Simulations for the effect of chamber geometry on oxygen plasma characteristics for very large plasma sources

Using an oxygen discharge model based on diffusion equations, we numerically investigate the effect of chamber geometry on plasma density profiles, especially for very large rectangular high-density plasma chambers. The calculation results show that uniformity of the ion and O-atom density profiles seriously deteriorates when the chamber length increases up to 2 m. We discuss the dependence of the plasma density profiles on the chamber geometry in terms of the relationship between particle generation in the volume and loss at the wall surface. The simulation results indicate that the surface loss at the top and bottom chamber walls dominates the loss at the side walls. The density profiles, therefore, vary, depending on the chamber length even at the same aspect ratio. The simulation results also predict that the uniformity of the density profiles could be significantly improved over the very large area if the plasma were properly confined by using magnetic multipole fields, along with choosing suitable wall materials that influence the particle loss at the surface.     

Decreased severity of ethanol withdrawal behaviors in kainic acid-treated rats

The involvement of kainate (KA)-sensitive regions in ethanol withdrawal behaviors was investigated in male Wistar rats given three intraperitoneal (IP) injections of KA (12 mg/kg) or saline each followed by recovery at 4 degrees C for 5 h and room temperature for 3 days and a final KA or saline injection at room temperature. Some animals received MK-801 (1 mg/kg, IP) 30 min after each injection and one group received saline only. The saline/saline, saline/MK-801, and KA/MK-801 groups displayed typical ethanol withdrawal behaviors 8-12 h after ethanol withdrawal. These behaviors were attenuated in the KA/saline group. Audiogenic seizures could be induced in all treatment groups 12 h after withdrawal. There was severe neuronal degeneration in the hippocampal CA region and the piriform cortex of the KA/saline-treated animals that was reduced by MK-801 treatment. The inferior colliculus remained intact. These results suggest that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor mediates KA-induced damage in limbic structures and that these regions may play an important role in typical, but not audiogenically induced ethanol-withdrawal behaviors.     

Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt: report of two cases assessed by helical computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) anatomic analysis was carried out, using helical computed tomography (helical CT), to evaluate its usefulness in two cases of large intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (IPSVS). METHODS: Case 1, a 74-year-old man with type-C hepatitis, underwent hepatic angiography to confirm suggested IPSVS of the left hepatic lobe in 1994. Case 2, a 62-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis associated with type-B hepatitis, was hospitalized for evaluation of suspected hepatocellular carcinoma in 1994. Hepatic angiography disclosed a large IPSVS in the right hepatic lobe. Retrospective evaluation of CT showed that the size of this shunt had increased over the 5 years 3D anatomic analysis was carried out, and the shunt vessels were clearly demonstrated. CONCLUSION: 3D anatomic analysis using helical CT was less invasive and useful for evaluating large IPSVS.     

Alterations in beta-adrenergic receptor density and cyclic-AMP level in the myocardium of rats chronically treated with alcohol

Neutron capture therapy (NCT) is a form of radiation therapy using nuclides having a high propensity for capturing thermal neutrons and reacting with a prompt nuclear reaction (i.e. disintegration). If these nuclides are introduced selectively into tumor cells it is theoretically possible to destroy the tumor and to spare the surrounding normal tissue. The principles of this modality were described in 1936. First clinical trials in the USA from 1951 to 1961 using 10B resulted in failure. Since 1968 patients suffering from glioblastoma have been successfully treated in Japan by NCT with 10B and since 1987 another Japanese group has treated melanoma using NCT. The Japanese experiences and recent advances in the evaluation of tumor-affinitive boron-containing drugs have spurred interest in NCT. This article presents some basic physical notions and a historic overview of NCT that emphasizes the well documented early trials as well as some recent developments. Problems which occurred in the past now demand special efforts for a better understanding of the effects of NCT before starting new clinical trials in the next few years.     

Kinetic analysis of tetraethylammonium transport in the kidney epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to establish a kinetic means of analyzing the membrane transport of organic cations in renal epithelial cells, and to simultaneously evaluate drug interactions in apical and basolateral membranes. METHODS: Tetraethylammonium (TEA) transport was measured using LLC-PK1 cell monolayers grown on microporous membrane filters. After incubating the cells with unlabeled TEA or other drugs, apical or basolateral medium was changed to that containing labeled TEA, and transcellular transport and cellular accumulation were measured. Clearance from apical medium to cells (CL12), cells to apical medium (CL21), cells to basolateral medium (CL23) and basolateral medium to cells (CL32) were calculated based on a three compartment model. RESULTS: TEA was accumulated progressively in the monolayers from the basolateral side and was transported unidirectionally to the apical side. CL32 was greater than CL12 and CL23 was greater than CL21. Therefore, the rate limiting step of TEA transport from the basolateral to the apical medium was the cell-to-apical step. Co-incubation of TEA with procainamide decreased the transport parameters of TEA, CL12, CL21 and CL32, whereas that with levofloxacin decreased only CL12 and CL21, not affecting the parameters in basolateral membranes. CONCLUSIONS: Using a simple model, we analyzed the transport of organic cation in kidney epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1. This method can be useful for the analysis of cation transport and drug interactions in the apical and basolateral membranes of renal tubules.     

Characterization of Nafion solutions and films and observation of the casting process using basic dyes as optical probes

The absorption spectrum of methylene blue and crystal violet (CV) in ethanol–water in the presence of Nafion exhibited metachromasy, but a little or no formation of the large aggregates of the dye was observed. This indicates that the dye molecules are bound to the surface of the miceller particles of the polymer, but the ability of Nafion to induce the aggregation of the dye is weak. The absorption spectrum of malachite green (MG) and CV was measured in a cast film of Nafion at varying ambient humidity. The spectral change with humidity indicates that the decrease in the water content of the film causes the increase of H⁺-ion concentration in the hydrophilic cluster of Nafion and, hence, leads to the protonation of the dyes. The absorption spectrum of a Nafion solution containing MG or CV was recorded in the process of casting. The dyes changed to the protonated form right after evaporation of most solvent from the solution. This suggests that the phase inversion occurs in the casting process. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Application of electrochemical techniques for the control of cracks and steel corrosion in concrete

Electrochemical techniques are becoming increasingly popular as a means of rehabilitating deteriorated reinforced concrete. In this paper we explore the possibility of using an electrodeposition technique for repairs of land-based cracked concrete structures and investigate the effect of this technique on various concrete properties. Concrete specimens reinforced with steel rebars were used as test specimens in this study. The specimens were first precracked by exposing rebars to chloride-induced corrosion, and then immersed in a solution of zinc sulfate and subjected to a constant d.c. current. The current was applied between the reinforcing steel in the concrete and an external electrode immersed in the solution for eight weeks. The degree of crack closure, water permeability, condition of reinforcing steel, and chloride concentration were investigated in order to assess the effectiveness of this method as a potential rehabilitation technique. The results indicate that the formation of electrodeposits caused the closure of cracks and led to improvement of the concrete watertightness. In addition, the investigation shows that the application of the electrical current increases the passivity of steel in concrete.     

Mechanical properties and applications for floor tiles of a composite from clay and maleated polyethylene

New composites were prepared from dried waste mud containing clay (Clay) and maleated polyethylene (MPE) by melt mixing. Scanning electron microscopy showed strong adhesion of MPE to Clay in the MPE–Clay composite, and this was probably due to the increased compatibility between MPE and Clay. With an increase in the Clay concentration to 60 wt %, the tensile strength of the MPE–Clay composite increased. Furthermore, the smaller elongation of the MPE–Clay composite indicated effective transfer of the high tensile strength of Clay to the MPE matrix through the strong adhesion between Clay and MPE. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1176–1182, 2005     

Characteristic evaluation of a solid polymer electrolyte sensor

This paper describes a development of a curvature sensor using a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) film. The SPE film has good flexibility, and can be used in air. In previous research, we clarified output response to deformation of the SPE sensor and the relationship between sensor output and sensor curvature. In this paper, output characteristics of the SPE sensor are investigated in detail. Four sensors with different length and width are prepared. And the influence of the SPE sensor on the sensor element shape is investigated. As a result, it is confirmed that there are a several sensors which cause a slight reduction of the sensor output because it is difficult to place the whole sensor element on the sample curve exactly. Concerning with the large sensor, it was confirmed that the reduction of the sensor output is not occurred.     

Measurements of polyphosphoric acid on HOPG

As a sample for initial study on biological materials by using scanning tunnelling microscope (STM), we selected phosphoric acid consisting of phosphorous atoms which play biologically an important role. We measured polyphosphoric acid coated on HOPG by STM and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) in air. In order to identify molecules on STM images, local I-V curves were taken simultaneously. The averaged I-V curves and the normalized conductance spectra of graphite coated with the acid show characteristics different from those of clean graphite surface. Around a step of the substrate, we found domains where normalized conductance spectra were different from those of clean graphite surface and ascribable to that of the adsorbed molecules.