Performance of pulsed plasma thruster at low discharge energy

As the size of satellites scales down, low-power and compact propulsion systems such as the pulsed plasma thruster(PPT) are needed for stabilizing these miniature satellites in orbit. Most PPT systems are operated at 2 J or more of discharge energy. In this work, the performance of a PPT with a side-fed, tongue-flared electrode configuration operated within a lower discharge energy range of 0.5-2.5 J has been investigated. Ablation and charring of the polytetrafluoroethylene propellant surface were analyzed through field-effect scanning electron microscopy imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. When the discharge energy fell below 2 J, inconsistencies occurred in the specific impulse and the thrust efficiency due to the measurement of the low mass bit. At energy ≥2 J, the performance parameters are compared with other PPT systems of similar configuration and discussed in depth.

Effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound on expression of TIMP-2 in serum and expression of mmp-13 in articular cartilage of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis

Objective:To study the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS) on the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in the serum and expression of matrix metallopeptidase 13(MMP-13) in the articular cartilage cells of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis(OA).Methods:Inner patellar ligament defect method was used to establish the model of knee OA.Four weeks after the modeling,the arterial blood was drawn from the ear of each rabbit,while ELISA was employed to detect the expression of TIMP-2 in the serum.The chondrocytes were separated from animals in each group and then cultured in vitro.All rabbits were divided into control group,OA model group and OA + LIPUS group.Cells in the control and OA groups were not treated,while cells in the OA+ LIPUS group were treated with LIPUS(40 mW/cnr.1 time/day).Cells were collected 7 d later and the RNA and total protein were extracted respectively.Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to analyze the expression of MMP-13 in chondrocytes at the mRNA and protein level,respectively.Results:The success rate of establishment of OA model was 83%.The results of ELISA showed that the content of TIMP-2 in the serum of animals with OA was 22.3%,lower than the one in the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the expression of TIMP-2in the OA model group was significantly increased,while the expression of MMP-13 was significantly increased(P<0.05).After the stimulation of LIPUS,the expression of TIMP-2 and MMP-13 was close to the one in the normal control group.Conclusions:The inner patellar ligament defect method is a mature method to establish the rabbit OA model,with high success rate.The expression of serum TIMP-2 in the OA model group is significantly decreased.LIPUS can up-regulate TIMP-2 and down-regulate MMP-13.

Osteogenic Effect of Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Rat Adipose-derived Stem Cells in vitro

The osteogenic in vitro effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on SD rat adi-pose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was investigated.Rat ADSCs underwent LIPUS (intensity=100 mW/cm2) or sham exposure for 8 min per treatment once everyday in vitro,and then the alkaline phos-phatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation were assessed to evaluate the osteogenic effect of LIPUS on ADSCs.To further explore the underlying mechanism,the osteogenic-related gene mRNA expression was determined by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 1st,3rd,5th,7th day after exposure repectively.Westen blot was used to evaluate the protein expression levels of two osteogenic differentiation associated genes at 7th and 14th day repectively.It was found that ALP activity was increased after LIPUS exposure and LIPUS resulted in mineralized nodule formation of ADSCs in vitro.LIPUS-treated ADSCs displayed higher mRNA expression levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2),osteocalcin (OCN),ALP and bone sialoprotein (BSP) genes than con-trols,and the protein levels of Runx2 and BSP were also increased.The results suggested that LIPUS may induce the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro.

Formulation, Preparation and Evaluation of Low-Cost Extrude Products Based on Cereals and Pulses

Protein-energy malnutrition among children is the major health challenges and it may be related to low nutritional quality of traditional complementary foods and high cost of quality protein-based complementary foods. The aim of this study was formulation, preparation and evaluation of low-cost extruded products based on cereals and pulses. Composite flours were prepared using cereals and pulses, then formulated and extruded by a twin screw extruder in Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results showed: the protein contents of extruded formulas B, D and F were in the highest values. Carbohydrate in the extruded formula A was significantly higher than others. The lowest amount of ash and crude fiber were observed in the formula A. Content of energy in the extruded formulas E, F and C was higher;mean (SD) of Fe content in the extruded formula B, D and F was in the higher ranks among others. Calcium content in the extruded formulas C, E and F was in the highest amounts. Magnesium content in the extruded formulas B, D and F was higher than others. Cu content in the extruded formula C, D, B and F was higher than others. Manganese content in the extruded formulas B, C and F, and zinc content in the formulas B, D and F were higher than others. Tap density showed the lowest amount in the formula B, D and F, while their bulk density was higher. WHC was in the highest amount in the extruded formula A, while WSI in the extruded formula B, D and followed by F was in the highest amount. The mean scores of sensory evaluation of extruded products F showed that this combination has significantly better colour, flavour, texture and overall acceptability than others.

Numerical Simulation of Stall Flow Control Using a DBD Plasma Actuator in Pulse Mode

A numerical simulation method is employed to investigate the effects of the unsteady plasma body force over the stalled NACA 0015 airfoil at low Reynolds number flow conditions. The plasma body force created by a dielectric barrier discharge actuator is modeled with a phenomenological method for plasma simulation coupled with the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The governing equations are solved using an efficient implicit finitevolume method. The responses of the separated flow field to the effects of an unsteady body force in various inter- pulses and duty cycles as well as different locations and magnitudes are studied. It is shown that the duty cycle and inter-pulse are key parameters for flow separation control. Additionally, it is concluded that the body force is able to attach the flow and can affect boundary layer grow that Mach number 0.1 and Reynolds number of 45000.

An Improved Power Efficient Clock Pulsed D Flip-flop Using Transmission Gate

Recent digital applications will require highly efficient and high-speed gadgets and it is related to the minimum delay and power consumption.The proposed work deals with a low-power clock pulsed data flip-flop(D flip-flop)using a transmission gate.To accomplish a power-efficient pulsed D flip-flop,clock gating is proposed.The gated clock reduces the unnecessary switching of the transistors in the circuit and thus reduces the dynamic power consumption.The clock gating approach is employed by using an AND gate to disrupt the clock input to the circuit as per the control signal called Enable.Due to this process,the clock gets turned off to reduce power consumption when there is no change in the output.The proposed transmission gate-based pulsed D flip-flop’s performance with clock gating and without clock gating circuit is analyzed.The proposed pulsed D flip-flop power consumption is 1.586μw less than the without clock gated flip-flop.Also,the authors have designed a 3-bit serial-in and parallel-out shift register using the proposed D flip-flop and analyzed the performance.Tanner Electronic Design Automation tool is used to simulate all the circuits with 45 nm technology.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation on porous hydroxyapatite blocks for posterolateral fusion of lumbar spine in rabbits

The effects of porous hydroxyapatite blocks(PHABs) and an adjunct low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation(LIPUS) on the fusion rate in a rabbit spinal posterolateral fusion(PLF) model were evaluated.Twenty rabbits underwent PLF with autograft and PHABs were randomly assigned to two groups:treated group with 20 min LIPUS daily and untreated control group for 4 weeks until euthanasia.The fused motion segments were subjected to manual palpation,gross observation,and radiographic investigation before histomorphologic and scanning electron microscopic analyses.Statistical differences between the LIPUS group and the control group are found in the fusion rate,bone density gray scale,trabecular bone formation,osteoblast-like cells,chondrocytes and positive expression of BMP-2 and TGF-β1 in the junction zone(significance level p<0.05).The results suggest that LIPUS can increase fusion rates and accelerate bone in-growth into PHAB.Hence,PHAB and LIPUS may be used together to increase fusion rates in a rabbit spinal fusion model with a promising extension to human application.

Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field pretreated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote the regeneration of crush-injured rat mental nerve

