7,101 research outputs found
Origin of slow magnetic relaxation in Kramers ions with non-uniaxial anisotropy
Transition metal ions with long-lived spin states represent minimum size magnetic bits. Magnetic memory has often been associated with the combination of high spin and strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Yet, slow magnetic relaxation has also been observed in some Kramers ions with dominant easy-plane magnetic anisotropy, albeit only under an external magnetic field. Here we study the spin dynamics of cobalt(II) ions in a model molecular complex. We show, by means of quantitative first-principles calculations, that the slow relaxation in this and other similar systems is a general consequence of time-reversal symmetry that hinders direct spinâphonon processes regardless of the sign of the magnetic anisotropy. Its magnetic field dependence is a subtle manifestation of electronuclear spin entanglement, which opens relaxation channels that would otherwise be forbidden but, at the same time, masks the relaxation phenomenon at zero field. These results provide a promising strategy to synthesize atom-size magnetic memories
Phase diagram of the (bosonic) Double-Exchange Model
The phase diagram of the simplest approximation to Double-Exchange systems,
the bosonic Double-Exchange model with antiferromagnetic super-exchange
coupling, is fully worked out by means of Monte Carlo simulations, large-N
expansions and Variational Mean-Field calculations. We find a rich phase
diagram, with no first-order phase transitions. The most surprising finding is
the existence of a segment like ordered phase at low temperature for
intermediate AFM coupling which cannot be detected in neutron-scattering
experiments. This is signaled by a maximum (a cusp) in the specific heat. Below
the phase-transition, only short-range ordering would be found in
neutron-scattering. Researchers looking for a Quantum Critical Point in
manganites should be wary of this possibility. Finite-Size Scaling estimates of
critical exponents are presented, although large scaling corrections are
present in the reachable lattice sizes.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figure
Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing isolates from the Mediterranean area
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Beijing lineage of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>is causing concern due to its global distribution and its involvement in severe outbreaks. Studies focused on this lineage are mainly restricted to geographical settings where its prevalence is high, whereas those in other areas are scarce. In this study, we analyze Beijing isolates in the Mediterranean area, where this lineage is not prevalent and is mainly associated with immigrant cases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Only 1% (N = 26) of the isolates from two population-based studies in Spain corresponded to Beijing strains, most of which were pan-susceptible and from Peruvian and Ecuadorian patients. Restriction fragment length polymorphism typing with the insertion sequence IS<it>6110 </it>identified three small clusters (2-3 cases). Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat typing (MIRU-15) offered low discriminatory power, requiring the introduction of five additional loci. A selection of the Beijing isolates identified in the Spanish sample, together with a sample of Beijing strains from Italy, to broaden the analysis context in the Mediterranean area, were assayed in an infection model with THP-1 cells. A wide range of intracellular growth rates was observed with only two isolates showing an increased intracellular replication, in both cases associated with contained production of TNF-α. No correlation was observed between virulence and the Beijing phylogenetic group, clustered/orphan status, or resistance. The Beijing strain responsible for extensive spread on Gran Canaria Island was also identified in Madrid, but did not lead to secondary cases and did not show high infectivity in the infection model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Beijing lineage in our area is a non-homogeneous family, with only certain highly virulent representatives. The specific characterization of Beijing isolates in different settings could help us to accurately identify the virulent representatives before making general assumptions about this lineage.</p
NICMOS Imaging of Molecular Hydrogen Emission in Seyfert Galaxies
We present NICMOS imaging of broad band and molecular hydrogen emission in
Seyfert galaxies. In 6 of 10 Seyferts we detect resolved or extended emission
in the 1-0 S(1) 2.121 or 1-0 S(3) 1.9570 micron molecular hydrogen lines. We
did not detect emission in the most distant galaxy or in the 2 Seyfert 1
galaxies in our sample because of the luminosity of the nuclear point sources.
In NGC 5643, NGC 2110 and MKN 1066, molecular hydrogen emission is detected in
the extended narrow line region on scales of a few hundred pc from the nucleus.
Emission is coincident with [OIII] and H alpha+[NII] line emission. This
emission is also near dust lanes observed in the visible to near-infrared color
maps suggesting that a multiphase medium exists near the ionization cones and
that the morphology of the line emission is dependent on the density of the
ambient media. The high 1-0 S(1) or S(3) H2 to H alpha flux ratio suggests that
shock excitation of molecular hydrogen (rather than UV fluorescence) is the
dominant excitation process in these extended features. In NGC 2992 and NGC
3227 the molecular hydrogen emission is from 800 and 100 pc diameter `disks'
(respectively) which are not directly associated with [OIII] emission and are
near high levels of extinction (AV > 10). In NGC 4945 the molecular hydrogen
emission appears to be from the edge of a 100 pc superbubble. In these 3
galaxies the molecular gas could be excited by processes associated with local
star formation. We confirm previous spectroscopic studies finding that no
single mechanism is likely to be responsible for the molecular hydrogen
excitation in Seyfert galaxies.Comment: submitted to Ap
Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca2+ in acidic organelles
ProducciĂłn CientĂficaOver the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciĂłn (PID2020-116086RB-I00 )Junta de Castilla y LeĂłn (Ref. CLU- 2019-02)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Reino Unido (BB/T015853/1 y BB/W01551X/1
Determinant factors of long-term performance development in young swimmers
To develop a performance predictor model based on swimmersâ biomechanical profile, relate the partial contribution of the main predictors with the training program, and analyze the time effect, sex effect, and time Ă sex interaction.
91 swimmers (44 boys, 12.04 ± 0.81 y; 47 girls, 11.22 ± 0.98 y) evaluated during a 3-y period. The decimal age and anthropometric, kinematic, and efficiency features were collected 10 different times over 3 seasons (ie, longitudinal research). Hierarchical linear modeling was the procedure used to estimate the performance predictors.
Performance improved between season 1 early and season 3 late for both sexes (boys 26.9% [20.88;32.96], girls 16.1% [10.34;22.54]). Decimal age (estimate [EST] â2.05, P < .001), arm span (EST â0.59, P < .001), stroke length (EST 3.82; P = .002), and propelling efficiency (EST â0.17, P = .001) were entered in the final model.
Over 3 consecutive seasons young swimmersâ performance improved. Performance is a multifactorial phenomenon where anthropometrics, kinematics, and efficiency were the main determinants. The change of these factors over time was coupled with the training plans of this talent identification and development program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca2+ in acidic organelles
Over the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified
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