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A semicombustible plasma generator (SCPG), including a special tubular semicombustible medium, is introduced to improve the discharge property of the plasma generator and enhance the electrothermal–chemical (ETC) launch efficiency. The new structure of SCPG is mixed with both capillary plasma generator (CPG) and discharge rod plasma generator (DRPG). After the design and simulation, the electrical characteristics of this SCPG are discussed with both static test and dynamic tests. Results show that the SCPG is a resistive load with low inductance, which has stable and consistent electrical parameters. With the increase of discharge voltage, the peak current of SCPG is increased and the equivalent resistance of SCPG is decreased. The peak voltage is nearly 1.3 kV and the pulse current bottom width is more than 3.5 ms. Compared with the DRPG, the load characteristics of SCPG are in a stable and consistent trend during the pulsed discharge process as the same as DRPG. Also, the SCPG has longer stable working times and better stable working parameters and performance. This SCPG will promote the interaction between the plasma and propellants in the chamber.

Application of an energetic material (EM) in a liquid or gaseous form to electrothermal (ET) plasma discharge systems can provide an energetic plasma jet that has desirable parameters for launching applications. In this energetic ET concept, the EM is basically injected into the plasma source that is operated in an ablation-free regime. The discharge and EM combustion processes have been simulated using the ETFlowCom code, which is an in-house developed energetic ET plasma model. In this article, the ETFlowCom code is used to predict the energetic plasma jet parameters such as temperature, pressure, heat flux, and exit velocity. Different computational case studies have been conducted using a variety of EM mixtures. The simulation results show that the generated energetic plasma jet has the density on the order of 10271/m3, kinetic pressure on the order of hundreds of MPa, and an exit velocity that can reach up to 6 km/s. These parameters are found to be functions of the EM type and the mixing ratio as well. The jet parameters show strong potential for launching applicability.

Rationale Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) with electron ionization (EI)is the most widely used analysis technique of gaseous samples, but it may be time-consuming for on-line monitoring of mixtures whose concentrations relatively change rapidly. On the other hand, current ionization methods, such as chemical ionization (CI) and proton transfer reaction (PTR), also have some disadvantages such as selectivity. Appropriate soft ionization sources therefore are searched for rapid on-line detection. Methods Hollow Electrode Capillary Plasma Ionization (HECPI) is based on single electrode plasma. A hollow capillary was placed as both the electrode and the inlet of the gaseous samples. The ionization source is coupled with a mass spectrometer for performance evaluation. Results Several typical compounds have been tested with HECPI-mass spectrometer. In this process, the dominant ion peaks of all compounds can be indexed as molecular ion peaks, and the product ions of HECPI are less than that of dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI). Three gaseous samples (linalool, triethylamine and styrene) with various concentrations have been employed to further confirm the performance of this source, and the detection limit of linalool is as low as 10 ppb. Conclusions HECPI is simple in structure and shows good performance. The results also show that HECPI has the potential to be an effective tool for detecting on-line gaseous samples rapidly.

The plug-and-play hyphenation of UV-laser ablation (LA) and mass spectrometry is presented, using dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI). The DBDI source employed here is characterized by its unique geometry, being directly mounted onto the inlet capillary of a mass spectrometer. In the literature, this particular kind of DBDI source is also referred to as active capillary plasma ionization. It has been commercialized as soft ionization by chemical reaction in transfer (SICRIT) and will be addressed as DBDI in this study. LA-DBDI-MS was used for the direct, molecule-specific and spatially resolved analysis of various solid samples, such as coffee beans and pain killer tablets without extensive sample preparation. The combination of fast washout UV-laser ablation and the principle of the DBDI source used here allowed for highly efficient soft ionization as well as high spatial resolution down to 10 μm for molecular imaging.

This work presents the development of an electrochemical microsystem for antipsychotic clozapine treatment monitoring in schizophrenia patients. In our previous work, we demonstrated clozapine detection directly in spiked whole blood samples of a healthy volunteer using a chitosan–carbon nanotube-modified microelectrode with external counter and reference electrodes. Here we present the miniaturization of our previous clozapine sensing approach and its clinical validation in real samples obtained from 10 schizophrenia patients. We observed a sensitivity of 0.02 ± 2.3 × 10-4 mA/cm2µM and 0.003 ± 2.6 × 10-4 mA/cm2µM and a limit of detection of 0.08 ± 9.2 × 10-4 µM and 0.45 ± 0.04 µM using chitosan–carbon nanotube-modified microelectrodes in a 20 µL volume of spiked capillary plasma and capillary whole blood. Following a calibration curve, which was obtained from spiked samples of patients prior to clozapine therapy administration, clozapine capillary plasma and whole blood levels were recovered from patients’ samples after treatment with clozapine. The developed electrochemical microsystem allows clozapine analysis in a microliter volume of finger-pricked whole blood samples of schizophrenia patients without using any pretreatment steps. By further miniaturization and integration of this sensor into a point-of-care testing device, schizophrenia treatment management can be improved.

A straightforward and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) assay allowing the sensitive and selective quantitation of finerenone (BAY 94–8862) in lithium heparin human plasma is described. Finerenone is a novel, selective, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that is in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Finerenone quantitation is performed after addition of its stable isotope-labelled internal standard (ISTD) by protein precipitation with acidified acetonitrile followed by HPLC–MS/MS separation and detection. The determination of finerenone concentrations was validated for a plasma volume of 0.100 mL and subsequently also for a lower plasma volume of 0.010 mL, collected e.g. in paediatric studies. The analytical range was from 0.100 µg/L (lower limit of quantification) to 200 µg/L (upper limit of quantification). Inter-day accuracy was 99.7–105.0% for the plasma volume of 0.100 mL and 101.1–104.5% for the plasma volume of 0.010 mL. Inter-day precision was ≤ 7.0%, independent of the extracted plasma volume. A moderate, concentration-independent matrix effect on ionisation was observed for both finerenone and its ISTD of 0.535–0.617, which is fully compensated by the ISTD (ISTD-normalised matrix factors were 0.98–1.03). The assay was successfully applied with both validated plasma volumes to a clinical phase I study in which the pharmacokinetics of 20 mg finerenone were compared in capillary plasma (0.010 mL) and venous plasma (0.100 mL) in a concentration range from the lower limit of quantification to 310 µg/L (capillary plasma) and 252 µg/L (venous plasma). The area under the plasma concentration versus time curve was similar in both matrices, while maximum concentrations were 37% higher in capillary plasma. In conclusion, capillary sampling should not bias pharmacokinetic exposure estimates compared with venous plasma values, if limited to sampling times in the distribution and elimination phases of finerenone.

In this study, levels of inflammatory protein biomarkers in venous plasma, plasma derived from capillary blood from the earlobe, and capillary plasma stored as dried plasma spots (DPS) were compared. Samples from 12 male individuals were assessed with a panel of 92 inflammation-related proteins using multiplex proximity extension assay. Correlations between sample types varied greatly between analytes. A high correlation of rho > 0.8 was observed between capillary plasma and DPS for 32 analytes. At this level of correlation, 13 analytes correlated between venous and capillary plasma and 5 analytes in the comparison of venous blood with DPS.

Plasma wake-field acceleration experiments are performed at the SPARC_LAB test facility by using a gas-filled capillary plasma source composed of a dielectric capillary. The electron can reach GeV energy in a few centimeters, with an accelerating gradient orders of magnitude larger than provided by conventional techniques. In this acceleration scheme, wake fields produced by passing electron beams through dielectric structures can determine a strong beam instability that represents an important hurdle towards the capability to focus high-current electron beams in the transverse plane. For these reasons, the estimation of the transverse wake-field amplitudes assumes a fundamental role in the implementation of the plasma wake-field acceleration. In this work, it presented a study to investigate which parameters affect the wake-field formation inside a cylindrical dielectric structure, both the capillary dimensions and the beam parameters, and it is introduced a quantitative evaluation of the longitudinal and transverse electric fields.

Optically thick spectral line emssion from plasmas is often difficult to use for the diagnosis of plasma parameters. We demonstrate a technique for temperature measurement using the peak intensity of optically thick lines as their intensities approach a black-body distribution. Recording optical emission in the wavelength range 300–1000 nm from a plasma formed by radio-frequency heating and electrical discharges in a 0.2 m long capillary plasma, we show that the high wavelength Rayleigh-Jeans form of the black-body emission can be fitted to the most intense spectral lines to give a measurement of plasma temperatures in the 1–1.5 eV range. The temperature measurement technique should have wider applicability in diagnosing plasmas with optically thick spectral lines.

The jet expansion behaviors of ablating-capillary plasma used in the liquid propellant electrothermal chemical gun were investigated. A pulsed power system was built up to drive the arc plasma generator by high-voltage discharge in polyethylene capillary. The temporal evolutions of the arc plasma jet in both open air and bulk-loaded liquid were analyzed with high-speed imaging and dynamic pressure measurements. The arc plasma jet exhibited rapid axial expansion and strongly turbulent mixing with the ambient fluids. Experiments conducted with different discharge voltages showed that the voltage had a significant effect on the axial expanding speed of the arc plasma jet. A 2-D magneto-hydrodynamic model, which consisted of several submodels, such as the capillary ablation model, the species ionization model, the high-temperature radiation model, and the turbulent model, was developed to describe the generation and evolution of arc plasma jet. Good agreements between calculations and experiments in the aspects of jet contours and pressure histories indicated that the current model had the capacity to capture the major physical features of the ablating-capillary arc plasma jet.

Background: A considerable challenge in quantification of the antimalarial piperaquine in plasma is carryover of analyte signal between assays. Current intensive pharmacokinetic studies often rely on the merging of venous and capillary sampling. Drug levels in capillary plasma may be different from those in venous plasma, Thus, correlation between capillary and venous drug levels needs to be established.Methods: Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to develop the method. Piperaquine was measured in 205 pairs of capillary and venous plasma samples collected simultaneously at ≥24hr post dose in children, pregnant women and non-pregnant women receiving dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine as malaria chemoprevention. Standard three-dose regimen over three days applied to all participants with three 40mg dihydroartemisinin/320mg PQ tablets per dose for adults and weight-based dose for children. Correlation analysis was performed using the program Stata® SE12.1. Linear regression models were built using concentrations or logarithm transformed concentrations and the final models were selected based on maximal coefficient of determination (R2) and visual check.Results: An LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated, utilizing methanol as a protein precipitation agent, a Gemini C18 column (50x2.0mm, 5μm) eluted with basic mobile phase solvents (ammonium hydroxide as the additive), and ESI+ as the ion source. This method had a calibration range of 10-1000 ng/mL and carryover was negligible. Correlation analysis revealed a linear relationship: Ccap = 1.04×Cven+4.20 (R2 = 0.832) without transformation of data, and lnCcap = 1.01×lnCven+0.0125, (R2 = 0.945) with natural logarithm transformation. The mean ratio (±SD) of Ccap/Cven was 1.13±0.42, and median (IQR) was 1.08 (0.917, 1.33).Conclusions: Capillary and venous plasma PQ measures are nearly identical overall, but not readily exchangeable due to large variation. Further correlation study accounting for disposition phases may be necessary.

Serologic testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be used to confirm diagnosis, estimate seroprevalence, screen convalescent plasma donors, and assess vaccine efficacy. Several logistical and infrastructure challenges limit access to SARS-CoV-2 serologic testing. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples have been used for serology testing of various diseases in resource-limited settings. We examined the use of DBS samples and capillary blood (fingerstick) plasma collected in Microtainer tubes for SARS-CoV-2 testing with the automated Abbott ARCHITECT™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG (List 6R86) and IgM assays and use of venous whole blood with a prototype PANBIO™ rapid point-of-care lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. The ARCHITECT™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay was initially optimized for use with DBS, venous and capillary plasma, and venous whole blood collected from patients with symptoms and PCR-confirmed COVID-19 and negative asymptomatic controls. Assay linearity and reproducibility was confirmed with 3 contrived DBS samples, with sample stability and signal recovery after 14 days at room temperature. ARCHITECT™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM assay results showed high concordance between fingerstick DBS and venous DBS samples, and between fingerstick DBS and venous whole blood samples (n=61). Discordant results were seen in 3 participants (2 IgG, 1 IgM) who were in the process of seroreversion at the time of sample collection and had results near the assay cutoff. Use of fingerstick plasma collected in Microtainer tubes (n=109) showed 100% concordant results (R2=0.997) with matched patient venous plasma on the ARCHITECT™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. High concordance of assay results (92.9% positive, 100% negative) was also observed for the PANBIO™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay compared to the ARCHITECT™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay run with matched venous plasma (n=61). Fingerstick DBS and plasma samples are easy and inexpensive to collect and, along with the use of rapid point-of-care testing platforms, will expand access to SARS-CoV-2 serology testing, particularly in resource-limited areas.

Electrothermal (ET) plasma discharges have application to mass acceleration technologies relevant to military ballistics and magnetic confinement fusion reactor operation. ET plasma discharges are initiated in capillary geometries by passing large currents (order of tens of kiloamperes) along the capillary axis. A partially ionized plasma then forms and radiates heat to the capillary walls inducing ablation. Ablated particles enter the capillary plasma source and cause a pressure surge that can propel pellets to velocities exceeding 2 km/s. These devices present several advantages over other mass accelerator technologies due to their simple design and ability to achieve high projectile launch frequencies. In order to investigate the operation of ET plasma discharges in more detail than previously possible, a 2-D, multifluid model has been developed to simulate the plasma-fluid dynamics that develop in these devices during operation. In this paper, the 2-D simulation model is used to investigate the effect of source geometry and current density on discharge characteristics. Peak pressure and electric field magnitudes for pulsed discharge operation are shown to scale well with theoretical and empirical scaling laws for steady-state discharge operation. The pulse shape of the source internal pressure is shown to change significantly with increasing source radius. The behavior of other plasma parameters is investigated. In addition, observations of the departure from the ablation-controlled arc regime are presented. This analysis suggests that, for the current pulse length investigated, source radii higher than 4 mm require significantly more current density in order to produce sufficient ablation to stabilize the plasma discharge.