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） have been shown to promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. Pulsed electromagnetic field （PEMF） reportedly promotes the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of BMSCs. Low-frequency PEMF can induce the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs in the absence of nerve growth factors. This study was designed to investigate the effects of low-frequency PEMF pretreatment on the proliferation and function of BMSCs and the effects of low-frequency PEMF pre-treated BMSCs on the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve using in vitro and in vivo experiments.In in vitro experiments, quantitative DNA analysis was performed to determine the proliferation of BMSCs, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect S100 （Schwann cell marker）, glial fibrillary acidic protein （astrocyte marker）, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor （neurotrophic factors） mRNA expression. In the in vivo experiments, rat models of crush-injured mental nerve established using clamp method were randomly injected with low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs, unpretreated BMSCs or PBS at the injury site （1 × 106 cells）. DiI-labeled BMSCs injected at the injury site were counted under the fluorescence microscope to determine cell survival. One or two weeks after cell injection, functional recovery of the injured nerve was assessed using the sensory test with von Frey filaments. Two weeks after cell injection, axonal regeneration was evaluated using histomorphometric analysis and retrograde labeling of trigeminal ganglion neurons. In vitro experiment results revealed that low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs proliferated faster and had greater mRNA expression of growth factors than unpretreated BMSCs. In vivo experiment results revealed that compared with injection of unpretreated BMSCs, injection of low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs led to higher myelinated axon count and axon density and more DiI-labeled neurons in the trigeminal ganglia, contributing to rapider functional recovery of injured mental nerve. These findings suggest that low-frequency PEMF pretreatment is a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy for peripheral nerve injury repair.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on posterolateral lumbar fusion of rabbit

Objective:To observe the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the posterolateral Lumbar fusion of rabbit.Methods:A total of 48 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the observation group and control group,including the autogenous iliac observation group.artificial bone observation group,artificial bone control group and autogenous iliac control group according to the different bone grafting.The posterolateral lumbar fusion of rabbits in each group was analyzed and compared.Results:After 4 weeks of treatment using the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound,the fusion in the bone grafting area of observation group was good.There was the relatively dense fusion area between the right transverse process and artificial bone.The left transverse process had been completely fused,with the clear bone trabecula through the fusion area.There was no significant fusion sign in the control group.According to the fusion comparison between two groups,the fusion rale of the observation group was 83.3%and it was significantly higher than the one of the control group(37.5%).Results of the comparison were statistically significant(P<0.05).The number of chondrocytes and the increase in the relative gray-scale in the fusion area of the iliac observation group were significantly higher than ones of the iliac control group(P<0.05).The number of chondrocytes and the increase in the relative gray-scale in the fusion area of the artificial bone observation group were significantly higher than ones of the artificial bone control group(P<0.05).The expression of IL-1.IL-6 and IL-17 4 weeks after the treatment of the observation group was significantly lower than the one of the control group,with the statistical significance(P<0.05).It indicated that the treatment of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound could reduce the expression level of inflammatory factors.Conclusions:The low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can significantly increase the bone grafting fusion rate of the rabbit's posterolateral lumbar fusion.The possible mechanism is that it promotes the lumbar posterolateral endochondral ossification and reduces the inflammatory reaction.

ACUPUNCTURE AT NEIGUAN POINT FOR TREATMENT OF 106 CASES OF LOW PULSE PRESSURE SYNDROME

In spite of normal mean aterlal pressure,decrease of pulse pressure can induce a seriesof clinical symptoms,which is termed as low pulse pressure syndrorne.Acupuncture at bilateralNeiguan（PC 6）is Capable of raising systolic pressure, lowering diastolic pressure, increasing pulsepressure difference and eliminating corresponding symptoms.The effective rate was more than 92％in this observation.

Generation of high-energy dual-wavelength domain wall pulse with low repetition rate in an HNLF-based fiber ring laser

The generation of high-energy dual-wavelength domain wall pulse with a low repetition rate is demonstrated in a highly nonlinear fiber （HNLF）-based fiber ring laser. By introducing the intracavity birefringence-induced spectral filtering effect, the dual-wavelength lasing operation can be achieved. In order to enhance the cross coupling effect between the two lasing beams for domain wall pulse formation, a 215-m HNLF is incorporated into the laser cavity. Experimentally, it is found that the dual-wavelength domain wall pulse with a repetition rate of 77.67 kHz could be efficiently obtained through simply rotating the polarization controller （PC）. At a maximum pump power of 322 mW, the 655-nJ single pulse energy in cavity is obtained. The proposed configuration provides a simpler and more efficient way to generate high energy pulse with a low repetition rate.

Assessment the Optimal Effect of Time of Repetition: Extrinsic Pulse Parameter on Gd-DTPA Enhanced, Spin-Echo T1-Weighted MR Images under Low Magnetic Field Strength

The contrast agent concentration, the time of repetition (TR) and magnetic field strength are significant parameters that influence for the accurate signal intensity (SI) in quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate and refine the dependence and the optimal effect of Time of Repetition (TR) on the relationship between signal intensity and Gd-DTPA (Gadolinium-diethylene-triaminepenta-acetic acid) concentration, after applying two-dimensional (2D) Spin Echo (SE) pulse sequence under low-field MRI. In addition to that, the optimal concentration of Gd-DTPA at given sequence parameters at low-field MRI was also evaluated. A water-filled phantom was constructed for a range of Gd-DTPA concentrations (0 - 6 mmol/L) and the mean signal intensities (SIs) were assessed in the defined region of interest on T1-weighted images with different TR values (40 - 2000 ms). The generated signal-concentration curves for Gd-DTPA revealed that increasing TR was associated with the increase of the overall SIs and the maximum relationship between SI to concentration. Moreover, the required Gd-DTPA concentration to produce the maximum SI was associated to decrease with the increase of TR. In addition to this, the application of beyond 100 ms TR values in this study with relatively higher concentrations (beyond 1 - 2 mmol/L) has resulted predominantly non-linear patterns in the signal-concentration curves and it appears the saturation or decay of the SIs due to T2 effect. From these results, it can be suggested that the selection of relatively lower Gd-DTPA concentration ( mmol/L) with less than 800 ms (<800 ms) TR values can produce a better linear relationship between the concertation and SIs in T1-weighted SE low field contrast-enhanced MRI. Furthermore, this study also outlined the significance and necessity of the optimization of TR in SE sequence in low field MRI prior to a particular examination.

Low Power Design of High Speed CMOS Pulse Stream Neuron Circuit

A new pulse stream neuron circuit is presented, which can be obtained in the digital CMOS process and combines both the merits of digital circuits and analog ones. The output is expressed by the frequency of the pulses with transfer characteristic, which is correspondent with the ideal sigmoid curve perfectly. Moreover, the pulse\|active strategy is introduced into the design of this CMOS pulse stream neuron circuit for the first time in order to reduce the power dissipation, which is applicable to the low\|power design of mixed\|signal circuits,too. A simple technical process and compact architecture make this circuit work at a higher speed and with lower power dissipation and smaller area.

COMPUTER SIMULATION FOR AN ULTRA-LOW RANGE SIDELOBE PULSE COMPRESSION SCHEME

A canceling range sidelobes scheme has been suggested by Yang Guangzheng, et al.,(1997) this technology is based on the fact that all sidelobe of group correlation function of ideal sets are zero. At first, this paper gives the best ideal sets (i. e. the best biphase code sets whose maximal sidelobe not more than 2) for all code length N≤12, which have been obtained from binary sequences by means of the best codes sieving method suggested by Yang Guangzheng, et al.(1997) Computer simulation for group correlation property of best ideal sets for code length N=12 on various conditions is made. Simulation result shows that the sidelobe level of best ideal set with no weighting is zero, under condition of zero-Doppler shift and has ultra-low sidelobe on Doppler up to 5kHz with no weighting and whose tolerance of phase and amplitude distortion is bigger too.

Effect of high density pulse electric current on solidification structure of low temperature melt of A356 alloy

The effect of high density pulse electric current (HDPEC) on the solidification structure of the low temperature melt(LTM) of commercial A356 alloy was investigated. In the experiments, the HDPEC was discharged in the LTM (953?K, 903?K and 873?K). By the control experiments, the results showed that the solidification structure of the LTM of A356 alloy is refined apparently when the HDPEC is discharged in low temperature melt. However, the holding time of melt treated has an adverse effect on the solidification structure. The longer the holding time of the melt treated with HDPEC, the coarser the microstructure. With the same discharge voltage, the lower the temperature of LTM, the more obscure the refinement of solidification structure. Finally, the mechanism of microstructure refining by HDPEC was analyzed.

