119 research outputs found
Near-equilibrium measurement of quantum size effects using Kelvin probe force microscopy
In nano-structures such as thin films electron confinement results in the
quantization of energy levels in the direction perpendicular to the film. The
discretization of the energy levels leads to the oscillatory dependence of many
properties on the film thickness due to quantum size effects. Pb on Si(111) is
a specially interesting system because a particular relationship between the Pb
atomic layer thickness and its Fermi wavelength leads to a periodicity of the
oscillation of two atomic layers. Here, we demonstrate how the combination of
scanning force microscopy (SFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM)
provides a reliable method to monitor the quantum oscillations in the work
function of Pb ultra-thin film nano-structures on Si(111). Unlike other
techniques, with SFM/KPFM we directly address single Pb islands, determine
their height while suppressing the influence of electrostatic forces, and, in
addition, simultaneously evaluate their local work function by measurements
close to equilibrium, without current-dependent and non-equilibrium effects.
Our results evidence even-odd oscillations in the work function as a function
of the film thickness that decay linearly with the film thickness, proving that
this method provides direct and precise information on the quantum states.Comment: This document is the unedited author's version of a Submitted Work
that was subsequently accepted for publication in Nanoscale, copyright Royal
Society of Chemistry after peer review. To access the final edited and
published work see doi belo
Atomically resolved scanning force studies of vicinal Si(111)
Well-ordered stepped semiconductor surfaces attract intense attention owing
to the regular arrangements of their atomic steps that makes them perfect
templates for the growth of one- dimensional systems, e.g. nanowires. Here, we
report on the atomic structure of the vicinal Si(111) surface with 10 degree
miscut investigated by a joint frequency-modulation scanning force microscopy
(FM-SFM) and ab initio approach. This popular stepped surface contains 7 x
7-reconstructed terraces oriented along the Si(111) direction, separated by a
stepped region. Recently, the atomic structure of this triple step based on
scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images has been subject of debate. Unlike
STM, SFM atomic resolution capability arises from chemical bonding of the tip
apex with the surface atoms. Thus, for surfaces with a corrugated density of
states such as semiconductors, SFM provides complementary information to STM
and partially removes the dependency of the topography on the electronic
structure. Our FM-SFM images with unprecedented spatial resolution on steps
confirm the model based on a (7 7 10) orientation of the surface and reveal
structural details of this surface. Two different FM-SFM contrasts together
with density functional theory calculations explain the presence of defects,
buckling and filling asymmetries on the surface. Our results evidence the
important role of charge transfers between adatoms, restatoms, and dimers in
the stabilisation of the structure of the vicinal surface
Spektroskopische Untersuchungen an Supraleitern mittels Punktkontaktspektroskopie und Rastertunnelmikroskopie
In der Arbeit wird der Aufbau eines RTM, das bei tiefen Temperaturen und groĂen magnetischen Feldern T funktionstĂŒchtig ist, beschrieben. Untersucht wurden die Schwerfermionensupraleiter CeCoIn und SrRuO. Ein weiterer Teil der Arbeit beschĂ€ftigt sich mit Punktkontaktspektroskopie an den Eisenpnictidsupraleiter BaKFeAs und Ba(Fe,Co)As
Real-space imaging of several molecular layers of C in the rotational glass phase
C is a model system to study moleculeâsurface interactions and phase transitions due to its high symmetry and strong covalent Ï bonding within the molecule versus weak van-der-Waals coupling between neighboring molecules. In the solid, at room temperature, the molecule rotates and behaves as a sphere. However, the pentagonal and hexagonal atomic arrangement imposes deviations from the spherical symmetry that become important at low temperatures. The orientation of the C can be viewed to represent classic spins. For geometrical reasons the preferred orientation of neighboring C cannot be satisfied for all of the neighboring molecules, making C a model for disordered spin systems with frustration. We study several molecular layers of C islands on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite using scanning tunneling microscopy at liquid nitrogen temperatures. By imaging several layers we obtain a limited access to the three-dimensional rotational structure of the molecules in an island. We find one rotationally disordered layer between two partially rotationally ordered layers with hexagonal patterns. This exotic pattern shows an example of the local distribution of order and disorder in geometrically frustrated systems. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy data confirms the weak interactions of neighboring molecules
Real-space imaging of several molecular layers of C60 in the rotational glass phase
C60 is a model system to study moleculeâsurface interactions and phase transitions due to its high symmetry and strong covalent Ï bonding within the molecule versus weak van-der-Waals coupling between neighboring molecules. In the solid, at room temperature, the molecule rotates and behaves as a sphere. However, the pentagonal and hexagonal atomic arrangement imposes deviations from the spherical symmetry that become important at low temperatures. The orientation of the C60 can be viewed to represent classic spins. For geometrical reasons the preferred orientation of neighboring C60 cannot be satisfied for all of the neighboring molecules, making C60 a model for disordered spin systems with frustration. We study several molecular layers of C60 islands on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite using scanning tunneling microscopy at liquid nitrogen temperatures. By imaging several layers we obtain a limited access to the three-dimensional rotational structure of the molecules in an island. We find one rotationally disordered layer between two partially rotationally ordered layers with hexagonal patterns. This exotic pattern shows an example of the local distribution of order and disorder in geometrically frustrated systems. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy data confirms the weak interactions of neighboring molecules
Tuning research competences for Bologna three cycles in medicine:report of a MEDINE2 European consensus survey
Medical curricula, like healthcare systems and medical practice, have a strong cultural component and vary considerably between countries. Increasing mobility of medical graduates, and increasing pressure to ensure they are all fit for practice, have highlighted an urgent need to establish common ground in learning outcomes at all stages of training. A research-based approach, developed by the Tuning project, was used previously by the MEDINE Thematic Network to gain consensus on core learning outcomes/competences for primary medical degrees (www.tuning-medicine.com), but no consensus was reached for learning outcomes relating to research. As part of MEDINE2, a focussed Tuning project was undertaken to explore opinions on more detailed core learning outcomes in research for all three Bologna cycles (Bachelor, Master, and Doctor). Responses from 417 stakeholders, representing 29 European and 13 non-European countries, revealed a relatively high degree of consensus. The findings strongly suggest that these stakeholders think that learning outcomes related both to âusing researchâ and âdoing researchâ should be core components of medical curricula in Europe. The challenge now, however, is to promote further local and international discussion on these issues, and to find ways of achieving these competences within the context of already crowded medical curricula
Low field extension for magnetometers (TinyBee) used for investigations on low-dimensional superconductors with Bc1 < 5G
In this article a simple and easy to install low magnetic field extension of
the SQUID magnetometer Quantum Design MPMS-7 is described. This has been
accomplished by complementing the MPMS-7 magnet control system with a
laboratory current supply for the low magnetic field region (B \leq 200G). This
hard- and software upgrade provides a significant gain in the magnetic field
accuracy up to an order of magnitude compared with the standard instrument's
setup and is improving the resolution to better than 0.01G below 40G. The field
control has been integrated into the Quantum Design MultiVu software for a
transparent and user-friendly operation of this extension. The improvements
achieved are especially useful, when low magnetic field strengths (B < 1G) are
required at high precision. The specific advantages of this application are
illustrated by sophisticated magnetic characterisation of lowdimensional
superconductors like Sc3CoC4 and SnSe2{Co({\eta}-C5H5)2}x.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure
Research program of the research unit "Cultural Sources of Newness"
