Magneto-transport and thermoelectric studies of antiperovskite semimetal: Mn3SnC.

We explore the magnetotransport and thermoelectric (Seebeck and Nernst coefficients) properties of Mn3SnC, an antiperovskite magnetic Nodal line semimetal. Mn3SnC shows paramagnetic (PM) to concurrent antiferromagnetic (AFM)/ferromagnetic (FM) transition atT∼ 286 K. The electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient indicate the importance of electron-magnon scattering in the concurrent AFM/FM regime. We observed a large positive magnetoresistance (MR) of ∼8.2 at 8 T field near magnetic transition, in the otherwise negative MR behaviour for low temperatures. The electrical resistivity and MR show a weak thermal hysteresis around the boundary of transition temperature and the width of hysteresis decreases as magnetic field increases. Interestingly the Hall and Seebeck coefficients change sign from positive to negative below the transition temperature, highlighting the different scattering for holes and electrons in this multi-band system. The Seebeck and Nernst signal exhibit two sharp anomalies; one at the transition temperature and another at ∼50 K. The anomaly at magnetic transition in the Nernst signal disappear at 8 T magnetic field, owing to the reduction of magnetic fluctuation. A pseudo-gap near the Fermi level produces an upturn with a broad minimum in the Seebeck signal.

Muon spin relaxation and emergence of disorder-induced unconventional dynamic magnetic fluctuations in Dy2Zr2O7.

The disordered pyrochlore oxide Dy2Zr2O7shows the signatures of field-induced spin freezing with remnant zero-point spin-ice entropy at 5 kOe magnetic field. We have performed zero-field and longitudinal field Muon spin relaxation (µSR) studies on Dy2Zr2O7. Our zero field studies reveal the absence of both long-range ordering and spin freezing down to 62 mK. TheµSR relaxation rate exhibits a temperature-independent plateau below 4 K, indicating a dynamic ground state of fluctuating spins similar to the well-known spin ice system Dy2Ti2O7. The low-temperature spin fluctuations persist in the longitudinal field of 20 kOe as well and show unusual field dependence of the relaxation rate, which is uncommon for a spin-liquid system. Our results, combined with the previous studies do not show any evidence of spin ice or spin glass ground state, rather point to a disorder-induced dynamic magnetic ground state in the Dy2Zr2O7material.

Cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty has a better 10 year survival than posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: There has been a long standing debate regarding superiority of cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty over posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty regarding the short-term outcomes as well as long-term survivorship. The proponents of both the techniques have published vast evidence in favor of their respective surgical method and early outcome in meta-analyses does not seem to be significantly different. The decision to select either design should depend on their long-term survivorship but the literature comparing their long-term survival is sparse.This meta-analysis was conducted in order to answer the following questions: (1) Does cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty has a better long-term survival beyond 10 years.compared to posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty? (2) Does cruciate retaining knee arthroplasty has higher complication rates compared to posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty? METHODS: The present systematic review and meta-analysis study was carried out following PRISMA guidelines. The following databases: Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and CINAHL were used to search potentially interesting articles published from database inception until January 2022. Inclusion criteria for articles were: (1) retrospective comparative studies; (2) patients who had undergone a total knee arthroplasty; (3) publications evaluating the long-term survival of cruciate-retaining (CR) versus posterior stabilizing (PS) at a minimum 10 years' follow-up; (4) publications evaluating complications of cruciate-retaining (CR) versus posterior stabilizing (PS) at a minimum 10 years' follow-up; and (5) publications reporting sufficient data regarding the outcomes. We used a fixed-effects design in the case of I2 < 50% and P > 0.05; if not, we adopted a random-effects design [4]. We also performed subgroups and sensitivity analysis in order to assess the possible source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Database searching identified 597 studies to be screened, of which 291 abstracts were revealed as potentially eligible and finally 7 articles were included. The forest plot showed that CR had significantly better survival than PS (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.69-2.80) after 10 years. However, complication rate was not significantly different between CR and PS groups (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.52-1.44; P = 0.57). Subgroup analysis showed that only the period of publication constituted a source of heterogeneity in survivorship outcome. Sensitivity analysis revealed that outcomes did not differ markedly, which indicates that the meta-analysis had strong reliability. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis showed that cruciate retaining prosthesis may be preferred over the posterior stabilized design in view of longer survivorship it offers However, further randomized controlled trials are recommended to confirm this finding.

