Monoclinic honeycomb-layered compound Li3Ni2SbO6: preparation, crystal structure and magnetic properties

Two synthetic routes-ion-exchange preparation from layered Na(3)Ni(2)SbO(6) at 300 °C and direct solid-state synthesis at 1150 °C resulted in layered Li(3)Ni(2)SbO(6), a cation-ordered derivative from the rocksalt type. The Fddd form reported earlier could not be reproduced. According to the XRD Rietveld analysis, Li(3)Ni(2)SbO(6) is a pseudohexagonal monoclinic structure, C2/m, with a = 5.1828(2) ?, b = 8.9677(3) ?, c = 5.1577(2) ?, β = 109.696(2)°. No Li/Ni mixed occupancy was detected. At high temperatures, the magnetic susceptibility follows the Curie-Weiss law with a positive value of Weiss temperature, ～8 K, indicating a predominance of ferromagnetic interactions. However, Li(3)Ni(2)SbO(6) orders antiferromagnetically at T(N)～ 15 K. The effective magnetic moment is 4.3 μ(B)/f.u. which satisfactorily agrees with theoretical estimations assuming high-spin configuration of Ni(2+) (S = 1). Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra show single Lorentzian shape line attributed to Ni(2+) ion in octahedral coordination. The absorption is characterized by isotropic temperature independent effective g-factor g = 2.150 ± 0.005. In accordance with the layered honeycomb crystal structure determined for Li(3)Ni(2)SbO(6), the superexchange interaction between Ni(2+) ions through Ni-O-Ni pathways within Ni(2)SbO(6) layers are assumed to be ferromagnetic, while the dominant interaction between layers is antiferromagnetic.     

Coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic orders at remanent state in epitaxial multiferroic Bi2FeCrO6 nanostructures

We report the local electronic and magnetic properties of Bi(2)FeCrO(6) nanostructures by element-specific polarized x-ray techniques. Sizable magnetic ordering in the remanent state is observed at room temperature for both Fe and Cr ions. The Bi(2)FeCrO(6) system offers an example of d(5)-d(3) magnetic superexchange interaction with a magnetic order for both Fe and Cr, which are both formally in the +?3 valence state. The results suggest a coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic superexchange interaction between Fe and Cr spins in the nanostructures at the remanent state and at room temperature.     

Automorphism groups of free geometries revisited

The number of types of free constructions introduced into geometry has increased steadily since the birth (2) of the free projective planes in 1943. The present paper is a follow up of (3) which introduces free geometries in terms ofsimple extensions. This point of view embeds a family of such constructions, here called the freelocally affine planes, into the discipline ofpartial order with noticeable technical simplifications as a consequence.Dedicated to Professor Helmut Mäurer on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday     

Radionuclides in produced water from Norwegian oil and gas installations — concentrations and bioavailability

Substantial amounts of produced water, containing elevated levels of radionuclides (mainly ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra) are discharged to the sea as a result of oil and gas production on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. So far no study has assessed the potential radiological effects on marine biota in connection with radionuclide discharges to the North Sea. The main objective of the project is to establish radiological safe discharge limits for radium, lead and polonium associated with other components in produced water from oil and gas installations on the Norwegian continental shelf.This study reports results indicating that the presence of added chemicals such as scale inhibitors in produced water has a marked influence on the formation of radium and barium sulphates when produced water is mixed with sea water. Thus, the mobility and bioavailability of radium (and barium) will be larger than anticipated. Also, the bioavailability of food-borne radium is shown to increase due to presence of such chemicals.     

Nonlinear transient FE analysis of piezolaminated smart structures

The presented paper focuses on the modeling and finite element simulation of thin composite structures with integrated piezoelectric layers. Geometrically nonlinear piezolaminated finite elements are based on the Reissner-Mindlin or third-order transverse shear deformation hypotheses and the assumptions of small strains but moderate rotations. The numerical results are compared to results in literature. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Improving access to and utilization of genetic services in Arizona's Hispanic population

This abstract presents a model project aimed to train community lay health workers about genetics, increase cultural competency of genetic services providers, and provide local access to genetic services in primarily Hispanic communities in the state of Arizona. Health Start, a community-based prenatal outreach program, served as the basis for providing genetic education and services. A genetics training curriculum was developed and training of community lay health workers was provided. Cultural and Spanish language training was provided for all genetic services providers. Pediatric genetics outreach clinics were established in eight communities. Community-based lay health workers eagerly incorporate genetic information into their public health knowledge base, but this may not lead to acceptance of these personnel by local health care providers as sources of referrals for specialized health services such as genetics. Cultural competence training of genetic service providers is enthusiastically accepted and utilized in the provision of locally accessible genetics clinics.