Microscopic State of Low Doped Manganites La1 − xSrxMnO3 Probed by ESR

The electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements were performed in single crystals of La_{1 ? x} Sr _x MnO₃ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.125) in order to study the interplay of crystal field, Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya interaction, Jahn–Teller (JT) effect, and orbital order. The angular dependence of the ESR linewidth of an untwinned La_0.95Sr_0.05MnO₃ single crystal has been analyzed in the high-temperature approximation, which takes into account the microscopic geometry of the four nonequivalent Mn positions in the orthorhombic unit cell. A strong mixing of the |3z ² ? r ²> and |x ² ? y ²> states for the real orbital configuration was found. Magnetic inhomogeneities observed in the ESR spectra across the composition range 0.075 ≤ x ≤ 0.125 can be attributed to the presence of ferromagnetic clusters (magnetic spin polarons) in the paramagnetic state. New polaronic models are proposed.     

Radiation chemical reactions of poly-p-chlorphenylmethacrylate by ESCA

Summary ESCA is used to characterize ion beam irradiated P(p-ClPhMA)-samples. The results show a chlorine abstraction. The experimental findings are in accordance with a recently proposed model for a crosslinking mechanism of halogenated aromatic polymers.     

Tests of assumptions about the joint receipt of gambles in rank- and sign-dependent utility theory.

A rank- and sign-dependent utility theory is based on an operation of joint receipt of 2 independent gambles and 3 assumptions regarding the operation (R. D. Luce, 1992). The authors tested these 3 assumptions (i.e., segregation, duplex decomposition, and the additivity of certainty equivalents over joint receipt) using both judged and choice certainty equivalents (CEs). Median choice CEs provided support for both segregation and duplex decomposition but little support for additivity in gains or in losses, whereas median judged CEs also failed to support segregation. The latter failure appears to result from some Ss misunderstanding the instructions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Significance of serum beta-hCG as a tumor marker for stomach carcinoma

We performed BAEP study to evaluate acoustic nerve involvement in 102 patients affected by peripheral neuropathies of different etiology, predominantly hereditary and inflammatory acquired neuropathies. Prolonged latency of early waves, indicative of slowing in VIII nerve conduction, was found in a high percentage of cases. Abnormalities were far more frequent (44% vs 14%) and severe in patients with demyelinating rather than axonal neuropathy. Among demyelinating neuropathy, the most severe latency delay was found in Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy type III. The pattern of acoustic nerve involvement differed slightly between Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy type I and acquired inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, perhaps reflecting different pathogenetic mechanisms and different sites of VIII nerve demyelination.     

Environmental degradation using functionally graded material approach

Attempts to model the degradation of polymer composites have been restricted to modelling the effects of selected degradation mechanisms. No comprehensive model has yet been accepted to predict the effect of the natural environment on the strength of polymer composites. From a review of available literature, it appears that the matrix of a polymer composite is most affected by exposure to the natural environment. Further, the damage appears to progress from the surface into the interior of the laminate. An approach has been developed to determine the properties of the damaged layer and combine the properties of the damaged and undamaged layer to obtain bulk material properties of the laminate.     

Far-infrared magnetospectroscopy on epitaxial zero-gap and wide-gap semiconductor layer systems

Far-infrared magnetotransmission measurements have been performed on MBE-grown HgTe and CdTe epilayers. The results on the HgTe samples can be understood by the standard Pidgeon-Brown model for bulk HgTe. For the CdTe layers, transitions were only observed under illumination by visible light. The spectra are dominated by the 1s→2p transition of the shallow hydrogen-like impurity. These transitions are persistent with a life time of the order of magnitude of one second.     

Electroplating of micro-patterned tools via replication of silicone rubber forms

A two-step replication process is described, allowing the non-destructive reproduction of micro-patterned tools. The first step comprises the embedding of the original part into silicone resin, the resin curing, and the separation of the part from the silicone rubber. The outstanding plasticity and the weak adherence of silicone rubber to most substrate materials facilitate retaining the original part. The second replication step, electroforming, requires silicone rubber metallization and contacting. The demonstrated technique is qualified mainly due to successful precautions against replication artifacts, related to silicone rubber deformability.     

CdTe-CdS solar cells — Production in a new baseline and investigation of material properties

In this paper, we describe our new baseline for CSS-CdTe-CdS solar cells on 10 × 10 cm² substrates. The deposition of the p-n junction and all the following steps were performed at the Institut für Festkörperphysik (IFK) in Jena. Using the new baseline, we are already able to produce solar cells with similar properties as commercial ones. In the batch type process, all manufacturing steps can be investigated separately. We employ Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements to characterise the structure of the bulk materials and interfaces. It is demonstrated that by RBS the front contact becomes accessible for thinned CdTe films. At the back contact, RBS spectra show a tellurium accumulation which is due to etching. This tellurium rich layer is confirmed by XRD with Rietveld refinement. The intermixing at the CdS-CdTe interface caused by the activation step is quantified by a bandgap determination based on EQE measurements. From the bandgap energy of the CdTe_1 − xS_x compound, we calculated the sulphur fraction x at the interface. XRD measurements imply that the activation step induces a (111) texture in CdTe. With regard to an improved manufacturing process, our cells are compared to industrial cells produced by Antec Solar Energy.     

Healthy Aims: Developing New Medical Implants and Diagnostic Equipment

Healthy Aims is a 23- million, four-year project, funded under the EU's information society technology sixth framework program to develop intelligent medical implants and diagnostic systems (www.healthyaims.org). The project has 25 partners from 10 countries, including commercial, clinical, and research groups. This consortium represents a combination of disciplines to design and fabricate new medical devices and components as well as to test them in laboratories and subsequent clinical trials. The project focuses on medical implants for nerve stimulation and diagnostic equipment based on strain-gauge technology.