Silver paint as a soldering agent for DyBaCuO single-domains welding

Silver paint has been tested as a soldering agent for DyBaCuO single-domain welding. Junctions have been manufactured on Dy-Ba-Cu-O single-domains cut either along planes parallel to the c-axis or along the ab-planes. Microstructural and superconducting characterisations of the samples have been performed. For both types of junctions, the microstructure in the joined area is very clean: no secondary phase or Ag particles segregation has been observed. Electrical and magnetic measurements for all configurations of interest are reported $\rho(T)$ curves, and Hall probe mapping). The narrow resistive superconducting transition reported for all configurations shows that the artificial junction does not affect significantly the measured superconducting properties of the material.

Primary antibody deficiency and diagnostic delay.

AIMS: To assess the occurrence of diagnostic delay in primary antibody deficiency in the period 1989-2002, since a similar study in 1989, and to assess the impact of UK national guidelines communicated in 1995. METHODS: A retrospective case note review was performed of 89 consecutive patients with antibody deficiency referred to a regional referral centre for clinical immunology in north west England and north Wales. The delay in diagnosis and the estimated resulting morbidity in terms of infections were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty six of the 89 patients experienced delay in diagnosis. The overall median delay was 2 years (mean, 4.4), resulting in substantial morbidity (equivalent to two major infections and one minor infection). This shows a moderate improvement since the previous study in 1989 and since the introduction of UK national guidelines in 1995. Respiratory infections are the most frequent presenting infections, and respiratory physicians the most common source of referral. CONCLUSIONS: There is still considerable delay in the diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency, but the data suggest an improvement in practice since the previous study in 1989 and the distribution of national guidelines in 1995.