Attitudes towards deprescribing: The perspectives of geriatric patients and nursing home residents.

Background/objectives: Successful deprescribing requires insight into patients' thoughts about deprescribing. We described attitudes towards deprescribing in a large sample of geriatric patients and nursing home residents.

Design: Interview-based questionnaire study.

Engineering Surface Oxygenated Functionalities on Commercial Carbon toward Ultrafast Sodium Storage in Ether-Based Electrolytes.

The pursuit of a high-capacity anode material has been urgently required for commercializing sodium-ion batteries with a high energy density and an improved working safety. In the absence of thermodynamically stable sodium intercalated compounds with graphite, constructing nanostructures with expanded interlayer distances is still the mainstream option for developing high-performance carbonaceous anodes. In this regard, a surface-functionalized and pore-forming strategy through a facile CO thermal etching route was rationally adopted to engineer negligible oxygenated functionalities on commercial carbon for boosting the sodium storage process.

[The Swedish specialist examination in emergency medicine: reflections on the first decade].

Emergency Medicine became a supraspeciality in Sweden in 2008. The Swedish Specialist Examination in Emergency Medicine is a formative examination that seeks to guide local training in Emergency Medicine, provide feedback to physicians during their residency, and establish national standards for various processes in Emergency Medicine. It consists of six partial examinations and 118 cases.

Soft x-ray spectroscopy of high pressure liquid.

We describe a new experimental technique that allows for soft x-ray spectroscopy studies (∼100-1000 eV) of high pressure liquid (∼100 bars). We achieve this through a liquid cell with a 100 nm-thick SiN membrane window, which is sandwiched by two identical O-rings for vacuum sealing. The thin SiN membrane allows soft x-rays to penetrate, while separating the high-pressure liquid under investigation from the vacuum required for soft x-ray transmission and detection.

Large Charge-Transfer Energy in LiFePO Revealed by Full-Multiplet Calculation for the Fe L -edge Soft X-ray Emission Spectra.

We analyzed the Fe 3d electronic structure in LiFePO /FePO (LFP/FP) nanowire with a high cyclability by using soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) combined with configuration-interaction full-multiplet (CIFM) calculation. The ex situ Fe L -edge resonant XES (RXES) spectra for LFP and FP are ascribed to oxidation states of Fe and Fe , respectively. CIFM calculations for Fe and Fe states reproduced the Fe L RXES spectra for LFP and FP, respectively.

X-ray-Induced Fragmentation of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids Studied by Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

We investigated the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) fingerprint of EMImTFSI ionic liquid (IL) and its fragmentation products created by X-ray irradiation. To accomplish this, we used an open geometry where an IL droplet is directly exposed in the vacuum chamber and an enclosed geometry where the IL is confined in a cell covered by an X-ray transparent membrane. In the open geometry, the XAS signature was stable and consistent with experimental and theoretical spectra reported in the literature.

High-efficiency in situ resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (iRIXS) endstation at the Advanced Light Source.

An endstation with two high-efficiency soft x-ray spectrographs was developed at Beamline 8.0.1 of the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Correlation between the O 2p Orbital and Redox Reaction in LiMn Fe PO Nanowires Studied by Soft X-ray Absorption.

The changes in the electronic structure of LiMn Fe PO nanowires during discharge processes were investigated by using ex situ soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Fe L-edge X-ray absorption spectrum attributes the potential plateau at 3.45 V versus Li/Li of the discharge curve to a reduction of Fe to Fe .

Understanding the magnetic interaction between intrinsic defects and impurity ions in room-temperature ferromagnetic Mg1-xFexO thin films.

Understanding the nature and characteristics of the intrinsic defects and impurities in the dielectric barrier separating the ferromagnetic electrodes in a magnetic tunneling junction is of great importance for understanding the often observed 'barrier-breakdown' therein. In this connection, we present herein systematic experimental (SQUID and synchrotron-radiation-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy) and computational studies on the electronic and magnetic properties of Mg1-xFexO thin films. Our studies reveal: (i) defect aggregates comprised of basic and trimer units (Fe impurity coupled to 1 or 2 Mg vacancies) and (ii) existence of two competing magnetic orders, defect- and dopant-induced, with spin densities aligning anti-parallel if the trimer is present in the oxide matrix.

