558 research outputs found
Search for quantum criticality in a ferromagnetic system UNi1-xCoxSi2
Polycrystalline samples of the isostructural alloys UNi1-xCoxSi2 (0 <= x <=
1) were studied by means of x-ray powder diffraction, magnetization, electrical
resistivity and specific heat measurements, at temperatures down to 2 K and in
magnetic fields up to 5 T. The experimental data revealed an evolution from
strongly anisotropic ferromagnetism with pronounced Kondo effect, observed for
the alloys with x < 0.98 and being gradually suppressed with rising Co-content,
to spin-glass-like states with dominant spin fluctuations, seen for the sample
with x = 0.98. Extrapolation of the value of TC(x) yields a critical
concentration xc = 1, at which the magnetic ordering entirely disappears. This
finding is in line with preliminary data collected for stoichiometric UCoSi2.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev.
Quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surfaces of the heavy-fermion superconductor CePdIn
We report low-temperature de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) effect measurements in
magnetic fields up to 35 T of the heavy-fermion superconductor CePdIn.
The comparison of the experimental results with band-structure calculations
implies that the 4 electrons are itinerant rather than localized. The
cyclotron masses estimated at high field are only moderately enhanced, 8 and 14
, but are substantially larger than the corresponding band masses. The
observed angular dependence of the dHvA frequencies suggests
quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surfaces in agreement with band-structure
calculations. However, the deviation from ideal two dimensionality is larger
than in CeCoIn, with which CePdIn bears a lot of similarities. This
subtle distinction accounts for the different superconducting critical
temperatures of the two compounds.Comment: accepted to Phys. Rev.
Evolution from localized to intermediate valence regime in Ce2Cu2-xNixIn
Polycrystalline samples of the solid solution Ce2Cu2-xNixIn were studied by
means of x-ray powder diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and electrical
resistivity measurements performed in a wide temperature range. Partial
substitution of copper atoms by nickel atoms results in quasi-linear decrease
of the lattice parameters and the unit cell volume of the system. The lattice
compression leads to an increase in the exchange integral and yields a reversal
in the order of the magnetic 4f1 and nonmagnetic 4f0 states, being in line with
the Doniach phase diagram. In the localized regime, where an interplay of the
Kondo scattering and the crystalline electric field effect takes place, the
rise in the hybridization strength is accompanied with relative reduction in
the scattering conduction electrons on excited crystal field levels. (c) 2011
IOP Publishing Ltd.Comment: This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article
accepted for publication in Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. IOP
Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version
of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The definitive
publisher-authenticated version is available online at
doi:10.1088/0953-8984/23/45/45600
Giant crystal-electric-field effect and complex magnetic behavior in single-crystalline CeRh3Si2
Single-crystalline CeRh3Si2 was investigated by means of x-ray diffraction,
magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific
heat measurements carried out in wide temperature and magnetic field ranges.
Moreover, the electronic structure of the compound was studied at room
temperature by cerium core-level x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The
physical properties were analyzed in terms of crystalline electric field and
compared with results of ab-initio band structure calculations performed within
the density functional theory approach. The compound was found to crystallize
in the orthorhombic unit cell of the ErRh3Si2 type (space group Imma -- No.74,
Pearson symbol: oI24) with the lattice parameters: a = 7.1330(14) A, b =
9.7340(19) A, and c = 5.6040(11) A. Analysis of the magnetic and XPS data
revealed the presence of well localized magnetic moments of trivalent cerium
ions. All physical properties were found to be highly anisotropic over the
whole temperature range studied, and influenced by exceptionally strong
crystalline electric field with the overall splitting of the 4f1 ground
multiplet exceeding 5700 K. Antiferromagnetic order of the cerium magnetic
moments at TN = 4.70(1)K and their subsequent spin rearrangement at Tt =
4.48(1) K manifest themselves as distinct anomalies in the temperature
characteristics of all investigated physical properties and exhibit complex
evolution in an external magnetic field. A tentative magnetic B-T phase
diagram, constructed for B parallel to the b-axis being the easy magnetization
direction, shows very complex magnetic behavior of CeRh3Si2, similar to that
recently reported for an isostructural compound CeIr3Si2. The electronic band
structure calculations corroborated the antiferromagnetic ordering of the
cerium magnetic moments and well reproduced the experimental XPS valence band
spectrum.Comment: 32 pages, 12 figures, to appear in Physical Review
Unusual Ground State Properties of the Kondo-Lattice Compound Yb2Ir3Ge5
We report sample preparation, structure, electrical resistivity, magnetic
susceptibility and heat capacity studies of a new compound YbIrGe.
