Current-voltage characteristics in single layer SrIrO3films deposited on LaAlO3(100) substrate.

Here, we investigate the structural and electrical properties on SrIrO3films grown on LaAlO3(100) substrate with varying thickness (18, 25 and 40 nm). The x-ray diffraction shows good quality epitaxial films without any chemical impurity. The out-of-plane lattice parameter increases with the film thickness. All the films show a semiconducting behavior where the resistivity increases with increasing thickness. Our analysis shows at high temperature the charge conduction mechanism follows Mott's two-dimensional variable-range-hopping model. Detailed current-voltage (I-V) measurements show a linear Ohmic behavior at room temperature, however, a prominent deviation from linearity has been observed at low temperatures where the exponentn(I∝Vn) increases with decreasing temperature, reachingn ∼1.5 at low temperature. Analysis ofI-Vdata indicates that the charge conduction has dominant contribution of Poole-Frenkel mechanism rather than Schottky behavior. This evolution of charge transport with temperature is quite intriguing which may be related to the development of low temperature magnetism in films of SrIrO3.

Coexistence of spin liquid state and magnetic correlations in 3d-5dbased triangular-lattice antiferromagnet Sr3CuIr2O9.

Here, we report detailed lattice structure, magnetization (dc and ac) and specific heat measurements on a 3d-5dbased new triple-perovskite material Sr3CuIr2O9. The Sr/Cu forms a layered structure of triangular-lattice while the Ir forms Ir2O9dimers which lie in chain as well as simultaneously makes layered triangular-lattice with neighboring atoms. Due to random site-sharing with Sr2+, the Cu2+(3d9, spin-1/2) forms a diluted magnetic lattice, thus giving a disordered in-plane exchange interaction. Opposed to conventionalJeffmodel, the Ir5+(5d4,Jeff= 0) is believed to be magnetic here which participates both in-chain and in-plane magnetic interactions. This complex lattice structure driven competing exchange interaction leads the ground state to a gapless quantum-spin-liquid state which coexists with (weak) ferromagnetic spin correlations. While underling the importance of spin state (spin-1/2), we believe that the combined effect of lattice structure, geometric frustration, spin-orbit coupling and spin state has given rise this interesting ground state in this material.

Temperature dependent89Y NMR study on multiferroic YCrO3.

In this manuscript, we report the89Y NMR measurement as a function of temperature on single phase and pure polycrystalline YCrO3sample to study the magnetism and relaxation times on a microscopic level across the magnetic transition (TN≃ 141 K) from paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic state. The NMR peak width broadens abruptly upon crossingTNdue to the onset of internal magnetic fields, while peakshift slight decreases. A slight increase and subsequent anomalous decrease in the NMR peak intensity is observed on approachingTNfrom 300 K. There is also a significant increase in peak width. The temperature dependence of the89Y NMR spin-lattice relaxation rates 1/T1indicates a phase transition atTNwhich is of magnetic origin due to Cr3+ions, with an anomalously rise of fluctuations belowTN. AboveTN, this spin-lattice relaxation rate can be fitted to a power-law scaling behavior 1/T1∼Tßwith an exponent factorß≈ 0.8, indicates low energy spin fluctuations. Moreover, Knight shift and 1/TT1scales linear with the bulk susceptibility which suggests the antiferromagnetic spin fluctuation in the YCrO3system.

Electronic properties in itinerant ferromagnet SrRu1-x Ti x O3.

