217 research outputs found
A Deformable Model for Magnetic Vortex Pinning
A two-parameter analytical model of the magnetic vortex in a thin disk of
soft magnetic material is constructed. The model is capable of describing the
change in evolution of net vortex state magnetization and of core position when
the vortex core interacts with a magnetic pinning site. The model employs a
piecewise, physically continuous, magnetization distribution obtained by the
merger of two extensively used one-parameter analytical models of the vortex
state in a disk. Through comparison to numerical simulations of ideal disks
with and without pinning sites, the model is found to accurately predict the
magnetization, vortex position, hysteretic transitions, and 2-D displacement of
the vortex in the presence of pinning sites. The model will be applicable to
the quantitative determination of vortex pinning energies from measurements of
magnetization.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures, including supplementary information, ancillary
files:3 supplementary movie
Thermo-mechanical sensitivity calibration of nanotorsional magnetometers
We report on the fabrication of sensitive nanotorsional resonators, which can
be utilized as magnetometers for investigating the magnetization dynamics in
small magnetic elements. The thermo-mechanical noise is calibrated with the
resonator displacement in order to determine the ultimate mechanical torque
sensitivity of the magnetometer.Comment: 56th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Material
Non-locally sensing the magnetic states of nanoscale antiferromagnets with an atomic spin sensor
The ability to sense the magnetic state of individual magnetic nano-objects
is a key capability for powerful applications ranging from readout of
ultra-dense magnetic memory to the measurement of spins in complex structures
with nanometer precision. Magnetic nano-objects require extremely sensitive
sensors and detection methods. Here we create an atomic spin sensor consisting
of three Fe atoms and show that it can detect nanoscale antiferromagnets
through minute surface-mediated magnetic interaction. Coupling, even to an
object with no net spin and having vanishing dipolar stray field, modifies the
transition matrix element between two spin states of the Fe-atom-based spin
sensor that changes the sensor's spin relaxation time. The sensor can detect
nanoscale antiferromagnets at up to three nanometers distance and achieves an
energy resolution of 10 micro-electronvolts surpassing the thermal limit of
conventional scanning probe spectroscopy. This scheme permits simultaneous
sensing of multiple antiferromagnets with a single spin sensor integrated onto
the surface.Comment: 30 pages main text, 6 figures, Supplementary materials not inculde
p53-mediated neurodegeneration in the absence of the nuclear protein Akirin2.
Proper gene regulation is critical for both neuronal development and maintenance as the brain matures. We previously demonstrated that Akirin2, an essential nuclear protein that interacts with transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes, is required for the embryonic formation of the cerebral cortex. Here we show that Akirin2 plays a mechanistically distinct role in maintaining healthy neurons during cortical maturation. Restricting Akirin2 loss to excitatory cortical neurons resulted in progressive neurodegeneration via necroptosis and severe cortical atrophy with age. Comparing transcriptomes from Akirin2-null postnatal neurons and cortical progenitors revealed that targets of the tumor suppressor p53, a regulator of both proliferation and cell death encoded b
Magnetic fingerprint of individual Fe4 molecular magnets under compression by a scanning tunnelling microscope
Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) present a promising avenue to develop spintronic technologies. Addressing individual molecules with electrical leads in SMM-based spintronic devices remains a ubiquitous challenge: interactions with metallic electrodes can drastically modify the SMM\u2019s properties by charge transfer or through changes in the molecular structure. Here, we probe electrical transport through individual Fe4 SMMs using a scanning tunnelling microscope at 0.5 K. Correlation of topographic and spectroscopic information permits identification of the spin excitation fingerprint of intact Fe4 molecules. Building from this, we find that the exchange coupling strength within the molecule\u2019s magnetic core is significantly enhanced. First-principles calculations support the conclusion that this is the result of confinement of the molecule in the two-contact junction formed by the microscope tip and the sample surface
Whole exome capture in solution with 3 Gbp of data
We have developed a solution-based method for targeted DNA capture-sequencing that is directed to the complete human exome. Using this approach allows the discovery of greater than 95% of all expected heterozygous singe base variants, requires as little as 3 Gbp of raw sequence data and constitutes an effective tool for identifying rare coding alleles in large scale genomic studies
Lorentz Invariance Violation induced time delays in GRBs in different cosmological models
Lorentz Invariance Violation (LIV) manifesting itself by energy dependent
modification of standard relativistic dispersion relation has recently
attracted a considerable attention. Ellis et al. previously investigated the
energy dependent time offsets in different energy bands on a sample of gamma
ray bursts and, assuming standard cosmological model, they found a weak
indication for redshift dependence of time delays suggestive of LIV. Going
beyond the CDM cosmology we extend this analysis considering also four
alternative models of dark energy (quintessence with constant and variable
equation of state, Chaplygin gas and brane-world cosmology). It turns out that
the effect noticed by Ellis et al. is also present in those models and is the
strongest for quintessence with variable equation of state.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figur
Multi-centre parallel arm randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a group-based cognitive behavioural approach to managing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS); approximately two-thirds of people with MS consider it to be one of their three most troubling symptoms. It may limit or prevent participation in everyday activities, work, leisure, and social pursuits, reduce psychological well-being and is one of the key precipitants of early retirement. Energy effectiveness approaches have been shown to be effective in reducing MS-fatigue, increasing self-efficacy and improving quality of life. Cognitive behavioural approaches have been found to be effective for managing fatigue in other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, and more recently, in MS. The aim of this pragmatic trial is to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a recently developed group-based fatigue management intervention (that blends cognitive behavioural and energy effectiveness approaches) compared with current local practice.
Methods
This is a multi-centre parallel arm block-randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a six session group-based fatigue management intervention, delivered by health professionals, compared with current local practice. 180 consenting adults with a confirmed diagnosis of MS and significant fatigue levels, recruited via secondary/primary care or newsletters/websites, will be randomised to receive the fatigue management intervention or current local practice. An economic evaluation will be undertaken alongside the trial. Primary outcomes are fatigue severity, self-efficacy and disease-specific quality of life. Secondary outcomes include fatigue impact, general quality of life, mood, activity patterns, and cost-effectiveness. Outcomes in those receiving the fatigue management intervention will be measured 1 week prior to, and 1, 4, and 12 months after the intervention (and at equivalent times in those receiving current local practice). A qualitative component will examine what aspects of the fatigue management intervention participants found helpful/unhelpful and barriers to change.
Discussion
This trial is the fourth stage of a research programme that has followed the Medical Research Council guidance for developing and evaluating complex interventions. What makes the intervention unique is that it blends cognitive behavioural and energy effectiveness approaches. A potential strength of the intervention is that it could be integrated into existing service delivery models as it has been designed to be delivered by staff already working with people with MS. Service users will be involved throughout this research. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN7651747
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