A new ignition method of the spark gap based on plasma ejection is proposed in this paper, as the conventional trigatron spark gap performs poorly under the low working coefficient (the ratio of the charging voltage to the self-breakdown voltage) in air. The plasma is generated by the capillary discharge, which has high pressure, high temperature and high velocity. The capillary discharge device is placed inside the low voltage electrode. As long as the triggering signal is sent to the device, a column of the plasma flow is ejected in axial direction and develops rapidly towards the high voltage electrode. Subsequently, the gap is broken down and a high resistive channel is formed, where the thermal ionization takes place and the arc across the whole gap is generated and develops into a well conductive channel. The process of the thermal ionization of the high resistive channel varies with the change of the spark gap distance. The breakdown delay and the delay jitter of the spark gap increase with the spark gap distance, as both parameters are mainly determined by the developing process of the plasma ejection. The characteristics of the plasma flow determine the possibility of the breakdown of the spark gap under the low working coefficient. The ignition method based on capillary plasma ejection has been proved by the preliminary experiments, which indicate that under the gap length of 8 cm and the working coefficient of less than 3%, the effective ignition is still achievable.

Quantification of blood levels of antipsychotic drugs may be useful for managing medication therapy. This open‐label, parallel‐group study was performed to compare finger‐stick‐based capillary with corresponding venous plasma concentrations for risperidone, paliperidone, quetiapine, olanzapine, and aripiprazole and their major metabolites after repeated dosing in patients with schizophrenia or related illnesses. Finger‐stick‐based capillary and venous blood samples were collected at various times within a dosing interval. All drug concentration measurements in the derived plasma samples were performed with validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods. Finger‐stick‐based capillary and venous plasma drug concentrations after repeated dosing were generally similar. Olanzapine capillary plasma concentrations, however, were on average approximately 20% higher than venous concentrations, with a trend for a relatively greater difference occurring shortly after dosing. In addition, smaller capillary–venous differences were observed for extended‐release and long‐acting intramuscular formulations and for aripiprazole, a drug with a long half‐life, compared with drugs administered as an immediate‐release formulation (risperidone, olanzapine). After repeated dosing, plasma derived from finger‐stick‐based blood was observed to be predictive of the venous concentrations. Capillary sampling may be an appropriate alternative to venous sampling to readily evaluate systemic drug concentrations.

Background An automated multiplex platform using capillary blood can promote greater throughput and more comprehensive studies in celiac disease (CD). Diagnostic accuracy should be improved using likelihood ratios for the post-test probability of ruling-in disease. Methods The Ig_plex™ Celiac Disease Panel on the sqidlite™ automated platform measured IgA and IgG antibodies to tTG and DGP in n = 224 CD serum or plasma samples. Diagnostic accuracy metrics were applied to the combined multiplex test results for several CD populations and compared to conventional single antibody ELISA tests. Results With multiple positive antibody results, the post-test probability for ruling-in untreated and treated CD increased to over 90%. The number of samples positive for more than one antibody also increased in untreated CD to ≥90%. Measurement of all four CD antibodies generate cut-off dependent accuracy profiles that can monitor response to treatment with the gluten-free diet (GFD). Higher positive tTG and DGP antibodies are seen more frequently in confirmed CD without (81%–94%) than with GFD treatment (44%–64%). In CD lacking biopsy confirmation, overall agreement of plasma to serum was ≥98% for all antibodies, and 100% for venous to capillary plasma. Conclusions The Ig_plex Celiac Disease Panel increases the likelihood of confirming CD based on the post-test probability of disease results for multi-reactive markers. Specific positivity profiles and cut-off intervals can be used to monitor GFD treatment and likely disease progression. Using serum, venous and capillary plasma yield comparable and accurate results.

The interaction of the plasma of a microwave capillary argon torch with a metal surface was studied experimentally. It is shown that the interaction of the plasma jet generated by the capillary plasma torch with the metal in atmospheric-pressure air leads to the initiation of microexplosions (sparks) on the metal surface. As a result, the initially smooth surface acquires a relief in the form of microtips and microcraters. The possibility of practical application of the observed phenomenon is discussed.

