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A method of "weak resonance" for quality factor and coupling coefficient measurement in piezoelectrics.

In the absolute-immittance spectrum of a piezoelectric resonator (PR), if the relative resonance-antiresonance frequency interval of a high-intensity resonance is basically determined by the coefficient of electromechanical coupling (CEMC), the relative resonance-antiresonance frequency interval of a low-intensity resonance with the resonance-antiresonance attenuation less than 15 dB, regardless of the reason, is determined by the quality factor Q of the resonance, and its intensity is proportional to the CEMC. The technique for the quality factor and CEMC determination based on the "weak resonance" (WR) concept has been formulated and then applied to low-Q and/or low-CEMC piezoelectrics, including the initial stage of piezoceramics polarization, and to piezotransducers under electrical or mechanical loading with maximum efficiency. The WR method allows one to determine the quality factor on PRs under specific conditions, such as arbitrary PR shape resulting to a broken frequency spectrum; PRs with an extremely large or extremely low electrical capacitance; at high-order PR harmonics; electrodeless piezoelements under mechanically contactless electrical excitation; determining the local thickness-mode material quality factor value and its distribution along the surface of a thin electrodeless piezoplate--all this where the traditional methods show a poor performance or do not work at all.

Ceramics↗

A network thermodynamic two-port element to represent the coupled flow of salt and current. Improved alternative for the equivalent circuit.

A two-port for coupled salt and current flow is created by using the network thermodynamic approach in the same manner as that for coupled solute and volume flow (Mikulecky et al., 1977b; Mikulecky, 1977). This electrochemical two-port has distinct advantages over the equivalent circuit representation and overcomes difficulties pointed out by Finkelstein and Mauro (1963). The electrochemical two-port is used to produce a schematic diagram of the coupled flows through a tissue. The network is superimposable on the tissue morphology and preserves the physical qualities of the flows and forces in each part of an organized structure (e.g., an epithelium). The topological properties are manipulated independently from the constitutive (flow-force) relations. The constitutive relations are chosen from a number of alternatives depending on the detail and rigor desired. With the topology and constitutive parameters specified, the steady-state behavior is simulated with a network simulation program. By using capacitance to represent the filling and depletion of compartments, as well as the traditional electrical capacitances, time-dependent behavior is also simulated. Nonlinear effects arising from the integration of equations describing local behavior (e.g., the Nernst-Planck equations) are dealt with explicitly. The network thermodynamic approach provides a simple, straightforward method for representing a system diagrammatically and then simulating the system's behavior from the diagram with a minimum of mathematical manipulation.

Animals↗

Application of electrical impedance analysis for diagnosis of a pulmonary mass.

The electrical impedance of a pulmonary mass was measured in 53 patients of whom 44 had primary lung cancer, 5 had metastatic lung tumor, and 4 had organizing pneumonia. Because biologic tissue can be regarded, electrically, to consist of extracellular resistance (Re), intracellular resistance (Ri), and the electrical capacitance of the cell membrane (Cm), these three parameters were calculated from the measured electrical impedance of tissue by a curve-fitting technique using a computer program. The Re of lung tissue was significantly greater (p < 0.01) and the Cm of lung tissue was significantly less (p < 0.01) than that of a pulmonary mass. The Re of malignant tumors (both lung cancer and metastatic tumors) was significantly greater (p < 0.01) and the Cm of malignant tumors was significantly less (p < 0.01) than that of organizing pneumonia. With this information, we used a biopsy needle to diagnose nine intrathoracic lesions. This technique additionally allowed us to confirm the proximity of the needle tip of the mass. The electrical impedance of the lung mass was measured through the biopsy needle using a modified impedance analysis system before the biopsy was performed. There were no false-negative results, and one false-positive result. The rapid measurement of the electrical impedance of a pulmonary mass, preoperatively, may be of value in the clinical evaluation of a pulmonary mass both by facilitating needle guidance and by permitting diagnosis based on electrical impedance.

Aged↗

Determination of gap junctional intercellular communication by capacitance measurements.

