Coexistence of Surface Ferromagnetism and a Gapless Topological State in MnBi_{2}Te_{4}.

Surface magnetism and its correlation with the electronic structure are critical to understanding the topological surface state in the intrinsic magnetic topological insulator MnBi_{2}Te_{4}. Here, using static and time resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we find a significant ARPES intensity change together with a gap opening on a Rashba-like conduction band. Comparison with a model simulation strongly indicates that the surface magnetism on cleaved MnBi_{2}Te_{4} is the same as its bulk state. The inability of surface ferromagnetism to open a gap in the topological surface state uncovers the novel complexity of MnBi_{2}Te_{4} that may be responsible for the low quantum anomalous Hall temperature of exfoliated MnBi_{2}Te_{4}.

Phase diagram of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ revisited.

In cuprate superconductors, the doping of carriers into the parent Mott insulator induces superconductivity and various other phases whose characteristic temperatures are typically plotted versus the doping level p. In most materials, p cannot be determined from the chemical composition, but it is derived from the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, using the assumption that the Tc dependence on doping is universal. Here, we present angle-resolved photoemission studies of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ, cleaved and annealed in vacuum or in ozone to reduce or increase the doping from the initial value corresponding to Tc = 91 K. We show that p can be determined from the underlying Fermi surfaces and that in-situ annealing allows mapping of a wide doping regime, covering the superconducting dome and the non-superconducting phase on the overdoped side. Our results show a surprisingly smooth dependence of the inferred Fermi surface with doping. In the highly overdoped regime, the superconducting gap approaches the value of 2Δ0 = (4 ± 1)kBTc.

Energy dissipation from a correlated system driven out of equilibrium.

In complex materials various interactions have important roles in determining electronic properties. Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) is used to study these processes by resolving the complex single-particle self-energy and quantifying how quantum interactions modify bare electronic states. However, ambiguities in the measurement of the real part of the self-energy and an intrinsic inability to disentangle various contributions to the imaginary part of the self-energy can leave the implications of such measurements open to debate. Here we employ a combined theoretical and experimental treatment of femtosecond time-resolved ARPES (tr-ARPES) show how population dynamics measured using tr-ARPES can be used to separate electron-boson interactions from electron-electron interactions. We demonstrate a quantitative analysis of a well-defined electron-boson interaction in the unoccupied spectrum of the cuprate Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x characterized by an excited population decay time that maps directly to a discrete component of the equilibrium self-energy not readily isolated by static ARPES experiments.

Spin-orbit interactions and the nematicity observed in the fe-based superconductors.

High-resolution angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy is used to examine the electronic band structure of FeTe_{0.5}Se_{0.5} near the Brillouin zone center. A consistent separation of the α_{1} and α_{2} bands is observed with little k_{z} dependence of the α_{1} band. First-principles calculations for bulk and thin films demonstrate that the antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe atoms and hybridization-induced spin-orbit effects lifts the degeneracy of the Fe d_{xz} and d_{yz} orbitals at the zone center leading to orbital ordering. These experimental and computational results provide a natural microscopic basis for the nematicity observed in the Fe-based superconductors.

Laboratory identification of donor-derived coxsackievirus b3 transmission.

Unexpected donor-to-recipient infectious disease transmission is an important, albeit rare, complication of solid organ transplantation. Greater work and understanding about the epidemiology of these donor-derived transmissions is continually required to further mitigate this risk. Herein we present the first reported case of proven donor-derived transmission of coxsackievirus serogroup-3, an enterovirus, following solid organ transplant. Swift and effective communication between the organ donation agency, treating physicians, laboratory testing and notification ensured a coordinated approach. The resulting clinical syndromes in the organ recipients were mild. This case highlights the requirement for ongoing surveillance over a broad range of infecting pathogens that may present as a donor-derived infection.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission in households of infected cases: a pooled analysis of primary data from three studies across international settings.

