422 research outputs found
Contrast Mechanisms for the Detection of Ferroelectric Domains with Scanning Force Microscopy
We present a full analysis of the contrast mechanisms for the detection of
ferroelectric domains on all faces of bulk single crystals using scanning force
microscopy exemplified on hexagonally poled lithium niobate. The domain
contrast can be attributed to three different mechanisms: i) the thickness
change of the sample due to an out-of-plane piezoelectric response (standard
piezoresponse force microscopy), ii) the lateral displacement of the sample
surface due to an in-plane piezoresponse, and iii) the electrostatic tip-sample
interaction at the domain boundaries caused by surface charges on the
crystallographic y- and z-faces. A careful analysis of the movement of the
cantilever with respect to its orientation relative to the crystallographic
axes of the sample allows a clear attribution of the observed domain contrast
to the driving forces respectively.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Impact of elasticity on the piezoresponse of adjacent ferroelectric domains investigated by scanning force microscopy
As a consequence of elasticity, mechanical deformations of crystals occur on
a length scale comparable to their thickness. This is exemplified by applying a
homogeneous electric field to a multi-domain ferroelectric crystal: as one
domain is expanding the adjacent ones are contracting, leading to clamping at
the domain boundaries. The piezomechanically driven surface corrugation of
micron-sized domain patterns in thick crystals using large-area top electrodes
is thus drastically suppressed, barely accessible by means of piezoresponse
force microscopy
Critical Casimir effect in classical binary liquid mixtures
If a fluctuating medium is confined, the ensuing perturbation of its
fluctuation spectrum generates Casimir-like effective forces acting on its
confining surfaces. Near a continuous phase transition of such a medium the
corresponding order parameter fluctuations occur on all length scales and
therefore close to the critical point this effect acquires a universal
character, i.e., to a large extent it is independent of the microscopic details
of the actual system. Accordingly it can be calculated theoretically by
studying suitable representative model systems.
We report on the direct measurement of critical Casimir forces by total
internal reflection microscopy (TIRM), with femto-Newton resolution. The
corresponding potentials are determined for individual colloidal particles
floating above a substrate under the action of the critical thermal noise in
the solvent medium, constituted by a binary liquid mixture of water and
2,6-lutidine near its lower consolute point. Depending on the relative
adsorption preferences of the colloid and substrate surfaces with respect to
the two components of the binary liquid mixture, we observe that, upon
approaching the critical point of the solvent, attractive or repulsive forces
emerge and supersede those prevailing away from it. Based on the knowledge of
the critical Casimir forces acting in film geometries within the Ising
universality class and with equal or opposing boundary conditions, we provide
the corresponding theoretical predictions for the sphere-planar wall geometry
of the experiment. The experimental data for the effective potential can be
interpreted consistently in terms of these predictions and a remarkable
quantitative agreement is observed.Comment: 30 pages, 17 figure
Impact of the tip radius on the lateral resolution in piezoresponse force microscopy
We present a quantitative investigation of the impact of tip radius as well
as sample type and thickness on the lateral resolution in piezoresponse force
microscopy (PFM) investigating bulk single crystals. The observed linear
dependence of the width of the domain wall on the tip radius as well as the
independence of the lateral resolution on the specific crystal-type are
validated by a simple theoretical model. Using a Ti-Pt-coated tip with a
nominal radius of 15 nm the so far highest lateral resolution in bulk crystals
of only 17 nm was obtained
Collective magnetism at multiferroic vortex domain walls
Topological defects have been playgrounds for many emergent phenomena in
complex matter such as superfluids, liquid crystals, and early universe.
