Role of pseudospin in quasiparticle interferences in epitaxial graphene probed by high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy

Pseudospin, an additional degree of freedom related to the honeycomb structure of graphene, is responsible of many of the outstanding electronic properties found in this material. This article provides a clear understanding of how such pseudospin impacts the quasiparticle interferences of monolayer (ML) and bilayer (BL) graphene measured by low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. We have used this technique to map, with very high energy and space resolution, the spatial modulations of the local density of states of ML and BL graphene epitaxialy grown on SiC(0001), in presence of native disorder. We perform a Fourier transform analysis of such modulations including wavevectors up to unit-vectors of the reciprocal lattice. Our data demonstrate that the quasiparticle interferences associated to some particular scattering processes are suppressed in ML graphene, but not in BL graphene. Most importantly, interferences with 2qF wavevector associated to intravalley backscattering are not measured in ML graphene, even on the images with highest resolution. In order to clarify the role of the pseudospin on the quasiparticle interferences, we use a simple model which nicely captures the main features observed on our data. The model unambiguously shows that graphene's pseudospin is responsible for such suppression of quasiparticle interferences features in ML graphene, in particular for those with 2qF wavevector. It also confirms scanning tunneling microscopy as a unique technique to probe the pseudospin in graphene samples in real space with nanometer precision. Finally, we show that such observations are robust with energy and obtain with great accuracy the dispersion of the \pi-bands for both ML and BL graphene in the vicinity of the Fermi level, extracting their main tight binding parameters

Family Relationships in Prediction of Ageing

This paper presents a study of the predictive value of family relationships from genealogies, and its impact on the delayed ageing. The study comprised adult population over 18 years of age of two urban family practices (N = 1700). The study sample included all patients (total = 581; 57.3% female, 42.7% male) having sought medical assistance of any kind in the period of three consecutive months. The study was performed in two stages. The selection of patients according to the results of the 25th and 75th percentiles of the memory component analysis was done in stage I. The comparison of life history and events across a genealogy in the groups of the 25th and 75th percentile memory deficit was done in stage II. The method used in stage I was a psychological test – Pictures of Object Test (POT) to test the memory deficit. In stage II, personal life histories and description of the genealogies were obtained by individuals’ associations expressed in the form of a free text which was then analyzed statistically (SPAD-T), and the results were correlated to data read on the developed genogram. The statistical text analysis of life-events recall and the correlation across a genealogy showed a difference in the patterns of family relationships across a genealogy in the two study groups, and their predictive value for prevention in family practice

Health Status as Geneologic Burden in Aging Process

Knowledge of modern molecular biology is leading to the idea that aging and diseases of the aged are two different entities. Healthy life is relatively limited by the specific number of chronic conditions which are present more in old age. Up to now the idea of aging as a process in relation to the individual, organ, tissue, cell or a molecule. There are only few studies on the influence of aging within a single family and even less of aging within several generations of the same family. Genealogic level is one way of getting into the process of family system and aging throughout time. The aim of the study was to determine the significance of genealogical burden with regard to the health status in examinees with different cognitive capabilities. The difference according to sex and age was not significant between the two groups. Health status of the examinees proband in both groups showed 34.4% healthy examinees in the group D and 65.3% in group G. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. The difference of health status of parents (II. generation) was statistically significant in both groups. Morbidity of diseases was not statistically significant. Most of the ancestors from the grandmothers and grandfathers (III generation) died. (group G–97.5%, group D–100%). Statistically significant difference is present among the diseases of the circulatory system and those of digestive system in this generation. Data on the ancestors of the IV. generation showed that all the relatives died in both groups. Conclusion: the health status of the examinees with higher impairment in the test of cognitive capabilities is worse and they come from the families with worse health status