Diverse strain types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause infections in community settings worldwide. To examine heterogeneity of spread within households and to identify common risk factors for household transmission across settings, primary data from studies conducted in New York (USA), Breda (The Netherlands), and Melbourne (Australia) were pooled. Following MRSA infection of the index patient, household members completed questionnaires and provided nasal swabs. Swabs positive for S. aureus were genotyped by spa sequencing. Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios for transmission of the clinical isolate to non-index household members. Great diversity of strain types existed across studies. Despite differences between studies, the index patient being colonized with the clinical isolate at the home visit (P < 0·01) and the percent of household members aged <18 years (P < 0·01) were independently associated with transmission. Targeted decolonization strategies could be used across geographical settings to limit household MRSA transmission.

Community-onset Staphylococcus aureus infections presenting to general practices in South-eastern Australia.

Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections are a public health concern, yet little is known about infections that do not present to hospital. We identified community-onset S. aureus infections via specimens submitted to a community-based pathology service. Referring doctors confirmed eligibility and described infection site, severity and treatment. Isolates were characterized on antibiotic resistance, PFGE, MLST/SCCmec, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), representing 106 community-onset infections; 34 non-multiresistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (nmMRSA) (resistant to <3 non-ß-lactam antibiotics), 15 multiply antibiotic-resistant MRSA (mMRSA) and 57 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Most (93%) were skin and soft tissue infections. PVL genes were carried by 42% of nmMRSA isolates [95% confidence interval (CI) 26-61] and 15% of MSSA (95% CI 8-28). PVL was associated with infections of the trunk, head or neck (56·4% vs. 24·3%, P=0·005) in younger patients (23 vs. 52 years, P<0·001), and with boils or abscesses (OR 8·67, 95% CI 2·9-26·2), suggesting underlying differences in exposure and/or pathogenesis.

Vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration, host comorbidities and mortality in Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia.

We reported an association between elevated vancomycin MIC and 30-day mortality in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB), including patients with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) treated with flucloxacillin. A detailed analysis of comorbidities and disease severity scores in the same cohort of patients was performed to ascertain if unknown clinical parameters may have influenced these results. The association between elevated vancomycin MIC and 30-day mortality in SAB remained significant (p 0.001) on multivariable logistic regression analysis even when accounting for clinical factors. In addition, the association persisted when restricting analysis to patients with MSSA bacteraemia treated with flucloxacillin. This suggests that elevated vancomycin MIC is associated with but not causally linked to an organism factor that is responsible for increased mortality.

Long-term follow-up of contacts exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Victoria, Australia, 1995-2010.

SETTING: The effectiveness of public health strategies following exposure to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To perform long-term follow-up of MDR-TB contacts and review individual outcomes and management approaches. DESIGN: Retrospective review of MDR-TB contacts identified by the Victorian Department of Health from 1995 to 2010. Health records, including personal medical and pharmacy records and statewide clinical and laboratory TB databases, were searched to identify management strategies and individual outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 570 contacts of 47 MDR-TB cases were identified, with a total follow-up period of 3093 person-years of observation (PYO) since exposure. Of 570 contacts, 49 (8.6%) were considered likely to have been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis from index cases, and 11/49 (22.5%) of these were prescribed preventive therapy tailored to isolate susceptibility. No MDR-TB cases occurred in those receiving preventive treatment, while two cases were observed in those not treated (incidence 2878/100 000 PYO during the first 2 years post exposure). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of MDR-TB transmission to close contacts in this low-prevalence setting highlights the potential for public health strategies involving preventive treatment.

The electron spectro-microscopy beamline at National Synchrotron Light Source II: a wide photon energy range, micro-focusing beamline for photoelectron spectro-microscopies.

A comprehensive optical design for a high-resolution, high-flux, wide-energy range, micro-focused beamline working in the vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray photon energy range is proposed. The beamline is to provide monochromatic radiation to three photoelectron microscopes: a full-field x-ray photoelectron emission microscope and two scanning instruments, one dedicated to angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (µ-ARPES) and one for ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning photoelectron microscopy (AP-XPS/SPEM). Microfocusing is achieved with state of the art elliptical cylinders, obtaining a spot size of 1 µm for ARPES and 0.5 µm for AP-XPS/SPEM. A detailed ray tracing analysis quantitatively evaluates the overall beamline performances.