We find that this compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure with a
space group PMMN unlike the compound CeIrGe which crystallizes in
the tetragonal IBAM (UCoSi type) structure. Our resistivity
measurements indicate that the compound YbIrGe behaves like a
typical Kondo lattice system with no ordering down to 0.4 K. However, a
Curie-Weiss fit of the inverse magnetic susceptibility above 100 K gives an
effective moment of only 3.66 which is considerably less than the
theoretical value of 4.54 for magnetic Yb ions. The value of
= -15.19 K is also considerably higher indicating the presence of
strong hybridization. An upturn in the low temperature heat capacity gives an
indication that the system may order magnetically just below the lowest
temperature of our heat capacity measurements (0.4 K). The structure contains
two sites for Yb ions and the present investigation suggests that Yb may be
trivalent in one site while it may be significantly lower (close to divalent)
in the other.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. submitted to Phys. Rev.
Pre- and Perinatal Ischemia-Hypoxia, the Ischemia-Hypoxia Response Pathway, and ADHD Risk
This review focuses on how measured pre- and perinatal environmental and (epi)genetic risk factors are interrelated and potentially influence one, of many, common developmental pathway towards ADHD. Consistent with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis, lower birth weight is associated with increased ADHD risk. Prenatal ischemia-hypoxia (insufficient blood and oxygen supply in utero) is a primary pathway to lower birth weight and produces neurodevelopmental risk for ADHD. To promote tissue survival in the context of ischemia-hypoxia, ischemia-hypoxia response (IHR) pathway gene expression is altered in the developing brain and peripheral tissues. Although altered IHR gene expression is adaptive in the context of ischemia-hypoxia, lasting IHR epigenetic modifications may lead to increased ADHD risk. Taken together, IHR genetic vulnerability to ischemia-hypoxia and IHR epigenetic alterations following prenatal ischemia-hypoxia may result in neurodevelopmental vulnerability for ADHD. Limitations of the extant literature and future directions for genetically-informed research are discussed
Genetic background modifies CNS-mediated sensorimotor decline in the AD-BXD mouse model of genetic diversity in Alzheimer\u27s disease.
Many patients with Alzheimer\u27s dementia (AD) also exhibit noncognitive symptoms such as sensorimotor deficits, which can precede the hallmark cognitive deficits and significantly impact daily activities and an individual\u27s ability to live independently. However, the mechanisms underlying sensorimotor dysfunction in AD and their relationship with cognitive decline remains poorly understood, due in part to a lack of translationally relevant animal models. To address this, we recently developed a novel model of genetic diversity in Alzheimer\u27s disease, the AD-BXD genetic reference panel. In this study, we investigated sensorimotor deficits in the AD-BXDs and the relationship to cognitive decline in these mice. We found that age- and AD-related declines in coordination, balance and vestibular function vary significantly across the panel, indicating genetic background strongly influences the expressivity of the familial AD mutations used in the AD-BXD panel and their impact on motor function. Although young males and females perform comparably regardless of genotype on narrow beam and inclined screen tasks, there were significant sex differences in aging- and AD-related decline, with females exhibiting worse decline than males of the same age and transgene status. Finally, we found that AD motor decline is not correlated with cognitive decline, suggesting that sensorimotor deficits in AD may occur through distinct mechanisms. Overall, our results suggest that AD-related sensorimotor decline is strongly dependent on background genetics and is independent of dementia and cognitive deficits, suggesting that effective therapeutics for the entire spectrum of AD symptoms will likely require interventions targeting each distinct domain involved in the disease
Translational approaches to understanding resilience to Alzheimer\u27s disease.
Individuals who maintain cognitive function despite high levels of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD)-associated pathology are said to be \u27resilient\u27 to AD. Identifying mechanisms underlying resilience represents an exciting therapeutic opportunity. Human studies have identified a number of molecular and genetic factors associated with resilience, but the complexity of these cohorts prohibits a complete understanding of which factors are causal or simply correlated with resilience. Genetically and phenotypically diverse mouse models of AD provide new and translationally relevant opportunities to identify and prioritize new resilience mechanisms for further cross-species investigation. This review will discuss insights into resilience gained from both human and animal studies and highlight future approaches that may help translate these insights into therapeutics designed to prevent or delay AD-related dementia
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