Spin fluctuation induced Weyl semimetal state in the paramagnetic phase of EuCd2As2

Weyl fermions as emergent quasiparticles can arise in Weyl semimetals (WSMs) in which the energy bands are nondegenerate, resulting from inversion or time-reversal symmetry breaking. Nevertheless, experimental evidence for magnetically induced WSMs is scarce. Here, using photoemission spectroscopy, we observe that the degeneracy of Bloch bands is already lifted in the paramagnetic phase of EuCd2As2. We attribute this effect to the itinerant electrons experiencing quasi-static and quasi-long-range ferromagnetic fluctuations. Moreover, the spin-nondegenerate band structure harbors a pair of ideal Weyl nodes near the Fermi level. Hence, we show that long-range magnetic order and the spontaneous breaking of time-reversal symmetry are not essential requirements for WSM states in centrosymmetric systems and that WSM states can emerge in a wider range of condensed matter systems than previously thought.

[Determination of Bloodstain Age by UV Visible Integrating Sphere Reflection Spectrum]

OBJECTIVES

To establish a method for rapid identification of bloodstain age.

METHODS

Under laboratory conditions （20 ℃, 25 ℃ and 30 ℃）, an integrating sphere ISR-240A was used as a reflection accessory on an UV-2450 UV-vis spectrophotometer, and a standard white board of BaSO₄ was used as reference, the reflection spectrums of bloodstain from human ears' venous blood were measured at regular intervals. The reflection radios R₅₄₁ and R₅₇₇ at a specific wavelength were collected and the value of R₅₄₁/R₅₇₇ was calculated. The linear fitting and regression analysis were done by SPSS 17.0.

RESULTS

The results of regression analysis showed that R² of the ratios of bloodstain age to UV visible reflectivity in specific wavelengths were larger than 0.8 within 8 hours and under certain circumstances. The regression equation was established. The bloodstain age had significant correlation with the value of R₅₄₁/R₅₇₇.

CONCLUSIONS

The method of inspection is simple, rapid and nondestructive with a good reliability, and can be used to identify the bloodstain age within 8 hours elapsed-time standards under laboratory conditions.

Association of cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate with SYNTAX score in patients with diabetes

AIM

Serum cystatin C has been proposed as a better marker of glomerular filtration rate than serum creatinine. SYNTAX score (SXscore) can accurately reflect the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between Cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys) and SXscore in patients with diabetes has never been reported.

METHODS

We prospectively included 656 consecutive patients with diabetes who were angiographically diagnosed with CAD from January 2010 to December 2011. Renal function was assessed by eGFRcys. SXscore was calculated using SXscore algorithm. Ordinal logistic regression and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the association between eGFRcys and SXscore.

RESULTS

Patients with renal dysfunction were older, more often female, more likely to have a history of hypertension and less tobacco use when compared with those patients with normal renal function. Age, sex, SBP, DBP, fasting glucose, HbA1c, TC, LDL, HDL, TG, BMI and CRP were not different among SXscore tertile groups. Incidence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history and tobacco use were similar among these groups. Correlation analysis suggested that eGFRcys was negatively correlated with SXscore (R=-0.255, P<0.001). Ordinal logistic regression showed that eGFRcys was an independent predictor of SXscore (β=-0.027, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

eGFRcys was an independent predictor of SXscore in patients with diabetes. This might help explain the increased risk of CVD events and mortality in patients with renal dysfunction. Further prospectively multiple centre studies are required to better quantify this finding.