Summary: Muscarinic M1-receptor antagonists can prevent the induction of a long-lasting excitatory post-synaptic potential in autonomic ganglia. As the prolonged occupation of M1-receptors is a possible protective mechanism against vagal overstimulation, M1-antagonists might prove to be effective in preventing nocturnal wheeze. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether telenzepine, an M1-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, administered orally at different doses (1.5 mg, 3 mg, 5 mg) for one week, reduced airway obstruction in patients with nocturnal asthma in comparison with placebo. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) difference between each study medication (arithmetic means from values on days 4, 5 and 6) and baseline at 6 a.m. and at midnight on day 5 did not differ significantly. Treatment with placebo nocte (at night, 9 p.m.), or telenzepine 1.5 mg nocte, telenzepine 3 mg nocte and telenzepine 5 mg nocte did not affect significantly the 24-h time course of PEFR. The results of this study indicate that the use of telenzepine via the oral route at a dose of up to 5 mg is not effective in preventing nocturnal asthma.

The experimental detector at Adone, MEA, which operates with its magnetic field perpendicular to the e+e− beams is described. Studies of the magnetic compensation for operation at Adone and resulting magnetic fields are presented. Particles are detected and analyzed using narrow-gap and wide-gap spark chambers which are triggered by scintillation and proportional counters. Momentum measurements for charged particles are made with Δ/p/p = ±0.07 at p = 1 Gev/c (B = 2.5 kG) and angles are measured to better than ± 1.5° over a solid angle of ∼0.3 × 4π sr.

In the present work the results of a systematic experimental analysis on current-carrying properties of superconducting Nb3Sn diffusion layers are presented. The influence of the Zr content (up to a maximum of 7%) and of cold-work of Nb base ribbons on the critical current (at 64 kG) is discussed. It is shown that, while the presence of zirconium leads to a higher critical current density, at the same time it affects the diffusion coefficients, so that the thickness of diffusion layer is decreased. Results concerning pinning mechanism are also presented and discussed.

A study was made of the possibility of making Nb$sub 3$Al wires by interdiffusion between Al and Nb at relatively low temperatures (lower than 1000$sup 0$C). This method should allow the fabrication of a copper stabilized wire by coworking Nb and Al composites in a copper matrix before the diffusion treatment. Results concerning the diffusion temperature and time dependence of J/ sub c/ and T/sub c/ are presented. While J/sub c/(64 kG) is quite high, of the order of 1.5 x 10$sup 5$ A/cm$sup 2$, T/sub c/ is 15.56$sup 0$K, lower than the usually reported value. X-ray measurements of the lattice parameter are also reported and correlated with the measured value of T/sub c/.

A study has been made of the possibility of making Nb 3 Al wires by interdiffusion between Al and Nb at relatively low temperatures (lower than 1000°C). This method should allow the fabrication of a copper stabilized wire by coworking Nb and Al composites in a copper matrix before the diffusion treatment. Results concerning the diffusion temperature and time de pendence of J c and T c are presented. While J c (64kG) is quite high, of the order of 1.5×105A/cm2, T c is 15.56°K, lower than the usually reported value. X- -ray measurements of the lattice parameter are also reported and correlated with the measured value of T c .

In the present work an experimental apparatus for the production of Nb3Sn superconducting ribbon is described. The fabrication method for these ribbons takes advantage of the diffusion process of tin into niobium. We give also some details of the technique by which the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn have been tested. A number of preliminary experimental results are discussed with the purpose of pointing out the main fabrication parameters which influence the superconducting properties. Finally future developments of this research program are outlined.

Measurements showing an increase of capacity of AlSn and AlIn. In superconducting tunneling junctions as the temperature is decreased are reported. The effect of the magnetic field on the capacity has been also observed. Possible explanations are suggested.

In a previous experiment, it was observed that the persistent current in a thin Pb superconducting ring decays when the material is subjected to $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle irradiation from a ${\mathrm{Po}}^{210}$ source. Systematic observations of flux decay have been carried out under different experimental conditions. The effects of varying the temperature (from 1.1 to 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K), the thickness of superconducting layers (from about 10 to 40 \ensuremath{\mu}), and the materials (lead, tin, and indium) have been investigated. The flux decay law deduced from the experimental data seems to be logarithmic in time, showing a behavior similar to that observed by Kim et al. for flux creep in hard superconductors.