Publications by authors named "Natividad E"

A strategy toward the realization of a quantum spin processor involves the coupling of spin qubits and qudits to photons within superconducting resonators. To enable the realization of such hybrid architecture, here we first explore the design of a chip with multiple lumped-element LC superconducting resonators optimized for their coupling to distinct transitions of a vanadyl porphyrin electronuclear qudit. The controlled integration of the vanadyl qudit onto the superconducting device, both in terms of number and orientation, is then attained using the formation of nanosheets of a 2D framework built on the vanadyl qudit as a node.

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Molecular spins are considered as the quantum hardware to build hybrid quantum processors in which coupling to superconducting devices would provide the means to implement the necessary coherent manipulations. As an alternative to large magnetically-dilute crystals or concentrated nano-scale deposits of paramagnetic molecules that have been studied so far, the use of pre-formed sub-micronic spherical particles of a doped Gd@Y hydroxycarbonate is evaluated here. Particles with an adjustable number of spin carriers are prepared through the control of both particle size and doping.

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Purpose: The localized heating of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) the application of time-varying magnetic fields - a process known as magnetic field hyperthermia (MFH) - can greatly enhance existing options for cancer treatment; but for broad clinical uptake its optimization, reproducibility and safety must be comprehensively proven. As part of this effort, the quantification of MNP heating - characterized by the specific loss power (), measured in W/g, or by the intrinsic loss power (), in Hm/kg - is frequently reported. However, in / measurements to date, the apparatus, the analysis techniques and the field conditions used by different researchers have varied greatly, leading to questions as to the reproducibility of the measurements.

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The heating ability upon application of an alternating magnetic field of a system of monodisperse and non-interacting superparamagnetic nanoparticles is described by Rosensweig's model within the linear response limits. But in real applications, nanoparticle systems are rarely monodisperse or non-interacting, and predicting their heating ability is challenging, since it requires considering single-particle, inter-particle and collective effects. Herein we give experimental evidence of a collective effect that invalidates the linear response limits in self-assembled anisotropic arrangements.

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Objectives: To assess the symptom burden associated with CVC removal and insertion in cancer patients.

Methods: We collected patient-reported symptom-burden outcomes for 60 consecutive cancer patients: 30 undergoing CVC removal and 30 undergoing CVC insertion. Cancer patients self-administered the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory to rate the severity of 21 different symptoms immediately after the procedure Results: Symptoms were present in up to 57% to 67% of patients undergoing CVC insertion and removal respectively.

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We evaluated the rate of central venous catheter (CVC) removal in 283 cancer patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs). Removal of CVCs occurred unnecessarily in 57% of patients with non-central-line-associated BSI (non-CLABSI), which was equivalent to the rate of CVC removal in patients with CLABSIs. Physician education and safe interventions to salvage the vascular access are warranted.

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For long-term central lines (CL), the lumen is the major source of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). The current standard of care for maintaining catheter patency includes flushing the CL with saline or heparin. Neither agent has any antimicrobial activity.

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Background: Identifying a central venous catheter (CVC) as the source of bacteremia requires drawing simultaneous blood cultures (BCs) from the CVC and peripheral site and correct labeling of the BC source. In our emergency center (EC), 52% of BCs collected from febrile cancer patients lacked source information, making the diagnosis and management of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) challenging.

Methods: Between January 2015 and June 2015, we conducted a quality improvement project in our EC aiming to increase the occurrence of simultaneous BC drawing with accurate source labeling by 10%.

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One current challenge of magnetic hyperthermia is achieving therapeutic effects with a minimal amount of nanoparticles, for which improved heating abilities are continuously pursued. However, it is demonstrated here that the performance of magnetite nanocubes in a colloidal solution is reduced by 84% when they are densely packed in three-dimensional arrangements similar to those found in cell vesicles after nanoparticle internalization. This result highlights the essential role played by the nanoparticle arrangement in heating performance, uncontrolled in applications.

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Fe(II)(Metz)6](Fe(III)Br4)2 (Metz = 1-methyltetrazole) is one of the rare systems combining spin-crossover and long-range magnetic ordering. A joint neutron and X-ray diffraction and magnetometry study allows determining its collinear antiferromagnetic structure, and shows an increase of the Néel temperature from 2.4 K at ambient pressure, to 3.

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In magnetic hyperthermia, characterising the specific functionality of magnetic nanoparticle arrangements is essential to plan the therapies by simulating maximum achievable temperatures. This functionality, i.e.

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The first tetrahaloferrate spin crossover compound, [Fe(Metz)(6)](FeBr(4))(2) (Metz = 1-methyltetrazole), is reported. The FeBr(4)(-) ions form ferromagnetically coupled 1D stacks and exhibit an antiferromagnetic order at 2.2 K, which coexists with the gradual spin crossover centred at 165 K.

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The heating and self-regulating abilities of La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO(3+Δ) ferromagnetic nanoparticles for magnetic fluid hyperthermia are studied. The samples, synthesized by the Glycine Nitrate Process, present non-agglomerated particles but are partially constituted by polycrystalline nanoparticles, displaying average crystallite diameters ranging from 21 to 31 nm. The strontium content of these nanoparticles, between 0.

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The formation, morphology, and structure of two-dimensional Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) assemblies of octadecyltriazole (ODT)-based metal-containing oligomers presenting, in the case of iron, the spin-crossover phenomenon is studied with Brewster angle microscopy, IR dichroism, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. Two processes occurring at the air-water interface are confirmed to dominate the mechanism of formation of these LB films, the instability of the coordination polymers at the air-water interface and recoordination of metal ions in the subphase at the interface during the LB deposition process. The Langmuir film allowing the LB film formation is mostly made of ODT.

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The tolerance to two alternative large-dosage strengths of vitamin A preparation was determined in a double-blind study involving 2471 children in two municipalities in the Philippines. Each child, aged 1-6 y, not suffering from active xerophthalmia or from nausea and/or vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and fever, was randomly given 1 mL of a syrupy suspension later identified to contain 0, 60, or 30 mg vitamin A. Clinical evaluation of subjects was done by physicians 24 h and 1 wk after dosing.

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