Observation of ion beam induced magnetic patterning using off-specular polarized neutron reflectometry

The long-range magnetic structure in Co/Pt multilayers magnetically patterned by ion irradiation is observed by off-specular polarized neutron reflectivity. While both specular and off-specular measurements indicate the formation of an artificial domain structure when the sample is in its remanent state, resonant peaks seen in the diffuse scatter reveal long-range magnetic ordering with periodicity in agreement with the design value. These peaks are completely suppressed when the sample is saturated in plane, confirming their origin in the magnetic patterning of the multilayer

The malleability of uranium: manipulating the charge-density wave in epitaxial films

We report x-ray synchrotron experiments on epitaxial films of uranium, deposited on niobium and tungsten seed layers. Despite similar lattice parameters for these refractory metals, the uranium epitaxial arrangements are different and the strains propagated along the a-axis of the uranium layers are of opposite sign. At low temperatures these changes in epitaxy result in dramatic modifications to the behavior of the charge-density wave in uranium. The differences are explained with the current theory for the electron-phonon coupling in the uranium lattice. Our results emphasize the intriguing possibilities of producing epitaxial films of elements that have complex structures like the light actinides uranium to plutonium.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Growth and Characterization of β\beta-Mn Structured CoZn Thin Films

Thin films of polycrystalline $\beta$-Mn structure CoZn have been grown on thermally oxidized Si substrates by co-sputtering from elemental targets followed by annealing. A range of films grown with variable Co deposition power and fixed Zn deposition power were produced, so as to vary the proportions of the two elements reaching the substrate, which were annealed post-growth. Whilst all films exhibited a (211) $\beta$-Mn structure CoZn texture in X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy showed that the composition with the highest integrated intensity for that Bragg peak contained large vacancies and was covered by a thick ZnO cap owing to being Co-deficient overall. CoZn films deposited at ratios tuned to give the optimal volume fraction of $\beta$-Mn were continuous, with crystallites up to 200~nm in size, with a much thinner ZnO cap layer. Magnetic measurements show that such optimal CoZn films have a Curie temperature $T_\mathrm{C} \sim 420$~K and saturation magnetization of 120~emu/cm$^3$, properties close to those reported for bulk crystals. The $\beta$-Mn structure is chiral (P4$_{1}$32/P4$_{3}$32 space group) and is known to give rise to a Dzyaloshinkii-Moriya interaction (DMI) that stabilizes room-temperature skyrmions in the bulk. Our thin films are thus a potential materials platform, compatible with planar processing technology, for magnetic skyrmions arising from a bulk DMI.Comment: v2 corrects minor typographical error

Implications of subcutaneous or intravenous delivery of trastuzumab: further insight from patient interviews in the PrefHer study

BACKGROUND: The 2 Cohort randomised PrefHer trial examined the preferences of HER2+ve primary breast cancer patients for intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) delivery of trastuzumab via a Single Injectable Device (SID) or hand-held syringe (HHS). The novel approach and design of the study permitted an in-depth exploration of patients' experiences, the impact that different modes of delivery had on patients' well-being and implications for future management. METHODS: The preferences, experiences and general comments of patients in the PrefHer study were collected via specific semi-structured interview schedules. Exploratory analyses of data were conducted using standard methodology. The final question invited patients to make further comments, which were divided into 9 thematic categories - future delivery, compliments, time/convenience, practical considerations, pain/discomfort, study design, side-effects, psychological impact, and perceived efficacy. RESULTS: 267/467 (57%) patients made 396 additional comments, 7 were neutral, 305 positive and 86 negative. The three top categories generating the largest number of comments were compliments and gratitude about staff and being part of PrefHer (75/396; 19%), the potential future delivery of SC trastuzumab (73/396; 18%), and practical considerations about SC administration (60/396; 15%). CONCLUSIONS: Eliciting patient preferences about routes of administration of drugs via comprehensive interviews within a randomised cross-over trial yielded rich and important information. The few negative comments made demonstrated a need for proper staff training in SC administration Patients were grateful to have been part of the trial, and would have liked to continue with SC delivery. The possibility of home administration in the future also seemed acceptable. EUDRACT NUMBER: 2010-024099-25