Extreme thermopower anisotropy and interchain transport in the quasi-one-dimensional metal Li0.9Mo6O17.

Thermopower and electrical resistivity measurements transverse to the conducting chains of the quasi-one-dimensional metal Li0.9Mo6O17 are reported in the temperature range 5≤T≤500 K. For T≥400 K the interchain transport is determined by thermal excitation of charge carriers from a valence band ∼0.14 eV below the Fermi level, giving rise to a large, p-type thermopower that coincides with a small, n-type thermopower along the chains. This dichotomy-semiconductorlike in one direction and metallic in a mutually perpendicular direction-gives rise to substantial transverse thermoelectric effects and a transverse thermoelectric figure of merit among the largest known for a single compound.

Giant Nernst effect and bipolarity in the quasi-one-dimensional metal Li0.9Mo6O17.

The Nernst coefficient for the quasi-one-dimensional metal, Li{0.9}Mo{6}O{17}, is found to be among the largest known for metals (ν≃500 µV/KT at T∼20 K), and is enhanced in a broad range of temperature by orders of magnitude over the value expected from Boltzmann theory for carrier diffusion. A comparatively small Seebeck coefficient implies that Li{0.9}Mo{6}O{17} is bipolar with large, partial Seebeck coefficients of opposite sign. A very large thermomagnetic figure of merit, ZT∼0.5, is found at high field in the range T≈35-50 K.

Asymmetric orbital-lattice interactions in ultrathin correlated oxide films.

Using resonant x-ray spectroscopies combined with density functional calculations, we find an asymmetric biaxial strain-induced d-orbital response in ultrathin films of the correlated metal LaNiO3 which are not accessible in the bulk. The sign of the misfit strain governs the stability of an octahedral "breathing" distortion, which, in turn, produces an emergent charge-ordered ground state with an altered ligand-hole density and bond covalency. Control of this new mechanism opens a pathway to rational orbital engineering, providing a platform for artificially designed Mott materials.

Spastic dysphonia: treatment by selective section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Selective section of the adductor branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve appears to result in phonatory results similar to complete nerve section without the inherent morbidity. The abductor branch to the posterior cricoid-arytenoid muscle remains intact for glottic opening during inspiration. We emphasize the importance of careful preoperative patient evaluation as described by Dedo. All patients should be seen by a speech therapist and undergo a trial of speech therapy prior to surgical evaluation. A test block of the recurrent nerve with 1% xylocaine is imperative to allow the patient to hear the postoperative speech characteristics and give him a realistic expectation of the surgical result. We find that patients and referring professionals more readily accept the concept of selective nerve section.

Artificial larynx prosthesis: comparative clinical evaluation.

The work pioneered by Drs. Singer and Blom established the clinical feasibility of controlled tracheoesophageal fistula for generation of fluent esophageal speech. There have been numerous practical difficulties that have been encountered with the use of voice prosthesis. Problems encountered are: extrusion, speech initiation delay, leakage around the prosthesis, stoma obstruction, and low volume output. A second generation laryngeal prosthesis is introduced for comparison. Its design incorporates features that will significantly improve the clinical problems encountered; extrusion is minimized; and the new prosthesis allows for one size to fit all patients. A clinical trial was established to directly compare the artificial speech generated by the currently existing laryngeal prosthesis. Each laryngectomy patient was fitted with three different devices and the resulting speech was evaluated. Video recordings of patients are presented to illustrate the type of speech produced by each device. Comparisons of intelligibility, fluency, volume, and patient preference are made. Results indicate that a significant variation in the speech obtained is critically dependent on the choice of prosthesis.

Selective section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve for the treatment of spastic dysphonia: an experimental study and preliminary clinical report.

The experimental and clinical results of the surgical treatment of patients with spastic dysphonia by selective section of the adductor branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve are described. Experimental selective nerve section in dogs appears to retain cordal abduction during inspiration while producing a partial adductor paralysis. Selective section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve has been performed in four patients with 18- to 24-month follow-up. Speech results have been good with maintenance of partial vocal cord motion. No patient has experienced a return of spasticity. We theorize that selective nerve section may decrease the likelihood of the long-term failure that has been seen with complete nerve section by preventing medial fixation of the paralyzed vocal cord.

Giant electrothermal conductivity and spin-phonon coupling in an antiferromagnetic oxide.

The application of weak electric fields ( less, similar 100 V/cm) is found to dramatically enhance the lattice thermal conductivity of the antiferromagnetic insulator CaMnO3 over a broad range of temperature about the Néel ordering point (125 K). The effect is coincident with field-induced detrapping of bound electrons, suggesting that phonon scattering associated with short- and long-ranged antiferromagnetic order is suppressed in the presence of the mobilized charge. This interplay between bound charge and spin-phonon coupling might allow for the reversible control of spin fluctuations using weak external fields.

Molsidomine in the treatment of acute heart failure.

In this report we present the results of hemodynamic monitoring with a Swan-Ganz balloon catheter in 14 patients with heart failure associated with acute myocardial infarction, before and during 8 hours after a single oral dose of molsidomine (6 mg). Molsidomine induced the following changes: heart rate was reduced between 1.6% and 4.7% (significant at 4 hours, p less than 0.05); systolic blood pressure decreased 8.4% at 1 hour (p less than 0.05); pulmonary capillary pressure decreased approximately 30% (significant and lasting until 8 hours after administration, p less than 0.002); cardiac index did not change significantly, although individual analysis showed an increase in 6 of 12 cases; stroke volume index increased by 6% (significant at 1 hour, p less than 0.025); and left ventricular stroke work index increased from 9.8% to 24.5% (significant at 1 and 4 hours, p less than 0.01 and 0.025). These findings show the beneficial hemodynamic effects of molsidomine in patients with heart failure complicating acute myocardial infarction.

Haemodynamic effects of oral molsidomine in pump failure complicating myocardial infarction.

Haemodynamic monitoring, using a Swan-Ganz balloon catheter, was done in 14 patients with pump failure associated with acute myocardial infarction, before and for 8 h after single 6 mg oral dose of molsidomine. The following changes effects were found: HR fell by 1.6 to 4.7% (significant at 4th hour; p less than 0.05); SBP was 8.4% lower after 1 h (p less than 0.05); PCP was decreased by approximately 30%, a significant effect that lasted for 8 hours (p less than 0.002). CI did not change significantly, although individual analysis showed it to have increased in 6 out of 12 cases. Stroke volume index was increased by about 6% (significant after 1 h, p less than 0.025). The left ventricular stroke work index also increased from 9.8 to 24.5% (significant after 1 and 4 h, p less than 0.01 and 0.025). These findings show the beneficial haemodynamic effects of molsidomine in pump failure complicating acute myocardial infarction.