"In this discussion paper the program of the Research Unit 'Cultural Sources of Newness' is presented. Short descriptions of currently nine projects follow. The assumption driving the research program is that newness lies at the core of innovations and emerges in cultural sources, which are analyzed as cultural configurations. The research focuses on the relevance of these cultural constellations rather than on technical or political aspects. Three kinds of processes are identified as being decisive for innovations: 1) the continuous variation of cultural forms and practices; 2) the evaluation of newness; 3) the states of tension that arise within and between cultures. The research program assumes that the interplay of these three processes determines the spectrum and spread of successful innovations. The program is organized in three empirical strands. The strands cover the spatial, interactive and temporal dimensions of cultural configurations, and the projects focus on phenomena of different orders of magnitude." (author's abstract)"Im ersten Teil wird das Forschungsprogramm der Abteilung 'Kulturelle Quellen von Neuheit' entwickelt, im zweiten Teil folgen kurze Beschreibungen von insgesamt neun Projekten. Neuheit, so die zugrundeliegende Annahme des Forschungsprogramms, bildet den Kern von Innovationen und entsteht aus kulturellen Quellen, die als kulturelle Konfigurationen analysiert werden. Die Relevanz dieser kulturellen Konstellationen fĂŒr das Innovationsgeschehen - im Unterschied zu technischen oder politischen Aspekten - ist der Gegenstand der Forschung. Dabei gelten drei Prozesse als entscheidend fĂŒr die QualitĂ€t und AnschlussfĂ€higkeit von Innovationen: 1) die stĂ€ndige Variation kultureller SelbstverstĂ€ndlichkeiten, 2) Prozesse der Bewertung als Neuheit und 3) SpannungszustĂ€nde, die in und zwischen Kulturen auftreten. Das Zusammenspiel dieser drei Prozesse, so die These, bestimmt das Spektrum und die Reichweite der Innovationen. Die empirischen Felder des Forschungsprogramms sind aus der rĂ€umlichen, interaktiven und zeitlichen Dimensionierung kultureller Konfigurationen hergeleitet. In jedem der Felder untersuchen die Projekte PhĂ€nomene unterschiedlicher GröĂenordnung." (Autorenreferat
APOE polymorphism and its effect on plasma C-reactive protein levels in a large general population sample
The literature on association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variations and plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) remains inconsistent, mainly due to low statistical power of previous studies. To clarify this question, we analysed data from large population sample of randomly selected individuals from 7 Czech towns (2886 males and 3344 females, the HAPIEE study). In both males and females, the lowest levels of plasma hsCRP were observed in the carriers of the APOE Δ4Δ4 and Δ4Δ3 genotypes. The median (inter-quartile range, IQR) concentration of hsCRP in carriers of the most common APOE Δ3Δ3 genotype (two thirds of participants) was 1.13 (IQR 0.56; 2.33) mg/l in men and 1.23 (IQR 0.61; 2.65) mg/l in women, compared with 0.72 (IQR 0.61; 0.86) mg/l in male and 0.72 (IQR 0.61-0.85) mg/l in female carriers of APOE Δ4Δ3/Δ4Δ4 genotypes; the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The association between APOE and CRP was not materially affected by adjustment for age, sex, history of cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors. This study, the largest to date, provides robust evidence of an association between plasma hsCRP and the APOE genotype, an association not explained by history of cardiovascular disease nor its risk factors
Cellular gene expression during Hepatitis C virus replication as revealed by Ribosome Profiling
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects human liver hepatocytes, often leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is believed that chronic infection alters host gene expression and favors HCC development. In particular, HCV replication in Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) derived membranes induces chronic ER stress. How HCV replication affects host mRNA translation and transcription at a genome wide level is not yet known. Methods: We used Riboseq (Ribosome Profiling) to analyze transcriptome and translatome changes in the Huh-7.5 hepatocarcinoma cell line replicating HCV for 6 days. Results: Established viral replication does not cause global changes in host gene expressionâonly around 30 genes are significantly differentially expressed. Upregulated genes are related to ER stress and HCV replication, and several regulated genes are known to be involved in HCC development. Some mRNAs (PPP1R15A/GADD34, DDIT3/CHOP, and TRIB3) may be subject to upstream open reading frame (uORF) mediated translation control. Transcriptional downregulation mainly affects mitochondrial respiratory chain complex core subunit genes. Conclusion: After establishing HCV replication, the lack of global changes in cellular gene expression indicates an adaptation to chronic infection, while the downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain genes indicates how a virus may further contribute to cancer cell-like metabolic reprogramming (âWarburg effectâ) even in the hepatocellular carcinoma cells used here
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