411 research outputs found
Multiple double-exchange mechanism by Mn-doping in manganite compounds
Double-exchange mechanisms in REAEMnO manganites (where
RE is a trivalent rare-earth ion and AE is a divalent alkali-earth ion) relies
on the strong exchange interaction between two Mn and Mn ions
through interfiling oxygen 2p states. Nevertheless, the role of RE and AE ions
has ever been considered "silent" with respect to the DE conducting mechanisms.
Here we show that a new path for DE-mechanism is indeed possible by partially
replacing the RE-AE elements by Mn-ions, in La-deficient
LaMnO thin films. X-ray absorption spectroscopy demonstrated
the relevant presence of Mn ions, which is unambiguously proved to be
substituted at La-site by Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering. Mn is
proved to be directly correlated to the enhanced magneto-transport properties
because of an additional hopping mechanism trough interfiling Mn-ions,
theoretically confirmed by calculations within the effective single band model.
The very idea to use Mn both as a doping element and an ions
electronically involved in the conduction mechanism, has never been foreseen,
revealing a new phenomena in transport properties of manganites. More
important, such a strategy might be also pursed in other strongly correlated
materials.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
An “outside-in” and “inside-out” consideration of complement in the multiple sclerosis brain: lessons from development and neurodegenerative diseases
The last 15 years have seen an explosion of new findings on the role of complement, a major arm of the immune system, in the central nervous system (CNS) compartment including contributions to cell migration, elimination of synapse during development, aberrant synapse pruning in neurologic disorders, damage to nerve cells in autoimmune diseases, and traumatic injury. Activation of the complement system in multiple sclerosis (MS) is typically thought to occur as part of a primary (auto)immune response from the periphery (the outside) against CNS antigens (the inside). However, evidence of local complement production from CNS-resident cells, intracellular complement functions, and the more recently discovered role of early complement components in shaping synaptic circuits in the absence of inflammation opens up the possibility that complement-related sequelae may start and finish within the brain itself. In this review, the complement system will be introduced, followed by evidence that implicates complement in shaping the developing, adult, and normal aging CNS as well as its contribution to pathology in neurodegenerative conditions. Discussion of data supporting “outside-in” vs. “inside-out” roles of complement in MS will be presented, concluded by thoughts on potential approaches to therapies targeting specific elements of the complement system
Interference of Fano-Rashba conductance dips
We study the interference of two tunable Rashba regions in a quantum wire
with one propagating mode. The transmission dips (Fano-Rashba dips) of the two
regions either cross or anti cross depending on the distance between the two
regions. For large separations we find Fabry-P\'erot oscillations due to the
interference of forwards and backwards propagating modes. At small separations
overlapping evanescent modes play a prominent role, leading to an enhanced
transmission and destroying the conductance dip. Analytical expressions in
scattering-matrix theory are given and the relevance of the interference effect
in a device is discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 4 embedded figure
Physical capacity and match running performance in very young soccer players
Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze match running performance in relation to age and individual physical capacity in youth soccer players aged 8-10 years.
Methods. Physical capacity of 12 under-10 (U10) and 15 under-8 (U8) male players was assessed by counter movement jump (CMJ), 20 meter shuttle run (20m-SR) and 10, 20 and 30 meters (10m, 20m and 30m) sprint tests. Shuttle dribble test (SHD) and slalom dribble test (SLD) were also performed to evaluate technical ability. Time motion analyses by global positioning system (K-Gps 10Hz, K-Sport) were performed during 30 (200 observations) official matches (lasting three equal periods of 15-min).
Results. U10 vs U8 showed a better shuttle-running performance (1215\ub177 vs 872\ub178m, p<0.005), a lower sprint time on 20m (4.15\ub10.05 vs 4.38\ub10.07s, p<0.05) and 30m (5.72\ub10.06 vs 6.31\ub10.08s, p<0.0001) and a better technical ability (SDL: 10.7\ub10.2 vs 11.8\ub10.2, p<0.001; SHD: 22.3\ub10.3 vs 29.4\ub10.7s, p<0.0001). No differences were observed in CMJ and 10m. U10 covered higher total (3437\ub1137 vs 2348\ub1124m, p<0.0001) and high-intensity distance (1455\ub1104m vs 992\ub1116m, p<0.005) than U8. Distance covered at high-intensity in the third time was not significantly different from first and second time both for U10 and U8. A linear relationship (r2=0.74, p<0.0001) was observed between high-intensity distance and 20m-SR.
