Inter- and intragrain currents in bulk melt-grown YBaCuO rings

A simple contactless method suitable to discern between the intergrain (circular) current, which flows in the thin superconducting ring, and the intragrain current, which does not cross the weakest link, has been proposed. At first, we show that the intergrain current may directly be estimated from the magnetic flux density $B(\pm z_0)$ measured by the Hall sensor positioned in the special points $\pm z_0$ above/below the ring center. The experimental and the numerical techniques to determine the value $z_0$ are discussed. Being very promising for characterization of a current flowing across the joints in welded YBaCuO rings (its dependencies on the temperature and the external magnetic field as well as the time dissipation), the approach has been applied to study corresponding properties of the intra- and intergrain currents flowing across the $a$-twisted grain boundaries which are frequent in bulk melt-textured YBaCuO samples. We present experimental data related to the flux penetration inside a bore of MT YBaCuO rings both in the non-magnetized, virgin state and during the field reversal. The shielding properties and their dependence on external magnetic fields are also studied. Besides, we consider the flux creep effects and their influence on the current re-distribution during a dwell.Comment: 13 pages, 16 figures (EPS), RevTeX4. In the revised version, corrections to perturbing effects near the weak links are introduced, one more figure is added. lin

Strong 3D correlations in vortex system of Bi2212:Pb

The experimental study of magnetic flux penetration under crossed magnetic fields in Bi2212:Pb single crystal performed by magnetooptic technique (MO) reveals remarkable field penetration pattern alteration (flux configuration change) and superconducting current anisotropy enhancement by the in-plane field. The anisotropy increases with the temperature rise up to $T_m = 54 \pm 2 K$. At $T = T_m$ an abrupt change in the flux behavior is found; the correlation between the in-plane magnetic field and the out-of-plane magnetic flux penetration disappears. No correlation is observed for $T > T_m$. The transition temperature $T_m$ does not depend on the magnetic field strength. The observed flux penetration anisotropy is considered as an evidence of a strong 3D - correlation between pancake vortices in different CuO planes at $T < T_m$. This enables understanding of a remarkable pinning observed in Bi2212:Pb at low temperatures.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Approaches to assessment of young children with cystic fibrosis rehabilitation programs’ effectiveness

Resume: the problem discussed in this article is medical rehabilitation of early aged children with cystic fibrosis. The study [research] was conducted in the Children City hospital named after Saint Olga and State Center of cystic fibrosis. Evaluation criteria of medical rehabilitation, rehabilitation potential [potency] scales, assignment algorithms of kinesitherapy and exercise therapy means in early aged children were suggested. It was proved that such rehabilitation programmes were effective in children with cystic fibrosis in the dynamic of one year treatment.В статье обсуждаются проблемы реабилитации детей раннего возраста с муковисцидозом. Исследование проводилось на базе СПбГБУЗ «Детская городская больница имени Святой Ольги» и Городского Центра муковисцидоза. Предложены критерии оценки эффективности реабилитации, шкалы формирования реабилитационного потенциала, алгоритм назначения кинезитерапии и средств лечебной физкультуры у детей раннего возраста. Доказана эффективность подобранных программ реабилитации для данных групп детей с муковисцидозом в динамике одного года лечения

Awareness of cognitive decline trajectories in asymptomatic individuals at risk for AD

Background: Lack of awareness of cognitive decline (ACD) is common in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies showed that ACD can also be reduced in the early stages. Methods: We described different trends of evolution of ACD over 3 years in a cohort of memory-complainers and their association to amyloid burden and brain metabolism. We studied the impact of ACD at baseline on cognitive scores’ evolution and the association between longitudinal changes in ACD and in cognitive score. Results: 76.8% of subjects constantly had an accurate ACD (reference class). 18.95% showed a steadily heightened ACD and were comparable to those with accurate ACD in terms of demographic characteristics and AD biomarkers. 4.25% constantly showed low ACD, had significantly higher amyloid burden than the reference class, and were mostly men. We found no overall effect of baseline ACD on cognitive scores’ evolution and no association between longitudinal changes in ACD and in cognitive scores. Conclusions: ACD begins to decrease during the preclinical phase in a group of individuals, who are of great interest and need to be further characterized. Trial registration: The present study was conducted as part of the INSIGHT-PreAD study. The identification number of INSIGHT-PreAD study (ID-RCB) is 2012-A01731-42

Low Cognitive Awareness, but Not Complaint, is a Good Marker of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may result from many conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD)