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The magnetic characteristics of FeAlN/SiO2 and FeAlN/Al2O3 multilayered thin film structures were investigated for recording head applications. The results showed that the two samples have reduced coercivity and increased roll-off frequencies. However, Al decreased the saturation magnetostriction constant and shifted the minimum coercivity point to a higher N content.

Thin films of magnetic and nonmagnetic constituents of spin-valve and magnetic tunnel junction multilayers were deposited using magnetron sputtering techniques as a function of argon pressure. Depositions in the sub-milli-Torr pressure regime have greatly improved film surface smoothness but also induced significant changes in film stress and, therefore, magnetostriction. The comparable values of magnetic thickness loss generated at various magnetic/nonmagnetic interfaces by the sub-milli-Torr deposition suggests comparable energetic deposition to ion beam deposition. A proper selection of deposition conditions for the component layers is critical to ensure optimal performance of spin-valve and magnetic tunnel junction multilayers. Index Terms--Interlayer atomic mixing, magnetic thickness loss, magnetostriction, magnetron sputtering, stress, sub-milli-Torr, thin films.

The properties of dc magnetron sputter-deposited 45% Ni-55% Fe is presented. The magnetic properties were found to correlate with the crystalline texture, in general, better soft properties arise with less (111) texture.

The optimization of long-throw sputter-deposited hard magnetic CoCrPt/Cr films was undertaken. Increasing the T/S spacing to increase the collimation in the film deposition is detrimental to the magnetic properties, in particular the coercivity.

Radio frequency (rf) power input, argon pressure film thickness and deposition rate characteristics of rf magnetron sputtering influence the electrical, crystalline and magnetic properties of thin nickel films. Deposition rates alter saturation magnetization and coercivity of the films and produce fcc(111) orientation coercivity in the films. High rf input power and low argon pressures increase the nickel grain sizes.

The effect of microstructure on the oscillating interlayer coupling PtMn-biased bottom spin valves is evaluated. The results show that smoothening films result in a stronger oscillating exchange interlayer coupling (OXC) and coupling, both when suppressing long-range and short-range roughness and in Neel coupling, was sensitive to long-range waviness for the given spacer thickness range.

Nano-Oxide Layers (NOL) have been introduced recently as a means to enhance the degree of specular scattering at the outer surfaces in a spin-valve, while still using metallic antiferromagnets such as PtMn or IrMn. A key requirement of the NOL layer in the pinned layer is to be able to provide strong ferromagnetic coupling between two ferromagnetic layers. In this paper, a quantitative study of the ferromagnetic interlayer coupling over the NOL-layer is presented. A Stoner-Wohlfarth model is developed to allow for quantitative analysis. The effect of different metal deposition methods (PVD or IBD), different pinning structures (PtMn and IrMn; simple and synthetic) and different oxidation methods on the coupling is compared. Index Terms--Magnetoresistance, specular reflection, spin-valve.

Thickness dependence and process optimization of planetary magnetron sputtered FeMnRh-based spin valves (SV) have been investigated in terms of the interrelationship between process conditions, microstructure, and magnetic properties. For the Cu spacer layer, sputtering at low power (0.5–1 kW) and low pressure (1–3 mT) give lower film resistivity. The ΔR/R reaches >9.0% for Cu thickness range of 18–22 Å and drops as Cu thickness increases in spin valves of structure: Ta50/NiFe50/CoFe20/Cu(t)/CoFe22/FeMnRh80/Ta50 Å. From the pinned layer thickness (CoFe) dependence of H[sub ex], an interfacial anisotropy energy (J[sub k]=H[sub ex]M[sub s]t) is calculated to be 0.14 erg/cm2 which is larger than the value reported for FeMnRh previously. Both H[sub ex] (400–480 Oe) and ΔR/R (7.3%–8.5%) were found to increase with FeMnRh sputtering pressure (3–15 mT) for Ta50/NiFe50/CoFe20/Cu26/CoFe22/FeMnRh110/Ta50 Å films. Two-step depositions (low and high sputtering pressure) of FeMnRh layer suggest that the higher H[sub ex] is mainly attributed to the interfacial smoothness at the CoFe/FeMnRh interface rather than the effect of smaller grain size of FeMnRh layer. The blocking temperature (T[sub b]) of these spin valves increases from 160 to 175 °C with increasing FeMnRh thickness from 80 up to 110 Å, after which it decreases to 170 °C at 120 Å. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PARTICIPANTS: D. Morgan (Portland State University, Portland, OR). Creating Comparable Measures of Positive and Negative Social Exchanges. J. Newsom (Portland State University, Portland, OR). The Relative Impact of Positive and Negative Social Exchanges on Symptoms of Depression. K. Rook (University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA). Vulnerability to Negative Social Exchanges: Predictors of Exposure. DISCUSSANTS: N. Krause (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI). Although social relationships are an important source of support and companionship in later life, they also can be a source of stress. Evidence suggests that although negative social exchanges generally occur less often than do positive exchanges, they cause considerable distress. Investigations of the effects of positive versus negative social exchanges have been hampered, however, by the lack of maximally comparable and parallel measures. Moreover, the factors that influence older adults' vulnerability to negative social exchanges rarely have been investigated. This symposium presents data from a national sample of 916 older adults (age 65-90) that address the measurement and impact of positive versus negative social exchanges and that examine the predictors of vulnerability to negative exchanges. The development and validation of parallel measures of positive and negative exchanges will be discussed first (Morgan). Data then will be presented that compare the frequency and relative impact of positive and negative exchanges (Newsom). Finally, factors that influence older adults' exposure and reactivity to negative exchanges will be presented (Rook, Sorkin), with an emphasis on the roles of control-related processes and life stress. The discussant (Krause) will explore key themes and unresolved issues from the presentations and will suggest directions for future research.

