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Electrical Potential (electrical + potential)
Selected AbstractsElectrospray: From ions in solution to ions in the gas phase, what we know nowMASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS, Issue 6 2009Paul Kebarle Abstract There is an advantage for users of electrospray and nanospray mass spectrometry to have an understanding of the processes involved in the conversion of the ions present in the solution to ions in the gas phase. The following processes are considered: Creation of charge droplets at the capillary tip; Electrical potentials required and possibility of gas discharges; Evolution of charged droplets, due to solvent evaporation and Coulomb explosions, to very small droplets that are the precursors of the gas phase ions; Production of gas phase ions from these droplets via the Ion Evaporation and Charge residue models; Analytical uses of ESIMS of small ions, qualitative and quantitative analysis; Effects of the ESI mechanism on the analysis of proteins and protein complexes; Determination of stability constants of protein complexes; Role of additives such as ammonium acetate on the observed mass spectra. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 28:898,917, 2009 [source] Chromate reduction in wastewater at different pH levels using thin iron wires,A laboratory studyENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 3 2005Li-Yang Chang Abstract The effectiveness of using thin zero-valent iron (Fe0) wires in the treatment of wastewater generated from a metal cleaning facility and with a pH in the range of 2 to 10 was examined. It was found that (1) when the sample containing low levels of total chromium (,14 mg/L) was mixed with iron wires at a pH of 3 to 8, 50 to 90% of the total chromium could be reduced in 4 h; (2) the initial reduction efficiency was pH-dependent: the lower the pH, the higher the reduction rate; (3) variations of solution pH, redox electrical potential, and electrical conductivity (EC) in samples were also pH-dependent; (4) the adsorption/reduction efficiency was limited by the diffusion of Cr(VI) from wastewater to the iron surface when the test duration was long; (5) when the initial pH = 3, iron corrosion and redox reaction dominated the reduction process; however, with pH = 8 or 10, corrosion, surface passivation, or metal precipitation could compete with reduction; (6) the used iron wires were still effective in chromium removal in new samples at pH = 3; and (7) some desorption of adsorbed chromium was observed in acidic samples when the test duration was long. Scanning electron microscope images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra collected from iron samples also indicate that the efficiency of chromium adsorption/reduction is pH-dependent. Our results suggest that using zero-valent iron to polish acidic wastewater containing low contents of chromium and other heavy metals is feasible. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2005 [source] Plasma membrane surface potential (,pm) as a determinant of ion bioavailability: A critical analysis of new and published toxicological studies and a simplified method for the computation of plant ,pmENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2006Thomas B. Kinraide Abstract Plasma membranes (PMs) are negatively charged, and this creates a negative PM surface electrical potential ,PM) that is also controlled by the ionic composition of the bathing medium. The ,PM controls the distribution of ions between the PM surface and the medium so that negative potentials increase the surface activity of cations and decrease the surface activity of anions. All cations reduce the negativity of ,PM, and these common ions are effective in the following order: Al3+ > H+ > Cu2+ > Ca2+ , Mg2+ > Na+ , K+. These ions, especially H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, are known to reduce the uptake and biotic effectiveness of cations and to have the opposite effects on anions. Toxicologists commonly interpret the interactions between toxic cations (commonly metals) and ameliorative cations (commonly H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) as competitions for binding sites at a PM surface ligand. The ,PM is rarely considered in this biotic ligand model, which incorporates the free ion activity model. The thesis of this article is that ,PM effects are likely to be more important to bioavailability than site-specific competition. Furthermore, ,PM effects could give the false appearance of competition even when it does not occur. The electrostatic approach can account for the bioavailability of anions, whereas the biotic ligand model cannot, and it can account for interactions among cations when competition does not occur. Finally, a simplified procedure is presented for the computation of ,PM for plants, and the possible use of ,PM in a general assessment of the bioavailability of ions is considered. [source] Effects of metals on skin permeability barrier recoveryEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Mitsuhiro Denda Please cite this paper as: Effects of metals on skin permeability barrier recovery. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e124,e127. Abstract:, We previously demonstrated that the electrical state of the skin surface influences epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis. At the interface between different materials, electrons are localized heterogeneously and induce electrical potential. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of metals on the barrier recovery. When we put pure gold plate on skin immediately after tape stripping, the barrier recovery rate was faster than the control. The acceleration of barrier recovery was blocked when the plate was earthed (grounded). When a plastic membrane was sandwiched between the plate and the skin, the recovery was delayed in comparison with the control. We then used a germanium diode to regulate the current flow between the plate and the earth. When the current was blocked, the barrier recovery was accelerated, but when the current was not blocked, the recovery was not accelerated. These results suggest that localization of electron might affect for the barrier recovery rate. The level of interfacial electric potential would be different due to the electrochemical property of metal. Thus, we next evaluated the effects of other metals. With samarium, zirconium, iridium and silver, the barrier recovery rate was faster than in the case of gold, while a platinum plate induced slower recovery than in the case of gold. There was a significant correlation between work function of each metal and barrier recovery rate. These results suggest that electron donation from outside accelerated the skin barrier recovery. [source] Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells.FUEL CELLS, Issue 2 2002Part I: Model Structures, Solving an Isothermal One-Cell Model Abstract Amongst the various types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEM-FC) can be used favourably in vehicles and for in house energy supply. The focus of the development of these cells is not only to provide cost-effective membranes and electrodes, but also to optimise the process engineering for single cells and to design multi-cell systems (cell stacks). This is a field in which we have successfully applied the methods of mathematical modelling and simulation. Initially, in this work, a partial model of a single membrane-electrode unit was developed in which the normal reaction technology fields (concentration, temperature, and flow-speed distributions) were calculated, but also the electrical potential and current density distribution in order to develop model structures for technically interesting PEM-FC. This allows the simulation of the effects that the geometric parameters (electrode and membrane data and the dimensions of the material feed and outlet channels) and the educt and coolant intake data have on the electrical and thermal output data of the cell. When complete, cell stacks consisting of a number of single cells, most of which have bipolar switching, are modelled the distribution of the gas flows over the single cells and the specific conditions of heat dissipation must also be taken into consideration. In addition to the distributions mentioned above, this simulation also produces characteristic current-voltage and power-voltage curves for each application that can be compared with the individual process variations and cell types, thus making it possible to evaluate them both technically and economically. The results of the simulation of characteristic process conditions of a PEM-FC operated on a semi-technical scale are presented, which have been determined by means of a three-dimensional model. The distributions of the electrical current density and all component voltage drops that are important for optimising the conditions of the process are determined and also the water concentration in the membrane as an important factor that influences the cell's momentary output and the PEM-FC's long-term stability. [source] Sensitivity of electrical resistivity tomography data to electrode position errorsGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005Greg A. Oldenborger SUMMARY Limitations of imaging using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) arise because of the difficulty of quantifying the reliability of tomographic images. A major source of uncertainty in tomographic inversion is data error. Data error due to electrode mislocations is characterized by the sensitivity of electrical potential to both source and receiver positions. This sensitivity is described by a scattering-type equation and, therefore, depends not only on source,receiver separation, but also on the location and magnitude of contrasts in electrical conductivity. At the overlapping scales of near-surface environmental and engineering geophysical surveys, for which electrodes may be close to the target and experiment dimensions may be on the same order as those of the target, errors associated with electrode mislocations can significantly contaminate the ERT data and the reconstructed electrical conductivity. For synthetic experiments, variations in the data due to electrode mislocation are comparable in magnitude to typical experimental noise levels and, in some cases, may overwhelm variations in the data due to changes in material properties. Furthermore, the statistical distribution of electrode mislocation errors can be complicated and multimodal such that bias may be introduced into the ERT data. The resulting perturbations of the reconstructed electrical conductivity field due to electrode mislocations can be significant in magnitude with complex spatial distributions that are dependent both on the model and the experiment. [source] The Effect of a Constant Electrical Field on Osseointegration after Immediate Implantation in Dog Mandibles: A Preliminary StudyJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 5 2007Yadollah Soleymani Shayesteh DDS Purpose: The long time span between insertion of implants and functional rehabilitation often inconveniences patients. Accelerating bone growth around dental implants can shorten this time span. This in vivo study evaluated the effect of a constant electrical field on bone growth around dental implants. Materials and Methods: Four mongrel dogs were used in this study. Sixteen dental implants were placed immediately after extraction of the first premolar and molar teeth. A constant electrical field (CEF) generator was placed in the mucoperiostal pouch created from the subperiostral dissection under the inferior border of the dog's mandible and connected to the experiment side fixtures. CEF provided 3 V of electrical potential during osseointegration. Histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin,eosin and observed under light microscopy. The sections were analyzed histomorphometrically to calculate the amount of newly formed bone. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 11.0 computer software (,= 0.05). Results: At the end of the first stage of the osseointegration (90 days) CEF group sections showed enhanced growth of the trabeculae compared with the control group. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between experimental and control groups. Bone contact ratio was statistically significant in the experimental group (p= 0.001). An increase in the local bone formation and bone contact ratio was observed with direct electrical stimulation of the implant and the bone area around the implant. Conclusion: Minimal direct electrical current, which can produce an electrical field around the implant, can increase the amount of bone formation and decrease the time of osseointegration. [source] Consideration of magnetically-induced and conservative electric fields within a loaded gradient coilMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006Weihua Mao Abstract We present a method to calculate the electric (E)-fields within and surrounding a human body in a gradient coil, including E-fields induced by the changing magnetic fields and "conservative" E-fields originating with the scalar electrical potential in the coil windings. In agreement with previous numerical calculations, it is shown that magnetically-induced E-fields within the human body show no real concentration near the surface of the body, where nerve stimulation most often occurs. Both the magnetically-induced and conservative E-fields are shown to be considerably stronger just outside the human body than inside it, and under some circumstances the conservative E-fields just outside the body can be much larger than the magnetically-induced E-fields there. The order of gradient winding and the presence of conductive RF shield can greatly affect the conservative E-field distribution in these cases. Though the E-fields against the outer surface of the body are not commonly considered, understanding gradient E-fields may be important for reasons other than peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), such as potential interaction with electrical equipment. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dynamic and generalized Wentzell node conditions for network equationsMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 6 2007Delio Mugnolo Abstract Motivated by a neurobiological problem, we discuss a class of diffusion problems on a network. The celebrated Rall lumped soma model for the spread of electrical potential in a dendritical tree prescribes that the common cable equation must be coupled with particular dynamic conditions in some nodes (the cell bodies, or somata). We discuss the extension of this model to the case of a whole network of neurons, where the ramification nodes can be either active (with excitatory time-dependent boundary conditions) or passive (where no dynamics take place, i.e. only Kirchhoff laws are imposed). While well-posedness of the system has already been obtained in previous works, using abstract tools based on variational methods and semigroup theory we are able to prove several qualitative properties, including asymptotic behaviour, regularity of solutions, and monotonicity of the semigroups in dependence on the physical coefficients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The electroolfactogram: A review of its history and usesMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 3 2002John W. Scott Abstract The electroolfactogram (EOG) is a negative electrical potential recorded at the surface of the olfactory epithelium of vertebrates. It represents primarily, if not exclusively, the summated generator potential in the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). While a number of studies suggest that secretory or inhibitory events may also contribute to the EOG, these are not well established. This review outlines (1) the cellular and physiological nature of the EOG response; (2) methodological considerations regarding odor selection and delivery, surgical preparation, response descriptions, and analysis; and (3) application of the EOG in human, fish, and insect olfaction and pheromonal responsivity. A number of technical issues associated with EOG recording are also discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:152,160, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cation/proton antiporter complements of bacteria: why so large and diverse?MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Terry A. Krulwich Summary Most bacterial genomes have five to nine distinct genes predicted to encode transporters that exchange cytoplasmic Na+ and/or K+ for H+ from outside the cell, i.e. monovalent cation/proton antiporters. By contrast, pathogens that live primarily inside host cells usually possess zero to one such antiporter while other stress-exposed bacteria exhibit even higher numbers. The monovalent cation/proton antiporters encoded by these diverse genes fall into at least eight different transporter protein families based on sequence similarity. They enable bacteria to meet challenges of high or fluctuating pH, salt, temperature or osmolarity, but we lack explanations for why so many antiporters are needed and for the value added by specific antiporter types in specific settings. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, analyses of the pH dependence of cytoplasmic [Na+], [K+], pH and transmembrane electrical potential in the ,poly extremophile'Natranaerobius thermophilus are the context for assessment of the catalytic properties of 12 predicted monovalent cation/proton antiporters in the genome of this thermophilic haloalkaliphile. The results provide a profile of adaptations of the poly extremophilic anaerobe, including a proposed role of cytoplasmic buffering capacity. They also provide new perspectives on two large monovalent cation/proton antiporter families, the NhaC and the cation/proton antiporter-3 antiporter families. [source] Quantitatively resolving mixtures of isobaric compounds using chemical ionization mass spectrometry by modulating the reactant ion compositionRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 16 2008E. C. Fortner Acrolein (C3H4O) and 1-butene (C4H8) can both be individually detected by proton transfer chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CI-MS). However, because these compounds are isobaric, mixtures of these two compounds cannot be resolved since both compounds react with H3O+ via a proton-transfer reaction to form a protonated molecule that is detected at a nominal mass-to-charge ratio of 57 (m/z 57). While both compounds react with H3O+ only acrolein reacts to any significant extent with H3O+(H2O). Recognizing that the electrical potential applied to a drift tube reaction mass spectrometer provides a simple and effective means for varying the relative intensity of the H3O+ and H3O+(H2O) reactant ions we have developed a method whereby we make use of this reactivity difference to resolve mixtures of these two compounds. We demonstrate a technique where the individual contributions of acrolein and 1-butene within a mixture can be quantitatively resolved by systematically changing the reagent ion from H3O+ to H3O+(H2O) through control of the electric potential applied to the drift tube reaction region of a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Theoretical analysis of excipient concentrations during the final ultrafiltration/diafiltration step of therapeutic antibodyBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2009Fudu Miao Abstract Diafiltration of a protein solution into a new buffer is a common final step in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. However, the excipient concentrations in the retentate are not always equal to their corresponding concentrations in the new buffer (diafiltration buffer). This phenomenon was observed repeatedly during diafiltration of different therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in which the concentrations of histidine and either sorbitol or sucrose (depending on which was chosen for the diafiltration buffer) in the retentate were lower than in the diafiltration buffer. Experimental studies and theoretical analyses of the ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF) step were carried out to determine the primary causes of the phenomenon and to develop a mathematical model capable of predicting retentate excipient concentrations. The analyses showed that retentate histidine concentration was low primarily because of repulsive charge interactions between positively-charged histidine molecules and positively-charged protein molecules, and that volume exclusion effects were secondary for like-charged molecules. The positively-charged protein molecules generate an electrical potential that cause an uneven distribution of charged histidine molecules. This interaction was used to construct a mathematical model based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. The model successfully predicted the final histidine concentration in the diafiltered product (retentate) from the UF/DF development and production runs, with good agreement across a wide range of protein and histidine concentrations for four therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The concentrations of uncharged excipients (sorbitol or sucrose) were also successfully predicted using previously established models, with volume exclusion identified as the primary cause of differences in uncharged excipient concentrations in the retentate and diafiltration buffer. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] Analysis of Dopamine and Tyrosinase Activity on Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor (ISFET) DevicesCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 26 2007Ronit Freeman Abstract Dopamine (1) and tyrosinase (TR) activities were analyzed by using chemically modified ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) devices. In one configuration, a phenylboronic acid functionalized ISFET was used to analyze 1 or TR. The formation of the boronate,1 complex on the surface of the gate altered the electrical potential associated with the gate, and thus enabled 1 to be analyzed with a detection limit of 7×10,5,M. Similarly, the TR-induced formation of 1, and its association with the boronic acid ligand allowed a quantitative assay of TR to be performed. In another configuration, the surface of the ISFET gate was modified with tyramine or 1 to form functional surfaces for analyzing TR activities. The TR-induced oxidation of the tyramine- or 1 -functionalized ISFETs resulted in the formation of the redox-active dopaquinone units. The control of the gate potential by the redox-active dopaquinone units allowed a quantitative assay of TR to be performed. The dopaquinone-functionalized ISFETs could be regenerated to give the 1 -modified sensing devices by treatment with ascorbic acid. [source] Dipole Tracing Examination for the Electric Source of Photoparoxysmal Response Provoked by Half-Field StimulationEPILEPSIA, Issue 2000Kazuhiko Kobayashi Purpose: Dipole tracing (DT) is a computer-aidcd noninvasive method used to estimate the location of epileptic discharges from the scalp EEG. In DT equivalent current dipoles (ECDs), which rcflcct the electric source in the brain, are rcsponsible for the potential distribution on the scalp EEC. Thercfore, the DT method is useful to estimatc the focal paroxysmal discharges. In this study we examined the location of the clectric source of photoparoxysmal response (PPR) using scalpskull-brain dipolc tracing (SSB-DT) after hal[-field stimulation, which produced focal PPR on the scalp EEG. Methods: We studied 4 cases of photoscnsitive epilepsy. Wc performed 20 Hz red flicker and flickcring dot pattern half-ficld stimulation to provoke PPR. In this method, the loci of gcnerators corresponding to the paroxysmal discharges were estimated as ECDs by I - and 2-dipole analyses. Each location of the ECDs was estimated by iterative calculation. Algorithms minimizing the squarcd difference betwccn the electrical potentials recorded from the scalp EEG and those calculated theoretically from the voluntary dipoles were uscd. In the SSB model, the scalp shell was reconstructed from the helmet mcasurements, and the shapc of the skull and brain was 3-dimcnsionally reconstructed from CT images. A dipolarity larger than 98% w the accuracy of the estimation. We recorded thcir 2 I channel monopolar scalp EEG. Each spike was sampled analyzed at 10 points around the peaks of at least 10 spikes in each patient using the SSB-DT method. The ECDs were then supcrimposed on thc MRI of each palient to idcntify the more cxact anatomical region. Results: This study showed the location of cach focus and a dipolarity of greater than 98% in all cases, although the results from the 2-dipole method showed scattered location. We considered that the analyzed signals were generated from single source. PPR was elicitcd cross-lateral to the field stimulated. By red flicker half-field stimulation, EEG revealed eithcr focal spikes and waves in the contralatcral occipital, temporo-occipitel region, or diffuse spikes and wave complex bursts, sccn dominantly at the contralateral hcmisphere. The supcrimposed ESDs on MRI were located at the occipital or inferior temporal lobe. PPR, provoked by flickering dot pattern half-field stimulation, werc focal spikes and waves, mainly in the occipital, parieto-occipital region, or diffuse spikes and wave complcx bursts, seen dominantly at thc contralateral hcmiaphere. The ECDs of their PPRs were located in the occipital, inferior temporal, or inferior pirietal lobules on MRI. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the inferior temporal and inferior parictal lobules which are important for the processing sequence of the visual system in addition to the occipital lobc, might he responsible for thc mechanism of PPR by half-ficld stimulation, espccially for electric source expansion. [source] The Energetics of Ion Distribution: The Origin of the Resting Electric Potential of CellsIUBMB LIFE, Issue 5 2002Richard L. Veech Abstract The relation between the energies of ion movement and ATP hydrolysis is unknown in tissues with widely varying electric potentials. Consequently, we measured the concentration of the nine major inorganic ions in the extra- and intracellular phases in heart, liver, and red cells with resting electrical potentials, E N, of -86, -28, and -6 mV, respectively, under six different physiological conditions. We calculated the Nernst electric potential and the energy of ion movement between the phases. We found that the energy of ATP hydrolysis was essentially constant, between -54 and -58 kJ/mol, in all tissues and conditions. In contrast, as E N decreased, the energies of the Na + and K + gradients decreased, with slopes approximating their valence. The difference between the energies of Na + and K + gradients remained constant at 17 kJ/mol, which is approximately one third of the energy of ATP hydrolysis, demonstrating near-equilibrium of the Na +/K + ATPase in all tissues under all conditions. All cations, except K +, were pumped out of cells and all anions, except Cl - in liver and red cell, were pumped into cells. We conclude that the energy of ATP was expressed in Na +/K + ATPase and its linked inorganic ion transporters to create a Gibbs-Donnan near-equilibrium system, an inherent part of which was the electric potential. [source] Considerations in measuring the electrical potentials of metallic restorations in vivoJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 11 2000E. J. Sutow Many variables are believed to affect the accurate measuring of metallic restoration electrical potentials. This study examined the effects of intra- versus extra-oral location of the reference electrode, the type of metallic probe used to make contact with the restoration, and scratching and brushing of the restoration surface. Dental amalgam restorations were measured in 40 human subjects. Results showed that only the location of the reference electrode affected the central tendency of the potential. The study discusses the significance of some experimental variables in the accurate measuring of metallic potentials and the need to consider individual subject differences when statistically analysing for the central tendency of a sample. [source] Cellular mechanisms of potassium transport in plantsPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 4 2008Dev T. Britto Potassium (K+) is the most abundant ion in the plant cell and is required for a wide array of functions, ranging from the maintenance of electrical potential gradients across cell membranes, to the generation of turgor, to the activation of numerous enzymes. The majority of these functions depend more or less directly upon the activities and regulation of membrane-bound K+ transport proteins, operating over a wide range of K+ concentrations. Here, we review the physiological aspects of potassium transport systems in the plasma membrane, re-examining fundamental problems in the field such as the distinctions between high- and low-affinity transport systems, the interactions between K+ and other ions such as NH4+ and Na+, the regulation of cellular K+ pools, the generation of electrical potentials and the problems involved in measurement of unidirectional K+ fluxes. We place these discussions in the context of recent discoveries in the molecular biology of K+ acquisition and produce an overview of gene families encoding K+ transporters. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||