Coherent Excitation of Heterosymmetric Spin Waves with Ultrashort Wavelengths.

In the emerging field of magnonics, spin waves are foreseen as signal carriers for future spintronic information processing and communication devices, owing to both the very low power losses and a high device miniaturization potential predicted for short-wavelength spin waves. Yet, the efficient excitation and controlled propagation of nanoscale spin waves remains a severe challenge. Here, we report the observation of high-amplitude, ultrashort dipole-exchange spin waves (down to 80 nm wavelength at 10 GHz frequency) in a ferromagnetic single layer system, coherently excited by the driven dynamics of a spin vortex core. We used time-resolved x-ray microscopy to directly image such propagating spin waves and their excitation over a wide range of frequencies. By further analysis, we found that these waves exhibit a heterosymmetric mode profile, involving regions with anti-Larmor precession sense and purely linear magnetic oscillation. In particular, this mode profile consists of dynamic vortices with laterally alternating helicity, leading to a partial magnetic flux closure over the film thickness, which is explained by a strong and unexpected mode hybridization. This spin-wave phenomenon observed is a general effect inherent to the dynamics of sufficiently thick ferromagnetic single layer films, independent of the specific excitation method employed.

A dataset of modern and fossil distribution of coccolithophore species Florisphaera profunda in the world׳s ocean.

We compiled modern and fossil relative abundance of coccolithophore species Florisphaera profunda from published and unpublished datasets, along with ocean environmental variable data from satellite remote sensing and physical measurements. The database includes relative abundances of F. profunda in sediment trap (n = 26) and core-top (n = 1258), and sediment core samples (n = 104). Downcore data covers the Last Glacial Maximum (n = 94, 24-19 ka) or the Mid-to-Late Holocene (n = 77, <6 ka). This database allows studying modern and past biogeography of F. profunda as a response to changing ocean and climate conditions, "Quantitative reconstruction of primary productivity in low latitudes during the last glacial maximum and the mid-to-late Holocene from a global Florisphaera. profunda calibration dataset" (Hernández-Almeida et al., 2018).

Polymer-free biolimus-A9-coated stent for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The polymer-free biolimus-A9 drug-coated stent (DCS) was reported to have superior safety and efficacy outcomes compared with a bare metal stent in the LEADERS FREE trial of high-bleeding-risk patients with acute coronary syndrome and on dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) for 1 month. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the DCS in a consecutive cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). METHODS: We analyzed data from 164 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PPCI using the DCS at our institution. The primary efficacy endpoint was clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (ciTLR); the primary safety endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and definite/probable stent thrombosis. Clinical outcomes at 1 year are presented here. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61.5 ± 15.5 years, and 86.6% were male. The median symptom-to-balloon-time was 55 min. In 57.9% of patients (n = 95), the infarct had an anterior location. PPCI achieved Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow in 163 of 164 patients (99.4%). All patients were prescribed DAPT for 1 year. At 1 year, ciTLR occurred in 1.2% of patients, the primary safety endpoint was reached in 4.3% of patients, and definite stent thrombosis was noted in 0.6% of patients. CONCLUSION: In this consecutive real-world cohort of patients, the DCS was safe and efficacious when used for PPCI in patients with STEMI.

Crystal Field Splittings in Lanthanide Complexes: Inclusion of Correlation Effects beyond Second Order Perturbation Theory.

State-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations and a subsequent spin-orbit calculation mixing the CASSCF wave functions (CASSCF/state-interaction with spin-orbit coupling) is the conventional approach used for ab initio calculations of crystal-field splittings and magnetic properties of lanthanide complexes. However, this approach neglects dynamical correlation. Complete active space second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) can be used to account for dynamical correlation but suffers from the well-known problems of multireference perturbation theory, e.g., intruder state problems. Variational multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations do not show these problems but are usually not feasible due to the large size of real lanthanide complexes. Here, we present a quasi-local projected internally contracted MRCI approach which makes MRCI calculations of lanthanide complexes feasible and allows assessing the influence of dynamical correlation beyond second-order perturbation theory. We apply the method to two well-studied molecules, namely, [Er{N(SiMe3)2}3] and {C(NH2)3}5[Er(CO3)4]·11H2O.

