On Self Organization: Model for ionization wave propagation with targets of varying electrical properties

This work presents a model for an atmospheric Helium plasma interacting with normal and cancer cells. This interaction is simulated through the expansion and impingement of a gaseous jet onto targets with varying electrical permittivity. Simulation results show that for a plasma jet impinging onto two targets with different permittivity placed axis-symmetrically relative to the stagnation point of impingement, the jet is biased toward the target with lower permittivity when the target acts as a floating potential. This trend is reversed when the back surface of the target is grounded. In the case of a floating target, higher target permittivity yields a higher positive surface potential as the material experiences higher polarization in response to the net flux of electrons from the plasma onto the surface. Because of this higher surface potential, targets with higher permittivity generate a smaller electric field in the discharge column relative to materials with lower permittivity. When the back surface of the target is ground, the trend is reversed, with polarization occurring primarily on the back surface due to the response to the reservoir of positive charges introduced by ground. In the ground case, the material experiences more negative charging the front surface which induces a lower electric potential. As a result, the material with higher permittivity and a grounded back surface attracts plasma organization at the interface because of the higher local electric field. These numerical findings support experimental results presented by other researchers, which demonstrate selectivity of plasma jets towards some cancer cells more than others. The mechanism introduced here may help inform targeted treatment of specific cells, including those reported to be more resistant to plasma jets.

Characterization of Luminescent Down-Shifting Spectral Conversion Effects on Silicon Solar Cells with Various Combinations of Eu-Doped Phosphors

Luminescent down-shifting (LDS) spectral conversion is a feasible approach to enhancing the short-wavelength response of single junction solar cells. This paper presents the optical and electrical characteristics of LDS spectral conversion layers containing a single species or two species of Eu-doped phosphors applied to the front surface of silicon solar cells via spin-on coating. The chemical composition, surface morphology, and fluorescence emission of the LDS layers were respectively characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, optical imaging, and photoluminescence measurements. We also examined the LDS effects of various phosphors on silicon solar cells in terms of optical reflectance and external quantum efficiency. Finally, we examined the LDS effects of the phosphors on photovoltaic performance by measuring photovoltaic current density–voltage characteristics using an air-mass 1.5 global solar simulator. Compared to the control cell, the application of a single phosphor enhanced efficiency by 17.39% (from 11.14% to 13.07%), whereas the application of two different phosphors enhanced efficiency by 31.63% (from 11.14% to 14.66%).

Biocompatibility and Comfort during Extended Wear of Mel4 Peptide-Coated Antimicrobial Contact Lenses

(1) Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Mel4 antimicrobial contact lenses (MACL) on the ocular surface and comfort during extended wear. (2) Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-masked, contralateral clinical trial was conducted with 176 subjects to evaluate the biocompatibility of contralateral wear of MACL. The wearing modality was 14-day extended lens wear for three months. The participants were assessed at lens dispensing, after one night, two weeks, one month and three months of extended wear and one month after study completion. (3) Results: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in ocular redness or palpebral roughness between Mel4 and control eyes at any of the study visits. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in corneal staining between Mel4 and control eyes. There were no significant differences in front surface wettability or deposits or back surface debris (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in comfort, dryness, CLDEQ-8 scores lens or edge awareness. There was no evidence for delayed reactions on the ocular surface after cessation of lens wear. (4) Conclusion: The novel MACLs showed similar comfort to control lenses and were biocompatible during extended wear. Thus, these lenses were compatible with the ocular surface.

Peculiarities of the Anterior Surface of the Eye in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

The aim. To conduct an analysis of the anterior surface of the eye in patients with the newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma in order to choose treatment with or without preservative. Materials and methods. We evaluated the front surface of the eye in 46 patients (92 eyes) diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma: 20 men and 26 women aged from 58 to 80 years. The anterior surface of the eye was examined using an analyzer of the anterior eye. Results. The signs of previously diagnosed dry eye syndrome (DES) with various manifestations of dysfunction of meibomian glands and complaints about dry eyes, foreign body sensation, lacrimation and blurred vision were reported in 39 patients (85%). Based on the examination results, preservative-free topical hypotensive medications were recommended for these 39 patients. Conclusion. In order to preserve visual functions and quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed POAG, it is advisable to conduct a preliminary assessment of the condition of the anterior surface of the eye when prescribing drug therapy in order to rationalize the choice of first-line drugs with or without preservative in accordance with the European recommendations of Diagnosis and Treatment for glaucoma. Keywords: preservative-free medications, dry eye syndrome, primary open-angle glaucoma.

Thermography signs of lung inflammation

The purpose of the study was to find out if infrared thermography of the thorax is the method to select the patients with lung inflammationMaterial, methods: Thermograms were accumulated and processed in the «TVision» cloud storage («Dignosis», Russia). Special regions of interest (ROI) were automatically created: 1. on the front and back of the thorax roughly in the projection of the upper lobe (ULP) and the lower lobe (LLP) of the lung; 2.e lines on the front surface of the thorax. Two types of temperature gradients were calculated: between ULP and LLP (by subtraction mean temperature in LLP from mean temperature in ULP) (ΔT1); between both ULP and both LLP on the back of the thorax (ΔT2). Approximation confidence value for the polynomial trend line (R²) along the marked lines on the front surface of the thorax also calculated. Totally 489 thermograms, were analyzed, included 337 from healthy patients (group 1) and 152 from patients with confirmed diagnosis of lung inflammation (group 2)Results: R² value was higher in the group 1 compare to group 2 (0.58 ± 0.16 vs 0.3 ± 0.2, p < 0.05). ΔT1 value was negative only in patients from group 2, as well as ΔT1 value greater than 0.4 °C.Conclusion: three independent thermographic criteria suitable for detecting lung inflammation were found, so infrared thermography is the valuable method for screening this pathology.