Family Relationships in Prediction of Ageing

This paper presents a study of the predictive value of family relationships from genealogies, and its impact on the delayed ageing. The study comprised adult population over 18 years of age of two urban family practices (N = 1700). The study sample included all patients (total = 581; 57.3% female, 42.7% male) having sought medical assistance of any kind in the period of three consecutive months. The study was performed in two stages. The selection of patients according to the results of the 25th and 75th percentiles of the memory component analysis was done in stage I. The comparison of life history and events across a genealogy in the groups of the 25th and 75th percentile memory deficit was done in stage II. The method used in stage I was a psychological test – Pictures of Object Test (POT) to test the memory deficit. In stage II, personal life histories and description of the genealogies were obtained by individuals’ associations expressed in the form of a free text which was then analyzed statistically (SPAD-T), and the results were correlated to data read on the developed genogram. The statistical text analysis of life-events recall and the correlation across a genealogy showed a difference in the patterns of family relationships across a genealogy in the two study groups, and their predictive value for prevention in family practice

Single 3dd transition metal atoms on multi-layer graphene systems: electronic configurations, bonding mechanisms and role of the substrate

The electronic configurations of Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu adatoms on graphene and graphite have been studied by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and charge transfer multiplet theory. A delicate interplay between long-range interactions and local chemical bonding is found to influence the adatom equilibrium distance and magnetic moment. The results for Fe and Co are consistent with purely physisorbed species having, however, different 3$d$-shell occupancies on graphene and graphite ($d^{n+1}$ and $d^n$, respectively). On the other hand, for the late 3$d$ metals Ni and Cu a trend towards chemisorption is found, which strongly quenches the magnetic moment on both substrates.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Microsurgical Technique of Simultaneous Pancreas/Kidney Transplantation in the Rat: Clinical Experience and Review of the Literature

Background: For experimental basic research, standardized transplantation models reflecting technical and immunologic aspects are necessary. This article describes an experimental model of combined pancreas/kidney transplantation (PKTx) in detail. Materials and Methods: Donor rats underwent en bloc pancreatectomy and nephrectomy. Revascularization was performed using the aorta with the superior mesenteric artery and the inferior vena cava with the portal vein. Exocrine drainage of the pancreas took place over a segment of the duodenum which was transplanted side-to-side to the jejunum. The kidney vessels were transplanted end-to-side. The ureter was anastomosed by patch technique. Postoperatively, serum parameters were monitored daily. Biopsies for histopathology were taken on days 5, 8 and 12. Results: All 12 recipients survived the combined PKTx without serious surgical complications. One thrombosis of the portal vein led to organ failure. Blood glucose levels were normal by the 3rd postoperative day. The transplanted duodenal segment showed slight villous atrophy, and the kidneys were well perfused without vascular complications. The anastomosis between ureter and bladder was leakproof. Conclusions: Excellent graft function and survival rates can be achieved due to simplified operation technique and short operation time. It may thus have high clinical relevance to immunologic issues within the scope of basic research. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Calcium supplementation and risk of dementia in women with cerebrovascular disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether calcium supplementation is associated with the development of dementia in women after a 5-year follow-up. METHODS: This was a longitudinal population-based study. The sample was derived from the Prospective Population Study of Women and H70 Birth Cohort Study in Gothenburg, Sweden, and included 700 dementia-free women aged 70–92 years. At baseline in 2000–2001, and at follow-up in 2005–2006, the women underwent comprehensive neuropsychiatric and somatic examinations. A CT scan was performed in 447 participants at baseline. Information on the use and dosage of calcium supplements was collected. Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria. RESULTS: Women treated with calcium supplements (n = 98) were at a higher risk of developing dementia (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–4.37, p = 0.046) and the subtype stroke-related dementia (vascular dementia and mixed dementia) (OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.54–12.61, p = 0.006) than women not given supplementation (n = 602). In stratified analyses, calcium supplementation was associated with the development of dementia in groups with a history of stroke (OR 6.77, 95% CI 1.36–33.75, p = 0.020) or presence of white matter lesions (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.28–6.96, p = 0.011), but not in groups without these conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium supplementation may increase the risk of developing dementia in elderly women with cerebrovascular disease. Because our sample was relatively small and the study was observational, these findings need to be confirmed

Structural phase transitions of vortex matter in an optical lattice

We consider the vortex structure of a rapidly rotating trapped atomic Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of a co-rotating periodic optical lattice potential. We observe a rich variety of structural phases which reflect the interplay of the vortex-vortex and vortex-lattice interactions. The lattice structure is very sensitive to the ratio of vortices to pinning sites and we observe structural phase transitions and domain formation as this ratio is varied.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure