Quantitative analysis of the critical current due to vortex pinning by surface corrugation.

accepted for publication in Phys Rev BThe transport critical current of a Niobium (Nb) thick film has been measured for a large range of magnetic field. Its value and variation are quantitatively described in the framework of the pinning of vortices due to boundary conditions at the rough surface, with a contact angle well explained by the spectral analysis of the surface roughness. Increasing the surface roughness using a Focused Ion Beam results also in an increase of the superficial critical current

Quantitative analysis of the critical current due to vortex pinning by surface corrugation.

accepted for publication in Phys Rev BThe transport critical current of a Niobium (Nb) thick film has been measured for a large range of magnetic field. Its value and variation are quantitatively described in the framework of the pinning of vortices due to boundary conditions at the rough surface, with a contact angle well explained by the spectral analysis of the surface roughness. Increasing the surface roughness using a Focused Ion Beam results also in an increase of the superficial critical current

Seismo-ionosphere detection by underground SQUID in low-noise environment in LSBB-Rustrel, France

International audienceThe permanent operation of a 3 axes magnetometer in the LSBB below 550 m of calcite rock is a unique system of magnetic observation: a rejection rate better than 3 fT/Hz over 40 Hz. The observation of magneto-ionosphere responses to wave emissions both at the epicentre and at their arrival at LSBB for earthquakes of magnitude larger than 3 is reported. A simple model predicts the starting time of these events. These results are compared with those provided by Doppler sounders for ionosphere responses to Rayleigh waves

The Protective Role of PAC1-Receptor Agonist Maxadilan in BCCAO-Induced Retinal Degeneration

A number of studies have proven that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is protective in neurodegenerative diseases. Permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) causes severe degeneration in the rat retina. In our previous studies, protective effects were observed with PACAP1-38, PACAP1-27 and VIP, but not with their related peptides, glucagon or secretin in BCCAO. All three PACAP receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, VPAC2) appear in the retina. Molecular and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the retinoprotective effects are most probably mainly mediated by the PAC1 receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the retinoprotective effects of a selective PAC1-receptor agonist maxadilan in BCCAO-induced retinopathy. Wistar rats were used in the experiment. After performing BCCAO, the right eye was treated with intravitreal maxadilan (0.1 μM or 1 μM), while the left eye was injected with vehicle. Sham-operated rats received the same treatment. Two weeks after the operation, retinas were processed for standard morphometric- and molecular analysis. Intravitreal injection of 0.1 μM or 1 μM maxadilan caused significant protection in the thickness of most retinal layers and the number of cells in the GCL compared to the BCCAO-operated eyes. In addition, 1 μM maxadilan application was more effective than 0.1 μM maxadilan treatment in the ONL, INL, IPL, and the entire retina (OLM-ILM). Maxadilan treatment significantly decreased cytokine expressions (CINC-1, IL-1α and L-selectin) in ischemia. In summary, our histological and molecular analysis showed that maxadilan, a selective PAC1 receptor agonist, has a protective role in BCCAO-induced retinal degeneration, further supporting the role of PAC1 receptor conveying the retinoprotective effects of PACAP