Prominent bulk pinning effect in the MgB_2 superconductor

We report the magnetic-field dependence of the irreversible magnetization of the recently discovered binary superconductor MgB$_{2}$. For the temperature region of $T< 0.9T_c$, the contribution of the bulk pinning to the magnetization overwhelms that of the surface pinning. This was evident from the fact that the magnetization curves, $M(H)$, were well described by the critical-state model without considering the surface pinning effect. It was also found that the $M(H)$ curves at various temperatures scaled when the field and the magnetization were normalized by the characteristic scaling factors $H^\ast(T)$ and $M^\ast(T)$, respectively. This feature suggests that the pinning mechanism determining the hysteresis in $M(H)$ is unique below $T=T_c$.Comment: 4pages and 4 figures. Phys. Rev. B (accepted

The Jewel of Brewerytown: Past, Present, and Future at The Poth Brewery

The former F.A. Poth Brewing Company at 31st and Jefferson Streets in Brewerytown is one of the last remaining 19th century brewery structures in Philadelphia and a beautiful example of the Rundbogenstil-style industrial architecture designed by architect Otto C. Wolf. This thesis draws upon primary sources, including insurance surveys, maps, promotional pamphlets, and advertisements to map the evolution of the brewery in from its very beginnings to its heyday and subsequent decline, with an emphasis on the ways in which the spatial layout of the site functioned as part of the industrial brewing process. It then examines existing literature on adaptive reuse of industrial buildings and builds on several examples from around the nation of successful brewery revitalization projects. The paper concludes with examining future reuse options for the site and how these uses can best be incorporated into a historic brewery building without compromising its historic integrity as a “master machine.

Promise of open TFCC surgery

Routine outcome measurements as a critical prerequisite of Value-BasedHealthcare have received considerable attention recently. There has been lessattention for the last step in Value-Based Health Care where measurement ofoutcomes also leads to improvement in the quality of care. Probably this is notwithout reason, since the last part of the learning cycle: “Closing the loop”, seemsthe hardest to implement.The journey from measuring outcomes to changing daily care can be troublesome.As early adopters of Value-Based Healthcare, we like to share our 10 years ofexperience in this journey. Examples of feedback loops are shown based on outcome measurementsimplemented to improve our daily care process as a focused hand surgery andhand therapy clinic.Feedback loops can improve shared decision making, monitor or predicttreatment progression over time, extreme value detection, improve journal clubs,and surgeon evaluation.Our goal as surgeons to improve treatment should not stop at the act ofimplementing routine outcome measurements.We should implement routine analysis and routine feedback loops, because realtime performance feedback can accelerate our learning cycle

Promise of open TFCC surgery

Routine outcome measurements as a critical prerequisite of Value-BasedHealthcare have received considerable attention recently. There has been lessattention for the last step in Value-Based Health Care where measurement ofoutcomes also leads to improvement in the quality of care. Probably this is notwithout reason, since the last part of the learning cycle: “Closing the loop”, seemsthe hardest to implement.The journey from measuring outcomes to changing daily care can be troublesome.As early adopters of Value-Based Healthcare, we like to share our 10 years ofexperience in this journey. Examples of feedback loops are shown based on outcome measurementsimplemented to improve our daily care process as a focused hand surgery andhand therapy clinic.Feedback loops can improve shared decision making, monitor or predicttreatment progression over time, extreme value detection, improve journal clubs,and surgeon evaluation.Our goal as surgeons to improve treatment should not stop at the act ofimplementing routine outcome measurements.We should implement routine analysis and routine feedback loops, because realtime performance feedback can accelerate our learning cycle

Urological anomalies in anorectal malformations in the Netherlands: Effects of screening all patients on long-term outcome

Introduction: Urological anomalies are frequently seen in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) and can result in upper urinary tract deterioration. Whether the current method of screening is valid, adequate and needed for all patients is not clear. We, therefore, evaluated the urological screening methods in our ARM patients for changes in urological treatment, outcome and follow-up. Methods: The medical records of 331 children born with an ARM in the period 1983-2003 were retrospectively studied. Documentation of diagnosis, screening method, urological anomalies, treatment, complications, follow-up and outcome were measured. Results: The overall incidence of urological anomalies was 52%. The incidence of urological anomalies and urological follow-up time decreased with diminishing complexity of the ARM. Hydronephrosis, vesico-urethral reflux, lower urinary tract dysfunction and urinary incontinence were encountered most. Treatment invasiveness increased with the increase of complexity of an ARM. Lower urinary tract dysfunction needing urological care occurred in 43% in combination with lumbosacral or spinal cord anomalies and in 8% with no abnormalities in the lumbosacral-/spinal region. Conclusions: Urological anomalies in patients with complex ARM are more severe than in patients with less complex ARM. Ultrasonography of the urinary tract should be performed in all patients. Voiding cysto-urethrography can be reserved for patients with dilated upper urinary tracts, urinary tract infections or lumbosacral and spinal abnormalities. All patients with complex ARM need urodynamic investigations. When using these indications, the screening for urological anomalies in ARM patients can be optimized with long-term follow-up in selected patients

Continuous monitoring of natural CO2 emissions near Rome: lessons for low-level CO2 leakage detection

Continuous monitoring has been carried out at a fluvial flood-plain site near Rome for over a year. There is a mix of biogenic CO2 and deep geogenic CO2 at the site at relatively low concentrations and fluxes compared with other natural CO2 seepage sites studied previously. Factors such as temperature and soil moisture clearly affect the CO2 concentration and flux and seasonal and diurnal influences are apparent. Statistical approaches are being used to try to define these relationships and separate out the two gas components, which would be necessary in any quantification of leakage from CO2 storage

Better patients’ treatment experiences are associated with better postoperative results in Dupuytren’s disease

This prospective study investigates the extent to which a better experience with healthcare delivery is associated with better postoperative treatment outcomes after surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture. Patients undergoing limited fasciectomy or percutaneous needle fasciotomy for Dupuytren’s contractures completed the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire before and 3 months after surgery, together with a patient reported experience measu

Care-for-child-refugees

A foreign body in the bladder is a well-recognized, although rare, cause of urinary tract infections. We describe a 15-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain and recurrent urinary tract infections. On analysis, a forceps was found, with the two legs of the instrument separately perforating both the back wall of the bladder and the trigone, with the top of the forceps lying in the vagina, covered with a large calculus. The forceps must have been left behind during laparotomy for bowel invagination in her first year of life