Magnetic and Metal-Insulator Transitions in beta-Na0.5CoO2 and gamma-K0.5CoO2 -NMR and Neutron Diffraction Studies-

Co-oxides beta-Na0.5CoO2 and gamma-K0.5CoO2 have been prepared by the Na de-intercalation from alpha-NaCoO2 and by the floating-zone method, respectively. It has been found that successive phase transitions take place at temperatures Tc1 and Tc2 in both systems. The appearance of the internal magnetic field at Tc1 with decreasing temperature T indicates that the antiferromagnetic order exists at T < Tc1, as in gamma-Na0.5CoO2. For beta-Na0.5CoO2, the transition temperatures and the NMR parameters determined from the data taken for magnetically ordered state are similar to those of gamma-Na0.5CoO2, indicating that the difference of the stacking ways of the CoO2 layers between these systems do not significantly affect their physical properties. For gamma-K0.5CoO2, the quantitative difference of the physical quantities are found from those of beta- and gamma-Na0.5CoO2. The difference between the values of Tci (i = 1 and 2) of these systems might be explained by considering the distance between CoO2 layers.Comment: 8 pages, 14 figures, 1 Tabl

Ultrasound diagnosis of serous surface papillary borderline ovarian tumor: A case series with a review of the literature

Serous surface papillary borderline ovarian tumors (SSPBOTs) are a rare morphologic variant of serous ovarian tumors that are typically confined to the ovarian surface, while the ovaries themselves tend to appear normal in size and shape. In this report, we describe the findings from five premenopausal women diagnosed with SSPBOTs, in whom ultrasound showed grossly normal ovaries that were partially or wholly covered with irregular solid tumors. In all five cases, histologic examination showed evidence of borderline serous tumors. These findings demonstrate that SSPBOTs can be diagnosed on a preoperative sonographic examination, which could facilitate conservative, fertility-sparing surgery in young women affected by this condition. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2015

Effects of Mn and Ti doping on superconductivity and charge ordering in NaxCoO2 system

The superconductivity in Na0.3Co1-xMxO2.1.3H2O and the charge ordering in Na0.5Co1-xMxO2 have been investigated for M = Mn and Ti substituting for Co. We have first successfully synthesized the single-phase Na0.7Co1-xMxO2(M= Mn and Ti) materials with 0 < = x < = 0.1, then we obtained Na0.5Co1-xMxO2 (0 < = x < = 0.1, M = Mn and Ti) by Na deintercalation and Na0.3Co1-xMxO2.1.3H2O (0 < = x < = 0.1, M = Mn and Ti) by an additional water intercalations. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that all samples are single-phase materials, their lattice parameters depend systematically on the Ti and Mn contents. Measurements of physical properties indicate that the superconductivity in Na0.3Co1-xMxO2.1.3H2O is suppressed evidently by Co-site doping and killed at x = 0.02 for Mn doping and x = 0.01 for Ti doping. Charge ordering and magnetic properties in Na0.5Co1-xMxO2 were also influenced by M-atom doping.Comment: 22 pages, 3 tables, and 6 figure

Fermi surface and quasiparticle dynamics of Na(x)CoO2 {x=0.7} investigated by Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy

We present an angle-resolved photoemission study of Na0.7CoO2, the host cobaltate of the NaxCoO2.yH2O series. Our results show a large hexagonal-like hole-type Fermi surface, an extremely narrow strongly renormalized quasiparticle band and a small Fermi velocity. Along the Gamma to M high symmetry line, the quasiparticle band crosses the Fermi level from M toward Gamma consistent with a negative sign of effective single-particle hopping (t ): t is estimated to be about 8 meV which is on the order of exchange coupling J in this system. This suggests that t ~ J ~ 10 meV is an important energy scale in the system. Quasiparticles are well defined only in the T-linear resistivity regime. Small single particle hopping and unconventional quasiparticle dynamics may have implications for understanding the unusual behavior of this new class of compounds.Comment: Revised text, Added Figs, Submitted to PR

A prospective evaluation of the IOTA Logistic Regression Models (LR1 and LR2) in comparison to Subjective Pattern Recognition for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the outpatient setting

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether IOTA diagnostic models developed for pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian cancer could also be used to differentiate between benign and malignant adnexal tumours in the population of women attending gynaecology outpatient clinics. METHODS: All women referred to our outpatient clinic were first examined by a Level II ultrasound operator. In those diagnosed with adnexal tumours the IOTA LR1/2 protocol was used to evaluate the masses. The LR1 and LR2 models were then used to assess the risk of malignancy. Subsequently women were also examined by a Level 3 examiner who used pattern recognition to differentiate between benign and malignant tumours. Women with an ultrasound diagnosis of malignancy were offered surgery whilst asymptomatic women with presumed benign lesions were offered conservative management with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The initial diagnosis was compared with two reference standards: histological findings and/or a comparative assessment of tumour morphology on follow-up ultrasound scans. All women in whom tumour classification on follow-up changed from benign to malignant were offered surgery. RESULTS: 489 women who had either or both of the reference standards were included into the final analysis. Their mean age was 50 years (range 16-91) and 45% of them were menopausal. 342/489 (69.9%) women had surgery and 147/489 (30.1%) were managed conservatively. The malignancy rate was 137/489 (28.0%). Overall sensitivities of LR1 and LR2 for the diagnosis of malignancy were 97.1% (95% CI: 92.7-99.2) and 94.9% (95%CI: 89.8-97.9) and specificities were 77.3% (95%CI: 72.5-81.5) and 76.7% (95%CI; 71.9-81.0) respectively (p>0.05). In comparison to pattern recognition [Sensitivity 94.2% (95% CI: 88.8 to 97.4); specificity 96.3% (95% CI: 93.8 to 98.0)], the specificities of IOTA models were significantly lower. (p < 0.0001) A significantly higher number of women would have been offered surgery for suspected cancer if women were assessed using the IOTA models instead of pattern recognition [213/489 (43.6%) versus 142/489 (29.0%)] (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IOTA models maintained their high sensitivity when used in the outpatient setting. Specificity was relatively low which indicates that a significant proportion of women would have been offered unnecessary surgery for suspected ovarian cancer. These findings show that IOTA models could be used as a first stage test to diagnose ovarian cancer in the outpatient setting but a different second stage test is required to minimise the number of false positive findings

Yield Response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.)) Transplanted in Single And Double Row at Different Dates in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A split-plot study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ sweetpotato when planted in single and double rows at four planting dates (March, April, May, and June) in a Wiregrass Tunnel House located at S&B Farm in Eufaula, Alabama. The main plots consisted of planting dates, sub-plots single, and double rows, with each treatment combination, replicated three times. The results showed a significant linear and quadratic effect for US#1 grade of sweetpotato and total marketable yields. Yields were highest at the first and second planting dates and declined at the two later planting dates. Single vs. double row planting significantly affected canner grade of sweetpotatoes, while the other grades were unaffected

Sulphonylurea Usage in Melioidosis Is Associated with Severe Disease and Suppressed Immune Response

10.1371/journal.pntd.0002795PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases84

Ultrasound-guided retrieval of lost intrauterine devices using very fine grasping forceps: a case series

Aim: To assess the efficacy of a novel ultrasound-guided procedure for the retrieval of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) when the threads are not visible at the external cervical os (‘lost threads’). / Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of consecutive women referred for ultrasound examination because of lost IUD threads. The procedures were performed under local anaesthesia in the outpatient setting. After injection of local anaesthetic, the anterior cervical lip was grasped with a vulsellum forceps. A 5Fr hysteroscopy grasping forceps was introduced transcervically into the uterine cavity under continuous transabdominal ultrasound guidance. The IUD was then grasped and removed from the uterus. Patients’ demographic data, gynaecological history, ultrasound findings, duration of procedure, success rate and pain score were recorded. / Results: Twenty-three consecutive women were included in the study. Ultrasound examination showed an IUD correctly sited in the centre of the uterine cavity in 20/23 (87%), in 2/23 (9%) it was partially embedded in the myometrium and in 1/23 (4%) the IUD was partially sited in the cervical canal. In 8/23 (35%) women the IUD threads were not visible on ultrasound scan. Removal of the IUD was successful in 22/23 (96%) cases with a median operating time of 3 (interquartile range 1.25–4.75) minutes. 15/23 (65%) women experienced no or minimal pain (pain score ≤3), 4/23 (17%) reported moderate pain (pain score 4–6) and 4/23 (17%) described the pain as severe (pain score 7–10). No complications were recorded during or immediately after the procedure. / Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided retrieval of lost IUDs using fine hysteroscopy grasping forceps is a highly successful technique and is well tolerated by women

Natural history of ovarian endometrioma in pregnancy.

Ovarian endometriomas are classified as benign ovarian lesions. During pregnancy endometriomas may undergo major morphological changes which are referred to as 'decidualisation'. Decidualised ovarian endometrioma may resemble malignant ovarian tumours on ultrasound examination. The aim was to study variations in the morphology and size of ovarian endometriomas diagnosed on ultrasound during pregnancy

The Effect of A Fifty Percent Leaf Harvest From Three Varieties of Collards (Brassica Oleracea(L)/Cultivar Group Acephala) Cropped at Selected Intervals When Grown in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a 50% leaf harvest from ‘Heirloom’, ‘Georgia’, and ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ collards on yield, when leaves were removed at 18-, 21-, and 25- day intervals, over four harvest periods of 102, 127, 152, and 177 days after transplanting in a Wiregrass Tunnel House. The experimental design used was a split-split plot with three replications, where harvest periods were main plots, cropping intervals (3) were sub-plots, and varieties were sub-sub-plots. Yield data (lbs./acre) showed significant interactions between harvest periods x cropping intervals for leaf numbers and yield, harvest periods x varieties, and cropping intervals x varieties. The 18-day cropping interval had the highest yields over all harvest periods; while varieties responded differently for each harvest period, and cropping intervals. ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ had the highest yield over all harvest periods and cropping intervals, followed by ‘Georgia ‘and ‘Heirloom.