Atomic 4f states have been found to be essential players in the physical behavior of lanthanide compounds, at the Fermi level EF as in the proposed topological Kondo insulator SmB6, or further away as in the magnetic superconductor system RNi2B2C (R=rare earth ion) and in Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7, where the 4f shell of Pr has a devastating effect on superconductivity. In hole-doped RNiO2, the R=Nd member is found to be superconducting while R=La is not, in spite of the calculated electronic structures being nearly identical. We report first principles results that indicate that the Nd 4f moment affects states at EF in infinite-layer NdNiO2, an effect that will not occur for LaNiO2. Treating 20% hole-doping in the virtual crystal approach indicates that 0.15 holes empty the Γ-centered Nd-derived electron pocket while leaving the other electron pocket unchanged; hence Ni only absorbs 0.05 holes; the La counterpart would behave similarly. However, coupling of 4f states to the electron pockets at EF arises through the Nd intra-atomic 4f − 5d exchange coupling K ≈ 0.5 eV and is ferromagnetic (FM), i.e. anti-Kondo, in sign. This interaction causes spin-disorder broadening of the electron pockets and should be included in models of the normal and superconducting states of Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO2. The Ni moments differ by 0.2µB for FM and antiferromagnetic alignment (the latter are larger), reflecting some itineracy and indicating that Heisenberg coupling of the moments may not provide a quantitative modeling of Ni-Ni exchange coupling.

This article reviews the application of metal-containing nanoparticles and nano-structured particles to fingermark detection. This area of research is attracting significant interest as advances in nanoscience are being incorporated into the field of forensic fingermark detection. Although more research is needed before some of the techniques presented can be implemented in routine casework, nanotechnology is likely to play a major role in the future to deliver more selective and more sensitive ways to detect and enhance fingermarks.

Curcumin nanoemulsions (Cur-NEs) were developed with various surfactant concentrations by using high pressure homogenization and finally applied to the commercial milk system. Characterization of Cur-NEs was performed by measuring the droplet size and polydispersity index value at different Tween 20 concentrations. The morphology of the Cur-NEs was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Antioxidant activity and in vitro digestion ability were tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, pH-stat method, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assays. Cur-NEs were found to be physically stable for 1 mo at room temperature. The surfactant concentration affects particle formation and droplet size. The mean droplet size decreased from 122 to 90 nm when surfactant concentration increased 3 times. Cur-NEs had shown an effective oxygen scavenging activity. Cur-NEs-fortified milk showed significantly lower lipid oxidation than control (unfortified) milk and milk containing curcumin-free nanoemulsions. These properties make Cur-NEs suitable systems for the beverage industry.

Purpose: This study was done to develop and test a scale to measure the partnership between pediatric nurses and hospitalized children's parents. Methods: Instrument development process included construct identification based on concept analysis using the hybrid model of Shuwartz-Barcott and Kim (2000), a process which generated 42 initial items. This number was reduced to 35 items through content validity tests by 5 experts and face validity tests by 5 pediatric nurses and 5 parents of hospitalized children. The preliminary Pediatric Nurse Parent Partnership Scale (PNPPS) was administered to 186 pediatric nurses and 163 parents at eleven children's wards in four hospitals. Data were analyzed using item analysis, factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's alpha. Results: Thirty-four items were selected for the final scale. Seven factors evolved from the factor analysis, which explained 68.4% of the total variance. The internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha, was .96 and reliability of the subscales ranged from .66 to .93. Conclusion: The PNPPS demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. It can be used to assess the partnership of pediatric nurses and parents in practice and research.

Zinc oxide is evaluated as a fluorescent powder for the detection of fingermarks on nonporous surfaces. Pure and lithium-doped nanostructured zinc oxide powders were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The zinc oxide powders were applied to fresh and aged fingermarks deposited on non-porous surfaces such as glass, polyethylene and aluminium foil. Zinc oxide was found to produce clear fluorescent impressions of the latent fingermarks when illuminated with long-wave UV light.