Influence of crystal structure, ligand environment and morphology on Co L-edge XAS spectral characteristics in cobalt compounds.

The electronic structure of a material plays an important role in its functionality for different applications which can be probed using synchrotron-based spectroscopy techniques. Here, various cobalt-based compounds, differing in crystal structure, ligands surrounding the central metal ion and morphology, have been studied by soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Co L-edge in order to measure the effect of these parameters on the electronic structure. A careful qualitative analysis of the spectral branching ratio and relative intensities of the L3 and L2 peaks provide useful insight into the electronic properties of compounds such as CoO/Co(OH)2, CoCl2.

Amorphous V2O5-P2O5 as high-voltage cathodes for magnesium batteries.

A deep investigation of amorphous V2O5-P2O5 powders for magnesium batteries communicates the vital properties to achieving the superior electrochemical performance at a 75 : 25 V2O5 : P2O5 molar ratio. The manipulation of the inter-layer spacing and amorphization of V2O5 can enhance Mg(2+) diffusion and afford a cathode with high-voltage reversibility.

Probing the Interfacial Interaction in Layered-Carbon-Stabilized Iron Oxide Nanostructures: A Soft X-ray Spectroscopic Study.

We have stabilized the iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) of various sizes on layered carbon materials (Fe-oxide/C) that show excellent catalytic performance. From the characterization of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy (XMCD), a strong interfacial interaction in the Fe-oxide/C hybrids has been observed between the small iron oxide NPs and layered carbon in contrast to the weak interaction in the large iron oxide NPs. The interfacial interaction between the NPs and layered carbon is found to link with the improved catalytic performance.

Effects of rare-earth size on the electronic structure of La1−xLuxVO3.

The electronic structure of La(1-x)Lu(x)VO(3)(x = 0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1) single crystals has been investigated using soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy, soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, and resonant soft x-ray inelastic scattering to study the effects of rare-earth size.

Capturing interfacial photoelectrochemical dynamics with picosecond time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Time-resolved core-level spectroscopy using laser pulses to initiate and short X-ray pulses to trace photoinduced processes has the unique potential to provide electronic state- and atomic site-specific insight into fundamental electron dynamics in complex systems. Time-domain studies using transient X-ray absorption and emission techniques have proven extremely valuable to investigate electronic and structural dynamics in isolated and solvated molecules. Here, we describe the implementation of a picosecond time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TRXPS) technique at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) and its application to monitor photoinduced electron dynamics at the technologically pertinent interface formed by N3 dye molecules anchored to nanoporous ZnO.

Low-energy V t2g orbital excitations in NdVO3.

The electronic structure of NdVO(3) and YVO(3) has been investigated as a function of sample temperature using resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at the V L(3)-edge. Most of the observed spectral features are in good agreement with an atomic crystal-field multiplet model. However, a low energy feature is observed at ∼ 0.

Understanding the electrochemical mechanism of K-αMnO2 for magnesium battery cathodes.

Batteries based on magnesium are an interesting alternative to current state-of-the-art lithium-ion systems; however, high-energy-density cathodes are needed for further development. Here we utilize TEM, EDS, and EELS in addition to soft-XAS to determine electrochemical magnesiation mechanism of a high-energy density cathode, K-αMnO2. Rather than following the typical insertion mechanism similar to Li(+), we propose the gradual reduction of K-αMnO2 to form Mn2O3 then MnO at the interface of the cathode and electrolyte, finally resulting in the formation of K-αMnO2@(Mg,Mn)O core-shell product after discharge of the battery.

An ultra-high vacuum electrochemical flow cell for in situ/operando soft X-ray spectroscopy study.

An in situ flow electrochemical cell has been designed and fabricated to allow better seal under UHV chamber thus to achieve a good signal to noise ratio in fluorescence yield detection of X-ray absorption spectra for spectroelectrochemical study. The cell also stabilizes the thin silicon nitride membrane window in an effective manner so that the liquid cell remains intact during X-ray absorption experiments. With the improved design of the liquid cell, electrochemical experiments such as cyclic voltammetry have been performed for 10 cycles with a good stability of sample window.

Disorder-induced room temperature ferromagnetism in glassy chromites.

