Prediction of huge X-ray Faraday rotation at the Gd N_4,5 threshold

X-ray absorption spectra in a wide energy range around the 4d-4f excitation threshold of Gd were recorded by total electron yield from in-plane magnetized Gd metal films. Matching the experimental spectra to tabulated absorption data reveals unprecedented short light absorption lengths down to 3 nm. The associated real parts of the refractive index for circularly polarized light propagating parallel or antiparallel to the Gd magnetization, determined through the Kramers-Kronig transformation, correspond to a magneto-optical Faraday rotation of 0.7 degrees per atomic layer. This finding shall allow the study of magnetic structure and magnetization dynamics of lanthanide elements in nanosize systems and dilute alloys.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, final version resubmitted to Phys. Rev. B, Brief Reports. Minor change

Hole distribution for (Sr,Ca,Y,La)_14 Cu_24 O_41 ladder compounds studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

The unoccupied electronic structure for the Sr_14Cu_24O_41 family of two-leg ladder compounds was investigated for different partial substitutions of Sr^2+ by Ca^2+, leaving the nominal hole count constant, and by Y^3+ or La^3+, reducing the nominal hole count from its full value of 6 per formula unit. Using polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy on single crystals, hole states on both the chain and ladder sites could be studied. While for intermediate hole counts all holes reside on O sites of the chains, a partial hole occupation on the ladder sites in orbitals oriented along the legs is observed for the fully doped compound Sr_14Cu_24O_41. On substitution of Ca for Sr orbitals within the ladder planes but perpendicular to the legs receive some hole occupation as well.Comment: 10 pages RevTeX style with 7 embedded figures + 1 table; accepted by Phys. Rev.

Origin of the magnetic moments in [formula omitted] epitaxial thin films

Crystalline films of [formula omitted] grown on (100) [formula omitted] substrates by rf sputtering have been investigated using magnetic circular dichroism and inverse photoemission spectroscopy. We find evidence for strong hybridization between unoccupied levels associated with Mn 3d and O 2p states. The oxygen atoms “pick-up” a small magnetic moment through hybridization with Mn. © 2000, American Institute of Physics. All rights reserved

Prediction and validation of exenatide risk marker effects on progression of renal disease:Insights from EXSCEL

Aim To assess whether the previously developed multivariable risk prediction framework (PRE score) could predict the renal effects observed in the EXSCEL cardiovascular outcomes trial using short-term changes in cardio-renal risk markers. Materials and Methods Changes from baseline to 6 months in HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin, total cholesterol, and new micro- or macroalbuminuria were evaluated. The renal outcomes were defined as a composite of a sustained 30% or 40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Relationships between risk markers and long-term renal outcomes were determined in patients with type 2 diabetes from the ALTITUDE study using multivariable Cox regression analysis, and then applied to short-term changes in risk markers observed in EXSCEL to predict the exenatide-induced impact on renal outcomes. Results Compared with placebo, mean HbA1c, BMI, SBP and total cholesterol were lower at 6 months with exenatide, as was the incidence of new microalbuminuria. The PRE score predicted a relative risk reduction for the 30% eGFR decline + ESRD endpoint of 11.3% (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.83-0.94), compared with 12.7% (HR 0.87; 0.77-0.99) observed risk reduction. For the 40% eGFR decline + ESRD endpoint, the predicted and observed risk reductions were 11.0% (HR 0.89; 0.82-0.97) and 13.7% (HR 0.86, 0.72-1.04), respectively. Conclusions Integrating short-term risk marker changes into a multivariable risk score predicted the magnitude of renal risk reduction observed in EXSCEL

Electronic Structure of Halogen Doped CuCr2Se4

We have employed element and chemically sensitive X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) in order to address a long standing controversy regarding the electronic and magnetic state of CuCr{sub 2}Se{sub 4} via halogen doping of the Se anion site in CuCr{sub 2}Se{sub 4-x}Y{sub x} (Y=Cl and Br). Long range magnetic order is observed above room temperature for all samples. The Cr L{sub 2,3} XAS spectra show a prevalent 3+ valence for the Cr ions independent of doping concentration and doping agent. The Cu L{sub 2,3} XAS spectra show a combination of 1+ and 2+ valence states for all samples. XMCD spectra indicate the presence of a magnetic moment associated with the Cu ions that is aligned antiparallel to the Cr moment

Loss of the Synaptic Vesicle Protein SV2B Results in Reduced Neurotransmission and Altered Synaptic Vesicle Protein Expression in the Retina

The Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2 (SV2) family of transporter-like proteins is expressed exclusively in vesicles that undergo calcium-regulated exocytosis. Of the three isoforms expressed in mammals, SV2B is the most divergent. Here we report studies of SV2B location and function in the retina. Immunolabeling studies revealed that SV2B is detected in rod photoreceptor synaptic terminals where it is the primary isoform. In mice lacking SV2B, synaptic transmission at the synapse between photoreceptors and bipolar neurons was decreased, as evidenced by a significant reduction in the amplitude of the b-wave in electroretinogram recordings. Quantitative immunoblot analyses of whole eyes revealed that loss of SV2B was associated with reduced levels of synaptic vesicle proteins including synaptotagmin, VAMP, synaptophysin and the vesicular glutamate transporter V-GLUT1. Immunolabeling studies revealed that SV2B is detected in rod photoreceptor synaptic terminals where it is the primary isoform. Thus, SV2B contributes to the modulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis and plays a significant role in regulating synaptic protein content