Here, we study the electrical transport and specific heat in 4d based ferromagnetic material SrRuO3 and its Ti substituted SrRu1-x Ti x O3 series (x ⩽ 0.7). The SrRuO3 is a metal and shows itinerant ferromagnetism with transition temperature T c ∼ 160 K. The nonmagnetic Ti4+ (3d 0) substitution would not only weaken the active Ru-O-Ru channel but is also expected to tune the electronic density and electron correlation effect. A metal to insulator transition has been observed around x ∼ 0.4. The nature of charge transport in paramagnetic-metallic state (x ⩽ 0.4) and in insulating state (x > 0.4) follows modified Mott's variable range hopping model. In ferromagnetic-metallic state, resistivity shows a T 2 dependence below T c which though modifies to T 3/2 dependence at low temperature. In Ti substituted samples, temperature range for T 3/2 dependence extends to higher temperature. Interestingly, this T 3/2 dependence dominates in whole ferromagnetic regime in presence of magnetic field. This evolution of electronic transport behavior can be explained within the framework of Fermi liquid theory and electron-magnon scattering mechanism. The negative magnetoresistance exhibits a hysteresis and a crossover between negative and positive value with magnetic field which is connected with magnetic behavior in series. The decreasing electronic coefficient of specific heat with x supports the increasing insulating behavior in present series. We calculate a high Kadowaki-Woods ratio (x ⩽ 0.3) for SrRuO3 which increases with substitution concentration. This signifies an increasing electronic correlation effect with substitution concentration.

Site dilution and charge disorder effect on physical properties in SrRu1-x Ga x O3.

Here, we report an evolution of structural, magnetic and transport behavior in doped SrRu1-x Ga x O3 (x [Formula: see text] 0.2). The nonmagnetic dopant Ga3+ (3d 10) not only acts for magnetic site dilution in SrRuO3 but also modifies the Ru charge state and electronic density. Our studies show that Ga3+ substitution does not affect the original orthorhombic- Pbnm structure of SrRuO3 which is due to its matching ionic radii with Ru4+ . However, Ga3+ has a substantial effect on the magnetic behavior of SrRuO3 where it decreases both magnetic moment as well as magnetic transition temperature [Formula: see text]. Further, this dilution induces Griffiths phase behavior across [Formula: see text] and cluster-glass behavior at low temperature with higher concentration of doping. The magnetic critical exponent [Formula: see text] increases with x due to this site dilution effect. The Ga3+ induces an insulating state in SrRuO3 with x > 0.05. The charge transport in paramagnetic as well as in insulating state of samples can be well described with Mott's modified variable-range-hopping model. The metallic charge transport just below [Formula: see text] in SrRuO3 obeys Fermi liquid behavior which breaks down at low temperature. We further find a correlation between field dependent magnetoresistance and magnetization through power-law behavior over the series.

Structural, magnetic and dielectric properties in 3d-5dbased Sr2FeIrO6thin films.

The structural, magnetic and dielectric properties have been investigated in 3d-5dbased double perovskite Sr2FeIrO6thin films deposited by pulse laser deposition technique. To understand the effect of strain, epitaxial films are grown with varying thickness as well as on different substrates i.e., SrTiO3(100) and LaAlO3(100). The films with highest thickness are found to be more relaxed. Atomic force microscope images indicate all films are of good quality where grain sizes increase with increase in film thickness. X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopy measurements indicate a Ir5+charge state in present films while providing a detailed picture of hybridization between Fe/Ir-dand O-porbitals. The bulk antiferromagnetic transition is retained in films though the transition temperature shifts to higher temperature. Both dielectric constant (ϵr) and loss (tan δ) show change around the magnetic ordering temperatures of bulk Sr2FeIrO6indicating a close relation between dielectric and magnetic behaviors. A Maxwell-Wagner type relaxation is found to follow over whole frequency range down to low temperature in present film. On changing the substrate i.e., LaAlO3(100), theϵr(T) and (tan δ(T)) show almost similar behavior butϵrshows a higher value which is due to an increased strain coming from high mismatch of lattice parameters.

Unusual exchange bias in Sr2FeIrO6/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 multilayer.