Field induced spin freezing and low temperature heat capacity of disordered pyrochlore oxide Ho2Zr2O7.

Spin ice materials are the model systems that have a zero-point entropy as T ! 0 K, owing to the frozen disordered states. Here, we chemically alter the well-known spin ice Ho2Ti2O7 by replacing Ti sites with isovalent but larger Zr ion. Unlike the Ho2Ti2O7 which is a pyrochlore material, Ho2Zr2O7 crystallizes in disordered pyrochlore structure. We have performed detailed structural, ac magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity studies on Ho2Zr2O7 to investigate the interplay of structural disorder and frustrated interactions. The zero-field ground state exhibits large magnetic susceptibility and remains dynamic down to 300 mK without showing Pauling's residual entropy. The dynamic state is suppressed continuously with the magnetic field and freezing transition evolves ( 10 K) at a field of 10 kOe. These results suggest that the alteration of chemical order and local strain in Ho2Ti2O7 prevents the development of spin ice state and provides a new material to study the geometrical frustration based on the structure.

Large magnetodielectric coupling in the vicinity of metamagnetic transition in 6H-perovskite Ba3GdRu2O9.

The 6H-perovskites Ba3RRu2O9(R = rare earth element) demonstrate the magnetodielectric (MD) coupling as a manifestation of 4d-4fmagnetic interactions. Here, a detailed study of the structural, magnetic, heat capacity, and MD properties of the 6H-perovskite Ba3GdRu2O9is reported. The signature of long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering ∼14.8 K (TN) is evident from the magnetization and heat capacity studies. TheTNshifts towards the lower temperature side, apart from splitting in two with the application of the magnetic field. Field-dependent magnetization at 2 K shows three metamagnetic transitions with the opening of small hysteresis in different regions. A new transition atT1emerges after the onset of the first metamagnetic transition. Complex magnetic behavior is observed in different magnetic field regions whereas these field regions themselves vary with the temperature. Dielectric response recorded at zero and 80 kOe field exhibits the development of MD coupling well aboveTN. The MD coupling (∼4.5% at 10 K) is enhanced by 25% as compared to the Dy counterpart. Effect of complex magnetic behavior is also conveyed in the MD results where the maximum value of MD coupling is observed in the vicinity of 10 K (onset ofT1) and near the second metamagnetic transition. Our investigation suggests that both Gd and Ru moments align simultaneously atTN. Short-range magnetic ordering is possibly responsible for MD coupling aboveTN.

Manifestation of dissimilar types of magnetism in iron- and chromium-substituted Mn2SnS4.

Mn2SnS4 belongs to the MII2AIVQ4 (M = transition metal; A = Si, Ge and Sn; Q = S, Se and Te) class of compounds that crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm and shows complex magnetic properties. Here we report the synthesis and magnetic properties of Fe- and Cr-substituted Mn2SnS4 quaternary chalcogenides. All these compounds have been synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state route. Room temperature neutron diffraction studies on the specific compositions of chromium- and iron-substituted compounds were performed to obtain the site occupancy of different elements in the unit cell. The neutron diffraction analysis by employing the Rietveld refinement shows that for the Fe-substituted compound, most of the Fe goes to the Mn site with a small amount at the Sn site, while in the Cr-substituted sample, all the Cr occupy the Mn site. However, the Sn site almost remains intact in the case of the Fe-substituted compound, while it is significantly disordered for the Cr-substituted sample as a fraction of Mn occupies the Sn site and an equivalent amount of Sn occupies the Mn site. XPS study shows that both Cr and Fe exist in the +3 oxidation state, while Mn exists in the +2 state and Sn exists in a mixture of +2 and +4 oxidation states. Magnetic property study of these substituted compounds shows different types of magnetism, which is attributed to the variation of d-electrons of the substituent atom. The chromium-doped compounds show ferrimagnetic character along with two transitions: one transition at ∼37 K and another at ∼152 K. However, in Fe-substituted Mn2SnS4 samples, the low-temperature transition disappears and an increase in the high-temperature antiferromagnetic ordering temperature i.e. from 152 K (Mn2SnS4) to 174 K (Mn1.82Fe0.18SnS4) is observed. The increase in the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature in Mn2-xFexSnS4 may be attributed to the increase in the covalence of Mn/Fe-S-Mn/Fe bonds (shorter) with iron substitution.

