Inducement of ferromagnetic–metallic phase and magnetoresistance behavior in charged ordered monovalent-doped Pr0.75Na0.25MnO3 manganite by Ni substitution

In this communication, the study on the effect of Ni²⁺ substitution on structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties were performed in Pr_0.75Na_0.25Mn_1-xNi_xO₃ (x = 0–0.10) ceramics synthesized using conventional solid-state method. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that all samples were present in single phase and crystallized in orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group. Rietveld refinement analysis revealed unit cell volume slight increase with increase Ni concentration, thereby indicating partial substitution of Ni²⁺ at Mn³⁺. The presence majority of Ni²⁺ states in the compound were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectrum. Tolerance factor calculation suggested that Ni substitution exerted no strong effect on structural distortion. For un-doped sample (x = 0), AC susceptibility (χ′) against temperature (T) curve showed paramagnetic (PM)–antiferromagnetic(AFM) behavior at Neel temperature (T_N) of approximately 170 K. Furthermore, resistivity (ρ) against temperature (T) curve showed an insulating behavior for the whole measured temperature range. The χ′ against T curve of x = 0 sample showed broad peak at approximately 218 K which was attributed to the onset of charge ordered (CO) state. No such broad peak was observed in Ni-substituted samples which indicated the weakening of CO state. Moreover, χ′ measurements exhibited successful inducement of PM–FM transition with Curie temperature (T_C), decreasing from 132 K (x = 0.02) to 92 K (x = 0.08). Electrical resistivity measurement on samples (x = 0.02–0.08) displayed inducement of metal–insulator transition, where transition temperature (T_MI) decreased and resistivity increased, with x before re-entrant insulating behavior at x = 0.10. Notably, upturn resistivity was observed below 40 K for x = 0.06 and 0.08 samples. The suppression of CO state and inducement of ferromagnetic-metallic (FMM) state beginning from x = 0.02 sample was attributed to the reduced degree of Jahn–Teller distortion and Coulomb interaction among Mn ions, as well as the presence of ferromagnetic superexchange (FM SE) interaction among Ni²⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺ which improved the alignment charge carrier spins and induced the double-exchange (DE) interaction among Mn³⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺. The decrease in T_C and T_MI with increased x may be due to the enhanced AFM SE interactions of Mn³⁺–O–Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺ and Ni²⁺–O–Ni²⁺ which decreased the FM SE interaction of Ni²⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺. Consequently, the effective DE interaction was decreased. In addition, the decreased metallic behavior and re-entrant insulating behavior for x = 0.10 sample was due to the strong AFM interaction between Ni²⁺ ions which consequently contributed to the suppression of FM SE and DE interactions. The observed upturn resistivity below 40 K for x = 0.06 and 0.08 samples was attributed to the Kondo-like effect which resulted from the interaction between itinerant conduction electron spin and localized spin impurity.     

Ab initio and Monte Carlo studies of phase transitions and magnetic properties of YCrO3: Heisenberg model

By using the density functional theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) with the Heisenberg model, we have studied magnetic properties of the bulk perovskite YCrO₃. The exchange couplings of the Heisenberg model and the magnetic anisotropy are investigated. The 110 direction in the crystalline structure of the compound has shown the minimum energy, it is the easy magnetic direction. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the magnetizations behavior, the effects of system parameters and the critical exponents of the compound YCrO₃ are implemented. It is shown that the bulk perovskite YCrO₃ belongs to the 3D Heisenberg universality class.     

Effect of rotation in magneto-thermoelastic transversely isotropic hollow cylinder with three-phase-lag model

This article deals with the various heat source responses in a transversely isotropic hollow cylinder under the purview of three-phase-lag (TPL) generalized thermoelasticity theory. In presence of magnetic field and due to the rotating behavior of the cylinder, the governing equations are redefined for generalized thermoelasticity with thermal time delay. In order to obtain the stress, displacement and temperature field, the field functions are expressed in terms of modified Bessel functions in Laplace transformed domain. When the outer radius of hollow cylinder tends to infinity, the corresponding results are discussed. Finally an appropriate Laplace transform inversion technique is adopted.     

Topography guiding the accelerated and persistently directional cell migration induced by vaccinia virus

The rapid transmission of vaccinia virus(VACV)in vivo is thought to be closely related to the cell migration induced by it.Cell migration involved in dynamic changes of cell-substrate adhesion and actin cytoskeleton organization,which can influence by the micro/nano-scale topographic structures that cells are naturally exposed to via contact guidance.However,migration behaviors of VACV-infected cells exposed to topographic cues are still unknown.Herein,we designed an open chip with microgrooved poly(dimethyl siloxane)(PDMS)substrate to explore the topography roles in VACV-induced cell migration.Differed from the random cell migration observed in traditional scratch assay on planar substrate,VACV-infected cells had a tendency to persistently migrate along the axis parallel to microgroove with increased velocity.Moreover,infected cells exhibited a dominant elongated protrusion aligned to the micro-grating axis compare to the shorter lamella extended in any direction on smooth substrate.Interestingly,the Golgi complex preferred to relocate behind the nucleus confined within the micro-grating axis in majority of infected migratory cells.The directional polarization of cells embodied in protrusion formation and Golgi reorientation was responsible for the directionally persistent migration behaviors induced by VACV on microgrooved substrate.Infected cells response to substrate topography,causing the actin-filled stretched protrusion containing numerous virions and accelerated movement is likely to facilitate direct and rapid spread of VACV.This work opens a window for us to understand the migration behaviors of infected cells in vivo,and also provides a cue for revealing the relationship between virus-induced cell migration and virus rapid spread.     