Conclusions. This is the first study characterizing the match running activity of very young soccer players. If confirmed in a larger population, these data could be used by coaches and support staff as starting point in the design of training programs
Infrared conductivity of a one-dimensional charge-ordered state: quantum lattice effects
The optical properties of the charge-ordering () phase of the
one-dimensional (1D) half-filled spinless Holstein model are derived at zero
temperature within a well-known variational approach improved including
second-order lattice fluctuations. Within the phase, the static lattice
distortions give rise to the optical interband gap, that broadens as the
strength of the electron-phonon () interaction increases. The lattice
fluctuation effects induce a long subgap tail in the infrared conductivity and
a wide band above the gap energy. The first term is due to the multi-phonon
emission by the charge carriers, the second to the interband transitions
accompanied by the multi-phonon scattering. The results show a good agreement
with experimental spectra.Comment: 5 figure
Conductance oscillations of a spin-orbit stripe with polarized contacts
We investigate the linear conductance of a stripe of spin-orbit interaction
in a 2D electron gas; that is, a 2D region of length along the transport
direction and infinite in the transverse one in which a spin-orbit interaction
of Rashba type is present. Polarization in the contacts is described by means
of Zeeman fields. Our model predicts two types of conductance oscillations:
Ramsauer oscillations in the minority spin transmission, when both spins can
propagate, and Fano oscillations when only one spin propagates. The latter are
due to the spin-orbit coupling with quasibound states of the non propagating
spin. In the case of polarized contacts in antiparallel configuration Fano-like
oscillations of the conductance are still made possible by the spin orbit
coupling, even though no spin component is bound by the contacts. To describe
these behaviors we propose a simplified model based on an ansatz wave function.
In general, we find that the contribution for vanishing transverse momentum
dominates and defines the conductance oscillations. Regarding the oscillations
with Rashba coupling intensity, our model confirms the spin transistor
behavior, but only for high degrees of polarization. Including a position
dependent effective mass yields additional oscillations due to the mass jumps
at the interfaces.Comment: 8.5 pages, 9 figure
Enamel matrix derivative and bone grafts for periodontal regeneration of intrabony defects. A systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the clinical efficacy of regenerative periodontal surgery of intrabony defects using a combination of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and bone graft compared with that of EMD alone.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Cochrane Oral Health Group specialist trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched for entries up to February 2014. The primary outcome was gain of clinical attachment (CAL). Weighted means and forest plots were calculated for CAL gain, probing depth (PD), and gingival recession (REC).
RESULTS
Twelve studies reporting on 434 patients and 548 intrabony defects were selected for the analysis. Mean CAL gain amounted to 3.76 ± 1.07 mm (median 3.63 95 % CI 3.51-3.75) following treatment with a combination of EMD and bone graft and to 3.32 ± 1.04 mm (median 3.40; 95 % CI 3.28-3.52) following treatment with EMD alone. Mean PD reduction measured 4.22 ± 1.20 mm (median 4.10; 95 % CI 3.96-4.24) at sites treated with EMD and bone graft and yielded 4.12 ± 1.07 mm (median 4.00; 95 % CI 3.88-4.12) at sites treated with EMD alone. Mean REC increase amounted to 0.76 ± 0.42 mm (median 0.63; 95 % CI 0.58-0.68) at sites treated with EMD and bone graft and to 0.91 ± 0.26 mm (median 0.90; 95 % CI 0.87-0.93) at sites treated with EMD alone.
CONCLUSIONS
Within their limits, the present results indicate that the combination of EMD and bone grafts may result in additional clinical improvements in terms of CAL gain and PD reduction compared with those obtained with EMD alone. The potential influence of the chosen graft material or of the surgical procedure (i.e., flap design) on the clinical outcomes is unclear.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The present findings support the use of EMD and bone grafts for the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects
Platelet Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Personal Experience and Review of the Literature
Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of synthetic drugs commonly used to treat bone metastasis and various bone diseases that cause osseous fragility (such as osteoporosis). Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a common complication in patients who received BPs, especially intravenously. Recently, osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) caused by chemotherapeutic not belonging to BPs drug class has been reported. For this reason, it has been proposed recently to rename BRONJ in antiresorptive agents related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ), to include a wider spectrum of drugs that may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. The most debated topic about ARONJ/BRONJ is therapy. The most adequate procedure is far from being standardized and prevention seems to play a pivotal role. In our study, we considered 72 patients with BRONJ with nonsurgical therapy, surgical therapy, and surgical therapy with platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel to evaluate its therapeutic effect in promoting ONJ wounds healing. Good results showed by PRP in improving wound healing give away to case-control randomized studies that could give definitive evidence of its effectiveness
- …