Josephson junctions with negative second harmonic in the current-phase relation: properties of novel varphi-junctions

Several recent experiments revealed a change of the sign of the first harmonic in the current-phase relation of Josephson junctions (JJ) based on novel superconductors, e.g., d-wave based or JJ with ferromagnetic barrier. In this situation the role of the second harmonic becomes dominant and it determines the scenario of a 0-pi transition. We discuss different mechanisms of the second harmonic generation and its sign. If the second harmonic is negative the 0-pi transition becomes continuous and the realization of the so-called varphi junction is possible. We study the unusual properties of such a novel JJ and analyze the possible experimental techniques for their observation.Comment: submitted to PR

Low thrombin generation predicts poor prognosis in ischemic stroke patients after thrombolysis.

Thrombolysis by intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is an effective therapy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Thrombin generation test (TGT) is a global hemostasis test providing information about the speed and amount of generated thrombin in plasma. Here we aimed to find out whether results of this test before the initiation of thrombolysis might predict outcomes. Study population included 120 consecutive AIS patients, all within 4.5 hours of their symptom onset, who underwent thrombolysis by rt-PA. Blood samples were collected from all patients upon admission and TGT was performed using platelet poor plasma. Clinical data of patients including the NIHSS were registered at admission, day 1 and 7 after therapy. The ASPECT score was assessed using CT images taken before and 24 hours after thrombolysis. Long-term functional outcome was defined 3 months after the event by the modified Rankin Scale. Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP) and Peak Thrombin were significantly lower in patients with cardioembolic IS. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) was found in 6 patients and was significantly associated with low ETP and Peak Thrombin levels. A multiple logistic regression model revealed that an ETP result in the lower quartile is an independent predictor of mortality within the first two weeks (OR: 6.03; 95%CI: 1.2-30.16, p<0.05) and three months after the event (OR: 5.28; 95%CI: 1.27-21.86, p<0.05). Low levels of ETP and Peak Thrombin parameters increase the risk of therapy associated SICH. A low ETP result is an independent predictor of short- and long-term mortality following thrombolysis

Automatization of contact pressure measurement between trunk orthosis and patient's body using a matrix tactile sensor

Trunk orthosis affects trunk by a corrective-pressure mode with an objective to correct deformities (e.g. scoliosis). The effectiveness of this function depends on various factors, i.e. correct orthosis manufacture, correct application to patients and regular pressure corrective effect control. All these factors can be monitored by a system for measurement and evaluation of the contact pressure between the instrument and trunk in a real time and also by a so called “off line” system data recording. Presented article describes the application of made-to-measure sensor system TACTILUS (Sensor Products, USA) in different regimes (ambulance – A, home – H, combined – HA and multi-sensory ambulance – MA regime), testing of chosen static and dynamic matrix tactile sensor (MTS) parameters and results of the testing application between orthosis and patients' trunks

Automatization of Contact Pressure Measurement between Trunk Orthosis and Patient's Body Using a Matrix Tactile Sensor

Trunk orthosis affects trunk by a corrective-pressure mode with an objective to correct deformities (e.g. scoliosis). The effectiveness of this function depends on various factors, i.e. correct orthosis manufacture, correct application to patients and regular pressure corrective effect control. All these factors can be monitored by a system for measurement and evaluation of the contact pressure between the instrument and trunk in a real time and also by a so called “off line” system data recording. Presented article describes the application of made-to-measure sensor system TACTILUS (Sensor Products, USA) in different regimes (ambulance – A, home – H, combined – HA and multi-sensory ambulance – MA regime), testing of chosen static and dynamic matrix tactile sensor (MTS) parameters and results of the testing application between orthosis and patients' trunks

Material and Thermal Analysis of Laser Sintered Products

Thermal analysis of laser processes can be used to predict thermal stresses and consequently deformation in a completed part. Analysis of temperature is also the basic for feedback of laser processing parameters in manufacturing. The quality of laser sintered parts greatly depends on proper selection of the input processing parameters, material properties and support creation. In order to relatively big heat stress in the built part during sintering process, the thermal simulation and thermal analysis, which could help better understand and solve the issue of parts deformations is very important. Main aim of presented work is to prepare input parameters for thermal simulations by the use of RadTherm software (Thermoanalytics Inc., USA), directly during the sintering process and after the process and find out the impact of the heat stress on a final shape and size of the prototype. Subsequently, an annealing process of constructed products after DMLS could be simulated and specified