Silicon Superconducting Quantum Interference Device

We have studied a Superconducting Quantum Interference SQUID device made from a single layer thin film of superconducting silicon. The superconducting layer is obtained by heavily doping a silicon wafer with boron atoms using the Gas Immersion Laser Doping (GILD) technique. The SQUID device is composed of two nano-bridges (Dayem bridges) in a loop and shows magnetic flux modulation at low temperature and low magnetic field. The overall behavior shows very good agreement with numerical simulations based on the Ginzburg-Landau equations.Comment: Published in Applied Physics Letters (August 2015

Effects of perceived cocaine availability on subjective and objective responses to the drug

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Rationale</p> <p>Several lines of evidence suggest that cocaine expectancy and craving are two related phenomena. The present study assessed this potential link by contrasting reactions to varying degrees of the drug's perceived availability.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Non-treatment seeking individuals with cocaine dependence were administered an intravenous bolus of cocaine (0.2 mg/kg) under 100% ('unblinded'; N = 33) and 33% ('blinded'; N = 12) probability conditions for the delivery of drug. Subjective ratings of craving, high, rush and low along with heart rate and blood pressure measurements were collected at baseline and every minute for 20 minutes following the infusions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to the 'blinded' subjects, their 'unblinded' counterparts had similar craving scores on a multidimensional assessment several hours before the infusion, but reported higher craving levels on a more proximal evaluation, immediately prior to the receipt of cocaine. Furthermore, the 'unblinded' subjects displayed a more rapid onset of high and rush cocaine responses along with significantly higher cocaine-induced heart rate elevations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results support the hypothesis that cocaine expectancy modulates subjective and objective responses to the drug. Provided the important public health policy implications of heavy cocaine use, health policy makers and clinicians alike may favor cocaine craving assessments performed in the settings with access to the drug rather than in more neutral environments as a more meaningful marker of disease staging and assignment to the proper level of care.</p

Proximity-induced superconductivity in all-silicon superconductor /normal-metal junctions

International audienc

Pharmacokinetics of pitolisant in children and adolescents with narcolepsy

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and tolerability of pitolisant, a selective histamine 3 (H3) 12receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, in children and adolescents with narcolepsy. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-dose study of pitolisant 17.8 mg enrolled patients aged 6 through 17 years with a diagnosis of narcolepsy. Blood samples were collected at prespecified time points for analysis of pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the serum concentration\u2013time curve from time 0\u201310 h (AUC0\u201310h). Pharmacokinetic parameters were compared across three prespecified age groups: younger pediatric patients (aged 6 to &lt;12 years), older pediatric patients (aged 12 to &lt;18 years), and a historical comparison group of young adults (aged 18 to &lt;45 years). Results: Of the 25 enrolled patients, 24 were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis. Pitolisant Cmax and AUC0\u201310h were greater (by 52% and 73%, respectively) in the younger (n = 12) versus older (n = 12) pediatric subgroup. These parameters were lower in the young adult group (n = 13) by 51% and 48%, respectively, compared with the older pediatric patients, and by 68% and 70%, respectively, compared with the younger pediatric patients. There were six treatment-emergent adverse events: headache (three), dizziness (one), diarrhea (one), and vomiting (one). Conclusions: After single-dose administration, the exposure parameters of pitolisant were significantly greater in the younger compared with older pediatric patients with narcolepsy. Pitolisant doses up to 17.8 mg/d (in children with body weight &lt;40 kg) or 35.6 mg/d are appropriate for further evaluation in pediatric patients. Trial registration: EudraCT Number: 2013-001505-93

Pharmacokinetics of pitolisant in children and adolescents with narcolepsy

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and tolerability of pitolisant, a selective histamine 3 (H3)−receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, in children and adolescents with narcolepsy. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-dose study of pitolisant 17.8 mg enrolled patients aged 6 through 17 years with a diagnosis of narcolepsy. Blood samples were collected at prespecified time points for analysis of pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the serum concentration–time curve from time 0–10 h (AUC0–10h). Pharmacokinetic parameters were compared across three prespecified age groups: younger pediatric patients (aged 6 to &lt;12 years), older pediatric patients (aged 12 to &lt;18 years), and a historical comparison group of young adults (aged 18 to &lt;45 years). Results: Of the 25 enrolled patients, 24 were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis. Pitolisant Cmax and AUC0–10h were greater (by 52% and 73%, respectively) in the younger (n = 12) versus older (n = 12) pediatric subgroup. These parameters were lower in the young adult group (n = 13) by 51% and 48%, respectively, compared with the older pediatric patients, and by 68% and 70%, respectively, compared with the younger pediatric patients. There were six treatment-emergent adverse events: headache (three), dizziness (one), diarrhea (one), and vomiting (one). Conclusions: After single-dose administration, the exposure parameters of pitolisant were significantly greater in the younger compared with older pediatric patients with narcolepsy. Pitolisant doses up to 17.8 mg/d (in children with body weight &lt;40 kg) or 35.6 mg/d are appropriate for further evaluation in pediatric patients. Trial registration: EudraCT Number: 2013-001505-93