504 research outputs found
Resonant X-Ray Scattering on the M-Edge Spectra from Triple-k Structure Phase in U_{0.75}Np_{0.25}O_{2} and UO_{2}
We derive an expression for the scattering amplitude of resonant x-ray
scattering under the assumption that the Hamiltonian describing the
intermediate state preserves spherical symmetry. On the basis of this
expression, we demonstrate that the energy profile of the RXS spectra expected
near U and Np M_4 edges from the triple-k antiferromagnetic ordering phase in
UO_{2} and U_{0.75}Np_{0.25}O_{2} agree well with those from the experiments.
We demonstrate that the spectra in the \sigma-\sigma' and \sigma-\pi' channels
exhibit quadrupole and dipole natures, respectively.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. Supp
An x-ray resonant diffraction study of multiferroic DyMn2O5
X-ray resonant scattering has been used to measure the magnetic order of the
Dy ions below 40K in multiferroic DyMnO. The magnetic order has a
complex behaviour. There are several different ordering wavevectors, both
incommensurate and commensurate, as the temperature is varied. In addition a
non-magnetic signal at twice the wavevector of one of the commensurate signals
is observed, the maximum intensity of which occurs at the same temperature as a
local maximum in the ferroelectric polarisation. Some of the results, which
bear resemblence to the behaviour of other members of the RMnO
family of multiferroic materials, may be explained by a theory based on
so-called acentric spin-density waves.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Satellite holmium M-edge spectra from the magnetic phase via resonant x-ray scattering
Developing an expression of resonant x-ray scattering (RXS) amplitude which
is convenient for investigating the contributions from the higher rank tensor
on the basis of a localized electron picture, we analyze the RXS spectra from
the magnetic phases of Ho near the absorption edges. At the
edge in the uniform helical phase, the calculated spectra of the absorption
coefficient, the RXS intensities at the first and second satellite spots
capture the properties the experimental data possess, such as the spectral
shapes and the peak positions. This demonstrates the plausibility of the
adoption of the localized picture in this material and the effectiveness of the
spectral shape analysis. The latter point is markedly valuable since the
azimuthal angle dependence, which is one of the most useful informations RXS
can provides, is lacking in the experimental conditions. Then, by focusing on
the temperature dependence of the spectral shape at the second satellite spot,
we expect that the spectrum is the contribution of the pure rank two profile in
the uniform helical and the conical phases while that is dominated by the rank
one profile in the intermediate temperature phase, so-called spin slip phase.
The change of the spectral shape as a function of temperature indicates a
direct evidence of the change of magnetic structures undergoing. Furthermore,
we predict that the intensity, which is the same order observed at the second
satellite spot, is expected at the fourth satellite spot from the conical phase
in the electric dipolar transition.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure
X-ray Resonant Scattering Study of the Order Parameters in Multiferroic TbMnO
We report on an extensive investigation of the multiferroic compound
TbMnO. Non-resonant x-ray magnetic scattering (NRXMS) revealed a dominant
-type domain. The temperature dependence of the intensity and wavevector
associated with the incommensurate magnetic order was found to be in good
agreement with neutron scattering data. XRS experiments were performed in the
vicinity of the Mn and Tb edges in the high-temperature collinear
phase, the intermediate temperature cycloidal/ferroelectric phase, and the
low-temperature phase. In the collinear phase resonant satellites were
found at the Mn edge associated with -type but also -type peaks. The
azimuthal dependence of the -type satellites (and their absence in the NRXMS
experiments) indicates that they are most likely non-magnetic in origin. We
suggest instead that they may be associated with an induced charge multipole.
