Ferromagnetism and superconductivity are most fundamental phenomena in condensed-matter physics. Entailing opposite spin orders, they share an important conceptual similarity: disturbances in ...magnetic ordering in magnetic materials can propagate in the form of spin waves (magnons) while magnetic fields penetrate superconductors as a lattice of magnetic flux quanta (fluxons). Despite a rich choice of wave and quantum phenomena predicted, magnon–fluxon coupling has not been observed experimentally so far. Here, we clearly evidence the interaction of spin waves with a flux lattice in ferromagnet/superconductor Py/Nb bilayers. We demonstrate that, in this system, the magnon frequency spectrum exhibits a Bloch-like band structure that can be tuned by the biasing magnetic field. Furthermore, we observe Doppler shifts in the frequency spectra of spin waves scattered on a flux lattice moving under the action of a transport current in the superconductor.A spectral study on a ferromagnet/superconductor heterostructure reveals the interaction between the spin-wave excitations in a magnetically ordered system (magnons) and the magnetic flux quanta formed in a superconductor (fluxons).
Highlights • Axial and limb stiffness and episodic spasms characterize Stiff person syndrome. • Anesthetic concerns of Stiff person syndrome include prolonged ventilation. • Both inhaled and ...intravenous anesthetic agents can produce muscular weakness. • Epidural anesthesia can be used in parturients with Stiff person syndrome.
Trans-mitral blood flow produces a three-dimensional rotational body of fluid, known as a vortex ring, that enhances the efficiency of left ventricular (LV) filling compared with a continuous linear ...jet. Vortex ring development is most often quantified with vortex formation time (VFT), a dimensionless parameter based on fluid ejection from a rigid tube. Our group is interested in factors that affect LV filling efficiency during cardiac surgery. In this report, we describe how to use standard two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to noninvasively derive the variables needed to calculate VFT. We calculate atrial filling fraction (β) from velocity-time integrals of trans-mitral early LV filling and atrial systole blood flow velocity waveforms measured in the mid-esophageal four-chamber TEE view. Stroke volume (SV) is calculated as the product of the diameter of the LV outflow track measured in the mid-esophageal long axis TEE view and the velocity-time integral of blood flow through the outflow track determined in the deep transgastric view using pulse-wave Doppler. Finally, mitral valve diameter (D) is determined as the average of major and minor axis lengths measured in orthogonal mid-esophageal bicommissural and long axis imaging planes, respectively. VFT is then calculated as 4 × (1-β) × SV/(πD
). We have used this technique to analyze VFT in several groups of patients with differing cardiac abnormalities. We discuss our application of this technique and its potential limitations and also review our results to date. Noninvasive measurement of VFT using TEE is straightforward in anesthetized patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The technique may allow cardiac anesthesiologists and surgeons to assess the impact of pathological conditions and surgical interventions on LV filling efficiency in real time.
Eptifibatide is a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) receptor antagonist that inhibits fibrinogen binding to the activated GP IIb/IIIa site and prevents platelet-platelet interaction and ...clot formation. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors improve outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. Thrombocytopenia is a complication of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, but severe thrombocytopenia is unusual. Most reported cases of severe thrombocytopenia after eptifibatide occurred in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The authors describe a patient who developed acute profound thrombocytopenia after receiving eptifibatide before emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
A 67-year-old man with a normal platelet count (220 K/uL) developed atrial fibrillation, left bundle branch block, and respiratory insufficiency consistent with acute coronary syndrome two days after colectomy. He received eptifibatide during cardiac catheterization, where three-vessel coronary artery disease was encountered. Emergent coronary artery surgery was planned, but the platelet count before surgery was 2 K/uL. Eptifibatide was discontinued, surgery was postponed, and acute coronary syndrome was treated with intraaortic balloon counterpulsation.
The authors describe the second reported case of eptifibatide-induced severe thrombocytopenia associated with cardiac surgery. In this case, discontinuation of eptifibatide and transfusion of apheresis platelets increased the platelet count (137 K/uL) the following day, and the patient subsequently underwent successful coronary artery surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.
