This paper describes the microstructure to improve the magnetic field dependence of the critical current density, Jc, of Y(RE)Ba2Cu3O7−x [Y(RE)123, RE: Gd and Sm] coated conductors. A columnar microstructure 10nm in diameter has been obtained by using Y123 targets including yttrium-stabilized zirconium for the pulsed-laser deposition. This columnar structure, composed of BaZrO3 and Y123, continued from the substrate to the surface of the film 0.25μm in thickness. We have named it “the bamboo structure” from its morphology. The bamboo structure was effective for increasing Jc in a magnetic field especially parallel to the c-axis. We have also found stacking faults in RE123 effective to improve Jc.

Perception of nasal stuffiness, together with rhinomanometric and acoustic rhinometric assessments were evaluated before and after nasal and/or sinus surgery in 50 Japanese adult patients. Nasal resistance on both expiration and inspiration correlated well with the patients' perceptions (P<0.05). Nasal volumes (0-4 cm and 0-7 cm) obtained from acoustic rhinometry measurements also correlated well with perception (P<0.05). No significant relationships were found between rhinomanometric and acoustic rhinometric results. Perceptional nasal obstruction, rhinomanometric and acoustic rhinometric results (except for the sectional areas at the I-notch) improved significantly after the operations. Rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry are valuable methods for assessing nasal stuffiness, but we must take account of the differences between the two methods.

In order to increase the critical current, I c , we have fabricated thick GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (GdBCO) coated conductors (CCs) by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method on PLD-CeO 2 /ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD)-Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 (GZO)/hastelloy metal substrate tapes. The highest critical current value was 522 A cm −1 for a thickness of 3.6 µm in self-field at 77 K. It was found that a low volume fraction of a-axis orientated grains was obtained in the thick GdBCO CCs, compared to YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (YBCO) CCs. Consequently, the GdBCO CCs showed higher critical current density (J c ) than YBCO CCs in all thicknesses from 0.2 to 3.6 µm. Furthermore, we have succeeded in improving I c in a magnetic field by the introduction of artificial pinning centres using a 5 mol% ZrO 2 doped GdBCO target. In the measurement of the I c dependence on the magnetic field angle, θ , I c was much improved, especially at 0 • , i.e., with the magnetic field parallel to the c-axis. The I c value at 3 T was 59.5 A cm −1 at 0 • and it showed a minimum of 42.3 A cm −1 at 82 • for 2.28 µm thick CC. The minimum value in the angular dependence of I c at 3 T was about five times higher than that of YBCO CC and two times higher than that of pure GdBCO CC.

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