Element specific determination of the magnetic properties of two macrocyclic tetranuclear 3d-4f complexes with a CuTb core by means of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD).

We apply X-ray magnetic circular dichroism to study the internal magnetic structure of two very promising star shaped macrocyclic complexes with a CuII3TbIII core. These complexes are rare examples prepared with a macrocyclic ligand that show indications of SMM (Single Molecule Magnet) behavior, and they differ only in ring size: one has a propylene linked macrocycle, [CuII3TbIII(LPr)(NO3)2(MeOH)(H2O)2](NO3)·3H2O (nickname: Cu3Tb(LPr)), and the other has the butylene linked analogue, [CuII3TbIII(LBu)(NO3)2(MeOH)(H2O)](NO3)·3H2O (nickname: Cu3Tb(LBu)). We analyze the orbital and spin contributions to the Cu and Tb ions quantitatively by applying the spin and orbital sum rules concerning the L2 (M4)/L3 (M5) edges.

Effect of 3d doping on the electronic structure of BaFe2As2.

The electronic structure of BaFe(2)As(2) doped with Co, Ni and Cu has been studied by a variety of experimental and theoretical methods, but a clear picture of the dopant 3d states has not yet emerged. Herein we provide experimental evidence of the distribution of Co, Ni and Cu 3d states in the valence band. We conclude that the Co and Ni 3d states provide additional free carriers to the Fermi level, while the Cu 3d states are found at the bottom of the valence band in a localized 3d(10) shell.

Development of fluorogenic probe-based PCR assays for the detection and quantification of bovine piroplasmids.

This paper reports two new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, developed in an attempt to improve the detection of bovine piroplasmids. The first of these techniques is a duplex TaqMan assay for the simultaneous diagnosis of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina.

Hemoprotozoa of domestic animals in France: prevalence and molecular characterization.

Very limited information is available on epizootiology of haematozoan infections in French domestic animals. In an attempt to address this issue, prevalence of piroplasmida was studied in carnivores and ruminants, whereas prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. was only investigated in carnivores.

Identification of feline polycystic kidney disease mutation using fret probes and melting curve analysis.

We developed and validated a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using fluorescent hybridization probes and melting curve analysis to identify the PKD1 exon 29 (C-->A) mutation, which is implicated in polycystic kidney disease of cats. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 20 Persian cats. The employ of the new real-time PCR and melting curve analysis in these samples indicated that 13 cats (65%) were wild type homozygotes and seven cats (35%) were heterozygotes.