Direct observation of spin-polarised bulk bands in an inversion-symmetric semiconductor

Methods to generate spin-polarised electronic states in non-magnetic solids are strongly desired to enable all-electrical manipulation of electron spins for new quantum devices. This is generally accepted to require breaking global structural inversion symmetry. In contrast, here we present direct evidence from spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy for a strong spin polarisation of bulk states in the centrosymmetric transition-metal dichalcogenide WSe$_2$. We show how this arises due to a lack of inversion symmetry in constituent structural units of the bulk crystal where the electronic states are localised, leading to enormous spin splittings up to $\sim\!0.5$ eV, with a spin texture that is strongly modulated in both real and momentum space. As well as providing the first experimental evidence for a recently-predicted `hidden' spin polarisation in inversion-symmetric materials, our study sheds new light on a putative spin-valley coupling in transition-metal dichalcogenides, of key importance for using these compounds in proposed valleytronic devices.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Quality of life and associated socio-clinical factors after encephalitis in children and adults in England: a population-based, prospective cohort study.

We sought to measure HRQoL in all-cause encephalitis survivors and assess the impact of various socio-clinical factors on outcome.We used a prospective cohort study design, using the short-form 36 (SF-36) to measure the HRQoL in patients 15 years and older, and the short-form 10 (SF-10) for patients less than 15 years old. We posted questionnaires to individuals six months after discharge from hospital. All scores were normalised to the age- and sex-matched general population. We used multivariate statistical analysis to assess the relative association of clinical and socio-demographic variables on HRQoL in adults.Of 109 individuals followed-up, we received 61 SF-36 and twenty SF-10 questionnaires (response rate 74%). Patients scored consistently worse than the general population in all domains of the SF-36 and SF-10, although there was variation in individual scores. Infectious encephalitis was associated with the worst HRQoL in those aged 15 years and over, scoring on average 5.64 points less than immune-mediated encephalitis (95% CI -8.77- -2.89). In those aged less than 15 years the worst quality of life followed encephalitis of unknown cause. Immuno compromise, unemployment, and the 35-44 age group all had an independent negative association with HRQoL. A poor Glasgow Outcome Score was most strongly associated with a poor HRQoL. Less than half of those who had made a 'good' recovery on the score reported a HRQoL equivalent to the general population.Encephalitis has adverse effects on the majority of survivors' wellbeing and quality of life. Many of these adverse consequences could be minimised by prompt identification and treatment, and with better rehabilitation and support for survivors

Teaching Elephantine to Theological Students: A Round-Table

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Mean norm-based SF-36 scores for patients after encephalitis compared to the age-and sex-matched general UK population.

<p>Scores have been transformed so that the general population scores a mean of 50, with a standard deviation of 10 in each domain; accordingly any score less than 50 is worse than that for the general population. Comparison is made between different aetiological categories and with a survey conducted by the Encephalitis Society in the UK of their adult members with previous self-reported encephalitis <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103496#pone.0103496-Stapley1" target="_blank">[15]</a>. The vertical error whiskers represent the standard deviation for the overall scores for each domain. PF = Physical functioning, RP = role limitation caused by physical dysfunction, BP = bodily pain, GH = general health perceptions, VT = vitality, SF = social functioning, RE = role limitations caused by emotional difficulties, MH = mental health perceptions.</p

Caterpillar Plot of Estimated Regression Coefficients on Mean Post-encephalitis HRQoL norm based scores.

<p>Associated factors are listed along the left axis, with the reference characteristic quoted within parentheses as appropriate. Point estimates (circles) and 95% credibility intervals (whiskers) of each regression coefficient are enumerated along the right axis. Thus, having a co-morbid illness is expected to reduce the norm-based SF-36 score by 1.9 points averaged across all domains, (95% credibility interval −4.69 –0.11 points) compared to those with no co-morbidity. As per Bayesian analysis the percent figures by each whisker indicate the posterior probability of the corresponding regression coefficient being greater or less than zero: the closer the percent value for a given parameter to 100% the greater the portion of its posterior probability mass lies to one side of zero (equivalent to an indication of statistical significance); conversely values closer to 50% indicate proximity to an equal split of the posterior distribution between positive and negative values (indicating a lack of statistical significance).</p

Local Research Ethics Committees and Research from the participating centres which granted approval for the study to be carried out.

<p>Local Research Ethics Committees and Research from the participating centres which granted approval for the study to be carried out.</p

Sample Characteristics in those Eligible for the SF-36.

a<p>Infectious causes included viral (Herpes simplex, Varicella zoster, measles and Epstein-Barr virus), bacterial (predominantly <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>) and dual bacterial-fungal infection. Immune-mediated causes included those associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor antibodies, voltage-gated potassium channel-complex antibodies, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and one associated with a first presentation of multiple sclerosis.</p>b<p>The NS-SEC three class categorisation was rated at admission and based on the occupation of the patient.</p>c<p>The most common co-morbidities in those that completed the SF-36 were: hypertension (n = 11), hypercholesterolaemia (n = 5), asthma (n = 5) and thyroid disorder (n = 5). The most common co-morbidities in those that did not complete the SF-36 were: HIV co-infection (n = 9), hypertension (n = 7) and all cause cancer (n = 5).</p><p>IQR = interquartile range, NS-SEC = National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification.</p

SF-10 scores for a Post-encephalitic Population aged 5–14 years compared with an equivalent US Population Norm [7].

<p>It was necessary to use US-based data for comparison as no equivalent UK normative dataset exists. Scores have been transformed so that the general population scores a mean of 50, with a standard deviation of 10 in each domain; so that any score less than 50 is worse than that for the general population. The vertical bars represent the standard deviation. PHS = physical summary scale, PSS = psychosocial summary scale.</p