High temperature susceptibility in electron doped Ca1-xYxMnO3: Double Exchange vs Superexchange

We present a study of the magnetic properties of the electron doped manganites Ca1-xYxMnO3 (for 0<=x<=0.25) in the paramagnetic regime. For the less doped samples (x<=0.1) the magnetic susceptibility, c(T), follows a Curie-Weiss (CW) law only for T > 450 K and, below this temperature, c^-1(T) shows a ferrimagnetic-like curvature. We approached the discussion of these results in terms of a simple mean-field model where double exchange, approximated by a ferromagnetic Heisenberg-like interaction between Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions, competes with classical superexchange. For higher levels of doping (x>=0.15), the CW behaviour is observed down to the magnetic ordering temperature (Tmo) and a better description of c(T) was obtained by assuming full delocalization of the eg electrons. In order to explore the degree of delocalization as a function of T and x, we analyzed the problem through Montecarlo simulations. Within this picture we found that at high T the electrons doped are completely delocalized but, when Tmo is approached, they form magnetic polarons of large spin that cause the observed curvature in c^-1(T) for x<=0.1.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, Submitted to J. Physics: Condensed Matter (06/28/02

Quality of life in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients prior to and after pancreas and kidney transplantation in relation to organ function

Improvement of the quality of life in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with severe late complications is one of the main goals of pancreas and/or kidney grafting. To assess the influences of these treatment modalities on the different aspects of the quality of life a cross-sectional study in 157 patients was conducted. They were categorized into patients pre-transplant without dialysis (n=29; Group A), pre-transplant under dialysis (n=44; Group B), post-transplant with pancreas and kidney functioning (n=31; Group C), post-transplant with functioning kidney, but insulin therapy (n=29; Group D), post-transplant under dialysis and insulin therapy again (n=15; Group E) and patients after single pancreas transplantation and rejection, with good renal function, but insulin therapy (n=9; Group F). All patients answered a mailed, self-administered questionnaire (217 questions) consisting of a broad spectrum of rehabilitation criteria. The results indicate a better quality of life in Groups C and D as compared to the other groups. In general the scores are highest in C, but without any significant difference to D. Impressive significant differences between C or D and the other groups were found especially in their satisfaction with physical capacity, leisure-time activities or the overall quality of life. The satisfaction with the latter is highest in C (mean±SEM: 4.0±0.2 on a 1 to 5-rating scale; significantly different from A: 3.1±0.1, B: 2.7±0.2 and E: 2.6±0.3; p<0.01), followed by D (3.8±0.2; significantly different from B and E; p<0.01). Group F shows a mean of 3.1±0.4, which is not significantly different from C. The percentages of patients in each group, who are not working: A: 38 %, B: 64 %, C: 74 %, D: 66 %, E: 87 % and F: 78 % indicate that there is no marked improvement in the vocational situation after successful grafting

Sailing into a dilemma : an economic and legal analysis of an EU trading scheme for maritime emissions

On the basis of a joint economic and legal analysis, we evaluate the effects of a “regional” (European) emission trading scheme aiming at reducing emissions of international shipping. The focus lies on the question which share of emissions from maritime transport activities to and from the EU can and should be included in such a system. Our findings suggest that the attempt to implement an EU maritime ETS runs into a dilemma. It is not possible to design a system that achieves emission reductions in a cost efficient manner and is compatible with international law