Electrodeposition of Gold to Conformally Fill High-Aspect-Ratio Nanometric Silicon Grating Trenches: A Comparison of Pulsed and Direct Current Protocols

Filling high-aspect-ratio trenches with gold is a frequent requirement in the fabrication of X-ray optics as well as micro-electronic components and other fabrication processes. Conformal electrodeposition of gold in sub-micron-width silicon trenches with an aspect ratio greater than 35 over a grating area of several square centimeters is challenging and has not been described in the literature previously. A comparison of pulsed plating and constant current plating led to a gold electroplating protocol that reliably filled trenches for such structures.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Effects on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Introduction: In the last thirty years, brain neuromodulation techniques have been used as an alternative to pharmacological treatment of neurological disorders. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to bradykinesia, rest tremor, postural changes, and non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, pain, and cognitive decline that compromises executive functions (EFs), responsible for the orderly execution of behaviors and tasks of daily life and intentional and directed actions. To this date, a few studies with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown beneficial effects in PD patients concerning specific motor and non-motor symptoms, targeting the motor cortex and/or prefrontal regions. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of left prefrontal tDCS across a broad spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms of PD using established validated scales. Method: Single-blind randomized clinical trial with 18 volunteers with PD, aged between 45 and 80 years (66.1 ± 9.65), who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were submitted to assessments of motor and non-motor functions employing psychometric scales and tests to evaluate EFs and were randomly divided into two groups: control (sham stimulation) and experimental (active stimulation). All participants were involved in three separate tDCS sessions. The anode was positioned over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the right supraorbital region, with a direct current intensity of 2 mA, lasting 20 minutes. At the end of the three sessions, all participants were reassessed. Results: Significant effects of tDCS on non-motor functions were observed for cognition (verbal fluency of actions, clock copy test, appointment by visual confrontation, and verbal memory with immediate free recall) and subjective assessment of sleep quality (overall restlessness and discomfort in the arms and legs at night, leg and arm cramps at night and distressing dreams). There was also an improvement in the rate of errors and successes for congruent and incongruent stimuli of the Stroop Test. The beneficial effects on motor function were decreased rigidity, improved gait, and greater agility in the finger-tapping test. Conclusion: Three tDCS sessions showed positive results for participants with PD, producing significant improvements in various motor and non-motor functions, including sleep quality, cognition, and EFs. Additionally, the present results indicate that tDCS neuromodulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region is feasible, safe, and provides significant objective benefits for PD patients.

The Effects of the Geometry of a Current Collector with an Equal Open Ratio on Output Power of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

The open ratio of a current collector has a great impact on direct methanol fuel cell(DMFC)performance.Although a number of studies have investigated the influence of the open ratio of DMFC current collectors,far too little attention has been given to how geometry(including the shape and feature size of the flow field)affects a current collector with an equal open ratio.In this paper,perforated and parallel current collectors with an equal open ratio of 50%and different feature sizes are designed,and the corresponding experimental results are shown to explain the geometry effects on the output power of the DMFC.The results indicate that the optimal feature sizes are between 2 and 2.5 mm for both perforated and parallel flow field in the current collectors with an equal open ratio of 50%.This means that for passive methanol fuel cells,to achieve the highest output power,the optimal feature size of the flow field in both anode and cathode current collectors is between 2 and 2.5 mm under the operating mode of this experiment.The effects of rib and channel position are also investigated,and the results indicate that the optimum pattern depends on the feature sizes of the flow field.

Research and exploration of direct current power supply and distribution systems for Antarctic research stations

The power supply and distribution systems for Antarctic research stations have special characteristics.In light of a worldwide trend toward a gradual increase in the application of renewable energy,an analysis was performed to assess the feasibility of achieving a direct current power supply and distribution at Antarctic research stations by comparing the characteristics of direct current and alternating current electricity.Research was also performed on the status quo and future trends in direct current power supply and distribution systems in Antarctica research stations in combination with case studies.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on supernumerary phantom limb pain in spinal cord injured patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Supernumerary phantom limb(SPL)sensation is the experience of additional limbs,either single or a pair of limbs.Unique to traumatic spinal cord injuries,we report effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)on SPL pain in a patient with cervical cord injury.CASE SUMMARY The subject was a 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with complete spinal cord injury(C6/C5,motor level;C5/C5,sensory level;AIS-A)approximately three months ago.After a period of 2 wk,we administered anodal tDCS over the motor cortex for 15 minutes at an intensity of 1.5 mA.Following that treatment,the patient experienced a decrease of SPL pain intensity and frequency,which lasted for 1 week after the end of treatment.CONCLUSION Targeting the motor cortex through neuromodulation appears to be a promising option for the management of SPL pain.

Clay Minerals Channels Identification in the Tindikala-Boutou Area (Eastern-Cameroon) along the Kadey River Using Direct Current (DC) Method

To achieve the current study, geoelectrical surveys along six (06) profiles of 4 km long in a 100 m × 200 m grid defined according to the triangulation principle in the Tindikala-Boutou (Eastern-Cameroon) area along the Kadey River have been made through electrical sounding and profiling following Schlumberger array. The instrument is the resistive meter Syscal Junior 48 (IRIS Instrument). The data have been processed and modelled with Res2Dinv and Winsev softwares, and then interpolated with Surfer software. Investigation method used is the Direct Current (DC) method. Interpretations and analyses of results from the investigation method highlight weak zones or conductive discontinuities. The latter has been identified as shear zones within granitic structures of the Precambrian basement, according to the geologic and tectonic background of the area. The structural trend of these shear zones is E-W approximately. The mineralization characterized by conductive zones proves the presence of clay minerals disseminated in weathered quartz vein, which cross the shear zones. The intense activities of gold washers encountered in the studied area are able to attest the presence of clay minerals concentrations.

Transcranial direct current stimulation as early augmentation in adolescent obsessive compulsive disorder:A pilot proof-of-concept randomized control trial

BACKGROUND Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)is proven to be safe in treating various neurological conditions in children and adolescents.It is also an effective method in the treatment of OCD in adults.AIM To assess the safety and efficacy of tDCS as an add-on therapy in drug-naive adolescents with OCD.METHODS We studied drug-naïve adolescents with OCD,using a Children’s Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale(CY-BOCS)scale to assess their condition.Both active and sham groups were given fluoxetine,and we applied cathode and anode over the supplementary motor area and deltoid for 20 min in 10 sessions.Reassessment occurred at 2,6,and 12 wk using CY-BOCS.RESULTS Eighteen adolescents completed the study(10-active,8-sham group).CY-BOCS scores from baseline to 12 wk reduced significantly in both groups but change at baseline to 2 wk was significant in the active group only.The mean change at 2 wk was more in the active group(11.8±7.77 vs 5.25±2.22,P=0.056).Adverse effects between the groups were comparable.CONCLUSION tDCS is safe and well tolerated for the treatment of OCD in adolescents.However,there is a need for further studies with a larger sample population to confirm the effectiveness of tDCS as early augmentation in OCD in this population.

Role of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Management of Post-Stroke Depression

Study Objectives: Stroke is a major neurological disease significantly threatening the human health and life with a high morbidity, disability, and mortality. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the common complications of stroke. PSD has been a major factor hindering the recovery of neurological functions and daily activities in stroke patients and is closely related to the social avoidance and increased mortality of stroke patients. Although antidepressant drug treatment has improved during the last decades, symptoms in about 20% of the patients are not in remission two years after initiation of pharmacological intervention. Nowadays, non-invasive brain stimulation;techniques;transcranial direct current stimulation (tCDS) has gained an important interest in the treatment of many neuropsychiatric disorders which might be of some help in treatment of PSD. The goal of the current study is to evaluate the beneficial short term role of tDCS on post-stroke depression. Study Design: This was a randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial included forty hemiparetic patients with post-stroke depression from outpatient clinic of Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, in the period between June 2018 to June 2019. All patients diagnosed as having a PSD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Depression was evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) pre and post treatment and quality of life was evaluated by the Stroke Specific Quality Of Life scale (SS-QOL). Patients were assigned randomly into two groups: the study group A and the control group B. Both groups received antidepressant medication in addition to physical therapy program. Group A received tCDS for 30 minutes, three times per week for one month, while the group B received sham transcranial direct current stimulation. Results: Active tDCS was significantly superior to sham with significant improvement in depression and Stroke Specific Quality Of Life in treated group in comparison to group B, p = 0.000. Conclusion: tDCS was effective for post- stroke depression and might be a favorable option for treating post-stroke patients.

Transcranial direct current stimulation efficacy in trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a severe,disabling pain and its deafferentation remains a challenge for health providers.Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-invasive stimulation technique which finds new utility in managing pain.There-fore,the introduction of alternative,non-invasive,safe,and effective methods should be considered in treating patients with trigeminal neuralgia unresponsive to conventional treatment.

“Flow” Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Depression Treatment in a Primary Healthcare General Practice—An Open-Label Cohort Study Measuring Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S) Outcomes

Background: Flow FL-100 is a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device self-administered by a patient at home in combination with a software application delivered wellbeing behaviour therapy training. tDCS has evidence of effectiveness in treating symptoms of depression. Purpose/Aim: This post marketing study evaluated the effect of Flow on depression for primary care general practice patients with depression symptoms. Methods: Open-label patient cohort design with no control group. Inclusion criteria were aged 18 years or over and reporting depression symptoms. Participants self-administered five 30 minute tDCS sessions per week for the first three weeks, and then 3 sessions per week following this. Three, six and ten week assessment with participant self-report measure: Montgomery- Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S). Results: MADRS-S remission rates were between 29% - 30% at three weeks, 33% - 34% at six-weeks and 50% at 10-weeks treatment. There was a significant improvement in MADRS-S with large effect sizes at all time points. Conclusions: Flow tDCS can be delivered through a primary healthcare general practice service and patients will choose to use. Flow tDCS provides an effective depression treatment in addition and as an alternative to antidepressants and psychotherapy. tDCS has evidence as an effective depression treatment, and the widespread availability of tDCS in primary care general practice should be considered.

Positive Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Visual Verbal Working Memory in Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Working memory is an executive function that plays an important role in many aspects of daily life, and its impairment in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects quality of life. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been a good target site for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) due to its intense involvement in working memory. In our 2018 study, tDCS improved visual-verbal working memory in healthy subjects. Objective: This study examines the effects of tDCS on ADHD patients, particularly on verbal working memory. Methods: We conducted an experiment involving verbal working memory of two modalities, visual and auditory, and a sustained attention task that could affect working memory in 9 ADHD patients. Active or sham tDCS was applied to the left DLPFC in a single-blind crossover design. Results: tDCS significantly improved the accuracy of visual-verbal working memory. In contrast, tDCS did not affect auditory-verbal working memory and sustained attention. Conclusion: tDCS to the left DLPFC improved visual-verbal working memory in ADHD patients, with important implications for potential ADHD treatments.

Multiple linear system techniques for 3D finite element method modeling of direct current resistivity

The strategies that minimize the overall solution time of multiple linear systems in 3D finite element method (FEM) modeling of direct current (DC) resistivity were discussed. A global stiff matrix is assembled and stored in two parts separately. One part is associated with the volume integral and the other is associated with the subsurface boundary integral. The equivalent multiple linear systems with closer right-hand sides than the original systems were constructed. A recycling Krylov subspace technique was employed to solve the multiple linear systems. The solution of the seed system was used as an initial guess for the subsequent systems. The results of two numerical experiments show that the improved algorithm reduces the iterations and CPU time by almost 50%, compared with the classical preconditioned conjugate gradient method.

