Charging in the Abrikosov lattice of type-II superconductors

We study the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the vortex-core charge in the Abrikosov lattice of an $s$-wave superconductor based on the augmented quasiclassical equations with the Lorentz force and the pair-potential gradient (PPG) force. It is shown that the charging is dominated by the PPG force at weak magnetic fields and by the Lorentz force at strong magnetic fields, since the charge due to the PPG force, which is large at weak magnetic fields, decreases monotonically as the magnetic field increases, and that due to the Lorentz force has a large peak for the average of the flux density $\bar{B}$ near $B_{{\rm c}2}/2$, where $B_{{\rm c}2}$ is the upper critical field. Moreover, we estimate the magnitude of the vortex-core charge using the parameters used for cuprate superconductors, and found good agreement between our theoretical predictions and the NMR/NQR measurements by Kumagai {\it et al}. We show that the vortex-core charge peaks near $T=0$ and $\bar{B}=B_{{\rm c}2}/2$, which makes it the most suitable region for a measurement of the charge.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

Drastic enhancement of the thermal Hall angle in a dd-wave superconductor

A drastic enhancement of the thermal Hall angle in $d$-wave superconductors was observed experimentally in a cuprate superconductor and in CeCoIn$_5$ at low temperatures and very weak magnetic field [Phys. Rev. Lett. $\bf 86$, 890 (2001); Phys. Rev. B $\bf 72$, 214515 (2005)]. However, to the best of our knowledge, its microscopic calculation has not been performed yet. To study this microscopically, we derive the thermal Hall coefficient in extreme type-II superconductors with an isolated pinned vortex based on the augmented quasiclassical equations of superconductivity with the Lorentz force. Using it, we can confirm that the quasiparticle relaxation time and the thermal Hall angle are enhanced in $d$-wave superconductors without impurities of the resonant scattering because quasiparticles around the gap nodes which become dominant near zero temperature are restricted to the momentum in a specific orientation. This enhancement of the thermal Hall angle may also be observed in other nodal superconductors with large magnetic-penetration depth.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figure

圧迫側歯根膜の血流変化について

During the tooth movement, an optimal compressive force (orthodontic force) must be applied to the periodontal ligament. In order to achieve an optimal force, it is important to understand the changes of blood flow and the vascular networks on the pressure side of the periodontal ligament. However, there are few published reports about the long-term daily changes of the blood flow in the vascular networks of the periodontal ligament. We studied the daily changes of the blood flow in the pressure side of the periodontal ligament of the dog mandibular canine using a microcirculation analyzer, which enables to discriminate between blood flow of arteries and veins based on a cross-correlation coefficient between laser speckle and pulse signals. We measured the blood flow in the pressure side of its periodontal ligament through a thin cavity wall. The following results were obtained ; 1. The microcirculation analyzer and the cross-correlation coefficient that we used in this study could measure the changes of arterial and venous blood flow on the pressure side of the periodontal ligament. 2. The overall blood flow after the force application decreased immediately. 3. The blood flow after the force application increased on day 1 especially in the arteries. 4. The arterial and venous blood flow recovered after 3, 7, and 14 days of the force application to the same levels as under non-pressurized conditions

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat