Spin relaxation in (110) and (001) InAs/GaSb superlattices

We report an enhancement of the electron spin relaxation time (T1) in a (110) InAs/GaSb superlattice by more than an order of magnitude (25 times) relative to the corresponding (001) structure. The spin dynamics were measured using polarization sensitive pump probe techniques and a mid-infrared, subpicosecond PPLN OPO. Longer T1 times in (110) superlattices are attributed to the suppression of the native interface asymmetry and bulk inversion asymmetry contributions to the precessional D'yakonov Perel spin relaxation process. Calculations using a nonperturbative 14-band nanostructure model give good agreement with experiment and indicate that possible structural inversion asymmetry contributions to T1 associated with compositional mixing at the superlattice interfaces may limit the observed spin lifetime in (110) superlattices. Our findings have implications for potential spintronics applications using InAs/GaSb heterostructures.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Automated virtual reality therapy to treat agoraphobic avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis (gameChange): a multicentre, parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial in England with mediation and moderation analyses

Background: Automated delivery of psychological therapy using immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) might greatly increase the availability of effective help for patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an automated VR cognitive therapy (gameChange) to treat avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis, and to analyse how and in whom it might work. // Methods: We did a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial across nine National Health Service trusts in England. Eligible patients were aged 16 years or older, with a clinical diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder or an affective diagnosis with psychotic symptoms, and had self-reported difficulties going outside due to anxiety. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either gameChange VR therapy plus usual care or usual care alone, using a permuted blocks algorithm with randomly varying block size, stratified by study site and service type. gameChange VR therapy was provided in approximately six sessions over 6 weeks. Trial assessors were masked to group allocation. Outcomes were assessed at 0, 6 (primary endpoint), and 26 weeks after randomisation. The primary outcome was avoidance of, and distress in, everyday situations, assessed using the self-reported Oxford Agoraphobic Avoidance Scale (O-AS). Outcome analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population (ie, all participants who were assigned to a study group for whom data were available). We performed planned mediation and moderation analyses to test the effects of gameChange VR therapy when added to usual care. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, 17308399. // Findings: Between July 25, 2019, and May 7, 2021 (with a pause in recruitment from March 16, 2020, to Sept 14, 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions), 551 patients were assessed for eligibility and 346 were enrolled. 231 (67%) patients were men and 111 (32%) were women, 294 (85%) were White, and the mean age was 37·2 years (SD 12·5). 174 patients were randomly assigned to the gameChange VR therapy group and 172 to the usual care alone group. Compared with the usual care alone group, the gameChange VR therapy group had significant reductions in agoraphobic avoidance (O-AS adjusted mean difference –0·47, 95% CI –0·88 to –0·06; n=320; Cohen's d –0·18; p=0·026) and distress (–4·33, –7·78 to –0·87; n=322; –0·26; p=0·014) at 6 weeks. Reductions in threat cognitions and within-situation defence behaviours mediated treatment outcomes. The greater the severity of anxious fears and avoidance, the greater the treatment benefits. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events between the gameChange VR therapy group (12 events in nine patients) and the usual care alone group (eight events in seven patients; p=0·37). // Interpretation: Automated VR therapy led to significant reductions in anxious avoidance of, and distress in, everyday situations compared with usual care alone. The mediation analysis indicated that the VR therapy worked in accordance with the cognitive model by reducing anxious thoughts and associated protective behaviours. The moderation analysis indicated that the VR therapy particularly benefited patients with severe agoraphobic avoidance, such as not being able to leave the home unaccompanied. gameChange VR therapy has the potential to increase the provision of effective psychological therapy for psychosis, particularly for patients who find it difficult to leave their home, visit local amenities, or use public transport. // Funding: National Institute of Health Research Invention for Innovation programme, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre

Plant–Rhizobium symbiosis, seed nutraceuticals, and waste quality for energy production of Vicia faba L. as affected by crop management

Background: Broad bean fits sustainable agriculture model due to symbiosis with Rhizobium, the seeds being a good source of energy, proteins, polyphenols, and fiber. The large amount of broad bean biomass residues can be employed for biofuel production, thus valorizing the overall production process. This research was aimed to investigate on the effects of farming management, such as greenhouse cultivation and appropriate planting time on the qualities of broad bean seeds and residual biomass for conversion into biofuel. The related balances of energy gain associated to both ethanol yield and nitrogen fertilizer saving due to Rhizobium nitrogen fixation were assessed. Methods: Research was carried out on broad bean in Portici, province of Naples, southern Italy, based on the factorial combination of two farming systems (open field, greenhouse) and five planting times: 27 September and 11 October, to obtain early production; 25 October, which fell in the usual period for broad bean planting in the province area; and 8 November and 22 November, for late production. For each of these cultivation conditions, the quality of seeds, in terms of protein, fiber and antioxidant concentrations, and of crop residual biomass were determined. In addition, the energy yield as ethanol production from residual biomass and nitrogen fertilizer saving due to Rhizobium atmospheric fixation were assessed. Results and discussion: The highest plant nitrogen uptake was recorded under the fourth planting time in open field and the third in greenhouse, the average accumulation attaining 87% in residual biomass, 7.4% in pods, and 5.6% in seeds. Seed protein content was 12.6% higher in greenhouse than in open field and 16.2% higher under the latest planting time compared to the earliest one. Seed polyphenol concentration was higher in open field than in greenhouse and with the two earliest planting times. Greenhouse grown biomass showed higher values of lignin, hemicellulose and pectin, compared to open field, whereas the opposite trend was for cellulose. Lignin showed a decrease from the first to the last crop cycle, opposite to cellulose, and glucose was the most represented monosaccharide. Both the highest theoretical ethanol and overall energy production were highest with the fourth planting time. Conclusions: Greenhouse management enabled broad bean plants to accumulate higher proteins in seeds, but open field conditions resulted in better residual biomass quality for ethanol and Rhizobium-depending energy production

