Cycloidal Domains in the Magnetization Reversal Process of Ni80Fe20/Nd16Co84/Gd12Co88 Trilayers

The magnetization reversal of each individual layer in magnetic trilayers ( permalloy / Nd Co / Gd Co ) is investigated in detail with x-ray microscopy and micromagnetic calculations. Two sequential inversion mechanisms are identified. First, magnetic vortex-antivortex pairs move along the field direction while inverting the magnetization of magnetic stripes until they are pinned by defects. The vortex-antivortex displacements are reversible within a field interval which allows their controlled motion. Second, as the reversed magnetic field increases, cycloidal domains appear in the permalloy layer as a consequence of the dissociation of vortex-antivortex pairs due to pinning. The field range where magnetic vortices and antivortices are effectively guided by the stripe pattern is of the order of tens of mT for the Ni Fe layer, as estimated from the stability of cycloid domains in the sample

Enhancement of synchronized vortex lattice motion in hybrid magnetic/amorphous superconducting nanostructures

et al.Superconducting a-Mo3Si and Nb films have been grown on arrays of Ni nanodots. We have studied the vortex lattice dynamics close to critical temperatures. Different vortex lattice configurations are obtained with the same array unit cell. These different vortex lattices occur at matching conditions between the vortex lattice and the array unit cell. The interplay between the random intrinsic pinning of the superconducting films and the periodic pinning of the array govern the vortex lattice configurations. Different vortex lattice configurations and enhancement of synchronized vortex lattice motion are obtained by increasing the periodic pinning strength and decreasing the random pinning strength.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio Ciencia e Innovacion, Grant Nos. NAN2004-09087 and FIS2005-07392, Consolider Grant Nos. CSD2007-00010 and FIS2008-06249 (Grupo Consolidado), CAM Grant No. S-0505/ESP/0337, and Fondo Social Europeo and Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha Grant No. PAI08-0067-2673. A.A. wants to thank PCTI BP06-109.Peer reviewe

Magnetization processes in rectangular versus rhombic planar superlattices of magnetic bars

4 páginas, 5 figuras.-- PACS number(s): 75.60.Ej, 75.60.Jk, 75.70.Kw, 75.75.Cd.-- et al.Rectangular and rhombic patterned superlattices of magnetic bar elements have been experimentally studied and theoretically modeled in order to analyze the role of the array geometry in their magnetization reversal and coercivity. The results show that a dominating part of the coercive field (≈250 Oe) is due to the reversal processes within a single bar element (independent of the array geometry) which is well described by the standard micromagnetic calculation. Otherwise, a smaller (≈60 Oe) but significant difference between the magnetization loops in the two geometries is related to the magnetostatic coupling effects between the bars and it is reasonably accounted for with a simple model of Coulomb-like interaction between terminal magnetic charges. The possibility to use this geometry effect to control the performance of artificial magnetic media is discussed.The support of this work by Spanish and Portuguese Grants Nos. HP2008-0032, FIS2008-6249, PCTI IB08-106, FCT SFRH/BPD/72329/2010 (J.M.T.) is gratefully acknowledged. G.N.K. acknowledges support from Portuguese FCT through the “Ciencia 2007” program. Work in Ukraine was supported by STCU through the Project No. 5210.Peer reviewe

Is it easy to take care of coordinating a "Children's Program of Hearing Loss"?

Introduction and objective: Hearing loss is the most prevalent sensory deficiency at birth. Even though, coordinating a program for early detection and care may seem simple tasks, they are not so when it takes responsibility for the negative impact that a delay in the identification or treatment, can cause in the linguistic and educational development of the child. With this review, we provide an overview of the commitment involved in the practice of this task. Method: We analyze functions assigned to the supervisor of a "Children's Program of Hearing Loss", which are set in the program of the Community of Castilla y León, that are a reflection of other communities and countries, because they belong to an international consensus backed by different regulatory organisms, which in Spain corresponds to the Commission for the Early Detection of Hearing Loss (CODEPEH). Results: The coordinator of a "Children's Program of Hearing Loss" should monitor the early identification of the new born with hearing impairment, ensure early diagnosis and treatment, ask for specific tests and assess the success of the intervention. This process focuses on the family as a key driver of the project. The institutional and administrative support should be at the service of this activity. Conclusions: Take over a "Children's Program of Hearing Loss" implies a global conception, which consists of establishing a preventive control of hearing health of the child, that increases the complexity of their development.Introducción y objetivo: La hipoacusia es la deficiencia sensorial más prevalente al nacimiento. Aunque coordinar un programa para su detección y atención tempranas pueden parecer tareas sencillas, no lo son tanto cuando se asume la responsabilidad del impacto negativo que un retraso en la identificación o en el tratamiento, pueden provocar en el desarrollo lingüístico y educativo del niño/a. Con este trabajo de revisión, pretendemos ofrecer una visión global del compromiso que supone la práctica de este cometido. Método: Se repasan las funciones asignadas al supervisor de un «Programa de Hipoacusia Infantil», analizando las que se establecen en el Programa de la Comunidad de Castilla y León, que son fiel reflejo de las de otras comunidades y países, al tratarse de un consenso internacional avalado por diferentes organismos reguladores, que en España corresponde a la Comisión para la Detección Precoz de la Hipoacusia (CODEPEH). Resultados: El coordinador de un «Programa de Hipoacusia Infantil» debe vigilar la identificación temprana de los recién nacidos con deficiencia auditiva, realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces, solicitar pruebas específicas y valorar el éxito de la intervención. Todo este proceso se centra en la familia como motor fundamental del proyecto. El apoyo institucional y administrativo tendría que estar al servicio de esta actividad. Conclusiones: Encargarse actualmente de un «Programa de Hipoacusia Infantil» implica una concepción global, que consiste en establecer un control preventivo de la salud auditiva del niño/a, incrementándose la complejidad de su desarrollo

Magnetic properties of amorphous Co0.74Si0.26/Si multilayers with different numbers of periods

Two sets of [Co0.74Si0.26(5nm)∕Si(s)]n amorphous films were prepared by magnetron sputtering: one in the form of multilayers with the Si spacer thickness s fixed at 3nm, and the number n of periods varying from 1 to 10 and the other with only two periods and s varying from 3to24nm (trilayers). In both sets, the Co0.74Si0.26 layer thickness t was fixed at 5nm. All the samples except the one with s=24nm manifest antiferromagnetic coupling. Their magnetic properties at room temperature were probed using the magnetooptical transverse Kerr effect (MOTKE) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR). The relative increase in the saturation magnetization Ms (for trilayers, relative to a structure with s=24nm; for multilayers, relative to the single-layer structure) determined from the FMR measurements was compared with the exchange coupling strength HAFJ obtained from the MOTKE studies. The dependences of HAFJ and Ms on n and s were found to be very similar to each other. Possible mechanisms of this similarity are discussed.This work was supported by MICINN of Spain (grants Nos. HP2008-0032, NAN2004-09087 and FIS2008-06249) and CRUP of Portugal (grant No. E41/09) in the framework of the Spanish-Portuguese Integrated Action. G.N.K acknowledges support from FCT of Portugal through the “Ciencia 2007” program. C.Q. acknowledges support from the Spanish Government and European Social Fund under the “Ramón y Cajal” program.Peer reviewe

Targeted screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection in infants who fail universal newborn hearing screen.

