40 research outputs found
Application of Rarebit Perimetry in Preperimetric Glaucoma
Цел: Да се определят диагностичните възможности на Rarebit периметрията за установяване на ранни функционални промени при първична откритоъгълна глаукома.Методи: Включени са общо 47 очи разпределени в две групи: 23 очи с предпериметрична глаукома (ППГ) и контролна група от 24 очи, изследвани чрез Rarebit периметрия (РБП) и стандартна автоматична периметрия (САП). За оценка на разликите между групите са използвани Kruskal Wallis Test, Mann-Whitney Test, Fisher's Exact Test. Чувствителността и специфичността на РБП за установяване на ранни глаукомни промени е оценена чрез ROC анализ с помощта на различни алгоритми.Резултати: Средните стойности за МНR за контролите и групата ППГ са съответно: 94.71% (SD 2.58); 87.61% (SD 4.80). Разликите в стойностите на МНR между групите са статистически значими (Мann-Whitney Test, р<О.ОО1 ). Най-висока стойността на AROC (0. 849) е постигната, когато за абнормен се приема Rarebit тест с МНR<90% при сравняване на здравите очи с тези с ППГ.Заключение: РБП е чувствителен метод спрямо дефекти в зрителното поле при препериметрична глаукома. Тестът е бърз и лесен за изпълнение.Aim: То determine the diagnostic capabilities of Rarebit perimetry for detection of early functional changes in primary open-angle glaucoma.Methods: А total of 47 eyes divided into two groups: 23 eyes with preperimetric glaucoma (PPG) and a control group of 24 eyes were examined with Rarebit perimetry (RBP) and standard automated perimetry (SAP). То evaluate the differences between the groups were used Kruskal Wallis Test, Mann-Whitney Test and Fisher's Exact Test. The sensitivity and specificity of the RBP for detection of early glaucomatous changes were evaluated by ROC analysis using different algorithms.Results: Average МНR for control and PPG group were respectively: 94.71% (SD 2.58); 87.61% (SD 4.80). Differences in МНR between the groups were statistically significant (Мann-Whitney Test, р <0.001). The highest value of AROC (0.849) was achieved when as abnormal was accepted Rarebit test with МНR <90% when comparing healthy eyes to those with PPG.Conclusion: RBP is sensitive method for visual field defects in preperimetric glaucoma. The test is quick and easy to perform
Re-entrant superconductivity in Nb/Cu(1-x)Ni(x) bilayers
We report on the first observation of a pronounced re-entrant
superconductivity phenomenon in superconductor/ferromagnetic layered systems.
The results were obtained using a superconductor/ferromagnetic-alloy bilayer of
Nb/Cu(1-x)Ni(x). The superconducting transition temperature T_{c} drops sharply
with increasing thickness d_{CuNi} of the ferromagnetic layer, until complete
suppression of superconductivity is observed at d_{CuNi}= 4 nm. Increasing the
Cu(1-x)Ni(x) layer thickness further, superconductivity reappears at
d_{CuNi}=13 nm. Our experiments give evidence for the pairing function
oscillations associated with a realization of the quasi-one dimensional
Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) like state in the ferromagnetic layer.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, REVTEX4/twocolum
Reentrant superconductivity in superconductor/ferromagnetic-alloy bilayers
We studied the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) like state
establishing due to the proximity effect in superconducting Nb/Cu41Ni59
bilayers. Using a special wedge-type deposition technique, series of 20-35
samples could be fabricated by magnetron sputtering during one run. The layer
thickness of only a few nanometers, the composition of the alloy, and the
quality of interfaces were controlled by Rutherford backscattering
spectrometry, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Auger
spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic alloy layer were
characterized with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)
magnetometry. These studies yield precise information about the thickness, and
demonstrate the homogeneity of the alloy composition and magnetic properties
along the sample series. The dependencies of the critical temperature on the Nb
and Cu41Ni59 layer thickness, Tc(dS) and Tc(dF), were investigated for constant
thickness dF of the magnetic alloy layer and dS of the superconducting layer,
respectively. All types of non-monotonic behaviors of Tc versus dF predicted by
the theory could be realized experimentally: from reentrant superconducting
behavior with a broad extinction region to a slight suppression of
superconductivity with a shallow minimum. Even a double extinction of
superconductivity was observed, giving evidence for the multiple reentrant
behavior predicted by theory. All critical temperature curves were fitted with
suitable sets of parameters. Then, Tc(dF) diagrams of a hypothetical F/S/F
spin-switch core structure were calculated using these parameters. Finally,
superconducting spin-switch fabrication issues are discussed in detail in view
of the achieved results.Comment: 34 pages, 9 figure
Reentrant Superconductivity and Superconducting Critical Temperature Oscillations in F/S/F trilayers of Cu41Ni59/Nb/Cu41Ni59 Grown on Cobalt Oxide
Ferromagnet/Superconductor/Ferromagnet (F/S/F) trilayers constitute the core
of a superconducting spin valve. The switching effect of the spin valve is
based on interference phenomena occurring due to the proximity effect at the
S/F interfaces. A remarkable effect is only expected if the core structure
exhibits strong critical temperature oscillations, or most favorable, reentrant
superconductivity, when the thickness of the ferromagnetic layer is increased.
The core structure has to be grown on an antiferromagnetic oxide layer (or such
layer to be placed on top) to pin by exchange bias the
magnetization-orientation of one of the ferromagnetic layers. In the present
paper we demonstrate that this is possible, keeping the superconducting
behavior of the core structure undisturbed.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, 1 tabl
Experimental and theoretical analysis of the upper critical field in FSF trilayers
The upper critical magnetic field H_{c2} in thin-film FSF trilayer spin-valve
cores is studied experimentally and theoretically in geometries perpendicular
and parallel to the heterostructure surface. The series of samples with
variable thicknesses of the bottom and of the top Cu_{41}Ni_{59} F-layers are
prepared in a single run, utilizing a wedge deposition technique. The critical
field H_{c2} is measured in the temperature range K and for magnetic
fields up to 9 Tesla. A transition from oscillatory to reentrant behavior of
the superconducting transition temperature versus F-layers thickness, induced
by an external magnetic field, has been observed for the first time. In order
to properly interpret the experimental data, we develop a quasiclassical
theory, enabling one to evaluate the temperature dependence of the critical
field and the superconducting transition temperature for an arbitrary set of
the system parameters. A fairly good agreement between our experimental data
and theoretical predictions is demonstrated for all samples, using a single set
of fit parameters. This confirms adequacy of the
Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) physics in determining the unusual
superconducting properties of the studied Cu_{41}Ni_{59}/Nb/Cu_{41}Ni_{59}
spin-valve core trilayers.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures; published versio
Memory Effect and Triplet Pairing Generation in the Superconducting Exchange Biased Co/CoOx/Cu41Ni59/Nb/Cu41Ni59 Layered Heterostructure
We fabricated a nanolayered hybrid superconductor-ferromagnet spin-valve
structure, the resistive state of which depends on the preceding magnetic field
polarity. The effect is based on a strong exchange bias (about -2 kOe) on a
diluted ferromagnetic copper-nickel alloy and generation of a long range odd in
frequency triplet pairing component. The difference of high and low resistance
states at zero magnetic field is 90% of the normal state resistance for a
transport current of 250 {\mu}A and still around 42% for 10 {\mu}A. Both logic
states of the structure do not require biasing fields or currents in the idle
mode.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, Accepted to Applied Physics Letter
Observation of the Triplet Spin-Valve Effect in a Superconductor-Ferromagnet Heterostructure
The theory of superconductor-ferromagnet (S-F) heterostructures with two
ferromagnetic layers predicts the generation of a long-range, odd-in-frequency
triplet pairing at non-collinear alignment (NCA) of the magnetizations of the
F-layers. This triplet pairing has been detected in a Nb/Cu41Ni59/nc-Nb/Co/CoOx
spin-valve type proximity effect heterostructure, in which a very thin Nb film
between the F-layers serves as a normal conducting (nc) spacer. The resistance
of the sample as a function of an external magnetic field shows that for not
too high fields the system is superconducting at a collinear alignment of the
Cu41Ni59 and Co layer magnetic moments, but switches to the normal conducting
state at a NCA configuration. This indicates that the superconducting
transition temperature Tc for NCA is lower than the fixed measuring
temperature. The existence of a minimum Tc, at the NCA regime below that one
for parallel or antiparallel alignments of the F-layer magnetic moments, is
consistent with the theoretical prediction of a singlet superconductivity
suppression by the long-range triplet pairing generation.Comment: 7 pages, 4 fgures, Submitted to Physical Review Letter
Multisite spectroscopic seismic study of the beta Cep star V2052 Oph: inhibition of mixing by its magnetic field
We used extensive ground-based multisite and archival spectroscopy to derive
observational constraints for a seismic modelling of the magnetic beta Cep star
V2052 Ophiuchi. The line-profile variability is dominated by a radial mode
(f_1=7.14846 d^{-1}) and by rotational modulation (P_rot=3.638833 d). Two
non-radial low-amplitude modes (f_2=7.75603 d^{-1} and f_3=6.82308 d^{-1}) are
also detected. The four periodicities that we found are the same as the ones
discovered from a companion multisite photometric campaign (Handler et al.