Here, we study interface induced magnetic properties in a 3d-5d based multilayer made of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and double perovskite Sr2FeIrO6, respectively. Bulk La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 is metallic and shows ferromagnetic (FM) ordering above room temperature. In contrast, bulk Sr2FeIrO6, is an antiferromagnet (AFM) with a Néel temperature around 45 K ([Formula: see text]) and exhibits an insulating behavior. Two set of multilayers have been grown on SrTiO3 (1 0 0) crystal with varying thickness of FM layer. A multilayer with equal thickness of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and Sr2FeIrO6 (∼10 nm) shows exchange bias (EB) effect both in conventionally field cooled (FC) as well as in zero field cooled (ZFC) magnetic hysteresis measurements which is rather unusual. The ZFC EB effect is weakened both with increasing maximum field during initial magnetization process at low temperature and with increasing temperature. Interestingly, a multilayer with reduced thickness of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (∼5 nm) does not exhibit ZFC EB phenomenon, however, the FC EB effect is strengthened showing much higher value. We believe that an AFM type exchange coupling at the interface and its evolution during initial application of magnetic field causes this unusual EB in present multilayers.

Phase separation and the effect of quenched disorder in Pr(0.5)Sr(0.5)MnO(3).

The nature of phase separation in Pr(0.5)Sr(0.5)MnO(3) has been probed by linear, as well as nonlinear, magnetic susceptibilities and resistivity measurements across the second order paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition (T(C)) and first order ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition (T(N)). We found that the ferromagnetic (metallic) clusters, which form at T(C), continuously decrease their size with a decrease in temperature and coexist with non-ferromagnetic (insulating) clusters. These non-ferromagnetic clusters are identified to be antiferromagnetic. It is shown that they do not arise because of the superheating effect of the lower temperature first order transition. This reveals phase coexistence in manganite, around half-doping, encompassing two long-range order transitions. Substitution of quenched disorder (Ga) at Mn-sites promotes antiferromagnetism at the cost of ferromagnetism without adding any magnetic interaction or introducing any significant lattice distortion. Moreover, an increase in disorder decreases the ferromagnetic cluster size and with 7.5% Ga substitution cluster size reduces to the single-domain limit. Resistivity measurements also reveal the phase coexistence identified from the magnetic measurements. It is significant that, an increase in disorder up to 7.5% increases the resistivity of the low temperature antiferromagnetic phase by about four orders.

Site dilution in SrRuO3: effects on structural and magnetic properties.

We have investigated the effect of site dilution with substitution of nonmagnetic element in SrRu1-x Ti x O3 (x ⩽ 0.7). The nature of ferromagnetic state in SrRuO3 is believed to be of itinerant type with transition temperature [Formula: see text] K. Crystallographically, SrRuO3 has a distorted orthorhombic structure. Substitution of [Formula: see text] (3d 0) for Ru+4 (4d 4), however, does not introduce significant structural modification due to their matching ionic radii. This substitution, on the other hand, is expected to tune the electronic correlation effect and the d electron density in the system. With Ti substitution, we find that magnetic moment and Curie temperature decreases but T c remains unchanged which has been attributed to opposite tuning of electron correlation effect and density of states within the framework of itinerant ferromagnetism. The estimated critical exponent (ß) related to magnetization implies a mean-field type of magnetic nature in SrRuO3. The value of ß further increases with x which is understood from the dilution effect of magnetic lattice. The system evolves to exhibit Griffiths phase like behavior above T c which is usually realized in diluted ferromagnet following local moment model of magnetism. Our detail analysis of magnetization data indicates that magnetic state in SrRuO3 has contribution from both itinerant and local moment model of magnetism.

Structure, magnetism and electronic properties in 3d-5d based double perovskite ([Formula: see text]Y x )2FeIrO6.

The 3d-5d based double perovskites are of current interest as they provide model systems to study the interplay between electronic correlation (U) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here, we report detailed structural, magnetic and transport properties of doped double perovskite material ([Formula: see text]Y x )2FeIrO6 with [Formula: see text]. With substitution of Y, the system retains its original crystal structure but structural parameters change with x in nonmonotonic fashion. The magnetization data for Sr2FeIrO6 show antiferromagnetic type magnetic transition around 45 K; however, a close inspection of the data indicates a weak magnetic phase transition around 120 K. No change of structural symmetry has been observed down to low temperature, although the lattice parameters show sudden changes around the magnetic transitions. Sr2FeIrO6 shows an insulating behavior over the whole temperature range, which nevertheless does not change with Y substitution. The nature of charge conduction is found to follow thermally activated Mott's variable range hopping and power law behavior for parent and doped samples, respectively. Interestingly, evolution of structural, magnetic and transport behavior in ([Formula: see text]Y x )2FeIrO6 is observed to reverse with [Formula: see text], which is believed to arise due to a change in the transition metal ionic state.