Doxycycline vs. macrolides in combination therapy for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.

We assessed the comparative efficacy of empirical therapy with beta-lactam plus macrolide vs. beta-lactam plus doxycycline for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among patients in the Australian Community-Acquired Pneumonia Study. Both regimens demonstrated similar outcomes against CAP due to either 'atypical' (Chlamydophila, Legionella or Mycoplasma spp.) or typical bacterial pathogens.

Reconstructed Fermi surface of underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+δ) cuprate superconductors.

The Fermi surface topologies of underdoped samples of the high-T(c) superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+δ) have been measured with angle resolved photoemission. By examining thermally excited states above the Fermi level, we show that the observed Fermi surfaces in the pseudogap phase are actually components of fully enclosed hole pockets. The spectral weight of these pockets is vanishingly small at the magnetic zone boundary, creating the illusion of Fermi "arcs." The area of the pockets as measured in this study is consistent with the doping level, and hence carrier density, of the samples measured. Furthermore, the shape and area of the pockets is well reproduced by phenomenological models of the pseudogap phase as a spin liquid.

Properties of hydrogen terminated diamond as a photocathode.

Electron emission from the negative electron affinity (NEA) surface of hydrogen terminated, boron doped diamond in the [100] orientation is investigated using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). ARPES measurements using 16 eV synchrotron and 6 eV laser light are compared and found to show a catastrophic failure of the sudden approximation. While the high energy photoemission is found to yield little information regarding the NEA, low energy laser ARPES reveals for the first time that the NEA results from a novel Franck-Condon mechanism coupling electrons in the conduction band to the vacuum. The result opens the door to the development of a new class of NEA electron emitter based on this effect.

Nonequilibrium band mapping of unoccupied bulk states below the vacuum level by two-photon photoemission.

We demonstrate angle-resolved, tunable, two-photon photoemission (2PPE) to map a bulk unoccupied band, viz. the Cu sp band 0 to 1 eV below the vacuum level, in the vicinity of the L point. This short-lived bulk band is seen due to the strong optical pump rate, and the observed transition energies and their dispersion with photon energy ℏω, are in excellent agreement with tight-binding band-structure calculations. The variation of the final-state energy with ℏω has a measured slope of ∼1.64 in contrast to values of 1 or 2 observed for 2PPE from two-dimensional states. This unique variation illustrates the significant role of the perpendicular momentum ℏk_{⊥} in 2PPE.

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma: an elusive cause of pyrexia of unknown origin diagnosed postmortem.

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare cause of pyrexia of unknown origin. Because of its protean clinical manifestations, diagnosis is elusive and is often made postmortem. We report here a case of IVLBCL that evaded diagnosis despite multiple investigations in vivo for pyrexia of unknown origin over a 5‐month period.

Association between severe pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and immunoglobulin G(2) subclass deficiency.

BACKGROUND: . Severe pandemic 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) infection is associated with risk factors that include pregnancy, obesity, and immunosuppression. After identification of immunoglobulin G(2) (IgG(2)) deficiency in 1 severe case, we assessed IgG subclass levels in a cohort of patients with H1N1 infection. METHODS: Patient features, including levels of serum IgG and IgG subclasses, were assessed in patients with acute severe H1N1 infection (defined as infection requiring respiratory support in an intensive care unit), patients with moderate H1N1 infection (defined as inpatients not hospitalized in an intensive care unit), and a random sample of healthy pregnant women. RESULTS: Among the 39 patients with H1N1 infection (19 with severe infection, 7 of whom were pregnant; 20 with moderate infection, 2 of whom were pregnant), hypoabuminemia (P < .001), anemia (P < .001), and low levels of total IgG (P= .01), IgG(1) (P= .022), and IgG(2) (15 of 19 vs 5 of 20; P= .001; mean value +/- standard deviation [SD], 1.8 +/- 1.7 g/L vs 3.4 +/- 1.4 g/L; P= .003) were all statistically significantly associated with severe H1N1 infection, but only hypoalbuminemia (P= .02) and low mean IgG(2) levels (P= .043) remained significant after multivariate analysis. Follow-up of 15 (79%) surviving IgG(2)-deficient patients at a mean (+/- SD) of 90 +/- 23 days (R, 38-126) after the initial acute specimen was obtained found that hypoalbuminemia had resolved in most cases, but 11 (73%) of 15 patients remained IgG(2) deficient. Among 17 healthy pregnant control subjects, mildly low IgG(1) and/or IgG(2) levels were noted in 10, but pregnant patients with H1N1 infection had significantly lower levels of IgG(2) (P= .001). CONCLUSIONS: Severe H1N1 infection is associated with IgG(2) deficiency, which appears to persist in a majority of patients. Pregnancy-related reductions in IgG(2) level may explain the increased severity of H1N1 infection in some but not all pregnant patients. The role of IgG(2) deficiency in the pathogenesis of H1N1 infection requires further investigation, because it may have therapeutic implications.