2012) and known in the literature. Using the photometric constraints on the
degrees l of the pulsation modes, we show that both f_2 and f_3 are prograde
modes with (l,m)=(4,2) or (4,3). These results allowed us to deduce ranges for
the mass (M \in [8.2,9.6] M_o) and central hydrogen abundance (X_c \in
[0.25,0.32]) of V2052 Oph, to identify the radial orders n_1=1, n_2=-3 and
n_3=-2, and to derive an equatorial rotation velocity v_eq \in [71,75] km
s^{-1}. The model parameters are in full agreement with the effective
temperature and surface gravity deduced from spectroscopy. Only models with no
or mild core overshooting (alpha_ov \in [0,0.15] local pressure scale heights)
can account for the observed properties. Such a low overshooting is opposite to
our previous modelling results for the non-magnetic beta Cep star theta Oph
having very similar parameters, except for a slower surface rotation rate. We
discuss whether this result can be explained by the presence of a magnetic
field in V2052 Oph that inhibits mixing in its interior.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures and 5 tables; accepted for publication in MNRAS
on 2012 August 1
Dancing with health : quality of life and physical improvements from an EU collaborative dance programme with women following breast cancer treatment
Background
Women’s health has received renewed attention in the last few years including the rehabilitation of women whose health has been affected by breast cancer. Dancing has often been regarded as attractive for women but research with women recovering from breast cancer is still in its infancy.
Methods
Dancing with Health is multi-site evaluation study that aimed to evaluate a dance programme for women in recovery from breast cancer across five European countries. A standardised 32-hour dance protocol introduced a range of Latin American dances within a sports and exercise framework with influences from dance movement therapy. Fifty-four women (N=54) mean age 53.51 SD 7.99 participated in the study who have had breast cancer diagnosis 6 weeks and no indication of metastasis or scheduled surgery/chemotherapy/radiation treatment for the duration of the intervention. Primary outcome data was collected for anthropometric and fitness measures next to cancer-related quality of life. All evaluation measures were taken pre and post intervention.
Results
Statistically significant changes were found for: (i) weight (Mdn 69.84 ± 15.32 vs 65.50 ± 15.45 kg), forearm circumference (right Mdn 26.00 ± 2.05 vs 25.75 ± 3.00; left Mdn 26.00 ± 3.00 vs 26.00 ± 3.50 cm) and hip (M 104.94 ± 8.66 vs 103.77 ± 8.25 cm); (ii) 6-minute walking (M 521.36 ± 71.28 vs 557.60 ± 87.62 mt), handgrip (right M 22.78 ± 5.74 vs 24.70 ± 5.79; left M 20.76 ± 5.34 vs 22.64 ± 5.67 kg), sit-to-stand (Mdn 13.50 ± 3.50 vs 15.00 ± 5.25 no.) and sit-and-reach (Mdn 1.00 ± 10.00 vs 3.00 ± 11.50 cm); (iii) the EORTC-QLQ C30 summary score as well as the subscales of emotional and social functioning and symptoms. In all cases the direction of change was positive, while Cohen’s d calculated showed that the effect of the intervention for these parameters ranged from intermediate to large.
Conclusion
Changes on the above anthropometric, fitness and quality of life measures suggest that the intervention was of value to the participating women recovering from breast cancer. Results also advocate collaborative efforts across countries to further research
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Cause of Death and Predictors of All-Cause Mortality in Anticoagulated Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation : Data From ROCKET AF
M. Kaste on työryhmän ROCKET AF Steering Comm jäsen.Background-Atrial fibrillation is associated with higher mortality. Identification of causes of death and contemporary risk factors for all-cause mortality may guide interventions. Methods and Results-In the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF) study, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were randomized to rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted warfarin. Cox proportional hazards regression with backward elimination identified factors at randomization that were independently associated with all-cause mortality in the 14 171 participants in the intention-to-treat population. The median age was 73 years, and the mean CHADS(2) score was 3.5. Over 1.9 years of median follow-up, 1214 (8.6%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier mortality rates were 4.2% at 1 year and 8.9% at 2 years. The majority of classified deaths (1081) were cardiovascular (72%), whereas only 6% were nonhemorrhagic stroke or systemic embolism. No significant difference in all-cause mortality was observed between the rivaroxaban and warfarin arms (P=0.15). Heart failure (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.33-1.70, P= 75 years (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.51-1.90, P Conclusions-In a large population of patients anticoagulated for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, approximate to 7 in 10 deaths were cardiovascular, whereasPeer reviewe