Note: Photoluminescence measurement system for multi-junction solar cells.

We describe a photoluminescence spectroscopy system developed for studying phenomena of optical coupling in multiple-junction solar cells and processed/unprocessed wafers, under the high solar concentration levels typical of HCPV (High Concentration PhotoVoltaic) systems. The instrument operates at room temperature over two spectral ranges: 475 nm-1100 nm and 950 nm-1650 nm. Power densities exceeding 10 000 suns can be obtained on the sample. The system can host up to four compact focusable solid state laser sources, presently only three are mounted and operated at 450 nm, 520 nm, and 785 nm; they provide overlapped beams on the sample surface and can shine simultaneously the sample to study possible mutual interaction between the different junctions.

Isoforms of creatine kinase MM and MB in acute myocardial infarction: a clinical evaluation.

Serum creatine kinase (CK, EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes MM and MB were resolved, respectively, into three (MM1, MM2, MM3) and two (MB1, MB2) isoforms (subforms derived from the same isoenzyme) by electrophoresis and the isoform patterns were determined in multiple sequential serum samples, timed from the onset of chest pain, from 58 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). During the first 3 h after the onset of chest pain, the serum isoform activity resembled the pattern seen in normal volunteers. Specimens obtained 6 h after AMI showed predominantly MM3 and MB2 (45% and 11% of the total CK activity, respectively). Between 10 and 72 h, there was a gradual shift in which MM3, MM2 and MB2 decreased, while MM1 and MB1 increased. MB2 and MB1 disappeared from the pattern for samples collected after 24-48 h, while MM1 was always the most prominent band at the end of the observation period (66%, range 41-77%, at 48 h). These data suggest that a single determination of CK isoform pattern, drawn between 6 and 48 h after AMI, may provide an effective means of predicting the time of onset of necrosis. There were no significant differences in the CK isoform patterns according to infarct location and functional status of patients.

Evaluation of the direct potentiometric method for serum chloride determination--comparison with the most commonly employed methodologies.

A new instrument (NOVA 4 + 4) designed to measure serum chloride by ion-selective electrode (ISE)-direct potentiometry (without sample dilution) was evaluated and compared with two widely used methodologies for chloride determination. Mean values obtained with the Nova were significantly higher than those obtained by a colorimetric method and by coulometric titration. Unlike these procedures, which are performed after sample dilution, direct potentiometry was unaffected by changes in plasma water caused by hyperlipemia and/or high protein concentrations. The only important interference was falsely high choride caused by administered bromide or iodide. Therefore, the direct potentiometric method should be more accurate than the colorimetric or coulometric procedures, especially when plasma lipids or proteins are very high.

Clinical and diagnostic significance of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in sera of patients with liver diseases.

Serum aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes were measured in 123 hospital patients with various liver diseases, using a new and simple immunochemical method. Our findings show the usefulness of this determination in estimating the severity of hepatic damage, especially if accompanied by the measurement of other mitochondrial enzymes. During hepatic damage, the cytoplasmic isoenzyme is found in greater quantities than the mitochondrial isoenzyme, but the level of the latter increases to a greater extent in acute liver diseases. Moreover, the values of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity and the ratio of mitochondrial to total aspartate aminotransferase in alcoholic hepatitis are higher than expected if so-called hepatic enzymes commonly measured in serum are considered. These results indicate that there is significant mitochondrial damage in alcoholic hepatitis.

Determination of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in hepatic diseases--preliminary findings.

The study sought to establish a relationship between the AST isoenzyme levels in serum and degree of hepatic damage, by using a new and simple immunochemical method for the differential determination of the isoenzymes. Sixty-nine patients with various hepatic diseases were studied. During hepatic damage, cytoplasmic isoenzyme (s-AST) is found in greater quantities than mitochondrial isoenzyme (m-AST), but the m-AST level increases to a greater extent in acute liver diseases. However, m-AST in alcoholic hepatitis is higher than expected from the total AST (t-AST) values. The ratio of m-AST to t-AST seems to discriminate alcoholic hepatitis from other liver diseases.