Low energy physical properties of high-Tc superconducting Cu oxides: A comparison between the resonating valence bond and experiments

In a recent review by Anderson and coworkers\cite{Vanilla}, it was pointed out that an early resonating valence bond (RVB) theory is able to explain a number of unusual properties of high temperature superconducting (SC) Cu-oxides. Here we extend previous calculations \cite{anderson87,FC Zhang,Randeria} to study more systematically low energy physical properties of the plain vanilla d-wave RVB state, and to compare results with the available experiments. We use a renormalized mean field theory combined with variational Monte Carlo and power Lanczos methods to study the RVB state of an extended $t-J$ model in a square lattice with parameters suitable for the hole doped Cu-oxides. The physical observable quantities we study include the specific heat, the linear residual thermal conductivity, the in-plane magnetic penetration depth, the quasiparticle energy at the antinode $(\pi, 0)$, the superconducting energy gap, the quasiparticle spectra and the Drude weight. The traits of nodes (including $k_{F}$, the Fermi velocity $v_{F}$ and the velocity along Fermi surface $v_{2}$), as well as the SC order parameter are also studied. Comparisons of the theory and the experiments in cuprates show an overall qualitative agreement, especially on their doping dependences.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures, 1 tabl

Ammonia toxicity to the brain and creatine.

Symptoms of hyperammonemia are age-dependent and some are reversible. Multiple mechanisms are involved. Hyperammonemia increases the uptake of tryptophan into the brain by activation of the L-system carrier while brain glutamine plays a still undefined role. The uptake of tryptophan by the brain is enhanced when the plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids competing with the other large neutral amino acids are low. Hyperammonemia increases the utilization of branched-chain amino acids in muscle when ketoglutarate is low, and this is further enhanced by glutamine depletion (as a result of therapy with ammonia scavengers like phenylbutyrate). Anorexia, most likely a serotoninergic symptom, might further aggravate the deficiency of indispensable amino acids (e.g., branched-chain and arginine). The role of increased glutamine production in astrocytes and the excitotoxic and metabotropic effects of increased extracellular glutamate have been extensively investigated and found to differ between models of acute and chronic hyperammonemia. Using an in vitro model of cultured embryonic rat brain cell aggregates, we studied the role of creatine in ammonia toxicity. Cultures exposed to ammonia before maturation showed impaired cholinergic axonal growth accompanied by a decrease of creatine and phosphocreatine, a finding not observed in mature cultures. By using different antibodies, we have shown that the phosphorylated form of the intermediate neurofilament protein is affected. Adding creatine to the culture medium partially prevents impairment of axonal growth and the presence of glia in the culture is a precondition for this protective effect. Adequate arginine substitution is essential in the treatment of urea cycle defects as creatine is inefficiently transported into the brain

ULF/ELF electromagnetic fields produced in a conducting medium of infinite extent by linear current sources of infinite length

A previous analysis of a linear current source of finite length embedded in a conducting medium of infinite extent is extended to linear current sources of (1) infinite length and (2) semi-infinite length. Electric and magnetic field expressions are derived, and the results are numerically evaluated for frequencies in the ULF/ELF bands. For convenience, some of the results are presented in a dimensionless form. A comparison is made between the electromagnetic fields produced by linear current sources of finite and infinite length, and it is shown that there is a relative enhancement in the electric field near the source of finite length. It is also found that an optimum frequency exists for the electric field produced by a linear current source of infinite length at which the field amplitude is a maximum at a fixed observation point. Some practical applications of our results are suggested

ULF/ELF electromagnetic fields generated along the sea floor interface by a straight current source of infinite length

Propagation of ULF/ELF electromagnetic fields along the seafloor interface (assumed to be a plane boundary separating two semi-infinite conducting media) is considered. Earlier expressions for the electromagnetic fields generated by a straight current source of infinite length are applied to the sea/seabed interface. The field components are calculated numerically and are compared to the field components in seawater of infinite extent. At the seafloor boundary, the fields can propagate longer distances because of the lower seabed conductivities. The new horizontal component of the magnetic field generated as a result of the existence of the sea/seabed interface becomes larger than the vertical component of the magnetic field at large distances; it is also more sensitive to the conductivity of the seabed at low frequencies. The results indicate that there is an optimal frequency at which two of the field components have a maximum field intensity at a certain distance from the source. Some practical applications are discussed

Metal-to-insulator crossover and pseudogap in single-layer compound Bi2+x_{2+x}Sr2−x_{2-x}Cu1+y_{1+y}O6+δ_{6+\delta} single crystals in high magnetic fields

