Plasma, definition

Plasma can be broadly defined as a state of matter in which a significant number of the atoms and/or molecules are electrically charged or ionized. The generally accepted definition is limited to situations whereia the numbers of negative and positive charges are equal, and thus the overall charge of the plasma is neutral. This limitation on charge leaves a fairly extensive subject area. The vast majority of matter ia the universe exists ia the plasma state. Interstellar space, interplanetary space, and even the stars themselves are plasmas. 

Definitions. When positive charges are fixed in a soHd, but the electrons are free to move about, the system is called a soHd-state plasma. In a Hquid-state plasma, both the positive and negative charges are frilly mobile. These soHd-state and Hquid system are examples of condensed matter plasmas as opposed to gaseous plasmas. 

Chemical Pathology. Also referred to as clinical chemistry, this monitoring procedure involves the measurement of the concentration of certain materials in the blood, or of certain enzyme activities in semm or plasma. A variety of methods exist that allow (to variable degrees of specificity) the definition of a particular organ or tissue injury, the nature of the injurious process, and the severity of the effect (76). 

The fundamental parameters in the two main methods of achieving ignition are basically the same. Recent advances in the field of combustion have been in the development of mathematical definitions for some of these parameters. For instance, consider the case of ignition achieved by means of an electric spark, where electrical energy released between electrodes results in the formation of a plasma in which the ionized gas acts as a conductor of electricity. The electrical energy Hberated by the spark is given by equation 2 (1), where V = the potential, V 7 = the current. A 0 = the spark duration, s and t = time, s. 

Coagulation factors are glycoproteins named by roman numbers (the numbers being ascribed at the time of the components definition, not sequence of activation) (Table 1). Besides von Willebrand factor (vWF), the coagulation factors are synthesized in the liver. They have very different half-lifes and different concentrations in the plasma. Several coagulation factors are stored in platelets and endothelial cells and can be released during activation of these cells, which can result in a much higher local concentration of the respective factor (e.g., vWF). 

Plasma Its Definition, Generation and Ordnance Applications. The term plasma is defined by Funk Wagnall (Ref 44a) as ... any gas composed of.. . equal numbers of positive ions and electrons.. This definition has been expanded enormously in terms of concept, theory... 

Water soluble protein with a relative molecular mass of ca. 32600, which particularly contains copper and zinc bound like chelate (ca. 4 gram atoms) and has superoxide-dismutase-activity. It is isolated from bovine liver or from hemolyzed, plasma free erythrocytes obtained from bovine blood. Purification by manyfold fractionated precipitation and solvolyse methods and definitive separation of the residual foreign proteins by denaturizing heating of the orgotein concentrate in buffer solution to ca. 65-70 C and gel filtration and/or dialysis. 

There are several major classes of Ca channels (1) receptor-operated Ca channels in plasma membranes (2) ligand-gated Ca " channels in intracellular membranes and (3) voltage-dependent Ca channels that are usually found in plasma membranes or the invaginations of the plasma membrane that are known as transverse tubule membranes. Receptor-dependent or receptor-operated Ca channels (ROCCs) are primarily opened in response to activation of their associated receptors and, by definition, exhibit a certain amount of selectivity for Ca " over other cations. Several potentially different types of ROCCs have been characterized including ATP-sensitive channels in smooth muscle [1], mitogen and IP3-sensitive... 

Note that the steady-state plasma concentration varies proportionally with the rate of infusion and inversely with the plasma clearance C/p, the definition of... 

Calcium exists in the human body as Ca(II) protein-bound and free Ca (II) ions (Dilana et al. 1994). For total extracellular Ca in plasma, serum and urine a definitive isotope dilution-mass spectrometry (ID-MS) method exist. Free Ca(II) in plasma/serum can be determined with PISE, but no definitive and reference methods exist. For Ca in faeces, tissue and blood flame atomic absorption (FAAS) is used widely. 

Further progress may derive from a more accurate definition of the chemical and physical properties of the humic substances present at the rhizosphere and how they interact with the root-cell apoplast and the plasma membrane. An interaction with the plasma membrane H -ATPase has already been observed however this master enzyme may not be the sole molecular target of humic compounds. Both lipids and proteins (e.g., carriers) could be involved in the regulation of ion uptake. It therefore seems necessary to investigate the action of humic compounds with molecular approaches in order to understand the regulatory aspects of the process and therefore estimate the importance of these molecules as modulators of the root-soil interaction. 

Although several allelochemicals (primarily phenolic acids and flavonoids) have been shown to inhibit mineral absorption, only the phenolic acids have been studied at the physiological and biochemical levels to attempt to determine if mineral transport across cellular membranes can be affected directly rather than indirectly. Similar and even more definitive experiments need to be conducted with other allelochemicals that are suspected of inhibiting mineral absorption. Membrane vesicles isolated from plant cells are now being used to elucidate the mechanism of mineral transport across the plasma membrane and tonoplast (67, 68). Such vesicle systems actively transport mineral ions and thus can serve as simplified systems to directly test the ability of allelochemicals to inhibit mineral absorption by plant cells. 

The Subpart O standards apply to units that treat or destroy hazardous waste and which meet the definition of an incinerator. An incinerator is any enclosed device that uses controlled flame combustion and does not meet the criteria for classification as a boiler, sludge dryer, carbon regeneration unit, or industrial furnace. Typical incinerators1 2 3 include rotary kilns, liquid injectors, fixed hearth units, and fluidized bed incinerators (Table 23.1). The definition of an incinerator also includes units that meet the definition of an infrared incinerator or plasma arc incinerator. An infrared incinerator is any enclosed device that uses electric-powered resistance as a source of heat and which is not listed as an industrial furnace. A plasma arc incinerator is any enclosed device that uses a high-intensity electrical discharge as a source of heat and which is not listed as an industrial furnace. 

A comprehensive approach to a states response to a chemical terrorism includes having a plan not only for the crisis and consequence management phases of the incident, but also for all elements required for complete resolution of the event. This may include the necessity to definitively establish whether chemical agents were used, to provide supporting evidence to confirm other analyses, or to provide the forensic proof required to support a criminal prosecution. The collection and analysis of biomedical samples - blood, urine or other tissue from affected humans or animals - is one of the means for providing such information. Although current capabilities such as urinary thiodyglycol excretion or plasma cholinesterase activity can be performed, there is scope for far more sensitive and specific assessments that overcome the limitations of these approaches. 

The vague definition offered above or rather these characteristics appear to be sufficient since no plasma protein capable of forming a strong bond with Hb is known to occur in mammalian plasma except those mucoproteins with the general biochemical properties originally accepted as characteristic of haptoglobins. 

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