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Uniaxial strain as small as 0.3% in FeGe thin films can induce large anisotropic deformation of magnetic skyrmions and their crystal lattice hosted in the material. Mechanical control of magnetism is an important and promising approach in spintronics. To date, strain control has mostly been demonstrated in ferromagnetic structures by exploiting a change in magnetocrystalline anisotropy. It would be desirable to achieve large strain effects on magnetic nanostructures. Here, using in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that anisotropic strain as small as 0.3% in a chiral magnet of FeGe induces very large deformations in magnetic skyrmions 1 , 2 , as well as distortions of the skyrmion crystal lattice on the order of 20%. Skyrmions are stabilized by the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction 3 , 4 , originating from a chiral crystal structure. Our results show that the change in the modulation of the strength of this interaction is amplified by two orders of magnitude with respect to changes in the crystal lattice due to an applied strain. Our findings may provide a mechanism to achieve strain control of topological magnetic structures based on the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction.

Direct magnetization measurements from narrow, complex-shaped antiphase boundaries (APBs; that is, planar defect produced in any ordered crystals) are vitally important for advances in materials science and engineering. However, in-depth examination of APBs has been hampered by the lack of experimental tools. Here, based on electron microscopy observations, we report the unusual relationship between APBs and ferromagnetic spin order in Fe 70 Al 30 . Thermally induced APBs show a finite width (2–3 nm), within which significant atomic disordering occurs. Electron holography studies revealed an unexpectedly large magnetic flux density at the APBs, amplified by approximately 60% (at 293 K) compared with the matrix value. At elevated temperatures, the specimens showed a peculiar spin texture wherein the ferromagnetic phase was confined within the APB region. These observations demonstrate ferromagnetism stabilized by structural disorder within APBs, which is in direct contrast to the traditional understanding. The results accordingly provide rich conceptual insights for engineering APB-induced phenomena. Atomic disordering in antiphase boundary regions is believed to deteriorate ferromagnetic spin order in many alloys and compounds. Here, using electron microscopy, Murakami et al. report the unusual relationship between thermal antiphase boundaries and ferromagnetic spin order in Fe 70 Al 30 .

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.

In patients with multivessel disease (MVD), functional information on lesions improves the prognostic capability of the SYNTAX score. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR®) is an angiography‐derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) that does not require a pressure wire or pharmacological hyperemia. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of QFR‐based patient information in Heart Teams' discussions to determine the optimal revascularization strategy for patients with MVD. We hypothesized that there is an acceptable agreement between treatment recommendations based on the QFR approach and recommendation based on the FFR approach. The DECISION QFR study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial that will include patients with MVD who require revascularization. Two Heart Teams comprising cardiologists and cardiac surgeons will be randomized to select a revascularization strategy (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft) according to patient information either based on QFR or on FFR. All 260 patients will be assessed by both teams with reference to the anatomical and functional SYNTAX score/SYNTAX score II 2020 derived from the allocated physiological index (QFR or FFR). The primary endpoint of the trial is the level of agreement between the treatment recommendations of both teams, assessed using Cohen's κ. As of March 2022, the patient enrollment has been completed and 230 patients have been discussed in both Heart Teams. The current trial will indicate the usefulness of QFR, which enables a wireless multivessel physiological interrogation, in the discussions of Heart Teams to determine the optimal revascularization strategy for MVD.

The formation of Al 2 O 3 phases by the solid-solid reaction of a metallic Al layer evaporated on a SiO 2 amorphous grain has been induced by heating above 600°C in vacuum (1×10 −6 Pa). The distortion process of the amorphous SiO 2 grains by the formation of Al 2 O 3 have been directly imaged by in-situ TEM observation. A partly deposited Al layer covered the SiO 2 grains after heating at 750?C, and ψ -Al 2 O 3 grains of about 25 nm diameters were formed on the SiO 2 surface. Upon the growth of Al 2 O 3 , the SiO 2 grain decomposed into a mixture of metallic Si and SiO 2 and disappeared as a result of sublimation due to the formation of SiO x at high temperatures. The present result on dust surface dynamics will become an important field with respect to the metamorphism of grains from the astromineralogical viewpoint.

Ultrafine particles of typical chalcogenides have been produced by the advanced gas evaporation method (AGEM) and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Zinc-blende nanoparticles less than 20-nm in size covered with SiO or carbon layer have been predominately produced. Many growth faults were observed in the zinc-blende particles above 20-nm in size. It has been found that particles less than 10-nm in size have no growth faults.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

The purpose of this study is to determine if the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) is a major causative agent for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury and responsible for the excess production of superoxide anion in the lung. We measured superoxide anion production from the lung and pulmonary capillary permeability in rats with and without PMN depletion. The superoxide anion production from the lung was measured using a purpose-built ex vivo chemiluminescence apparatus. Pulmonary capillary permeability was evaluated by the Evans blue dye extravasation method. PMN sequestration was determined by counting PMNs in histologic tissue specimens using microscopy. All rats received 3 mg/kg LPS intravenously. Examinations were undertaken at 2, 6, and 12 h after the LPS injection. The PMN-depleted group received cyclophosphamide 4 days before the LPS injection, which resulted in a PMN count of less than 200 cells/microliter. In rats without PMN depletion, Evans blue dye extravasation increased significantly at 12 h after the LPS injection; PMN sequestration increased at 2, 6, and 12 h after the LPS injection; and superoxide anion production increased at 6 h and remained elevated at 12 h after the LPS injection. The increased permeability, PMN sequestration, and superoxide anion production were not seen in the PMN-depleted group. The contribution of the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and alveolar macrophages to the observed superoxide anion production was negligible. We conclude that, in rats, the PMN is a major causative agent in LPS-induced lung injury and is responsible for the excess production of superoxide anion in the lung.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2010 in Portland, Oregon, USA, August 1 – August 5, 2010.