Anomalous Self-Energy Effects of the B_1g Phonon in Y_{1-x}(Pr,Ca)_xBa_2Cu_3O_7 Films

In Raman spectra of cuprate superconductors the gap shows up both directly, via a redistribution of the electronic background, the so-called "2Delta peaks", and indirectly, e.g. via the renormalization of phononic excitations. We use a model that allows us to study the redistribution and the related phonon self-energy effects simultaneously. We apply this model to the B_1g phonon of Y_{1-x}(Pr,Ca)_xBa_2Cu_3O_7 films, where Pr or Ca substitution enables us to investigate under- and overdoped samples. While various self-energy effects can be explained by the strength and energy of the 2\Delta peaks, anomalies remain. We discuss possible origins of these anomalies.Comment: 6 pages including 4 figure

Aqueductal developmental venous anomaly as an unusual cause of congenital hydrocephalus: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Aqueductal stenosis may be caused by a number of etiologies including congenital stenosis, tumor, inflammation, and, very rarely, vascular malformation. However, aqueductal stenosis caused by a developmental venous anomaly presenting as congenital hydrocephalus is even more rare, and, to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been reported in the literature. In this study, we review the literature and report the first case of congenital hydrocephalus associated with aqueductal stenosis from a developmental venous anomaly.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>The patient is a three-day-old, African-American baby girl with a prenatal diagnosis of hydrocephalus. She presented with a full fontanelle, splayed sutures, and macrocephaly. Postnatal magnetic resonance imaging showed triventricular hydrocephalus, suggesting aqueductal stenosis. Examination of the T1-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with gadolinium revealed a developmental venous anomaly passing through the orifice of the aqueduct. We treated the patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Ten cases of aqueductal stenosis due to venous lesions have been reported and, although these venous angiomas and developmental venous anomalies are usually considered congenital lesions, all 10 cases became symptomatic as older children and adults. Our case is the first in which aqueductal stenosis caused by a developmental venous anomaly presents as congenital hydrocephalus. We hope adding to the literature will improve understanding of this very uncommon cause of hydrocephalus and, therefore, will aid in treatment.</p

Superconductivity-induced Resonance Raman Scattering in Multi-layer High-Tc Superconductors

Resonant Raman scattering below Tc has been discovered in several Bi-, Hg-, Tl-based high-Tc superconductors with three or four CuO2-layers. For Bi2Si2Ca2Cu3O10+d, we found an unexpected crossover of the pair-breaking peak in the A1g-spectrum from a broad bump at hw = 6kBTc for Eexc = 2.54eV to a sharp peak at hw = 8kBTc for Eexc = 2.18eV, together with a strong enhancement of the Ca-phonons. Under resonant conditions, the relative positions of the pair breaking peaks in A1g, B1g, and B2g channels are 2Delta(A1g) = 2Delta(B1g) > 2Delta(B2g). This relation implies that the A1g Raman channel is free from the Coulomb screening effect, just as predicted theoretically for a d-wave multi-layer superconductor but have never been observed experimentally thus far. The observed resonance effect is the evidence that the electronic state in the inner CuO2-planes is different from that of the outer CuO2-planes.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures. submitted to Phys.Rev.