Ferrimagnetism in sputtered MnxCoGe thin films

Investigations into the magnetic properties of sputtered MnxCoGe films in the range 0.8 <= x <= 2.5 uncovered ferrimagnetic order, unlike the ferromagnetic order reported in bulk samples. These films formed hexagonal Ni2In-type structures in all measured compositions. While the Curie temperatures of the films are comparable to those of hexagonal bulk MnCoGe, here is a reduction in the magnetization of the MnxCoGe film relative to bulk MnCoGe, and a magnetization compensation point is observed in the x < 1 samples. To understand the behavior, we calculated the magnetic moments of Mn-antisite defects in MnCoGe with density-function theory calculations. Models constructed from the calculation suggest that films become ferrimagnetic due to the presence of Mn on the Co and Ge sites. In the x < 1 samples, these defects arose from the disorder in the films, whereas for x > 1, the excess Mn was driven onto the antisites and produced ferrimagnetic order.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Reproducibility of systematic literature reviews on food, nutrition, physical activity and endometrial cancer.

Objective: Despite the increasing dependence on systematic reviews to summarise the literatuer and to issue public health recommendations, the formal assessment of the reliability of conclusions emerging from systematic reviews has received little attention. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate whether two independent centres, in two continents, draw similar conclusions regarding the association of food, nutrtition and physical activity and endometrial cancer, when provided with the same general instructions and with similar resources. Design: The assessment of reproducibility concentrated on four main areas: (1) paper search and selection; (2) assignment of study design; (3) inclusion of 'key' papers; and (4) individual studies selected for meta-analysis and the summary risk estimate obtained. Results: In total 310 relevant papers were identified, 166 (54%) were included by both centres. Of the remaining 144 papers, 72 (50%) were retrieved in the searches of one centre and not the other (54 in centre A, 18 in centre B) and 72 were retrieved in both searches but regarded as relevant by only one of the centres (52 in centre A, 20 in centre B). Of papers included by both centres, 80% were allocated the same study desing. Agreement for inclusion of cohort-type and case-control studies was about 63% compared with 50% or less for ecological and case series studies. The agreement for inclusion of 138 'key' papers was 87%. Summary risk estimates from meta-analyses were similar. Conclusions: Transparency of process and explicit detailed procedures are necessary parts of a systematic review and crucial for the reader to interpret its finding