Advances in ab-initio theory of Multiferroics. Materials and mechanisms: modelling and understanding

Within the broad class of multiferroics (compounds showing a coexistence of magnetism and ferroelectricity), we focus on the subclass of "improper electronic ferroelectrics", i.e. correlated materials where electronic degrees of freedom (such as spin, charge or orbital) drive ferroelectricity. In particular, in spin-induced ferroelectrics, there is not only a {\em coexistence} of the two intriguing magnetic and dipolar orders; rather, there is such an intimate link that one drives the other, suggesting a giant magnetoelectric coupling. Via first-principles approaches based on density functional theory, we review the microscopic mechanisms at the basis of multiferroicity in several compounds, ranging from transition metal oxides to organic multiferroics (MFs) to organic-inorganic hybrids (i.e. metal-organic frameworks, MOFs)Comment: 22 pages, 9 figure

Postoperative complications after procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids (PPH) and stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) procedures

Procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH) and stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation (STARR) carry low postoperative pain, but may be followed by unusual and severe postoperative complications. This review deals with the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of adverse events that may occasionally be life threatening. PPH and STARR carry the expected morbidity following anorectal surgery, such as bleeding, strictures and fecal incontinence. Complications that are particular to these stapled procedures are rectovaginal fistula, chronic proctalgia, total rectal obliteration, rectal wall hematoma and perforation with pelvic sepsis often requiring a diverting stoma. A higher complication rate and worse results are expected after PPH for fourth-degree piles. Enterocele and anismus are contraindications to PPH and STARR and both operations should be used with caution in patients with weak sphincters. In conclusion, complications after PPH and STARR are not infrequent and may be difficult to manage. However, if performed in selected cases by skilled specialists aware of the risks and associated diseases, some complications may be prevented

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Neutron diffraction study of the magnetic structures of manganese succinate Mn(C4H4O4): A complex inorganic-organic framework

The antiferromagnetic structures of the Mn succinate framework, Mn(C 4H4O4), have been determined using neutron diffraction. The structure comprises alternating layers containing chains of edge-sharing Mn (II) O6 octahedra and sheets of corner-sharing Mn (II) O6 octahedra, respectively, with a layer separation of �7.5. At 10 K the edge-sharing MnO6 octahedral chains order antiferromagnetically into a collinear sinusoidal spin structure with a propagation vector k2 = (0,-0.5225,0), in which individual edge-sharing MnO6 chains are ferromagnetically ordered. The sheets of corner-sharing MnO6 octahedra order magnetically at 6 K, adopting the antiferromagnetic structure expected for a square arrangement of cations with a propagation vector k8 = (-1,0,1). The ordering of these sheets at a lower temperature than the chains is consistent with their longer nearest-neighbor superexchange pathway. The magnetic structure of the edge-sharing layers is unaffected by the 6 K phase transition, indicating that the orderings of the two different layers are essentially independent of each other. © 2010 The American Physical Society

Structure-property correlations in Eu-doped tetra calcium phosphate phosphor: A key to solid-state lighting application

The unique emission characteristics and the crystal structure of Ca4(PO4)2O:Eu2+ were studied. Considerably broad emission from 500 nm to 800 nm was measured at 77 K when the material was excited at 365 nm. Its crystal structure was refined using neutron diffraction, allowing precise and accurate oxygen positions to be determined. This enabled a relationship between the optical properties and the crystal structure crucial for achieving a large redshift of the 5d level of Eu2+ to be established, which is important to match the excitation energy band with near-ultraviolet or blue light-emitting-diodes used for solid-state lighting. The importance of the anion polarizability and the distortion of the coordination polyhedron were also discussed

Photoluminescence of cerium-doped (Ca1-xSrx) 3RE2Ge3O12 garnet phosphors for solid state lighting: Relating structure to emission

A novel family of cerium-doped garnet oxide phosphors, (Ca 1-xSrx)3RE2Ge3O 12:Ce,Li (2%, 2%) (x=0-1, RE = Y, Lu), was prepared using a conventional high-temperature ceramic route and was found to exhibit green luminescence under blue excitation. These compounds were characterised by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results from this study were compared with other known Ce-doped garnets, including yttrium aluminium garnet, leading to a deeper understanding of the relationship between crystal structure and emission wavelength. In particular, the relationship between Ce3+ emission and the distortion factor of the dodecahedral doping site (d88/d81) was examined