Introduction: Given the importance of early antiviral treatment in infants with sensorineural hearing loss secondary to congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV), we submit a protocol for early diagnosis of cCMV according to the outcome of universal newborn hearing screening using automated auditory brainstem responses (AABR) (targeted CMV screening). Material and methods: Based on current knowledge provides by literature, we elaborate an action algorithm agreed between the coordinators of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program in Castilla y León (Spain). Results: If the first AABR test is a refer result for one or both ears, we request the identification of the viral genome by PCR in a urine sample within 15 days. The confirmation of uni or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, allows the beginning of the antiviral treatment, before the first month of life. Discussion: Universal screening of cCMV enables monitoring of all infected infants, identifying cases of late-onset/progressive hearing loss sooner; but in the presence of an unknown cause- sensorineural hearing loss from the first two weeks of life, efforts must be made to rule out cCMV infection, although it is more complicated under these conditions. Conclusion: The inclusion of cCMV diagnosis into neonatal hearing screening program, will allow early detection of congenital infection in some infants, improving their quality of life.Introducción: Dada la importancia del inicio temprano de un tratamiento antiviral en los neonatos con hipoacusia neurosensorial secundaria a infección congénita por citomegalovirus (CMVc), presentamos un protocolo de diagnóstico precoz del CMVc en función del resultado del cribado auditivo neonatal universal con potenciales evocados auditivos automatizados (PEATC-A). Material y métodos: Partiendo del conocimiento actual que aporta la literatura, elaboramos un algoritmo de actuación consensuado entre los coordinadores del Programa de Detección Precoz de la Hipoacusia Infantil en la Comunidad de Castilla y León (España). Resultados: Si la primera prueba de PEATC-A en el neonato es un no pasa de uno o ambos oídos, solicitamos en el plazo de 15 días la identificación del genoma viral mediante PCR en una muestra de orina. La confirmación posterior de hipoacusia neurosensorial uni o bilateral, permitirá el inicio del tratamiento antiviral, antes del primer mes de vida. Discusión: Si bien el cribado universal del CMVc haría posible el seguimiento de todos los neonatos infectados, detectando más precozmente los casos de hipoacusia tardía/progresiva; ante la presencia de una hipoacusia neurosensorial de causa desconocida, a partir de las dos semanas de vida posnatal, se debe intentar descartar una infección por CMVc, aunque en estas condiciones resulta más complicado. Conclusión: La incorporación del diagnóstico del CMVc en el programa de cribado auditivo neonatal, permitirá la detección precoz de algunos niños con infección congénita, pudiéndoles mejorar su calidad de vida

Practicando Ingeniería Química: Prácticas colaborativas de bajo coste para grupos numerosos

Elaboración de un catálogo de prácticas de laboratorio de bajo coste para trabajar los fundamentos de ingeniería química con grupos numerosos, usando metodologías activas de aprendizaje para incrementar la motivación de los estudiantes.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasFALSEsubmitte

Effect of viral storm in patients admitted to intensive care units with severe COVID-19 in Spain: a multicentre, prospective, cohort study

Background: The contribution of the virus to the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate associations between viral RNA load in plasma and host response, complications, and deaths in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: We did a prospective cohort study across 23 hospitals in Spain. We included patients aged 18 years or older with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to an intensive care unit between March 16, 2020, and Feb 27, 2021. RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid region 1 (N1) was quantified in plasma samples collected from patients in the first 48 h following admission, using digital PCR. Patients were grouped on the basis of N1 quantity: VIR-N1-Zero ([removed]2747 N1 copies per mL). The primary outcome was all-cause death within 90 days after admission. We evaluated odds ratios (ORs) for the primary outcome between groups using a logistic regression analysis. Findings: 1068 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 117 had insufficient plasma samples and 115 had key information missing. 836 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 403 (48%) were in the VIR-N1-Low group, 283 (34%) were in the VIR-N1-Storm group, and 150 (18%) were in the VIR-N1-Zero group. Overall, patients in the VIR-N1-Storm group had the most severe disease: 266 (94%) of 283 patients received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), 116 (41%) developed acute kidney injury, 180 (65%) had secondary infections, and 148 (52%) died within 90 days. Patients in the VIR-N1-Zero group had the least severe disease: 81 (54%) of 150 received IMV, 34 (23%) developed acute kidney injury, 47 (32%) had secondary infections, and 26 (17%) died within 90 days (OR for death 0·30, 95% CI 0·16–0·55; p<0·0001, compared with the VIR-N1-Storm group). 106 (26%) of 403 patients in the VIR-N1-Low group died within 90 days (OR for death 0·39, 95% CI 0·26–0·57; p[removed]11 página