Presents a study which had grown single and multilayer films of permalloy and copper on silicon substrates using molecular beam epitaxy. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Most of the research examining the association between social network involvement and loneliness has focused on network size. Relatively few studies have examined how the quality of social interactions affects loneliness in older adults. Theorists have suggested that both positive and negative interactions influence loneliness, both this idea has rarely been investigated. In the present study, in-person interviews were conducted with a nationally representative sample of 916 older adults, in which the specific types of social interactions and levels of loneliness were assessed. Regression analyses comparing the relative impact of positive versus negative exchanges on loneliness suggest that negative exchanges are more strongly associated with loneliness than are positive exchanges. Furthermore, analyses examining the influence of specific kinds of negative exchanges indicate that lack of companionship is most strongly related to loneliness, after controlling for network size. Lack of emotional support and lack of instrumental support are more modestly associated with loneliness. Similarly, positive exchanges involving companionship and emotional support are inversely related to loneliness. These findings suggest the importance of distinguishing among different types of social exchanges when evaluating their impact on feelings of loneliness in later life.

Background: Feline Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (FEDESI) and Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) are scales used to assess lesion severity in cats with allergic dermatitis. Interobserver reliability has not been assessed for either., Hypothesis and Objectives: To determine interobserver reliability for FEDESI and SCORFAD, and the relationship between lesion scores and pruritus., Animals: Thirty-eight cats presenting for pruritus., Methods and Materials: Each cat's lesions were scored by two observers at each visit using both FEDESI and SCORFAD (n = 117 paired observations). Spearman's rho was calculated to assess correlation between scales and between each scale and the owner-reported pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS). Concordance correlation coefficients were calculated between observers for each scale, and Bland-Altman plots were used to visually represent the relationship between paired scores., Results: FEDESI and SCORFAD were strongly positively correlated with one another (rho = 0.84, P < 0.001). Each scale showed fair correlation with pVAS (rho = 0.42, P < 0.001; rho = 0.38, P < 0.001, respectively). There was good concordance between observers for both scales, with a correlation coefficient of 0.77 for FEDESI and 0.80 for SCORFAD [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 95%, confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.83; ICC 95%, CI 0.72-0.86, respectively]. Median lesion score was low (FEDESI 20; SCORFAD 4), which may improve interobserver reliability., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: There is good interobserver reliability for both FEDESI and SCORFAD. FEDESI and SCORFAD are positively correlated with one another and with pVAS. These findings support use of both scales in clinical research and assessment., (© 2021 ESVD and ACVD.)

