Robust isothermal electric control of exchange bias at room temperature

Voltage-controlled spin electronics is crucial for continued progress in information technology. It aims at reduced power consumption, increased integration density and enhanced functionality where non-volatile memory is combined with highspeed logical processing. Promising spintronic device concepts use the electric control of interface and surface magnetization. From the combination of magnetometry, spin-polarized photoemission spectroscopy, symmetry arguments and first-principles calculations, we show that the (0001) surface of magnetoelectric Cr2O3 has a roughness-insensitive, electrically switchable magnetization. Using a ferromagnetic Pd/Co multilayer deposited on the (0001) surface of a Cr2O3 single crystal, we achieve reversible, room-temperature isothermal switching of the exchange-bias field between positive and negative values by reversing the electric field while maintaining a permanent magnetic field. This effect reflects the switching of the bulk antiferromagnetic domain state and the interface magnetization coupled to it. The switchable exchange bias sets in exactly at the bulk Néel temperature

A Case of Antenatal Diagnosis of Ectopia Cordis with Cardiac Disease

Ectopic cordis is a rare anomaly with incidence of 5.5 to 7.9 per one million. In this anomaly, fetal heart is displayed towards outside of the thoracic cavity partially or completely. We describe a case of antenatal diagnosis of Thoracic Ectopia Cordis (EC) with CongenitalHeartDisease (CHD) without any other extracardiac malformations. The mother was referred to our center at 18 weeks of gestation due to abnormal sonography. Fetal Echocardiographic examination showed isolated thoracic ectopia cordis with Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), large inlet to outlet Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), malposition of Aorta, Pulmonary Atresia with retrograde flow, narrow Pulmonary Artery (PA) and PA branches. Amniocentesis and sonography revealed no other anomaly or chromosomal derangement. Because the diagnosis of Ectopia cordis may be difficult in the fetal period due to multiple factors, meticulous attention should be paid for true diagnosis

Radiation-induced decomposition of the metal-organic molecule Bis(4-cyano-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II)

The effects of vacuum ultraviolet radiation on the adsorbed copper center molecule bis(4-cyano-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II) (or Cu(CNdpm)2), (C24H36N2O4Cu, Cu(II)) was studied by photoemission spectroscopy. Changes in the ultraviolet photoemission spectra (UPS) of Cu(CNdpm)2, adsorbed on Co(1 1 1), indicate that the ultraviolet radiation leads to decomposition of Cu(CNdpm)2 and this decomposition is initially dominated by loss of peripheral hydrogen

Radiation-induced decomposition of the metal-organic molecule Bis(4-cyano-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II)

The effects of vacuum ultraviolet radiation on the adsorbed copper center molecule bis(4-cyano-2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II) (or Cu(CNdpm)2), (C24H36N2O4Cu, Cu(II)) was studied by photoemission spectroscopy. Changes in the ultraviolet photoemission spectra (UPS) of Cu(CNdpm)2, adsorbed on Co(1 1 1), indicate that the ultraviolet radiation leads to decomposition of Cu(CNdpm)2 and this decomposition is initially dominated by loss of peripheral hydrogen

Investigation of hand forces applied to a pruning tool – pilot study

Introduction Winter pruning is a cultivation practice necessary for maintaining the balance between the vegetative and the productive activity of plants and requires many working days using hand scissors. This operation involves the subjects carrying out a series of gestures that are repeated with considerable frequency, which are all musculo-skeletal disorders risk factors (MSDs) for the hand-wrist area. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the forces applied to pruning tools. Material and methods Using a sensor matrix, peak and average forces were measured which are exerted while cutting branches of 3 different diameters, from 5 wine-grape cultivars. Samples were tested on 8 participants using sensored scissors to record, in 6 hand areas, the forces necessary to cut. Results Results showed that while cutting, the factors which can impact the force employed (peak and average forces) by the subjects are branch diameter and percentage of branch humidity. Cut duration was inversely related to the size of the subject's hand. The middle finger area of the hand recorded the highest force average and peak levels, while the hand region least affected during the cuts was the farthest from the thumb. Conclusions The study enabled the highlighting of which factors influence the forces employed by the operator while cutting grape branches, and to identify the hand regions where muscle activation is at its most. These findings can be relevant in preventing MSDs. Further studies need to be conducted with a larger number of subjects

Soil ecosystem functions in a high-density olive orchard managed by different soil conservation practices

