Physical Acoustics in the Solid State

Suitable for researchers and graduate students in physics and material science, "Physical Acoustics in the Solid State" reviews the modern aspects in the field, including many experimental results, especially those involving ultrasonics. Practically all fields of solid-state physics are covered: metals, semiconductors, magnetism, superconductivity, different kinds of phase transitions, low-dimensional systems, and the quantum Hall effect. After a review of the relevant experimental techniques and an introduction to the theory of elasticity, emphasizing the symmetry aspects, applications in the various fields of condensed matter physics are presented. Also treated are Brillouin-scattering results and results from thermodynamic investigations, such as thermal expansion and specific heat

[Nachruf] Heinrich Rohrer

Am 16. Mai 2013 ist Heinrich Rohrer kurz vor seinem 80. Geburtstag nach langer Krankheit verstorben

Magnetization, magnetic susceptibility and ESR in Tb

We report on the measurement of the magnetic susceptibility and of ESR transitions in the garnet substance Tb3Ga5O12 (TGG). The results are compared with a calculation in the framework of crystal field theory for the orthorhombic surroundings of the six inequivalent Tb ions of TGG. We also present a calculation of the magnetization for the three main crystal directions

Dinstinct phenotype of kidney stone formers with renal phosphate leak

Background: Hypercalciuria is the most frequent metabolic disorder encountered in kidney stone formers (SF). Reduced renal phosphate reabsorption (i.e. renal phosphate leak) was proposed to be a driver of hypercalciuria in calcareous stone formers. However, the phenotype of SF with renal phosphate leak remains poorly defined, and the association of renal phosphate leak with stone history, stone composition and bone mineral density (BMD) has not been studied. Methods: To fill these knowledge gaps, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis in a cohort of 555 idiopathic calcareous SF. The ratio of tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate to glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) was used to evaluate renal phosphate transport. Results: Multivariable regression analyses revealed a negative association of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a positive association of 25(OH) and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D but no association of Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) with TmP/GFR. SF with low TmP/GFR had their first stone event at a younger age and were more likely to have a positive family history of kidney stones. In addition, urinary calcium excretion and prevalence of brushite stones were significantly higher in SF with low TmP/GFR. However, BMD, measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, was not associated with TmP/GFR in stone formers. Conclusions: Renal phosphate handling has a strong heritable component in SF and correlates with PTH, 25(OH) Vitamin D and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D, but not with FGF23 levels. Furthermore, a low TmP/GFR (i.e. a renal phosphate leak) is associated with higher urinary calcium excretion and an increased prevalence of brushite stones

Association of urinary sex steroid hormones with urinary calcium, oxalate and citrate excretion in kidney stone formers

Background. Sex-specific differences in nephrolithiasis with respect to both distribution of prevalence and stone composition are widely described and may be influenced by sex hormones. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the relationship between 24-hour urinary sex hormone metabolites measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with urinary calcium, oxalate and citrate excretion in a cohort of 628 kidney stone formers from a tertiary care hospital in Switzerland, taking demographic characteristics, kidney function and dietary factors into account. Results. We observed a positive association of urinary calcium with urinary testosterone and 17β-estradiol. Positive associations of urinary calcium with dehydroepiandrosterone, 5α-DH-testosterone, etiocholanolone, androsterone, and estriol were modified by net gastrointestinal alkali absorption or urinary sulfate excretion. As the only sex hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone was inversely associated with urinary oxalate excretion in adjusted analyses. Urinary citrate correlated positively with urinary testosterone. Associations of urinary citrate with urinary androsterone, 17β-estradiol and estriol were modified by urinary sulfate or sodium, or by sex. Conclusions. Urinary androgens and estrogens are significantly associated with urinary calcium and citrate excretion, and associations are in part modified by diet. Our data furthermore reveal dehydroepiandrosterone as a novel factor associated with urinary oxalate excretion in humans