Finite-size effect on evolution of Griffiths phase in manganite nanoparticles.

The finite-size effect on the evolution of the Griffiths phase (GP) is studied using nanoparticles of half-doped manganite Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3 with different average particle sizes but with similar structural parameters. All the samples exhibit pronounced GP behavior. With reducing the particle size, the Griffiths temperature remains almost unchanged but the characteristic critical temperature [Formula: see text] decreases and the GP properties are strengthened. It is noteworthy that the shift of [Formula: see text] follows finite-size scaling with the particle size revealing an exotic interplay between the GP properties and the sample dimension. This reinforces an earlier proposal of length-scale related evolution of GP.

Temperature evolution of magnetic and transport behavior in 5d Mott insulator Sr2IrO4: significance of magneto-structural coupling.

We have investigated the temperature evolution of magnetism and its interrelation with structural parameters in the perovskite-based layered compound Sr2IrO4, which is believed to be a J(eff) = 1/2 Mott insulator. The structural distortion plays an important role in this material and induces a weak ferromagnetism in an otherwise antiferromagnetically ordered magnetic state with a transition temperature around 240 K. Interestingly, at low temperatures, below around 100 K, a change in the magnetic moment has been observed. Temperature dependent x-ray diffraction measurements show that sudden changes in structural parameters around 100 K are responsible for this. Resistivity measurements show insulating behavior throughout the temperature range across the magnetic phase transition. The electronic transport can be described with Mott's two-dimensional variable range hopping (VRH) mechanism, however, three different temperature ranges are found for VRH, which is a result of varying the localization length with temperature. A negative magnetoresistance (MR) has been observed at all temperatures in contrast to positive behavior generally observed in strongly spin-orbit coupled materials. The quadratic field dependence of MR implies the relevance of a quantum interference effect.

Detection and characterization of zoonotic dermatophytes from dogs and cats in and around Kolkata.

AIM: The ringworms of pet dogs, cats, and stray animals (dogs, cats, and other animals) could be a potential source of zoonotic infections causing a serious public health problem in the busy city Kolkata. The pet owners are more susceptible to get this infection from their pets, because of the close contact with them as dermatophytosis is very much prevalent in those pets. So, this study was aimed to check the prevalence of dermatophytosis in dogs, cats, and in pet owners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 362 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis from dogs (123 in number), cats (202 in number), and human beings (37 in number) were collected and studied from in and around Kolkata to detect the presence of significant dermatophytes. Direct microscopy and cultural examination of the isolates were performed following standard methodology. Identification and characterization of the isolates were done by different biochemical tests. RESULTS: Samples (n=285) having significant dermatophytic fungal infections were found to be of highest number in cats (158, 55.5%) than in dogs (108, 37.8%) and humans (19, 6.7%), respectively. The incidence of Microsporum canis (60.0%) was the highest from affecting dogs, cats, and human beings in comparison to Microsporum gypseum (22.5%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (15.8%) and Trichophyton rubrum (1.7%). Detection of T. rubrum was only from human cases in this study, whereas the presence of rest three were slightly higher in cats than that of the dogs and humans in this present study. The incidences were higher in young animals and in humans of the age group of 21-30 years, during the rainy season (from April to August) and also in in-contact human beings. CONCLUSION: M. canis was the most commonly pathogen among all causing dermatophytosis in animals and also in the pet owners. M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes were other pathogens associated with these infections. These infections were more prevalent in the rainy seasons and in in-contact human patients or pet owners.

Evidence of peroxidative damage to the erythrocyte membrane in iron deficiency.

