Madelung potentials and covalency effect in strained La1−x_{1-x}Srx_xMnO3_3 thin films studied by core-level photoemission spectroscopy

We have investigated the shifts of the core-level photoemission spectra of La$_{0.6}$Sr$_{0.4}$MnO$_3$ thin films grown on three kinds of substrates, SrTiO$_3$, (LaAlO$_3$)$_{0.3}$-(SrAl$_{0.5}$Ta$_{0.5}$O$_3$)$_{0.7}$, and LaAlO$_3$. The experimental shifts of the La 4d and Sr 3d core levels are almost the same as the calculation, which we attribute to the absence of covalency effects on the Madelung potentials at these atomic sites due to the nearly ionic character of these atoms. On the other hand, the experimental shifts of the O $1s$ and Mn $2p$ core levels are negligibly small, in disagreement with the calculation. We consider that this is due to the strong covalent character of the Mn-O bonds.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Evidence for quasi-two-dimensional superconductivity in electron-doped Li0.48(THF)yHfNCl

Dc-magnetization and NMR measurements were carried out on a layered superconductor Li0.48(THF)yHfNCl having Tc∼26 K. For the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the basal plane (ab plane) above 10 kOe, we found a pronounced broadening of the superconducting transition in temperature dependence of magnetization and the substantial diamagnetic signals were observed as high as 2Tc, indicating the existence of superconducting fluctuations. Analysis based on the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau model reveals that the present system is a highly anisotropic superconductor. 7Li-NMR signals were observed around zero Knight shift, indicating that the local Fermi-level density of states, N(EF), at Li site is practically nothing and the superconductivity is derived from the HfNCl layer. We have shown the unambiguous evidence for the quasi-two-dimensional superconducting character in this system

NMR evidence for Mott-Hubbard localization in (NH3)K3C60

13C, 1H, and 39K-NMR measurements of (NH3)K3C60 unambiguously demonstrated that its magnetic properties are described as a S=1/2 localized spin system over the entire temperature range (300 K–4.2 K). A possible antiferromagnetic structure that appeared below 45 K is compatible with the orientational order of K-NH3 pairs on the octahedral (O) site. The present NMR study strongly suggests that the Mott-Hubbard localization occurs due to the removal of the C60 t1u-orbital degeneracy

Proton relaxation in the superconducting organic solid (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2: evidence for relaxation by localized paramagnetic centers

The nonexponential character of the build-up of the nuclear magnetization usually increases on lowering the temperature. Superconducting fluctuations have been offered in a speculative way as an explanation for the nonexponential spin relaxation. We have observed the same relaxation behaviour in our investigation of the proton spin relaxation in (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2 which is an organic conductor at room temperature and becomes a superconductor at Tc=10.4 K at ambient pressure. As we noticed during preliminary measurements that the degree of deviation from exponential relaxation depends on the sample under study we decided to do experiments under controlled conditions of sample preparation

Role of dynamic Jahn-Teller distortions in Na2C60 and Na2CsC60 studied by NMR

Through 13C NMR spin lattice relaxation (T1) measurements in cubic Na2C60, we detect a gap in its electronic excitations, similar to that observed in tetragonal A4C60. This establishes that Jahn-Teller distortions (JTD) and strong electronic correlations must be considered to understand the behaviour of even electron systems, regardless of the structure. Furthermore, in metallic Na2CsC60, a similar contribution to T1 is also detected for 13C and 133Cs NMR, implying the occurence of excitations typical of JT distorted C60^{2-} (or equivalently C60^{4-}). This supports the idea that dynamic JTD can induce attractive electronic interactions in odd electron systems.Comment: 3 figure

Gaps and excitations in fullerides with partially filled bands : NMR study of Na2C60 and K4C60

