Isotope effects in switchable metal-hydride mirrors

Measurements of optical reflectance, transmittance, and electrical resistivity on the switchable mirror systems YHx and YDx show that the absorption of hydrogen induces the same variations as that of deuterium. In both cases there is a weak transparency window for the metallic dihydride (dideuteride) phase and a yellowish transparency in the insulating trihydride (trideuteride) phase. The slightly higher electrical resistivity of the deuterides is related to the lower energy of their optical phonons. The absence of significant isotope effects in the optical properties of YHx(YDx) is at variance with Peierls-like theoretical models. It is, however, compatible with strong electron correlation model

Optical, structural, and electrical properties of Mg2NiH4 thin films in situ grown by activated reactive evaporation

Mg2NiH4 thin films have been prepared by activated reactive evaporation in a molecular beam epitaxy system equipped with an atomic hydrogen source. The optical reflection spectra and the resistivity of the films are measured in situ during deposition. In situ grown Mg2NiH4 appears to be stable in vacuum due to the fact that the dehydrogenation of the Mg2NiH4 phase is kinetically blocked. Hydrogen desorption only takes place when a Pd cap layer is added. The optical band gap of the in situ deposited Mg2NiH4 hydride, 1.75 eV, is in good agreement with that of Mg2NiH4 which has been formed ex situ by hydrogenation of metallic Pd capped Mg2Ni films. The microstructure of these in situ grown films is characterized by a homogeneous layer with very small grain sizes. This microstructure suppresses the preferred hydride nucleation at the film/substrate interface which was found in as-grown Mg2Ni thin films that are hydrogenated after deposition.

Toward a conceptualization of the content of psychosocial screening in living organ donors. An ethical legal psychological aspects of transplantation consensus

Across Europe, transplant centers vary in the content of the psychosocial evaluation for eligible living organ donors. To identify whether a common framework underlies this variation in this evaluation, we studied which psychosocial screening items are most commonly used and considered as most important in current psychosocial screening programs of living organ donors.Abstract BACKGROUND: Across Europe, transplant centers vary in the content of the psychosocial evaluation for eligible living organ donors. To identify whether a common framework underlies this variation in this evaluation, we studied which psychosocial screening items are most commonly used and considered as most important in current psychosocial screening programs of living organ donors. METHODS: A multivariate analytic method, concept mapping, was used to generate a visual representation of the "psychosocial" screening items of living kidney and liver donors. A list of 75 potential screening items was derived from a systematic literature review and sorted and rated for their importance and commonness by multidisciplinary affiliated health care professionals from across Europe. Results were discussed and fine-tuned during a consensus meeting. RESULTS: The analyses resulted in a 6-cluster solution. The following clusters on psychosocial screening items were identified, listed from most to least important: (1) personal resources, (2) motivation and decision making, (3) psychopathology, (4) social resources, (5) ethical and legal factors, and (6) information and risk processing. CONCLUSIONS: We provided a conceptual framework of the essential elements in psychosocial evaluation of living donors which can serve as a uniform basis for the selection of relevant psychosocial evaluation tools, which can be further tested in prospective studies

Sinonasal features in patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia - an EPIC-PCD study

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