Measurements of ELF-radiating currents associated with sprite-producing lightning discharges exhibit a second current peak simultaneous in time with sprite luminosity, suggesting that the observed ELF radiation is produced by intense electrical currents flowing in the body of the sprite.

A highly efficient, continuous wave 172nm Xenon excimer lamp scalable in power, size and geometry is reported. Data from a prototype device based on multiple corona discharges, operating in dense Xenon gas, confirmed the concept. Results imply that large lamps with uniform VUV-light output exceeding 100mW/cm and wall plug electrical power to VUV light conversion efficiencies approaching 50% can...

The reticular (RE) nucleus of the thalamus is thought to be the site of sleep spindle initiation. Previous models of spindle oscillations in the isolated RE nucleus were based on the ability of RE cells to generate low-threshold rebound burst discharges in response to hyperpolarizing GABAergic synaptic currents. These models require a relatively hyperpolarized GABA-A reversal potential of aroun...

The stability of electric arc discharges has been explored through the use of an energy balance coupled with charge conservation. In order to facilitate this analysis, a new model for the electrical conductivity function has been proposed. Asymptotic solutions for the arc governing equations have been obtained. Stability criteria have been developed from both the linear theory (infinitesimal si...

To elucidate the mechanism underlying epileptiform discharges in kindled rats, synaptic responses in kindled basolateral amygdala neurons in vitro were compared with those from control rats by using intracellular and whole cell patch-clamp recordings. In kindled neurons, electrical stimulation of the stria terminalis induced epileptiform discharges. The resting potential, apparent input resista...

Ozonizers have been used for over a century in water treatment and for about two decades in advanced oxidation. Ozonizers are fundamentally based on non-thermal plasmas, which are useful for generating reactive species (free radicals) in gas streams. Because radical-attack reaction rate constants are very large for many chemical species, entrained pollutants are readily decomposed by these radi...

Polymeric insulating layer may show propagating surface discharges when they are irradiated under vacuum with high energy electrons. Such discharges could create electromagnetic interferences on geosynchronous spacecraft during magnetic storms. These discharges can be triggered at a defect zone or at the edge of the sample or following the electrical breakdown of the material. The values of the...

Voltage-sensitive-dye imaging was used to study the initiation and propagation of epileptiform activity in transverse hippocampal slices. A portion of the slices tested generated epileptiform discharges in response to electrical shocks under normal physiological conditions. The fraction of slices showing epileptiform responses increased from 44 to 86% when bathing [K+] increased from 3.2 to 4 m...

The chapter, after a general introduction concerning plasmas produced in air at atmospheric pressure, describes the chemical kinetics happening in the plasma gas-phase, focusing on the nitrogen oxides mechanism of formation and elimination. After a general review of the chemical kinetic pattern, we discuss dielectric barrier discharges and their use for NOx remediation. In fact, research concer...