In thrombin stimulated human platelets Citalopram, Promethazine, Risperidone, and Ziprasidone, but not Diazepam, may exert their pharmacological effects also through intercalation in membrane phospholipids in a receptor-independent manner

Intercalation of drugs in the platelet membrane affects phospholipid-requiring enzymatic processes according to the drugs’ intercalation capability. We investigated effects of Promethazine, Citalopram, Ziprasidone, Risperidone, and Diazepam on phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and polyphosphoinositide (PPI) metabolism in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. We also examined effects of the drugs on monolayers of glycerophospholipids using the Langmuir technique. Diazepam did not influence PLA2 activity, had no effects on PPI cycle, and caused no change in mean molecular area of phospholipid monolayers. The remaining psychotropic drugs affected these parameters in different ways and levels of potency suggesting that they act by being intercalated between the molecules of adjacent membrane phospholipids, thus causing changes in substrate availability for phospholipid-hydrolyzing enzymes (PLA2 and Phospholipase C). We show that several psychotropic drugs can also have other cellular effects than receptor antagonism. These effects may be implicated in the psychotropic effects of the drugs and/or their side effects

Monolithical optical freeform element for an IR line camera

Within this paper, we present a novel approach for an optical system for a near infrared (IR) line camera, which exists of only one monolithical optical element with 3 optical free form surfaces. The optical design was performed with respect to the following requirements given by the application: wavelength range 0.9 ?m to 1.7 ?m, field angle 75° x 2°, horizontal angular resolution 0.5°. Within the design process one of the three optical surfaces is formed biconic, two are realized as cylindrical surface. The calculated component was realized by means of diamond UP manufacturing. Two of the optical surfaces were metallized to work as mirrors for the above mentioned spectral range. The realized element has a size of less than 8 cm3; it was finally characterized

Phases in copper gallium metal sulfide films metal titanium, iron, or tin

The incorporation of metal impurities M M Ti, Fe, or Sn into CuGaS2 films is investigated experimentally as a function of impurity concentration. Films are synthesized by thermal co evaporation of the elements onto glass Mo substrates heated to 400 C 570 C. The compositions of the resulting films are measured by energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy and the structures of the present phases are studied by x ray diffraction. The formation of Cu M S ternary phases is observed in a wide range of conditions. Films of Cu Ga Ti S, synthesized at 500 C, show the presence of a cubic modification of CuGaS2 and Cu4TiS4. Alloying of CuGaS2 and tetragonal Cu2SnS3 is observed for substrate temperatures of 450 C. A miscibility gap opens at 500 C and above with separate Sn rich and Ga rich phases. Similarly, alloys of CuFeS2 and CuGaS2 are only found in Cu Ga Fe S films synthesized at lower substrate temperature 400 C , whereas at 500 C a miscibility gap opens leading to separate Fe rich and Ga rich phase

Moth-eye structures for reduction of Fresnel losses at THz components

The applicability of moth-eye structures to THz components is investigated. With the help of RCWA and effective medium theory, optimal structural parameters for one-dimensional and two-dimensional periodical surface-relief gratings are deduced. The required structural parameters are in such order of magnitude that they can be manufactured by ultra-precision machining directly into the surface of the substrate material. Benefiting is that plastic materials, which are preferred materials in THz spectral region, can be accurately manufactured by ultra-precision machining. The application of the moth-eye structures follows directly the primary shaping of the components by conventional manufacturing methods like turning and milling so that no additional materials are necessary. A comparison between several structures fabricated on planar plastic probes is given