159 research outputs found
Rotating vortex dipoles in ferromagnets
Vortex-antivortex pairs are localized excitations and have been found to be
spontaneously created in magnetic elements. In the case that the vortex and the
antivortex have opposite polarities the pair has a nonzero topological charge,
and it behaves as a rotating vortex dipole. We find theoretically, and confirm
numerically, the form of the energy as a function of the angular momentum of
the system and the associated rotation frequencies. We discuss the process of
annihilation of the pair which changes the topological charge of the system by
unity while its energy is monotonically decreasing. Such a change in the
topological charge affects profoundly the dynamics in the magnetic system. We
finally discuss the connection of our results with Bloch Points (BP) and the
implications for BP dynamics.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Magnetization structure of a Bloch point singularity
Switching of magnetic vortex cores involves a topological transition
characterized by the presence of a magnetization singularity, a point where the
magnetization vanishes (Bloch point). We analytically derive the shape of the
Bloch point that is an extremum of the free energy with exchange, dipole and
the Landau terms for the determination of the local value of the magnetization
modulus.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Vortex Polarity Switching in Magnets with Surface Anisotropy
Vortex core reversal in magnetic particle is essentially influenced by a
surface anisotropy. Under the action of a perpendicular static magnetic field
the vortex core undergoes a shape deformationof pillow- or barrel-shaped type,
depending on the type of the surface anisotropy. This deformation plays a key
point in the switching mechanism: We predict that the vortex polarity switching
is accompanied (i) by a linear singularity in case of Heisenberg magnet with
bulk anisotropy only and (ii) by a point singularities in case of surface
anisotropy or exchange anisotropy. We study in details the switching process
using spin-lattice simulations and propose a simple analytical description
using a wired core model, which provides an adequate description of the Bloch
point statics, its dynamics and the Bloch point mediated switching process. Our
analytical predictions are confirmed by spin-lattice simulations for Heisenberg
magnet and micromagnetic simulations for nanomagnet with account of a dipolar
interaction.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figure
Quenched Slonczewski-Windmill in Spin-Torque Vortex-Oscillators
We present a combined analytical and numerical study on double-vortex
spin-torque nano-oscillators and describe a mechanism that suppresses the
windmill modes. The magnetization dynamics is dominated by the gyrotropic
precession of the vortex in one of the ferromagnetic layers. In the other layer
the vortex gyration is strongly damped. The dominating layer for the
magnetization dynamics is determined by the current polarity. Measurements on
Fe/Ag/Fe nano-pillars support these findings. The results open up a new
perspective for building high quality-factor spin-torque oscillators operating
at selectable, well-separated frequency bands
Identifying reversible and irreversible magnetization changes in prototype patterned media using first- and second-order reversal curves
Arrays of nanomagnets have important potential applications as future generation ultrahigh-density patterned magnetic recording media, in which each nanomagnet constitutes a single bit. We introduce a powerful technique to identify and quantify reversible and irreversible magnetization changes, a key challenge in characterizing these systems. The experimental protocol consists of measuring a few families of second-order reversal curves along selected profiles in the first-order-reversal-curve diagram, which then can be decomposed into truly irreversible switching events and reversible magnetization changes. The viability of the method is demonstrated for arrays of sub-100-nm Fe nanomagnets, which exhibit complex magnetization reversal processes
A symmetry breaking mechanism for selecting the speed of relativistic solitons
We propose a mechanism for fixing the velocity of relativistic soliton based
on the breaking of the Lorentz symmetry of the sine-Gordon (SG) model. The
proposal is first elaborated for a molecular chain model, as the simple
pendulum limit of a double pendulums chain. It is then generalized to a full
class of two-dimensional field theories of the sine-Gordon type. From a
phenomenological point of view, the mechanism allows one to select the speed of
a SG soliton just by tuning elastic couplings constants and kinematical
parameters. From a fundamental, field-theoretical point of view we show that
the characterizing features of relativistic SG solitons (existence of conserved
topological charges and stability) may be still preserved even if the Lorentz
symmetry is broken and a soliton of a given speed is selected.Comment: 23 pages, no figure
First signs and symptoms of spondyloarthritis—data from an inception cohort with a disease course of two years or less (REGISPONSER-Early)
Objective. To determine the first signs and symptoms, and the clinical, biological and radiological characteristics of patients with early SpA
Low bone mineral density is related to male gender and decreased functional capacity in early spondylarthropathies