Background: Serological allergen testing (SAT) is used widely to formulate allergen-specific immunotherapy for atopic dogs. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E specific for cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) can produce false-positive reactions, creating discrepancy between SAT and intradermal allergen test (IDAT) results., Objectives: The primary objective was to determine if inhibition of anti-CCD IgE in a commercial assay improved correlation with IDAT. The secondary objective was to assess the influence of dog- and clinic-specific factors, environmental factors, putative allergen exposure and prior medications on intradermal and SAT reactivity., Animals: Two-hundred and eleven client-owned dogs were enrolled from eight North American dermatology specialty practices., Methods and Materials: Collection of serum samples and IDAT were performed on the same day. Sera were assayed for detection of IgE specific to 25 allergens, before and after treatment with a proprietary inhibitor of anti-CCD IgE. Data for each dog were collected via a questionnaire filled out by veterinary personnel., Results: The correlation between the testing modalities was fair before (Spearman's rho, ρ = 0.2092) and after (ρ = 0.3042) inhibition of anti-CCD IgE. Ciclosporin dose (P = 0.003), independent of duration of use, and duration of lokivetmab use (P = 0.001), independent of dose administered, were associated with statistically significant decreases in IgE concentrations across all allergen types., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Contrary to previous reports, this study demonstrated unchanged correlation between SAT and IDAT after inhibition of anti-CCD IgE. Ciclosporin dose and lokivetmab treatment duration may have unexplored effects on IgE concentration during SAT., (© 2021 ESVD and ACVD, Veterinary Dermatology.)

Most health research focuses on the independent associations of positive or negative aspects of close relationships with health outcomes. A small but growing literature has begun to examine interactive effects of positive and negative aspects. These interactive effects frequently predict health independently or above-and-beyond main effects of either the positive or the negative aspects, suggesting unique relationship processes or emergent features of these close relationship patterns. Our goal in this review is to lay out the existing approaches to studying the interactive effects of positive and negative aspects of close relationships, and to review available evidence linking these interactive effects to health outcomes. We conclude by discussing important unresolved issues and highlighting critical directions for future research.

This study examines associations among social control, health behavior change, and psychological distress. Social control refers to interactions between social network members that entail regulation, influence, and constraint. Social control is predicted to have dual effects leading to better health practices while also arousing psychological distress. A random sample of 242 individuals answered questions about health practices, overall exposure to social control in their networks, and social control attempts made by a specific network member. Analyses yielded mixed support for the hypotheses, but analyses of responses to the social control attempts of a specific network member did reveal that social control predicted less health-compromising behavior and more health-enhancing behavior as well as more distress. The results suggest that social control warrants greater attention in efforts to understand how personal relationships influence health.

Interpersonal relationships present difficulties for dysphoric individuals, but the specific contexts in which these difficulties arise remain poorly understood. The authors examined several factors hypothesized to affect how dysphoric and nondysphoric individuals react to each other. Female college students interacted with either a friend or stranger who had a similar or dissimilar dysphoria status in three tasks: a causal conversation, disclosure of a personal problem to the partner, and response to the partner's disclosure of a personal problem. Ss' moods, evaluations of their partners, and verbal behaviors were assessed. Dysphoric Ss exhibited characteristic negative mood and verbal content but did not elicit negative reactions from their partners. Negative reactions were most evident in dysphoric Ss' responses to dissimilar (nondysphoric) strangers, underscoring the need for greater attention to dysphoric individuals' perspective on their social interactions.

Conflicting views of depressives' interpersonal accuracy were addressed in an investigation of the accuracy of mild depressives (dysphorics) across differing social contexts. Women who were either friends or strangers and who were either similar or dissimilar in level of dysphoria conversed about 3 topics: a neutral topic, their own disclosure of a personal problem, and their partner's disclosure. Dysphorics were not more accurate in general than nondysphorics. After self-disclosure, all women more accurately detected sympathy from a similar stranger. After the partner's disclosure, women also better detected the mood of a similar partner. When interacting with nondysphoric strangers, however, dysphorics underestimated their partner's sympathy toward them. Implications for cognitive and interpersonal theories of depression and for depressives' relationships are discussed.

Considerable evidence indicates that friendships contribute to the psychological well-being of older adults. Seeking ways to help lonely older adults form new friendships thus makes a good deal of sense, but as the disappointing results reported by Heller et al. (1991) indicate, translating this conceptually sound goal into a practical reality presents many challenges. This commentary seeks to build upon the authors' analysis of factors that may have undermined the success of their intervention by discussing the social contexts that may be most conducive to friendship formation in late life and by considering whether kin ties represent a more viable focus of intervention efforts than do peer ties.