Bio-silica incorporated barium ferrite composites: Evaluation of structure,morphology, magnetic and microwave absorption traits

A series of bio-silica incorporated barium-ferrite-composites with the composition of (x)Bio-SiO₂:(80-x)γ-Fe₂O₃:(20)BaO, where x = 0, 1, 2, and 3 wt% were prepared using the modified solid-state reaction method. The influence of different bio-silica (extricated from sintered rice husk) contents on the surface morphologies, structures, and magnetic characteristics of these composites were assessed. The relative complex permittivity and permeability were resolved using the Nicholson-Ross-Weir strategy in the frequency range of 8–13 GHz. Meanwhile, the reflection loss was estimated through the transmission/reflection line theory to assess the MW absorption properties of the composites. Incorporation of the bio-silica in the barium ferrite composites generated a new hexagonal phase (Ba₃Fe₃₂O₅₁) and a tetragonal phase (BaFeSi₄O₁₀) which led to a decrease in the saturation magnetization and significant shift in the MW frequency absorption peak positions.     

Application of Reynolds stress transport turbulence closure models to flows affected by Lorentz and buoyancy forces

The effect of magnetic field strength and orientation on two types of electromagnetically influenced turbulent flows was studied numerically under the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) framework. Previous work (Wilson et al., 2014) used an electromagnetically extended linear eddy-viscosity model, whilst the current paper focuses on the performance of a more advanced Reynolds stress transport type model both with and without electromagnetic modifications proposed by Kenjereš et al. (2004). First, a fully-developed 2D channel flow is considered with a magnetic field imposed in either the wall-normal or streamwise direction. Both forms of the RSM gave good agreement with the DNS data for the wall-normal magnetic field across the range of Hartmann numbers with the additional electromagnetic terms providing a small, but noticeable, difference. For the streamwise magnetic field, where electromagnetic influence is only through the turbulence, the electromagnetically extended RSM performed well at moderate Hartmann numbers but returned laminar flow at the highest Hartmann number considered, contrary to the DNS. The RSM results were, however, significantly better than the previous eddy-viscosity model predictions. The second case is that of unsteady 3D Rayleigh–Bénard convection with a magnetic field imposed in either a horizontal or vertical direction. Results revealed that a significant reorganization of the flow structures is predicted to occur. For a vertically oriented magnetic field, the plume structures increase in number and become thinner and elongated along the magnetic field lines, leading to an increase in thermal mixing within the core in agreement with Hanjalić and Kenjereš (2000). With a horizontal magnetic field, the structures become two-dimensional and a striking realignment of the roll cells’ axes with the magnetic field lines occurs. The results demonstrate the capability of the Reynolds stress transport approach in modelling MHD flows that are relevant to industry and offer potential for those wishing to control levels of turbulence, heat transfer or concentration without recourse to mechanical means.     

Hydroxy double salts intercalated with Mn(II) complexes as potential contrast agents

A series of Mn(II) aminophosphonate complexes were successfully synthesized and intercalated into the hydroxy double salt [Zn₅(OH)₈]Cl₂·yH₂O. Complex incorporation led to an increase in the interlayer spacing from 7.8 to 10–12 Å. Infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of the characteristic vibration peaks of the Mn(II) complexes in the intercalates' spectra, indicating successful incorporation. The complex-loaded composites had somewhat lower proton relaxivities than the pure complexes. Nevertheless, these intercalates may have use as MRI contrast agents for patients with poor kidney function, where traditional Gd(III)-based contrast agents cause severe renal failure.     

On standardization of low symmetry crystal fields

Standardization methods of low symmetry – orthorhombic, monoclinic and triclinic – crystal fields are formulated and discussed. Two alternative approaches are presented, the conventional one, based on the second-rank parameters and the standardization based on the fourth-rank parameters. Mainly f-electron systems are considered but some guidelines for d-electron systems and the spin Hamiltonian describing the zero-field splitting are given. The discussion focuses on premises for choosing the most suitable method, in particular on inadequacy of the conventional one. Few examples from the literature illustrate this situation.     

一种超导重力仪磁悬浮力的等效计算

为实现超导重力仪磁悬浮力的精确计算,以GWR型超导重力仪为模型基础,采用有限元的思想,将超导球表面电流理想化为多个等高共轴电流环,计算出各个电流环与超导线圈的作用力,求和得到线圈与超导球间的磁悬浮力。利用MATLAB完成计算程序实现,通过改变下线圈电流和上、下线圈电流比,获得满足一定条件的磁悬浮力及其梯度。选取合适的模型参数,计算出线圈对质量为m=4.069 g超导球的磁悬浮力大小为:Ftotal=3.988×10^-2N,磁悬浮力梯度为:-9.699×10^-3N/m,此时悬浮力梯度合适,满足系统稳定性和灵敏度的要求。     

Observation of unusual Griffith’s phase behavior in quadruple perovskite oxide CaCu3Mn4O12 (CCMO) synthesized through chemical route

The CaCu₃Mn₄O₁₂ (CCMO) ceramic was successfully synthesized through the chemical route. The phase formation was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction pattern. Thermogravimetric (TGA), FT-IR, SEM, TEM, EDX, and XPS analysis were performed for investigation of the thermal behavior, phase identification, microstructural analysis, elemental analysis and oxidation state of the CCMO ceramic respectively. FT-IR spectra confirmed the existence of MnO₆ octahedral in body-centered cubic (BCC) complex perovskite oxide that resembles the CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ structure. The average particle size was observed by TEM in the range between 100 and 200 nm. AFM shows the average roughness of the surface was found to be in the range of 30 ± 5 nm. XPS and EDX studies confirmed the purity and oxidation state of the CCMO ceramic. The synthesized material shows very interesting unique Griffith’s phase (T_G) results that arise disorder in magnetic susceptibility in which ferromagnetic transition was to be observed in the paramagnetic region.