The application of transmission-line modelling to the simulation ofan induction motor drive

The simulation of a complete induction motor drive is presented. The entire network is modelled using the transmission-line modelling (TLM) technique. The network is split into three sections which are solved independently and are joined together by link transmission-line models. Advantages of this approach are the explicit nature of the algorithm which remains unaltered irrespective of the network topology, unconditional stability, and straightforward modelling of switching elements. Results are presented for a complete drive which illustrate the capabilities and flexibility of the simulation technique     

A theory for the formation of tetrahedral amorphous carbon including deposition rate effects

A theoretical model is presented to describe the effect of ion beam bombardment rate on the formation of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films. The critical ion energy, E_c, corresponding to a 50% sp³ content in the films, is found to be dependent on both the effective thermal resistance and the ion beam bombardment rate. In the model, the ‘window’ width in the ion energy scale for the formation of ta-C material increases with decreasing deposition rate and with a reduction in the effective thermal resistance, until limited by lower and upper boundary thresholds. Experimental data are reproduced by the model. The plasmon energy, which correlates with sp³ fraction, is found experimentally of be higher for lower deposition rate and smaller effective thermal resistance. Data points for high sp³ content ta-C films deposited on silicon substrates at room temperature occupy a region in the ion energy-deposition rate (E-r) diagram similar to that predicated from the theory.     

Dissolution Behavior of Griseofulvin Solid Dispersions Using Polyethylene Glycol, Talc, and Their Combination as Dispersion Carriers

Griseofulvin solid dispersions were prepared using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG), talc, and their combination as carriers by the solvent method. The dissolution of griseofulvin from these dispersions was studied. It was found that in these carriers the drug dissolution rate was a function of drug loading. The dissolution rate from dispersions prepared using PEG was similar to that from PEG/talc dispersions, especially at a low percentage of drug loading. Dispersions of PEG and PEG/talc provided dissolution rates faster than those from dispersions of talc. The incorporation of talc in PEG yielded dispersions with properties of less tackiness and ease for handling. Dissolution kinetics, based on the Hixson-Crowell equation, was used to determine the characteristics of griseofulvin particles in dispersions. Linear relationships were obtained for PEG and PEG/talc dispersions that indicated the presence of a uniformly sized monoparticulate system, whereas deviation from linearity was observed for talc dispersions. This appeared to be a multiparticulate system in which particles were present as free form and adsorbed form on the surface of talc.     

Flow-dependent platelet behaviour in blood—material interactions

Platelet activation and adhesion are important parameters characterizing blood compatibility of biomaterials. A platelet transport theory based on convection diffusion, which describes the influence of wall shear rate, platelet concentration, axial position, hematocrit and red cell size, was originally proposed by Turitto and Baumgartner and later expanded by Aarts. This theory was applied in an in vitro perfusion system for three different materials with wall shear rates between 100s^-1 and 4300 s^-1 in order to cover the regions of diffusion controlled, reaction controlled and intermediate platelet adherence. Platelet diffusivity and platelet vessel wall surface reactivity were determined for these cases and the constants m and n were calculated using the relation between platelet diffusivity and shear rate as expressed by the following power law function: D _w=m*y ⁿ _w.     

Theory of gain in quantum-wire lasers grown in V-grooves

Theoretical calculations of gain, refractive index change, differential gain, and threshold current for GaAs-AlGaAs quantum-wire lasers grown in V-shaped grooves are presented. The theoretical model is based on the density-matrix formalism with intraband relaxation, and the subband structure is calculated within the effective bond-orbital model. For the quantum-wire geometry treated, agreement with the observed subband spacings is found. Because of the small overlap of the optical field with the active region for a single quantum wire, lasing threshold is reached only when several subbands are filled     

Noninvasive assessment of hepatobiliary and renal elimination of cysteinyl leukotrienes by positron emission tomography

N-Acetyl-leukotriene E4 has been identified as an endogenous, biologically less active cysteinyl leukotriene metabolite in rodents and humans. To evaluate the ratio of hepatobiliary to renal elimination of leukotrienes noninvasively by positron emission tomography (PET), we synthesized N-[11C]acetyl-leukotriene E4 by chemical N-acetylation of leukotriene E4. After the intravenous injection of N-[11C]acetyl-leukotriene E4 in normal rats and monkey, uptake by the liver and subsequent excretion into bile were largely responsible for its rapid elimination from blood. In the Cynomolgus monkey, renal excretion of the leukotriene into urine was of additional quantitative importance. Kinetic modeling indicated a mean transit time through the liver of 17 minutes and 34 minutes in rat and monkey, respectively; the corresponding hepatic excretion half-times amounted to 8.5 minutes and 16 minutes. In a mutant rat strain deficient in the hepatobiliary excretion of cysteinyl leukotrienes across the canalicular membrane, the apparent mean liver transit time was 54 minutes, and the hepatic excretion half-time was 29 minutes, indicating prolonged organ storage and metabolism. After transport from the liver back into the circulating blood of omega-oxidized and beta-oxidized metabolites of N-[11C]acetyl-leukotriene E4, renal excretion compensated for the impairment of hepatobiliary elimination in the transport mutant. Metabolite analyses in urine after intravenous injection of N-[3H]acetyl-leukotriene E4 indicated the extensive inactivation of N-acetyl-leukotriene E4 by beta-oxidation from the omega-end in the mutants. A similar shift from hepatobiliary to renal cysteinyl leukotriene elimination was monitored in rats with cholestasis due to bile duct obstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Analysis of proliferative activity using anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen antibody in gastric cancer tissue specimens obtained by endoscopic biopsy

BACKGROUND: Proliferative activities of tumors are thought to be prognostic features of malignant tumors, but their value as measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling remains unclear in gastric cancer. METHODS: PCNA labeling rates (LR) were quantified in 121 paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens from primary tumors by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analyses have demonstrated that PCNA presents an intense staining in the nuclei of tumor cells and mucous neck cells of gastric glands. The PCNA LR ranged from 12% to 79% (mean +/- standard deviation), and a significant correlation was found between bromodeoxyuridine labeling indices and PCNA LR: PCNA LR were closely associated with tumor size, serosal invasion, and nodal involvement. The patients with tumors with high PCNA LR (greater than 40%) were dead significantly earlier than were those with tumors with low PCNA LR: When the PCNA LR and all the clinicopathologic parameters were entered into a Cox regression model, PCNA LR emerged as an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that PCNA LR may be a potentially useful prognostic factor for gastric cancer.