Origin and tailoring of the antiferromagnetic domain structure in α\alpha-Fe2_2O3_3 thin films unraveled by statistical analysis of dichroic spectro-microscopy (X-PEEM) images

The magnetic microstructure and domain wall distribution of antiferromagnetic $\alpha$-Fe$_2$O$_3$ epitaxial layers is determined by statistical image analyses. Using dichroic spectro-microscopy images, we demonstrate that the domain structure is statistically invariant with thickness and that the antiferromagnetic domain structure of the thin films is inherited from the ferrimagnetic precursor layer one, even after complete transformation into antiferromagnetic $\alpha$-Fe$_2$O$_3$. We show that modifying the magnetic domain structure of the precursor layer is a genuine way to tune the magnetic domain structure and domain walls of the antiferromagnetic layers

CuFe2S3 as electrode material for Li-ion batteries

Electrochemical performances of the isocubanite CuFe2S3 tested as electrode material for Li-ion batteries have been investigated. A first discharge capacity of 860 mA h g(-1) shows a conversion process leading to Li2S, copper and iron nanoparticles. Interestingly, a reversible capacity of 560 mA h g(-1) at 1.5 V is demonstrated with good cyclability up to 30 cycles

The Mutual Information in Random Linear Estimation Beyond i.i.d. Matrices

There has been definite progress recently in proving the variational single-letter formula given by the heuristic replica method for various estimation problems. In particular, the replica formula for the mutual information in the case of noisy linear estimation with random i.i.d. matrices, a problem with applications ranging from compressed sensing to statistics, has been proven rigorously. In this contribution we go beyond the restrictive i.i.d. matrix assumption and discuss the formula proposed by Takeda, Uda, Kabashima and later by Tulino, Verdu, Caire and Shamai who used the replica method. Using the recently introduced adaptive interpolation method and random matrix theory, we prove this formula for a relevant large sub-class of rotationally invariant matrices.Comment: Presented at the 2018 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT

Manipulating the ferroelectric polarization state of BaTiO 3 thin films

International audienceControlling the ferroelectric polarization at macroscopic or microscopic levels is crucial in the framework of the development of ferroelectric materials used in yet challenging photo-electrochemical (PEC) cells and spintronic applications. We report here on polarization methods allowing to electrically polarize prototypical samples of BaTiO 3 (001) films. Epitaxial single crystalline layers were grown up to a thickness of 25 nm by atomic oxygen assisted molecular beam epitaxy on 1 at.% Nb doped SrTiO 3 (001) single crystals. The samples were both microscopically and macroscopically polarized using Piezoresponse Force Microscopy and electrochemical poling in an electrolyte respectively. In addition we demonstrate the possibility to retrieve a quasi-native mixed ferroelectric polarization state after annealing. These polarization methods may be applied to many other ferroelectric thin films

Local electronic structure and photoelectrochemical activity of partial chemically etched Ti-doped hematite

International audienceThe direct conversion of solar light into chemical energy or fuel through photoelectrochemical water splitting is promising as a clean hydrogen production solution. Ti-doped hematite (Ti:α-Fe 2 O 3) is a potential key photoanode material, which despite its optimal band gap, excellent chemical stability, abundance, non-toxicity and low cost, still has to be improved. Here we give evidence of a drastic improvement of the water splitting performances of Ti-doped hematite photoanodes upon a HCl wet-etching. In addition to the topography investigation by atomic force microscopy, a detailed determination of the local electronic structure has been carried out in order to understand the phenomenon and to provide new insights in the understanding of solar water splitting. Using synchrotron radiation based spectromicroscopy (X-PEEM), we investigated the X-ray absorption spectral features at the L 3 Fe edge of the as grown surface and of the wet-etched surface on the very same sample thanks to patterning. We show that HCl wet etching leads to substantial surface modifications of the oxide layer including increased roughness and chemical reduction (presence of Fe 2+) without changing the band gap. We demonstrate that these changes are profitable and correlated to the drastic changes of the photocatalytic activity

Determination of the cation site distribution of the spinel in multiferroic CoFe2O4 / BaTiO3 layers by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