Recently, vortex-like topological defects with six interlocked structural
antiphase and ferroelectric domains merging into a vortex core were revealed in
multiferroic hexagonal manganites. Numerous vortices are found to form an
intriguing self-organized network. Thus, it is imperative to find out the
magnetic nature of these vortices. Using cryogenic magnetic force microscopy,
we discovered unprecedented alternating net moments at domain walls around
vortices that can correlate over the entire vortex network in hexagonal ErMnO3
The collective nature of domain wall magnetism originates from the
uncompensated Er3+ moments and the correlated organization of the vortex
network. Furthermore, our proposed model indicates a fascinating phenomenon of
field-controllable spin chirality. Our results demonstrate a new route to
achieving magnetoelectric coupling at domain walls in single-phase
multiferroics, which may be harnessed for nanoscale multifunctional devices.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figure
The PROGRAM study: awake mapping versus asleep mapping versus no mapping for high-grade glioma resections: study protocol for an international multicenter prospective three-arm cohort study.
INTRODUCTION
The main surgical dilemma during glioma resections is the surgeon's inability to accurately identify eloquent areas when the patient is under general anaesthesia without mapping techniques. Intraoperative stimulation mapping (ISM) techniques can be used to maximise extent of resection in eloquent areas yet simultaneously minimise the risk of postoperative neurological deficits. ISM has been widely implemented for low-grade glioma resections backed with ample scientific evidence, but this is not yet the case for high-grade glioma (HGG) resections. Therefore, ISM could thus be of important value in HGG surgery to improve both surgical and clinical outcomes.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This study is an international, multicenter, prospective three-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be operated with awake mapping, asleep mapping or no mapping with a 1:1:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are: (1) proportion of patients with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery and (2) residual tumour volume of the contrast-enhancing and non-contrast-enhancing part as assessed by a neuroradiologist on postoperative contrast MRI scans. Secondary endpoints are: (1) overall survival and (2) progression-free survival at 12 months after surgery; (3) oncofunctional outcome and (4) frequency and severity of serious adverse events in each arm. Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee (METC Zuid-West Holland/Erasmus Medical Center; MEC-2020-0812). The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and disseminated to patient organisations and media.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov ID number NCT04708171 (PROGRAM-study), NCT03861299 (SAFE-trial)
SUPRAMAX-study:supramaximal resection versus maximal resection for glioblastoma patients: study protocol for an international multicentre prospective cohort study (ENCRAM 2201)
INTRODUCTION: A greater extent of resection of the contrast-enhancing (CE) tumour part has been associated with improved outcomes in glioblastoma. Recent results suggest that resection of the non-contrast-enhancing (NCE) part might yield even better survival outcomes (supramaximal resection, SMR). Therefore, this study evaluates the efficacy and safety of SMR with and without mapping techniques in high-grade glioma (HGG) patients in terms of survival, functional, neurological, cognitive and quality of life outcomes. Furthermore, it evaluates which patients benefit the most from SMR, and how they could be identified preoperatively. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is an international, multicentre, prospective, two-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive glioblastoma patients will be operated with SMR or maximal resection at a 1:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are (1) overall survival and (2) proportion of patients with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints are (1) residual CE and NCE tumour volume on postoperative T1-contrast and FLAIR (Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) MRI scans; (2) progression-free survival; (3) receipt of adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy; and (4) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. The total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee (METC Zuid-West Holland/Erasmus Medical Center; MEC-2020-0812). The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and disseminated to patient organisations and media.</p
Innovation in technology-enhanced assessment in the UK and the USA: future scenarios and critical considerations
This paper uses methods derived from the field of futures studies to explore the future of technology-enhanced assessment. Drawing on interviews and consultation activities with experts, the paper aims to discuss the conditions that can impede or foster ‘innovation’ in assessment and education more broadly. Through a review of relevant research, the paper suggests an interpretive model of the factors sustaining the conservatism of educational assessment: the utilitarian view of education, dominant beliefs about academic excellence, and market or quasi-market dynamics. In the central section of the paper, three scenarios of innovation in assessment are described, developed through an iterative process involving researchers, representatives from the e-assessment industry, and experts from British awarding organisations. In the final section, a critical discussion draws attention to the implications that data pervasiveness and computer-generated predictive models may have for the future of education
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