Ultrafast Transition from State-Blocking Dynamics to Electron Localization in Transition Metal β-Tungsten.

We describe an ultrafast transition of the electronic response of optically excited transition metal β-tungsten with few-femtosecond time resolution. The response moves from a regime where state filling of the excited carrier population around the Fermi level dominates towards localization of carriers onto the outer d orbitals. This is in contrast to previous measurements using ultrafast element-specific core-level spectroscopy enabled by attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy on transition metals such as titanium and around the transition metal atom in transition metal dichalchogenides MoTe_{2} and MoSe_{2}.

Ultrafast electron localization and screening in a transition metal dichalcogenide.

The coupling of light to electrical charge carriers in semiconductors is the foundation of many technological applications. Attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measures simultaneously how excited electrons and the vacancies they leave behind dynamically react to the applied optical fields. In compound semiconductors, these dynamics can be probed via any of their atomic constituents with core-level transitions into valence and conduction band.

Symmetry-enforced topological nodal planes at the Fermi surface of a chiral magnet.

Despite recent efforts to advance spintronics devices and quantum information technology using materials with non-trivial topological properties, three key challenges are still unresolved. First, the identification of topological band degeneracies that are generically rather than accidentally located at the Fermi level. Second, the ability to easily control such topological degeneracies.

Phase stabilization of an attosecond beamline combining two IR colors.

We present a phase-stabilized attosecond pump-probe beamline involving two separate infrared wavelengths for high-harmonic generation (HHG) and pump or probe. The output of a Ti:sapphire laser is partly used to generate attosecond pulses via HHG and partly to pump an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) that converts the primary Ti:sapphire radiation to a longer wavelength. The attosecond pulse and down-converted infrared are recombined after a more than 20-m-long Mach-Zehnder interferometer that spans across two laboratories and separate optical tables.

Determination of the fractions of syntrophically oxidized acetate in a mesophilic methanogenic reactor through an (12)C and (13)C isotope-based kinetic model.

In order to accurately describe the carbon flow in anaerobic digestion processes, this work investigates the acetate degradation pathways through the use of stable carbon isotope analysis and a mathematical model. Batch assays using labeled (13)C acetate were employed to distinguish the acetate consumption through methanogenic Archaea and acetate-oxidizing Bacteria. Suspended and sessile biomass, with over 400 days of retention time, from a mesophilic (36.

Determination of methanogenic pathways through carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis for the two-stage anaerobic digestion of high-solids substrates.

This study used carbon isotope (δ(13)C)-based calculations to quantify the specific methanogenic pathways in a two-stage experimental biogas plant composed of three thermophilic leach bed reactors (51-56 °C) followed by a mesophilic (36.5 °C) anaerobic filter. Despite the continuous dominance of the acetoclastic Methanosaeta in the anaerobic filter, the methane (CH4) fraction derived from carbon dioxide reduction (CO2), fmc, varied significantly over the investigation period of 200 days.

Favorable Outcome of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome under Dexamethasone.

A 20-year-old student under chronic stress developed a painful reddish left ear, vesicles on the left ear, severe left-sided peripheral facial-nerve palsy, and hypoesthesia of the left upper lip, after exposure to a ventilator. Ramsay Hunt syndrome was diagnosed. Instead of prednisolone she received dexamethasone (40 mg/d) but nonetheless recovered completely after 12 weeks.

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In order to apply Sr/Ca and (44)Ca/(40)Ca fractionation during calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) formation as a proxy to reconstruct paleo-environments, it is essential to evaluate the impact of various environmental factors. In this study, a CO(2) diffusion technique was used to crystallize inorganic calcite from aqueous solutions at different ionic strength/salinity by the addition of NaCl at 25 °C. Results show that the discrimination of Sr(2+) versus Ca(2+) during calcite formation is mainly controlled by precipitation rate (R in μmol/m(2)/h) and is weakly influenced by ionic strength/salinity.

Anti-GQ1b-negative Miller-Fisher syndrome with lower cranial nerve involvement from parasinusoidal aspergilloma.

Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) typically presents with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. Atypical MFS additionally includes bulbar impairment, affection of the limbs, or abortive presentations. Mostly, MFS follows an infection with Campylobacter jejunii.

Effects of water birth on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Background: Our purpose was to assess benefits and possible disadvantages of water births and to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes with normal vaginal deliveries.

Methods: This case-controlled study was carried out between January 2000 and July 2001. A total of 140 women who wanted water births were enrolled into the study.