We report an unusual robust ferromagnetic order above room temperature upon amorphization of perovskite [YCrO3] in pulsed laser deposited thin films. This is contrary to the usual expected formation of a spin glass magnetic state in the resulting disordered structure. To understand the underlying physics of this phenomenon, we combine advanced spectroscopic techniques and first-principles calculations.

Anisotropic charge-transfer effects in the asymmetric Fe(CN)5NO octahedron of sodium nitroprusside: a soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy study.

The electronic structure of Na2[Fe(CN)5NO]·2H2O (sodium nitroprusside: SNP) was investigated by using soft X-ray absorption (XA) spectroscopy. The Fe L2,3-edge XA spectrum of SNP exhibited distinct and very large satellite peaks for L3 and L2 regions, which is different from the spectra of hexacyanoferrates and the other iron compounds. A configuration-interaction full-multiplet calculation, in which the ligand molecular orbitals for the C4v symmetry were taken into account, revealed the Fe(2+) low-spin state with very strong effects of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer from the Fe 3d to NO 2p orbitals.

Effect of Al3+ co-doping on the dopant local structure, optical properties, and exciton dynamics in Cu+-doped ZnSe nanocrystals.

The dopant local structure and optical properties of Cu-doped ZnSe (ZnSe:Cu) and Cu and Al co-doped ZnSe (ZnSe:Cu,Al) nanocrystals (NCs) were studied with an emphasis on understanding the impact of introducing Al as a co-dopant. Quantum-confined NCs with zinc blende crystal structure and particle size of 6 ± 0.6 Å were synthesized using a wet chemical route.

Towards understanding the electronic structure of Fe-doped CeO2 nanoparticles with X-ray spectroscopy.

This study reports on the electronic structure of Fe-doped CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs), determined by coupled X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy. A comparison of the local electronic structure around the Ce site with that around the Fe site indicates that the Fe substitutes for the Ce. The oxygen K-edge spectra that originated from the hybridization between cerium 4f and oxygen 2p states are sensitive to the oxidation state and depend strongly on the concentration of Fe doping.

The band structure of WO3 and non-rigid-band behaviour in Na0.67WO3 derived from soft x-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory.

The electronic structure of single-crystal WO3 and Na0.67WO3 (a sodium-tungsten bronze) has been measured using soft x-ray absorption and resonant soft x-ray emission oxygen K-edge spectroscopies. The spectral features show clear differences in energy and intensity between WO3 and Na0.

Properties of disorder-engineered black titanium dioxide nanoparticles through hydrogenation.

The recent discovery of "black" TiO2 nanoparticles with visible and infrared absorption has triggered an explosion of interest in the application of TiO2 in a diverse set of solar energy systems; however, what a black TiO2 nanoparticle really is remains a mystery. Here we elucidate more properties and try to understand the inner workings of black TiO2 nanoparticles with hydrogenated disorders in a surface layer surrounding a crystalline core. Contrary to traditional findings, Ti(3+) here is not responsible for the visible and infrared absorption of black TiO2, while there is evidence of mid-gap states above the valence band maximum due to the hydrogenated, engineered disorders.

Electronic structure and chemical bonding of a graphene oxide-sulfur nanocomposite for use in superior performance lithium-sulfur cells.

We have investigated the chemical bonding and electronic structure of a graphene oxide-sulfur (GO-S) nanocomposite by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Near-edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS), and X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES). The nanocomposite, synthesized by a chemical reaction-deposition approach followed by low temperature thermal treatment, is composed of a thin and uniform sulfur film anchored on a graphene oxide (GO) sheet. The GO is partially reduced during the chemical synthesis process, resulting in the appearance of a C-H bond and an increase in the ordering of GO sheets.

X-ray absorption, photoemission spectroscopy, and Raman scattering analysis of amorphous tantalum oxide with a large extent of oxygen nonstoichiometry.

The electronic structure and modification of the local interatomic structure of a reactive sputtered amorphous tantalum oxide (a-TaO(x)) thin film with the variation of oxygen nonstoichiometry, x in a-TaO(x) have been investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Raman scattering spectroscopy, and Rutherford back scattering spectroscopy. A parallel chemical shift of Ta4f(7/2) and O1s core levels observed with the variation of x indicates the Fermi level shift by reduction and oxidation in the framework of the rigid band model. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) suggests both the increase of average coordination number of the first Ta-O shell in polyhedra and a considerable reduction of the average Ta-O bond length with the increase of x.