NMR investigation of vortex dynamics in Ba(Fe0.93Rh0.07)2As2 superconductor

75As NMR spin-lattice relaxation (1/T1) and spin-echo decay (1/T2) rate measurements were performed in a single crystal of Ba(Fe0.93Rh0.07)2As2 superconductor. Below the superconducting transition temperature Tc, when the magnetic field H is applied along the c axes, a peak in both relaxation rates is observed. Remarkably that peak is suppressed for H || ab. Those maxima in 1/T1 and 1/T2 have been ascribed to the flux lines lattice motions and the corresponding correlation times and pinning energy barriers have been derived on the basis of an heuristic model. Further information on the flux lines motion was derived from the narrowing of 75As NMR linewidth below Tc and found to be consistent with that obtained from 1/T2 measurements. All the experimental results are described in the framework of thermally activated vortices motions.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figure

Evidence for a vortex-glass transition in superconducting Ba(Fe0.9_{0.9}Co0.1_{0.1})2_{2}As2_{2}

Measurements of magneto-resistivity and magnetic susceptibility were performed on single crystals of superconducting Ba(Fe$_{0.9}$Co$_{0.1}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$ close to the conditions of optimal doping. The high quality of the investigated samples allows us to reveal a dynamic scaling behaviour associated with a vortex-glass phase transition in the limit of weak degree of quenched disorder. Accordingly, the dissipative component of the ac susceptibility is well reproduced within the framework of Havriliak-Negami relaxation, assuming a critical power-law divergence for the characteristic correlation time $\tau$ of the vortex dynamics. Remarkably, the random disorder introduced by the Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$ chemical substitution is found to act on the vortices as a much weaker quenched disorder than previously reported for cuprate superconductors such as, e.g., Y$_{1-x}$Pr$_{x}$Ba$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Glassy Transition in the Vortex Lattice of Ba(Fe0.93Rh0.07)2As2 superconductor, probed by NMR and ac-susceptibility

By using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and ac-susceptibility, the characteristic correlation times for the vortex dynamics, in an iron-based superconductor, have been derived. Upon cooling, the vortex dynamics displays a crossover consistent with a vortex glass transition. The correlation times, in the fast motions regime, merge onto a universal curve which is fit by the Vogel-Fulcher law, rather than by an Arrhenius law. Moreover, the pinning barrier shows a weak dependence on the magnetic field which can be heuristically justified within a fragile glass scenario. In addition, the glass freezing temperatures obtained by the two techniques merge onto the de Almeida-Thouless line. Finally the phase diagram for the mixed phase has been derived.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figure

Efficacy of sperm motility after processing and incubation to predict pregnancy after intrauterine insemination in normospermic individuals

Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is widely used to treat infertility, and its adequate indication is important to obtain good pregnancy rates. To assess which couples could benefit from IUI, this study aimed to evaluate whether sperm motility using a discontinuous gradient of different densities and incubation in CO2 in normospermic individuals is able to predict pregnancy.Methods: A total of 175 couples underwent 175 IUI cycles. The inclusion criteria for women were as follows: 35 years old or younger (age range: from 27 to 35 years) with normal fallopian tubes; endometriosis grades I-II; unexplained infertility; nonhyperandrogenic ovulatory dysfunction. Men with normal seminal parameters were also included. All patients underwent ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate and human hMG or r-FSH. When one or (at most) three follicles measuring 18 to 20 mm were observed, hCG (5000 UI) or r-hCG (250 mcg) was administered and IUI performed 36-40 h after hCG. Sperm processing was performed using a discontinuous concentration gradient. A 20 microliters aliquot was incubated for 24 h at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 following a total progressive motility analysis. The Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests, as well as a ROC curve were used to determine the cutoff value for motility.Results: Of the 175 couples, 52 (in 52 IUI cycles) achieved clinical pregnancies (CP rate per cycle: 29.7%). The analysis of age, duration and causes of infertility did not indicate any statistical significance between pregnancy and no pregnancy groups, similar to the results for total sperm count and morphology analyses, excluding progressive motility (p < 0.0001). The comparison of progressive motility after processing and 24 h after incubation between these two groups indicated that progressive motility 24 h after incubation was higher in the pregnancy group. The analysis of the progressive motility of the pregnancy group after processing and 24 h after incubation has not shown any motility difference at 24 h after incubation; additionally, in couples who did not obtain pregnancy, there was a statistically significant decrease in progressive motility 24 h after incubation (p < 0.0001). The ROC curve analysis generated a cutoff value of 56.5% for progressive motility at 24 h after incubation and this cutoff value produced 96.1% sensitivity, 92.7% specificity, 84.7% positive predictive value and 98.3% negative predictive value.Conclusions: We concluded that the sperm motility of normospermic individuals 24 h after incubation at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2, with a cutoff value of 56.5%, is predictive of IUI success

Rock 5 of Castello (Paspardo, Valcamonica), an extraordinary topographic composition from the 4th Millennium BC

Regional and international research on representations of maps in rock art demonstrate their widespread importance within several societies in the past. From larger area, cartographic representations to more specific localised topographic maps they form a physical representation of what is known, perceived or imagined within the landscape. The recent discovery of an ancient topographic map composition on rock five in Castello (a residential area of Paspardo), has been uncovered and recorded. The region has several examples of topographic maps including similar engraved geometric images within their compositions. Comparing Rock 5 to the known examples in the literature, such as the Bedolina rock, and drawing on the particular elements of Rock 5 in Castello, it is possible to build on the current knowledge of petroglyphs in the valley. The possible interpretations for these compositions have been explored in the past (e.g., Anati, 2009, Arcà, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2007; Delano Smith, 1982; Fossati, 1994, 2003). This composition not only contributes to the data of the existing known topographic map images of the area but extends the research within the interpretative sphere

Growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone is reduced in adult asthmatic patients receiving long-term inhaled corticosteroid treatment

Background: Some studies have demonstrated that the function of the growth hormone (GH)insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis is significantly impaired in patients with oral corticosteroid (CS)-induced osteoporosis. The aim of study was to investigate the effects of long-term therapy with inhaled CSs (ICSs) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-GH axis by the GH response to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), as well as bone turnover, in adult asthmatic patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Patients: Twenty-seven adult subjects with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma (long-term ICS therapy [ie, > 1 year], 20 patients; naive to ICS treatment, 7 patients) and 10 control subjects. Measurements: Each subject underwent testing with an IV bolus (1 mug/kg) injection of human GHRH, and samples of GH were taken 15 min before the GHRH injection, at 0 min (ie, at the time of GHRH injection), and at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min after injection to obtain values for peak GH and DeltaGH. At baseline, samples of serum IGF-1 and blood-urine were collected for bone turnover markers. Results: The GH response to GHRH was significantly reduced in asthmatic patients receiving ICSs (peak GH, p < 0.05; and DeltaGH, p < 0.01) in comparison with control subjects and asthmatic patients who were naive to ICS therapy (peak GH and DeltaGH, p < 0.01). Baseline IGF-1 levels were similar in the three groups. Serum osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) and correlated with GH peak (r(2) = 0.34; p = 0.007) in asthmatic patients who were treated with ICSs. Conclusions: We conclude that GH secretion in response to GHRH is significantly reduced in adult asthmatic patients receiving therapy with ICS and that such inhibition could play a negative role in bone metabolism