Two comments on the mean spherical approximation solution for the restricted primitive model of an electrolyte solution

Analytical radial distribution functions are proposed for the restricted primitive model of a 1:1 electrolyte solution which favourably compare with the Monte-Carlo results of Card and Valleau. Attention is also drawn to the electrical contribution to the activity coefficient in the mean spherical approximation.     

A non-primitive model for the electrode electrolyte interface based on the Percus–Yevick theory. Analysis of the different molecular sizes, ion valences and electrolyte concentrations

The electrode electrolyte interface is modelled by a mixture of charged and dipolar hard spheres against a planar, charged hard wall. A mean field theory is used to describe the coulombic interactions while steric effects are given by the Percus–Yevick theory. The underlying Percus–Yevick theory for three uncharged species against a planar wall is derived by using the standard method developed by Henderson et al. (D. Henderson, F.F. Abraham, J.A. Barker, Mol. Phys., 31 (1976) 1291) and compared with Monte-Carlo simulations. Although the Percus–Yevick theory has shortcomings, the theory provides an estimate of how the high density of the solvent influences the structural and thermodynamic properties. Consideration of the solvent molecules introduces oscillations in the density distribution of the ions and solvent while the different molecular sizes and ion valences lead to an asymmetry in the differential capacitance.     

Planar electric double layer for a restricted primitive model electrolyte at low temperatures

Monte Carlo simulation and the modified Poisson-Boltzmann theory are used to investigate the planar electric double layer for a restricted primitive model electrolyte at low temperatures. Capacitance as a function of temperature at low surface charge is determined for 1:1, 2:2, 2:1, and 3:1 electrolytes. Negative adsorption can occur for 1:1 electrolytes at low surface charge with low electrolyte concentration. The 1:1 electrolyte diffuse layer potential as a function of surface charge displays a maximum at low densities. At high densities, the diffuse layer potential is negative with a negative slope. The Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory fails in this low-temperature regime, whereas the modified Poisson-Boltzmann theory is fairly successful in this regard.     

Improving \alpha_{\rm QED} (M_Z^2) and the charm mass by analytic continuation

The standard determination of the QED coupling on the Z pole is performed using the latest available data for R. The direct application of analytic continuation techniques is found not to improve the accuracy of the value of . However they help to resolve an ambiguity in the values of R in the energy region , which, in turn, reduces the uncertainty in . Moreover, they provide a sensitive determination of the mass of the charm quark. The favoured solution, which uses the inclusive data for R for , has a pole mass and ; whereas if the sum of the exclusive channels is used to determine R in this region, we find . Received: 19 December 2000 / Published online: 6 April 2001     

Statistical mechanical theories of the electric double layer

A comparison is made of present-day statistical mechanical theories of the diffuse part of the electric double layer in aqueous 1-1 electrolyte at a charged plane interface. These theories fall into three categories: (1) the modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation (MPB) based on the Kirkwood-Loeb charging of an ion; (2) the adaption to the electric double layer of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Yvon (BBGY) hierarchy of integral equations; (3) the use of the Ornstein-Zernike equation (OZ) for the direct correlation functions of the pair interfacial plane wall-molecular particle, as derived by Henderson, Abraham and Barker (HAB). The HAB-OZ equation is used in conjunction with the mean spherical approximation (MSA) or hypernetted chain approximation (HNC). All the theories make use of the primitive model of the bulk electrolyte, so that inhomogeneity of the dielectric permittivity next to the plane wall is neglected. Except perhaps for a variation of the BBGY theory, which uses a closure based on electrical neutrality, all the theories predict oscillatory behaviour in potential distribution as a function of distance at the higher electrolyte concentrations. The HAB-OZ model has the defect that electrostatic imaging is not consistent with the assumptions of central forces and pair-wise additivity of ionic interactions. It is found that the MPB provides the best overall agreement with Monte Carlo calculations.     

Disturbed oscillatory brain dynamics in subcortical ischemic vascular dementia

Background

This study examined the effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as different n-6: n-3 ratios on spatial learning and gene expression of peroxisome- proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the hippocampus of rats. Thirty male Sprague?CDawley rats were randomly allotted into 3 groups of ten animals each and received experimental diets with different n-6: n-3 PUFA ratios of either 65:1, 22:1 or 4.5:1. After 10?weeks, the spatial memory of the animals was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test. The expression of PPAR?? and PPAR?? genes were determined using real-time PCR.

Results

Decreasing dietary n-6: n-3 PUFA ratios improved the cognitive performance of animals in the Morris water maze test along with the upregulation of PPAR?? and PPAR?? gene expression. The animals with the lowest dietary n-6: n-3 PUFA ratio presented the highest spatial learning improvement and PPAR gene expression.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that modulation of n-6: n-3 PUFA ratios in the diet may lead to increased hippocampal PPAR gene expression and consequently improved spatial learning and memory in rats.