Density-functional studies of tungsten trioxide, tungsten bronzes, and related systems

Tungsten trioxide adopts a variety of structures which can be intercalated with charged species to alter the electronic properties, thus forming `tungsten bronzes'. Similar optical effects are observed upon removing oxygen from WO_3, although the electronic properties are slightly different. Here we present a computational study of cubic and hexagonal alkali bronzes and examine the effects on cell size and band structure as the size of the intercalated ion is increased. With the exception of hydrogen (which is predicted to be unstable as an intercalate), the behaviour of the bronzes are relatively consistent. NaWO_3 is the most stable of the cubic systems, although in the hexagonal system the larger ions are more stable. The band structures are identical, with the intercalated atom donating its single electron to the tungsten 5d valence band. Next, this was extended to a study of fractional doping in the Na_xWO_3 system (0 < x < 1). A linear variation in cell parameter, and a systematic change in the position of the Fermi level up into the valence band was observed with increasing x. In the underdoped WO_3-x system however, the Fermi level undergoes a sudden jump into the conduction band at around x = 0.2. Lastly, three compounds of a layered WO_4&#215;a,wdiaminoalkane hybrid series were studied and found to be insulating, with features in the band structure similar to those of the parent WO_3 compound which relate well to experimental UV-visible spectroscopy results.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figure

Cystoventricular Drainage of Intracranial Arachnoid Cysts in Adults

BACKGROUND: Intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) are generally benign fluid-filled cysts with a prevalence of 0.5%-2.7%. They can be treated through craniotomy with cyst removal, endoscopic fenestration, or cystoperitoneal or ventriculoperitoneal shunting. However, the outcome of these treatments has not been completely satisfactory. Cystoventricular shunting was described as an alternative method for the treatment of intracranial ACs in children in 2003. In the present report, we have described the outcomes of cystoventricular shunting in adults with symptomatic intracranial ACs.METHODS: A total of 24 patients with symptomatic ACs underwent cystoventricular drainage from 2012 to 2019. The most common symptom preoperatively was headache, followed by dysphasia, motor weakness, memory loss, seizures, and balance disturbances. After radiological evaluation, a ventricular catheter was placed in the AC and another in one of the lateral ventricles and connected extracranially after subgaleal tunneling using a straight metal connector.RESULTS: At 3-6 months of postoperative follow-up, 21% of patients were asymptomatic and 42% showed improvement in clinical symptoms. No patient had experienced impairment or progression of symptoms postoperatively. Three patients had required revision of the catheters and one patient had developed a postoperative superficial skin infection without signs of deeper infection.CONCLUSIONS: Cystoventricular drainage seems to be an effective, reliable, and safe procedure to treat intracranial ACs when fenestration to the basal cisterns is not possible.</p