Most research on older adults' social networks has focused on the support-providing function of social relationships. Little gerontological research has addressed social control, or the role of social bonds in regulating deviant or risky behavior. Drawing on sociological theory, this study examined the hypothesis that social control discourages risky health practices while provoking psychological distress. Structured interviews conducted with 162 community-residing older adults assessed social control (direct attempts by other to influence participants' health practices and the existence of significant role obligations to others), health risk taking (medication misuse, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and the overall level of unsound health practices), psychological functioning (depression, loneliness, and self-esteem), and interpersonal satisfaction (satisfaction with friends and family members). Analyses revealed little support for the hypothesis. Social control was only weakly related to participants' health practices and, contrary to expectation, was generally related to less psychological distress and to greater interpersonal satisfaction. Implications for social control theory and for further research are addressed.

The proposition that undesirable life experiences are risk factors for each other was explored by testing several hypotheses concerning the temporal relationships between economic and noneconomic life events. The tests were conducted using data describing the incidence of stressful experiences among approximately 3,500 Anglo and Hispanic residents of Los Angeles County. Findings suggested that Anglo men who have undesirable economic life experiences are at increased risk of subsequent undesirable noneconomic experiences. Anglo women, however, exhibited the opposite pattern in that those with undesirable noneconomic experiences were at greater risk of subsequent undesirable economic experiences. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.

Social exchange theory has long emphasized that social interaction entails both rewards and costs. Research on the effects of social relations on psychological well-being, however, has generally ignored the negative side of social interaction. This study examined the relative impact of positive and negative social outcomes on older women's well-being. The sample consisted of 120 widowed women between the ages of 60 and 89. Multiple regression analyses revealed that negative social outcomes were more consistently and more strongly related to well-being than were positive social outcomes. This effect of negative social involvement did not appear to be due to major differences among women with high versus moderate or low levels of problematic social ties. Analyses of variance indicated that these three groups of women differed neither in important background characteristics nor in indices of social competence. The results demonstrate the importance of assessing the specific content of social relations. Implications for the design of social network interventions are discussed.

Of the research on health and economic stress, the approach that has produced the strongest findings has been the aggregate time-series analysis of unemployment and suicide rates. A review of the literature indicates that this aggregate work has been disputed on both methodological and interpretive grounds. To address these issues, two studies of the relationship between economic stress and suicide were conducted on the same population. The first, reported in this paper (Part 1), replicated the aggregate time-series work with improvements in method, using monthly data for 1975-1982 for Los Angeles. A second study (reported in Part 2) combined aggregate economic indicators with individual-level measures of stressful events, symptoms, and suicidal ideation.

In recent years, much interest has focused on delineating and contrasting specific functions of social relationships that contribute to psychological well-being. Five studies contrasted the roles of companionship and social support in buffering the effects of life stress, in influencing feelings of loneliness and social satisfaction, and in affecting others' judgments. Study 1 analyzed data from a community survey and found that companionship had a main effect on psychological well-being and a buffering effect on minor life stress, whereas social support had only a buffering effect on major life stress. Studies 2, 3, and 4 analyzed data from two college student samples and a different community survey to evaluate how companionship and social support contributed to relationship satisfaction and feelings of loneliness. The results of these studies indicated that companionship was the strongest predictor of these dimensions of social satisfaction. Study 5 used an experimental design to test the hypothesis that a deficit of companionship elicits more negative reactions from others than does a deficit of social support. This hypothesis received partial support. Considered together, the results of these studies suggest that companionship plays a more important and more varied role in sustaining emotional well-being than previous studies have acknowledged.

It is widely believed that social norms govern the timing of major life events, such that events experienced off time are considerably more stressful than events experienced on time. Experiencing life events either earlier or later than one's peers presumably reduces opportunities for social support and may also invite social disapproval. Relatively few empirical studies have investigated these ideas, however, and those that have suffer from several limitations. The present study made use of a general population survey to investigate the effects of normative versus nonnormative timing of major life events on psychological functioning, interpersonal resources, and interpersonal tensions. Desirable and undesirable events were examined separately, as were the effects of departures from perceived versus statistical age norms. The results of the study offered only limited support for social clock theory. Implications for further research and for the relevance of the theory in a less age-differentiated society are discussed.

This paper reports the second of two studies of the hypothesis that the economy affects suicide; both studies were based in the same community during approximately the same time period. Although many aggregate-level tests have been conducted using archival measures of unemployment and suicide (the approach used in Part 1), the impact of economic climate on suicidal ideation has not been measured at the individual level. In the study reported here, aggregate economic indicators were combined with individual-level measures of stressful events, symptoms, and suicidal ideation obtained in a survey of Los Angeles from 1978 to 1982. Each of the two studies revealed small associations between economic stress and suicide or suicidal ideation, but they were inconsistent with respect to specific subgroups.