Noninvasive online measurement of particle size and concentration in liquid–particle mixture by estimating equivalent circuit of electrical double layer

ABSTRACT

Three electrical elements (i.e., resistance, capacitance, and relaxation frequency) of electrical double layer (EDL) formed around particles have been extracted by a measuring–fitting combination for a novel noninvasive online measurement technique of particle size and concentration in a liquid–particle mixture. The measuring–fitting combination means measuring the impedances with electrical-impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method, and fitting the equivalent circuit with Levenberg–Marquardt method. The liquid–particle mixture in the impedance measurement is made of sodium chloride solution and stainless particles; the equivalent circuit is established corresponding to the contents in the liquid–particle mixture. As a result, the influence of the particle size and concentration on the electrical elements in the EDL which are the resistance, capacitance, and relaxation frequency in the EDL are clarified and discussed. This method is useful for determination of the particle size and concentration in liquid–particle mixture.     

Functional role of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-7 in the development of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Dextromethorphan (DEM)-mediated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade may result from an action of unchanged DEM or its active metabolite, dextrorphan (DOR). In humans, DEM is metabolized into DOR by the polymorphic enzyme CYP2D6. We therefore investigated the impact of quinidine (Qd), a selective inhibitor of CYP2D6, on DEM disposition and the contribution of CYP2D6 phenotype on DEM antinociceptive and neuromodulatory effects. Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled design, healthy volunteers (n = 7) received Qd (50 mg Qd sulfate orally) or a placebo and, 12 h later, either DEM (50 mg DEM hydrobromide orally) or a placebo. DEM and DOR pharmacodynamics were assessed for their antinociceptive and neuromodulatory effects. Antinociceptive effects were assessed over 4 h by subjective pain threshold and RIII nociceptive reflex (RIII) monitoring. Neuromodulatory effects were studied using the primary and secondary hyperalgesia induced by the topical application of capsaicin. Two of seven subjects were genotypic CYP2D6 PM. Pretreatment of EM by Qd suppressed DOR formation and increased the plasma level of DEM to the levels of poor metabolizers. In poor metabolizers, DEM induced a significant increase in objective (+45%) and subjective (+35%) pain thresholds. In extensive metabolizers, only a slight and short-lasting increase in the subjective threshold was observed, whereas no effect was seen on the objective threshold. DEM modulates secondary hyperalgesia compared with DOR. The CYP2D6 phenotype affects the disposition of DEM and the production of the active metabolite DOR. The impact of the CYP2D6 phenotype is of major importance for the spinal antinociceptive and neuromodulatory effects of DEM.     

Suppression of thermal denaturation of myosin and salt-induced denaturation of actin by sodium citrate in carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The effect of sodium citrate (Na-citrate) on myosin and actin denaturation in myofibrils was investigated. Na-citrate significantly suppressed the thermal inactivation of Ca²⁺-ATPase of carp myosin in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect was greater than that of sorbitol. A similar effect was observed with myofibrils in which myosin is stabilized by F-actin binding. Na-citrate dissolved myofibrils at lower concentration than NaCl. Nevertheless, Na-citrate at 1 M failed to denature F-actin in myofibrils, while 1 M NaCl denatured F-actin almost completely. Na-citrate suppressed the NaCl-induced F-actin denaturation. Sorbitol did not show such protective effect on F-actin denaturation. Moreover, Na-citrate suppressed the freeze denaturation of myofibrils at lower concentration than sorbitol. Thus, Na-citrate was proved to be superior to sorbitol. It was suggested that Na-citrate alone could substitute sorbitol as cryoprotectant in surimi and NaCl as dissolving reagent of myofibril in thermal gel production.     

Automatic output-beam-collimating configuration for high-average-power multirod resonator-amplifier systems

A novel configuration for a multirod solid-state laser system is proposed. We stabilize the thermal-lens-dependent variation in the output-beam parameters by extracting the laser beam from the collimating point of periodic beam propagation. The performance is confirmed with a 100-W class diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser-amplifier system to demonstrate tenfold stabilization of the output-beam diameter.     