Evolution of spin freezing transition and structural, magnetic phase diagram of Dy[Formula: see text]La[Formula: see text]Zr[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] (0 [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 2.0).

Dy[Formula: see text]Zr[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] a disordered pyrochlore system, exhibits the spin freezing behavior under the application of the magnetic field. We have performed detailed magnetic studies of Dy[Formula: see text]La[Formula: see text]Zr[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] to understand the evolution of the magnetic spin freezing in the system. Our studies suggest the stabilization of the pyrochlore phase with the substitution of non-magnetic La along with the biphasic mixture of fluorite and pyrochlore phases for the intermediate compositions. We observed that the spin freezing (T[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 17 K) at higher La compositions (1.5 [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 1.99) is similar to the field-induced spin freezing for low La compositions (0 [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 0.5) and the well-known spin ice systems Dy[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] and Ho[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]. The low-temperature magnetic state for higher La compositions (1.5 [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 1.99) culminates into a spin-glass like state below 6 K. Cole-Cole plot and Casimir-du Pr[Formula: see text] fit shows the narrow distribution of spin relaxation time in these compounds.

Structure driven magnetic correlations and magnetodielectric coupling in 6H-perovskite Ba3DyRu2O9.

The 6H-perovskites Ba3(R/M)Ru2O9(R= rare Earth,M= transition metal) exhibit complex magnetism and have been extensively studied recently for their magnetodielectric (MD) properties. Here, we present a detailed study of structural, magnetic, thermodynamic and MD properties of a 6H-perovskite Ba3DyRu2O9. This compound is found to undergo long range antiferromagnetic ordering below ∼5.8 K (TN), along with the presence of metamagnetic transition at low temperatures. The heat capacity shows two additional anomalies at ∼28 K (T1) and ∼33 K (T2), besides the anomaly atTN. Signature of these anomalies is also visible in the derivative of magnetization curve. The dielectric response also shows weak anomalies aroundT1andT2at zero field whereas anomaly atT2gets suppressed at 80 kOe. The observed MD coupling of ∼2%-4% at 80 kOe field below ∼30 K temperature range, is among the highest values observed for the compounds of this family. Low temperature crystal structures of the compound show sharp distortion of Ru2O9octahedra nearT2. Our study points toward the emergence of structurally driven spin correlations of Ru moments resulting in the observed MD coupling in this compound.

Electronic and topological properties of group-10 transition metal dichalcogenides.

The group 10 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) (MX 2: M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = S, Se, Te) have attracted much attention in the last few decades because of observation of exotic phases and phenomena such as superconductivity (SC), topological surface states (TSSs), type II Dirac fermions, helical spin texture, Rashba effect, 3D Dirac plasmons, metal-insulator transitions, charge density waves (CDW) etc. In this review, we cover the experimental and theoretical progress on the physical phenomena influenced by the strong electron-electron correlation of the group-10 TMDs from the past to the present. We have especially emphasized on the SC and topological phases in the bulk as well as in atomically thin materials.

Experimental setup for the Seebeck and Nernst coefficient measurements.

