Spin-locking effect in the nanoscale ordered perovskite cobaltite LaBaCo2O6

A new nanoscale ordered perovskite cobaltite, which consists of 90 degree ordered domains of the layered-112 LaBaCo2O6 has been evidenced by high resolution- transmission electron microscopy. This new form, like the disordered La0.5Ba0.5CoO3 and ordered LaBaCo2O6, exhibits a ferromagnetic transition at TC around 179 K. However, it differs from the two previous forms by its strong magnetic anisotropy, and correlatively by its high value of coercivity (0.42 Tesla) at low temperature. We suggest that this behaviour originates from the locking of magnetic spins in the 90 degree oriented nano-domain. Moreover, one observes a semi-metal/semi-metal transition at TC with a maximum magnetoresistance of 6.5 % at this temperature.Comment: 16 pages including figure

Electron transport and thermoelectric properties of layered perovskite LaBaCo2O5.5

We have investigated the systematic transport properties of the layered 112-type cobaltite LaBaCo2O5.5 by means of electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, electroresistance and thermoelectric measurements in various conditions. In order to understand the complex conduction mechanism of LaBaCo2O5.5, the transport data have been analyzed using different theoretical models. The system shows semiconductor-semiconductor like transition (TSC) around 326K, corresponding to ferromagnetic transition and in the low temperature region resistivity data follows the Motts variable range hopping model. Interestingly, near and below the room temperature this compound depicts significant change in electro- and magnetoresistance behavior, the latter one is noteworthy near the magnetic phase boundary. The temperature dependence of thermopower, S(T), exhibits p-type polaronic conductivity in the temperature range of 60-320K and reaches a maximum value of 303 uV/K (at 120K). In the low temperature AFM region, the unusual S(T) behavior, generally observed for the cobaltite series LnBaCo2O5.5 (Ln = Rare Earth), is explained by the electron magnon scattering mechanism as previously described for perovskite manganites.Comment: 18 pages including fig

Multilobar electrocorticography monitoring during intracranial aneurysm surgery

Introduction: To detect a neuronal threshold of tolerance to ischemia, the usefulness of multilobar electrocorticography (mEcoG) during intracranial aneurysm surgery was compared to the scalp EEG and correlated with the postoperative neurological status and the radiological findings. Methods: Twenty-one patients harboring intracranial aneurysms were monitored by simultaneous scalp EEG and lobe-dependent mEcoG during surgical clipping. The patients were divided into group A (6 patients with no temporary clipping) and group B (15 patients with temporary clipping). Results: New focal modifications of the mEcoG signal with high frequency (HF)-β3 and delta waves were observed in none of the patients in group A and all of the patients in group B. These anomalies were followed by focal burst suppression pattern in eight cases (53%) in group B. These changes were detected in only two cases (9%) on the scalp EEG. New corticographic changes resolved in eight patients (53%) in group B. Among the seven patients in group B who had persistent focal burst pattern after clip removal, six (85%) presented with new neurological deficit or new hypodensity on CT. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was good (IV or V) in 85% of cases. Conclusion: mEcoG is more sensitive than scalp EEG. The appearance and persistence of the focal burst suppression pattern shown on mEcoG, was associated with a new neurological deficit or new hypodensity, whereas HF-β3 or delta waves per se were not associated with new changes. A better comprehension of these EEG anomalies could determine the duration of temporary clipping and consequently influence the surgical strateg

A Multiferroic Ceramic with Perovskite Structure: La0.5Bi0.5Mn0.5Fe0.5O3.09

ABO3 perovskite multiferroic La0.5Bi0.5Mn0.5Fe0.5O3.09 where the B-site cations is responsible for the magnetic properties and the A-site cation with lone pair electron is responsible for the ferroelectric properties was synthesized at normal conditions. This oxide exhibits a ferromagnetic transition around 240 K with a well defined hysteresis loop, and a significant reversible remnant polarization below 67K similar to ferroelectric behavior. The magnetic interaction is interpreted by the ferromagnetic Fe3+-O-Mn3+ and antiferromagnetic Fe3+(Mn3+)-O-Fe3+(Mn3+) interactions competed each other, whereas the ferroelectricity is predominantly due to the polar nature introduced by the 6s2 lone pair of Bi3+ cationsComment: Submitted to Applied Physics Letters, 7 pages, 3 figure

'Thank you for loving me': A qualitative study on perceptions of gratitude and their effects in palliative care patients and relatives.