Fast and reliable ab initio calculation of crystal field splittings in lanthanide complexes.

Ab initio calculations of crystal field splittings and magnetic properties of lanthanide complexes are usually performed using state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations and a subsequent spin-orbit calculation mixing the CASSCF wave functions (CASSCF/state interaction with spin-orbit coupling). Because this approach becomes very time-consuming for large molecules, simplifications have been proposed in the literature to determine the state-averaged orbitals by configuration-averaged Hartree-Fock (CAHF) instead of CASSCF. We present an approach which is an extension of the CAHF method. We combine the techniques of local density fitting with CAHF and achieve a significant speedup compared to CASSCF without loss in accuracy. To assess the performance of our method, we apply it to three well-known molecules, namely, Er[N(SiMe3)2]3, Er(trensal), and the double-decker (NBu4)+ [Er(Pc)2]-.

Tuning magnetic coupling in Sr2IrO4 thin films with epitaxial strain.

We report x-ray resonant magnetic scattering and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering studies of epitaxially strained Sr2IrO4 thin films. The films were grown on SrTiO3 and (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 substrates, under slight tensile and compressive strains, respectively. Although the films develop a magnetic structure reminiscent of bulk Sr2IrO4, the magnetic correlations are extremely anisotropic, with in-plane correlation lengths significantly longer than the out-of-plane correlation lengths. In addition, the compressive (tensile) strain serves to suppress (enhance) the magnetic ordering temperature TN, while raising (lowering) the energy of the zone-boundary magnon. Quantum chemical calculations show that the tuning of magnetic energy scales can be understood in terms of strain-induced changes in bond lengths.

2-year follow-up of Nevo RES-elution I, a randomisedmulticentre comparison of the Nevo Sirolimus-eluting coronarystent system using RES technology with the Taxus LibertéPaclitaxel-eluting stent

Aims: The NEVO™ sirolimus eluting coronary stent is designed to improvelong-term PCI safety by combining sirolimus release from reservoirs withbioabsorbable polymer to reduce spatial and temporal polymer exposure.Absorption of drug and polymer within approximately three months limits theduration of vessel wall exposure to the polymer. Thereafter, only a biologically inertbare-metal platform remains. The NEVO™ stent was first evaluated in the multicenterrandomised NEVO RES-Elution I trial which demonstrated its superiority tothe TAXUS Liberté Paclitaxel - eluting stent.

[Malnutrition and weight loss - nurse assessment of nutritional status and counselling: experiences of patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer]. / Malnutrition und Gewichtsverlust - Erfassen des Ernährungsstatus und Beratung durch Pflegende: Das Erleben von Patienten mit einer neu diagnostizierten oder rezidivierten Tumorerkrankung.

Due to the anorexia-cachexia syndrome, cancer patients are already suffering from nutritional problems and weight loss by the time they receive their diagnosis and start chemotherapy. In the oncology outpatient clinic of a Swiss university hospital, patients currently undergo a nutritional assessment and receive individual counselling at the beginning of cancer treatment. This qualitative study explored cancer patients' experiences with weight loss and nutritional problems as well as how they experienced the assessment and the consecutive counselling by nurses. Interviews were conducted with 12 patients and qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. Results showed that patients barely registered the weight loss and did not interpret it as an early warning signal. Nevertheless, they attempted to improve their nutritional habits soon after diagnosis, prior to receiving any counselling. The patients did not experience the assessment as troublesome. They appreciated the nurses' advice and implemented the suggestions they found appropriate. This study highlights the importance of patient education regarding weight loss and nutritional problems early in the course of an illness. Patients may not be aware of nutritional problems at this early stage and may lack the necessary specialised knowledge. Assessment and counselling provided by nurses offer targeted measures for prevention of malnutrition and weight loss.

Correlation-induced corrections to the band structure of boron nitride: a wave-function-based approach.