At the Tb edge resonant - and -type satellites () were
observed in the collinear phase. These we attribute to a polarisation of the Tb
5 states by the ordering of the Mn sublattice. In the
cycloidal/ferroelectric phase a new set of resonant satellites appear
corresponding to -type order. These appear at the Tb edge only. In
addition to a dominant component in the channel, a
weaker component is found in the pre-edge with
polarization. Calculations of the XRS were performed using the code
showing that the unrotated component of the Tb
-type peaks appearing in the ferroelectric phase contains a contribution
from a multipole that is odd with respect to both space and time, known in
various contexts as the anapole.Comment: Phys. Rev. B (In press
Multipole Ordering and Fluctuations in f-Electron Systems
We investigate effects of multipole moments in f-electron systems both from
phenomenological and microscopic viewpoints. First, we discuss significant
effects of octupole moment on the magnetic susceptibility in a paramagnetic
phase. It is found that even within mean-field approximation, the magnetic
susceptibility deviates from the Curie-Weiss law due to interactions between
dipole and octupole moments. Next, we proceed to a microscopic theory for
multipole ordering on the basis of a j-j coupling scheme. After brief
explanation of a method to derive multipole interactions from the -electron
model, we discuss several multipole ordered phases depending on lattice
structure. Finally, we show our new development of the microscopic approach to
the evaluation of multipole response functions. We apply fluctuation exchange
approximation to the f-electron model, and evaluate multipole response
functions.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Proceedings of ASR-WYP-200
Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for very preterm infants: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Background
Infections acquired in hospital are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in very preterm infants. Several small trials have suggested that supplementing the enteral diet of very preterm infants with lactoferrin, an antimicrobial protein processed from cow's milk, prevents infections and associated complications. The aim of this large randomised controlled trial was to collect data to enhance the validity and applicability of the evidence from previous trials to inform practice.
Methods
In this randomised placebo-controlled trial, we recruited very preterm infants born before 32 weeks' gestation in 37 UK hospitals and younger than 72 h at randomisation. Exclusion criteria were presence of a severe congenital anomaly, anticipated enteral fasting for longer than 14 days, or no realistic prospect of survival. Eligible infants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either enteral bovine lactoferrin (150 mg/kg per day; maximum 300 mg/day; lactoferrin group) or sucrose (same dose; control group) once daily until 34 weeks' postmenstrual age. Web-based randomisation minimised for recruitment site, gestation (completed weeks), sex, and single versus multifetal pregnancy. Parents, caregivers, and outcome assessors were unaware of group assignment. The primary outcome was microbiologically confirmed or clinically suspected late-onset infection (occurring >72 h after birth), which was assessed in all participants for whom primary outcome data was available by calculating the relative risk ratio with 95% CI between the two groups. The trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number 88261002.
Findings
We recruited 2203 participants between May 7, 2014, and Sept 28, 2017, of whom 1099 were assigned to the lactoferrin group and 1104 to the control group. Four infants had consent withdrawn or unconfirmed, leaving 1098 infants in the lactoferrin group and 1101 in the sucrose group. Primary outcome data for 2182 infants (1093 [99·5%] of 1098 in the lactoferrin group and 1089 [99·0] of 1101 in the control group) were available for inclusion in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. 316 (29%) of 1093 infants in the intervention group acquired a late-onset infection versus 334 (31%) of 1089 in the control group. The risk ratio adjusted for minimisation factors was 0·95 (95% CI 0·86–1·04; p=0·233). During the trial there were 16 serious adverse events for infants in the lactoferrin group and 10 for infants in the control group. Two events in the lactoferrin group (one case of blood in stool and one death after intestinal perforation) were assessed as being possibly related to the trial intervention.
Interpretation
Enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin does not reduce the risk of late-onset infection in very preterm infants. These data do not support its routine use to prevent late-onset infection and associated morbidity or mortality in very preterm infants.
Funding
UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme (10/57/49)
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Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for very preterm infants: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Background
Infections acquired in hospital are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in very preterm infants. Several small trials have suggested that supplementing the enteral diet of very preterm infants with lactoferrin, an antimicrobial protein processed from cow's milk, prevents infections and associated complications. The aim of this large randomised controlled trial was to collect data to enhance the validity and applicability of the evidence from previous trials to inform practice.
Methods
In this randomised placebo-controlled trial, we recruited very preterm infants born before 32 weeks' gestation in 37 UK hospitals and younger than 72 h at randomisation. Exclusion criteria were presence of a severe congenital anomaly, anticipated enteral fasting for longer than 14 days, or no realistic prospect of survival. Eligible infants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either enteral bovine lactoferrin (150 mg/kg per day; maximum 300 mg/day; lactoferrin group) or sucrose (same dose; control group) once daily until 34 weeks' postmenstrual age. Web-based randomisation minimised for recruitment site, gestation (completed weeks), sex, and single versus multifetal pregnancy. Parents, caregivers, and outcome assessors were unaware of group assignment. The primary outcome was microbiologically confirmed or clinically suspected late-onset infection (occurring >72 h after birth), which was assessed in all participants for whom primary outcome data was available by calculating the relative risk ratio with 95% CI between the two groups. The trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number 88261002.