Electrical coupling between cells is usually measured using the double-patch-clamp technique with cell pairs. Here, a single patch-clamp technique that is not limited to cell pairs is described to determine electrical coupling between cells. Capacitance measurements in clusters of normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts were used to study intercellular communication. In the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration capacitive transients were evoked by applying small voltage pulses. Total membrane capacitance was calculated from these capacitive transients after determination of access resistance, membrane conductance, and the decay constant of the transients, or alternatively by integrating the current transient. We found that in clusters of one to ten cells, membrane capacitance increased linearly with cell number, showing that the cells are electrically coupled. Membrane conductance of the cluster of cells also increased, as expected for cells that are well coupled. In subconfluent and confluent cultures, high membrane conductances together with large capacitive transients were observed, indicative of electrical coupling. Capacitance could only be determined qualitatively under these conditions, due to space clamp problems. In the presence of the gap junctional inhibitors halothane, heptanol or octanol, capacitance of all clusters of cells fell to single-cell levels, showing a complete uncoupling of the cells. The tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) also uncoupled the cells completely, with 10 min. We conclude that capacitance measurements can provide a useful tool to study changes in intercellular communication in clusters of cells.

Alcohols↗

Measurement of the electrical bio-impedance of breast tumors.

A new impedance analytical system was developed, and measurements were performed over a frequency range of 0-200 kHz by the three-electrode method. The three electrodes consist of a coaxial needle electrode inserted into the tumor and a large reference electrode on the upper abdominal wall. The electrical bio-impedance was measured in 54 patients with breast tumors. The biological tissue can be regarded electrically as an equivalent consisting of extracellular resistance (Re), intracellular resistance (Ri), and electrical capacitance of the cell membrane (Cm). These three parameters were calculated from the measured values of electrical bio-impedance by the curve-fitting technique using a computer program. It was found that Re and Ri of breast cancers were significantly higher than those of benign tumors (p less than 0.01), and that Cm of breast cancers was significantly lower than that of benign tumors (p less than 0.01). Measurement of the electrical bio-impedance of breast tumors may have value in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions.

Adult↗

[In vivo measurements of electrical bio-impedance of breast tumors].

The electrical bio-impedance of 17 breast tumors including 12 breast cancers and 5 fibroadenomas, were measured in vivo with three-electrode method in the frequency range of 0 to 200 KHZ. The three-electrode consists of a coaxial needle electrode inserted into the tumor and a large reference electrode on upper abdominal wall. The tissue can be regarded electrically as a equivalent consisted of extracellular resistance (R1), intracellular resistance (R2), and electric capacitance of the cell membrane (C). These three parameters were calculated from the measured values of electrical bioimpedance. It was found that R1, and R2 of breast cancers were significantly higher than those of fibroadenomas (p less than 0.001), and that C of breast cancers was significantly lower than that of fibroadenomas (p less than 0.001). The measurement of the electrical impedance of breast tumor in vivo may be useful for the differential diagnosis of breast lesions.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗

Breast electrical impedance and estrogen use in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the potential for using electrical impedance measurements on the breast as an indicator of estrogen activity in breast tissue. METHODS: Eighty-six postmenopausal women were examined with TS2000, a device that measures electrical capacitance and conductance on the breast. Seventy women had undergone natural menopause (NM) and 16 had had a hysterectomy/ovarectomy. Twenty-one women were using estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Each woman had electrical impedance measured over several frequencies on the nipple sector of both breasts. We analyzed capacitance and conductance at 200 and 1100 Hz and the slopes and intercepts of regression lines relating capacitance and conductance to the natural log of frequency. RESULTS: Type of menopause (natural or induced) was not statistically related to any measured variable. The number of years since the start of menopause was statistically related to all measured variables. Overall, levels of capacitance and conductance decreased as the number of years since the start of menopause increased. Women who used ERT had a statistically higher level of nipple conductance at 200 Hz than did women who did not use ERT. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of electrical measurements on the nipple (and in particular conductance at 200 Hz) is correlated with the pattern of estrogen changes after menopause. These data indicate that electrical measurements might be a useful, non-invasive assay of estrogen activity in breast tissue.

Breast↗

Silk produced by hornets: thermophotovoltaic properties-a review.

