49 research outputs found
Signatures of nematic quantum critical fluctuations in the Raman spectra of lightly doped cuprates
We consider the lightly doped cuprates YCaBaCuO
and LaSrCuO (with ,0.04), where the presence of a
fluctuating nematic state has often been proposed as a precursor of the stripe
(or, more generically, charge-density wave) phase, which sets in at higher
doping. We phenomenologically assume a quantum critical character for the
longitudinal and transverse nematic, and for the charge-ordering fluctuations,
and investigate the effects of these fluctuations in Raman spectra. We find
that the longitudinal nematic fluctuations peaked at zero transferred momentum
account well for the anomalous Raman absorption observed in these systems in
the channel, while the absence of such effect in the channel
may be due to the overall suppression of Raman response at low frequencies,
associated with the pseudogap. While in YCaBaCuO the
low-frequency lineshape is fully accounted by longitudinal nematic collective
modes alone, in LaSrCuO also charge-ordering modes with finite
characteristic wavevector are needed to reproduce the shoulders observed in the
Raman response. This different involvement of the nearly critical modes in the
two materials suggests a different evolution of the nematic state at very low
doping into the nearly charge-ordered state at higher doping.Comment: 12 pages with 10 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. B 201
First-Order Type Effects in YBaCuO at the Onset of Superconductivity
We present results of Raman scattering experiments on tetragonal for doping levels between 0 and
0.07 holes/CuO. Below the onset of superconductivity at , we find evidence of a diagonal superstructure. At ,
lattice and electron dynamics change discontinuously with the charge and spin
properties being renormalized at all energy scales. The results indicate that
charge ordering is intimately related to the transition at and
that the maximal transition temperature to superconductivity at optimal doping
depends on the type of ordering at .Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Raman scattering evidence for a cascade-like evolution of the charge-density-wave collective amplitude mode
The two-dimensional rare-earth tri-tellurides undergo a unidirectional
charge-density-wave (CDW) transition at high temperature and, for the heaviest
members of the series, a bidirectional one at low temperature. Raman scattering
experiments as a function of temperature on DyTe and on LaTe at 6 GPa
provide a clear-cut evidence for the emergence of the respective collective CDW
amplitude excitations. In the unidirectional CDW phase, we surprisingly
discover that the amplitude mode develops as a succession of two mean-field,
BCS-like transitions in different temperature ranges
Electron interactions and charge ordering in LaSrCuO
We present results of inelastic light scattering experiments on
single-crystalline LaSrCuO in the doping range and TlBaCuO at and . The main
emphasis is placed on the response of electronic excitations in the
antiferromagnetic phase, in the pseudogap range, in the superconducting state,
and in the essentially normal metallic state at , where no
superconductivity could be observed. In most of the cases we compare B
and B spectra which project out electronic properties close to
and , respectively. In the channel of electron-hole excitations
we find universal behavior in B symmetry as long as the material
exhibits superconductivity at low temperature. In contrast, there is a strong
doping dependence in B symmetry: (i) In the doping range we observe rapid changes of shape and temperature dependence of the
spectra. (ii) In LaSrCuO new structures appear for
which are superposed on the electron-hole continuum. The temperature dependence
as well as model calculations support an interpretation in terms of
charge-ordering fluctuations. For the response from fluctuations
disappears at B and appears at B symmetry in full agreement with
the orientation change of stripes found by neutron scattering. While, with a
grain of salt, the particle-hole continuum is universal for all cuprates the
response from fluctuating charge order in the range is so
far found only in LaSrCuO. We conclude that
LaSrCuO is close to static charge order and, for this reason,
may have a suppressed .Comment: 17 pages, 15 figure
Dynamical properties of charged stripes in La(2-x)SrxCuO4
Inelastic light-scattering spectra of underdoped La_2−xSr_xCuO4 single crystals are presented which provide direct evidence of the formation of quasi-one-dimensional charged structures in the two-dimensional CuO2 planes. The stripes manifest themselves in a Drude-like peak at low energies and temperatures. The selection rules allow us to determine the orientation to be along the diagonals at x=0.02 and along the principal axes at x=0.10. The electron-lattice interaction determines the correlation length which turns out to be larger in compound classes with lower superconducting transition temperatures. Temperature is the only scale of the response at different doping levels demonstrating the importance of quantum critical behavior
Pre-surgery urine metabolomics may predict late neurodevelopmental outcome in children with congenital heart disease