The mechanism responsible for reduced red blood cell (RBC) survival in iron deficient infants or animals is unknown. To investigate the possible role of membrane peroxidation in iron-deficiency anemia, we studied RBC membrane lipids and proteins of rats fed iron-deficient (2 ppm Fe) and control (50 ppm Fe) diets between 21 and 41 days of age. Thin-layer chromatography of lipids showed that iron-deficient rats' RBC contained a novel phospholipid (1.9% of the total phospholipid) which moved between phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Detailed studies showed that this PL is a Shiff's base adduct of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, and malonyldialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of RBC proteins of iron-deficient rats also showed presence of high molecular protein complexes similar to that formed in in vitro malonyldialdehyde-treated RBC. To examine the role of such membrane cross-linking on in vivo RBC survival, we have studied survival of in vitro malonyldialdehyde-treated RBC in rabbits, 51Cr-T 1/2 of 5 microM malonyldialdehyde-treated RBC, which contained about the same amount of phospholipid/malonyldialdehyde adducts, was reduced to 6 days as compared to 11 days of sham-treated RBC. The in vitro study suggests that peroxidative damage results in significant reduction in RBC T 1/2 and may be analogous to decreased RBC survival in iron-deficient infants and animals.

Transcutaneous gamma benzene hexachloride absorption and toxicity in infants and children.

A premature, malnourished infant had seizures and abnormal neurological function associated with topical gamma benzene hexachloride (lindane) therapy. The level of gamma benzene hexachloride in his blood was 17 times greater than expected after a single topical application of 1% gamma benzene hexachloride. Significant levels developed in another child's blood after repeated applications of small amounts to areas of dermatitis and excoriations on the skin. The use of topical gamma benzene hexachloride in pediatric patients is reviewed because of increased evidence of unpredictable absorption and toxicity.

8402 human cell culture--a model for evaluating bilirubin-albumin interactions with drug.

The effect of therapeutic concentration of sulfisuxazole (sulfa) on the bilirubin uptake and viability of 8402 cells in culture was studied. The total bilirubin was kept constant at 24 microM and albumin was added to obtain bilirubin-albumin molar ratio (BAMR) ranging from 0.5 to 2. The effect of sulfa on unbound bilirubin (UB) was measured by the peroxidase assay. Sulfa increased UB at all BAMR's more so at 1.5 and 2.0 (P less than 0.05). Significant increase in bilirubin uptake/cell with a corresponding decrease in cell viability was noted with sulfa at BAMR's greater than 1 (P less than 0.05). The LD50 of these cells was 73-86 nM of UB. A plot of cell viability versus UB for the combined control and sulfa data (r2 = 0.94) confirms that the decrease in cell viability with increasing BAMR is explained by the corresponding rise in UB. Therefore, increase in UB by sulfa leads to toxicity of 8402 cells. Thus, we speculate that they may be used to study the mechanism of bilirubin neurotoxicity induced by similar drugs.

Surfactant replacement therapy for pulmonary diseases.

Surfactant therapy has clearly been a meaningful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium in the management of premature infants with RDS. Pediatricians and others involved in the care of newborn infants should familiarize themselves with the various surfactant preparations, the indications for their use, the techniques of administration, and the possible side effects. All such care provides should also be skilled in endotracheal intubation and ventilation of neonates; recognition of the clinical and radiographic signs of RDS; and have the appropriate equipment to monitor cardiopulmonary status, oxygenation, and ventilation in these infants until transport to a tertiary care facility can be accomplished. In addition to the two current FDA-approved surfactants, several other surfactants are in various stages of evaluation. When administered to infants with established RDS, both natural and synthetic surfactants have clearly been shown to improve survival, decrease requirements for ventilatory support, and reduce the incidence of air leak complications. Although by no means conclusively demonstrated, certain infants, particularly those delivered at < 30 week gestation, may benefit from immediate treatment in the delivery room. It should be emphasized that, except under extenuating but controlled circumstances and except in the hands of an experienced physician, surfactant treatment should not be viewed as an integral part of neonatal resuscitation. Adequate treatment requires the administration of a minimum of two surfactant doses, although some infants may benefit from additional doses or treatment with an alternative preparation. Massive pulmonary hemorrhage, although rare, is observed with prophylactic and rescue treatment protocols and may result from hemorrhagic pulmonary edema due to a hemodynamically significant PDA. Currently there are no data to recommend the use of one surfactant preparation over another. The short- and long-term benefits may be similar with different products. Therefore, we must await results of trials with then necessary power (large number of subjects) and unbiased design to discern any clinically relevant differences. Results of studies directly comparing the relative efficacy of Survanta and Exosurf, conducted under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health, are expected in 1993. Multicenter trials comparing prophylactic and rescue administration of Exosurf versus CLSE and Survanta versus CLSE are currently underway. It is encouraging to note that follow-up studies up to 2 years of age do not reveal an increase in physical or neurodevelopmental handicaps, BPD, or other problems in preterm infants who received surfactant preparations either for prophylaxis or rescue therapy. Results of long-term follow-up studies, however, are not yet available.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Congenital chylothorax in neonatal thyrotoxicosis.

