Spin-valley locking for in-gap quantum dots in a MoS2 transistor

Spins confined to atomically-thin semiconductors are being actively explored as quantum information carriers. In transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), the hexagonal crystal lattice gives rise to an additional valley degree of freedom with spin-valley locking and potentially enhanced spin life- and coherence times. However, realizing well-separated single-particle levels, and achieving transparent electrical contact to address them has remained challenging. Here, we report well-defined spin states in a few-layer MoS$_2$ transistor, characterized with a spectral resolution of $\sim{50~\mu}$eV at ${T_\textrm{el} = 150}$~mK. Ground state magnetospectroscopy confirms a finite Berry-curvature induced coupling of spin and valley, reflected in a pronounced Zeeman anisotropy, with a large out-of-plane $g$-factor of ${g_\perp \simeq 8}$. A finite in-plane $g$-factor (${g_\parallel \simeq 0.55-0.8}$) allows us to quantify spin-valley locking and estimate the spin-orbit splitting ${2\Delta_{\rm SO} \sim 100~\mu}$eV. The demonstration of spin-valley locking is an important milestone towards realizing spin-valley quantum bits.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Effect of 12 months of testosterone replacement therapy on metabolic syndrome components in hypogonadal men: data from the Testim Registry in the US (TRiUS)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent evidence suggests that there may be a bidirectional, physiological link between hypogonadism and metabolic syndrome (MetS), and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been shown to improve some symptoms of MetS in small patient populations. We examined the effect of 12 months of TRT on MetS components in a large cohort of hypogonadal men.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were obtained from TRiUS (Testim^®Registry in the United States), a 12-month, multicenter, prospective observational registry (N = 849) of hypogonadal men prescribed Testim 1% testosterone gel (5-10 g/day). Data analyzed included age, total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and MetS components: waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, plasma triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of evaluable patients (581/849) at baseline, 37% were MetS+ (n = 213) and 63% were MetS- (n = 368). MetS+ patients had significantly lower TT (p < 0.0001) and SHBG (p = 0.01) levels. Patients with the lowest quartile TT levels (<206 ng/dL [<7.1 nmol/L]) had a significantly increased risk of MetS+ classification vs those with highest quartile TT levels (≥331 ng/dL [≥11.5 nmol/L]) (odds ratio 2.66; 95% CI, 1.60 to 4.43). After 12 months of TRT, TT levels significantly increased in all patients (p < 0.005). Despite having similar TT levels after TRT, only MetS+ patients demonstrated significant decreases in waist circumference, fasting blood glucose levels, and blood pressure; lowest TT quartile patients demonstrated significant decreases in waist circumference and fasting blood glucose. Neither HDL cholesterol nor triglyceride levels changed significantly in either patient population.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hypogonadal MetS+ patients were more likely than their MetS- counterparts to have lower baseline TT levels and present with more comorbid conditions. MetS+ patients and those in the lowest TT quartile showed improvement in some metabolic syndrome components after 12 months of TRT. While it is currently unclear if further cardiometabolic benefit can be seen with longer TRT use in this population, testing for low testosterone may be warranted in MetS+ men with hypogonadal symptoms.</p

Delivering medical abortion at scale: a study of the retail market for medical abortion in Madhya Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Medical abortion (mifepristone and misoprostol) has the potential to contribute to reduced maternal mortality but little is known about the provision or quality of advice for medical abortion through the private retail sector. We examined the availability of medical abortion and the practices of pharmacists in India, where abortion has been legal since 1972. METHODS: We interviewed 591 pharmacists in 60 local markets in city, town and rural areas of Madhya Pradesh. One month later, we returned to 359 pharmacists with undercover patients who presented themselves unannounced as genuine customers seeking a medical abortion. RESULTS: Medical abortion was offered to undercover patients by 256 (71.3%) pharmacists and 24 different brands were identified. Two thirds (68.5%) of pharmacists stated that abortion was illegal in India. Only 106 (38.5%) pharmacists asked clients the timing of the last menstrual period and 38 (13.8%) requested to see a doctor's prescription - a legal requirement in India. Only 59 (21.5%) pharmacists correctly advised patients on the gestational limit for medical abortion, 97 (35.3%) provided correct information on how many and when to take the tablets in a combination pack, and 78 (28.4%) gave accurate advice on where to seek care in case of complications. Advice on post-abortion family planning was almost nonexistent. CONCLUSIONS: The retail market for medical abortion is extensive, but the quality of advice given to patients is poor. Although the contribution of medical abortion to women's health in India is poorly understood, there is an urgent need to improve the practices of pharmacists selling medical abortion