We present a systematic study of the correlation-induced corrections to the electronic band structure of zinc-blende BN. Our investigation employs an ab initio wave-function-based local Hamiltonian approach which offers a rigorous theoretical framework for the calculation of the polarization and local charge redistribution effects around an extra electron or hole placed into the conduction or valence bands of semiconducting and insulating materials. Moreover, electron correlations beyond relaxation and polarization can be readily incorporated. The electron correlation treatment is performed on finite clusters. In conducting our study, we make use of localized Wannier functions and embedding potentials derived explicitly from prior periodic Hartree-Fock calculations. The on-site and nearest-neighbor charge relaxations bring corrections of several eV to the Hartree-Fock band gap. Additional corrections are caused by long-range polarization effects. In contrast, the dispersion of the Hartree-Fock bands is marginally affected by electron correlations. Our final result for the fundamental gap of zinc-blende BN compares well with that derived from soft x-ray experiments at the B and N K-edges.

Sirolimus-eluting stents, bare metal stents or coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with multivessel disease including involvement of the proximal left anterior descending artery: analysis of the Arterial Revascularization Therapies study part 2 (ARTS-II).

OBJECTIVE: The The Arterial Revascularization Therapies Study (ARTS)-II trial found no differences in survival or overall adverse events between sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and the surgical arm of ARTS-I. Nevertheless, existing data suggest that patients with disease of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) may derive particular benefit from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We therefore analysed the clinical outcome of patients in ARTS-I and ARTS-II with proximal LAD involvement. DESIGN: Multicentre observational study. SETTING: Forty-five European academic hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in ARTS-II with proximal LAD disease treated with SES (289/607, 48%) were compared with 187/600 (31%) bare metal stent patients (ARTS-I BMS) and 206/605 (34%) surgical patients (ARTS-I CABG) with proximal LAD involvement from ARTS-I. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after 3 years. RESULTS: The Arterial Revascularization Therapies study part 2 (ARTS-II) subgroup had better survival than both ARTS-I groups (ARTS-II 98.6% vs ARTS-I BMS 95.7%, p = 0.05 and vs ARTS-I CABG 94.7%, p = 0.01) and lower rates of the hard clinical composite endpoint of death or non-fatal myocardial infarction (ARTS-II 3.1% vs ARTS-I BMS 9.6%, p = 0.002 and vs ARTS-I CABG 9.7%, p = 0.002). Although the ARTS-I CABG patients had a lower need for repeat revascularisation than ARTS-II (5.3% vs 13.1%, p = 0.002), the overall composite adverse event rates (death, myocardial infarction, stroke or any repeat revascularisation) were not significantly different between the ARTS-I CABG and ARTS-II patients (15.0% vs 18.0%, p = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: SES are not inferior to CABG or bare metal stents for the treatment of patients with multivessel coronary disease including involvement of the proximal LAD.

Impact of late incomplete stent apposition after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation on 4-year clinical events: intravascular ultrasound analysis from the multicentre, randomised, RAVEL, E-SIRIUS and SIRIUS trials.

BACKGROUND: The impact of incomplete stent apposition (ISA) after drug-eluting stent implantation determined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) on late clinical events is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical impact of ISA after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) placement during a follow-up period of 4 years. DESIGN: Pooled analysis from the RAVEL, E-SIRIUS and SIRIUS trials, three randomised, multicentre studies comparing SES and bare-metal stents (BMS). METHODS: IVUS at angiographic follow-up was available in 325 patients (SES: n = 180, BMS: n = 145). IVUS images were reviewed for the presence of ISA defined as one or more unapposed stent struts. Clinical follow-up was available for a 4-year period in all patients. Frequency, predictors and clinical sequel of ISA at follow-up after SES and BMS implantation were determined. RESULTS: ISA at follow-up was more common after SES (n = 45 (25%)) than after BMS (n = 12 (8.3%), p<0.001). Canadian Cardiology Society class III or IV angina at stent implantation (odds ratio (OR) = 4.69, 95% CI 2.15 to 10.23, p<0.001) and absence of diabetes (OR = 3.42, 95% CI 1.05 to 11.1, p = 0.041) were predictors of ISA at follow-up after SES placement. Rate of myocardial infarction tended to be slightly higher for ISA than for non-ISA patients. When SES patients only were considered, major adverse cardiac event free survival at 4 years was identical for those with and without ISA at follow-up (11.1% vs 16.3%, p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: ISA at follow-up is more common after SES implantation than after BMS implantation. Considering the current very sensitive IVUS definition, ISA appears to be an IVUS finding without significant impact on the incidence of major adverse cardiac events even during long-term follow-up.