This article deals with the silk weave produced by pupating larvae of the Oriental hornet and its electric properties. Larvae of this hornet commence pupation at approximately 2 weeks of age. Creation of the cocoonal silk weave requires a number of hours and the encased pupa remains in the cocoon for approximately 2 more weeks before ecloding as an adult. The silk weave is initially of a creamish white color, but gradually becomes brown-gray owing to the activity of certain bacteria secreted in the silk. The silk weave is composed of fibers arranged in multiple layers with interposed surfaces occupying a considerable part of the area and containing pockets of bacteria. The spun silk contains both metallic and non-metallic elements, mostly K and Cl but also Mg, P, S, Ca, Ti and V. Shaped as a dome, the silk projects considerably beyond the cell proper, contributing importantly to its total volume and providing a shield for the contained pupa against predators, parasites, or extreme changes in temperature, as well as affording a 'sterile and clean room' in which the pupa can form its new cuticle without the interference of contaminating dust particles or the turbulence of air currents. The silk is endowed with electric properties. Inter alia, a thermoelectric phenomenon was observed in the dark, namely, upon increase in temperature the current rose to several hundred nano Amperes (nA); in light, a photovoltaic effect was observed involving voltages of several dozen millivolts (mV), with a sharp transition between the current and voltage during transition from darkness to light. Also recorded was a very high electric capacitance, amounting to scores of milli farads (mF). In all, the pupal silk behaves like an organic semiconductor, in that its electric properties are temperature-dependent, and it also displays ferroelectric properties. Additionally, a luminescence phenomenon was recorded on the silk, wherein excitation at wavelengths within the UV(i.e. 249, 290 and 312 nm) range yielded an emission spectrum at a wavelength of 450 and of 530 nm. The silk caps are anisotropic in that the emission from the outside is lower than that from the inside. By way of recap, the various mentioned properties of the pupal silk are discussed from their biological and physical aspects.

Animals↗

Interaction of undecaprenyl phosphate with phospholipid bilayers.

The effect of undecaprenyl phosphate (C55-P) on dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) bilayer lipid membranes has been studied. The current-voltage characteristics, steady-state diffusion potentials, membrane conductance-temperature relationships, membrane electric capacitance and membrane breakdown voltage have been measured for different mixtures of undecaprenyl phosphate and DOPC. The ratio of permeability coefficients for sodium and chloride ions, the activation energy for ion migration across the membrane and membrane thickness have been determined. The electrical measurements showed that undecaprenyl phosphate decreases membrane-normalized conductance, membrane ionic permeability, membrane hydrophobic thickness and membrane selectivity for chloride ions, and increases the activation energy for ion transport, membrane nonlinearity potential, membrane specific capacitance, membrane electromechanical stability and membrane selectivity for sodium ions. From the results, we suggest that the interaction of the gradient of electric transmembrane potential with the negative charge of the phosphate group of C55-P determines the dynamics, conformation and aggregation behaviour of undecaprenyl phosphate in phospholipid membranes. Some implications of these findings for a possible regulation of the C55-P-dependent expression of polysialic acid capsule in Escherichia coli K1 bacterial cells are indicated.

Chlorides↗

Non-chromogenic peptide substrates for detection of enzymes by means of capacitance changes at metal electrodes.

A new type of substrate for enzyme detection has been developed. The substrate is non-chromogenic and is used in an assay method based on electrode adsorption. The rate of change in the electric capacitance of the electrode is monitored and taken as a measure of the substrate adsorption. Substrate adsorption is in turn proportional to substrate bulk concentration and thus subject to changes by enzymes. The new substrate introduces a new concept in enzyme detection: as it is non-chromogenic it may contain appropriate amino acids on both sides of the bond subject to enzymatic cleavage.

Electrochemistry↗

Computed membrane currents in cardiac Purkinje fibers during voltage clamps.

Recent measurements have indicated that some of the cardiac cell electrical capacitance is in series with a resistance. The computations of currents in a voltage clamp presented below show that, in this case, there is a danger that capacitive transient currents recorded during voltage clamp experiments may be confused with currents arising through rapid active membrane conductance changes. Secondly, a voltage clamp technique aimed at avoiding capacitive transients, namely the linear or ramp clamp, has recently been introduced. An attempt has been made here to evaluate the usefulness of ramp clamps in studying membrane electrical properties, by computing ramp clamp results and considering the difficulties in reconstructing the original model from these results. It is concluded that such a reconstruction is not feasible.

Cell Membrane↗

[Research on electricity frequency property of blood].