Quantum Random Walks in One Dimension

This letter treats the quantum random walk on the line determined by a 2 × 2 unitary matrix U. A combinatorial expression for the mth moment of the quantum random walk is presented by using 4 matrices, P, Q, R and S given by U. The dependence of the mth moment on U and initial qubit state is clarified. A new type of limit theorems for the quantum walk is given. Furthermore necessary and sufficient conditions for symmetry of distribution for the quantum walk is presented. Our results show that the behavior of quantum random walk is striking different from that of the classical ramdom walk. PACS: 03.67.Lx; 05.40.Fb; 02.50.Cw     

提高富勒烯针状晶体拉伸强度的研究（英文）

采用液-液界面沉积法,以甲苯和丙胺为溶剂,合成C_(60)-C_(70)富勒烯针状晶体固溶体。使用聚焦离子束扫描电子显微镜来测试其力学性能,C_(60)-C_(70)富勒烯针状晶体的拉伸强度为58～71 MPa,断裂韧性为1.1～1.3 MPa m~(1/2)。C_(60)-C_(70)富勒烯针状晶体拉伸强度显著高于C_(60)富勒烯针状晶体,其比强度略大于铝。通过富勒烯分子溶剂化可能改变C_(60)-C_(70)富勒烯针状晶体的塑性和断裂韧性。C_(60)-C_(70)富勒烯针状晶体有望用作电极、锚杆及电动给料机线等材料。     

Difference Frequency Generation of 5-18 mum in a AgGaSe(2) Crystal

Mid-infrared radiation in the 5-18-mum range has been obtained by difference frequency generation in a AgGaSe(2) crystal by pumping with the output of a type I LiNbO(3) optical parametric oscillator (OPO). Here we suggest the use of a LiTaO(3) retarder to achieve an orthogonal state of polarization between OPO outputs that are necessary for efficient pumping of a AgGaSe(2) crystal. Several tens of kilowatts of peak power near 8 mum and continuously tunable operation in the above range have been obtained.     

Analytic singularity analysis of a 4-DOF parallel robot based on Jacobian deficiencies

In this paper, analytic singularity analysis of a 4-DOF parallel robot H4 is addressed. Since a parallel manipulator consisting of several serial chains has complex singularities in the workspace, the determination of singular configurations is very important in design, trajectory planning, and control. The classical method to determine singular configurations is to find the determinant of the Jacobian matrix. However, the Jacobian matrix of a parallel manipulator is complex in general and thus it is not easy to find the determinant of the Jacobian matrix. Therefore, we focus on the analytic singularity analysis of a 4-DOF parallel robot H4 using Jacobian deficiencies. A subset of the whole singularities and the intuitively predictable ones are only derived using Jacobian matrix deficiency. Three type singularities, i.e., overmobility, undermobility and combined singularities, have been presented.     

Towards a Treatment for Neuroinflammation in Epilepsy: Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist,Anakinra, as a Potential Treatment in Intractable Epilepsy

Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) is a unique catastrophic epilepsy syndrome, and the development of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is inevitable. Recently, anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), has been increasingly used to treat DRE due to its potent anticonvulsant activity. We here summarized its effects in 38 patients (32 patients with FIRES and six with DRE). Of the 22 patients with FIRES, 16 (73%) had at least short-term seizure control 1 week after starting anakinra, while the remaining six suspected anakinra-refractory cases were male and had poor prognoses. Due to the small sample size, an explanation for anakinra refractoriness was not evident. In all DRE patients, seizures disappeared or improved, and cognitive function improved in five of the six patients following treatment. Patients showed no serious side effects, although drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, cytopenia, and infections were observed. Thus, anakinra has led to a marked improvement in some cases, and functional deficiency of IL-1RA was indicated, supporting a direct mechanism for its therapeutic effect. This review first discusses the effectiveness of anakinra for intractable epileptic syndromes. Anakinra could become a new tool for intractable epilepsy treatment. However, it does not currently have a solid evidence base.     

The hydration of barrier oxide films on aluminium and its inhibition by chromate and phosphate ions

Compact oxide films were formed on aluminium in a neutral borate solution (pH 7.4, 20°C) by applying a constant potential of 50 V (SCE), and then immersed in distilled water, a 0.001 mol dm^?3 chromate solution (pH 7.0), or a 0.001 mol dm^?3 phosphate solution (pH 7.0). Changes in the composition profile of the oxide caused by the immersion were examined by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with a film sectioning technique. After a 72 h immersion in distilled water, the OH^? content in the outer part of the film increased to about three times as that before immersion, and the film sustained only 30 V instead of the initial 50 V. As the profile of BO₂^? ions remained unchanged, the deterioration of the film is exclusively due to hydration of the oxide caused by the penetration of water molecules or OH^? ions into the oxide lattice. It was found that the hydration is strongly inhibited by chromate and phosphate. XPS and chemical analysis showed that CrO₄^2? and PO₄^3? ions adsorb on the oxide surface to form a mono- or bi-layer, hindering the penetration of water molecules. The inhibiting behaviour, stabilizing oxide films, is important in explaining the function of these anions as corrosion inhibitors for metals in near neutral solutions.