Empirical studies suggest that gratitude positively influence the quality of life of palliative patients and relatives. However, the literature is marked by a lack of conceptual clarity about what gratitude is and whether it can bring about individual and social benefits. This paper explores how palliative care patients and relatives understand gratitude, how discursive representations of gratitude may affect their positions, perceptions and relations, and how to conceptualise gratitude in the palliative context. We examine 33 gratitude letters written by patients and relatives and 25 semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a pilot gratitude intervention study. We use a qualitative approach, thematic analysis, within a conceptual framework of discourse analysis. Data were collected from 23 patients and 13 relatives recruited through three hospital palliative care services in French-speaking Switzerland. Participants articulate gratitude in five ways: (1) appreciating others; (2) love; (3) need to reciprocate; (4) appreciating the little things; (5) solace amid serious illness. While some of these representations are sources of positive emotions and outlook, wellbeing and hope, others may confirm self-perceptions of powerlessness and burden. These results support a tridimensional conceptualisation of gratitude in palliative care as source of individual benefits, valuing closest relationships and moral obligation. Our study suggests that gratitude is a key to a good (end of) life, whilst highlighting potential negative effects. It could help healthcare professionals to better understand what gratitude means to patients and relatives, which may facilitate awareness and fostering of gratitude in palliative care

Gamma oscillatory activity in vitro: a model system to assess pathophysiological mechanisms of comorbidity between autism and epilepsy.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and temporal lobe epilepsy exhibit remarkable comorbidity, but for reasons not clearly understood. To reveal a common pathophysiological mechanism, we here describe and characterize an in vitro epileptiform activity in the rat hippocampus that exhibits common features with in vivo activity in rodent ASD models. We discovered the development of this activity in the CA1 region of horizontal slices after prolonged interictal-like epileptiform activity in the CA3 region that was provoked by incubation in high potassium artificial cerebrospinal fluid. The CA1 epileptiform bursts were insensitive to blockers of glutamatergic transmission, and were carried by synaptic as well as extrasynaptic, tonically activated gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors. The bursts bear resemblance to in vivo gamma-oscillatory activity found in rat ASD models with respect to their gamma frequency spectrum, their origin (in the CA1), and their sensitivity to blockers of cation-chloride pumps (NKCC1 and KCC2), as well as to oxytocin. Considering this bursting activity as an in vitro model for studying comorbidity between epilepsy and ASD may help to disentangle the intricate interactions that underlie the comorbidity between both diseases and suggests that extrasynaptic tonic GABAergic transmission could represent a potential target for ASD

Preserving normal facial nerve function and improving hearing outcome in large vestibular schwannomas with a combined approach: planned subtotal resection followed by gamma knife radiosurgery.

To perform planned subtotal resection followed by gamma knife surgery (GKRS) in a series of patients with large vestibular schwannoma (VS), aiming at an optimal functional outcome for facial and cochlear nerves. Patient characteristics, surgical and dosimetric features, and outcome were collected prospectively at the time of treatment and during the follow-up. A consecutive series of 32 patients was treated between July 2010 and June 2016. Mean follow-up after surgery was 29 months (median 24, range 4-78). Mean presurgical tumor volume was 12.5 cm3 (range 1.47-34.9). Postoperative status showed normal facial nerve function (House-Brackmann I) in all patients. In a subgroup of 17 patients with serviceable hearing before surgery and in which cochlear nerve preservation was attempted at surgery, 16 (94.1%) retained serviceable hearing. Among them, 13 had normal hearing (Gardner-Robertson class 1) before surgery, and 10 (76.9%) retained normal hearing after surgery. Mean duration between surgery and GKRS was 6.3 months (range 3.8-13.9). Mean tumor volume at GKRS was 3.5 cm3 (range 0.5-12.8), corresponding to mean residual volume of 29.4% (range 6-46.7) of the preoperative volume. Mean marginal dose was 12 Gy (range 11-12). Mean follow-up after GKRS was 24 months (range 3-60). Following GKRS, there were no new neurological deficits, with facial and hearing functions remaining identical to those after surgery in all patients. Three patients presented with continuous growth after GKRS, were considered failures, and benefited from the same combined approach a second time. Our data suggest that large VS management, with planned subtotal resection followed by GKRS, might yield an excellent clinical outcome, allowing the normal facial nerve and a high level of cochlear nerve functions to be retained. Our functional results with this approach in large VS are comparable with those obtained with GKRS alone in small- and medium-sized VS. Longer term follow-up is necessary to fully evaluate this approach, especially regarding tumor control

Sodium intercalation into α- and β-VOSO4

Received: 12.02.2019. Accepted: 19.03.2019. Published: 29.03.2019.Na-ion battery is one of the best alternatives to Li-ion battery. Abundance of sodium on earth is three orders of magnitude higher than lithium, which should make Na-ion battery technology cheaper. But alkaline-ion battery prices, which tend to increase because of the massive world demand, also depend on the choice of electrode materials. Therefore, cost-effective electrode development remains an important subject of research because this will allow Na-ion battery to be even more competitive. Electrochemical performances of anhydrous VOSO4 as electrode for Na-ion battery are reported in this letter. Two anhydrous phases of vanadyl sulfate have been studied. The first one, α-VOSO4, shows that up to 0.8 sodium per formula unit (Na/f.u.) can be intercalated in this phase, and a reversible intercalation of 0.4 Na/f.u. has been observed with a strong polarization. The second one, β-VOSO4, can intercalate up to 0.9 Na/f.u. with a reversible inter- calation of 0.4 Na/f.u. leading to a reversible capacity of 64 mAh/g