1,987 research outputs found
Pressure dependence of the magnetoresistance oscillations spectrum of beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Fe(C2O4)3].DMF
The pressure dependence of the interlayer magnetoresistance of the quasi-two
dimensional organic metal beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Fe(C2O4)3].DMF has been
investigated up to 1 GPa in pulsed magnetic fields up to 55 T. The Shubnikov-de
Haas oscillations spectra can be interpreted on the basis of three compensated
orbits in all the pressure range studied, suggesting that the Fermi surface
topology remains qualitatively the same as the applied pressure varies. In
addition, all the observed frequencies, normalized to their value at ambient
pressure, exhibit the same sizeable pressure dependence. Despite this behavior,
which is at variance with that of numerous charge transfer salts based on the
BEDT-TTF molecule, non-monotonous pressure-induced variations of parameters
such as the scattering rate linked to the various detected orbits are observed.Comment: accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Ground Motion Deduced from Ambient-Noise Measurements in the Town of Avellino, Irpinia Region (Italy)
The effects of surface geology on ground motion
provide an important tool in seismic hazard studies. It is well
known that the presence of soft sediments can cause amplification
of the ground motion at the surface, particularly when there is a
sharp impedance contrast at shallow depth. The town of Avellino is
located in an area characterised by high seismicity in Italy, about
30 km from the epicentre of the 23 November 1980, Irpinia
earthquake (M = 6.9). No earthquake recordings are available in
the area. The local geology is characterised by strong heterogeneity,
with impedance contrasts at depth. We present the results
from seismic noise measurements carried out in the urban area of
Avellino to evaluate the effects of local geology on the seismic
ground motion. We computed the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V)
noise spectral ratios at 16 selected sites in this urban area for which
drilling data are available within the first 40 m of depth. A Rayleigh
wave inversion technique using the peak frequencies of the
noise H/V spectral ratios is then presented for estimating Vs
models, assuming that the thicknesses of the shallow soil layers are
known. The results show a good correspondence between experimental
and theoretical peak frequencies, which are interpreted in
terms of sediment resonance. For one site, which is characterised
by a broad peak in the horizontal-to-vertical spectral-ratio curve,
simple one-dimensional modelling is not representative of the
resonance effects. Consistent variations in peak amplitudes are seen
among the sites. A site classification based on shear-wave velocity
characteristics, in terms of Vs30, cannot explain these data. The
differences observed are better correlated to the impedance contrast
between the sediments and basement. A more detailed investigation
of the physical parameters of the subsoil structure, together with
earthquake data, are desirable for future research, to confirm these
data in terms of site response
Pressure dependence of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation pectrum of beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Cr(C2O4)3].DMF
The Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillation spectra of the
beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Cr(C2O4)\_3].DMF organic metal have been studied in
pulsed magnetic fields of up to either 36 T at ambient pressure or 50 T under
hydrostatic pressures of up to 1 GPa. The ambient pressure SdH oscillation
spectra can be accounted for by up to six fundamental frequencies which points
to a rather complex Fermi surface (FS). A noticeable pressure-induced
modification of the FS topology is evidenced since the number of frequencies
observed in the spectra progressively decreases as the pressure increases.
Above 0.8 GPa, only three compensated orbits are observed, as it is the case
for several other isostructural salts of the same family at ambient pressure.
Contrary to other organic metals, of which the FS can be regarded as a network
of orbits, no frequency combinations are observed for the studied salt, likely
due to high magnetic breakdown gap values or (and) high disorder level
evidenced by Dingle temperatures as large as about 7 K.Comment: To be published in European Physical Journal
The BMV project: Search for photon oscillations into massive particles
In this contribution to PSAS08 we report on the research activities developed
in our Toulouse group, in the framework of the BMV project, concerning the
search for photon oscillations into massive particles, such as axion-like
particles in the presence of a strong transverse magnetic field. We recall our
main result obtained in collaboration with LULI at \'Ecole Polytechnique
(Palaiseau, France). We also present the very preliminary results obtained with
the BMV experiment which is set up at LNCMP (Toulouse, France).Comment: Proceedings of PSAS'08, to be published in Can. J. Phy
Treatment responses to antiangiogenetic therapy and chemotherapy in nonsecreting paraganglioma (PGL4) of urinary bladder with SDHB mutation: a case report
Paraganglioma (PGL) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor. Currently, the malignancy is defined as the presence of metastatic spread at presentation or during follow-up. Several gene mutations are listed in the pathogenesis of PGL, among which succinate dehydrogenase (SDHX), particularly the SDHB isoform, is the main gene involved in malignancy. A 55-year-old male without evidence of catecholamine secretion had surgery for PGL of the urinary bladder. After 1 year, he showed a relapse of disease and demonstrated malignant PGL without evidence of catecholamine secretion with a germline heterozygous mutation of succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB). After failure of a second surgery for relapse, he started medical treatment with sunitinib daily but discontinued due to serious side effects. Cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dacarbazine (CVD) chemotherapeutic regimen stopped the disease progression for 7 months.
Conclusion: Malignant PGL is a very rare tumor, and SDHB mutations must be always considered in molecular diagnosis because they represent a critical event in the progression of the oncological disease. Currently, there are few therapeutic protocols, and it is often difficult, as this case demonstrates, to decide on a treatment option according to a reasoned set of choices.
Abbreviations: CVD = cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine, HIF-1a = hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha, PGL = paraganglioma, SDH = succinate dehydrogenase, VEGF = vasoendothelial growth factor
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