Probing instabilities in arc plasma devices using binary gas mixtures.

This paper presents an experimental approach to identify the sources of instabilities in arc plasma devices. The phenomena of demixing in arcs have been utilized to explore the characteristics of different instabilities. Problems in explaining the observed behavior with our current understanding of the phenomena are discussed. Hydrogen is used as a secondary gas with argon as the primary plasma gas for this study. Results indicate that the observed behavior such as steady, takeover, and restrike modes of instabilities in arcs may essentially originate from the thin boundary layer over the anode wall primarily at the location of the anodic arc root. The bulk core flow apparently does not play any significant role in such instabilities. Arc currents rather than flow rates control the behavior of the instabilities in frequency space. Bifurcation of the system behavior and evidence for the existence of quadratic zones in flow space of binary gas mixtures separating steady and unsteady behavior are discussed.

[Pulmonary Infiltrate, Pleural Effusion and IgM Macroglobulinaemia]. / Lungeninfiltrat, Pleuraerguss und IgM-Makroglobulinämie.

We report a 71-year-old mam with known IgM- Macroglobulinemia, who developed infiltrative pulmonary changes and a pleural effusion. Both, the pleural effusion and bronchoalveolar lavage revealed monoclonal IgM positive B-lymphocytoes. Transbronchial biopsies showed tissue infiltrates of lymphoplasmocytic cells, consistent with a pleuropulmonary manifestation of Morbus Waldenstroem. Bone marrow and gastrointestinal involvement could be excluded, and the diagnosis of a primary pulmonary immunocytoma was made. The patient underwent partial lung resection with removal of the affected lung tissue. Pleuropulmonary changes in patients with IgM-Macroglobulinaemia or Morbus Waldenstroem may be due to pulmonary involvement by the hematological disease.

Analysis of Thomson scattered light from an arc plasma jet.

In this paper we present an analysis of Thomson scattered light from an arc plasma jet. Our approach goes beyond the standard random-phase approximation (RPA) and provides more consistent data for the electron temperature and density in plasmas that are weakly nonideal and collisional. The theory is based on a memory function formalism for the spectral density function with the use of the three lowest-order frequency-moment sum rules. These moments are then corrected for temperature inhomogeneities in the scattering volume. The proposed interpretation of scattering data is compared with the RPA result and with the standard Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook collisional model for the dynamic structure factor. It is shown that the obtained electron temperature values are closer but not equal to local thermodynamic equilibrium temperature values extracted from spectroscopic measurements.

Dental diamond burs made with a new technology.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Conventional diamond burs show several limitations such as the heterogeneity of grain shapes, the difficulty of automation during fabrication, the decrease of cutting effectiveness due to repeated sterilization, and short lifetime. An additional shortcoming may be represented by the potential release of Ni+2 ions from the metallic binder into the body fluids. PURPOSE: This study investigated a new diamond rotative instrument made of a continuous diamond film obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This bur, characterized by a pure diamond cutting surface without metallic binder between crystals, was compared with a conventional diamond bur. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cutting tests were followed by SEM examination and electron microprobe analysis (EMA) to trace metallic residues both at the surface of the bur and the substrate. RESULTS: EMA demonstrated that the metals Ni, Cr, Si, and Fe were present in the metallic binder matrix of the conventional bur and could be smeared on the surface of the substrate during cutting. SEM showed that significant loss of diamond particles occurred during cutting. On the other hand, no discrete particles sheared off the CVD bur. The smearing of the metallic binder cannot occur using the new bur. CONCLUSION: The new CVD bur not only proves to be more efficient in its cutting ability and longevity, but also excludes the risk of metal contamination. This last aspect concerns both the pollution of the oral environment and the contamination of the ceramic during the laboratory manufacturing of dental restorations.