Magnons and electromagnons in a spin-lattice-coupled frustrated magnet CuFeO2 as seen via inelastic neutron scattering

We have investigated spin-wave excitations in a four-sublattice (4SL) magnetic ground state of a frustrated magnet CuFeO2, in which `electromagnon' (electric-field-active magnon) excitation has been discovered by recent terahertz time-domain spectroscopy [Seki et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 105 097207 (2010)]. In previous study, we have identified two spin-wave branches in the 4SL phase by means of inelastic neutron scattering measurements under applied uniaxial pressure. [T. Nakajima et al. J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 80 014714 (2011) ] In the present study, we have performed high-energy-resolution inelastic neutron scattering measurements in the 4SL phase, resolving fine structures of the lower-energy spin-wave branch near the zone center. Taking account of the spin-driven lattice distortions in the 4SL phase, we have developed a model Hamiltonian to describe the spin-wave excitations. The determined Hamiltonian parameters have successfully reproduced the spin-wave dispersion relations and intensity maps obtained in the inelastic neutron scattering measurements. The results of the spin-wave analysis have also revealed physical pictures of the magnon and electromagnon modes in the 4SL phase, suggesting that collinear and noncollinear characters of the two spin-wave modes are the keys to understand the dynamical coupling between the spins and electric dipole moments in this system.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

C-Arm-Free Minimally Invasive Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation (MICEPS): A Technical Note

A minimally invasive posterolateral approach designed to avoid the lateral misplacement of midcervical pedicle screws was reported, but there is no technical report that describes this technique without C-arm fluoroscopy. We report the results of a 2.5 years follow-up of a 62-year-old female patient with C4 metastatic breast cancer. The patient suffered from severe neck pain and impending quadriplegia for 2 months after radiation therapy. We performed C-arm-free minimally invasive cervical pedicle screw fixation (MICEPS). The patient was suc-cessfully treated with surgery, and her neck pain was well controlled. She had neither neurological deficits nor neck pain at the final (2.5-year) follow-up. C-arm-free MICEPS is a useful technique; in addition, the sur-geons and staff have no risk of radiation exposure, there is a reduced need for postoperative imaging, and a decreased revision rate can be expected with C-arm-free MICEPS

Effects of Orally Administered Lactoferrin and Lactoperoxidase-Containing Tablets on Clinical and Bacteriological Profiles in Chronic Periodontitis Patients

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of oral administration of lactoferrin (LF) and lactoperoxidase-(LPO-)containing tablet on periodontal condition. Seventy-two individuals with chronic periodontitis were randomly assigned to take either bovine LF and LPO-containing tablets (test group, n = 37) or control tablets (control group, n = 35) every day for 12 weeks. Periodontal parameters and levels of subgingival plaque bacteria, human and bovine LF, and endotoxin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were evaluated at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. Significant differences were observed in GCF levels of bovine LF between the test and control groups throughout the study (P < .05). However, clinical and bacteriological parameter values proved comparable between the two groups at 1 week to 12 weeks. Therefore, the effect of oral administration of LF and LPO-containing tablets might be weak on periodontal and bacteriological profile in this study

Analysis of a Polarization Splitter With a Multilayer Filter Using a Pade-Operator-Based Power-Conserving Fourth-Order Accurate Beam-Propagation Method

A(1,1)Pade-operator-based fourth-order accurate finite-difference beam-propagation method is described for the analysis of the transverse-magnetic(TM)wave, with an emphasis on power conservation. As an application, a polarization splitter with a multilayer filter is analyzed. Reflectivities of more than 98% for the transverse-electric wave and transmissivities of more than 94% for the TM wave are obtained over a wide wavelength range of 1.1-1.65 μ

Apply of Textmining Method to Study the Roles in Improving the Health by Lactoferrin, a Multi-Functional Milk Protein

Lactoferrin is a metal-binding glycoprotein found in milk, blood and other exocrine secretions. This is a multi-functional protein that exhibits many activities such as: anti-microbial, anti-viral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-metastatic, cell growth-promoting, and anti-oxidant activities, as well as regulation of granulopoiesis and iron absorption, etc. To date, a number of academic reports concerning the biological activities of lactoferrin have been published and are easily accessible through public databases. In order to overcome the information overload associated with lactoferrin information, we have applied the text mining method to the accumulated lactoferrin literature. To this end, we used the information extraction system GENPAC (provided by Nalapro Technologies Inc., Tokyo), which uses natural language processing and text mining technology. Using GENPAC, text extraction was carried out on literature containing the term &#x201c;lactoferrin&#x201d; and any of keywords concerning health conditions or diseases from PubMed. Subsequently, network mappings of the information obtained were produced using Cytoscape. We will exhibit that such textmining method and information visualization analysis is useful in studying novel relationships among a multitude of lactoferrin functions and mechanisms to improve our health

A DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM WITH CUSTOMIZABLE SCREEN LAYOUTS FOR MULTIPLE LEARNING SITUATIONS

In this paper, we propose a new distance learning system that can adapt to various styles of learning activity. We assume that the system is used in distance classes with multiple live-streaming videos. Our system has functions to change the screen layout to best suit for the current learning situation for each of the participants in a class. The system also has a function to efficiently monitor the behavior of many students at a time. These functions enable us to adapt various learning activities in distance learning classes. We implemented a prototype of the proposed system and evaluated it in experimental classes. We confirmed that our system improved the activities in the experimental classes

Transtubular Endoscopic Posterolateral Decompression of the L5 Root under Navigation and O-arm: A Technical Note

Among studies evaluating minimally invasive surgical (MIS) decompression of the L5 root, techniques involving transtubular endoscopic decompression under O-arm navigation are rare. We present the case of a 68-yearold woman with left leg pain, muscle weakness and gait disturbance of one month duration. The patient underwent transtubular endoscopic decompression under O-arm navigation. There is no radiation hazard to the operating room staff with this procedure. After surgery, the patient had significant pain relief and her left lower limb motor function had improved by follow-up at one year. C-arm-free endoscopic L5 root decompression is a safe and effective procedure

Comparative Study of Bilateral Dual Sacral-Alar-Iliac Screws versus Bilateral Single Sacral-Alar-Iliac Screw for Adult Spine Deformities

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of O-arm navigation of bilateral dual sacral-alar-iliac (SAI) screws compared with conventional bilateral single SAI and S1 pedicle screws for pelvic anchors in cases of adult spinal deformity. Methods This retrospective, comparative study included 39 patients who underwent corrective fusion using SAI screws from T10 to the pelvis. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the number of SAI screws placed during adult spinal deformity surgery: single SAI screw (group S, 17 cases) and dual SAI screws (group D, 22 cases). The incidence of rod breakage, proximal junctional kyphosis, screw loosening, reoperation, and global alignment in each group was estimated. Postoperative patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Oswestry Disability Index, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, and visual analog scale. Results The incidence of SAI screw loosening was significantly lower in group D than in group S (23% vs. 65%, P = 0.011). The rod breakage incidence was 0% and 12% in groups D and S, respectively (P = 0.17). There were no significant differences in the postoperative global alignment and clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. Conclusions Dual SAI screws were associated with a significantly reduced incidence of screw loosening compared with single SAI screws. The bilateral dual SAI screws technique for pelvic anchors is feasible for the treatment of patients with adult spinal deformity