The concept of tapered capillary is introduced as a method of injecting focused plasma jet into the breach of bulk-loaded electrothermal-chemical (ETC) launcher. Tapered capillaries will operate in the confined controlled arc regime, and they can provide the advantage of producing focused hyper plasma jets useful for ignition of ETC systems at controlled plasma temperatures and pressures. The concept is also useful for focused implantation of plasma ions on substrates with desired patterns. Such tapered capillaries can inject plasmas at peak kinetic temperatures in the range of 14000-21000 K (~1.2-1.8 eV) and considerable jet pressures of 10-70 MPa for an input discharge current of 20-30 kA over a short pulselength of 100-150 μs. A tapered geometry made of Lexan polycarbonate with 16.8-mm inlet and 8.8-mm outlet radii produces a plasma jet with a plasma temperature of 14253 K (1.23 eV) at a peak bulk velocity of 4.027 km/s with a 10.38-MPa exit pressure, and a total ablated mass of 10.56 mg. Reducing the tapering to 12.6-mm inlet and 6.6-mm outlet radii produces a plasma jet with a plasma temperature of 16382-K (1.411 eV) at a bulk velocity of 4.34 km/s and a total of 23.27-mg ablated mass. Further reduction in the tapering to 8.4-mm inlet and 4.4-mm outlet radii produces a plasma jet with a plasma temperature of 20954 K (1.8 eV) at a bulk velocity of 4.89 km/s with a 70.78-MPa exit pressure, and a total ablated mass of 15.09 mg. The preliminary study shows that the narrow tapering angle produces higher pressure, temperature, velocity, and more ablated mass. Radiant heat flux at the taper exit varies from 2.2 GW/m 2 for the wider tapers to 6.24 GW/m 2 for the narrower ones.

Previous published results of closed vessel investigations indicated that classical primers (electric or percussion with black powder bedding) when used with LOVA propellants cause unstable burning, deflagration or even lack of ignition. Capillary Plasma Generator is one of the most reliable ignition sources which make possible a reduction of temperature gradient effect and control combustion process. Comparable tests of black powder and plasma ignition in closed vessel with conventional NC propellant were done. Shorter ignition time while using plasma was achieved.

Atmospheric-pressure discharge in the tubular capillary plasma jet was studied to reveal the possibility to accelerate anodization of aluminum foils and fabricate alumina nanoparticles in liquid acids. Two different positions of the atmospheric pressure plasma jet relatively to the acid electrolyte and aluminum electrode were studied. Whereas at larger distances, only slight oxidation was obtained, the nanoporous surface and alumina nanoparticles were produced at closer (3–5 mm) distances. The mode with arcing (sparking) resulted in the film of alumina nanoparticles. The obtained results could be useful for the cheap and convenient synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces for various applications, including medical, biological, energy conversion, and nanoelectronic devices.

Analytica Chimica Acta, 1030, ISSN:0003-2670, ISSN:1873-4324

Background Lumefantrine is a long-acting antimalarial drug with an elimination half-life of over 3 days and protein binding of 99 percent. Correlation of lumefantrine concentrations from capillary plasma via fingerprick (Cc) versus venous plasma (Cv) remains to be defined. Methods Venous and capillary plasma samples were collected simultaneously from children, pregnant women, and non-pregnant adults at 2, 24, 120hr post last dose of a standard 3-day artemether-lumefantrine regimen they received for uncomplicated malaria. Some of the enrolled children and pregnant women were also HIV-infected. Samples were analyzed via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Linear regression analysis was performed using the program Stata® SE12.1. Results In children, the linear regression equations for Cc vs Cv at 2, 24, and 120hr (day 7) post dose are [Cc] = 1.05*[Cv]+95.0 (n = 142, R2 = 0.977), [Cc] = 0.995*[Cv]+56.7 (n = 147, R2 = 0.990) and [Cc] = 0.958*[Cv]+18.6 (n = 139, R2 = 0.994), respectively. For pregnant women, the equations are [Cc] = 1.04*[Cv]+68.1 (n = 43, R2 = 0.990), [Cc] = 0.997*[Cv]+37.3 (n = 43, R2 = 0.993) and [Cc] = 0.941*[Cv]+11.1 (n = 41, R2 = 0.941), respectively. For non-pregnant adults, the equations are [Cc] = 1.05*[Cv]-117 (n = 32, R2 = 0.958), [Cc] = 0.962*[Cv]+9.21 (n = 32, R2 = 0.964) and [Cc] = 1.04*[Cv]-40.1 (n = 32, R2 = 0.988), respectively. In summary, a linear relationship with a slope of ~1 was found for capillary and venous lumefantrine levels in children, pregnant women and non-pregnant adults at 2hr, 24hr and 120hr post last dose, representing absorption, distribution, and elimination phases. Conclusions Capillary and venous plasma concentration of lumefantrine can be used interchangeably at 1:1 ratio. Capillary sampling method via finger prick is a suitable alternative for sample collection in clinical studies.

