Extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure studies of heat-treated fcc-Fe_50Cu_50 powders processed via high-energy ball milling

The local structure and chemistry of a ferromagnetic fcc-Fe_50Cu_50 solid solution obtained through high-energy ball milling were measured before and after heat-treatment-induced decomposition using extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure measurements. The decomposition is first evident with the phase separation of a-Fe after a heat treatment at 523 K. Analysis of the residual fee component revealed that the Fe atoms were predominantly surrounded by other Fe atoms, suggesting that the Fe has coalesced within the fee structure. The Fe atoms within the fee phase likely exist in low-spin clusters which provide an explanation for the reduced values of low-temperature magnetization previously measured in annealed samples [P. Crespo et aZ., Phys. Rev. B 48, 7134 (1993)]

Tuning metamaterials by using amorphous magnetic microwires

In this work, we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally the possibility of tuning the electromagnetic properties of metamaterials with magnetic fields by incorporating amorphous magnetic microwires. The large permeability of these wires at microwave frequencies allows tuning the resonance of the metamaterial by using magnetic fields of the order of tens of Oe. We describe here the physical basis of the interaction between a prototypical magnetic metamaterial with magnetic microwires and electromagnetic waves plus providing detailed calculations and experimental results for the case of an array of Split Ring Resonators with Co-based microwires

Mechanical-alloying and lattice distortions in ball-milled CuFe

A least-square fitting analysis of EXAFS data collected from partially-crystallized Fe_80B_20 thin films (t=15 nm), using data collected from pure phase standards of the crystallization products, was found effective in determining the relative atomic fraction of each crystalline phase present. This fitting scheme provides a means for the quantitative treatment of crystallization and precipitation kinetics in thin films and multilayered structures

Durvalumab plus tremelimumab for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin

Single immune checkpoint blockade has shown limited activity in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Here the authors report the results of a phase II clinical trial of durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) and tremelimumab (anti CTLA-4) in patients with advanced NENs of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin. Single immune checkpoint blockade in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) shows limited efficacy; dual checkpoint blockade may improve treatment activity. Dune (NCT03095274) is a non-randomized controlled multicohort phase II clinical trial evaluating durvalumab plus tremelimumab activity and safety in advanced NENs. This study included 123 patients presenting between 2017 and 2019 with typical/atypical lung carcinoids (Cohort 1), G1/2 gastrointestinal (Cohort 2), G1/2 pancreatic (Cohort 3) and G3 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (Cohort 4) NENs; who progressed to standard therapies. Patients received 1500 mg durvalumab and 75 mg tremelimumab for up to 13 and 4 cycles (every 4 weeks), respectively. The primary objective was the 9-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) for cohorts 1-3 and 9-month overall survival (OS) rate for Cohort 4. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival according to irRECIST, overall survival, and safety. Correlation of PD-L1 expression with efficacy was exploratory. The 9-month CBR was 25.9%/35.5%/25% for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The 9-month OS rate for Cohort 4 was 36.1%, surpassing the futility threshold. Benefit in Cohort 4 was observed regardless of differentiation and Ki67 levels. PD-L1 combined scores did not correlate with treatment activity. Safety profile was consistent with that of prior studies. In conclusion, durvalumab plus tremelimumab is safe in NENs and shows modest survival benefit in G3 GEP-NENs; with one-third of these patients experiencing a prolonged OS

Ultrasonically enhanced desalting of cod (Gadus morhua). Mass transport kinetics and structural changes