Contralateral Eye Study On The Characteristics of Corneal Aberration In Patients With Bilateral Keratoconus And Unilateral Corneal Vogt’s Striae

Purpose: To assess the corneal high-order aberration(HOA) and its correlation with corneal morphological parameters in patients with bilateral keratoconus (KCN) and unilateral Vogt’s striae.Methods: A total of 168 eyes of 84 patients with KCN, whose corneas had definite signs of unilateral Vogt’s striae were enrolled. Corneal HOA and morphological parameters were measured using Pentacam HR.Results: The corneal morphological parameters between KCN eyes with and without Vogt’s striae were evidently different (P < 0.001). The 3rd coma 90°, 4th spherical aberration, 5th coma 90°, RMS (total), and RMS (HOA) in the front, back surfaces and total cornea in KCN eyes with Vogt’s striae were significantly higher than those in KCN eyes without Vogt’s striae (P < 0.001). In KCN eyes with Vogt’s striae, the 3rd coma 90° and 4th spherical aberration in the front surface and total cornea were negatively correlated with K1, K2, Km, Kmax, ACE, and PCE (P < 0.05). The 3rd coma 90° , 4th spherical aberration in back surface and RMS (total), RMS (HOA) in the front, back surfaces, total cornea were positively correlated with K1, K2, Km, Kmax, ACE, and PCE (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Corneal HOA especially vertical coma and spherical aberration may increase when Vogt’s striae appeared in KCN eyes. The scale of increase was significantly related with changes in corneal shapes.

Study on Cavitation and Tribological of TiO2 Nano-Film on Bearing Pads Surface

Bearings play a vital role in the operation of a two-axis system. Long-term bearing use inevitably produce bubbles and frictional damage. Therefore, the protection of bearings is critical for the stable operation of a two-axis system. In this study, a TiO2 nanofilm is used to physically protect a bearing. The discretization method is used to analyse the cavitation process. Cavitation primarily occurs on the front surface of the pad during bearing operation. A finite element analysis of a bearing pad coated and not coated with TiO2 nanofilms shows that TiO2 nanofilms can effectively absorb the cavitation force exerted on pads, thereby reducing inflicted damage. Moreover, the TiO2 nanofilm reduces the friction coefficient of the pad surface, promoting good bearing capacity of the bearing during rotation. The TiO2 nanofilm serves as a protective layer that improves the anti-wear and bearing performance of a two-axis system.

Accuracy of the indices of MS-39 anterior segment optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of keratoconic corneas

Purpose To determine the normative and the cut-off values of various indices available in the MS 39 Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (MS-39 AS-OCT) for keratoconus (KC) diagnosis, and to detect the accuracy of the variable available parameters. Methods This cross sectional observational study was conducted at Dr Rifay Ophthalmology Center, Rabat, Morocco, on 172 eyes with KC (group 1) and 248 eyes of healthy controls (group 2). Participants were screened using MS-39 AS-OCT (CSO, Firenze, Italy). The investigated indices included: keratometric indices, pachymetric indices, elevation indices, Keratoconus Summary Indices (KSI), aberration indices, and epithelial mapping evaluation. Results Most of the studied indices were significantly different between both groups (P value <0.001). Twenty two indices had Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve (AUROC) values >0.950, eight of which were from the KSI. The indices with the highest AUROC values were: Root Mean Square (RMS) for the front corneal surface at 6 mm circle (AUROC = 0.996, and best cut-off >1.69 with sensitivity of 97.67% and specificity of 97.98%) and RMS per unit of area for the front surface at 6 mm circle (AUROC = 0.996, and best cut-off >0.06 with sensitivity of 97.67% and specificity of 97.98%). Epithelial thickness-derived metrics were not among the parameters with the highest accuracy. Conclusions This study presented the mean and the cut-off values for a plethora of parameters available in the MS-39 AS-OCT. The results of this study show that MS-39 AS-OCT is a valuable equipment for diagnosing keratoconic corneas, with a high accuracy detected for many parameters.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON AND OUTDOOR MONITORING OF SMOOTH AND TEXTURED COVER GLASS FOR SOLAR MODULES OF UP 6 YEARS EXPOSED

Solar modules are being built with nearly the same configuration for decades now. The front is covered with a tempered glass pane. The performance of a PV module can be increased by the texturation of the front side. One of the major requirements for front cover glasses is their high optical transmission. One option to boost transmission is texturing the front surface in a similar manner to crystalline solar cell. Another advantage of a textured glass is the fact that the reflected light beam at normal incidence has a second chance of being transmitted to the solar cell. Furthemore, the texturation of front cover glass might collect more dust and soiling than a flat glass surface. Due to this concern, the soiling effect of module covered with textured cover Alberino P glass after long-term exposed will investigated in this work. The modules presented in this work have the same characteristics in STC (i.e short circuit current, open circuit voltage and maximum power point). Electroluminescence, I-V and P-V characteristic are the method used to detect faults on the PV module. The results show a loss of PV performance with textured cover glass is l,72% higher than the reference module in other hand the increase of serie resistance is also observed in both modules