Surface structure of silver thin films on In2O3:Sn and Al2O 3 †

Surface structure of thin silver films (200 Å) on two technologically important films, indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminium oxide, has been studied using scanning tunneling microscope. ITO films were prepared by reactive electron beam evaporation. Aluminium oxide films were prepared by oxidizing 2000 Å thick aluminium films evaporated on to H₂ terminated single crystal silicon substrates. The surface structure of silver on ITO and aluminium oxide appeared to be same and was characteristic of Stranski-Krastanov type. The observed asymmetry in the island shape was attributed to the anisotropic nature of the strain fields surrounding the nucleation centres.     

Effects of anxiety arousal and mental stress on the vestibulo-ocular reflex

Although the subjective reports of patients suggest that anxiety may aggravate vertigo and imbalance, there has been little research into how anxiety might directly affect balance system functioning. We conducted two studies to examine the effect of anxiety and arousal on the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). In the first study, pre-lest fear ratings were obtained from 20 normal subjects and 36 anxious subjects immediately prior to rotation and caloric testing. Fear ratings were significantly correlated with the maximum slow-phase velocity (SPV) of nystagmus induced by caloric testing. In the second study, we assessed the VOR response to rotation of 36 normal subjects under 3 task conditions: a) minimal alerting (counting backwards during rotation), b) physical arousal (induced by exertion prior to rotation); c) mental arousal (induced by performance of stressful mental tasks during rotation). Both the physical and mental tasks induced a significant increase in heart rate compared with the alerting condition. The maximum SPV of the nystagmus induced by rotation was significantly greater during performance of the mental task than in the other two conditions. These combined results indicate that anxiety may influence the gain of the VOR.     

Local synthesis of immunoglobulins in neuropathies

It is essential to know how the immune system acts in different neurological diseases, some of them non very well known or of unknown etiology at all. It was applied Reiber and Felgenhauer's formula in 56 patients with different diseases. IgA, IgM, IgG and albumin were quantified in sera and cerebrospinal fluid by simple immunodiffusion. It was observed more frequent IgG local synthesis and IgA in this sample.     

Distinction between artefactually shrunken and truly degenerated 'dark' neurons by in situ fixation with microwave irradiation

Dark, shrunken neurons frequently occur as artefacts in immersion fixed tissue. Perfusion fixation will prevent artefacts of this type. However, morphologically identical neurons have been described as truly degenerated cells in perfusion fixed brains in various pathological conditions. Since adequate perfusion is difficult to obtain in some pathological conditions, the question still remains whether the dark neurons found in some of these situations are true in vivo phenomena or artefacts caused by inadequate fixation. In the present study rat brains with cryogenic lesions were fixed in situ by microwave irradiation. With this method no artefactually changed dark neurons were observed in the normal parts of the brains. In the cryogenic lesions, however, a narrow rim of dark, shrunken neurons occurred adjacent to the normal cortex. This zone was identical to that observed in perfusion fixed tissue. Since inadequate fixation due to uneven perfusion of the damaged tissue is prevented with this method, we suggest that the neuronal changes represent true in vivo phenomena. Fixation with microwave irradiation can thus be used to differentiate between artefactually changed and truly degenerated dark neurons in various pathological conditions.     

Loudness balance between acoustic and electric stimulation by a patient with a multichannel cochlear implant

Estimates of loudness balance were obtained for acoustically and electrically presented 250 Hz sine signals from a patient who uses the Ineraid multichannel cochlear implant. Acoustic and electric loudness matching was possible because the patient evidenced a 25 dB HL threshold at 250 Hz in his nonimplanted ear. The level of the electrical stimulus in microamperes required for a balance of loudness grew linearly with equal increments in decibels for the acoustic stimulus. These data, in concert with the very limited data from previous studies, provide a rationale for using a logarithmic transformation of acoustic to electric intensity in signal processors for cochlear implants.     

Quantitative methods for scoring cell migration and invasion in filter-based assays

The ability of cells to traverse pores in a biocompatible filter provides means for examining cell chemoattraction. Filter-based assays also permit rapid, quantitative assessment of the in vitro migratory and invasive potential of tumor cells. Scoring migration has relied on visual counting of stained cells which appear on the underside of the filter and determining a true percentage score involves arduous counting of cells on both filter surfaces. Visual counting of random fields may be unreliable, and counting all fields is laborious. In the present study we developed and compared two alternative methods for scoring cell numbers in filter-based assays, a colorimetric assay of toluidine blue binding, and a radioassay of cells prelabeled with [3H]thymidine. Each method was evaluated for sensitivity, variability, ease of use and efficiency, and suitability for use in assays of cell migration and invasion. The radiolabeling method proved to be sensitive and reliable and was the most efficient technique. Although less sensitive and specific, the colorimetric dye method offered a rapid and reliable, nonradioactive alternative with the distinct advantage of preserving intact cultures for follow-up visual assessments. We conclude that colorimetric and radiolabel scoring of filter-based assays are reliable and efficient semiautomated methods which provide means to obtain more complete assessments of cell migration and invasion.     

Synthesis of Boron Nitride by Self-Propagating Reactions at High Pressure

Peculiarities of the formation of BN in a self-propagating reaction between LiBF₄ and Li₃N have been studied under a wide range of p,T conditions within the region of thermodynamic stability of cBN. Boron nitride crystallized mainly in the form of highly ordered hBN (1700–2100 K), of mesographitic BN (2200–3000 K), or of turbostratic BN (>3000 K). Cubic boron nitride was obtained with a low yield (up to 14 vol%) as a result of precipitation from the metastable eutectic liquid in the BN-Li₃N system. These results give further evidence for an alternative metastable behavior in the BN phase formation under high pressures.