Fe-vacancy order and superconductivity in tetragonal ß-Fe1-xSe.

Several superconducting transition temperatures in the range of 30-46 K were reported in the recently discovered intercalated FeSe system (A1-xFe2-ySe2, A = K, Rb, Cs, Tl). Although the superconducting phases were not yet conclusively decided, more than one magnetic phase with particular orders of iron vacancy and/or potassium vacancy were identified, and some were argued to be the parent phase. Here we show the discovery of the presence and ordering of iron vacancy in nonintercalated FeSe (PbO-type tetragonal ß-Fe1-xSe). Three types of iron-vacancy order were found through analytical electron microscopy, and one was identified to be nonsuperconducting and magnetic at low temperature. This discovery suggests that the rich-phases found in A1-xFe2-ySe2 are not exclusive in Fe-Se and related superconductors. In addition, the magnetic ß-Fe1-xSe phases with particular iron-vacancy orders are more likely to be the parent phase of the FeSe superconducting system instead of the previously assigned ß-Fe1+δTe.

[Impact of intrauterine device insertion surgery on women's mental state].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the intrauterine device (IUD) insertion on the mental state of women. METHODS: From Jan. 2009 to Jun. 2010, a multi-center clinical observational study was performed. Totally 641 women were selected in the six provinces' 18 family planning service stations and hospitals for IUD insertion surgery study. Analysis of the change of women's mental state which was evaluated by symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale before and after IUD insertion surgery. RESULTS: Before and after IUD insertion surgery, 10 factors' scores in SCL-90 of the observed objects were between 1.1 to 1.2, total scores were 107±27 and 105±25, respectively. Before and after surgery, total average score both were 1.2, the average score of positive items both were 2.1. The difference of the above results were not statistically significance (all P>0.05). Preoperative and postoperative, the rate of positive items was 9.2%-19.6% and 7.7%-17.6%, respectively.In addition to anxiety and fear, the rate of other factors' positive items postoperative was significantly lower than those in the preoperative (all P<0.05). The incidence of the observed objects postoperative of each factor score, "deteriorated" was in the range of 4.9% to 23.0%, "improved" was in the range of 26.3%-50.1%. The incidence of total scores, "deterioration" was 28.8% (166/575), "improved" was 45.6% (262/575). The incidence of the average score of positive items, "deterioration" was 3.7% (21/575), "improved" was 52.3% (301/575). Logistic analysis showed that, in addition to unit level, there were no other significant influencing factors for women' mental state of postoperative (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: IUD insertion surgery has no adverse effect on women's mental state.

[A multi-center randomized controlled trial of intrauterine device use in Chinese women].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of intrauterine device in Chinese women. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, a total of 24 000 women were randomly (1:1:1) into 3 groups of Yuangong Cu 365 (YCu365), Copper T 380A (TCu380A) and Multiload Cu 375 (MLCu375). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 12 months post-insertion, including discontinuation due to pregnancy, expulsion, hemorrhage and downward displacement, etc. The overall and causal-specific discontinuation rates for adverse events were calculated. RESULTS: At the end of the first year, the discontinuation rate of YCu365 (4.21%) was the lowest, followed by TCu380A (8.42%) and MLCu375 (13.91%) (P < 0.01). The differences of discontinuation rates for pregnancy, expulsion, hemorrhage and downward displacement between these IUDs were also significant. MLCu375, side effect without medical treatment, fewer follow-ups, deeper uterine cavity and previous IUD failure were significantly associated with an increased risk of IUD discontinuation. CONCLUSION: The newly developed indomethacin-releasing YCu365 IUD appears to perform the best. However, its long-term safety and cost-effectiveness should be further evaluated.

Low-temperature rapid synthesis and superconductivity of Fe-based oxypnictide superconductors.

Fe-based oxypnictide superconductors were successfully synthesized at lower reaction temperatures and with shorter reaction times made possible by starting with less stable compounds, which provide a larger driving force for reactions. Using ball-milled powders of intermediate compounds, phase-pure superconductors with T(c) above 50 K were synthesized at 1173 K in 20 min. This method is particularly advantageous for retaining F, a volatile dopant that enhances superconductivity. Bulk superconductivity and high upper critical fields up to 392 T in Sm(0.85)Nd(0.15)FeAsO(0.85)F(0.15) were demonstrated.

Termination of second-trimester pregnancy by mifepristone combined with misoprostol versus intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate (Rivanol®): a systematic review of Chinese trials.

BACKGROUND: Mifepristone combined with misoprostol for second-trimester abortion (MM) and intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate (EL; Rivanol®) are the common methods for termination of second-trimester pregnancy in China. The systematic review of relevant literature was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety on termination of second-trimester pregnancy using MM, introduced in 1988 in China, versus the Chinese routinely used method since 1970 -- EL. The review was conducted to evaluate mifepristone combined with the misoprostol versus intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate in China for termination of second-trimester pregnancy with respect to efficacy, side effects, complications and so on. STUDY DESIGN: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, POPLINE, TOXLINE, World Health Organization-Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Journal Full-text Database and Chinese Science & Technology Journal Database were systematically searched. Reference lists for English and Chinese-language reports (published from 1966 to 2008) were searched. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on second-trimester abortion by combination of mifepristone and misoprostol versus ethacridine lactate, which conducted in China, were analyzed. Trial quality was assessed, and data extraction was made independently by two reviewers. RESULTS: Fifteen original RCTs using MM versus EL were included. Three trials used oral misoprostol, six trials used vaginal misoprostol, and six trials used oral plus vaginal misoprostol. Failure rate of abortion was 2.0% to 5.9% in the MM group and 7.4% to 20.7% in the EL group. The incidence of postabortion curettage was similar in the two groups. The time of labor and hospitalization for abortion in the MM group were shorter compared with EL group. The blood loss within 2 h of abortion in the MM group was significantly less than that in the EL group, but the blood loss within 24 h of abortion was the same in both groups. More gastrointestinal side effects occurred with the MM regimen, whereas cervical injury occurred more often in the EL group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate, mifepristone/misoprostol has a higher success rate and shorter time of labor with more gastrointestinal side effects for termination of second-trimester pregnancy.