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with spondylarthropathies (SpA) at an early stage of disease. In this cross-sectional study, the BMD of lumbar spine and hips was measured in 130 consecutive early SpA patients. The outcome measure BMD was defined as (1) osteoporosis, (2) osteopenia, and (3) normal bone density. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate relations between the following variables: age, gender, disease duration, diagnosis, HLA-B27, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), extra-spinal manifestations and medication, with outcome measure low BMD (osteopenia and/or osteoporosis). The SpA population had a median time since diagnosis of 6.6 months and a disease duration of 6.3 years. In total, 9% of the early SpA patients had osteoporosis, 38% osteopenia, and 53% normal BMD. On univariate analyses, male gender, diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, increased CRP, high BASFI, and high BASMI were significantly associated with low BMD. Factors showing a relation with low BMD in the multivariate model were male gender (OR 4.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73–10.09), high BASMI (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.14–2.07), and high BASFI (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00–1.39). In early SpA patients, a high frequency (47%) of low BMD in femur as well as in lumbar spine was found. Low BMD was associated with male gender and decreased functional capacity. These findings emphasize the need for more alertness for osteoporosis and osteopenia in spondylarthropathy patients at an early stage of the disease
Atlantoaxial subluxation as an early manifestation in an adolescent with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis: a case report and review of the literature
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Atlantoaxial instability has been described as a manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis (juvenile and adult onset), reactive arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis; however, it has rarely been reported as an early manifestation of these disorders. We present this case report to increase awareness of the condition in the hope that earlier recognition of this disease may prevent further serious injury.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 17-year-old Hispanic adolescent woman who was initially diagnosed with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis due to peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, a positive human leukocyte antigen B27 result, and inflammatory spinal pain lasting two months. Our patient experienced persistent and worsening occipitocervical pain and signs of myelopathy three months after diagnosis; consequently, we found atlantoaxial instability along with cervical spine bone erosion and pannus formation. She was treated surgically with a C1-2 posterior instrumented fusion and at six weeks post-operatively was started on tumor necrosis factor α blockade. Her occipitocervical symptoms subsided following surgery and initiation of immunomodulation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our report serves to emphasize to pediatric and adult general practitioners, pediatricians, internists, family physicians, pediatric and adult rheumatologists and spine surgeons that atlantoaxial subluxation may be an early manifestation of spondyloarthritis, and that the condition is treatable by surgical intervention and immunomodulation.</p
Induction of sustained clinical remission in early axial spondyloarthritis following certolizumab pegol treatment: 48-week outcomes from C-OPTIMISE
INTRODUCTION: Achievement of remission is a key treatment goal for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). C-OPTIMISE assessed achievement of sustained clinical remission in patients with axSpA, including radiographic (r) and non-radiographic (nr) axSpA, during certolizumab pegol (CZP) treatment, and subsequent maintenance of remission following CZP dose continuation, dose reduction or withdrawal. Here, we report outcomes from the first 48 weeks (induction period) of C-OPTIMISE, during which patients received open-label CZP. METHODS: C-OPTIMISE (NCT02505542) was a two-part, multicenter, phase 3b study in adult patients with early axSpA (r-/nr-axSpA), including a 48-week open-label induction period followed by a 48-week maintenance period. Patients with active adult-onset axSpA, < 5 years' symptom duration, and fulfilling Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society classification criteria, were included. During the induction period, patients received a loading dose of CZP 400 mg at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) up to week 48. The main outcome of the 48-week induction period was the achievement of sustained clinical remission (defined as an Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS] < 1.3 at week 32 and < 2.1 at week 36 [or vice versa], and < 1.3 at week 48). RESULTS: In total, 736 patients (407 with r-axSpA, 329 with nr-axSpA) were enrolled into the study. At week 48, 43.9% (323/736) of patients achieved sustained remission, including 42.8% (174/407) of patients with r-axSpA and 45.3% (149/329) with nr-axSpA. Patients also demonstrated substantial improvements in axSpA symptoms, MRI outcomes and quality of life measures. Adverse events occurred in 67.9% (500/736) of patients, of which 6.0% (44/736) were serious. CONCLUSIONS: Over 40% of patients with early axSpA achieved sustained remission during 48 weeks of open-label CZP treatment. Additionally, patients across the axSpA spectrum demonstrated substantial improvements in imaging outcomes and quality of life following treatment. No new safety signals were identified. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02505542
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