The long-term effects of two different soil management practices, natural grass cover (NC) and conservation tillage (CT), on soil functions (carbon sequestration, habitat for organisms, and water movement and retention) were determined in a high-density, mature olive orchard (Olea europaea L. cv. Frantoio) growing in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haploxeralf) in a Mediterranean environment. Ten years after the beginning of the different soil management, soil samples were collected at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth and at two distances from the trunk, underneath the olive canopy (UC) and in the inter-row (IR). There were no differences in fruit yield, oil yield, and yield efficiency between the two soil management systems during the 2011–2013 period. CT negatively affected soil organic carbon pools (total and humified), but only at the IR position. The distance from the plant did not significantly influence soil structure and hydrological properties, while NC treatment increased water movement and retention. Tillage reduced the microarthropod abundance, in particular Collembola and eu-edaphic forms, which were the most sensitive groups to soil perturbation. We conclude that natural grass cover was more effective than conservation tillage in maintaining or improving elements of soil functionality

Role of Management Strategies in Reducing Mortality From Invasive Fungal Disease in Children With Cancer or Receiving Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

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OXIDIZED CELLULOSE WRAP IN SECONDARY INTENTION HEALING OF THE ORAL MUCOSA IN THE TREATMENT OF ONJ

Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) due to the use of bisphosphonate drugs is a particularly complex condition. The mechanisms through which this pathology develops are manifold. To date, the management of ONJ is controversial.This study analyzed out-patients with documented ONJ treated in Oral and maxillofacial surgery Unit of University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro.A total of 11 patients, 8 women and 3 men, were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were: (1) refusal to surgical treatment with flaps; (2) absence of antiplatelet therapy which would also make it impossible to prepare gel from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or similar; (3) absence of antiblastic therapy in the healing phase. Each case was staged according to the classification of the Italian Societies of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery (SICMF-SIPMO classification): a clinical-radiological bone involvement.The following data were recorded: clinical data, comorbidities and concomitant drugs, antibiotic drugs used, type of treatment adopted, clinical mucosal healing time.Each patient underwent antibiotic protocol prior to surgery. Endpoint with surgery was: complete removal of necrotic tissues, packaging of a "re-epithelialization trench" (RET) and apposition of a compress of oxidized cellulose inside this RET. 100% of the patients endured the post-surgery very well, 10 out of 11 (90,91%) patients had excellent healing by secondary intention of the surgical wound. Only one patient (9.09%) had prolonged bone exposure; he subsequently resumed antiblastic therapy and was therefore excluded from work.The results indicate how the use of an oxidized cellulose pack associated with the correct packaging of a re-epithelialization site can guarantee satisfactory post-operative comfort and rapid wound healing. Radiological follow-up was performed at one year. It confirmed the correct healing of the site (clinical and radiological healing)

Anomalous venoatrial connections – CT and MRI assessment

Abnormal venous atrial (VA) connections present a congenital heart disease (CHD) challenge for pediatric cardiologists. Fully anatomical evaluation is very difficult in prenatal and perinatal follow-up, but it has a profound impact on surgical correction and outcome. The echocardiogram is first-line imaging and represents the gold standard tool for simple abnormal VA connection. CT and MRI are mandatory for more complex heart disease and “nightmare cases”. 3D post-processing of volumetric CT and MRI acquisition helps to clarify anatomical relationships and allows for the creation of 3D printing models that can become crucial in customizing surgical strategy. Our article describes a ten-year (2013–2022) tertiary referral CHD center of abnormal AV connections investigated with CT and MRI, illustrating most of these complex diseases with the help of volume rendering (VR) or multiplanar reconstructions (MPR). The nightmarish cases will also be addressed due to the complex cardiovascular arrangement that requires a challenging surgical solution for correction along with the post-surgical complications.</p

Robust isothermal electric switching of interface magnetization: A route to voltage-controlled spintronics

Roughness-insensitive and electrically controllable magnetization at the (0001) surface of antiferromagnetic chromia is observed using magnetometry and spin-resolved photoemission measurements and explained by the interplay of surface termination and magnetic ordering. Further, this surface in placed in proximity with a ferromagnetic Co/Pd multilayer film. Exchange coupling across the interface between chromia and Co/Pd induces an electrically controllable exchange bias in the Co/Pd film, which enables a reversible isothermal (at room temperature) shift of the global magnetic hysteresis loop of the Co/Pd film along the magnetic field axis between negative and positive values. These results reveal the potential of magnetoelectric chromia for spintronic applications requiring non-volatile electric control of magnetization.Comment: Single PDF file: 27 pages, 6 figures; version of 12/30/09; submitted to Nature Material