Smart SQUIDs based on Relaxation Oscillation SQUIDs

Smart SQUIDs based on double Relaxation Oscillation SQUIDs (DROS) and a superconducting up-down counter have been developed. DROS and counter form a flux locked loop on one single chip. The DROS output consists of a series of pulses that controls the two up and down write gates of the counter. The pulsed output structure of the DROS constitutes the internal clock for this single-chip device. Several prototypes were built with a clock frequency of 100 MHz, a linear operation flux range of about 2.5 ¿0, and a white noise level of 6.5 ¿¿0/¿Hz. The smart SQUID is in principle a promising device for application in multichannel SQUID system

The use of (double) relaxation oscillation SQUIDs as a sensor

Relaxation Oscillation SQUIDs (ROSs) and Double Relaxation Oscillation SQUIDs (DROSs) are based on relaxation oscillations that are induced in hysteretic dc SQUIDs by an external L-R shunt. The relaxation frequency of a ROS varies with the applied flux Φ, whereas the output of a DROS is a dc voltage, with a typical flux-to-voltage transfer of ∂V/∂Φ≈1 mV/Φ0. The flux-to-frequency response of several ROSs has been measured and compared with theory for frequencies up to 7 GHz. Various DROS designs-a multi-loop direct coupling DROS, a DROS with a washer type signal SQUID and a DROS with gradiometric signal SQUID-will be discussed in this paper. The integration of a DROS with a digital flux locked loop (“Smart DROS”) will also be analyze

High Sensitivity Magnetic Flux Sensors with Direct Voltage Readout Double Relaxation Oscillation SQUIDs

The experimental sensitivity of double relaxation oscillation SQUIDs (DROSs) has been compared with theory and with the results obtained by numerical simulations. The experimental sensitivity ranges from 60 to 13h, where h is Planck's constant, for relaxation frequencies from 0.4 up to 10 GHz. For low frequencies the DROS characteristics can be explained by thermal noise on the critical currents. For high frequencies, the voltage-flux characteristics and the sensitivity are limited by the plasma frequency. The cross-over frequency is at 2 GHz, which is about 2% of the plasma frequency of the DROS

A 1-MHz low noise preamlifier based on Double Relaxation Oscillation SQUIDs

A low noise and wideband preamplifier based on Double Relaxation Oscillation Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (DROSs) has been realized. A major advantage of a DROS is that it can be operated in a simple flux modulation. So far, biomagnetic measurements performed in our group required only a limited bandwidth smaller than 100 kHz. Other applications, like for instance readout of radiation and particle detectors, demand a larger bandwidth. In this paper, we will discuss our efforts aimed at increasing the operational bandwidth of a DROS in flux locked loop. Presently, a flux locked loop scheme with a -3 dB bandwidth of 1.45 MHz has been built. With this system a white flux noise of 8 ¿¿0/¿Hz was measured with a 1/f-corner frequency of 10 Hz. The slew rate was 2.5·105 ¿0/s. With the mutual input inductance of 6.7 nH, an input current noise of the preamplifier of 2.5 pA/¿Hz was found and a current slew rate of 80 mA/s. We will discuss the suitability of our DROS-based preamplifier for readout of cryogenic particle detectors based on superconducting tunnel junction

Limited life cycle and cost assessment for the bioconversion of lignin-derived aromatics into adipic acid

Lignin is an abundant and heterogeneous waste byproduct of the cellulosic industry, which has the potential of being transformed into valuable biochemicals via microbial fermentation. In this study, we applied a fast-pyrolysis process using softwood lignin resulting in a two-phase bio-oil containing monomeric and oligomeric aromatics without syringol. We demonstrated that an additional hydrodeoxygenation step within the process leads to an enhanced thermochemical conversion of guaiacol into catechol and phenol. After steam bath distillation, Pseudomonas putida KT2440-BN6 achieved a percent yield of cis, cis-muconic acid of up to 95 mol% from catechol derived from the aqueous phase. We next established a downstream process for purifying cis, cis-muconic acid (39.9 g/L) produced in a 42.5 L fermenter using glucose and benzoate as carbon substrates. On the basis of the obtained values for each unit operation of the empirical processes, we next performed a limited life cycle and cost analysis of an integrated biotechnological and chemical process for producing adipic acid and then compared it with the conventional petrochemical route. The simulated scenarios estimate that by attaining a mixture of catechol, phenol, cresol, and guaiacol (1:0.34:0.18:0, mol ratio), a titer of 62.5 (g/L) cis, cis-muconic acid in the bioreactor, and a controlled cooling of pyrolysis gases to concentrate monomeric aromatics in the aqueous phase, the bio-based route results in a reduction of CO2 -eq emission by 58% and energy demand by 23% with a contribution margin for the aqueous phase of up to 88.05 euro/ton. We conclude that the bio-based production of adipic acid from softwood lignins brings environmental benefits over the petrochemical procedure and is cost-effective at an industrial scale. Further research is essential to achieve the proposed cis, cis-muconic acid yield from true lignin-derived aromatics using whole-cell biocatalysts

Infliximab plus methotrexate is superior to methotrexate alone in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in methotrexate-naive patients: the RESPOND study

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate with methotrexate alone in methotrexate-naive patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: In this open-label study, patients 18 years and older with active PsA who were naive to methotrexate and not receiving disease-modifying therapy (N=115) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either infliximab (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2, 6 and 14 plus methotrexate (15 mg/week); or methotrexate (15 mg/week) alone. The primary assessment was American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response at week 16. Secondary outcome measures included psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) and dactylitis and enthesitis assessments. Results: At week 16, 86.3% of patients receiving infliximab plus methotrexate and 66.7% of those receiving methotrexate alone achieved an ACR20 response (p<0.02). Of patients whose baseline PASI was 2.5 or greater, 97.1% receiving infliximab plus methotrexate compared with 54.3% receiving methotrexate alone experienced a 75% or greater improvement in PASI (p<0.0001). Improvements in C-reactive protein levels, DAS28 response and remission rates, dactylitis, fatigue and morning stiffness duration were also significantly greater in the group receiving infliximab. In the infliximab plus methotrexate group, 46% (26/57) had treatment-related adverse events (AE) and two patients had serious AE, compared with 24% with AE (13/54) and no serious AE in the methotrexate-alone group. Conclusions: Treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate in methotrexate-naive patients with active PsA demonstrated significantly greater ACR20 response rates and PASI75 improvement compared with methotrexate alone and was generally well tolerated. This trial is registered in the US National Institutes of Health clinicaltrials.gov database, identifier NCT00367237