Magnetically-driven electronic phase separation in the semimetallic ferromagnet EuB6_6

From measurements of fluctuation spectroscopy and weak nonlinear transport on the semimetallic ferromagnet EuB$_6$ we find direct evidence for magnetically-driven electronic phase separation consistent with the picture of percolation of magnetic polarons (MP), which form highly conducting magnetically-ordered clusters in a paramagnetic and 'poorly conducting' background. These different parts of the conducting network are probed separately by the noise spectroscopy/nonlinear transport and the conventional linear resistivity. We suggest a comprehensive and 'universal' scenario for the MP percolation, which occurs at a critical magnetization either induced by ferromagnetic order at zero field or externally applied magnetic fields in the paramagentic region

Coframe teleparallel models of gravity. Exact solutions

The superstring and superbrane theories which include gravity as a necessary and fundamental part renew an interest to alternative representations of general relativity as well as the alternative models of gravity. We study the coframe teleparallel theory of gravity with a most general quadratic Lagrangian. The coframe field on a differentiable manifold is a basic dynamical variable. A metric tensor as well as a metric compatible connection is generated by a coframe in a unique manner. The Lagrangian is a general linear combination of Weitzenb\"{o}ck's quadratic invariants with free dimensionless parameters \r_1,\r_2,\r_3. Every independent term of the Lagrangian is a global SO(1,3)-invariant 4-form. For a special choice of parameters which confirms with the local SO(1,3) invariance this theory gives an alternative description of Einsteinian gravity - teleparallel equivalent of GR. We prove that the sign of the scalar curvature of a metric generated by a static spherical-symmetric solution depends only on a relation between the free parameters. The scalar curvature vanishes only for a subclass of models with \r_1=0. This subclass includes the teleparallel equivalent of GR. We obtain the explicit form of all spherically symmetric static solutions of the ``diagonal'' type to the field equations for an arbitrary choice of free parameters. We prove that the unique asymptotic-flat solution with Newtonian limit is the Schwarzschild solution that holds for a subclass of teleparallel models with \r_1=0. Thus the Yang-Mills-type term of the general quadratic coframe Lagrangian should be rejected.Comment: 28 pages, Latex error is fixe

Wavelet statistics of functional MRI data and the general linear model

PURPOSE: To improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, an approach is developed that combines wavelet-based methods with the general linear model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ruttimann et al. (1) developed a wavelet-based statistical procedure to test wavelet-space partitions for significant wavelet coefficients. Their method is applicable for the detection of differences between images acquired under two experimental conditions using long blocks of stimulation. However, many neuropsychological questions require more complicated event-related paradigms and more experimental conditions. Therefore, in order to apply wavelet-based methods to a wide range of experiments, we present a new approach that is based on the general linear model and wavelet thresholding. RESULTS: In contrast to a monoresolution filter, the application of the wavelet method increased the SNR and showed a set of clearly dissociable activations. Furthermore, no relevant decrease of the local maxima was observed. CONCLUSION: Wavelet-based methods can increase the SNR without diminishing the signal amplitude, while preserving the spatial resolution of the image. The anatomical localization is strongly improved

Three-phase coexistence with sequence partitioning in symmetric random block copolymers

We inquire about the possible coexistence of macroscopic and microstructured phases in random Q-block copolymers built of incompatible monomer types A and B with equal average concentrations. In our microscopic model, one block comprises M identical monomers. The block-type sequence distribution is Markovian and characterized by the correlation \lambda. Upon increasing the incompatibility \chi\ (by decreasing temperature) in the disordered state, the known ordered phases form: for \lambda\ > \lambda_c, two coexisting macroscopic A- and B-rich phases, for \lambda\ < \lambda_c, a microstructured (lamellar) phase with wave number k(\lambda). In addition, we find a fourth region in the \lambda-\chi\ plane where these three phases coexist, with different, non-Markovian sequence distributions (fractionation). Fractionation is revealed by our analytically derived multiphase free energy, which explicitly accounts for the exchange of individual sequences between the coexisting phases. The three-phase region is reached, either, from the macroscopic phases, via a third lamellar phase that is rich in alternating sequences, or, starting from the lamellar state, via two additional homogeneous, homopolymer-enriched phases. These incipient phases emerge with zero volume fraction. The four regions of the phase diagram meet in a multicritical point (\lambda_c, \chi_c), at which A-B segregation vanishes. The analytical method, which for the lamellar phase assumes weak segregation, thus proves reliable particularly in the vicinity of (\lambda_c, \chi_c). For random triblock copolymers, Q=3, we find the character of this point and the critical exponents to change substantially with the number M of monomers per block. The results for Q=3 in the continuous-chain limit M -> \infty are compared to numerical self-consistent field theory (SCFT), which is accurate at larger segregation.Comment: 24 pages, 19 figures, version published in PRE, main changes: Sec. IIIA, Fig. 14, Discussio

Growth Hormone (GH)-Releasing Peptide Stimulation of GH Release from Human Somatotroph Adenoma Cells: Interaction with GH-Releasing Hormone, Thyrotropin- Releasing Hormone, and Octreotide.

The synthetic hexapeptide GH-releasing peptide (GHRP; His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) specifically stimulates GH secretion in humans in vivo and in animals in vitro and in vivo via a still unknown receptor and mechanism. To determine the effect of GHRP on human somatotroph cells in vitro, we stimulated cell cultures derived from 12 different human somatotroph adenomas with GHRP alone and in combination with GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), TRH, and the somatostatin analog octreotide. GH secretion of all 12 adenoma cultures could be stimulated with GHRP, whereas GHRH was active only in 6 adenoma cultures. In GHRH-responsive cell cultures, simultaneous application of GHRH and GHRP had an additive effect on GH secretion. TRH stimulated GH release in 4 of 7 adenoma cultures; in TRH-responsive cell cultures there was also an additive effect of GHRP and TRH on GH secretion. In 5 of 9 adenoma cultures investigated, octreotide inhibited basal GH secretion. In these cell cultures, GHRP-induced GH release was suppressed by octreotide. In 5 of 5 cases, the protein kinase-C inhibitor phloretin partly inhibited GHRP-stimulated GH release, but not basal GH secretion. In summary, GH secretion was stimulated by GHRP in all somatotroph adenomas investigated, indicating that its unknown receptor and signaling pathway are expressed more consistently in somatotroph adenoma cells than those for GHRH, TRH, and somatostatin. Our data give further evidence that GHRP-stimulated GH secretion is mediated by a receptor different from that for GHRH or TRH, respectively, and that protein kinase-C is involved in the signal transduction pathway. Because human somatotroph adenoma cell cultures respond differently to various neuropeptides (GHRH, TRH, somatostatin, and others), they provide a model for further investigation of the mechanism of action of GHRP-induced GH secretion

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

Economic evaluation of adverse events of dabrafenib plus trametinib versus nivolumab in patients with advanced BRAF-mutant cutaneous melanoma for adjuvant therapy in Germany

Background: Adjuvant treatment options have become the standard therapy for stage III and IV resectable cutaneous melanoma. Two recent studies led to the registration of dabrafenib and trametinib as targeted therapies for BRAF-mutated melanoma, and of immunotherapy with nivolumab irrespective of BRAF-mutation status. Both therapies have different spectrums of adverse events. Objective: To estimate the financial impact of side effects from the perspective of the German statutory sick funds to compare both therapeutic options and to relate the burden to the overall costs of the treatment. Study design and setting: Thirty-six adverse event categories for the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib (‘combi treatment’) and for nivolumab were extracted from the original publications of the studies named COMBI-AD and CheckMate 238. Patients and intervention: For all event categories a diagnosis and therapy recommendation were determined according to current national or international guidelines or from leading German textbooks. Main outcome measure: The resulting diagnostic steps, treatments, and therapies were evaluated with unit costs based on the German fee schedule for ambulatory physicians, the German G-DRG scheme, and the German drug price list. Results: The number of events with nivolumab per one hundred treatments amounted to 3.8 mandatory hospitalizations, 3.5 emergency care events and 0.8 life-threatening events. For the combi treatment, the respective number of events per one hundred treatments was 2.7, 1.8, and 0.5. The overall cost burden was calculated as €899 for nivolumab and €861 for combi-treatment. Conclusion: The treatment of adverse events resulting from adjuvant melanoma therapy showed comparable costs for both therapies

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

Synthesis and cation-receptor properties of macrocyclic imines of anthraquinone

At the present study a series of crown-containing imines of 1-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone with donor and acceptor substituents at the anthraquinone nucleus were synthesized. Compounds were prepared photochemically from the corresponding photoactive 1-phenoxyanthraquinones and 4-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ether. It was established spectrophotometrically that for crown-containing anthraquinone imines that are characterized by "imine-enamine" prototropic tautomerism, the insertion of acceptor substituents shifts the equilibrium to the "enamine" form. This shift leads to essential spectral changes in complexing chlor- and nitrocontaining macrocyclic imines of anthraquinone with alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations

Variationnal study of ferromagnetism in the t1-t2 Hubbard chain

A one-dimensional Hubbard model with nearest and (negative) next-nearest neighbour hopping is studied variationally. This allows to exclude saturated ferromagnetism for $U < U_c$. The variational boundary $U_c (n)$ has a minimum at a ``critical density'' $n_c$ and diverges for $n \rightarrow 1$.Comment: 5 pages, LateX and 1 postscript figure. To appear in Physica