A new experimental setup is designed for the measurement of Seebeck and Nernst coefficients on the single crystal flakes and polycrystalline samples. The setup utilizes the multifunctional probe assembly of the physical property measurement system by Quantum Design, Inc. and can measure in the temperature range of 1.8 K-380 K up to 8 T magnetic fields. The experimental measurement was fully automated through a computer using the code written in LabVIEW software. The setup is capable of measurements on samples as small as 2 × 1 mm2 in size and thickness as small as a few micrometers, which is quite important for the crystal flakes grown using the vapor transport method. The determination of the coefficients is based on the quasi-static approach, with the thermal gradient of 0.2 K-1.2 K across the sample in the measured temperature range of 1.8 K-300 K. The sensitivity of the instrument is better than 0.1 µV/K, and the accuracy is better than ∼0.5 µV/K, which can be further improved with the better quality of electrical contacts on the sample. The Seebeck and Nernst coefficient measurements performed on some well-studied semimetallic (bismuth), thermoelectric (Bi2Se3), and superconducting (FeTe0.5Se0.5) systems are also presented.

Mixed-valent antimony-induced disorder in substituted antiferromagnetic Mn2SnS4.

Among MII2AIVQ4 (M = transition metal; A = Si, Ge, and Sn; Q = S, Se, and Te)-type compounds, most of which crystallize in an olivine or spinel structure, Mn2SnS4 is a unique compound that crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmmm and exhibits complex magnetic properties. In this article, we report synthesis and study of the effect of Sb substitution (up to 20%) on the magnetic properties of Mn2SnS4. All the compounds were found to be in a single phase and indexed with the orthorhombic parent structure. Rietveld refinement of the room-temperature neutron diffraction data of Mn2Sn0.85Sb0.15S4 sample shows that Sb occupies the Mn site by replacing an equivalent amount of Mn. Subsequently, the replaced Mn occupies the Sn site causing disorder at both the Mn and the Sn sites, and the refined composition (Mn1.85(1)Sb0.15(1))(Sn0.85(1)Mn0.15(1))S4 is obtained. Although the purpose of incorporation of Sb(iii) was to create a mixed valence state at the Mn site, XPS study shows contrasting results. Sb exists in a mixed valence state, Sb(iii) and Sb(v), which balances the charge at the Sn(iv) site. Magnetic study of the compounds shows a very interesting trend. Pure Mn2SnS4 shows two magnetic transitions: one at 152 K that corresponds to antiferromagnetic ordering and other at 53 K corresponding to weak ferromagnetic ordering possibly due to spin canting. With antimony substitution, the temperature (152 K) of antiferromagnetic ordering remains unchanged, whereas the temperature of weak ferromagnetic ordering gradually increases with an increase in the Sb content from 53 K for the undoped compound to 88 K for 20% Sb-doped Mn2SnS4. The increase in the temperature of weak ferromagnetic ordering could be attributed to the incorporation of Sb, which induces more disorder at the Mn site, thereby making the magnetic lattice dilute with reduced frustration.

Emergence of weak pyrochlore phase and signature of field induced spin ice ground state in Dy2- x La x Zr2O7; x = 0, 0.15, 0.3.

The pyrochlore oxides Dy2Ti2O7 and Ho2Ti2O7 are well studied spin ice systems and have shown the evidences of magnetic monopole excitations. Unlike these, Dy2Zr2O7 is reported to crystallize in a distorted fluorite structure. We present here the magnetic and heat capacity studies of La substituted Dy2Zr2O7. Our findings suggest the absence of spin ice state in Dy2Zr2O7 but the emergence of the magnetic field induced spin freezing near T ≈ 10 K in ac susceptibility measurements which is similar to Dy2Ti2O7. The magnetic heat capacity of Dy2Zr2O7 shows a shift in the peak position from 1.2 K in zero field to higher temperatures in the magnetic field, with the corresponding decrease in the magnetic entropy. The low temperature magnetic entropy at 5 kOe field is R ln2 - (1/2)R ln(3/2) which is the same as for the spin ice state. Substitution of non-magnetic, isovalent La3+ for Dy3+ gradually induces the structural change from highly disordered fluorite to weakly ordered pyrochlore phase. The La3+ substituted compounds with less distorted pyrochlore phase show the spin freezing at lower field which strengthens further on the application of magnetic field. Our results suggest that the spin ice state can be stabilized in Dy2Zr2O7 either by slowing down of the spin dynamics or by strengthening the pyrochlore phase by suitable substitution in the system.

Enhanced, homogeneously type-II superconductivity in Cu-intercalated PdTe2.

