Electrically induced and detected Néel vector reversal in a collinear antiferromagnet.

Antiferromagnets are enriching spintronics research by many favorable properties that include insensitivity to magnetic fields, neuromorphic memory characteristics, and ultra-fast spin dynamics. Designing memory devices with electrical writing and reading is one of the central topics of antiferromagnetic spintronics. So far, such a combined functionality has been demonstrated via 90° reorientations of the Néel vector generated by the current-induced spin orbit torque and sensed by the linear-response anisotropic magnetoresistance. Here we show that in the same antiferromagnetic CuMnAs films as used in these earlier experiments we can also control 180° Néel vector reversals by switching the polarity of the writing current. Moreover, the two stable states with opposite Néel vector orientations in this collinear antiferromagnet can be electrically distinguished by measuring a second-order magnetoresistance effect. We discuss the general magnetic point group symmetries allowing for this electrical readout effect and its specific microscopic origin in CuMnAs.

Antiferromagnetic CuMnAs multi-level memory cell with microelectronic compatibility.

Antiferromagnets offer a unique combination of properties including the radiation and magnetic field hardness, the absence of stray magnetic fields, and the spin-dynamics frequency scale in terahertz. Recent experiments have demonstrated that relativistic spin-orbit torques can provide the means for an efficient electric control of antiferromagnetic moments. Here we show that elementary-shape memory cells fabricated from a single-layer antiferromagnet CuMnAs deposited on a III-V or Si substrate have deterministic multi-level switching characteristics. They allow for counting and recording thousands of input pulses and responding to pulses of lengths downscaled to hundreds of picoseconds. To demonstrate the compatibility with common microelectronic circuitry, we implemented the antiferromagnetic bit cell in a standard printed circuit board managed and powered at ambient conditions by a computer via a USB interface. Our results open a path towards specialized embedded memory-logic applications and ultra-fast components based on antiferromagnets.

[Consumption of white wine retards development of atherosclerosis and affects anticoagulation]. / Pití bílého vína k veceri oddaluje aterosklerózu a pusobí antikoagulacne.

BACKGROUND: An inverse relationship between moderate alcohol use and coronary heart disease was found in various countries. Aims of the study were to find out whether drinking of moravian white wine will have the same effect on lipoproteins and fibrinogen as described in foreign wines. Blood pressure, body mass, blood glucose and a hepatic enzyme were also measured before and after drinking. METHODS AND RESULTS: Drinking of the Moravian white wine (vintage 1999; alcohol 11.48 vol %) was studied in 50 men aged 44.4 (SD 9.25) years. Drinking of 350 ml (40.2 g of alcohol) every evening for four weeks without any change of dietary factors followed in 45 men by statistically significant increase in HDL cholesterol from 1.17 to 1.25 mmol/l (p < 0.001) and free HDL cholesterol from 0.17 to 0.20 mmol/l (p < 0.0001) and highly significant (p < 0.00001) decrease in plasma fibrinogen level from 3.77 to 3.35 g/l. Nor triglycerides, or blood glucose and BMI were changed after increasing source of carbohydrates in wine. Mean systolic blood pressure of 123.4 mmHg did not change and diastolic blood pressure decreased insignificantly from 78.0 to 76.7 mmHg. Minimal decrease of ALT from 0.60 to 0.59 mukat/l disproved any hepatic disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Everynight moderate drinking of Moravian white wine has similar beneficial effect as consumption of foreign alcohol drinks.

[Endoscopic therapy of an adenoma of Vater's papilla]. / Endoskopická lécba adenomu Vaterské papily.

The authors give an account of a case-history of a patient admitted to the department of surgery on account of obstructive jaundice. ERCP revealed a tumour of the ampulla of Vater and was removed by means of an polypectomy loop. After operation a prompt drop of bilirubin and liver test values was recorded. After three months a check-up ERCP revealed at the site of the papilla patent orifices of the d. choledochus and d. pancreaticus without signs of a relapsing tumour. In benign tumours and under optimal local conditions an endoscopic procedure can be selected.

[An unusual cause for conversion in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Neobvyklá prícina konverze laparoskopické cholecystektomie.

The authors describe the case of a female patient who had a planned operation on account of cholecystolithiasis. An unexpected and undiagnosed cavernous haemangioma of the liver at the site of the gallbladder meant a serious complication of the operation and called for conversion. The authors discuss the necessity of detailed pre-operative diagnosis as a means of prevention of unexpected complications and emphasise the necessity of perfect knowledge of classical surgical procedures.

[How to grasp the gallbladder reliably]. / Jak spolehlive uchopit zlucník?

The authors describe a new laparoscopic instrument to be used for reliable gripping of tissue. The instrument is very simple from the technical aspect. Due to the firm and reliable grip the preparation of tissue is greatly facilitated. This shortens the operation time and is thus less demanding on the patient. The instrument is used currently in clinical practice and proved very useful.