Magnetic vortex core reversal by excitation with short bursts of an alternating field.

The vortex state, characterized by a curling magnetization, is one of the equilibrium configurations of soft magnetic materials and occurs in thin ferromagnetic square and disk-shaped elements of micrometre size and below. The interplay between the magnetostatic and the exchange energy favours an in-plane, closed flux domain structure. This curling magnetization turns out of the plane at the centre of the vortex structure, in an area with a radius of about 10 nanometres--the vortex core. The vortex state has a specific excitation mode: the in-plane gyration of the vortex structure about its equilibrium position. The sense of gyration is determined by the vortex core polarization. Here we report on the controlled manipulation of the vortex core polarization by excitation with small bursts of an alternating magnetic field. The vortex motion was imaged by time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. We demonstrate that the sense of gyration of the vortex structure can be reversed by applying short bursts of the sinusoidal excitation field with amplitude of about 1.5 mT. This reversal unambiguously indicates a switching of the out-of-plane core polarization. The observed switching mechanism, which can be understood in the framework of micromagnetic theory, gives insights into basic magnetization dynamics and their possible application in data storage.

Somatic mutations of KIT in familial testicular germ cell tumours.

Somatic mutations of the KIT gene have been reported in mast cell diseases and gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Recently, they have also been found in mediastinal and testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs), particularly in cases with bilateral disease. We screened the KIT coding sequence (except exon 1) for germline mutations in 240 pedigrees with two or more cases of TGCT. No germline mutations were found. Exons 10, 11 and 17 of KIT were examined for somatic mutations in 123 TGCT from 93 multiple-case testicular cancer families. Five somatic mutations were identified; four were missense amino-acid substitutions in exon 17 and one was a 12 bp in-frame deletion in exon 11. Two of seven TGCT from cases with bilateral disease carried KIT mutations compared with three out of 116 unilateral cases (P=0.026). The results indicate that somatic KIT mutations are implicated in the development of a minority of familial as well as sporadic TGCT. They also lend support to the hypothesis that KIT mutations primarily take place during embryogenesis such that primordial germ cells with KIT mutations are distributed to both testes.

Theoretical investigations of proton-bound cluster ions.

Several proton-bound cluster ions have been studied by means of coupled cluster calculations with large basis sets. Among these are complexes of a krypton or xenon atom with the cations HCO+, HN2+ and HNCH+. Various spectroscopic properties have been calculated in all cases. Effects of vibrational anharmonicity are particularly pronounced for the intramolecular stretching vibrations of Kr...HN2+ and Xe...HN2+. The proton stretching vibration of (N2)H+(N2) is predicted around 800 cm-1, with a large transition dipole moment of 1.15 D. Both (N2)H+(N2) and (HCN)H+(NCH) have linear centrosymmetric equilibrium structures. Those of (OC)H+(CO) and (HCC-)H+(CCH-) are asymmetric with barrier heights to the centrosymmetric saddle points of 382 and 2323 cm-1, respectively. The dissociation energy of the anionic complex Cl-...HCCH is calculated to be Do = 3665 cm-1, 650 cm-1 larger than the corresponding value for Br-...HCCH. The complex between a fluoride ion and acetylene is more strongly bound and shows strongly anharmonic behaviour, similar to the bihalides FHF- or ClHCl-. Strong Fermi resonance interaction is predicted between nu 3 (approximately proton stretch) and 2 nu 4 (first overtone of intermolecular stretch).

Advantages of short-lived positron-emitting radioisotopes for intracoronary radiation therapy with liquid-filled balloons to prevent restenosis.