On the basis of our previous work, the electric frequency property of human blood in different components, in physiological state and in pathological state (diabetes) are tested and analyzed in the range of 1Hz-20MHz progressively. Among the different components of blood; the lowest electrical impedance is serum; the plasma and the whole blood gradually become larger, the blood corpuscle is the largest one. Otherwise, the negative phase of serum is the largest, the plasma and the whole blood are lower, and the blood corpuscle is the lowest. Here, the question is why the effect of the electric capacity of serum and plasma is the biggest in the condition of no cell and cell membrane; diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder in which blood changes obviously, the electric frequency property of the blood of diabetic patients changes markedly; the electrical impedance of blood decreases (more obviously with low frequency), the negative phase increases (more obviously with high frequency). These indicate that the increase of electric conductivity in diabetic patients' blood is due to electric capacitance conductivity that is related to the changes of cell membrane, deformation abilities and aggregation of RBC. Related experiments demonstrate again that with the progressing of research in the electric frequency property of blood, we may use the theory and method of electricity to examine some important characters of blood in a different way, and so to corroborate other tests and analyses.

Adult↗

[The autonomic innervation of the nasal capacitance and resistance vessels in the cat].

In the present study reflex manners in capacitance and resistance vessels of the nasal mucosa have been observed respectively and simultaneously by stimulating the a) Cervical sympathetic nerve trunk, b) Vagal nerve, c) Vidian nerve, d) sympathectomized Vidian nerve electrically. Capacitance change in the nasal mucosa was measured by plethysmographic balloons inserted into the nasal cavity. Resistance change was measured as the pressure change in the terminal branch of the maxillary artery by using the constant flow perfusion method. a) Stimulation of the cervical sympathetic nerve trunk evoked a decrease change in the volume of the nasal mucosa and an increase change in the resistance of the maxillary artery. b) Stimulation of the Vagal nerve evoked an increase change in the volume of the nasal mucosa and a decrease change in the resistance of the maxillary artery. c) Stimulation of the Vidian nerve there were observed an increase change in the volume of the nasal mucosa and a decrease change in the resistance of the maxillary artery at the low stimulation intensity, from 0.2 to 0.8 volts. Further increasing the stimulation intensity, from 1.0 to 6.0 volts a decrease change in the volume of the nasal mucosa was observed. In spite of the reverse change in the capacitance vessel, pressure in the maxillary artery still maintained low pressure level. d) Stimulation of the sympathectomized Vidian nerve evoked an increase change in the volume of the nasal mucosa and a decrease change in the maxillary artery. Manner of these reflex was very similar to that of the Vagal nerve stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Modification on ion transport in lipid bilayer membranes by the insecticides DDT and DDE.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of action of organochlorine insecticides on the ion transport in biological membranes, we have studied the effect of DDT and its analog DDE on the structural parameters of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) planar bilayers. DDT and DDE increases the conductance induced by the hydrophobic ions tetraphenylarsonium (TPhAs+) and tetraphenylborate (TPhB-) in lipid bilayers. Neither DDT nor DDE alters the surface potential of PE monolayers. On the other hand, these organochlorine compounds increase only slightly the electric capacitance of the bilayers. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that these insecticides increase the fluidity of the membrane.

Anions↗

A double-blind comparison of two creams containing urea as the active ingredient. Assessment of efficacy and side-effects by non-invasive techniques and a clinical scoring scheme.

From a group of 72 healthy individuals, 47 with evidence of dry skin according to measurements by non-invasive techniques were enrolled for a 3-week study with double-blind and randomized treatment of one forearm, using either 3% urea cream (HTH lotion 'light') or 10% urea cream (HTH lotion 'Original'). The contralateral forearm served as an untreated control. Two volunteers had to be excluded because measurements of skin surface lipids gave evidence of vehicle components on the skin surface at the time of final evaluations. Evaluations took place not less than 12 h after the last application. According to questionnaire replies, the two creams were equally effective. This was confirmed by "blind" evaluation of the skin hydration state by a dermatologist, measurements of electrical capacitance and conductance indicating epidermal and skin surface hydration, and by D-Squame tape assessments including optical transmission of tapes with stratum corneum and scales from adhering skin, as well as visual scoring of the tapes. The methods showed a high degree of correlation, i.a. a definite relation between increase in electrical hydration parameters, reduced scaling according to the D-Squame tape evaluations, and clinical improvement of dryness. In skin treated with 10% urea cream the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased, indicating an improved water barrier function. Skin colour measurement according to the CIE colour system showed that skin treated with the 3% urea cream turned in the direction of yellow, and there was generally a tendency for the brightness to decrease. Thus, the 3% urea cream gave the skin a more golden colour. There was no change in redness with any of the creams. Neither data from the questionnaire, the clinical examination, nor results of TEWL and colour measurements indicated any local irritant effect of urea causing water barrier damage or inflammation. In conclusion, the 3% and 10% urea creams were both found efficient, resulting in improvement of hydration and reduction of scaling. Both were non-toxic. However, specific differences did appear, viz. the 3% urea cream turned the skin colour golden, while the 10% urea cream improved the skin's water barrier function.