We report a patient with congenital chylothorax who also had neonatal thyrotoxicosis secondary to maternal Graves' disease. Fetal tachycardia with hydrops was detected at 28 weeks' gestational age. The fetus responded to antithyroid medication in utero but had persistent bilateral pleural effusion. At birth, he had respiratory distress due to massive pleural effusion. Cytologic studies of pleural fluid were consistent with chylothorax. To the best of our knowledge, the association of congenital chylothorax with fetal (neonatal) thyrotoxicosis, has not been reported previously.

Increased survival in low birth weight neonates given prophylactic surfactant.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a prophylactic surfactant treatment strategy (PRO) to the effectiveness of a rescue (RESC) surfactant treatment strategy in patients at high risk for developing hyaline membrane disease (HMD). STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from a retrospective cohort consisting of all patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care units at the centers participating in the recently completed Infasurf-Survanta Comparative Trial. To be in the cohort, a patient had to be admitted during the trial, be <48 hours of age on admission, have a gestational age of <30 weeks, have a birth weight of 501 to 1250 gm, and be free of congenital anomalies. Twelve centers participated in this study. They contributed 1097 patients of whom 381 were treated with a PRO strategy. RESULTS: Survival was significantly higher in the PRO-strategy patients (84% vs 72%, p < 0.05) as was survival without oxygen requirement at a postconceptional age of 36 weeks (60% vs 46%, p < 0.05). In addition, the patients with PRO had a lower prevalence of grade III and IV intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH, 9% vs 14%, p < 0.05). All analyses were controlled for birth weight and type of study center. CONCLUSION: These data support the conclusion that using a PRO treatment strategy results in improved survival in patients at risk for developing HMD. A PRO treatment strategy may also decrease the likelihood of developing a severe IVH.

Solid-phase extraction and GC/MS quantitation of cocaine, ecgonine methyl ester, benzoylecgonine, and cocaethylene from meconium, whole blood, and plasma.

A selective solid-phase extraction technique has been applied to the analysis of cocaine and selected cocaine metabolites in meconium, whole blood, and plasma. This technique uses a mixed-mode Bond Elut Certify column that utilizes the characteristics of hydrophobic and polar interactions and ion exchange chromatography. Following extraction, cocaine, ecgonine methyl ester, benzoylecgonine, and cocaethylene were identified and quantitated using GC/MS. Linear quantitative response curves have been generated for the metabolites over a concentration range of 0-1000 ng/g for meconium and 0-1000 ng/mL for whole blood and plasma. The overall extraction efficiencies, depending on the metabolite, were between 58.1 and 99.7% for meconium, 95.6 and 124.0% for blood, and 86.9 and 128.9% for plasma. Linear regression analyses of the standard curve for the four analytes exhibited correlation coefficients ranging from 0.850 to 0.946 for meconium, 0.939 to 0.993 for whole blood, and 0.981 to 0.996 for plasma. Because of its capability to detect cocaethylene in meconium, blood, and plasma, the procedure can be used to determine if drug exposure occurred during the latter stages of gestation and if it involved only cocaine or a combination of cocaine and ethanol.