Effective Electronic Structure of Monoclinic β−(AlxGa1−x)2O3\beta-(Al_xGa_{1-x})_2O_3 alloy semiconductor

In this article, the electronic band structure $\beta-(Al_xGa_{1-x})_2O_3$ alloy system is calculated with $\beta-Ga_2O_3$ as the bulk crystal. The technique of band unfolding is implemented to obtain the effective bandstructure \textit{(EBS)} for aluminium fractions varying between 12.5\% and 62.5\% with respect to the gallium atoms. A 160 atom supercell is used to model the disordered system that is generated using the technique of special quasirandom structures which mimics the site correlation of a truly random alloy and reduces the configurational space that arises due to the vast enumeration of alloy occupation sites. The impact of the disorder is then evaluated on the electron effective mass and bandgap which is calculated under the generalized gradient approximation \textit{(GGA)}. The EBS of disordered systems gives an insight into the effect of the loss of translational symmetry on the band topology which manifests as band broadening and can be used to evaluate disorder induced scattering rates and electron lifetimes. This technique of band unfolding can be further extended to alloy phonon dispersion and subsequently phonon lifetimes can also be evaluated from the band broadening

Penetrating injury of the hand with a door handle: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating injuries of the hand with various sharp objects have previously been reported. In this report we describe an unusual penetrating injury of the hand caused by a door handle. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old woman presented with a door handle stuck into her hand. After a preliminary assessment she was immediately taken to theatre. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered along with tetanus toxoid. Soft tissue, including neurovascular integrity, was assessed and confirmed during the operation. She had a good functional recovery at follow-up. CONCLUSION: A door handle can occasionally cause a penetrating injury of the hand which should be treated with early intervention, including a careful assessment of soft tissue and neurovascular integrity