Flux Creep and Flux Jumping

We consider the flux jump instability of the Bean's critical state arising in the flux creep regime in type-II superconductors. We find the flux jump field, $B_j$, that determines the superconducting state stability criterion. We calculate the dependence of $B_j$ on the external magnetic field ramp rate, $\dot B_e$. We demonstrate that under the conditions typical for most of the magnetization experiments the slope of the current-voltage curve in the flux creep regime determines the stability of the Bean's critical state, {\it i.e.}, the value of $B_j$. We show that a flux jump can be preceded by the magneto-thermal oscillations and find the frequency of these oscillations as a function of $\dot B_e$.Comment: 7 pages, ReVTeX, 2 figures attached as postscript file

Efficacy of therapist-delivered transdiagnostic CBT for patients with persistent physical symptoms in secondary care: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Medically unexplained symptoms otherwise referred to as persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are debilitating to patients. As many specific PPS syndromes share common behavioural, cognitive, and affective influences, transdiagnostic treatments might be effective for this patient group. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a therapist-delivered, transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural intervention (TDT-CBT) plus (+) standard medical care (SMC) v. SMC alone for the treatment of patients with PPS in secondary medical care. Methods: A two-arm randomised controlled trial, with measurements taken at baseline and at 9, 20, 40- and 52-weeks post randomisation. The primary outcome measure was the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) at 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included mood (PHQ-9 and GAD-7), symptom severity (PHQ-15), global measure of change (CGI), and the Persistent Physical Symptoms Questionnaire (PPSQ). Results: We randomised 324 patients and 74% were followed up at 52 weeks. The difference between groups was not statistically significant for the primary outcome (WSAS at 52 weeks: estimated difference -1.48 points, 95% confidence interval from -3.44 to 0.48, p = 0.139). However, the results indicated that some secondary outcomes had a treatment effect in favour of TDT-CBT + SMC with three outcomes showing a statistically significant difference between groups. These were WSAS at 20 weeks (p = 0.016) at the end of treatment and the PHQ-15 (p = 0.013) and CGI at 52 weeks (p = 0.011). Conclusion: We have preliminary evidence that TDT-CBT + SMC may be helpful for people with a range of PPS. However, further study is required to maximise or maintain effects seen at end of treatment

Fibrinolytic activity in rheumatoid arthritis and the effects of prednisolone therapy

The relationship between disease activity and fibrinolytic activity was investigated in 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There was no difference in global fibrinolytic activity between RA and controls, 220 (200-330) and 280 (167-346) min respectively although inhibition of plasminogen activator activity (PAI) was lower in RA 8.2 (5.1-9.7) vs 9.9 (8.0-15.7) IU/ml than controls, p=0.01. There were no significant differences between RA and controls in tPA:Ag 4.8ng/ml (3.1-7.8) vs 7.1(5.2-9.3) or PAI-1:Ag 8.Ong-ml (4.8-10.8) vs 9.1 (3.6-22.3). 9 patients with severe RA received prednisolone 40 mg daily for 7 days. This improved disease activity clinically and was associated with a fall in fibrinogen from 4.4. g/l (3.4-5.2) to 2.32 (2.31-2.63), p<0.0005 and plasminogen from 117.6% (107-121) to 101.5 (88.7-110.4), p<0.005. In addition PAI-1:Ag increased from 5.4ng/ml (2.77-10.38) to 11.0 (4.45-16.65), p<0.005 and PAI from 8.51U/ml (6.49-8.99) to 10.1 (8.5-16.5), p<0.005. In this study PAI was lower in patients with RA. Prednisolone improved disease activity, reduced Fibrinogen and plasminogen and increased PAI and PAI-1:Ag. © 1993