We have numerically examined the spectral shape of the ratio of the intensity variation upon the magnetization reversal for the 444 reflection of the ferromagnetic intermetallic compound GdAl2 in the ...vicinity of the Gd L2 edge and succeeded in roughly reproducing the experimental spectra for two different magnetization directions simultaneously. The main features of the spectral shape are described in terms of the conventional dispersion effects and the resonant magnetic scattering of electric dipole transitions.
Thermoelectric generation is an essential function in future energy-saving technologies. However, it has so far been an exclusive feature of electric conductors, a situation which limits its ...application; conduction electrons are often problematic in the thermal design of devices. Here we report electric voltage generation from heat flowing in an insulator. We reveal that, despite the absence of conduction electrons, the magnetic insulator LaY2Fe5O12 can convert a heat flow into a spin voltage. Attached Pt films can then transform this spin voltage into an electric voltage as a result of the inverse spin Hall effect. The experimental results require us to introduce a thermally activated interface spin exchange between LaY2Fe5O12 and Pt. Our findings extend the range of potential materials for thermoelectric applications and provide a crucial piece of information for understanding the physics of the spin Seebeck effect.
Imagine that a metallic wire is attached to a part of a large insulator, which itself exhibits no magnetization. It seems impossible for electrons in the wire to register where the wire is positioned ...on the insulator. Here we found that, using a Ni₈₁Fe₁₉/Pt bilayer wire on an insulating sapphire plate, electrons in the wire recognize their position on the sapphire. Under a temperature gradient in the sapphire, surprisingly, the voltage generated in the Pt layer is shown to reflect the wire position, although the wire is isolated both electrically and magnetically. This non-local voltage is due to the coupling of spins and phonons: the only possible carrier of information in this system. We demonstrate this coupling by directly injecting sound waves, which realizes the acoustic spin pumping. Our finding provides a persuasive answer to the long-range nature of the spin Seebeck effect, and it opens the door to 'acoustic spintronics' in which sound waves are exploited for constructing spin-based devices.
Surface plasmons, free-electron collective oscillations in metallic nanostructures, provide abundant routes to manipulate light-electron interactions that can localize light energy and alter ...electromagnetic field distributions at subwavelength scales. The research field of plasmonics thus integrates nano-photonics with electronics. In contrast, electronics is also entering a new era of spintronics, where spin currents play a central role in driving devices. However, plasmonics and spin-current physics have so far been developed independently. Here we report the generation of spin currents by surface plasmon resonance. Using Au nanoparticles embedded in Pt/BiY(2)Fe(5)O(12) bilayer films, we show that, when the Au nanoparticles fulfill the surface-plasmon-resonance conditions, spin currents are generated across the Pt/BiY(2)Fe(5)O(12) interface. This spin-current generation cannot be explained by conventional heating effects, requiring us to introduce nonequilibrium magnons excited by surface-plasmon-induced evanescent electromagnetic fields in BiY(2)Fe(5)O(12). This plasmonic spin pumping integrates surface plasmons with spin-current physics, opening the door to plasmonic spintronics.
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) below the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with complications after cardiac surgery. However, simply raising ...empiric MAP targets during CPB might result in MAP above the upper limit of autoregulation (ULA), causing cerebral hyperperfusion in some patients and predisposing them to cerebral dysfunction after surgery. We hypothesized that MAP above an ULA during CPB is associated with postoperative delirium.
Autoregulation during CPB was monitored continuously in 491 patients with the cerebral oximetry index (COx) in this prospective observational study. COx represents Pearson's correlation coefficient between low-frequency changes in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (measured with near-infrared spectroscopy) and MAP. Delirium was defined throughout the postoperative hospitalization based on clinical detection with prospectively defined methods.
Delirium was observed in 45 (9.2%) patients. Mechanical ventilation for >48 h odds ratio (OR), 3.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72–9.03, preoperative antidepressant use (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.29–6.96), prior stroke (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.12–6.96), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.28–5.62), the product of the magnitude and duration of MAP above an ULA (mm Hg h; OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.15), and age (per year of age; OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01–1.07) were independently associated with postoperative delirium.
