Optical Properties of Heavy Fermion Systems with SDW Order

The dynamical conductivity $\sigma (\omega)$, reflectivity $R(\omega)$, and tunneling density of states $N(\omega)$ of strongly correlated systems (like heavy fermions) with a spin-density wave (SDW) magnetic order are studied as a function of impurity scattering rate and temperature. The theory is generalized to include strong coupling effects in the SDW order. The results are discussed in the light of optical experiments on heavy-fermion SDW materials. With some modifications the proposed theory is applicable also to heavy fermions with localized antiferromagnetic (LAF) order.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure

Identification of potential prognostic biomarkers for node-negative breast tumours by proteomic analysis: a multicentric 2004 national PHRC study

We used a 2D-electrophoresis (2-DE) proteomic approach to identify novel biomarkers in node-negative breast cancers. This retrospective study focused on a population of patients with ductal pN0M0 tumours. A subset of patients who developed metastases and in whose tumours were found high levels of uPA and PAI-1 (metastatic relapse, MR: n=20) were compared to another subset in whom no metastatic relapse occurred and whose tumours were found to have low levels of uPA and PAI-1 (no relapse, NR: n=21). We used a 2-DE coupled with MS approach to screen cytosol fractions using two pH-gradient scales, a broad scale (3.0-11.0) and a narrower scale focussing in on a protein rich region (5.0-8.0). This study was conducted on 41 cytosol specimens analyzed in duplicate on two platforms. The differential analysis of more than 2,000 spots in 2-DE gels, obtained on the two platforms, allowed the identification of 13 proteins which were confirmed by western blotting. Two proteins, GPDA and FABP4 were down-regulated in the MR subset whereas all the others were up-regulated. An in silico analysis revealed that GMPS (GUAA), GAPDH (G3P), CFL1 (COF1) and FTL (FRIL), the most informative genes, displayed a proliferation profile (high expression in basal-like, HER2+ and luminal B molecular subtypes). Inversely, similar to FABP4, GPD1 [GPDA] displayed a high expression in luminal A subtype, a profile characteristic of tumour suppressor genes. Despite the small size of our cohort, the 2-DE analysis gave interesting results which were confirmed by the in silico analysis showing that some of the corresponding genes had a strong prognostic impact in breast cancer, mostly because of their link with proliferation: GMPS, GAPDH, FTL and GPD1. A validation phase on a larger cohort is now needed before these biomarkers could be considered for use in clinical practice

Tunneling spectroscopy in the magnetic superconductor TmNi2B2C

We present new measurements about the tunneling conductance in the borocarbide superconductor TmNi$_2$B$_2$C. The results show a very good agreement with weak coupling BCS theory, without any lifetime broadening parameter, over the whole sample surface. We detect no particular change of the tunneling spectroscopy below 1.5K, when both the antiferromagnetic (AF) phase and the superconducting order coexist.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. B, Rapid Communication

Orogens and detritus: unravelling the Mesoproterozoic tectonic geography of northern Australia through coupled detrital thermo- and geo-chronometers

Published online: 25 May 2023. OnlinePublThis study presents detrital muscovite 40Ar/39Ar data from the Mesoproterozoic Roper Group and overlying informally named successions, in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, northern Australia. Detrital muscovite chronology reveals tectono-thermal processes within source regions and provides new constraints on the basin provenance, revising previous interpretations based on detrital zircon data. Detrital thermo- and geochronology, together demonstrate three main periods when the basin paleogeography was altered that correspond to the evolving tectonic history of the North Australia Craton (NAC) through the Mesoproterozoic. The first is characterised by an increased sediment contribution from source regions that lay along the eastern margin of Proterozoic Australia. These source regions are interpreted to have formed the uplifted rift-shoulders between Proterozoic Australia and Laurentia at ca 1.45 Ga. After that, sediments derived from eastern Proterozoic Australia sources become less voluminous up-section. The youngest analysed formation from the Roper Group, the Kyalla Formation, was predominately from sources to the south of the basin, representing another modification of basin geography. This is interpreted to result from the closure/subduction of the Mirning Ocean as the West Australian Craton (WAC) approached and collided with the NAC, resulting in an uplift of the southern margin of the NAC, at ca 1.35–1.31 Ga. The uppermost Mesoproterozoic to lower Neoproterozoic sandstone successions that overlie the Roper Group were derived from the Musgrave Province. Coupled detrital zircon and muscovite data imply a rapid cooling at ca 1.20–1.15 Ga that is interpreted to reflect syn-orogenic exhumation during the Musgrave Orogeny. Furthermore, data from the Beetaloo Sub-basin suggest that the changed basin tectonic settings reshaped basin geography and result in distinctive detrital zircon and muscovite geochronology records. In this study, we used the detrital U–Pb zircon and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar age data from the Beetaloo Sub-basin and a range of other basins deposited in different tectonic environments, including the convergent, collisional and extensional settings, to reconstruct the basin tectonic geography and illustrate various tectonic controls on basin formation in different tectonic backgrounds.B. Yang, A. S. Collins, M. L. Blades, F. Jourda

Upstream migration and reproductive patterns of a population of allis shad in a small river (L’Aulne, Brittany, France)

 The characteristics and activity of adult allis shad [Alosa alosa (L.)] were analysed during the last part of their upstream migration in the L'Aulne, a small river in Brittany, and during reproduction on a unique spawning ground downstream of an insurmountable dam. The age of the spawners ranged from three to seven years, females being larger and older than males. Population-level migration and reproduction were studied by counting the number of migrating fish, by estimating the sex ratio, and by counting the number of nocturnal spawning acts for three consecutive years starting in 2000. The influence of the environment, especially water temperature and discharge, was highlighted: temperature during migration may supplant the influence of water flow, although high flow could allow passage over the dam. Such factors partly explain the annual pattern of migration and reproduction during the spawning season. The study showed that the biological features and characteristics of this population of allis shad in a small river were similar to those of western Atlantic stocks in large river

An assessment of the upstream migration and reproductive behaviour of allis shad (Alosa alosa L.) using acoustic tracking

 We provide a detailed description of the migratory and reproductive behaviour of allis shad (Alosa alosa L.), a species that is in decline in Europe. Adult swimming behaviour during the last part of upstream migration and on a spawning ground downstream of an insurmountable dam was studied in detail and its main features identified, “characterized” in this context. Mobile telemetry and a fixed telemetry system were used to record fish positions and to monitor 23 acoustically tagged individuals (17 females and six males) during the 2001 and 2002 reproductive seasons. Allis shad showed considerable exploratory behaviour, and a rest area was observed 1.5 km downstream of the spawning ground. Thirteen individuals were observed on the spawning area, though both males and females spent most of their time (70–99%) away from it. Male and female residency times on the spawning area were, respectively, 1–11 days and 1–7 days, and females were observed during both day and night on the spawning ground. In 2002, an analysis of the 3D swimming behaviour on the spawning ground of six individuals allowed us to estimate the number of spawning events per fish. Males participated in more spawning acts (up to 60) than females (0–2

Effect of the oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) on the expansion and neuronal differentiation of rat neural stem cells

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