XAS study of the local environment of impurities in doped TiO2 thin films

In this work we present an X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy characterization of the local environment of the impurity in room temperature ferromagnetic anatase TiO2 thin films doped with Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn, deposited on LaAlO3 substrate by Pulsed Laser Deposition. It was found that there is a considerable amount of impurity atoms substituting Ti in TiO2 anatase, although the presence of metal transition monoxide clusters can not be discarded. From our results we infer that the observed room temperature ferromagnetism of the samples could be assigned to the metal transition atoms replacing Ti in TiO2 anatase.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, Physica B (in press

Perceived cognitive functioning in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy compared to matched healthy women: Evidence from a Portuguese study

Aim: Cognitive concerns are one of the most frequently reported symptoms by breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to evaluate perceived cognitive functioning in Portuguese women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolling 146 women (73 with breast cancer and 73 healthy) was conducted from August to October 2017, invited to participate through online dissemination. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires to collect sociodemographic and clinical data and assess perceived cognitive functioning and psychological adjustment variables (anxiety and depression). Results: Compared to healthy women, women with breast cancer showed significantly lower scores on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) subscales and higher levels of depression. Both groups showed significant negative correlations between perceived cognitive functioning and anxiety and depression. Health status and depression seem to better explain perceived cognitive functioning, with health status adding significantly more explained variance beyond sociodemographic and psychological adjustment variables. Conclusion: The current findings provide evidence for the existence of more cognitive complaints among Portuguese women with breast cancer, compared to healthy individuals. Anxiety, depression, age and education also explain perceived cognitive functioning. Considering that health status and psychological adjustment seem to significantly explain perceived cognitive functioning, special attention should be given by health-care professionals, including nurses, to designing clinical interventions for breast cancer patients to help manage cognitive impairment

An analog integrated circuit design laboratory

We present the structure of an analog integrated circuit design laboratory to instruct at both, senior undergraduate and entry graduate levels. The teaching material includes: a laboratory manual with analog circuit design theory, pre-laboratory exercises and circuit design specifications; a reference web page with step by step instructions and examples; the use of mathematical tools for automation and analysis; and state of the art CAD design tools in use by industry. Upon completion of the course, the students have skills for an entry level analog designer position

Carbon aerogel supported platinum catalysts for selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of 1% wt. Pt catalysts supported in carbon aerogels for the application in the liquid-phase selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. Carbon aerogel supports with different textures were activated with hydrogen peroxide and ammonium peroxydisulfate leading to large amounts of surface groups but keeping unchanged their textural properties. After introducing Pt, the surface chemistry and morphology of the catalysts was characterized by analytical techniques like SEM, TPD, N2 adsorption isotherms, mercury porosimetry and H2 chemisorption. Catalysts prepared with activated aerogels exhibited good selectivity towards the desired product, cinnamyl alcohol. A high temperature post-treatment of the catalysts failed to enhance their selectivity, mainly leading to hydrocinnamaldehyde production

Avoidance Control on Time Scales

We consider dynamic systems on time scales under the control of two agents. One of the agents desires to keep the state of the system out of a given set regardless of the other agent's actions. Leitmann's avoidance conditions are proved to be valid for dynamic systems evolving on an arbitrary time scale.Comment: Revised edition in JOTA format. To appear in J. Optim. Theory Appl. 145 (2010), no. 3. In Pres

Quantum spiral bandwidth of entangled two-photon states

We put forward the concept of quantum spiral bandwidth of the spatial mode function of the two-photon entangled state in spontaneous parametric downconversion. We obtain the bandwidth using the eigenstates of the orbital angular momentum of the biphoton states, and reveal its dependence with the length of the down converting crystal and waist of the pump beam. The connection between the quantum spiral bandwidth and the entropy of entanglement of the quantum state is discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

The potential to control Haemonchus contortus in indigenous South African goats with copper oxide wire particles

The high prevalence of resistance of Haemonchus contortus to all major anthelmintic groups has prompted investigations into alternative control methods in South Africa, including the use of copper oxide wire particle (COWP) boluses. To assess the efficacy of COWP against H. contortus in indigenous South African goats, 18 male faecal egg-count-negative goats were each given ca.1200 infective larvae of H. contortus three times per week during weeks 1 and 2 of the experiment. These animals made up an “established” infection group (ESTGRP). At the start of week 7, six goats were each given a 2-g COWP bolus orally; six goats received a 4-g COWP bolus each and six animals were not treated. A further 20 goats constituted a “developing” infection group (DEVGRP). At the beginning of week 1, seven of the DEVGRP goats were given a 2-g COWP bolus each; seven goats were treated with a 4-g COWP bolus each and no bolus was given to a further six animals. During weeks 1–6, each of these DEVGRP goats was given ca. 400 H. contortus larvae three times per week. All 38 goats were euthanized for worm recovery from the abomasa and small intestines in week 11. In the ESTGRP, the 2-g and 4-g COWP boluses reduced the worm burdens by 95% and 93%, respectively compared to controls (mean burden ± standard deviation, SD: 23 ± 33, 30 ± 56 and 442 ± 518 worms, P = 0.02). However, in the DEVGRP goats, both the 2-g and 4-g COWP treatments were ineffective in reducing the worm burdens relative to the controls (mean burdens ± SD: 1102 ± 841, 649 ± 855, 1051 ± 661 worms, P = 0.16). Mean liver copper levels did not differ between the ESTGRP goats treated with 2-g COWP, 4-g COWP or no COWP (mean ± standard error of the mean, SEM, in ppm: 93.7 ± 8.3; 101.5 ± 8.3; 71.8 ± 8.3, P = 0.07) nor did they differ between the DEVGRP goats (mean ± SEM, in ppm: 74.1 ± 9.1; 75.4 ± 9.1; 74.9 ± 10.0, P > 0.99). The copper values were considered adequate, but not high, for goats. The COWP boluses have the potential to be used in the place of conventional anthelmintics for the control of established H. contortus infections in indigenous South African goats, but their use as part of an integrated approach to control H. contortus in the field must be fully investigated

A Compact and Low-Power CMOS Circuit for Fully-Integrated NEMS Resonators

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Compact CMOS Current Conveyor for Integrated NEMS Resonators

Peer reviewe