UNLABELLED: Balloon catheters filled with liquid radioisotopes provide excellent dose homogeneity for intracoronary radiation therapy but are associated with risk for rupture or leakage. We hypothesized that the safety of liquid-filled balloons may be improved once positron emitters with half-lives below 2 h are used instead of the high-energy beta-emitters 166Ho, 186Re, or 188Re, all of which have a longer half-life of at least 17 h. METHODS: To support this concept, the suitability of 18F (half-life, 109.8 min), 68Ga (half-life, 67.6 min), 11C (half-life, 20.4 min), 13N (half-life, 9.97 min), and 15O (half-life, 2.04 min) for intracoronary radiation therapy was evaluated. Potential tissue penetration of positron radiation was assessed in a series of phantom experiments using Gafchromic film. Antiproliferative efficacy of positrons emitted by 68Ga was investigated in vitro using cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (BASMCs), and was compared with gamma-radiation emitted by 137Cs. To characterize the remaining risk, we estimated radiotoxicity after accidental intravascular balloon rupture on the basis of tabulated isotope-specific doses (ICRP 53) and compared these values with 188Re. RESULTS: Half-dose depth of tissue penetration measured in phantom experiments was 0.29 mm for 18F, 0.42 mm for 11C, 0.54 mm for 13N, 0.79 mm for 15O, and 0.9 mm for 68Ga. Irradiation of cultured BASMCs with positron radiation (68Ga) induced dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation with complete proliferative arrest at doses exceeding 6 Gy. ED(50) and ED(80) were 2.5 +/- 0.4 Gy (mean +/- SD) and 4.4 +/- 0.8 Gy, respectively. Antiproliferative efficacy was equal to that of the 662-keV gamma-radiation emitted by 137Cs (ED(50), 3.8 +/- 0.2 Gy; ED(80), 8.0 +/- 0.3 Gy). Estimates made for patient whole-body and organ doses were generally below 50 mSv/1.85 GBq for all investigated positron emitters. The same dose estimates for 188Re were 6-20 fold higher. CONCLUSION: Among the studied radioisotopes, 68Ga is the most attractive source for liquid-filled balloons because of its convenient half-life, sufficient positron energy (2.92 MeV), documented antiproliferative efficacy, and uncomplicated availability from a radioisotope generator. The safety profile for 68Ga is significantly better than that of 188Re, which suggests this radioisotope should be evaluated further in preclinical studies.

Ab initio calculations on bismuth cluster polycations.

Ab initio calculations on bismuth polycationic species of the types Bi(n(n-2))+, Bi(n(n-4))+, and Bi(n(n-6))+ (n = 3 - 12) were performed at the Hartree-Fock and density functional theory levels in order to investigate their general properties and the applicability of Wade's rules on bismuth polycations. Some exceptions to Wade's rules were encountered, and, moreover, several predicted and calculated minima show only meta-stable behavior. The bonding in bismuth polycations is characterized by a high degree of electron delocalization and "three-dimensional aromaticity".

Liquid-filled balloon brachytherapy using (68)Ga is effective and safe because of the short 68-minute half-life: results of a feasibility study in the porcine coronary overstretch model.

BACKGROUND: Liquid-filled balloons for coronary brachytherapy provide significant advantages over solid sources in dose homogeneity but carry the risk of life-threatening radiointoxication after balloon rupture and laboratory contamination in case of a spill. We hypothesized that the positron emitter (68)Ga, with a half-life of only 68 minutes, was well suited to overcome these safety obstacles while providing full therapeutic efficacy. METHODS AND RESULTS: The feasibility, efficacy, and safety of (68)Ga liquid-filled balloon brachytherapy were investigated in the porcine coronary overstretch model. Four groups of 5 balloon-induced coronary lesions were irradiated with 8, 12, 16, and 24 Gy targeted to the adventitia. Ten unirradiated lesions served as controls. Segments treated with 16 or 24 Gy exhibited marked suppression of neointimal proliferation at 28-day follow-up, with quantitative parameters of intraluminal proliferation reduced to <20%. This beneficial effect was not compromised by untoward edge effects. Uninjured but irradiated vessels did not show histological signs of radiation damage. The (68)Ga whole-body dose due to balloon rupture was estimated to be 5 rem/50 mCi treatment activity and compared favorably with that of (188)Re (78 rem/50 mCi). CONCLUSIONS: (68)Ga positron radiation suppresses neointimal proliferation at doses of 16 and 24 Gy. This biological efficacy, coupled with the attractive safety profile, suggests the selection of (68)Ga as an attractive isotope for liquid-filled balloon brachytherapy.