690 research outputs found
Structural changes at the semiconductor-insulator phase transition in the single layered La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 perovskite
The semiconductor-insulator phase transition of the single-layer manganite
La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 has been studied by means of high resolution synchrotron x-ray
powder diffraction and resonant x-ray scattering at the Mn K edge. We conclude
that a concomitant structural transition from tetragonal I4/mmm to orthorhombic
Cmcm phases drives this electronic transition. A detailed symmetry-mode
analysis reveals that condensation of three soft modes -Delta_2(B2u), X1+(B2u)
and X1+(A)- acting on the oxygen atoms accounts for the structural
transformation. The Delta_2 mode leads to a pseudo Jahn-Teller distortion (in
the orthorhombic bc-plane only) on one Mn site (Mn1) whereas the two X1+ modes
produce an overall contraction of the other Mn site (Mn2) and expansion of the
Mn1 one. The X1+ modes are responsible for the tetragonal superlattice
(1/2,1/2,0)-type reflections in agreement with a checkerboard ordering of two
different Mn sites. A strong enhancement of the scattered intensity has been
observed for these superlattice reflections close to the Mn K edge, which could
be ascribed to some degree of charge disproportion between the two Mn sites of
about 0.15 electrons. We also found that the local geometrical anisotropy of
the Mn1 atoms and its ordering originated by the condensed Delta_2 mode alone
perfectly explains the resonant scattering of forbidden (1/4,1/4,0)-type
reflections without invoking any orbital ordering.Comment: 3 tables and 10 figures; accepted in Phys. Rev.
5d-5f Electric-multipole Transitions in Uranium Dioxide Probed by Non-resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering
Non-resonant inelastic x ray scattering (NIXS) experiments have been
performed to probe the 5d-5f electronic transitions at the uranium O(4,5)
absorption edges in uranium dioxide. For small values of the scattering vector
q, the spectra are dominated by dipole-allowed transitions encapsulated within
the giant resonance, whereas for higher values of q the multipolar transitions
of rank 3 and 5 give rise to strong and well-defined multiplet structure in the
pre-edge region. The origin of the observed non-dipole multiplet structures is
explained on the basis of many-electron atomic spectral calculations. The
results obtained demonstrate the high potential of NIXS as a bulk-sensitive
technique for the characterization of the electronic properties of actinide
materials.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review Letters on 31 December 200
Stakeholder engagement in green place branding:a focus on user-generated content
The purpose of this research is to investigate how the green image of a city can affect potential visitors' attitude toward the city in the context of user‐generated content. The study adopts a 2 × 2 experimental design in which the greenness of the city image and the social distance between the users and the authors of social media content are examined. The results demonstrate that green image has a significant effect on attitudes toward cities. Moreover, the effects of social media content vary according to the perceived social distance between the author of the post and potential visitors. This study contributes to the literature by assessing the role that social media content plays in place branding and communication. Furthermore, it provides relevant insights on how institutions should enhance the sustainable resources of cities with their environmental policy and encourage the generation of content from various stakeholders to contribute to the development of a city's image
New onset status epilepticus in influenza associated encephalopathy: The presenting manifestation of genetic generalized epilepsy
We hereby present a case of a young woman with no history of seizures or epilepsy who experienced a de novo generalized Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE) followed by encephalopathy lasting for several days during influenza B infection. Influenza can have a broad spectrum of presentation ranging from an uncomplicated illness to many serious conditions as is the case of influenza associated encephalitis/encephalopathy (IAE). In this context however, it is possible to observe seizures and/or status epilepticus as the presenting manifestation of a genetic generalized epilepsy
Non-volcanic CO2 and CH4 degassing in an actively extending orogen, southern Apennines, Italy
The southern Apennines fold and thrust belt has been undergoing post-orogenic extension since ca. 700
kyr. Crustal extension controls active tectonics and seismogenesis in the mountain chain [1], with
seismicity being characterized by low to moderate magnitude events punctuated by strong earthquakes
[2]. Effective decoupling between deep and shallow structural levels is related to the strong rheological
contrast produced by a fluid-saturated, clay-rich mélange zone interposed between buried
autochthonous carbonates – continuous with those exposed in the Apulian foreland – and the
allochthonous units. This mélange zone also acts as a seal preventing the migration of deep-seated
aqueous fluids – as well as oil in the Basilicata region, which hosts the largest Europe’s onshore oil fields
– towards the surface.
On the other hand, the mountain belt is characterized by substantial gas flow, recorded as both
distributed soil gas emissions and vigorous gas vents, associated with active faults at the surface. We
measured a CO2 flux up to 34000 g/m-2 per day at a gas vent, as well as large amounts of He (up to 52
ppm), Rn (up to 228 kBq/m3) and CH4 (up to 5000 ppm).
Overpressured CO2, which has been proposed as triggering normal fault earthquakes in the Apennines,
has been interpreted as mostly of mantle origin. However, our new results from isotope analyses carried
out on the carbon contained in both CO2 and CH4 indicate a dominant thermogenic origin for these
gases, probably associated with the emplacement of magmatic sills within the lower section of the thick
carbonate platform succession occurring at the base of the sedimentary cover in the southern
Apennines. Our results bear major implication concerning the postulated occurrence of crustal faults
allowing fluids to migrate directly from mantle depths to the surface
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