244 research outputs found
Enhanced domain wall velocity near a ferromagnetic instability
Assuming a Fermi liquid behavior for -conduction electrons, we rewrite the
extended Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation renormalized by interactions
through the Landau parameters () in an explicit
form to describe the dynamic of a domain wall (DW) due to spin transfer torque
phenomenon. The interaction between spins of the \textit{s}-conduction
electrons explains qualitatively the DW velocity experimental observations in
(Permalloy) recalculated by us without
defects or impurity hypothesis. Close to Stoner ferromagnetic instability point
where , the DW velocity becomes high
( ) and critical spin current density becomes
reduced ( ) when compared to that
calculated by nonadiabatic approach. At the critical point, the DW velocity
diverges while critical spin current density at the same point goes to zero.
Our theory also provides a prediction to looking for materials in which is
possible applies a smallest critical spin current density and observes higher
DW velocity.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
One-dimensional Gapless Magnons In A Single Anisotropic Ferromagnetic Nanolayer.
Gapless magnons in a plane ferromagnet with normal axis anisotropy are shown to exist besides the usual gapped modes that affect spin dependent transport properties only above a finite temperature. These magnons are one-dimensional objects, in the sense that they are localized inside the domain walls that form in the film. They may play an essential role in the spin dependent scattering processes even down to very low temperatures.9122680
Nonequilibrium interacting electrons in a ferromagnet
Dynamics of the magnetization in ferromagnets is examined in the presence of
transport electrons allowing the latter to interact. It is found that the
existence of inhomogeneities such as domain wall (DW) structures, leads to
changes that affect the dynamical structure of the equations of motion for the
magnetization. Only in the limit of uniform magnetizations or sufficiently wide
DW's, the equations of motion maintain the form they have in the noninteracting
case. In this limit, results like the spin torques, the Gilbert parameter, and
the DW velocities become renormalized. However the length scale that defines
such a limit depends on the strength of the interaction. It is shown that if
large ferromagnetic fluctuations exist in the metallic band then the range for
which conformity with the noninteracting case holds extends to the limit of
arbitrarily narrow DW's.Comment: 4 pages, no figures, revised version, accepted for publication in the
PRB's Rapid Communication sectio
The average kinetic energy density of Cooper pairs above in , , and
We have obtained isofield curves for the square root of the average kinetic
energy density of the superconducting state for three single crystals of
underdoped , an optimally doped single crystal of
, and Nb. These curves, determined from isofield
magnetization versus temperature measurements and the virial theorem of
superconductivity, probe the order parameter amplitude near the upper critical
field. The striking differences between the Nb and the high- curves
clearly indicate for the latter cases the presence of a unique superconducting
condensate below and above
Hidden spin-current conservation in 2d Fermi liquids
We report the existence of regimes of the two dimensional Fermi liquid that
show unusual conservation of the spin current and may be tuned by varying some
parameter like the density of fermions. We show that for reasonable models of
the effective interaction the spin current may be conserved in general in 2d,
not only for a particular regime. Low temperature spin waves propagate
distinctively in these regimes and entirely new ``spin-acoustic'' modes are
predicted for scattering-dominated temperature ranges. These new
high-temperature propagating spin waves provide a clear signature for the
experimental search of such regimes.Comment: 4 pages, no figures, revised version, accepted for pub. in the PR
Contribution of Aquaporins to Cellular Water Transport Observed by a Microfluidic Cell Volume Sensor