Adult↗

Biochemical and physical parameters of the electrical currents measured with the ADP/ATP carrier by photolysis of caged ADP and ATP.

The transport by the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) has been shown in a preliminary communication to produce electrical capacitive currents on photolysis of caged ATP or ADP with reconstituted AAC liposomes attached to black lipid membranes [Brustovetsky, N., Becker, A., Klingenberg, M., and Bamberg, E. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 664-668]. Here we study the relation of the currents to ADP/ATP fluxes, the interaction of caged ADP and ATP with AAC and other basic facets of this method. Caged ADP and ATP are not transported by the AAC, as shown in mitochondria. Flux measurements with reconstituted AAC show that caged nucleotides are competitive inhibitors (Ki = 5 microM for caged ADP and 1 microM for caged ATP). Caged ATP competes with photolyzed ATP as shown by the dependence of the currents on the caged ATP concentration and on the light intensity. A competition of added ADP with caged ATP on the currents yields Ki = 50 microM for ADP. We conclude that caged ADP and ATP bind tighter to AAC than ADP or ATP, allowing immediate initiation of translocation by in situ photolysis. The caged compounds bind preferentially at the cytosolic side of AAC. With a regenerative hexokinase + glucose system, the currents are stabilized in repetitive flashes and can be used for applying inhibitors etc. during a flash series. The currents are completely inhibited by the combined addition of the AAC inhibitors bongkrekate (BKA) and carboxyatractylate (CAT). The partial inhibition by CAT or BKA is dependent on the number of flash cycles increasing from 60% to 90%, and by replacing chloride with gluconate from only 30% to 90%. The current are increased by a K+ diffusion potential (valinomycin + KCl) and decreased by the permeant anion TPB-. The pH dependence of the currents and of the parallel flux measurements indicates that only the fully charged ATP4- and ADP3- are transported. A strong temperature dependence of the currents with a break at 15 degrees C (EA = 95 and 28 kJ) agrees with former measurements of flux rates in mitochondria. In conclusion, the capacitive currents faithfully reflect AAC transport function and are a powerful tool for investigating the charge transfer in transport.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

[Physicochemical mechanisms of the action of gramicidin S on a model membrane].

Influence of gramicidin S on electric parameters of nitrocellulose ultrafilter as a biomembrane model was studied, the ultrafilters being impregnated with fatty acids or their ethers. It was shown that addition of the antibiotic to the solution over one side of the model membrane resulted in generation of electric potential. With increasing of the drug concentration by one order there was observed more than a 10-fold drop in the membrane resistance while the electric capacitance actually remained unchanged. It was suggested that gramicidin S was localized in thin water layers covering the surface of the ultrafilter pores and separating the polymer matrix and impregnating liquid filling the pores. Such incorporation led to changes in the state of water and water channel surfaces which defined the increase in the model membrane electric conductivity.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Chronic irritant contact dermatitis: recovery time in man.

Chronic irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a common skin disease, especially in the workplace, but determining the recovery time of chronic ICD is not easy. To measure the recovery time of chronic ICD, we examined the skin reactivity to a model surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), on previous chronic ICD and normal sites by visual grade and non-invasive instruments. Chronic ICD was induced on the forearms of 10 volunteers (aged 23 to 43 years) by occluded application of 1% SLS for 30 min on 5 consecutive days each week for 3 weeks. Previous ICD and normal sites were provoked by the occluded application of 7.5% SLS for 30 min daily on 4 consecutive days, 2, 5 and 10 weeks after induction. Skin reactivity was assessed daily by awarding visual erythema scores, visual scale scores and measuring transepidermal water loss, skin color reflectance, and electrical capacitance. Skin reactivity of previous chronic ICD sites to SLS showed hyperreactivity compared to normal sites even after the 10th week post-induction.

Adult↗