Clinical Trial Demonstrates Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Improving Pain Management from Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

Chronic pain, a multidimensional experience affecting individuals’ sensory, cognitive, and emotional aspects, significantly impacts their quality of life. Post-laminectomy syndrome, a condition characterized by persistent back pain following spinal surgery, often leads to disability and increased healthcare utilization. Methods: This randomized, controlled, blind clinical trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in managing pain from post-laminectomy syndrome in patients. Twenty-four participants were assigned to three groups: sham stimulation, active stimulation over primary motor cortex (M1), or stimulation over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Stimulation was administered for five consecutive days, 20 minutes per session, using a current of 1.5 mA through 25 cm2 electrodes. Pain intensity was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before, during, and after intervention. Results: An ANOVA model demonstrates significant reduction in pain intensity compared to baseline in VAS, (F(7, 285) = 12.292;p 0.001;Power = 1.000;η2p = 0.534), in tDCS applied to M1, after five days of intervention. After stimulation, a significant improvement was observed in WHOQoL-Bref Quality of life item 1 (p = 0.04), considering statistical significant difference p 0.05. Correlation between the variables: quality of life, depression, anxiety and pain also demonstrates reduction in depression and anxiety according to Beck’s Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI), p 0.05. This effect was not observed in DLPFC stimulation group. Patients who believed they received active stimulation, in sham group, demonstrated potential for effective blinding. Conclusion: The tDCS applied to primary motor cortex effectively improved pain management and psychiatry symptoms in post-laminectomy syndrome patients. The technique’s low cost, ease of use, and high tolerability make it a promising adjuvant therapy for chronic pain conditions like post-laminectomy syndrome.

Is transcranial direct current stimulation a potential method for improving response inhibition?

Inhibitory control of movement in motor learning requires the ability to suppress an inappropriate action, a skill needed to stop a planned or ongoing motor response in response to changes in a variety of environments. This study used a stop-signal task to determine whether transcranial direct-current stimulation over the pre-supplementary motor area alters the reaction time in motor inhibition. Forty healthy subjects were recruited for this study and were randomly assigned to either the transcranial direct-current stimulation condition or a sham-transcranial direct-current stimulation condition. All subjects consecutively performed the stop-signal task before, during, and after the delivery of anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation over the pre-supplementary motor area （pre-transcranial direct-current stimulation phase, transcranial direct-current stimulation phase, and post-transcranial direct-current stimulation phase）. Compared to the sham condition, there were significant reductions in the stop-signal processing times during and after transcranial direct-current stimulation, and change times were significantly greater in the transcranial direct-current stimulation condition. There was no significant change in go processing-times during or after transcranial direct-current stimulation in either condition. Anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation was feasibly coupled to an interactive improvement in inhibitory control. This coupling led to a decrease in the stop-signal process time required for the appropriate responses between motor execution and inhibition. However, there was no transcranial direct-current stimulation effect on the no-signal reaction time during the stop-signal task. Transcranial direct-current stimulation can adjust certain behaviors, and it could be a useful clinical intervention for patients who have difficulties with response inhibition.

Improved Ladder Wave Modulation of Circulating Current Suppressing Control Strategy of MMC

This paper partitions the arm current of MMC into uncontrollable current and controllable current. The former is determined by the load that can’t be controlled by taking any control strategy. The later caused by the unbalanced total inserted voltage of three arms can be controlled by some improved algorithms. The conclusion based on the researching the essence of circulating current is reached that change the number of the inserted sub-modules in each phase can suppress the circulating current. Combined with the improved ladder wave modulation, a novel circulating current suppression strategy particularly for the inverter station is developed. The improved strategy can adapt to load changes and reduce the circulating current and output voltage THD of MMC ac terminals greatly without increasing any peripheral circuits. Finally, the simulation model of 100 submodules in each phase is constructed in MATLAB and the simulation results verify the correctness and effectiveness of the modified control algorithm.

Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Motor Cortex versus Insula Cortex on Chronic Post-Mastectomy Pain: Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) across cortical brain areas appears to improve various forms of pain, yet evidence of tDCS efficiency and ideal stimulation target is lacking. This study aimed to compare the add-on analgesic efficacy of concentric electrode transcranial direct current stimulation (CE-tDCS) stimulation over the primary motor cortex versus the insular cortex on the management of chronic postmastectomy pain. Method: Prospective randomized double-blind sham-controlled study enrolled eighty patients with chronic postmastectomy pain that were randomly assigned to four groups: active motor (AM), sham motor (SM), active insula (AI) and sham insula (SI) group, each received 5 sessions for 20-minute duration with 2 mA tDCS over the targeted area of the contralateral side of pain. Our primary outcome was VAS score, the secondary outcomes were VDS score, LANSS score and depression symptoms by HAM-D scores, assessment was done at 4 time points (prestimulation, after 5th session, 15th day and one month after the last session). Results: Both active tDCS groups (motor and insula) showed reduction of VAS (P Conclusion: Active tDCS stimulation either targeting the primary motor cortex or the insula cortex has add-on analgesic effect for controlling neuropathic chronic post mastectomy pain and the maximum effect was at 15 days after the last session.

Destruction of an advanced malignant tumour by direct electrical current-case report

We carried out a study on the effect of low-level direct current on cancer by using it to treat a woman who had a large malignant squamous cell carcinoma of the sinus cavity. We used a device that produced low-level direct current and passed the current through the tumour via a 4 × 4 cm flat aluminium foil and a needle electrode that was insulated along its entire length except for the portion actually inserted into the tumour. The treatment was eight hourly daily and lasted for eight weeks. The therapy resulted in the total remission of the tumour and a feeling of wellness by the patient. This finding implies promising therapeutic potential for the use of direct electrical current as a simple, effective, low cost alternative for the treatment of cancer.

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation alleviates cognitive impairment in an APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer’s disease in the preclinical stage

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation(AtDCS)has been shown to alleviate cognitive impairment in an APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer’s disease in the preclinical stage.However,this enhancement was only observed immediately after AtDCS,and the long-term effect of AtDCS remains unknown.In this study,we treated 26-week-old mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease in the preclinical stage with 10 AtDCS sessions or sham stimulation.The Morris water maze,novel object recognition task,and novel object location test were implemented to evaluate spatial learning memory and recognition memory of mice.Western blotting was used to detect the relevant protein content.Morphological changes were observed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.Six weeks after treatment,the mice subjected to AtDCS sessions had a shorter escape latency,a shorter path length,more platform area crossings,and spent more time in the target quadrant than sham-stimulated mice.The mice subjected to AtDCS sessions also performed better in the novel object recognition and novel object location tests than sham-stimulated mice.Furthermore,AtDCS reduced the levels of amyloid-β42 and glial fibrillary acidic protein,a marker of astrocyte activation,and increased the level of neuronal marker NeuN in hippocampal tissue.These findings suggest that AtDCS can improve the spatial learning and memory abilities and pathological state of an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease in the preclinical stage,with improvements that last for at least 6 weeks.

On-line Measurement for Ohmic Resistance in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell by Current Interruption Method

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is widely used in fuel cell impedance analysis. However, for ohmic resistance (R Ω), EIS has some disadvantages such as long test period and complex data analysis with equivalent circuits. Therefore, the current interruption method is explored to measure the value of RΩ in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) at different temperatures and current densities. It is found that RΩ decreases as temperature increase, and decreases initially and then increases as current density increases. These results are consistent with those measured by the EIS technique. In most cases, the ohmic resistances with current interruption (R iR ) are larger than those with EIS (R EIS ), but the difference is small, in the range from –0.848% to 5.337%. The errors of R iR at high current densities are less than those of R EIS . Our results show that the R iR data are reliable and easy to obtain in the measurement of ohmic resistance in DMFC.