The in-plane $\rho_{ab}(H)$ and the out-of-plane $\rho_c(H)$ magneto-transport in magnetic fields up to 28 T has been investigated in a series of high quality, single crystal, hole-doped La-free Bi2201 cuprates for a wide doping range and over a wide range of temperatures down to 40 mK. With decreasing hole concentration going from the overdoped (p=0.2) to the underdoped (p=0.12) regimes, a crossover from a metallic to and insulating behavior of $\rho_{ab}(T)$ is observed in the low temperature normal state, resulting in a disorder induced metal insulator transition. In the zero temperature limit, the normal state ratio $\rho_c(H)/\rho_{ab}(H)$ of the heavily underdoped samples in pure Bi2201 shows an anisotropic 3D behavior, in striking contrast with that observed in La-doped Bi2201 and LSCO systems. Our data strongly support that that the negative out-of-plane magnetoresistance is largely governed by interlayer conduction of quasiparticles in the superconducting state, accompanied by a small contribution of normal state transport associated with the field dependent pseudogap. Both in the optimal and overdoped regimes, the semiconducting behavior of $\rho_c(H)$ persists even for magnetic fields above the pseudogap closing field $H_{pg}$. The method suggested by Shibauchi \textit{et al.} (Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{86}, 5763, (2001)) for evaluating $H_{pg}$ is unsuccessful for both under- and overdoped Bi2201 samples. Our findings suggest that the normal state pseudogap is not always a precursor of superconductivity.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, published in PRB Nov 200

Method to calibrate fission chambers in Campbelling mode

Fission chambers are neutron detectors which are widely used to instrument experimental reactors such as material testing reactors or zero power reactors. In the presence of a high level mixed gamma and neutron flux, fission chambers can be operated in Campbelling mode (also known as 'fluctuation mode' or 'mean square voltage mode') to provide reliable and precise neutron related measurements. Fission chamber calibration in Campbelling mode (in terms of neutron flux) is usually done empirically using a calibrated reference detector. A major drawback of this method is that calibration measurements have to be performed in a neutron environment very similar to the one in which the calibrated detector will be used afterwards. What we propose here is a different approach based on characterizing the fission chamber response in terms of fission rate. This way, the detector calibration coefficient is independent from the neutron spectrum and can be determined prior to the experiment. The fissile deposit response to the neutron spectrum can then be assessed independently by other means (experimental or numerical). In this paper, the response of CEA made miniature fission chambers in Campbelling mode is studied. We use a theoretical model of the signal to calculate the calibration coefficient. Input parameters of the model come from statistical distribution of individual pulses. Supporting measurements have been made in the CEA Cadarache zero power reactor MINERVE. Results are compared to an empirical Campbelling mode calibration

Anomalous peak in the superconducting condensate density of cuprate high T_{c} superconductors at a unique critical doping state

The doping dependence of the superconducting condensate density, n_{s}^{o}, has been studied by muon-spin-rotation for Y_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}Ba_{2}(Cu_{1-z}Zn_{z})_{3}O_{7-\delta} and Tl_{0.5-y}Pb_{0.5+y}Sr_{2}Ca_{1-x}Y_{x}Cu_{2}O_{7}. We find that n_{s}^{o} exhibits a pronounced peak at a unique doping state in the slightly overdoped regime. Its position coincides with the critical doping state where the normal state pseudogap first appears depleting the electronic density of states. A surprising correlation between n_{s}^{o} and the condensation energy U_{o} is observed which suggests unconventional behavior even in the overdoped region.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

PPARα transcriptionally induces AhR expression in Caco-2, but represses AhR pro-inflammatory effects

International audienceIn this work we demonstrate that Caco-2 cell treatment with WY-14643 (a potent PPARa agonist) causes an increase in AhR expression. Luciferase assays and directed mutagenesis experiments showed that induction mainly occurred at transcriptional level and involved a PPRE site located within the AhR promoter. These results were further confirmed by the use of PPARa knockout mice in which AhR induction by WY14643 was abrogated. In addition to CYP1 regulation, AhR has been described as being involved in inflammation , so we also studied the effect of AhR regulation by PPARa on the expression of some inflammation target genes. 3-Methylcho-lanthrene (a potent AhR agonist) increased the expression (mRNA) of the major inflammatory targets IL-1b and MMP9. WY-14643 co-treatment abrogated the 3-methylcholanthrene pro-inflammatory effect. Hence the anti-inflammatory effect of PPARa overrides the pro-inflammatory effect of AhR