REVIEW ARTICLES Intracoronary Adenosine Induced hyperaemia reduces the incidence of myonecrosis due to micro infraction after elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is associated with 5 % to 30 % incidence of elevation of serum Creatine Kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) reflect the periprocedural myonecrosis,’Appearance of Creatine Kinase MB (CK-MB) in the circulation is the strongest predictor of long term clinical outcome of PCI 2-5, correlating the deleterious consequences of myonecrosis on Left Ventricular function or Electrophysiological stability 6. Pathophysiology of myonecrosis during PCI has been related to side branch closure or compression, major intimal dissection, intramural thrombus formation, coronary spasm, distal atheroembolization. The first four causes may be clinically apparent and measures can be taken during the procedure, the latter may be entirely asymptomatic and occur even Angiographically uneventful procedure. Contrast enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging suggest that distal embolization of atherogenic materials from plaque disruption 7, causing micro infarction by obstructing the blood flow at capillary level 8,9. Studies show that intra venous Adenosine infusion as an adjunct to reperfusion in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction associated with reduction of heart muscle damage10,11. Adenosine is a naturally occurring nucleoside with a half life in blood of less than 10 seconds. Adenosine may be administered via intravenous or Intracoronary route, produce hyperemic effect that is commonly used to measure the coronary flow reserve during PCI. Th

Bond coat assisted enhancement in microstructural, mechanical and corrosion behavior of AZ91 magnesium alloy cold spray coated with aluminum alloys

Cold spray coating technique was used to deposit coatings of AA6061 aluminum alloy on AZ91 magnesium alloy substrates. A bond coat of commercially pure aluminum was used to facilitate deposition of the AA6061 powders. Two cold spray coating iterations were conducted to optimize the coating’s microstructural features such as porosity, surface roughness, and interface microstructure. Mechanical properties such as hardness, wear resistance, and adhesion behavior were characterized and used as metrics to compare the coatings with the substrate. The corrosion behavior of the coated and uncoated samples was characterized using multiscale and multimodal corrosion measurements comprising macroscopic potentiodynamic polarization and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. The coated substrates exhibited a significant improvement in mechanical and corrosion performance as compared to the uncoated substrate

Ultrafast Electron Transfer from Upper Excited State of Encapsulated Azulenes to Acceptors across an Organic Molecular Wall

In the context of generating reactive organic radical cations within a confined capsule and exploring photoinduced electron transfer from encapsulated organic molecules to organic and inorganic acceptors through an organic molecular wall, we have investigated electron transfer from the upper excited state (S₂) of azulene (Az) and guaiazulene (GAz) enclosed within an octa acid (OA) capsule to water-soluble 4,4′-dimethyl viologen²⁺ (MV²⁺) and pyridinium⁺ (Py⁺) salts or colloidal TiO₂. S₂ fluorescence of OA encapsulated Az and GAz was quenched by electron acceptors such as MV²⁺ and Py⁺ salts. That electron transfer is responsible for S₂ fluorescence quenching was established by recording the transient absorption spectrum of the MV^●+ in the femtosecond time regime. Femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence experiments suggested that the time constant for the forward and reverse electron transfer from encapsulated Az and GAz to MV²⁺ is 4 and 3.6 ps, and 55.7 and 36.9 ps, respectively. The observed S₂ fluorescence quenching by colloidal TiO₂ in aqueous buffer solution is attributed to electron transfer from encapsulated Az and GAz to TiO₂. Lack of quenching by the wider band gap material ZrO₂ supported the above conclusion. FT-IR-ATR experiments confirmed that OA capsules containing Az and GAz can be adsorbed on TiO₂ films, and excitation of these resulted in S₂ fluorescence quenching. The observations presented here are important in the context of establishing the value of OA type cavitands where charge separation and donor shielding are critical