Though the superconducting phase of the type-II Dirac semimetal PdTe2 was shown to be conventional in nature, the phase continued to be interesting in terms of its magnetic properties. While certain experiments indicated an unexpected type-I superconducting phase, other experiments revealed formation of vortices under the application of magnetic fields. Recently, scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) experiments revealed the existence of a mixed phase where type-I and type-II behaviours coexist. Here, based on our temperature and magnetic field dependent STS experiments on Cu-intercalated PdTe2, we show that as the critical temperature of the superconducting phase goes up from 1.7 K to 2.4 K on Cu-intercalation, the mixed phase disappears and the system becomes homogeneously type-II. This may be attributed to an averaging effect caused by quasiparticle exchange between type-I and type-II domains mediated by the Cu atoms and to decreased coherence length due to increased disorder.

Enhanced magnetic and room temperature intrinsic magnetodielectric effect in Mn modified Ba2Mg2Fe12O22 Y-type hexaferrite.

We have reported a systematic investigation on structural, magnetic, magnetodielectric and magnetoimpedance characteristics of Y-type Ba2Mg2(Fe1-x Mn x )12O22 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.12) hexaferrite synthesized by solid-state reaction route. Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction pattern confirms the phase purity of all the samples with rhombohedral crystal structure. The Mn dopant modulates not only superexchange angle near to the boundary of magnetic blocks but also magnetic transition temperature. Temperature-dependent magnetization data suggests that due to Mn doping at Fe sites, ferrimagnetic to proper screw transition temperature (T II) increases from 190 K to 208 K, while there is a decrease in proper screw to longitudinal conical spin transition temperature (T I) from 35 K to 25 K. We observe remarkable decrease in the magnetic field from 20 kOe to 12 kOe to produce intermediate spin ordering from ferrimagnetic ordering which can be understood because of modification of superexchange angle due to Mn doping. The value of loss tangent decreases with increasing doping concentration at 300K, i.e. ~60% and 180% in BMFM4 (x = 0.04) and BMFM8 (x = 0.08) respectively as compared to BMF, suggesting the evolution of intrinsic feature in the doped samples. Magnetodielectric (MD) effect shows that in the low-frequency regime, the robust MD effect is because of Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization, whereas in the high-frequency regime intrinsic effect dominates. Further, magnetoimpedance measurement confirms the presence of substantial intrinsic MD% (~6%) at 1.3 T applied field at 300 K for 4% Mn-doped sample. Finally, the nature and strength of magnetoelectric coupling in BMFM4 and BMFM8 samples at 300 K is found to be biquadratic (P 2 M 2) and maximum strength of coupling is 3.09 × 10-4 emu2 g-2 and 2.34 × 10-4 emu2 g-2, respectively.

Arthroscopic and 3D CT Scan Evaluation of Femoral Footprint of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Chronic ACL Deficient Knees.

The outcome of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction depends largely on the anatomic placement of bone tunnel. The lateral intercondylar ridge (LIR) and bifurcate ridge (BR) are useful bony landmarks for femoral tunnel placement. The purpose of our study was to compare the bony landmarks of ACL footprint on femur by three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan and arthroscopy in chronic ACL-deficient knees. Fifty patients above 18 years of age who were diagnosed of having ACL tear were selected for the study. All the cases were more than 6 months old since the injury. Preoperative 3D CT scan of the affected knee was obtained for each of them. They underwent single-bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction. Measurements were done on the preoperative 3D CT and arthroscopy to quantify the position of the LIR and BR. The proximodistal distance of lateral femoral condyle was 21.41+/-2.5 mm on CT scan and 22.02+/-2.02 mm on arthroscopy. On preoperative 3D CT scan, the midpoint of the LIR was found to be located at a mean distance of 11.17±2.11 mm from the proximal margin of the lateral femoral condyle. On arthroscopy, it was at 10.18+/-1.52 mm from the proximal margin the lateral femoral condyle. The "bifurcate ridge"(BR) was not visible in any of the cases during arthroscopy or CT scan. We concluded that LIR is an easily identifiable bony landmark on arthroscopy in all cases. It can also be identified on CT scans. BR is not identified both on arthroscopy and CT scans in chronic ACL tears. The arthroscopic measurements of bony landmarks are quite close to those of CT scan. Midpoint of LIR is at 52.185% of the proximodistal distance on CT scan evaluation and it is at 46.21% on arthroscopic evaluation.

