7,354 research outputs found
4f-hybridization effect on the magnetism of Nd2PdSi3, an anomalous magnetic compound
Among the members of the series R2PdSi3 (R= Rare-earths), the magnetic
behavior of the Nd compound is interesting in some respects. This compound is
considered to order ferromagnetically (below 16 K), unlike other members of
this series which order antiferromagnetically. In addition, magnetic ordering
temperature (To) is significantly enhanced with respect to de Gennes scaled
value. In order to understand the magnetism of this compound better, we have
investigated the magnetic behavior in detail (under external pressure as well)
and also of its solid solutions based on substitutions at Nd and at Si sites,
viz., on the series, Nd(2-x)(Y,La)(x)PdSi(3-y)Ge(y) (x, y= 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and
1.2) by bulk measurements. The results overall establish that Nd2PdSi3 orders
ferromagnetically below 16 K, but antiferromagnetic component seems to set in
at very low temperatures. Notably, there is a significant suppression of To for
Y and Ge substitutions, compared to La substitution, for a given magnitude of
unit-cell volume change, however qualitatively correlating with the separation
between the layers of Nd and Pd-Si(Ge). On the basis of this observation, we
conclude that 4f(Nd) hybridization plays a major role on the magnetism of the
former solid solutions. To our knowledge, this work serves as a rare
demonstration of 4f-hybridization effects on the magnetism of a Nd-based
intermetallic compound.Comment: PRB November 2011 (accepted
Self-care in pediatric patients with chronic conditions: A systematic review of theoretical models
Background: To improve outcomes in children and young adults (CYAs) with chronic conditions, it is important to promote self-care through education and support. Aims: (1) to retrieve the literature describing theories or conceptual models of self-care in CYAs with chronic conditions and (2) to develop a comprehensive framework. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on nine databases, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All peer-reviewed papers describing a theory or a conceptual model of self-care in CYAs (0-24 years) with chronic conditions were included. Results: Of 2674 records, 17 met the inclusion criteria. Six papers included a theory or a model of self-care, self-management, or a similar concept. Six papers developed or revised pre-existing models or theories, while five papers did not directly focus on a specific model or a theory. Patients were CYAs, mainly with type 1 diabetes mellitus and asthma. Some relevant findings about self-care in CYAs with neurocognitive impairment and in those living with cancer may have been missed. Conclusions: By aggregating the key elements of the 13 self-care conceptual models identified in the review, we developed a new overarching model emphasizing the shift of self-care agency from family to patients as main actors of their self-management process. The model describes influencing factors, self-care behaviors, and outcomes; the more patients engaged in self-care behaviors, the more the outcomes were favorable
Spontaneous Polarisation Build up in a Room Temperature Polariton Laser
We observe the build up of strong (~50%) spontaneous vector polarisation in
emission from a GaN-based polariton laser excited by short optical pulses at
room temperature. The Stokes vector of emitted light changes its orientation
randomly from one excitation pulse to another, so that the time-integrated
polarisation remains zero. This behaviour is completely different to any
previous laser. We interpret this observation in terms of the spontaneous
symmetry breaking in a Bose-Einstein condensate of exciton-polaritons
Equilibrium susceptibilities of superparamagnets: longitudinal & transverse, quantum & classical
The equilibrium susceptibility of uniaxial paramagnets is studied in a
unified framework which permits to connect traditional results of the theory of
quantum paramagnets, \Sm=1/2, 1, 3/2, ..., with molecular magnetic clusters,
\Sm\sim5, 10, 20, all the way up, \Sm=30, 50, 100,... to the theory of
classical superparamagnets. This is done using standard tools of quantum
statistical mechanics and linear response theory (the Kubo correlator
formalism). Several features of the temperature dependence of the
susceptibility curves (crossovers, peaks, deviations from Curie law) are
studied and their scalings with \Sm identified and characterized. Both the
longitudinal and transverse susceptibilities are discussed, as well as the
response of the ensemble with anisotropy axes oriented at random. For the
latter case a simple approximate formula is derived too, and its range of
validity assessed, so it could be used in modelization of experiments.Comment: 32 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to J.Phys.Condens.Matte
Beam Test of Silicon Strip Sensors for the ZEUS Micro Vertex Detector
For the HERA upgrade, the ZEUS experiment has designed and installed a high
precision Micro Vertex Detector (MVD) using single sided micro-strip sensors
with capacitive charge division. The sensors have a readout pitch of 120
microns, with five intermediate strips (20 micron strip pitch). An extensive
test program has been carried out at the DESY-II testbeam facility. In this
paper we describe the setup developed to test the ZEUS MVD sensors and the
results obtained on both irradiated and non-irradiated single sided micro-strip
detectors with rectangular and trapezoidal geometries. The performances of the
sensors coupled to the readout electronics (HELIX chip, version 2.2) have been
studied in detail, achieving a good description by a Monte Carlo simulation.
Measurements of the position resolution as a function of the angle of incidence
are presented, focusing in particular on the comparison between standard and
newly developed reconstruction algorithms.Comment: 41 pages, 21 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in NIM
Epidermal Growth Factor–PEG Functionalized PAMAM-Pentaethylenehexamine Dendron for Targeted Gene Delivery Produced by Click Chemistry
Aim of this study was the site-specific conjugation of an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain by click chemistry onto a poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendron, as a key step toward defined multifunctional carriers for targeted gene delivery. For this purpose, at first propargyl amine cored PAMAM dendrons with ester ends were synthesized. The chain terminal ester groups were then modified by oligoamines with different secondary amino densities. The oligoamine-modified PAMAM dendrons were well biocompatible, as demonstrated in cytotoxicity assays. Among the different oligoamine-modified dendrons, PAMAM-pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) dendron polyplexes displayed the best gene transfer ability. Conjugation of PAMAM-PEHA dendron with PEG spacer was conducted via click reaction, which was performed before amidation with PEHA. The resultant PEG-PAMAM-PEHA copolymer was then coupled with EGF ligand. pDNA transfections in HuH-7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells showed a 10-fold higher efficiency with the polyplexes containing conjugated EGF as compared to the ligand-free ones, demonstrating the concept of ligand targeting. Overall gene transfer efficiencies, however, were moderate, suggesting that additional measures for overcoming subsequent intracellular bottlenecks in delivery have to be taken
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