A Spin Resonance Investigation of Magnetism and Dynamics in the Charge-transfer Salts β"-(BEDT-TTF)4[(H3O)M(C2O4)3]S

We report a spin resonance study of the family of quasi-two-dimensional organic (super)conductors β”-(BEDT-TTF)₄[(H₃O)M(C₂O₄)₃]S, where M is a 3d transition metal ion and S is a host solvent molecule. The spin systems for M = Cr³⁺ (S = 3/2) and M = Fe³⁺ (S = 5/2) are investigated by means of both resonant and field modulation techniques in the frequency range between 50 and 313 GHz. The role of the different solvent molecules in determining the degree of spin-orbit coupling and the local symmetry at the metal ion site is established. The low temperature behaviour of intensities, positions and widths of the resonant lines shows significant modifications of the spin-orbit coupling, and of the inter-and intra-ionic spin-spin inter actions. Despite the onset of a weak antiferromagnetic internal field at low temperature, the ultimate narrowing of the lines suggests spin-lattice interactions may still be the dominant relaxation process. Diamagnetic screening in the mixed state of the superconducting samples for fields parallel to the quasi-two-dimensional layers induces additional lineshifts only below B = 2.5T and T = 4K, determining the threshold of full field penetration within the anion layers.     

On the usefulness of persistent excitation in ARX adaptive tracking

The usefulness of persistent excitation is well known in the control community. Using a persistently excited adaptive tracking control, we show that it is possible to avoid the strong controllability assumption recently proposed by the authors for multivariate ARX models. We establish the almost sure convergence for both least squares and weighted least squares estimators of the unknown parameters. A central limit theorem and a law of iterated logarithm are also provided. This asymptotical analysis is related to the Schur complement of a suitable limiting matrix.     

EPR studies of the free radical kinetics in ��-rays irradiated Pleurotus ostreatus oyster mushrooms

The results concerning the free radicals kinetics of ⁶⁰Co gamma-ray irradiated Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) dehydrated mushroom as observed by EPR are presented and discussed. Throughout irradiation, the amplitude of the free radicals EPR spectra gradually increases with the absorbed dose by following a saturated exponential dependence. During a 100 °C isothermal annealing, the EPR signal showed a sharp decrease within the first 3 min followed by an almost constant growth for the next 2 h. An Arrhenius plot of the EPR amplitude of the same samples illustrates three different regimes, corresponding to three different kinetic patterns of recombination and creation of the free radicals, each regime being characterized by its own activation energy whose value was calculated and discussed.     

Spectrum of serum thyroglobulin elevation in congenital thyroid disorders

The effect of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin on urodynamic values measured by radionuclide imaging was studied in 17 men in a double-blind placebo controlled randomized trial. Measurements were made of voiding time, time for 50% emptying, average flow rate, ejection fraction, post-void residual urine volume, voided volume, and total bladder volume. Statistical analyses indicated no placebo-indomethacin differences between the two groups. Although prostaglandins are thought to contribute to the act of micturition by maintenance of bladder tone and contractility, our studies indicate that a standard dose of the prostaglandin inhibitor, indomethacin, did not affect the voiding component of bladder function. Patients need not discontinue prostaglandin inhibitors and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with such effects prior to urodynamic testing.     

A new concept of strong controllability via the Schur complement for ARX models in adaptive tracking

We propose a new concept of strong controllability related to the Schur complement of a suitable limiting matrix. This new notion allows us to extend the previous convergence results associated with multidimensional ARX models in stochastic adaptive tracking. On the one hand, we carry out a sharp analysis of the almost sure convergence for both least squares and weighted least squares algorithms. On the other hand, we also provide a central limit theorem and a law of iterated logarithm for these two algorithms.     

A Durbin–Watson serial correlation test for ARX processes via excited adaptive tracking

We propose a new statistical test for the residual autocorrelation in ARX adaptive tracking. The introduction of a persistent excitation in the adaptive tracking control allows us to build a bilateral statistical test based on the well-known Durbin–Watson statistic. We establish the almost sure convergence and the asymptotic normality for the Durbin–Watson statistic leading to a powerful serial correlation test. Numerical experiments illustrate the good performances of our statistical test procedure.     

Weighted estimation and tracking for branching processes withimmigration

For branching processes with immigration, we propose an approach which allows us to consistently estimate the means m, λ, and the variances σ², b² of the offspring and immigration distributions, respectively. Generally, statistical results for branching processes are established under the well-known trichotomy m<1, m=1, and m>1. For example, no parameters of the immigration distribution can be consistently estimated if m>1. The purpose of the paper is to obtain, through the introduction of a suitable adaptive control, strongly consistent estimators for all the parameters m, λ, σ², and b² without any restriction on the range of m. Central limit theorems and laws of iterated logarithm are also provided     

An innovative NEMS pressure sensor approach based on heterostructure nanowire

Mechanical stress is increasingly applied in microelectronics. For instance, strained silicon technology is widely used to improve carrier mobility and then driver current for advanced MOS transistors. For micro-electromechanical systems, piezoresistive effects are universally employed in pressure sensors. In this paper, we present an original method for studying mechanical stress impact on the property of nano-devices placed on ultra-thin membranes, which has several advantages compare with the conventional four-point-bending method. Using this architecture, we have studied an innovative Nano electro-mechanical system (NEMS) pressure sensor to investigate its property in static and dynamic modes respectively. We have determined the optimal orientation and position of a nanowire on the membrane. We simulated the electrical transport behavior in the hetero-junction nanostructure by interrupting the nanowire with a dielectric adopting tunnel junction approach. We show that a large improvement in pressure measurement sensitivity can be obtained relying on the direct tunneling current. We also investigate the mechanical stress impact on the potential barrier height that leads to the variation of the tunnel current and dynamic multi-bends of this nanostructure in its dynamic deformation modes. Finally, our work helps to understand the electrical and mechanical properties of the nanostructure under the influence of large mechanical stress and to design innovative NEMS pressure sensors.     

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism in prepubertal children and adolescents: comparison of clinical and biochemical features at diagnosis and responses to medical therapy

The purpose of this study was: (i) to examine the impact of the clinical severity, anatomical location and treatment of psoriasis on patients' quality of life, and (ii) to investigate the effects of perceptions of psoriasis-related stress on patients' physical and mental health and on areas of disability in everyday life. All patients (n = 204) attending a psoriasis specialty clinic were invited to complete a multidimensional quality of life assessment comprising the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI), the SF-36 Health Survey and the Psoriasis Life Stress Inventory (PLSI). Results (n = 150) indicated that overall clinical severity of psoriasis as assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and duration of psoriasis, were unrelated to impairment in any areas of quality of life. Anatomical location (social visibility) of psoriasis was associated with self-report of poor physical health (P = 0.01), and there was a modest association with patients' mental health (P = 0.04); however, anatomical location of psoriasis was not significantly associated with self-reported disability in everyday life, or stress scores. Patients who were classified as more reactive to the stress associated with psoriasis (78% of the sample) were functioning less well in terms of their mental health (P = 0.001) and also experienced significantly more disability in all areas of everyday life (P = 0.001). Differences in method of treatment for psoriasis did not significantly affect scores on the psoriasis-specific (PDI; PLSI) or generic (SF-36) quality of life measures. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated that stress resulting from anticipating other people's reactions to their psoriasis contributed more to the variance in patients' disability in everyday life than any other medical or health status variable. The results support the importance of assessing the effects of stress in patients' adjustment to their condition and may indicate a role for adjunctive psychological stress management training for a significant number of patients with psoriasis.