The search for an alternative means of reconstituting dried and salted products prior to consumption is of relevance for the food industry. New techniques should speed up the process while causing minimum impact on product quality. Thereby, the aim of this work was to evaluate both the effect of high-intensity ultrasound application on the desalting kinetics of cod, as well as the changes in its textural and microstructural properties. Moisture and NaCl transport was studied separately by taking the diffusion theory into account. The evolution in the swelling and hardness of cod during desalting was determined and modeled by assuming first-order kinetics. A microstructural analysis of raw salted and desalted cod was also carried out by means of light microscopy and SEM techniques. Ultrasound application significantly (p < 0.05) affected both moisture and NaCl transport and the increase in both effective diffusivities (from 24% to 103%) was linked to the acoustic pressure applied. The desalting process induced the swelling and the softening of the cod tissue, both of which are phenomena that are intensified by ultrasound application. From the microstructural observations, it was shown that the application of highintensity ultrasound modified the cod structure, e.g. the increase in the fiber width.The authors acknowledge the economic support of the project ref. DPI2013-37466-C03-03 co-funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and the European Regional Development Found (ERDF). Cesar Ozuna thanks Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for an FPI grant (Ref. 2009-02). The author also wishes to thank Carmen Cambra S.L. for selecting the raw material.Ozuna López, C.; Puig Gómez, CA.; García Pérez, JV.; Carcel Carrión, JA. (2014). Ultrasonically enhanced desalting of cod (Gadus morhua). Mass transport kinetics and structural changes. Food Science and Technology. 59(1):130-137. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2014.05.062S13013759

Search for heavy neutrinos mixing with tau neutrinos

We report on a search for heavy neutrinos (\nus) produced in the decay D_s\to \tau \nus at the SPS proton target followed by the decay \nudecay in the NOMAD detector. Both decays are expected to occur if \nus is a component of $\nu_{\tau}$.\ From the analysis of the data collected during the 1996-1998 runs with $4.1\times10^{19}$ protons on target, a single candidate event consistent with background expectations was found. This allows to derive an upper limit on the mixing strength between the heavy neutrino and the tau neutrino in the \nus mass range from 10 to 190 $\rm MeV$. Windows between the SN1987a and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis lower limits and our result are still open for future experimental searches. The results obtained are used to constrain an interpretation of the time anomaly observed in the KARMEN1 detector.\Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, a few comments adde

Final NOMAD results on nu_mu->nu_tau and nu_e->nu_tau oscillations including a new search for nu_tau appearance using hadronic tau decays

Results from the nu_tau appearance search in a neutrino beam using the full NOMAD data sample are reported. A new analysis unifies all the hadronic tau decays, significantly improving the overall sensitivity of the experiment to oscillations. The "blind analysis" of all topologies yields no evidence for an oscillation signal. In the two-family oscillation scenario, this sets a 90% C.L. allowed region in the sin^2(2theta)-Delta m^2 plane which includes sin^2(2theta)<3.3 x 10^{-4} at large Delta m^2 and Delta m^2 < 0.7 eV^2/c^4 at sin^2(2theta)=1. The corresponding contour in the nu_e->nu_tau oscillation hypothesis results in sin^2(2theta)<1.5 x 10^{-2} at large Delta m^2 and Delta m^2 < 5.9 eV^2/c^4 at sin^2(2theta)=1. We also derive limits on effective couplings of the tau lepton to nu_mu or nu_e.Comment: 46 pages, 16 figures, Latex, to appear on Nucl. Phys.

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions BR(B0 -> K*0 gamma)/BR(Bs0 -> phi gamma)

The ratio of branching fractions of the radiative B decays B0 -> K*0 gamma and Bs0 -> phi gamma has been measured using 0.37 fb-1 of pp collisions at a centre of mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, collected by the LHCb experiment. The value obtained is BR(B0 -> K*0 gamma)/BR(Bs0 -> phi gamma) = 1.12 +/- 0.08 ^{+0.06}_{-0.04} ^{+0.09}_{-0.08}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third is associated to the ratio of fragmentation fractions fs/fd. Using the world average for BR(B0 -> K*0 gamma) = (4.33 +/- 0.15) x 10^{-5}, the branching fraction BR(Bs0 -> phi gamma) is measured to be (3.9 +/- 0.5) x 10^{-5}, which is the most precise measurement to date.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure, 2 table