Effect of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Ischaemic Heart Disease Patients (Novel Technique)

Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Coronary heart disease means that the heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen supply through the coronary arteries. The most common cause of this disease is the process of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Although significant progress has been made in the management of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) The number of severe IHD patients is increasing. The treatment options for IHD have not changed much over the last three decades, which is divided between medications, coronary Angioplasty and Coronary artery bypass surgery. Thus it was crucial to develop new, non-invasive therapeutic strategies in case of Failure of medical or interventional therapy or in case patient is not fit for surgery or angioplasty. In this study, we are pleased to reveal a novel technique that was carried out on a human model. We aimed to develop low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy for the treatment of patients with Ischaemic Heart Disease. We have set up the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the treatment protocol of LIPUS on IHD patients. In this limited group of IHD patients, We found promising clinical results and improvement on myocardial functions.

Treatment time influences the effects of a low-frequency pulsed electric field on synthesis of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine in PC12 cells

BACKGROUND： Electromagnetic radiation can influence dopamine （DA） synthesis in brain tissues or ceils, but electromagnetic frequencies, intensities, and radiation time can produce different effects. In addition, the signal pathway by which electromagnetic radiation influences DA synthesis remains controversial. OBJECTIVE： To determine tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） expression in PC12 cells and DA levels in cell culture media after different periods of low-frequency pulsed electric field （LF-PEF） stimulation, and to determine how LF-PEF signaling stimulates TH synthesis using inhibitors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A parallel, controlled, cell experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Cell Biology, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, between January and October 2006. MATERIALS： PC12 cells were purchased from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Nerve growth factor was purchased from PeproTech, USA. The protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, U0126, were purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： （1） Following routine culture in Dulbecco＇s modified eagle medium, primary PC12 cells were stimulated under LF-PEF （pulse frequency 50.Hz, pulse width 20 μs, peak field strength 1 V/m） for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes. （2） Inhibitors （H-89 or U0126, 1 μmol/L） were added 30 minutes before LF-PEF stimulation for 10 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） TH expression was determined by Western blot in PC12 cells at 0.5, 1,2, 3, and 4 days after LF-PEF stimulation. Similarly, DA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in media at 2, 3, 4, or 5 days after LF-PEE （2） TH expression was detected 1 day after H-89 or U0126 treatment and LF-PEE RESULTS： （1） Short-term LF-PEF stimulation （5 and 10 minutes） increased TH expression and media DA levels after short-term culture （2 days） （P 〈 0.01）, but both parameters decreased with longer culture （3 4 days） （P 〈 0.01）. Long-term LF-PEF stimulation （15, 20, or 30 minutes） decreased TH and DA synthesis, followed by a rapid increase （P 〈 0.01）. （2） H89 could completely inhibit TH expression in PC12 cells stimulated by LF-PEF for 10 minutes, while the inhibition rate of U0126 was 53.2%. CONCLUSION： Short-term LF-PEF first promotes then inhibits, while long-term LF-PEF first inhibits then promotes, TH and DA synthesis. LF-PEF stimulation regulates TH expression primarily by activating protein kinase A to regulate DA synthesis.

The Effect of Material Surface Microstructure on the Enhancement of Bone-Bonding Ability of a Hydroxyapatite-Implant by Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS)

Excellent firm bonding between the biomaterials and bone tissue (osseointegration and osteo-conductivity) has been desired for the stability in vivo of dental implants and artificial joints. Much has been learned about this concept, which has led to significant improvements in the design and surface modification of implants in the field of implant dentistry, orthopedic surgery. We have already reported that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) irradiation can accelerate the bone bonding ability of the bio-conductive materials such as bioactive titanium and hydroxyapatite implant. However, it is still unclear whether the LIPUS could have same effect to different types of the bioactive-materials. Therefore, in this study, the differences of bone-like hydroxyapatite formation on some kind of hydroxyapatite surface in simulated body fluid (SBF) under the LIPUS irradiation were investigated. Two kinds of hydroxyapatite samples immersed in SBF was exposed to ultrasound waves, the bone-like apatite on the surface was analyzed by Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. As a result, the enhancement of hydroxyapatite formation on the surface by LIPUS was confirmed, the initial epitaxial nucleation and crystal growth of apatite depended on crystal structure of the surface of matrix materials.

The Experimental Investigations of Dielectric Barrier Discharge and Pulse Corona Discharge in Air Cleaning

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and pulse corona discharge(PCD) plasma generator was used to remove NH3, H2S, C7H8 etc. from atmosphere. The principle and characteristic of the two ways was discussed in the article. The test shows the result of PCD is better than that of DBD.