3,119 research outputs found
One-step replica symmetry breaking solution for a highly asymmetric two-sublattice fermionic Ising spin glass model in a transverse field
The one-step replica symmetry breaking (RSB) is used to study a
two-sublattice fermionic infinite-range Ising spin glass (SG) model in a
transverse field . The problem is formulated in a Grassmann path
integral formalism within the static approximation. In this model, a parallel
magnetic field breaks the symmetry of the sublattices. It destroys the
antiferromagnetic (AF) order, but it can favor the nonergodic mixed phase
(SG+AF) characterizing an asymmetric RSB region. In this region,
intra-sublattice disordered interactions increase the difference between
the RSB solutions of each sublattice. The freezing temperature shows a higher
increase with when enhances. A discontinue phase transition from the
replica symmetry (RS) solution to the RSB solution can appear with the presence
of an intra-sublattice ferromagnetic average coupling. The field
introduces a quantum spin flip mechanism that suppresses the magnetic orders
leading them to quantum critical points. Results suggest that the quantum
effects are not able to restore the RS solution. However, in the asymmetric RSB
region, can produce a stable RS solution at any finite temperature for
a particular sublattice while the other sublattice still presents RSB solution
for the special case in which only the intra-sublattice spins couple with
disordered interactions.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Susceptibility in vitro of canine methicillin-resistant and -susceptible staphylococcal isolates to fusidic acid, chlorhexidine and miconazole: opportunities for topical therapy of canine superficial pyoderma
OBJECTIVES: Increasing multidrug resistance amongst canine pathogenic staphylococci has renewed interest in topical antibacterial therapy for skin infections in the context of responsible veterinary prescribing. We therefore determined the activity in vitro of three clinically relevant topical agents and synergism between two of them against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: The MICs of fusidic acid (n = 199), chlorhexidine (n = 198), miconazole (n = 198) and a 1:1 combination of miconazole/chlorhexidine (n = 198) were determined for canine isolates [50 MRSA and 49 methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), 50 MSSA and 50 methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP)] collected from the UK and Germany using an agar dilution method (CLSI VET01-A4). Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices were calculated to assess the interaction of miconazole with chlorhexidine. RESULTS: MICs of each drug/combination were significantly (P < 0.0005) higher for S. aureus when compared with S. pseudintermedius. Most strains (n = 172) had an MIC of fusidic acid of ≤0.03 mg/L (MIC ≥64 mg/L, n = 5 MRSA). All strains had MICs of chlorhexidine of 0.5–4 mg/L, except for one MRSA (MIC = 8 mg/L). All but four strains had MICs of miconazole of 1–4 mg/L (MIC = 16 mg/L, n = 3; MIC = 256 mg/L, n = 1). Miconazole/chlorhexidine (1:1 ratio) had a synergistic effect against 49/50 MRSA, 31/50 MSSA, 12/49 MRSP and 23/49 MSSP. CONCLUSIONS: Since the majority of these staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant isolates, had MICs that should be readily exceeded by topical skin application of these agents, their therapeutic efficacy for canine superficial pyoderma should be assessed. The synergistic interaction shown in vitro supports further clinical evaluation of miconazole/chlorhexidine combination therapy for staphylococcal infection
X-ray method to study temperature-dependent stripe domains in MnAs/GaAs(001)
MnAs films grown on GaAs (001) exhibit a progressive transition between
hexagonal (ferromagnetic) and orthorhombic (paramagnetic) phases at wide
temperature range instead of abrupt transition during the first-order phase
transition. The coexistence of two phases is favored by the anisotropic strain
arising from the constraint on the MnAs films imposed by the substrate. This
phase coexistence occurs in ordered arrangement alternating periodic terrace
steps. We present here a method to study the surface morphology throughout this
transition by means of specular and diffuse scattering of soft x-rays, tuning
the photon energy at the Mn 2p resonance. The results show the long-range
arrangement of the periodic stripe-like structure during the phase coexistence
and its period remains constant, in agreement with previous results using other
techniques.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Applied Physics Letter
Tolerância de genótipos de arroz irrigado ao frio nos estádios de germinação e emergência.
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