Excursions of MAP above the upper limit of cerebral autoregulation during CPB are associated with risk for delirium. Optimizing MAP during CPB to remain within the cerebral autoregulation range might reduce risk of delirium.
clinicaltrials.gov NCT00769691 and NCT00981474.
Background and Purpose
IL‐31, which is described as a pruritogenic cytokine, is linked to the itching that is associated with allergic and non‐allergic eczema, but the precise pruritogenic mechanism ...of IL‐31 and its potential as a therapeutic target for atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been determined.
Experimental Approach
We investigated the effects of existing drugs on the scratching behaviour induced by an i.v. injection of IL‐31 to clarify whether IL‐31 induced pruritus indirectly. In addition, we studied the effects of an anti‐IL‐31 receptor α subunit (anti‐IL‐31 receptor α) neutralizing antibody on chronic pruritus‐inducing dermatitis in an AD‐like model to determine whether IL‐31 not only induces scratching behaviour, but is also the causative factor in an AD phenotype.
Key Results
The scratching behaviour induced by an i.v. injection of IL‐31 was inhibited by pretreatment with an anti‐IL‐31 receptor α‐neutralizing antibody. In contrast, it was not inhibited significantly by a non‐sedative antihistamine (terfenadine), immunosuppressants (dexamethasone and tacrolimus), or a μ‐opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone). The anti‐IL‐31 receptor α‐neutralizing antibody reduced the ear swelling and dermatitis score in a chronic pruritus‐inducing AD‐like model. Moreover, treatment with the anti‐IL‐31 receptor α‐neutralizing antibody showed therapeutic effects on the dermatitis even if it was injected after the disease had developed.
Conclusions and Implications
Anti‐IL‐31 receptor α is a potential novel therapeutic approach for escaping from the itch–scratch cycle and also a treatment for dermatitis in AD.
Paraclinoid aneurysms have been increasingly treated endovascularly. The natural history of these aneurysms has gradually been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and ...efficacy of endovascular treatment for these aneurysms.
We performed a retrospective review of 377 patients with 400 paraclinoid aneurysms treated between January 2006 and December 2012. Their clinical records, endovascular reports, and radiologic and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Because aneurysms ≥7 mm are at higher risk of rupture, we classified aneurysms as small (<7 mm) or large (≥7 mm).
Overall, 115 of the 400 aneurysms (28.8%) were large (≥7 mm). Thromboembolic complications were found significantly more often with large aneurysms than with small ones (7.4% vs 1.0%, P = .001). Hemorrhagic complications were found only with small aneurysms (0.7%). The 6-month morbidity rates were similar for small (1.0%) and large (0.8%) aneurysms. Immediate angiographic outcomes were similar (P = .37), whereas recurrences and retreatment occurred more frequently with large aneurysms (P = .001 and P = .007, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that aneurysm size was the only independent predictor for recurrence (P = .005). Most recurrences (81%) were detected by scheduled angiography at 6 months.
Aneurysm size influenced the type of complication (thromboembolic or hemorrhagic) and the recurrence rate. Given the approximately 1% annual rupture rate for aneurysms ≥7 mm, analysis of our data supports the rationale of using prophylactic endovascular treatment for unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms ≥7 mm.
Functionally graded materials (FGM) have spatial distribution of a material property in order to achieve efficient stress control. An application of the FGM to a solid insulator (spacer) for a ...gaseous insulation system, like gas insulated switchgear, is expected to improve electric field (E-field) distribution around the spacer. In this paper, we describe the applicability of the FGM spacer to gas insulated power equipment. In the FGM spacer, we gave spatial distribution of dielectric permittivity to control the E-field distribution inside and outside the spacer. This paper includes following key results for the applications of the FGM. Firstly, E-field simulation results when applying the FGM by a finite element method are presented, in which we show the effective reduction of the maximum field strength by applying the FGM. Next, a fabrication technique of the FGM spacer sample with not only step-by-step but also continuous changes of permittivity is presented by use of centrifugal force. Finally, dielectric breakdown tests using FGM samples which are accurately controlled the spatial distribution of permittivity are carried out under lightning impulse voltage applications. The test result indicates the increase of breakdown voltage (BDV). From these results, we verified the applicability and the fabrication technique of FGM spacer for improvement of the dielectric strength in the gaseous insulation system.
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