Magnetic Anisotropy and Microstructure in Electrodeposited Quaternary Sn-Fe-Ni-Co Alloys with Amorphous Character.

Sn-Fe-Ni-Co quaternary alloys, in the composition range of 37-44 at% Sn, 35-39 at% Fe, 6-8 at% Ni and 13-17 at% Co, were prepared by direct current (DC) and pulse plating (PP) electrodeposition. The alloy deposits were characterized by XRD, 57Fe and 119Sn conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, SEM-EDX and magnetization measurements. XRD revealed the amorphous character of the quaternary alloy deposits. The dominant ferromagnetic character of the deposits was shown by magnetization and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. Room temperature Mössbauer spectra showed minor paramagnetic phases, where their occurrences (~3-20%) are correlated to the electrodeposition parameters (Jdep from -16 to -23 mA/cm2 for DC, Jpulse from -40 to -75 mA/cm2 for PP), the composition and the saturation magnetization (~52-73 emu/g). A considerable difference was found in the magnetization curves applying parallel or perpendicular orientation of the applied fields, indicating magnetic anisotropy both in DC and pulse plated alloy coatings.

Cross-cultural comparison of explanatory models of illness in schizophrenic patients in Jordan and Germany.

This study investigated illness concepts of schizophrenic patients in an Arab-Islamic and a western European cultural background. 24 Jordanian and 23 German inpatients were interviewed using an illness concept scale and a causal belief questionnaire. Jordanian patients tend to believe more in esoteric factors underlying their illness, and they perceive the illness to be more threatening. There were no differences regarding biological explanations of illness and trust in medication; however, Jordanian patients reported more trust in the treating physician. Nearly all patients mentioned psychosocial stress as an important factor underlying their illness. Concerning treatment, only Jordanian patients believed religion to be an important factor and mentioned distance from the family as beneficial. The study highlights that culturally specific factors influence illness concepts of schizophrenic patients from an Arab-Islamic and a western European cultural background. Knowledge of these illness concepts is important to establish a helpful relationship between physician and patient.