Spin, Charge and Quasiparticle Gaps in the One-Dimensional Kondo Lattice with f^2 Configuration

The ground state properties of the one-dimensional Kondo lattice with an f^2 configuration at each site are studied by the density matrix renormalization group method. At half-filling, competition between the Kondo exchange J and the antiferromagnetic intra f-shell exchange I leads to reduction of energy gaps for spin, quasi-particle and charge excitations. The attractive force among conduction electrons is induced by the competition and the bound state is formed. As J/I increases the f^2 singlet gives way to the Kondo singlet as the dominant local correlation. The remarkable change of the quasi-particle gap is driven by the change of the spin-1/2 excitation character from the itinerant one to the localized one. Possible metal-insulator transition is discussed which may occur as the ratio J/I is varied by reference to mean-field results in the f^2 lattice system and the two impurity Kondo system.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Induced-Moment Weak Antiferromagnetism and Orbital Order on the Itinerant-Localized Duality Model with Nested Fermi Surface: A Possible Origin of Exotic Magnetism in URu2{}_{2}Si2_{2}

The weak antiferromagnetism of URu${}_{2}$Si${}_{2}$ is discussed on the basis of a duality model which takes into account salient features of both itinerant fermions and "localized" component of spin degrees of freedom. The problem is analyzed in the framework of induced-moment mechanism by taking a singlet-singlet crystal field scheme together with the nesting property of partial Fermi surface of itinerant fermions . It is shown that the extremely small ordered moment $m$ of ${\cal O}$($10^{-2}$$\times$$\mu_{B}$) can be compatible with the large specific-heat jump at the transition temperature $T_{N}$. Analysis performed in the presence of external magnetic field shows that the field dependence of $m$ in the limit T\to 0 and T_{N}$ do not scale except very near the critical field B which is consistent with a recent observation by Mentink. It is also shown that the antiferromagnetic magnetic order gives rise to a tiny amount of antiferromagnetic orbital order of f-electrons.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure PS file, accepted J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Subcortical nuclei volumetry in idiopathic generalized epilepsy

PURPOSE: The exact anatomic and neurophysiologic correlates of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) in humans are still not well understood, although the thalamus has frequently been invoked as the crucial structure in the generation of primary generalized seizures. The few in vivo magnetic resonance (MR)-based studies in IGE patients suggest an altered cortical/subcortical gray matter ratio, but with no evidence of structural alterations of the thalamus. In this study, we sought to determine the volumes of the other subcortical structures. METHODS: The volumes of the caudate nucleus, putamen, pallidum as well as the thalamus were each determined in both hemispheres in 11 patients with various IGE syndromes, normalized for whole-brain volumes and then compared with 15 age-matched controls. RESULTS: No differences were noted in thalamic volumes, confirming previous reports. However, smaller subcortical volumes were noted in the IGE patients (p < 0.009), mainly due to smaller putamen bilaterally (p < or = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: It is speculated that the presence of discrete frontal dysfunction, as noted in neuropsychological studies in IGE patients, indirectly supports our results because the putamen projects predominantly to the frontal cortex. Larger studies with more homogeneous patient populations are needed to determine the robustness of these findings and whether they are specific for particular IGE syndromes

Monitoring lung impedance changes during long-term ventilator-induced lung injury ventilation using electrical impedance tomography

Objective: The target of this methodological evaluation was the feasibility of long-term monitoring of changes in lung conditions by time-difference electrical impedance tomography (tdEIT). In contrast to ventilation monitoring by tdEIT, the monitoring of end-expiratory (EELIC) or end-inspiratory (EILIC) lung impedance change always requires a reference measurement. Approach: To determine the stability of the used Pulmovista 500\uae EIT system, as a prerequisite it was initially secured on a resistive phantom for 50 h. By comparing the slopes of EELIC for the whole lung area up to 48 h from 36 pigs ventilated at six positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels from 0 to 18 cmH2O we found a good agreement (range of r2 = 0.93\u20131.0) between absolute EIT (aEIT) and tdEIT values. This justified the usage of tdEIT with its superior local resolution compared to aEIT for long-term determination of EELIC. Main results: The EELIC was between 120.07 \u3a9m day 121 at PEEP 4 and 121.04 \u3a9m day 121 at PEEP 18 cmH2O. The complex local time pattern for EELIC was roughly quantified by the new parameter, centre of end-expiratory change (CoEEC), in equivalence to the established centre of ventilation (CoV). The ventrally located mean of the CoV was fairly constant in the range of 42%\u201346% of thorax diameter; however, on the contrary, the CoEEC shifted from about 40% to about 75% in the dorsal direction for PEEP levels of 14 and 18 cmH2O. Significance: The observed shifts started earlier for higher PEEP levels. Changes of EELI could be precisely monitored over a period of 48 h by tdEIT on pigs