Introduction Neonatal jaundice is one of the most frequent diagnostic and therapeutic problems. It is estimated that 60% of term neonates and 80% of premature neonates present jaundice in their first week of life. Often, everyday measurements of bilirubin are needed, for early diagnosis and treatment. There are three methods of bilirubin measurement: the serum bilirubin measurement, the capillary and the transcutaneoust. Transcutaneous method is referred to be reliable related to other invasive methods of measurement, at least for low bilirubin prices. Aim The comparison of measurement results of non-invasive transcutaneous method with capillary plasma bilirubin method. Methods All the bilirubin measurements during the time period from 25/01/2016 to 18/02/2016 in the neonates of our Clinic. Results There were 59 bilirubin measurements in 49 newborns. At first, the capillary method was used and then the transcutaneous. The statistical analysis showed that the two methods have normal distribution. The capillary method highlighted a price range of 3,90 mg/dl- 13,20 mg/dl (SD=2,03) and the transcutaneous method showed a range from 4,3 mg/dl to 15,5 mg/dl (SD=2,45). The Pearson Correlation coefficcient of the two methods was 0,903, showing a positive significant correlation (p Conclusion Transcutaneous method can replace the capillary method, in order to have an everyday, non- invasive method of bilirubin measurement. However, in bilirubin prices>15 mg/dl, or when a therapeutic intervention is needed, the laboratory measurement is necessary.

Introduction Neonatal jaundice is one of the most frequent diagnostic and therapeutic problems. It is estimated that 60% of term neonates and 80% of premature neonates present jaundice in their first week of life. Often, everyday measurements of bilirubin are needed, for early diagnosis and treatment. There are three methods of bilirubin measurement: the serum bilirubin measurement, the capillary and the transcutaneoust. Transcutaneous method is referred to be reliable related to other invasive methods of measurement, at least for low bilirubin prices. Aim The comparison of measurement results of non-invasive transcutaneous method with capillary plasma bilirubin method. Methods All the bilirubin measurements during the time period from 25/01/2016 to 18/02/2016 in the neonates of our Clinic. Results There were 59 bilirubin measurements in 49 newborns. At first, the capillary method was used and then the transcutaneous. The statistical analysis showed that the two methods have normal distribution. The capillary method highlighted a price range of 3,90 mg/dl- 13,20 mg/dl (SD=2,03) and the transcutaneous method showed a range from 4,3 mg/dl to 15,5 mg/dl (SD=2,45). The Pearson Correlation coefficcient of the two methods was 0,903, showing a positive significant correlation (p Conclusion Transcutaneous method can replace the capillary method, in order to have an everyday, non- invasive method of bilirubin measurement. However, in bilirubin prices>15 mg/dl, or when a therapeutic intervention is needed, the laboratory measurement is necessary.

Plasma Wakefield Accelerators are based on the excitation of large amplitude plasma waves excited by either a laser or a particle driver beam. The amplitude of the waves, as well as their spatial dimensions and the consequent accelerating gradient depend strongly on the background electron density along the path of the accelerated particles. The process needs stable and reliable plasma sources, whose density profile must be controlled and properly engineered to ensure the appropriate accelerating mechanism. Plasma confinement inside gas filled capillaries have been studied in the past since this technique allows to control the evolution of the plasma, ensuring a stable and repeatable plasma density distribution during the interaction with the drivers. Moreover, in a gas filled capillary plasma can be pre-ionized by a current discharge to avoid ionization losses. Different capillary geometries have been studied to allow the proper temporal and spatial evolution of the plasma along the acceleration length. Results of this analysis obtained by varying the length and the number of gas inlets will be presented., Proceedings of the 8th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2017, Copenhagen, Denmark

The capillary geometry of discharge plasma sources determines the performance of capillary plasma generators. In this research, 16 types of generators with different geometric sizes and aspect ratios (the length divided by the diameter of the capillary, ranging from 0.67 to 22) were designed. Plasma parameters, including the temperature, static pressure, and velocity, were calculated and analyzed. The results show that the maximum temperature of the plasma decreased with increasing capillary aspect ratios. However, there was a difference between the temperature distributions above and below an aspect ratio threshold of 8.67. The simulations suggest that the aspect ratio threshold of the static pressure for generating shock waves is 15.33. For aspect ratios lower than this value, the maximum static pressure increased with increases in the aspect ratio. Otherwise, a shock wave would be generated, and the distribution of the static pressure would be consistent with distribution 2 (with a shock wave near the nozzle). The maximum velocity decreased as the capillary aspect ratios increased, with a threshold of 8.67. Since the plasma parameters were exponential functions of the aspect ratios, distribution and variation trends of the plasma parameters for different aspect ratios are proposed. These can be used to adjust the electrothermal plasma parameters and to design plasma generators.