Here we demonstrate that an impedance-based microfluidic cell volume sensor can be used to study the roles of aquaporin (AQP) in cellular water permeability and screen AQP-specific drugs. Human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells were transiently transfected with AQP3- or AQP4-encoding genes to express AQPs in plasma membranes. The swelling of cells in response to hypotonic stimulation was traced in real time using the sensor. Two time constants were obtained by fitting the swelling curves with a two-exponential function, a fast time constant associated with osmotic water permeability of AQP-expressing cells and a slow phase time constant associated mainly with water diffusion through lipid bilayers in the nontransfected cells. The AQP-expressing cells showed at least 10× faster osmotic water transport than control cells. Using the volume sensor, we examined the effects of Hg2+ and Ni2+ on the water transport via AQPs. Hg2+ inhibited the water flux in AQP3-expressing cells irreversibly, while Ni2+ blocked the AQP3 channels reversibly. Neither of the two ions blocked the AQP4 channels. The microfluidic volume sensor can sense changes in cell volume in real time, which enables perfusion of various reagents sequentially. It provides a convenient tool for studying the effect of reagents on the function and regulation mechanism of AQPs
Movies of cellular and sub-cellular motion by digital holographic microscopy
BACKGROUND: Many biological specimens, such as living cells and their intracellular components, often exhibit very little amplitude contrast, making it difficult for conventional bright field microscopes to distinguish them from their surroundings. To overcome this problem phase contrast techniques such as Zernike, Normarsky and dark-field microscopies have been developed to improve specimen visibility without chemically or physically altering them by the process of staining. These techniques have proven to be invaluable tools for studying living cells and furthering scientific understanding of fundamental cellular processes such as mitosis. However a drawback of these techniques is that direct quantitative phase imaging is not possible. Quantitative phase imaging is important because it enables determination of either the refractive index or optical thickness variations from the measured optical path length with sub-wavelength accuracy. Digital holography is an emergent phase contrast technique that offers an excellent approach in obtaining both qualitative and quantitative phase information from the hologram. A CCD camera is used to record a hologram onto a computer and numerical methods are subsequently applied to reconstruct the hologram to enable direct access to both phase and amplitude information. Another attractive feature of digital holography is the ability to focus on multiple focal planes from a single hologram, emulating the focusing control of a conventional microscope. METHODS: A modified Mach-Zender off-axis setup in transmission is used to record and reconstruct a number of holographic amplitude and phase images of cellular and sub-cellular features. RESULTS: Both cellular and sub-cellular features are imaged with sub-micron, diffraction-limited resolution. Movies of holographic amplitude and phase images of living microbes and cells are created from a series of holograms and reconstructed with numerically adjustable focus, so that the moving object can be accurately tracked with a reconstruction rate of 300ms for each hologram. The holographic movies show paramecium swimming among other microbes as well as displaying some of their intracellular processes. A time lapse movie is also shown for fibroblast cells in the process of migration. CONCLUSION: Digital holography and movies of digital holography are seen to be useful new tools for visualization of dynamic processes in biological microscopy. Phase imaging digital holography is a promising technique in terms of the lack of coherent noise and the precision with which the optical thickness of a sample can be profiled, which can lead to images with an axial resolution of a few nanometres
Toxoplasmosis in Transplant Recipients, Europe, 2010-2014
Transplantation activity is increasing, leading to a growing number of patients at risk for toxoplasmosis. We reviewed toxoplasmosis prevention practices, prevalence, and outcomes for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT; heart, kidney, or liver) patients in Europe. We collected electronic data on the transplant population and prevention guidelines/regulations and clinical data on toxoplasmosis cases diagnosed during 2010-2014. Serologic pretransplant screening of allo-hematopoietic stem cell donors was performed in 80% of countries, screening of organ donors in 100%. SOT recipients were systematically screened in 6 countries. Targeted anti-Toxoplasma chemoprophylaxis was heterogeneous. A total of 87 toxoplasmosis cases were recorded (58 allo-HSCTs, 29 SOTs). The 6-month survival rate was lower among Toxoplasma-seropositive recipients and among allo-hematopoietic stem cell and liver recipients. Chemoprophylaxis improved outcomes for SOT recipients. Toxoplasmosis remains associated with high mortality rates among transplant recipients. Guidelines are urgently needed to standardize prophylactic regimens and optimize patient management
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