On the theory of critical currents and flux flow in superconductors by the mechanism of plastic deformation of the flux-line lattice

In this paper the author will discuss how the nature of the stress state in the flux-line lattice (FLL) of superconductors arises from the distribution, density, geometry, and strength of pinning centers. Under certain conditions this stress causes the onset of plastic deformation in the FLL for values of the current density below that required for flux-flow by general depinning. He will describe an analytic framework, based on a theory of plasticity of the FLL, which describes the flux-flow characteristics, including the possibility of thermally-activated flow and flux creep

Alteration of the superconducting properties of A15 compounds and elementary composite superconductors by non-hydrostatic elastic strain

Elastic strains alter (usually, but not always, adversely) the critical temperatures, magnetic fields, and current densities of superconducting A15 compounds; non-hydrostatic strain states are particularly effective in this regard. This paper is a review of the experimental evidence, obtained by a variety of techniques, concerning the strain dependence of the critical properties of a number of A15 compounds and a discussion of theoretical models for describing such effects

Crystallographic texture determinations from inverse susceptibility measurements

Determination of the quantitative relationship between crystallographic texture and magnetic properties in advanced permanent magnets may be hampered by complex microstructures, which complicate methods that rely on diffraction, or by interparticulate interactions, which adversely affect methods based on magnetic remanence measurements. To this end, new techniques in the determination of texture of bulk permanent magnets are being explored to overcome these inherent experimental difficulties. The analysis of inverse paramagnetic susceptibility measurements constitutes a new method to investigate crystallographic texture. Such measurements also provide Curie temperature data, which is sensitive to chemical changes that may have occurred in the magnetic phase during processing. The mathematical formalism underlying the analysis of inverse susceptibility measurements is outlined, and is used to evaluate magnetic measurements taken from a series of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B magnets that have been processed by different means, and thus contain different degrees of texture. While this method does provide qualitative information concerning the relative crystallographic alignment of magnet samples, it needs calibration to obtain an explicit value for a texture order parameter

Analysis of critical current-bend strain relationships in composite Nb/sub 3/Sn superconducting wires

In order to be used successfully in fusion magnets, Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors must meet several mechanical strain criteria, including tolerance to bending strains encountered during magnet construction. Since Nb/sub 3/Sn is extremely brittle much information has been generated regarding the sensitivity of these conductros to tensile strain. A recent comparison of critical current-bend and tensile test data indicates that the strain required to initiate compound cracking during bending is significantly less than the strain required to do so by tensile of critical current on bending strains in monofilamentary Nb/sub 3/Sn wires is calculated and compared with experimental data. The calculation takes into account a shift in the composite's neutral axis which occurs during bending. The analysis correctly predicts the observed depdndence of the critical current on bending strains

Irreversibility temperatures in oxide- and metallic superconductors

We measured the irreversibility temperatures, T{sub r}(H) for both oxides (pure and alloyed Y(123) and Bi(2212, 2223)) and metallic (Nb, NbTi, and Nb{sub 3}Sn) superconductors. These results are compared and discussed in terms of T{sub r}(H) being the depinning line and/or the melting line of the flux line (crystalline or disordered) lattice in the H-T plane

Texture determinations in rare-earth-based permanent magnets

Quantifying the relationship between crystallographic texture and magnetic properties is highly desirable for the engineering high (BH){sub max} magnets. Existing techniques for the evaluation of texture in permanent magnets often rely upon magnetic remanence measurements. However, such determinations are strictly applicable only to assemblies of non-interacting particles, which nullifies the use of the Stoner-Wohlfarth criteria in texture determinations of ``exchange-spring`` magnets. New techniques in the determination of texture of bulk permanent magnets are being developed to overcome these inherent experimental difficulties. Crystallographic alignment studied by transmission synchrotron x-ray diffraction as a function of position within the sample reveals insights into the development of texture with deformation level in thermomechanically-processed magnets. Information concerning texture may also be obtained by a different method based on paramagnetic susceptibility measurements. Such measurements also provide Curie temperature data, which is sensitive to chemical changes that may have occurred in the magnetic phase during processing

Studies of structural damage in high-[Tc] superconductors by high-energy heavy-ion irradiation

The results of studies of structural damage by high-energy (MeV) Si[sup +13], Cu[sup +18], Ag[sup +21], and Au[sup +24] ions, using transmission electron microscopy techniques, revealed that the size of the damaged area (amorphous) is strongly dependent on: (1) the stopping power [dE/dx (keV/nm)] of the irradiating ions, (2) the thermal diffusivity of the crystal, (3) the degree of oxygenation, in the case of YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7-[delta]], and (4) the direction of the ion beam with respect to the crystallographic axis

A scoping review establishes need for consensus guidance on reporting health equity in observational studies.

To evaluate the support from the available guidance on reporting of health equity in research for our candidate items and to identify additional items for the Strengthening Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology-Equity extension. We conducted a scoping review by searching Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Methodology Register, LILACS, and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information up to January 2022. We also searched reference lists and gray literature for additional resources. We included guidance and assessments (hereafter termed "resources") related to conduct and/or reporting for any type of health research with or about people experiencing health inequity. We included 34 resources, which supported one or more candidate items or contributed to new items about health equity reporting in observational research. Each candidate item was supported by a median of six (range: 1-15) resources. In addition, 12 resources suggested 13 new items, such as "report the background of investigators". Existing resources for reporting health equity in observational studies aligned with our interim checklist of candidate items. We also identified additional items that will be considered in the development of a consensus-based and evidence-based guideline for reporting health equity in observational studies

Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome

Theoretical models of flux pinning and flux motion in high- Tc superconducting oxides

Various issues involved in the development of phenomenological models of flux pinning and motion in high-{Tc} oxides are discussed. A simplified model is presented for the critical current density and is used to examine the question of whether flux flow results from an instability due to plasticity of the flux-line array or from pin breaking