122 research outputs found
Onset of dendritic flux avalanches in superconducting films
We report a detailed comparison of experimental data and theoretical
predictions for the dendritic flux instability, believed to be a generic
behavior of type-II superconducting films. It is shown that a thermo-magnetic
model published very recently [Phys. Rev. B 73, 014512 (2006)] gives an
excellent quantitative description of key features like the instability onset
(first dendrite appearance) magnetic field, and how the onset field depends on
both temperature and sample size. The measurements were made using
magneto-optical imaging on a series of different strip-shaped samples of MgB2.
Excellent agreement is also obtained by reanalyzing data previously published
for Nb.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Experiments in vortex avalanches
Avalanche dynamics is found in many phenomena spanning from earthquakes to
the evolution of species. It can be also found in vortex matter when a type II
superconductor is externally driven, for example, by increasing the magnetic
field. Vortex avalanches associated with thermal instabilities can be an
undesirable effect for applications, but "dynamically driven" avalanches
emerging from the competition between intervortex interactions and quenched
disorder constitute an interesting scenario to test theoretical ideas related
with non-equilibrium dynamics. However, differently from the equilibrium phases
of vortex matter in type II superconductors, the study of the corresponding
dynamical phases - in which avalanches can play a role - is still in its
infancy. In this paper we critically review relevant experiments performed in
the last decade or so, emphasizing the ability of different experimental
techniques to establish the nature and statistical properties of the observed
avalanche behavior.Comment: To be published in Reviews of Modern Physics April 2004. 17 page
Sliding of Au droplet in vapor?liquid?solid growth of semiconductor nanowire heterostructures
Pranlukast: A review of its use in the management of asthma
Pranlukast (Onon\uae, Azlaire\uae), is an orally administered, selective, competitive antagonist of the cysteinyl leukotrienes (LT) C4, LTD4 and LTE4. It is indicated for the prophylactic treatment of chronic bronchial asthma in paediatric and adult patients. The efficacy of pranlukast 225mg twice daily in adults with mild to moderate asthma was demonstrated in double-blind, placebo- or azelastine-controlled studies of 4 or 8 weeks' duration. The drug at this dosage was superior to both comparators in improving mean attack scores and morning and/or evening peak expiratory flow rates, and decreasing the use of rescue bronchodilators (p < 0.05). In limited clinical studies, pranlukast 225mg twice daily appeared to be as effective as montelukast 10mg once daily and zafirlukast 40mg twice daily in adults with mild to moderate asthma. Tachyphylaxis was absent when the drug was administered for up to 4 years. In patients requiring high-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy, pranlukast 225mg twice daily plus a halved dosage of inhaled corticosteroid was as effective as the original dosage of inhaled corticosteroid. Pranlukast was also effective in patients with mild to severe asthma in a clinical practice setting. In a double-blind trial, greater improvements in most outcome measures were observed with pranlukast than with oxatomide in children and adolescents with asthma. In clinical trials, pranlukast was well tolerated in adult and paediatric patients with asthma, with an adverse event profile similar to that of placebo. Gastrointestinal events and hepatic function abnormalities were the most commonly reported adverse events. No clinically significant differences in adverse event profiles between pranlukast, zafirlukast or montelukast were shown in limited comparisons. Although Churg-Strauss syndrome has been noted in pranlukast recipients, a direct causal relationship is unlikely. Conclusions: Pranlukast is a well tolerated and effective preventative treatment in adult and paediatric patients with persistent asthma of all severities. In some patients, pranlukast may be beneficial when added to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids; it may also be a viable alternative to increasing inhaled corticosteroid dosages. The efficacy of pranlukast relative to placebo has been confirmed; its efficacy relative to other therapy awaits further investigation. Nonetheless, pranlukast is a useful therapeutic option (with as-required short-acting \u3b22-agonists), either as preventative monotherapy for the treatment of mild persistent asthma or in conjunction with inhaled corticosteroids in the management of moderate or severe persistent asthma
Purification and characterization of a pyranose oxidase from the basidiomycete Peniophora gigantea and chemical analyses of its reaction products
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