Plasma Assisted Generation of Micro- and Nanoparticles

In this research, the peculiarities of micro- and nanoparticles generation are considered. Two techniques of micro- and nanoparticles' formation using electric arc and underwater discharge plasma sources are proposed. Molybdenum oxide crystals were deposited on side surface of the bottom electrode (anode) of the free-burning discharge between metallic molybdenum electrodes. Friable layer of MoO3, which consists of variously oriented transparent prisms and platelets (up to few hundreds of $mu;m in size), was formed by vapor deposition around the electrode. In the second technique, plasma of the underwater electric spark discharges between metal granules was used to obtain stable colloidal solutions with nanoparticles of 20-100 nm sizes

Influence of blood glucose on heart rate and cardiac autonomic function. The DESIR study.

International audienceOBJECTIVES:   To evaluate in a general population, the relationships between dysglycaemia, insulin resistance and metabolic variables, and heart rate, heart rate recovery and heart rate variability. METHODS:   Four hundred and forty-seven participants in the Data from an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance syndrome (DESIR) study were classified according to glycaemic status over the preceding 9 years. All were free of self-reported cardiac antecedents and were not taking drugs which alter heart rate. During five consecutive periods: rest, deep breathing, recovery, rest and lying to standing, heart rate and heart rate varability were evaluated and compared by ANCOVA and trend tests across glycaemic classes. Spearman correlation coefficients quantified the relations between cardio-metabolic risk factors, heart rate and heart rate varability. RESULTS:   Heart rate differed between glycaemic groups, except during deep breathing. Between rest and deep-breathing periods, patients with diabetes had a lower increase in heart rate than others (P(trend) < 0.01); between deep breathing and recovery, the heart rate of patients with diabetes continued to increase, for others, heart rate decreased (P(trend) < 0.009). Heart rate was correlated with capillary glucose and triglycerides during the five test periods. Heart rate variability differed according to glycaemic status, especially during the recovery period. After age, sex and BMI adjustment, heart rate variability was correlated with triglycerides at two test periods. Change in heart rate between recovery and deep breathing was negatively correlated with heart rate variability at rest, (r=-0.113, P < 0.05): lower resting heart rate variability was associated with heart rate acceleration. CONCLUSIONS:   Heart rate, but not heart rate variability, was associated with glycaemic status and capillary glucose. After deep breathing, heart rate recovery was altered in patients with known diabetes and was associated with reduced heart rate variability. Being overweight was a major correlate of heart rate variability

Etude expérimentale d'un arc impulsionnel entre des contacts Ag et Ag-C

International audienc

Plasma of underwater electric discharges with metal vapors

This paper deals with spectroscopy of underwater electric discharge plasma with. In particular, the focus is on configuration where the electrodes are immersed in liquid and its application in nanoscience and biotechnology. General overview of the experimental approach adopted by authors aiming to study the water-submerged electrical discharge plasma and effects of various parameters on its properties is described. The electron density was estimated on the base of spectral line broadening and shifting.Pозглядаються особливості спектроскопії плазми підводного електричного розряду з домішками парів металів та його застосування в нано- та біотехнологіях. Зокрема, досліджується розряд між двома зануреними у воду металевими електродами. Наводиться детальний опис експериментальної методики з реалізації спектроскопічної діагностики плазми такого розряду. Концентрацію електронів оцінили на основі розширення та зсуву спектральної лінії.Pассматриваются особенности спектроскопии плазмы подводного электрического разряда с примесями паров металлов и его применения в нано- и биотехнологиях. В частности, исследуется разряд, возникающий между двумя погруженными в воду металлическими электродами. Приводится детальное описание экспериментальной методики по реализации спектроскопической диагностики плазмы такого разряда. Концентрацию электронов оценили на основе расширения и сдвига спектральной лини

Optical emission spectroscopy of plasma of underwater electric spark discharges between metal granules

This paper presents series of experiments carried out with granules of Cu, Fe, Mn and Mo. Optical emission spectroscopy techniques were applied for research of the emission spectra of corresponding elements and improvement of the diagnostics of such plasma. Excitation temperature of plasma of underwater spark discharges between copper granules was determined using Boltzmann plot technique. The electron density of the plasma was estimated from broadening of hydrogen Hα line.Представлены серии экспериментов, проведенных с использованием гранул Cu, Fe, Mn и Mo. Спектры излучения соответствующих элементов были получены методами оптической эмиссионной спектроскопии. С их же помощью проводилась диагностика такой плазмы. Используя метод диаграмм Больцмана была получена температура возбуждения электронных уровней плазмы подводного электроискрового разряда между гранулами меди. Уширение линии водорода Hα было использовано для оценки величины электронной концентрации плазмы.Представлені серії експериментів, проведених з використанням гранул Cu, Fe, Mn і Mo. Спектри випромінювання відповідних елементів були отримані методами оптичної емісійної спектроскопії. Із залученням цих же спектрів виконувалась діагностика такої плазми. Температура збудження електронних рівнів плазми підводного електроіскрового розряду між гранулами міді порахована методом діаграм Больцмана. Уширення лінії водню Hα було використане для оцінки величини електронної концентрації плазми

