5,150 research outputs found
A skyrmion-based spin-torque nano-oscillator
A model for a spin-torque nano-oscillator based on the self-sustained
oscillation of a magnetic skyrmion is presented. The system involves a circular
nanopillar geometry comprising an ultrathin film free magnetic layer with a
strong Dzyaloshinkii-Moriya interaction and a polariser layer with a
vortex-like spin configuration. It is shown that spin-transfer torques due to
current flow perpendicular to the film plane leads to skyrmion gyration that
arises from a competition between geometric confinement due to boundary edges
and the vortex-like polarisation of the spin torques. A phenomenology for such
oscillations is developed and quantitative analysis using micromagnetics
simulations is presented. It is also shown that weak disorder due to random
anisotropy variations does not influence the main characteristics of the
steady-state gyration.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure
New version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-CAT): translation, cultural adaptation to Brazil and analyses of psychometric properties
BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT), developed with innovative measurement methodologies, evaluates functioning of children and youth, from 0 to 21 years, with different health conditions. It is a revision of an earlier instrument (PEDI) that has been used in national and international clinical practice and research. It was felt to be necessary to make this new version (PEDI-CAT) available in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: Translate and culturally adapt the PEDI-CAT to the Brazilian-Portuguese language and test its psychometric properties. METHOD: This methodological study was developed through the following stages: (1) translation, (2) synthesis, (3) back-translation, (4) revision by an expert committee, (5) testing of the pre-final version, and (6) evaluation of the psychometric properties. The 276 translated PEDI-CAT items were divided into three age groups (0-7, 8-14, and 15-21 years). RESULTS: The PEDI-CAT translation followed all six stages. The adaptations incorporated cultural and socioeconomic class specificities. The PEDI-CAT/Brazil showed good indices of inter-examiner (intraclass correlation coefficient-ICC=0.83-0.89) and test-retest (ICC=0.96-0.97) reliability, good internal consistency (0.99) and small standard error of measurement in all three age groups (0.12-0.17). Factor analyses grouped the items from the three functional skills domains into one factor, and items from the responsibility scale into three factors, supporting the adequacy of these factor solutions to the conceptual structure of the instrument and the developmental model. CONCLUSION: The PEDI-CAT/Brazil is a theoretically consistent, culturally appropriate, and reliable instrument. Its availability in Brazil will contribute to the evaluation and measurement of functional outcomes from clinical interventions, longitudinal follow-up, and rehabilitation research
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