853 research outputs found
Suppression of 2D superconductivity by the magnetic field: quantum corrections vs superconductor-insulator transition
Magnetotransport of superconducting Nd_{2-x}Ce_xCuO_{4+y} (NdCeCuO) films is
studied in the temperature interval 0.3-30 K. The microscopic theory of the
quantum corrections to conductivity, both in the Cooper and in the diffusion
channels, qualitatively describes the main features of the experiment including
the negative magnetoresistance in the high field limit. Comparison with the
model of the field-induced superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) is
included and a crossover between these two theoretical approaches is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to JETP Letter
Theoretical Description of Resistive Behavior near a Quantum Vortex-Glass Transition
Resistive behaviors at nonzero temperatures (T > 0) reflecting a quantum
vortex-glass (VG) transition (the so-called field-tuned
superconductor-insulator transition at T=0) are studied based on a quantum
Ginzburg-Landau (GL) action for a s-wave pairing case containing microscopic
details. The ordinary dissipative dynamics of the pair-field is assumed on the
basis of a consistency between the fluctuation conductance terms excluded from
GL approach and an observed negative magnetoresistance. It is shown that the VG
contribution, G_{vg}(B=B_{vg}, T \to 0),to 2D fluctuation conductance at the VG
transition field B_{vg} depends on the strength of a repulsive-interaction
between electrons and takes a universal value only in the ordinary dirty limit
neglecting the electron-repulsion. Available resistivity data near B_{vg} are
discussed based on our results, and extensions to the cases of a d-wave pairing
and of 3D systems are briefly commented on.Comment: Explanation of data in strongly disordered case, as well as Fig.2 and
3, was renewed, and comments on recent publications were added. To appear in
J.Phys.Soc. Jp
Multi-instrument Evaluation of a Real-time PCR Assay for Identification of Atlantic Salmon: A Case Study on the Use of a Pre-packaged Kit for Rapid Seafood Species Identification
Protecting the seafood supply chain from species substitution is critical for economic, health, and conservation reasons. DNA-based methods represent an effective means to detect species substitution, but current methods can be time consuming or costly, and require specialized instruments and operators. Real-time PCR provides an alternative that can be performed quickly, and in some cases even on-site. The use of commercial kits reduces the expertise required by the operator and therefore increases accessibility to testing. This potentially increases the likelihood of adoption into the supply chain, but only if the kits are robust across multiple operators, instruments, and samples. In this study, the InstantIDâ„¢ Atlantic salmon kits were tested on a variety of instruments with market samples of fresh, frozen, smoked, and canned Atlantic salmon. Results were repeatable across all samples and instruments tested. This kit, and others like it that have undergone appropriate evaluation, represents a means for expanded access to testing for industry or regulators to screen seafood for species authenticity. Portable equipment can bring testing on-site, further reducing analysis time
Observation of the parallel-magnetic-field-induced superconductor-insulator transition in thin amorphous InO films
We study the response of a thin superconducting amorphous InO film with
variable oxygen content to a parallel magnetic field. A field-induced
superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) is observed that is very similar to
the one in normal magnetic fields. As the boson-vortex duality, which is the
key-stone of the theory of the field-induced SIT, is obviously absent in the
parallel configuration, we have to draw conclusion about the theory
insufficiency.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure
Scaling analysis of the magnetic-field-tuned quantum transition in superconducting amorphous In-O films
We have studied the magnetic-field-tuned superconductor-insulator quantum
transition (SIT) in amorphous In-O films with different oxygen content and,
hence, different electron density. While for states of the film near the
zero-field SIT the two-dimensional scaling behaviour is confirmed, for deeper
states in the superconducting phase the SIT scenario changes: in addition to
the scaling function that describes the conductivity of fluctuation-induced
Cooper pairs, there emerges a temperature-dependent contribution to the film
resistance. This contribution can originate from the conductivity of normal
electrons.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in JETP Lett. 71 (4),
200
Microscopic Study of Quantum Vortex-Glass Transition Field in Two-Dimensional Superconductors
The position of a field-tuned superconductor-insulator quantum transition
occuring in disordered thin films is examined within the mean field
approximation. Our calculation shows that the microscopic disorder-induced
reduction of the quantum transition point found experimentally cannot be
explained if the interplay between the disorder and an electron-electron
repulsive interaction is ignored. This work is presented as a microscopic basis
of an explanation (cond-mat/0105122) of resistive phenomena near the transition
field.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures. To appear in J.Phys.Soc.Jp
Nucleation of Stable Superconductivity in YBCO-Films
By means of the linear dynamic conductivity, inductively measured on
epitaxial films between 30mHz and 30 MHz, the transition line to
generic superconductivity is studied in fields between B=0 and 19T. It follows
closely the melting line described recently in terms of a blowout of
thermal vortex loops in clean materials. The critical exponents of the
correlation length and time near , however, seem to be dominated by
some intrinsic disorder. Columnar defects produced by heavy-ion irradiation up
to field-equivalent-doses of lead to a disappointing reduction
of while for the generic line of the pristine film
is recovered. These novel results are also discussed in terms of a loop-driven
destruction of generic superconductivity.Comment: 11 pages including 7 EPS figures, accepted for publication in the
Proceedings of the Spring Meeting of the German Physical Society, Muenster
1999,Festkoerperprobleme/Advances in Solid State Physics 199
Radiofrequency ablation of lung tumours
Pulmonary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an increasingly adopted treatment option for primary and metastatic lung tumours. It is mainly performed in patients with unresectable or medically inoperable lung neoplasms. The immediate technical success rate is over 95%, with a low periprocedural mortality rate and 8–12% major complication rate. Pneumothorax represents the most frequent complication, but requires a chest tube drain in less than 10% of cases. Sustained complete tumour response has been reported in 85–90% of target lesions. Lesion size represents the most important risk factor for local recurrence. Survival data are still scarce, but initial results are very promising. In patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer, 1- and 2-year survival rates are within the ranges of 78–95% and 57–84%, respectively, with corresponding cancer-specific survival rates of 92% and 73%. In selected cases, the combination of RFA and radiotherapy could improve these results. In patients with colorectal lung metastasis, initial studies have reported survival data that compare favourably with the results of metastasectomy, with up to a 45% 5-year survival rate. Further studies are needed to understand the potential role of RFA as a palliative treatment in more advanced disease and the possible combination of RFA with other treatment options
Teratogenic risk and contraceptive counselling in psychiatric practice: analysis of anticonvulsant therapy
<p>Background:
Anticonvulsants have been used to manage psychiatric conditions for over 50 years. It is recognised that some, particularly valproate, carbamazepine and lamotrigine, are human teratogens, while others including topiramate require further investigation. We aimed to appraise the documentation of this risk by psychiatrists and review discussion around contraceptive issues.</p>
<p>Methods:
A retrospective review of prescribing patterns of four anticonvulsants (valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine and topiramate) in women of child bearing age was undertaken. Documented evidence of discussion surrounding teratogenicity and contraceptive issues was sought.</p>
<p>Results:
Valproate was most commonly prescribed (n=67). Evidence of teratogenic risk counselling at medication initiation was sub-optimal – 40% of individuals prescribed carbamazepine and 22% of valproate. Documentation surrounding contraceptive issues was also low- 17% of individuals prescribed carbamazepine and 13% of valproate.</p>
<p>Conclusion:
We found both low rates of teratogenic risk counselling and low rates of contraception advice in our cohort. Given the high rates of unplanned pregnancies combined with the relatively high risk of major congenital malformations, it is essential that a detailed appraisal of the risks and benefits associated with anticonvulsant medication occurs and is documented within patients’ psychiatric notes.</p>
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