Background: From fetal life until cardiac surgery, complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) exhibit different hemodynamic and oxygenation patterns that can lead to alteration of the metabolic profile. We used a metabolomic approach to identify urine metabolic markers before cardiac surgery, aiming to define the physiology of patients with complex CHD and to contribute to predict their neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: In a prospective, observational, single-center study we enrolled 28 patients with complex biventricular and univentricular CHD aged less than 5 years, on stable hemodynamic conditions, and with no genetic anomalies. We analyzed urine samples, collected at the induction of anesthesia, by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Profiles of 1H NMR spectra were submitted to unsupervised (principal component) and supervised (partial least squares-discriminant) multivariate analysis. Neurodevelopment was assessed by neuropsychological and adaptive functioning testing. Results: Principal components analysis divided CHD patients metabolic profiles in two distinct clusters (RED and BLACK). Metabolic profiles belonging to the RED cluster showed higher levels of accumulation of citric acid cycle intermediates and glucose compared to the profiles in the BLACK cluster, indicating a possible switching to anaerobic metabolism. Patients belonging to the RED cluster were significantly more prone to show an adverse neurodevelopment pattern (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The application of metabolomic analysis to CHD children permitted a deeper insight on their metabolic status that could help to obtain a better understanding of the physiological implications and to predict long-term neurodevelopmental outcome. © 201
Phenomenology of the normal state in-plane transport properties of high- cuprates
In this article, I review progress towards an understanding of the normal
state (in-plane) transport properties of high- cuprates in the light of
recent developments in both spectroscopic and transport measurement techniques.
Against a backdrop of mounting evidence for anisotropic single-particle
lifetimes in cuprate superconductors, new results have emerged that advocate
similar momentum dependence in the transport decay rate ({\bf k}). In
addition, enhancement of the energy scale (up to the bare bandwidth) over which
spectroscopic information on the quasiparticle response can be obtained has led
to the discovery of new, unforeseen features that surprisingly, may have a
significant bearing on the transport properties at the dc limit. With these two
key developments in mind, I consider here whether all the ingredients necessary
for a complete phenomenological description of the anomalous normal state
transport properties of high- cuprates are now in place.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figure
Multitarget CFTR Modulators Endowed with Multiple Beneficial Side Effects for Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Toward a Simplified Therapeutic Approach
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multiorgan disease caused by mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). In addition to respiratory impairment due to mucus accumulation, viruses and bacteria trigger acute pulmonary exacerbations, accelerating disease progression and mortality rate. Treatment complexity increases with patients’ age, and simplifying the therapeutic regimen represents one of the key priorities in CF. We have recently reported the discovery of multitarget compounds able to “kill two birds with one stone” by targeting F508del-CFTR and PI4KIIIβ and thus acting simultaneously as CFTR correctors and broad-spectrum enterovirus (EV) inhibitors. Starting from these preliminary results, we report herein a hit-to-lead optimization and multidimensional structure–activity relationship (SAR) study that led to compound 23a. This compound showed good antiviral and F508del-CFTR correction potency, additivity/synergy with lumacaftor, and a promising in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profile. It was well tolerated in vivo with no sign of acute toxicity and histological alterations in key biodistribution organs
Creatine transporter defect diagnosed by proton NMR spectroscopy in males with intellectual disability.
Creatine deficiency syndrome due to mutations in X-linked SLC6A8 gene results in nonspecific intellectual disability (ID). Diagnosis cannot be established on clinical grounds and is often based on the assessment of brain creatine levels by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Considering high costs of MRS and necessity of sedation, this technique cannot be used as a first level-screening test. Likewise, gene test analysis is time consuming and not easily accessible to all laboratories. In this article feasibility of urine analysis (creatine/creatinine (Cr/Crn) ratio) performed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a first level-screening test is explored. Before running a systematic selection of cases a preliminary study for further molecular analysis is shown. NMR urine spectra (n = 1,347) of male patients with an ID without a clinically recognizable syndrome were measured. On the basis of abnormal Cr/Crn ratio, three patients with the highest values were selected for molecular analysis. A confirmatory second urine test was positive in two patients and diagnosis was further confirmed by a decreased brain creatine level and by SLC6A8 gene analysis. A de novo mutation was identified in one. Another patient inherited a novel mutation from the mother who also has a mild ID. A repeat urine test was negative in the third patient and accordingly creatine level in the brain and SLC6A8 gene analysis both gave a normal result. We conclude that Cr/Crn ratio measured by NMR for male patients represents a rapid and useful first level screening test preceding molecular analysis