International audienceThe properties of CoFe2O4/BaTiO3 artificial multiferroic multilayers strongly depend on the crystalline structure, the stoichiometry and the cation distribution between octahedral (Oh) and tetrahedral (Td) sites (inversion factor). In the present study, we have investigated epitaxial CoFe2O4 layers grown on BaTiO3, with different Co/Fe ratios. We determined the cation distribution in our samples by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), a well accepted method to do so, and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), using a fitting method based on physical considerations. We observed that our XPS approach converged on results consistent with XMCD measurements made on the same samples. Thus, within a careful decomposition based on individual chemical environments it is shown that XPS is fully able to determine the actual inversion factor

Hadriani a Mynsicht ... Thesaurus et armamentarium medico-chymicum... ; cui in fine adiunctum est testamentum Hadrianeum de aureo philosophorum lapide

BHR/A-002-376(BIB LVL) w-FONDO ANTIGUO(ES-GrU)b10989109-34cbua_ugr(OCoLC)933879637Mynsicht, Adrian vonHadriani a Mynsicht ... Thesaurus et armamentarium medico-chymicum... ; cui in fine adiunctum est testamentum Hadrianeum de aureo philosophorum lapideEditio secunda emendatiorLugduni[40], 490, [68] p.Marca tip. en port. a dos tinta

High prevalence of the arginine catabolic mobile element in carriage isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis

Background The arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) associated with staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) in the USA300 clone of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus enhances its fitness and ability to colonize the host. Staphylococcus epidermidis may act as a reservoir of ACME for S. aureus. We assessed the diffusion of ACME in methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) isolates colonizing outpatients. Methods Seventy-eight MRSE strains isolated in outpatients from five countries were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and SCCmec typing and screened for the arcA and opp3AB markers of ACME. ACME-arcA and ACME-opp3AB were sequenced. ACME type I from MRSE and USA300 were compared by long-range PCR (LR-PCR). Results Fifty-three (67.9%) MRSE strains carried an ACME element, including 19 (24.4%), 32 (41.0%) and 2 (2.6%) with ACME type I (arcA+/opp3AB+), II (arcA+/opp3AB−) and III (arcA−/opp3AB+), respectively. The prevalence of ACME did not differ between clonal complex 2 (42/60 strains) and other sequence types (11/18 strains, P = 0.7), with MLST data suggesting frequent intraspecies acquisition. ACME-arcA sequences were highly conserved, whereas ACME-opp3AB displayed 11 distinct allotypes. ACME was found in 14/29, 9/11 and 30/37 strains with type IV, type V and non-typeable SCCmec, respectively (P = 0.01). ACME was more frequently associated with ccrC than with ccrAB2 (82.4% versus 60.0%, P = 0.048). LR-PCR indicated structural homologies of ACME I between MRSE and USA300. Conclusions ACME is widely disseminated in MRSE strains colonizing outpatients and may contribute to their spread in a community environment with low antibiotic exposure, as suggested for USA30

Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in the Community: High Homology of SCCmec IVa between Staphylococcus epidermidis and Major Clones of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background. Data on community spread of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS) are scarce. We assessed their potential role as a reservoir of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) IVa, the leading SCCmec subtype in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Methods. Nasal carriage of MR-CoNS was prospectively investigated in 291 adults at hospital admission. MR-CoNS were characterized by SCCmec typing, long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SCCmec IV, and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) for Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) strains. Three SCCmec IVa elements were fully sequenced. Results. The carriage rate of MR-CoNS was 19.2% (25.9% and 16.5% in patients with and patients without previous exposure to the health care system, respectively; P = .09). MR-CoNS strains (n=83, including 58 MRSE strains with highly heterogeneous MLVA patterns) carried SCCmec type IVa (n=9, all MRSE), other SCCmec IV subtypes (n=9, including 7 MRSE), other SCCmec types (n=15), and nontypeable SCCmec (n=50). Long-range PCR indicated structural homology between SCCmec IV in MRSE and that in MRSA. Complete sequences of SCCmec IVa from 3 MRSE strains were highly homologous to those available for CA-MRSA, including major clones USA300 and USA400. Conclusions. MR-CoNS are probably disseminated in the community, notably in subjects without previous exposure to the health care system. MRSE, the most prevalent species, may act as a reservoir of SCCmec IVa for CA-MRS