We present an NMR study of Na2C60 and K4C60, two compounds that are related by electron-hole symmetry in the C60 triply degenerate conduction band. In both systems, it is known that NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) measurements detect a gap in the electronic structure, most likely related to singlet-triplet excitations of the Jahn-Teller distorted (JTD) C60^{2-} or C60^{4-}. However, the extended temperature range of the measurements presented here (10 K to 700 K) allows to reveal deviations with respect to this general trend, both at high and low temperatures. Above room temperature, 1/T1 deviates from the activated law that one would expect from the presence of the gap and saturates. In the same temperature range, a lowering of symmetry is detected in Na2C60 by the appearance of quadrupole effects on the 23Na spectra. In K4C60, modifications of the 13C spectra lineshapes also indicate a structural modification. We discuss this high temperature deviation in terms of a coupling between JTD and local symmetry. At low temperatures, 1/T$_1$T tends to a constant value for Na2C60, both for 13C and 23Na NMR. This indicates a residual metallic character, which emphasizes the proximity of metallic and insulting behaviors in alkali fullerides.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figure

Clinical significance of VEGF-A, -C and -D expression in esophageal malignancies

Vascular endothelial growth factors ( VEGF)- A, - C and - D are members of the proangiogenic VEGF family of glycoproteins. VEGF-A is known to be the most important angiogenic factor under physiological and pathological conditions, while VEGF-C and VEGF-D are implicated in the development and sprouting of lymphatic vessels, so called lymphangiogenesis. Local tumor progression, lymph node metastases and hematogenous tumor spread are important prognostic factors for esophageal carcinoma ( EC), one of the most lethal malignancies throughout the world. We found solid evidence in the literature that VEGF expression contributes to tumor angiogenesis, tumor progression and lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC), and many authors could show a prognostic value for VEGF-assessment. In adenocarcinoma (AC) of the esophagus angiogenic properties are acquired in early stages, particularly in precancerous lesions like Barrett's dysplasia. However, VEGF expression fails to give prognostic information in AC of the esophagus. VEGF-C and VEGF-D were detected in SCC and dysplastic lesions, but not in normal mucosa of the esophagus. VEGF-C expression might be associated with lymphatic tumor invasion, lymph node metastases and advanced disease in esophageal SCC and AC. Therapeutic interference with VEGF signaling may prove to be a promising way of anti-angiogenic co-treatment in esophageal carcinoma. However, concrete clinical data are still pending

Effect of Secondary Echo Signals in Spin-Systems with a Large Inhomogeneous Broadening of NMR Line

The possibility of comparatively simple and fast determination of characteristic relaxation parameters T1, T2 and T3 for nuclear spin-systems with strong Larmor and Rabi inhomogeneous broadenings of NMR lines using the secondary echo signal effect was experimentally shown. Resides, this method gives opportunity to obtain a valuable infomation on the inhomogeneous NMR broadening which reflects the character of magnetic field microscopic destribution in such systems, as example, multidomain magnetics and superconductors.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Early pneumothorax as a feature of response to crizotinib therapy in a patient with ALK rearranged lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Single arm phase 1 and 2 studies on Crizotinib in ALK-positive patients so far have shown rapid and durable responses. Spontaneous pneumothoraces as a result of response to anti-cancer therapy are rare in oncology but have been documented in a number of tumour types including lung cancer. This includes cytotoxic chemotherapy as well as molecular targeted agents such as gefitinib and Bevacizumab. These often require chest drain insertion or surgical intervention with associated morbidity and mortality. They have also been associated with response to treatment. This is the first report we are aware of documenting pneumothorax as response to crizotinib therapy.Case presentation: A 48-year-old Caucasian male presented with a Stage IV, TTF1 positive, EGFR wild-type adenocarcinoma of the lung. He received first line chemotherapy with three cycles of cisplatin-pemetrexed chemotherapy with a differential response, and then second-line erlotinib for two months before further radiological evidence of disease progression. Further analysis of his diagnostic specimen identified an ALK rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). He was commenced on crizotinib therapy 250 mg orally twice daily. At his 4-week assessment he had a chest radiograph that identified a large left-sided pneumothorax with disease response evident on the right. Chest CT confirmed a 50% left-sided pneumothorax on a background of overall disease response. A chest tube was inserted with complete resolution of the pneumothorax that did not recur following its removal.Conclusion: Our case demonstrates this potential complication of crizotinib therapy and we therefore recommend that pneumothorax be considered in patients on crizotinib presenting with high lung metastatic burden and with worsening dyspnoea. © 2013 Gennatas et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd