postupka: precizna anamneza; pažljiv fizikalni pregled; uočavanje radioloških značajka prijeloma i promjena kostiju i biokemijska analiza kolagena kože. Uobičajena je podjela na četiri tipa OI: od blagog (tip 1), letalnog (tip 2) do teško deformirajućeg (tip 3) i umjereno deformirajućeg oblika (tip 4). Svaki od četiri tipa ima zasebne radiološke značajke koje pomažu kod postavljanja točne dijagnoze i klasificiranja. Dijagnostičko-radiološki znaci postoje na cijelom mišićno koštanom sustavu od novorođenačke do kasne životne dobi. Za radiologa je važno prepoznati brojne sićušne i specifične promjene na rendgenogramima aksijalnog (lubanja, kralješnica, zdjelica) i apendikularnog (kosti udova) skeleta. Znaci korisni u diferenciranju osteosarkoma prema stvaranju hipertrofičnog koštanog kalusa kod OI i drugi posebni znaci bolesti, primjerice metafizne “popcorn” kalcifikacije, prepoznaju se dobrom radiološkom obradom. Dosad je otkriveno oko 300 različitih mutacija na COL1A1 i COL1A2 genima odgovornima za oblikovanje lanaca kolagena tip I. Klinička slika OI razlikuje se prema mjestu mutacije na genu za kolagen. Nedavni nalazi su potvrdili da i drugi geni, uz kolagen tip 1, mogu biti odgovorni za nastanak tri nova tipa OI: tip 5; tip 6 i rizomelični tip OI. Nadalje, u tekstu je opisana složenost fenotipske i genotipske korelacije, kao i nedavno predložena nova klasifikacija OI

Shedding New Light on Kaon-Nucleon/Nuclei Interaction and Its Astrophysical Implications with the AMADEUS Experiment at DAFNE

The AMADEUS experiment deals with the investigation of the low-energy kaon-nuclei hadronic interaction at the DA{\Phi}NE collider at LNF-INFN, which is fundamental to respond longstanding questions in the non-perturbative QCD strangeness sector. The antikaon-nucleon potential is investigated searching for signals from possible bound kaonic clusters, which would open the possibility for the formation of cold dense baryonic matter. The confirmation of this scenario may imply a fundamental role of strangeness in astrophysics. AMADEUS step 0 consisted in the reanalysis of 2004/2005 KLOE dataset, exploiting K- absorptions in H, 4He, 9Be and 12C in the setup materials. In this paper, together with a review on the multi-nucleon K- absorption and the particle identification procedure, the first results on the {\Sigma}0-p channel will be presented including a statistical analysis on the possible accomodation of a deeply bound stateComment: 6 pages, 2 figure, 1 table, HADRON 2015 conferenc

A Large-Scale FPGA-Based Trigger and Dead-Time Free DAQ System for the Kaos Spectrometer at MAMI

The Kaos spectrometer is maintained by the A1 collaboration at the Mainz Microtron MAMI with a focus on the study of (e,e'K^+) coincidence reactions. For its electron-arm two vertical planes of fiber arrays, each comprising approximately 10 000 fibers, are operated close to zero degree scattering angle and in close proximity to the electron beam. A nearly dead-time free DAQ system to acquire timing and tracking information has been installed for this spectrometer arm. The signals of 144 multi-anode photomultipliers are collected by 96-channel front-end boards, digitized by double-threshold discriminators and the signal time is picked up by state-of-the-art F1 time-to-digital converter chips. In order to minimize background rates a sophisticated trigger logic was implemented in newly developed Vuprom modules. The trigger performs noise suppression, signal cluster finding, particle tracking, and coincidence timing, and can be expanded for kinematical matching (e'K^+) coincidences. The full system was designed to process more than 4 000 read-out channels and to cope with the high electron flux in the spectrometer and the high count rate requirement of the detectors. It was successfully in-beam tested at MAMI in 2009.Comment: Contributed to 17th IEEE Real Time Conference (RT10), Lisbon, 24-28 May 201

Unprecedented studies of the low-energy negatively charged kaons interactions in nuclear matter by AMADEUS

The AMADEUS experiment aims to provide unique quality data of $K^-$ hadronic interactions in light nuclear targets, in order to solve fundamental open questions in the non-perturbative strangeness QCD sector, like the controversial nature of the $\Lambda(1405)$ state, the yield of hyperon formation below threshold, the yield and shape of multi-nucleon $K^-$ absorption, processes which are intimately connected to the possible existence of exotic antikaon multi-nucleon clusters. AMADEUS takes advantage of the DA$\Phi$NE collider, which provides a unique source of monochromatic low-momentum kaons and exploits the KLOE detector as an active target, in order to obtain excellent acceptance and resolution data for $K^-$ nuclear capture on H, ${}^4$He, ${}^{9}$Be and ${}^{12}$C, both at-rest and in-flight. During the second half of 2012 a successful data taking was performed with a dedicated pure carbon target implemented in the central region of KLOE, providing a high statistic sample of pure at-rest $K^-$ nuclear interactions. For the future dedicated setups involving cryogenic gaseous targets are under preparation.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure