85 research outputs found
MCViNE -- An object oriented Monte Carlo neutron ray tracing simulation package
MCViNE (Monte-Carlo VIrtual Neutron Experiment) is a versatile Monte Carlo
(MC) neutron ray-tracing program that provides researchers with tools for
performing computer modeling and simulations that mirror real neutron
scattering experiments. By adopting modern software engineering practices such
as using composite and visitor design patterns for representing and accessing
neutron scatterers, and using recursive algorithms for multiple scattering,
MCViNE is flexible enough to handle sophisticated neutron scattering problems
including, for example, neutron detection by complex detector systems, and
single and multiple scattering events in a variety of samples and sample
environments. In addition, MCViNE can take advantage of simulation components
in linear-chain-based MC ray tracing packages widely used in instrument design
and optimization, as well as NumPy-based components that make prototypes useful
and easy to develop. These developments have enabled us to carry out detailed
simulations of neutron scattering experiments with non-trivial samples in
time-of-flight inelastic instruments at the Spallation Neutron Source. Examples
of such simulations for powder and single-crystal samples with various
scattering kernels, including kernels for phonon and magnon scattering, are
presented. With simulations that closely reproduce experimental results,
scattering mechanisms can be turned on and off to determine how they contribute
to the measured scattering intensities, improving our understanding of the
underlying physics.Comment: 34 pages, 14 figure
Lattice dynamics reveals a local symmetry breaking in the emergent dipole phase of PbTe
Local symmetry breaking in complex materials is emerging as an important
contributor to materials properties but is inherently difficult to study. Here
we follow up an earlier structural observation of such a local symmetry broken
phase in the technologically important compound PbTe with a study of the
lattice dynamics using inelastic neutron scattering (INS). We show that the
lattice dynamics are responsive to the local symmetry broken phase, giving key
insights in the behavior of PbTe, but also revealing INS as a powerful tool for
studying local structure. The new result is the observation of the unexpected
appearance on warming of a new zone center phonon branch in PbTe. In a harmonic
solid the number of phonon branches is strictly determined by the contents and
symmetry of the unit cell. The appearance of the new mode indicates a crossover
to a dynamic lower symmetry structure with increasing temperature. No
structural transition is seen crystallographically but the appearance of the
new mode in inelastic neutron scattering coincides with the observation of
local Pb off-centering dipoles observed in the local structure. The observation
resembles relaxor ferroelectricity but since there are no inhomogeneous dopants
in pure PbTe this anomalous behavior is an intrinsic response of the system. We
call such an appearance of dipoles out of a non-dipolar ground-state
"emphanisis" meaning the appearance out of nothing. It cannot be explained
within the framework of conventional phase transition theories such as
soft-mode theory and challenges our basic understanding of the physics of
materials
Phonon Lifetime Investigation of Anharmonicity and Thermal Conductivity of UO₂ by Neutron Scattering and Theory
Inelastic neutron scattering measurements of individual phonon lifetimes and dispersion at 295 and 1200 K have been used to probe anharmonicity and thermal conductivity in UO2. They show that longitudinal optic phonon modes carry the largest amount of heat, in contrast to past simulations and that the total conductivity demonstrates a quantitative correspondence between microscopic and macroscopic phonon physics. We have further performed first-principles simulations for UO2 showing semiquantitative agreement with phonon lifetimes at 295 K, but larger anharmonicity than measured at 1200 K
Spin-dynamics of the low-dimensional magnet (CH3)2NH2CuCl3
Dimethylammonium copper (II) chloride (also known as DMACuCl3 or MCCL) is a
low dimensional S=1/2 quantum spin system proposed to be an alternating
ferro-antiferromagnetic chain with similar magnitude ferromagnetic (FM) and
antiferromagnetic (AFM) exchange interactions. Subsequently, it was shown that
the existing bulk measurements could be adequately modeled by considering
DMACuCl3 as independent AFM and FM dimer spin pairs. We present here new
inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the spin-excitations in single
crystals of DMACuCl3. These results show significant quasi-one-dimensional
coupling, however the magnetic excitations do not propagate along the expected
direction. We observe a band of excitations with a gap of 0.95 meV and a
bandwidth of 0.82 meV.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures included in text, submitted to proceedings of
International Conference on Neutron Scattering, December 200
Frustration-induced diffusive scattering anomaly and dimension change in
Magnetic frustration, arising from the competition of exchange interactions,
has received great attention because of its relevance to exotic quantum
phenomena in materials. In the current work, we report an unusual
checkerboard-shaped scattering anomaly in , far from the known
incommensurate magnetic satellite peaks, for the first time by inelastic
neutron scattering. More surprisingly, such phenomenon appears as spin dynamics
at low temperature, but it becomes prominent above N\'eel transition as elastic
scattering. A new model Hamiltonian that includes an intraplane next-nearest
neighbor was proposed and attributes such anomaly to the near-perfect magnetic
frustration and the emergence of unexpected two-dimensional magnetic order in
the quasi-one-dimensional .Comment: 24 pages, 10 figure
Early results and lessons learned from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of bone marrow aspirate concentrate in critical limb ischemia
ObjectivesDespite advances in endovascular therapies, critical limb ischemia (CLI) continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Patients without direct revascularization options have the worst outcomes. We sought to explore the feasibility of conducting a definitive trial of a bone marrow-derived cellular therapy for CLI in this “no option” population.MethodsA pilot, multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for “no option” CLI patients was performed. The therapy consisted of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), prepared using a point of service centrifugation technique and injected percutaneously in 40 injections to the affected limb. Patients were randomized to BMAC or sham injections (dilute blood). We are reporting the 12-week data.ResultsForty-eight patients were enrolled. The mean age was 69.5 years (range, 42-93 years). Males predominated (68%). Diabetes was present in 50%. Tissue loss (Rutherford 5) was present in 30 patients (62.5%), and 18 (37.5%) had rest pain without tissue loss (Rutherford 4). Patients were deemed unsuitable for conventional revascularization based on multiple prior failed revascularization efforts (24 [50%]), poor distal targets (43 [89.6%]), and medical risk (six [12.5%]). Thirty-four patients were treated with BMAC and 14 with sham injections. There were no adverse events attributed to the injections. Renal function was not affected. Effective blinding was confirmed; blinding index of 61% to 85%. Subjective and objective outcome measures were effectively obtained with the exception of treadmill walking times, which could only be obtained at baseline and follow-up in 15 of 48 subjects. This pilot study was not powered to demonstrate statistical significance but did demonstrate favorable trends for BMAC versus control in major amputations (17.6% vs 28.6%), improved pain (44% vs 25%), improved ankle brachial index (ABI; 32.4% vs 7.1%), improved Rutherford classification (35.3% vs 14.3%), and quality-of-life scoring better for BMAC in six of eight domains.ConclusionsIn this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of autologous bone marrow cell therapy for CLI, the therapy was well tolerated without significant adverse events. The BMAC group demonstrated trends toward improvement in amputation, pain, quality of life, Rutherford classification, and ABI when compared with controls. This pilot allowed us to identify several areas for improvement for future trials and CLI studies. These recommendations include elimination of treadmill testing, stratification by Rutherford class, and more liberal inclusion of patients with renal insufficiency. Our strongest recommendation is that CLI studies that include Rutherford 4 patients should incorporate a composite endpoint reflecting pain and quality of life
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