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This paper describes an optical sensor for the real-time measurement of axial thermal elongation of a machine tool high-speed spindle. A cat's eye optical reflector embedded in the spindle reflects the image of a laser diode beam onto a quadrant photodiode detector. Changes in the position of the reflected laser spot on the photodiode in a detection module allows determination of changes in length of the spindle. The resolution is 50 nm for the low frequency range. The accuracy of this optical sensor is better than 1 μm within the measuring range of ±100 μm and the triple standard deviation is 0.03 μm. The experimental results showed that thermal elongation can be measured and controlled to within 2 μm of elongation and shortening variation within the stated range using an oil cooling system.

Solution-processed vanadium oxide (V2O5) as an anode interlayer is introduced between the organic layer and the Ag electrode for improving the performance of the low-cost inverted polymer solar cells hybridized with ZnO nanorods. Our investigations indicate that the solution-processed V2O5 interlayer as an electron-blocking layer can effectively prevent the leakage current at the organic/Ag interface. The power conversion efficiency is improved from 2.5% to 3.56% by the introduction of the V2O5 interlayer. The V2O5 interlayer also serves as an optical spacer to enhance light absorption, and thereby increases the photocurrent. Compared to the vacuum-deposited techniques, the fabrication of the solution-processed V2O5 interlayer is simple and effective. The solution-based approach makes it attractive for applications to mass production and potentially printed organic electronics.

Objective To explore the mechanism of anti-rheumatic effect of the active fraction of Siegesbeckia pubescens (AFSP).

Objective To study the effects of Qinggan Huoxue Recipe (QGHXR), the compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and its separated recipes on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA and serum TNF-alpha content in rats with alcoholic liver injury (ALI). Methods One hundred male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) group (n=10) and ALI group (n=80). Rats in the ALI group were intragastrically administered mixed liquor twice a day and intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 twice a week for 6 weeks, rats in the normal control group were intragastrically administered normal saline, and rats in the CCl4 group were intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 and olive oil twice a week continuously. Two rats in the ALI group were sacrificed for histological observation per week. After 4-week modeling, the rats in the ALI group were randomly divided into QGHXR group, Qinggan Recipe (QGR) group, Huoxue Recipe (HXR) group (15 rats in each group), and the others belonged to the untreated group. After 2-week suitable drugs treatment, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed. Pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by HE staining. The content of plasma TNF-alpha was assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in the liver tissue was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results QGHXR and its separated recipes improved liver steatosis and inflammation, and in this regard, the QGHXR was superior to the QGR. QGHXR decreased the activity of serum ALT in rats with ALI, but QGR and HXR did not show significant effect in that. The three recipes decreased the activity of AST as compared with the untreated group, but there were no significant differences among the three treated groups. HXR and QGHXR down-regulated the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in the liver tissue, but QGR did not show significant effect. HXR and QGHXR also decreased the content of plasma TNF-alpha, but QGR did not show significant effect in that. Conclusion QGHXR and HXR may provide protection against ALI in rats through decreasing the production of TNF-alpha.

The inverted bulk hetero-junction solar cell on the polyester (PET) substrate with a non-annealing active layer is investigated. Our investigations show that the easily processed inverted device with a non-annealing active layer on the indium-tin-oxide coated PET substrate exhibits a high power conversion efficiency of ∼3.65%.

The influence of GaN seed morphology on the growth of ZnO rods by solution-based process is investigated. The orientation, defect density, and crystallinity of ZnO rods are systematically studied i...

Zinc concentrations in both serum and hair were assessed in 135 obese pa- tients (5 1 males, 84 females) and in 57 controls (28 males, 29 females) to study the correlation between Zn and obesity. The body mass index (wt/ht2) was also measured to evaluate its rela- tionship to the Zn level in obese individuals. The serum and hair Zn contents in obese patients were markedly lower than in normal control subjects by 22 and 34%, respectively. The Zn content was inversely related to the body mass index. Thus Zn may play an important meta- bolic role in the development ofobesity. Am J C/in Nutr l988;48: 1307-9.

Proper thyroid function is essential for maintaining cardiovascular integrity during normal and stressful situations. In this study, the effects of isoflurane-O2 anesthesia and surgical stress on serum TSH, T4, free T4, T3, rT3, and cortisol were investigated in nine patients before, during, and after valve surgery. Compared with preoperative control values, serum TSH decreased in the postoperative period. Both T4 and free T4 had similar decreases after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and remained depressed postoperatively. Both T3 and rT3 decreased at the start of cardiopulmonary bypass; T3 remained low in the postoperative period, while rT3 increased. Cortisol decreased during anesthesia and surgery in the prebypass period, but increased during cardiopulmonary bypass and in the postoperative period. The results suggest that isoflurane-O2 anesthesia during valve surgery produces a rapid decrease in T3, resulting in the low T3 syndrome postoperatively. Isoflurane, in the dose studied, similar to fentanyl, can suppress the cortisol response to anesthesia and surgery in the prebypass period, but not during and after CPB.

To investigate the long term utility of the cholecystographic contrast agent iopanoic acid (Telepaque) for treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism, we studied 40 patients treated with 500 mg, orally, daily for 1-12 months. We measured thyroid size; body weight; serum T3, T4, and free T4 concentrations; and antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibody levels at monthly intervals. Based on the effects of the therapy, the patients were divided into 3 groups: 6 patients had excellent responses with return of serum thyroid hormone levels to normal (group A); 12 patients had fair responses, but 1 thyroid hormone test remained elevated (group B); and 22 patients had minimal benefit (group C) with only slight clinical improvement and transient reduction of serum T3 concentration. Mean serum T3 levels decreased significantly after 1 month of therapy in all 3 groups and became normal in groups A and B, but the reduction in group C was not sustained. Mean serum T4 and free T4 levels remained above normal during the course of therapy in groups B and C. Sixty-eight percent of patients in group C had large goiters compared with 33% of group A and 25% of group B, and those in group C tended to have more severe biochemical hyperthyroidism initially. There were no significant changes in antibody titers during therapy. These data indicate that iopanoic acid is not effective therapy for many hyperthyroid patients.