Systemic vasoplegia is common in patients undergoing liver transplantation. In this report, we present a case in which treatment with conventional vasopressors caused peripheral arterial spasm, ...rendering arterial blood pressure monitoring impossible. Administration of methylene blue resolved the vasospasm; however, concern for toxic dose requirements limited its use. Hydroxocobalamin administration resolved the vasospasm and increased blood pressure without the potential adverse effects seen with methylene blue. This case represents the first report of hydroxocobalamin use in liver transplantation and may represent a new option for the treatment of vasoplegia and the potential vasospasm that may result from traditional vasopressors.
Distillers' dry grain (DDG) was derivatized either by carboxymethylation, glutaration, maleiation, phthallation, or succination in order to produce anionic materials suitable for complexation with ...soy protein isolate. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed that derivatization of DDG by all reagents was successful. Blending of derivatized anionic products with soy protein resulted in instant precipitation of gels. The gels were centrifuged, molded, and dried into solid pellets with tensile strengths as high as 1.67MPa, suggesting that these materials could be promising as biodegradable structural materials. Infrared spectroscopy suggested the possibility of complexes forming between soy protein isolate and each of the derivatized DDG samples.
•Eurofer SSTT specimens were immersed in static NaK-78 for 6 months at 480–500°C.•The Eurofer steel did not suffer any degradation in its mechanical properties.•The chemical interaction between ...Eurofer specimens and NaK-78 was minimal.•Using NaK-78, with low oxygen content, is feasible for the IFMIF HFTM capsules.
In the high flux area of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) neutron source, the capsules of the High Flux Test Module (HFTM) contain SSTT Eurofer specimens for fusion relevant irradiation at temperature up to 550°C. Using the sodium potassium eutectic alloy NaK-78 to fill the gaps among the Eurofer specimens stacked inside the HFTM capsules was introduced in order to improve the thermal conduction among all specimens and have uniform and predictable temperature distribution. Therefore the objective of this study is to investigate the chemical compatibility between Eurofer steel and NaK-78 to evaluate the applicability of this concept. In the present experiment, the SSTT Eurofer specimens were immersed in static NaK-78 inside a capsule made of Eurofer and kept under IFMIF HFTM-relevant conditions including high temperature (cycling between 480°C and 500°C) and duration of six months. Following the experiment, mechanical tests (tensile and Charpy impact) of the Eurofer specimens were performed in addition to surface and microstructure analyses to detect any relevant corrosion or degradation. The mechanical tests revealed that the Eurofer specimens did not show any degradation in their mechanical properties. Also, the surface and microstructure analyses showed that the chemical interaction between the Eurofer steel and NaK-78 was minimal after six month of exposure at cyclic temperature between 480 and 500°C.
Blood platelets are critical for hemostasis and thrombosis and play diverse roles during immune responses. Despite these versatile tasks in mammalian biology, their skills on a cellular level are ...deemed limited, mainly consisting in rolling, adhesion, and aggregate formation. Here, we identify an unappreciated asset of platelets and show that adherent platelets use adhesion receptors to mechanically probe the adhesive substrate in their local microenvironment. When actomyosin-dependent traction forces overcome substrate resistance, platelets migrate and pile up the adhesive substrate together with any bound particulate material. They use this ability to act as cellular scavengers, scanning the vascular surface for potential invaders and collecting deposited bacteria. Microbe collection by migrating platelets boosts the activity of professional phagocytes, exacerbating inflammatory tissue injury in sepsis. This assigns platelets a central role in innate immune responses and identifies them as potential targets to dampen inflammatory tissue damage in clinical scenarios of severe systemic infection.
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•Platelets migrate at sites of vascular injury and inflammation•Platelets use mechanical force to scavenge substrate-bound particulate material•Migrating platelets use this ability to collect and bundle bacteria•Collection and bundling of bacteria facilitates neutrophil activation in sepsis
In addition to their role in thrombosis and hemostasis, platelets can also migrate to sites of infection to help trap bacteria and clear the vascular surface.
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