23,088 research outputs found
Ground state and constrained domain walls in Gd/Fe multilayers
The magnetic ground state of antiferromagnetically coupled Gd/Fe multilayers
and the evolution of in-plane domain walls is modelled with micromagnetics. The
twisted state is characterised by a rapid decrease of the interface angle with
increasing magnetic field. We found that for certain ratios M(Fe):M(Gd), the
twisted state is already present at low fields. However, the magnetic ground
state is not only determined by the ratio M(Fe):M(Gd) but also by the
thicknesses of the layers, that is the total moments of the layer. The
dependence of the magnetic ground state is explained by the amount of overlap
of the domain walls at the interface. Thicker layers suppress the Fe aligned
and the Gd aligned state in favour of the twisted state. Whereas ultrathin
layers exclude the twisted state, since wider domain walls can not form in
these ultrathin layers
Hints of theta_13>0 from global neutrino data analysis
Nailing down the unknown neutrino mixing angle theta_13 is one of the most
important goals in current lepton physics. In this context, we perform a global
analysis of neutrino oscillation data, focusing on theta_13, and including
recent results [Neutrino 2008, Proceedings of the XXIII International
Conference on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics, Christchurch, New Zealand,
2008 (unpublished)]. We discuss two converging hints of theta_13>0, each at the
level of ~1sigma: an older one coming from atmospheric neutrino data, and a
newer one coming from the combination of solar and long-baseline reactor
neutrino data. Their combination provides the global estimate sin^2(theta_13) =
0.016 +- 0.010 (1sigma), implying a preference for \theta_13>0 with
non-negligible statistical significance (~90% C.L.). We discuss possible
refinements of the experimental data analyses, which might sharpen such
intriguing indication.Comment: Minor changes in the text. Matches published version in PR
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Intraperitoneal photodynamic therapy causes a capillary-leak syndrome.
BackgroundIn patients undergoing intraperitoneal (IP) photodynamic therapy (PDT), the combination of aggressive surgical debulking and light therapy causes an apparent systemic capillary-leak syndrome that necessitates significant intensive care unit (ICU) management after surgery.MethodsFrom May 1997 to May 2001, 65 patients underwent surgical debulking and PDT as part of an ongoing phase II trial for disseminated IP cancer. Perioperative data were reviewed retrospectively, and statistical analyses were performed to determine whether any identifiable factors were associated with the need for mechanical ventilation for longer than 1 day and with the occurrence of postoperative complications.ResultsForty-three women and 22 men (mean age, 49 years) were treated. Operative time averaged 9.8 hours, and mean estimated blood loss was 1450 mL. The mean crystalloid requirement for the first 48 hours after surgery was 29.3 L, and 49 patients required blood products. Twenty-four patients were intubated for longer than 24 hours, with a mean of 8.3 days for those intubated longer than 1 day. The median ICU stay was 4 days. Overall, 110 complications developed in 45 (69%) of the 65 patients. Significant complications included 6 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, 28 patients with infectious complications, and 4 patients with anastomotic complications. Statistical analyses revealed that surgery-related factors were significantly associated with these complication outcomes.ConclusionsPatients who undergo surgical debulking and IP PDT develop a significant capillary-leak syndrome after surgery that necessitates massive volume resuscitation, careful ICU monitoring, and, frequently, prolonged ventilatory support
First-principles study of the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic absorber layer efficiency of Cu-based chalcogenides
Cu-based chalcogenides are promising materials for thin-film solar cells with
more than 20% measured cell efficiency. Using first-principles calculations
based on density functional theory, the optoelectronic properties of a group of
Cu-based chalcogenides Cu-II-IV-VI is studied. They are then screened
with the aim of identifying potential absorber materials for photovoltaic
applications. The spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency (SLME) introduced by
Yu and Zunger is used as a metric for the screening. After constructing the
current-voltage curve, the maximum spectroscopy dependent power conversion
efficiency is calculated from the maximum power output. The role of the nature
of the band gap, direct or indirect, and also of the absorptivity of the
studied materials on the maximum theoretical power conversion efficiency is
studied. Our results show that Cu-II-GeSe with II=Cd and Hg, and
Cu-II-SnS with II=Cd and Zn have a higher theoretical efficiency
compared to the materials currently used as absorber layer
The local atomic quasicrystal structure of the icosahedral Mg25Y11Zn64 alloy
A local and medium range atomic structure model for the face centred
icosahedral (fci) Mg25Y11Zn64 alloy has been established in a sphere of r = 27
A. The model was refined by least squares techniques using the atomic pair
distribution (PDF) function obtained from synchrotron powder diffraction. Three
hierarchies of the atomic arrangement can be found: (i) five types of local
coordination polyhedra for the single atoms, four of which are of Frank-Kasper
type. In turn, they (ii) form a three-shell (Bergman) cluster containing 104
atoms, which is condensed sharing its outer shell with its neighbouring
clusters and (iii) a cluster connecting scheme corresponding to a
three-dimensional tiling leaving space for few glue atoms. Inside adjacent
clusters, Y8-cubes are tilted with respect to each other and thus allow for
overall icosahedral symmetry. It is shown that the title compound is
essentially isomorphic to its holmium analogue. Therefore fci-Mg-Y-Zn can be
seen as the representative structure type for the other rare earth analogues
fci-Mg-Zn-RE (RE = Dy, Er, Ho, Tb) reported in the literature.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, 2 table
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