Findings
We recruited 2203 participants between May 7, 2014, and Sept 28, 2017, of whom 1099 were assigned to the lactoferrin group and 1104 to the control group. Four infants had consent withdrawn or unconfirmed, leaving 1098 infants in the lactoferrin group and 1101 in the sucrose group. Primary outcome data for 2182 infants (1093 [99·5%] of 1098 in the lactoferrin group and 1089 [99·0] of 1101 in the control group) were available for inclusion in the modified intention-to-treat analyses. 316 (29%) of 1093 infants in the intervention group acquired a late-onset infection versus 334 (31%) of 1089 in the control group. The risk ratio adjusted for minimisation factors was 0·95 (95% CI 0·86–1·04; p=0·233). During the trial there were 16 serious adverse events for infants in the lactoferrin group and 10 for infants in the control group. Two events in the lactoferrin group (one case of blood in stool and one death after intestinal perforation) were assessed as being possibly related to the trial intervention.
Interpretation
Enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin does not reduce the risk of late-onset infection in very preterm infants. These data do not support its routine use to prevent late-onset infection and associated morbidity or mortality in very preterm infants.
Funding
UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme (10/57/49)
Boundary spanning at the science–policy interface: the practitioners’ perspectives
Cultivating a more dynamic relationship between science and policy is essential for responding to complex social challenges such as sustainability. One approach to doing so is to “span the boundaries” between science and decision making and create a more comprehensive and inclusive knowledge exchange process. The exact definition and role of boundary spanning, however, can be nebulous. Indeed, boundary spanning often gets conflated and confused with other approaches to connecting science and policy, such as science communication, applied science, and advocacy, which can hinder progress in the field of boundary spanning. To help overcome this, in this perspective, we present the outcomes from a recent workshop of boundary-spanning practitioners gathered to (1) articulate a definition of what it means to work at this interface (“boundary spanning”) and the types of activities it encompasses; (2) present a value proposition of these efforts to build better relationships between science and policy; and (3) identify opportunities to more effectively mainstream boundary-spanning activities. Drawing on our collective experiences, we suggest that boundary spanning has the potential to increase the efficiency by which useful research is produced, foster the capacity to absorb new evidence and perspectives into sustainability decision-making, enhance research relevance for societal challenges, and open new policy windows. We provide examples from our work that illustrate this potential. By offering these propositions for the value of boundary spanning, we hope to encourage a more robust discussion of how to achieve evidence-informed decision-making for sustainability
A primary care, multi-disciplinary disease management program for opioid-treated patients with chronic non-cancer pain and a high burden of psychiatric comorbidity
BACKGROUND: Chronic non-cancer pain is a common problem that is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidity and disability. The effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary pain management program was tested in a 3 month before and after trial. METHODS: Providers in an academic general medicine clinic referred patients with chronic non-cancer pain for participation in a program that combined the skills of internists, clinical pharmacists, and a psychiatrist. Patients were either receiving opioids or being considered for opioid therapy. The intervention consisted of structured clinical assessments, monthly follow-up, pain contracts, medication titration, and psychiatric consultation. Pain, mood, and function were assessed at baseline and 3 months using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale scale (CESD) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI). Patients were monitored for substance misuse. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were enrolled. Mean age was 51 years, 60% were male, 78% were Caucasian, and 93% were receiving opioids. Baseline average pain was 6.5 on an 11 point scale. The average CESD score was 24.0, and the mean PDI score was 47.0. Sixty-three patients (73%) completed 3 month follow-up. Fifteen withdrew from the program after identification of substance misuse. Among those completing 3 month follow-up, the average pain score improved to 5.5 (p = 0.003). The mean PDI score improved to 39.3 (p < 0.001). Mean CESD score was reduced to 18.0 (p < 0.001), and the proportion of depressed patients fell from 79% to 54% (p = 0.003). Substance misuse was identified in 27 patients (32%). CONCLUSIONS: A primary care disease management program improved pain, depression, and disability scores over three months in a cohort of opioid-treated patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Substance misuse and depression were common, and many patients who had substance misuse identified left the program when they were no longer prescribed opioids. Effective care of patients with chronic pain should include rigorous assessment and treatment of these comorbid disorders and intensive efforts to insure follow up
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