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

Comparative analysis of antihypertensive effects of chlorthalidone and indapamide-retard in combination with azilsartan medoxomil in patients with arterial hypertension

Achievement of target blood pressure (BP) is one of the key strategies of primary prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with arterial hypertension (AH). Aim. To assess and compare antihypertensive effects of azilsartan medoxomil (AZM) with chlorthalidone or indapamide-retard combination in patients with AH in real clinical setting. Material and methods. The open randomized comparative study included 50 patients with uncontrolled AH who were randomized to the starting therapy with combination of AZM with chlorthalidone (Edarbi Clo 40/12,5 mg) (group 1) or indapamide-retard 1,5 mg (group 2) for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, up-titration of one of the drugs was done in the patients who didn’t achieve target BP level (<140/<90 mm Hg): chlorthalidone from 12,5 mg to 25 mg in G1 and AZM from 40 to 80 mg in group 2. Duration of the study was 12 weeks. Treatment efficacy was assessed by the target office BP achievement and changes in 24-h peripheral and central BP. Results were considered statistically significant at p<0,05. Results. At the end of the 12-week period target BP was achieved in 88% of group 1 and 72% of group 2 patients. According to 24-h blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) mean peripheral BP decline was 19,3/11,1 vs 17,1/9,1 mm Hg for 24h, 20,1/11,4 vs 19,1/9,9 mm Hg for daytime, 19,5/9,1 vs 17,6/8,9 mmHg for nighttime (p<0,05 for trend). Target 24-h BP levels <130/<80 mm Hg were achieved in 40 vs 32% of patients respectively (р<0,05). Increase of the portion of dippers was observed from 60 to 64% and from 58 to 62% respectively (p<0,05). Conclusion. In patients with uncontrolled AH combination of AZM with chlorthalidone compared has led to more pronounced antihypertensive effect compared to combination of AZM with indapamide-retard. © 2019, Silicea-Poligraf. All rights reserved

Microbial analysis of soil and groundwater from a gasworks site and comparison with a sequenced biological reactive barrier remediation process

Aims: To investigate the distribution of a polymicrobial community of biodegradative bacteria in (i) soil and groundwater at a former manufactured gas plant (FMGP) site and (ii) in a novel SEquential REactive BARrier (SEREBAR) bioremediation process designed to bioremediate the contaminated groundwater. Methods and Results: Culture-dependent and culture-independent analyses using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of 16S ribosomal RNA gene and naphthalene dioxygenase (NDO) genes of free-living (planktonic groundwater) and attached (soil biofilm) samples from across the site and from the SEREBAR process was applied. Naphthalene arising from groundwater was effectively degraded early in the process and the microbiological analysis indicated a dominant role for Pseudomonas and Comamonas in its degradation. The microbial communities appeared highly complex and diverse across both the sites and in the SEREBAR process. An increased population of naphthalene degraders was associated with naphthalene removal. Conclusion: The distribution of micro-organisms in general and naphthalene degraders across the site was highly heterogeneous. Comparisons made between areas contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and those not contaminated, revealed differences in the microbial community profile. The likelihood of noncultured bacteria being dominant in mediating naphthalene removal was evident. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work further emphasizes the importance of both traditional and molecular-based tools in determining the microbial ecology of contaminated sites and highlights the role of noncultured bacteria in the process