Management of Patellar Tendon Rupture after Total Knee Arthroplasty using Hamstring graft: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: The disruption of extensor mechanism during or after total knee arthroplasty is a rare but disabling complication for the patients. The results of various methods of managing patellar ligament rupture are not predictable and favorable. CASE REPORT: We report a case of patellar ligament rupture which occurred 6 months after the primary total knee replacement. It was managed satisfactorily using hamstring graft and minimal implant. CONCLUSION: Simple and easily reproducible technique for patellar tendon reconstruction that can be performed by surgeons not routinely performing ligament reconstruction gives favorable outcome.

Nature of spiral state and absence of electric polarisation in Sr-doped YBaCuFeO5 revealed by first-principle study.

Experimental results on YBaCuFeO5, in its incommensurate magnetic phase, appear to disagree on its ferroelectric response. Ambiguity exists on the nature of the spiral magnetic state too. Using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the parent compound within LSDA + U + SO approximation, we reveal the nature of spiral state. The helical spiral is found to be more stable below the transition temperature as spins prefer to lie in ab plane. Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction turns out to be negligibly small and the spin current mechanism is not valid in the helical spiral state, ruling out an electric polarisation from either. These results are in very good agreement with the recent, high quality, single-crystal data. We also investigate the magnetic transition in YBa1-xSrxCuFeO5 for the entire range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) of doping. The exchange interactions are estimated as a function of doping and a quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculation on an effective spin Hamiltonian shows that the paramagnetic to commensurate phase transition temperature increases with doping till x = 0.5 and decreases beyond. These observations are consistent with experimental findings.

Effect of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in femoral nerve block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing total knee replacement arthroplasty: A dose-response study.

CONTEXT: Dexmedetomidine is being increasingly used in nerve blocks. However, there are only a few dose determination studies. AIMS: To compare two doses of dexmedetomidine, in femoral nerve block, for postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Anesthesia at AIIMS, a Tertiary Care Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients undergoing TKA under subarachnoid block were randomized to three Groups A, B, and C. Control Group A received 20 ml (0.25%) of bupivacaine in femoral nerve block. Groups B and C received 1 and 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine along with bupivacaine for the block, respectively. Outcomes measured were analgesic efficacy measured in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score at rest and passive motion, duration of postoperative analgesia, and postoperative morphine consumption. Adverse effects of dexmedetomidine were also studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: All qualitative data were analyzed using Chi-square test and VAS scores using Kruskal-Wallis test. Comparison of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine consumption and time to first use of PCA were done using ANOVA followed by Least Significant Difference test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The VAS score at rest was significantly lower in Group C compared to Groups A and B (P < 0.05). There was no difference in VAS score at motion between Groups B and C. The mean duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group C (6.66 h) compared to Groups A (4.55 h) and B (5.70 h). Postoperative mean morphine consumption was significantly lower in Group C (22.85 mg) compared to Group A (32.15 mg) but was comparable to Group B (27.05 mg). There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of dexmedetomidine at 2 µg/kg dose in femoral nerve block is superior to 1 µg/kg for providing analgesia after TKA, although its role in facilitating early ambulation needs further evaluation.

Superconductivity at 5.2 K in ZrTe3 polycrystals and the effect of Cu and Ag intercalation.

We report the occurrence of superconductivity in polycrystalline samples of ZrTe(3) at temperature 5.2 K at ambient pressure. The superconducting state coexists with the charge density wave (CDW) phase, which sets in at 63 K. The intercalation of Cu or Ag does not have any bearing on the superconducting transition temperature but suppresses the CDW state. The feature of a CDW anomaly in these compounds is clearly seen in the DC magnetization data. Resistivity data are analyzed in order to estimate the relative loss of carriers and reduction in the nested Fermi surface area upon CDW formation in ZrTe(3) and the intercalated compounds.