Plasma density represents a very important parameter for both laser wakefield and plasma wakefield acceleration, which use a gas-filled capillary plasma source. Several techniques can be used to measure the plasma density within a capillary discharge, which are mainly based on optical diagnostic methods, as for example the well-known spectroscopic method using the Stark broadening effect. In this work, we introduce a preliminary study on an alternative way to detect the plasma density, based on the shock waves produced by gas discharge in a capillary. Firstly, the measurements of the acoustic spectral content relative to the laser-induced plasmas by a solid target allowed us to understand the main properties of the acoustic waves produced during this kind of plasma generation; afterwards, we have extended such acoustic technique to the capillary plasma source in order to calibrate it by comparison with the stark broadening method.

An active capillary plasma ionization (ACI) source was coupled to a handheld mass spectrometer (Mini 10.5; Aston Labs, West Lafayette, IN, USA) and applied to the direct gas-phase detection and quantification of chemical warfare agent (CWA) related chemicals. Complementing the discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface (DAPI) of the Mini 10.5 mass spectrometer with an additional membrane pump, a quasi-continuous sample introduction through the ACI source was achieved. Nerve agent simulants (three dialkyl alkylphosphonates, a dialkyl phosporamidate, and the pesticide dichlorvos) were detected at low gas-phase concentrations with limits of detection ranging from 1.0 μg/m(3) to 6.3 μg/m(3). Our results demonstrate a sensitivity enhancement for portable MS-instrumentation by using an ACI source, enabling direct, quantitative measurements of volatile organic compounds. Due to its high sensitivity, selectivity, low power consumption (80 W) and weight (13 kg), this instrumentation has the potential for direct on-site CWA detection as required by military or civil protection. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Ultrasensitive direct gas-phase detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is demonstrated utilizing active capillary plasma ionization and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation. Four G-agents, two V-agents, and various blistering agents [including sulfur mustard (HD)] were detected directly in the gas phase with limits of detection in the low parts per trillion (ng m−3) range. The direct detection of HD was shown for dry carrier gas conditions, but signals vanished when humidity was present, indicating a possible direct detection of HD after sufficient gas-phase pretreatment. The method provided sufficient sensitivity to monitor directly the investigated volatile CWAs way below their corresponding minimal effect dose, and in most cases even below the eight hours worker exposure concentration. In general, the ionization is very soft, with little to no in-source fragmentation. Especially for the G-agents, some dimer formation occurred at higher concentrations. This adds complexity, but also further selectivity, to the corresponding mass spectra. Our results show that the active capillary plasma ionization is a robust, sensitive, “plug and play” ambient ionization source suited (but not exclusively) to the very sensitive detection of CWAs. It has the potential to be used with portable MS instrumentation.

Generation of high-energy betatron X-rays is very important and attractive for many applications. In this presentation, we propose a new method for generating shorter wavelength X-rays in a capillary plasma waveguide, which has a parabolic density profile in the transverse direction. In this method, we inject an intense laser pulse at an off-axis position in the capillary plasma waveguide, and the ion cavity follows the wiggling laser trajectory in the plasma waveguide. This kind of ion cavity motion can increase the oscillation amplitude of the electrons in the wakefield acceleration process. As a result, shorter wavelength betatron radiations can be produced in this scheme. We have performed two-dimensional (2-D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations1 and analytical studies for this research. We show some results of the ongoing research activities in this presentation.

The project BELLA (LBNL, USA) is aimed to create an experimental facility for further advancing the development of laser-driven electron acceleration1. BELLA's unique attribute is the ability to use laser light to accelerate an electron beam up to 10 GeV level in a comparatively short distance of approximately one meter. The acceleration takes place during the propagation of a high power femtosecond laser pulse in the plasma formed in a capillary discharge. This capillary plasma forms a plasma channel able to guide the laser pulse, which in its turn forms a plasma wake wave that accelerates the injected electrons.

This paper describes the development of a small-sized reactive plasma pump driven by capillary bubble discharge for the purification of treated water. The apparatus we developed decomposes the pollutants in the water by using chemical species generated by the plasma discharge. The resulting stream of bubbles obviates the need for an external gas supply or pump to transport the water. A high-speed camera was used to investigate the bubble dynamics responsible for the pumping effect, which is achieved by selecting the shape of the capillary such that the bubble ejections within enhance the 'self-repetition' action required for the pumping motion. Our experiments showed that optimal bubble generation requires a consumed power of 17.8 W. A theoretical model was developed to investigate the pumping mechanism. We solve the problems associated with liquid oscillations in the U-shaped water reservoir by employing a non-uniform cross-sectional area in our model. The chemical reactivity of the device was confirmed by using emission spectroscopy of OH radical and by measuring the decomposition of methylene blue.

