Neutron scattering from single crystals has been used to determine the magnetic structure and magnon dynamics of FePS3, an S=2 Ising-like quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet with a honeycomb ...lattice. The magnetic structure has been confirmed to have a magnetic propagation vector of kM=0112 and the moments are collinear with the normal to the ab planes. The magnon data could be modeled using a Heisenberg Hamiltonian with a single-ion anisotropy. Magnetic interactions up to the third in-plane nearest neighbor needed to be included for a suitable fit. The best fit parameters for the in-plane exchange interactions were J1=1.46, J2=−0.04, and J3=−0.96 meV. The single-ion anisotropy is large, Δ=2.66 meV, explaining the Ising-like behavior of the magnetism in the compound. The interlayer exchange is very small, J′=−0.0073 meV, proving that FePS3 is a very good approximation to a two-dimensional magnet.
The potential harmful effects of ionising radiation continue to be highlighted. Radiation reduction techniques have largely consisted of low-dose techniques rather than a shift to non-ionising ...methods of imaging. CT scanning is frequently employed for imaging the craniofacial skeleton despite being one of the key anatomical regions for radiation protection in view of the radiosensitive lens and thyroid gland. We describe a low flip angle gradient echo MRI sequence which provides high image contrast between bone and other tissues but reduces the contrast between individual soft tissues. This permits the "black bone" to be easily distinguished from the uniformity of the soft tissues. While maintaining a repetition time of 8.6 ms and an echo time of 4.2 ms, the flip angle which provided optimised suppression of both fat and water was identified to be 5°. The biometric accuracy of this sequence was confirmed using a phantom to obtain direct anatomical measurements and comparable CT scanning. The average discrepancy between black bone MRI measurements and direct anatomical measurements was 0.32 mm. Black bone MRI therefore has the potential to reduce radiation exposure by replacing CT scanning when imaging the facial skeleton, with particular scope for imaging benign conditions in the young.
Background. Compounding pharmacies often prepare parenteral nutrition (PN) and must adhere to rigorous standards to avoid contamination of the sterile preparation. In March 2011, Serratia marcescens ...bloodstream infections (BSIs) were identified in 5 patients receiving PN from a single compounding pharmacy. An investigation was conducted to identify potential sources of contamination and prevent further infections. Methods. Cases were defined as S. marcescens BSIs in patients receiving PN from the pharmacy between January and March 2011. We reviewed case patients' clinical records, evaluated pharmacy compounding practices, and obtained epidemiologically directed environmental cultures. Molecular relatedness of available Serratia isolates was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results. Nineteen case patients were identified; 9 died. The attack rate for patients receiving PN in March was 35%. No case patients were younger than 18 years. In October 2010, the pharmacy began compounding and filtersterilizing amino acid solution for adult PN using nonsterile amino acids due to a national manufacturer shortage. Review of this process identified breaches in mixing, filtration, and sterility testing practices. S. marcescens was identified from a pharmacy water faucet, mixing container, and opened amino acid powder. These isolates were indistinguishable from the outbreak strain by PFGE. Conclusions. Compounding of nonsterile amino acid components of PN was initiated due to a manufacturer shortage. Failure to follow recommended compounding standards contributed to an outbreak of S. marcescens BSIs. Improved adherence to sterile compounding standards, critical examination of standards for sterile compounding from nonsterile ingredients, and more rigorous oversight of compounding pharmacies is needed to prevent future outbreaks.
•Acoustic absorption material that is based solely on mycelium fruiting bodies.•Bio-polymer is grown in a newly devised system that grows a foam free from substrate material.•Performance of the ...myco-polymer was shown to have high acoustic absorption capabilities.
This research examines the use of a novel new renewable resource in acoustic absorption applications that requires no glues or other artificial binders. Hence the proposed material provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to construction industry for acoustic absorption panels. The material being tested is an all-natural biopolymer that consists entirely of pure fungal mycelium that is cultured at elevated temperatures from 30 to 35 Cent. in an elevated carbon-dioxide rich environment, from three to seven percent, which in combination suppresses the fruiting bodies. This new biopolymer provides an alternative to closed cell foams and synthetic honeycombs that are suitable for a wide range of applications from fire-resistant bio-leather, textile support foams used in shoes and clothing, scaffolding for medical bio-organs and vegetarian meat. This study examines the acoustical absorption properties of this material over the frequency range from 350 Hz to 4 kHz. The results of the study indicate this new class of a pure mycelium foam provides a sustainable promising bio-based all-natural fiber alternative for acoustic shielding alternative to the traditional acoustic absorbers that are most commonly constructed with petroleum based glues and synthetic fibers.
The impetus for this paper emerges from the growing interest in leveraging inner transformations to support a global shift in ways of seeing and being. We caution that without sufficient individual ...and systemic maturity, inner transformations will be unable to hold the whole story and that attempts to drive paradigmatic shifts in ill-prepared systems will lead to insidious harms. As such, interventions for inner change will not have sufficient protected niche space to move beyond the boundaries of best practices towards wise practices. Drawing on Indigenous trans-systemics, we offer the metaphor of pearls as an invitation to recontextualize how inner transformations are conceived and approached in the metacrisis. To further develop this notion, we share a story of Wendigo and Moloch as a precautionary tale for the blind pursuit of inner and outer development. Weaving together metaphor, story, and scientific inquiry, we bring together Anishinaabe and Western knowledge systems for the purposes of healing and transformation. We hope that this paper will create space for wise practices—gifts from Creator to help sustain both Self and the World—to emerge, establish, and flourish. We invite readers on an exploration into the whole system of systems that are endemic to Anishinaabe cosmology, and a journey of reimagining new stories for collective flourishing amidst the metacrisis.
•We examined the use of mycelium as a binder to produce agricultural by-product based composites.•We tested the fungi based boards for potential use as acoustic absorbers.•The mycelium was grown on ...semi-hydrophobic agricultural by-product substrates.•The results indicate the boards provide a promising alternative to traditional foam based insulation boards for acoustic absorption panels.•Panels provide the added benefit of being bio-degradable at end of life.
This research examines the use of a novel new renewable resource in acoustic absorption applications. The new material being tested is based on a fungi that is grown on semi-hydrophobic agricultural by-product substrates such as switch-grass, rice straw, sorghum stalks, flax shive, kenaf and hemp. The various substrates were tested as this novel composite is limited in the control over density, with the main control being the selection of the constituent parts. The testing of the material for use in acoustics utilized an impedance tube and measured the standing wave ratios in accordance to ISO standard 10534-1. The results of the study show the mycelium based boards are a promising bio-based composite alternative to standard traditional foam insulation board. Results suggest an optimal performance at the key automotive road noise frequency of 1000Hz. A further advantage provided by this new material is that it can be produced economically in comparison to the traditional petroleum based foams with the further advantage of bio-degradation when the product is disposed of at its end-of-life use. Based upon this work, future research is planned to examine this novel new composite in other acoustic applications where shape modifications can further enhance the performance.
PDF
