The spin-orbit-phonon coupling and crystalline elasticity of LaCoO perovskite.

Based on an integrated study of magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and thermal expansion of single-crystal LaCoO free from cobalt and oxygen vacancies, two narrow spin gaps are identified before and after the phonon softening of gap size Δ ∼ 0.5 meV in a CoO-octahedral crystal electric field (CEF) and the thermally activated spin gap ∼ 25 meV, respectively. Significant excitation of Co spins from a low-spin (LS) to a high-spin (HS) state is confirmed by the thermal activation behavior of spin susceptibility of energy gap ∼ 25 meV, which follows a two-level Boltzmann distribution to saturate at a level of 50% LS/50% HS statistically above ∼200 K, without the inclusion of a postulated intermediate spin (IS) state.

An outbreak of coxsackievirus A16 infection: comparison with other enteroviruses in a preschool in Taipei.

Background/purpose: The transmission rate of enteroviruses in young children remains unclear. Therefore, we carried out active surveillance in preschool children to investigate the transmission rate and clinical manifestation of enteroviruses.

Methods: From September 2006 to December 2008, we monitored infectious diseases in children 2(-3 years of age) in a preschool in Taipei.