Electrothermal (ET) plasma launchers have a wide array of applications as mass acceleration devices. An ET plasma launcher utilizes an ET plasma discharge to accelerate a projectile. ET plasma discharges are arc-driven capillary discharges that ablate liner materials and form partially ionized plasmas. ET plasma discharges are generated by driving current pulses through a capillary source. Current pulses typically have peak currents on the order of tens of kA with pulse lengths on the order of hundreds of μs. These types of plasma discharges have been explored for their application to military ballistics, electric thrusters, and nuclear fusion power. ET plasma discharges have been studied using 0D, 1D, and semi-2D fluid models. In this work, a three-fluid, fully two-dimensional model of ET plasma discharges is presented. First approximations used in the newly developed model and code are discussed and simulation results are compared with experiment. Simulation results indicate the development of back flow inside ET plasma discharges due to collisional drag forces between individual plasma species. This back flow is observed for simulations of ET plasma discharges receiving current pulses with peak currents of 10, 20, 30, and 40 kA. Simulation results also reveal the development of fluid perturbations near the breech of the plasma source. These perturbations cause variations in the plasma electrical conductivity and ultimately cause changes in the local ablation rate of the source liner. At higher current pulses, these perturbations are more localized in the region of the source closest to the breech. This effect causes a decrease in the ablated mass in this region relative to the region of the source experiencing the highest ablation.

The paper has proposed a new triggering method for long spark gap based on capillary plasma ejection and conducted the experimental verification under the extremely low working coefficient, which represents that the ratio of the spark gap charging voltage to the breakdown voltage is particularly low. The quasi-neutral plasma is ejected from the capillary and develops through the axial direction of the spark gap. The electric field in the spark gap is thus changed and its breakdown is incurred. It is proved by the experiments that the capillary plasma ejection is effective in triggering the long spark gap under the extremely low working coefficient in air. The study also indicates that the breakdown probabilities, the breakdown delay, and the delay dispersion are all mainly determined by the characteristics of the ejected plasma, including the length of the plasma flow, the speed of the plasma ejection, and the ionization degree of the plasma. Moreover, the breakdown delay and the delay dispersion increase with the length of the long spark gap, and the polarity effect exists in the triggering process. Lastly, compared with the working patterns of the triggering device installed in the single electrode, the working pattern of the devices installed in both the two electrodes, though with the same breakdown process, achieves the ignition under longer gap distance. To be specific, at the gap length of 14 cm and the working coefficient of less than 2%, the spark gap is still ignited accurately.

Polycrystalline diamond has been synthesized on silicon substrates at atmospheric pressure, using a microwave capillary plasma chemical vapor deposition technique. The CH4/Ar plasma was generated inside of quartz capillary tubes using 2.45 GHz microwave excitation without adding H2 into the deposition gas chemistry. Electronically excited species of CN, C2, Ar, N2, CH, Hβ, and Hα were observed in the emission spectra. Raman measurements of deposited material indicate the formation of well-crystallized diamond, as evidenced by the sharp T2g phonon at 1333 cm−1 peak relative to the Raman features of graphitic carbon. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images reveal that, depending on the growth conditions, the carbon microstructures of grown films exhibit “coral” and “cauliflower-like” morphologies or well-facetted diamond crystals with grain sizes ranging from 100 nm to 10 μm.

The generation of betatron radiations by laser-accelerated electron beams is of great interest in the scientific community as it has many applications. In this paper, we propose a new method for the generation of short wavelength betatron radiations. In the new scheme, a high power laser pulse is sent into a capillary plasma waveguide at an off-axis position to intentionally enhance the betatron oscillation amplitude, which can lead to the production of shorter wavelength radiations. We demonstrated that the idea works by 2D particle-in-cell simulations and we also developed a theory to explain the phenomena. In this paper, details of the results are described.

In this letter, we present results from multispectroscopic analysis of protein films, after exposure to a peculiar plasma source, i.e., the capillary plasma jet. This plasma source is able to generate very small pulsed plasma volumes, in kilohertz range, with characteristic dimensions smaller than 1 mm. This leads to specific microscale generation and transport of all plasma species. Plasma diagnosis was realized using general electrical and optical methods. Depending on power level and exposure duration, this miniature plasma jet can induce controllable modifications to soft matter targets. Detailed discussions on protein film oxidation and chemical etching are supported by results from absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques. Further exploitation of principles presented here may consolidate research interests involving plasmas in biotechnologies and plasma medicine, especially in patterning technologies, modified biomolecule arrays, and local chemical functionalization.