Slow spin relaxation induced by magnetic field in [NdCo(bpdo)(H2O)4(CN)6]⋠3H2O.

We report on a comprehensive investigation of the magnetic properties of [NdCo(bpdo)(H2O)4(CN)6]⋅3H2O (bpdo=4, 4'-bipyridine-N,N'-dioxide) by use of electron paramagnetic resonance, magnetization, specific heat and susceptibility measurements. The studied material was identified as a magnet with an effective spin S = 1/2 and a weak exchange interaction J/kB = 25 mK. The ac susceptibility studies conducted at audio frequencies and at temperatures from 1.8 to 9 K revealed that the application of a static magnetic field induces a slow spin relaxation. It is suggested that the relaxation in the magnetic field appears due to an Orbach-like process between the two lowest doublet energy states of the magnetic Nd(3+) ion. The appearance of the slow relaxation in a magnetic field cannot be associated with a resonant phonon trapping. The obtained results suggest that the relaxation is influenced by nuclear spin driven quantum tunnelling which is suppressed by external magnetic field.

Magnetic order in hybrid frustrated magnets Gd(2-x)Tb(x)Ti2O7 (x = 0.2 and 0.5).

We report on the specific heat, magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements of single crystals of hybrid frustrated magnets Gd(1.8)Tb(0.2)Ti(2)O(7) and Gd(1.5)Tb(0.5)Ti(2)O(7). The analysis of experimental data revealed that, although partial replacing of the Gd(3+) ions by the Tb(3+) ions in the Gd(2)Ti(2)O(7) host lattice slightly enhances antiferromagnetic coupling, as inferred from the evolution of the paramagnetic Curie-Weiss temperature, the ordering temperature gradually decreases. Paramagnetic correlations introduced by the Tb(3+) ions cause this perturbation, altering the effective further neighbor interactions and destabilizing the ground state in Gd(2)Ti(2)O(7). In addition, the low-energy states of Gd(2-x)Tb(x)Ti(2)O(7) are suggested to possess a nature different from those in parent members Tb(2)Ti(2)O(7) and Gd(2)Ti(2)O(7). Finally, the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility behavior in Gd(1.5)Tb(0.5)Ti(2)O(7) is consistent with the formation of a spin-glass-like state indicating a pronounced slowing down of the dynamical response of the studied hybrid magnets.

Physiological responses to mixing in large scale bioreactors.

Escherichia coli fed-batch cultivations at 22 m3 scale were compared to corresponding laboratory scale processes and cultivations using a scale-down reactor furnished with a high-glucose concentration zone to mimic the conditions in a feed zone of the large bioreactor. Formate accumulated in the large reactor, indicating the existence of oxygen limitation zones. It is suggested that the reduced biomass yield at large scale partly is due to repeated production/re-assimilation of acetate from overflow metabolism and mixed acid fermentation products due to local moving zones with oxygen limitation. The conditions that generated mixed-acid fermentation in the scale-down reactor also induced a number of stress responses, monitored by analysis of mRNA of selected stress induced genes. The stress responses were relaxed when the cells returned to the substrate limited and oxygen sufficient compartment of the reactor. Corresponding analysis in the large reactor showed that the concentration of mRNA of four stress induced genes was lowest at the sampling port most distant from the feed zone. It is assumed that repeated induction/relaxation of stress responses in a large bioreactor may contribute to altered physiological properties of the cells grown in large-scale bioreactor. Flow cytometric analysis revealed reduced damage with respect to cytoplasmic membrane potential and integrity in cells grown in the dynamic environments of the large scale reactor and the scale-down reactor.