Topiramate induced metabolic acidosis

WOS: 000222801500029PubMed: 1527098

The posterior lumbar dural depth: An ultrasonographic study in children

Lumbar puncture or identification of the epidural space is technically more difficult in children. Prior obtained information regarding the distance from skin to the dura mater may be useful as leading to an increase in success. We studied the anatomy of the posterior lumbar spine at the L4,5 intervertebral space in 137 children, using ultrasonography. Children aged between 7 and 12 years in whom weight and height are in 3-97 percentiles (recommended for healthy Turkish boys and girls) were investigated. The measured distance from skin to dura mater was found significantly higher in girls (2.59 ± 0.44 cm) than boys (2.43 ± 0.46 cm) (p<0.05). Prediction of the posterior dural depth at L4-5 level was obtained using single linear regression equation. All demographic variables correlated significantly with the dural depth in both sexes. In girls the skin-duramater distance achieved highest correlation ranks with weight and body surface area (BSA): 'dural depth' (cm) = 1.094 + [0.048 × weight (kg)], r = 0.79, p<0.01 and 'dural depth' (cm) = 0.337 + [2.119 × BSA (m2)], r = 0.76, p<0.01). We concluded that the distance between the skin and the dura mater at the level of L4,5 interspace could be predicted using a statistical model based on the age, weight, height or BSA of children aged between 7-12 years old

Comparison of local anaesthetic effects of tramadol with prilocaine for minor surgical procedures

WOS: 000181410300011PubMed: 12594144Background. Recent studies have shown that a local anaesthetic action of tramadol 5% was able to induce a sensory block to pinprick, touch, and cold similar to that of lidocaine 1%. The aim of this study was to compare the local anaesthetic effects of tramadol hydrochloride with prilocaine. Methods. Sixty ASA I or II patients, undergoing excision of the cutaneous lesions under local anaesthesia, were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1 ml of tramadol 5% (Group T, n=30) or 1 ml of prilocaine 2% (Group P, n=30) intradermally, in a double-blinded fashion. The degree of the burning sensation and pain at the injection site was documented. Sensory block was assessed 1 min after injection. The patient was asked to report the degree of sensation and to grade touch and pinprick sensation. Two minutes after drug administration, incision was performed and intensity of pain, felt by the patient was evaluated on a four-point scale (0-3). Any local adverse effects were recorded. Results. There was no difference in the quality of block between the two groups. Side effects were noted in both groups with a significant increase in the incidence of local reaction (rash) in Group T (seven patients) when compared with Group P (one patient) (P0.05). Conclusions. Intradermal tramadol 5% can provide a local anaesthesia similar to the prilocaine but the incidence of local adverse effects is higher

Earache resulting from subclavian vein catheter malposition (case report) [Yanliş yerleşimli subklavian ven kateterizasyonuna bagli kulak agrisi (oglu sunumu)]

Various malpositions can be seen during subclavian vein catheterisation. Serious problems and clinical complaints can occur during these malpositions. There are reports pain in the chest, shoulder, arm and midthoracic back pain, sensation of ear gurgling, headaches and earache related to malposition of a central venous catheter. Although there are various imaging systems and pressure monitors to demonstrate these malpositions, clinical complaints must be considered in a conscious patient. We present a case of earache caused by subclavian catheterization of ipsilateral internal jugular vein which subsided after pulling back the catheter

Comparison of satisfaction and pain relief between patients-controlled analgesia and interval analgesia after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy

Preoperative and postoperative psychological factors, postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, treatment satisfaction were compared in patients treated with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) or intramuscular analgesics after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Thirty-one women with laparoscopically operated benign ovarian cysts were recruited in Zonguldak Karaelmas University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Postoperatively sixteen women received morphine delivered by IV-PCA pump system and 15 women were prescribed another opioid (meperidine) intramuscularly. Two weeks before and one day after the surgery, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were self-administered. Afterwards, the operation visual analog scale (VAS) and satisfaction with pain control scale were recorded. Preoperative BDI and BAI scores of both groups were comparable. Postoperative BDI (7.9 ± 7.2 versus 13.8 ± 6.9, P = 0.03) and BAI (11.4 ± 9.1 versus 17.4 ± 6.2, P = 0.045) scores were significantly lower in the IV-PCA group. Morphine usage with PCA resulted in significantly higher pain scores than equivalent doses of meperidine administered intramuscularly (2.94 ± 1.0 versus 1.67 ± 0.7, P = 0.001). Although higher pain scores were obtained from IV-PCA group, self-reported satisfaction rates were higher in this group (8.3 ± 1.1 versus 7.4 ± 1.1, P = 0.04). Involvement of patients in their pain management might increase the awareness of pain but their satisfaction about the control of postoperative pain was significantly improved. © 2008 Informa UK Ltd