3,123 research outputs found
Neutron, electron and X-ray scattering investigation of Cr1-xVx near Quantum Criticality
The weakness of electron-electron correlations in the itinerant
antiferromagnet Cr doped with V has long been considered the reason that
neither new collective electronic states or even non Fermi liquid behaviour are
observed when antiferromagnetism in CrV is suppressed to zero
temperature. We present the results of neutron and electron diffraction
measurements of several lightly doped single crystals of CrV in
which the archtypal spin density wave instability is progressively suppressed
as the V content increases, freeing the nesting-prone Fermi surface for a new
striped charge instability that occurs at x=0.037. This novel nesting
driven instability relieves the entropy accumulation associated with the
suppression of the spin density wave and avoids the formation of a quantum
critical point by stabilising a new type of charge order at temperatures in
excess of 400 K. Restructuring of the Fermi surface near quantum critical
points is a feature found in materials as diverse as heavy fermions, high
temperature copper oxide superconductors and now even elemental metals such as
Cr.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. Accepted to Physical Review
Absolute photoionization cross section measurements of the Kr I-isoelectronic sequence
Photoionization spectra have been recorded in the 4s, 4p and 3d resonance regions for the Kr Iisoelectronic sequence using both the dual laser produced plasma technique (at DCU) to produce photoabsorption spectra, and the merged ion beam and synchrotron radiation technique (at ASTRID) to measure absolute photoionization cross sections. Profile parameters are compared for the 4s − np resonances of Rb+ and Sr2+. Many new 4p " ns, md transitions are identified with the aid of Hartree-Fock calculations, and consistent quantum defects are observed for the various ns and md Rydberg series. Absolute single and double photoionization cross sections recorded in the 3d region for Rb+ and Sr2+ ions show preferential decay via double photoionization. This is only the second report where both the DLP technique and the merged beam technique have been used simultaneously to record photoionization spectra, and the advantages of both techniques (i.e. better resolution in the case of DLP and values for absolute photoionization cross sections in the case of the merged beam technique) are highlighted
Symmetry Reduction by Lifting for Maps
We study diffeomorphisms that have one-parameter families of continuous
symmetries. For general maps, in contrast to the symplectic case, existence of
a symmetry no longer implies existence of an invariant. Conversely, a map with
an invariant need not have a symmetry. We show that when a symmetry flow has a
global Poincar\'{e} section there are coordinates in which the map takes a
reduced, skew-product form, and hence allows for reduction of dimensionality.
We show that the reduction of a volume-preserving map again is volume
preserving. Finally we sharpen the Noether theorem for symplectic maps. A
number of illustrative examples are discussed and the method is compared with
traditional reduction techniques.Comment: laTeX, 31 pages, 5 figure
Surface energy and stability of stress-driven discommensurate surface structures
A method is presented to obtain {\it ab initio} upper and lower bounds to
surface energies of stress-driven discommensurate surface structures, possibly
non-periodic or exhibiting very large unit cells. The instability of the
stressed, commensurate parent of the discommensurate structure sets an upper
bound to its surface energy; a lower bound is defined by the surface energy of
an ideally commensurate but laterally strained hypothetical surface system. The
surface energies of the phases of the Si(111):Ga and Ge(111):Ga systems and the
energies of the discommensurations are determined within eV.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX. 2 Figures not included. Ask for a hard copy (through
regular mail) to [email protected]
Varied effects of algal symbionts on transcription factor NF-κB in a sea anemone and a coral: possible roles in symbiosis and thermotolerance
Many cnidarians, including the reef-building corals, undergo symbiotic mutualisms with photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae of the family Symbiodiniaceae. These partnerships are sensitive to temperature extremes, which cause symbiont loss and increased coral mortality. Previous studies have implicated host immunity and specifically immunity transcription factor NF-κB as having a role in the maintenance of the cnidarian-algal symbiosis. Here we have further investigated a possible role for NF-κB in establishment and loss of symbiosis in various strains of the anemone Exaiptasia (Aiptasia) and in the coral Pocillopora damicornis. Our results show that NF-κB expression is reduced in Aiptasia larvae and adults that host certain algae strains. Treatment of Aiptasia larvae with a known symbiosis-promoting cytokine, transforming growth factor β, also led to decreased NF-κB expression. We also show that aposymbiotic Aiptasia (with high NF-κB expression) have increased survival following infection with the pathogenic bacterium Serratia marcescens as compared to symbiotic Aiptasia (low NF-κB expression). Furthermore, a P. damicornis coral colony hosting Durusdinium spp. (formerly clade D) symbionts had higher basal NF-κB expression and decreased heat-induced bleaching as compared to two individuals hosting Cladocopium spp. (formerly clade C) symbionts. Lastly, genome-wide gene expression profiling and genomic promoter analysis identified putative NF-κB target genes that may be involved in thermal bleaching, symbiont maintenance, and/or immune protection in P. damicornis. Our results provide further support for the hypothesis that modulation of NF-κB and immunity plays a role in some, but perhaps not all, cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae partnerships as well as in resistance to pathogens and bleaching.Accepted manuscrip
High-temperature ferromagnetism of electrons in narrow impurity bands: Application to CaB
Ferromagnetism with high Curie temperature , well above room
temperature, and very small saturation moment has been reported in various
carbon and boron systems. It is argued that the magnetization must be very
inhomogeneous with only a small fraction of the sample ferromagnetically
ordered. It is shown that a possible source of high within the
ferromagnetic regions is itinerant electrons occupying a narrow impurity band.
Correlation effects do not reduce the effective interaction which enters the
Stoner criterion in the same way as in a bulk band. It is also shown how, in
the impurity band case, spin wave excitations may not be effective in lowering
below its value given by Stoner theory. These ideas are applied to
CaB and a thorough review of the experimental situation in this material is
given. It is suggested that the intrinsic magnetism of the B and O
dimers might be exploited in suitable structures containing these elements.Comment: 26 pages, 2 figure
Patenting and licensing of university research: promoting innovation or undermining academic values?
Since the 1980s in the US and the 1990s in Europe, patenting and licensing activities by universities have massively increased. This is strongly encouraged by governments throughout the Western world. Many regard academic patenting as essential to achieve 'knowledge transfer' from academia to industry. This trend has far-reaching consequences for access to the fruits of academic research and so the question arises whether the current policies are indeed promoting innovation or whether they are instead a symptom of a pro-intellectual property (IP) culture which is blind to adverse effects. Addressing this question requires both empirical analysis (how real is the link between academic patenting and licensing and 'development' of academic research by industry?) and normative assessment (which justifications are given for the current policies and to what extent do they threaten important academic values?). After illustrating the major rise of academic patenting and licensing in the US and Europe and commenting on the increasing trend of 'upstream' patenting and the focus on exclusive as opposed to non-exclusive licences, this paper will discuss five negative effects of these trends. Subsequently, the question as to why policymakers seem to ignore these adverse effects will be addressed. Finally, a number of proposals for improving university policies will be made
Rothamsted Conference RC No 11 : the making of new grassland experiences of practical farmers
RESP-74
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