Etude d'un arc impulsionnel immergé à l'aide de deux dispositifs expérimentaux

International audienc

Spectroscopy of plasma with metal vapor admixtures

Wide class of diagnostic techniques of plasma of electric discharges in gases and liquids is presented. The admixture of metals vapors in plasma is common feature of these discharges. This one not only changes plasma properties, but gives an opportunity for its diagnostics. Experimental techniques, which allow to define electric arc discharge plasma properties in different media, and after all, plasma composition, are described. The techniques are based on optical emission or laser absorption spectroscopies approaches.Розглядаються методи діагностики плазми електричних розрядів у газах і рідині, відмінною рисою яких є наявність домішок парів металів. Властивості досліджуваної плазми, а також особливості її діагностики повністю визначаються такими домішками. Описані експериментальні методики дозволяють визначати не лише параметри, але і cклад плазми електричних розрядів у різних середовищах. У рамках цього дослідження використані методи оптичної емісійної або лазерної абсорбційної спектроскопії.Рассматриваются методы диагностики плазмы электрических разрядов в газах и жидкости, отличительной особенностью которых является наличие примесей паров металлов. Свойства исследуемой плазмы, а также особенности ее диагностики полностью определяются такими примесями. Описанные экспериментальные методики позволяют определять не только параметры, но и состав плазмы электрических разрядов в различных средах. В работе использованы методы оптической эмиссионной или лазерной абсорбционной спектроскопии

Frequency-modulated electromagnetic neural stimulation (FREMS) as a treatment for symptomatic diabetic neuropathy: results from a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, long-term, placebo-controlled clinical trial

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous frequency-modulated electromagnetic neural stimulation (frequency rhythmic electrical modulation system, FREMS) as a treatment for symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, parallel-group study of three series, each of ten treatment sessions of FREMS or placebo administered within 3 weeks, 3 months apart, with an overall follow-up of about 51 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of deep peroneal, tibial and sural nerves. Secondary endpoints included the effects of treatment on pain, tactile, thermal and vibration sensations. Patients eligible to participate were aged 18-75 years with diabetes for ≥ 1 year, HbA(1c) <11.0% (97 mmol/mol), with symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy at the lower extremities (i.e. abnormal amplitude, latency or NCV of either tibial, deep peroneal or sural nerve, but with an evocable potential and measurable NCV of the sural nerve), a Michigan Diabetes Neuropathy Score ≥ 7 and on a stable dose of medications for diabetic neuropathy in the month prior to enrolment. Data were collected in an outpatient setting. Participants were allocated to the FREMS or placebo arm (1:1 ratio) according to a sequence generated by a computer random number generator, without block or stratification factors. Investigators digitised patients' date of birth and site number into an interactive voice recording system to obtain the assigned treatment. Participants, investigators conducting the trial, or people assessing the outcomes were blinded to group assignment. RESULTS: Patients (n = 110) with symptomatic neuropathy were randomised to FREMS (n = 54) or placebo (n = 56). In the intention-to-treat population (50 FREMS, 51 placebo), changes in NCV of the three examined nerves were not different between FREMS and placebo (deep peroneal [means ± SE]: 0.74 ± 0.71 vs 0.06 ± 1.38 m/s; tibial: 2.08 ± 0.84 vs 0.61 ± 0.43 m/s; and sural: 0.80 ± 1.08 vs -0.91 ± 1.13 m/s; FREMS vs placebo, respectively). FREMS induced a significant reduction in day and night pain as measured by a visual analogue scale immediately after each treatment session, although this beneficial effect was no longer measurable 3 months after treatment. Compared with the placebo group, in the FREMS group the cold sensation threshold was significantly improved, while non-significant differences were observed in the vibration and warm sensation thresholds. No relevant side effects were recorded during the study. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: FREMS proved to be a safe treatment for symptomatic diabetic neuropathy, with immediate, although transient, reduction in pain, and no effect on NCV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01628627. FUNDING: The clinical trial was sponsored by Lorenz Biotech (Medolla, Italy), lately Lorenz Lifetech (Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy)

Population-Based Study on the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Orthostatic Hypotension in Subjects With Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pre-diabetes and orthostatic hypotension and to examine the prevalence and correlates of orthostatic hypotension in community dwellers with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), pre-diabetes, and diabetes