Doping Dependence of Polaron Hopping Energies in La(1-x)Ca(x)MnO(3) (0<= x<= 0.15)

Measurements of the low-frequency (f<= 100 kHz) permittivity at T<= 160 K and dc resistivity (T<= 430 K) are reported for La(1-x)Ca(x)MnO(3) (0<= x<= 0.15). Static dielectric constants are determined from the low-T limiting behavior of the permittivity. The estimated polarizability for bound holes ~ 10^{-22} cm^{-3} implies a radius comparable to the interatomic spacing, consistent with the small polaron picture established from prior transport studies near room temperature and above on nearby compositions. Relaxation peaks in the dielectric loss associated with charge-carrier hopping yield activation energies in good agreement with low-T hopping energies determined from variable-range hopping fits of the dc resistivity. The doping dependence of these energies suggests that the orthorhombic, canted antiferromagnetic ground state tends toward an insulator-metal transition that is not realized due to the formation of the ferromagnetic insulating state near Mn(4+) concentration ~ 0.13.Comment: PRB in press, 5 pages, 6 figure

Actin-binding rho activating protein (Abra) is essential for fluid shear stress-induced arteriogenesis

OBJECTIVE: Arteriogenesis, the development of a collateral circulation, is important for tissue survival but remains functionally defective because of early normalization of fluid shear stress (FSS). Using a surgical model of chronically elevated FSS we showed that rabbits exhibited normal blood flow reserve after femoral artery ligature (FAL). Inhibition of the Rho pathway by Fasudil completely blocked the beneficial effect of FSS. In a genome-wide gene profiling we identified actin-binding Rho activating protein (Abra), which was highly upregulated in growing collaterals. METHODS AND RESULTS: qRT-PCR and Western blot confirmed highly increased FSS-dependent expression of Abra in growing collaterals. NO blockage by L-NAME abolished FSS-generated Abra expression as well as the whole arteriogenic process. Cell culture studies demonstrated an Abra-triggered proliferation of smooth muscle cells through a mechanism that requires Rho signaling. Local intracollateral adenoviral overexpression of Abra improved collateral conductance by 60% in rabbits compared to the natural response after FAL. In contrast, targeted deletion of Abra in CL57BL/6 mice led to impaired arteriogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: FSS-induced Abra expression during arteriogenesis is triggered by NO and leads to stimulation of collateral growth by smooth muscle cell proliferation

High Temperature Thermopower in La_{2/3}Ca_{1/3}MnO_3 Films: Evidence for Polaronic Transport

Thermoelectric power, electrical resistivity and magnetization experiments, performed in the paramagnetic phase of La_{2/3}Ca_{1/3}MnO_3, provide evidence for polaron-dominated conduction in CMR materials. At high temperatures, a large, nearly field-independent difference between the activation energies for resistivity (rho) and thermopower (S), a characteristic of Holstein Polarons, is observed, and ln(rho) ceases to scale with the magnetization. On approaching T_c, both energies become field-dependent, indicating that the polarons are magnetically polarized. Below T_c, the thermopower follows a law S(H) prop. 1/rho (H) as in non saturated ferromagnetic metals.Comment: 10 pages, 5 .gif figures. Phys. Rev B (in press

Extrinsic Magnetotransport Phenomena in Ferromagnetic Oxides

This review is focused on extrinsic magnetotransport effects in ferromagnetic oxides. It consists of two parts; the second part is devoted to an overview of experimental data and theoretical models for extrinsic magnetotransport phenomena. Here a critical discussion of domain-wall scattering is given. Results on surfacial and interfacial magnetism in oxides are presented. Spin-polarized tunnelling in ferromagnetic junctions is reviewed and grain-boundary magnetoresistance is interpreted within a model of spin-polarized tunnelling through natural oxide barriers. The situation in ferromagnetic oxides is compared with data and models for conventional ferromagnets. The first part of the review summarizes basic material properties, especially data on the spin-polarization and evidence for half-metallicity. Furthermore, intrinsic conduction mechanisms are discussed. An outlook on the further development of oxide spin-electronics concludes this review.Comment: 133 pages, 47 figures, submitted to Rep. Prog. Phy