Prospective comparison of the clinical impacts of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-susceptible MRSA.

Although methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (RVS-MRSA; including vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus [VISA] and heterogeneous VISA [hVISA]) have been linked with vancomycin treatment failure, it is unclear whether they are more pathogenic than vancomycin-susceptible MRSA (VS-MRSA). We prospectively assessed patients with clinical MRSA isolates during a 10-month period to determine clinical status (infection versus colonization) and therapeutic outcome before correlating these findings with the results of detailed in vitro assessment of vancomycin susceptibility, including population analysis profile (PAP) testing. hVISA and VISA were defined by standard PAP criteria (area-under-the-curve ratio compared to that of the reference hVISA strain Mu3 [>or=0.9]) and routine CLSI criteria (vancomycin MIC, 4 to 8 microg/ml), respectively. Among the 117 patients assessed, 58 had RVS-MRSA isolates (56 hVISA and 2 VISA) and 59 had VS-MRSA isolates; the patient demographics and comorbidities were similar. RVS-MRSA was associated with a lower rate of infection than VS-MRSA (29/58 versus 46/59; P = 0.003), including a lower rate of bacteremia (3/58 versus 20/59, respectively; P < 0.001). The cure rates in RVS-MRSA and VS-MRSA groups were not statistically different (16/26 versus 31/42; P = 0.43), but the post hoc assessment of treatment regimes and study size made detailed conclusions difficult. The results of the macro method Etest correlated well with the PAP results (sensitivity, 98.3%, and specificity, 91.5%), but broth microdilution and our preliminary RVS-MRSA detection method correlated poorly. All isolates were susceptible to linezolid and daptomycin. These data suggest that detailed prospective laboratory identification of RVS-MRSA isolates may be of limited value and that, instead, such in vitro investigation should be reserved for isolates from patients who are failing appropriate anti-MRSA therapy.

Emergence of preformed Cooper pairs from the doped Mott insulating state in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta.

Superconductors are characterized by an energy gap that represents the energy needed to break the pairs of electrons (Cooper pairs) apart. At temperatures considerably above those associated with superconductivity, the high-transition-temperature copper oxides have an additional 'pseudogap'. It has been unclear whether this represents preformed pairs of electrons that have not achieved the coherence necessary for superconductivity, or whether it reflects some alternative ground state that competes with superconductivity. Paired electrons should display particle-hole symmetry with respect to the Fermi level (the energy of the highest occupied level in the electronic system), but competing states need not show such symmetry. Here we report a photoemission study of the underdoped copper oxide Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) that shows the opening of a symmetric gap only in the anti-nodal region, contrary to the expectation that pairing would take place in the nodal region. It is therefore evident that the pseudogap does reflect the formation of preformed pairs of electrons and that the pairing occurs only in well-defined directions of the underlying lattice.

High rates of fecal carriage of nonenterococcal vanB in both children and adults.

We examined the rate of fecal carriage of vanB in the absence of cultivable vancomycin-resistant enterococci in three distinct populations (children, community adults, and hemodialysis patients). Nonenterococcal vanB carriage was similarly high in hemodialysis patients (45%) and community adults (63%; P = 0.066) and significantly more common among community adults than children (27%; P = 0.001).