An approach to amorphization and/or nanostructurization of a metal surface layer is proposed utilizing a skin effect induced by a high power electric pulse. Modeling electric and magnetic fields and heat transfer in a metallic cylinder predicts that melting followed by rapid quenching can occur in a thin skin layer if the amplitude of a passing electric pulse is high enough. The quenching rates can reach 10 8 -10 9 K / s, giving rise to an opportunity of surface amorphization and spectacular surface structure modification in a wide range of metallic systems. Justifying the approach, a glassylike structure has been found experimentally in ordinary stainless steel subjected to the treatment proposed. Furthermore, specific ultradispersed structures containing nanocrystalline particles embedded into amorphous matrix or twin lamellar structures with nanodimensions can be produced in the subsurface layer.

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Densely aligned ZnO nanorods were directly grown on graphene sheets. On graphene prepared via a chemical vapor deposition technique, ZnO nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The rod density was ∼1.4 × 109/cm2 and the nanorods were observed to be well aligned on graphene by scanning electron microscopy. The formation of such ZnO structures is considered to be induced by carbon vacancies in graphene in accordance with Raman spectroscopic results.

The case report describes the effects of 5 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) in a patient with severe stroke. The patient was a 69-year-old male who was affected by a left middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient had no movement in his right hand. To assess the effects, cerebral blood flow and motor function were measured before and after treatment. This treatment delivered rTMS over the affected M1 with TES at the paretic wrist extensor muscles for 10 days. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the entire brain was measured by positronemission tomography. To evaluate the motor function, the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used. After treatment, the rCBF was increased (except for the stimulated region), and the FMA score was slightly improved. These results suggest the potential therapeutic use of rTMS combined with TES for recovery in severe stroke.

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