SPECT images using a multislice fan beam collimator

Several methods to improve the image resolution of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) occur to us. It is one method to use multislice fan beam collimators which have the parallel collimation along the cephalic-caudul axis of a patient and the conversing collimation within planes parpendicular to that axis. It is impossible to obtain corrective image when we used the algorithm which is commonly used for reconstruction of SPECT images. We proposed a reconstruction algorithm for multislice fan beam collimator in this paper. An interpolation method developed for fan beam type X-ray CT was modified to reconstruct images from SPECT with multislice fan beam collimator. This algorithm was confirmed by means of computer simulation studies. Beside improving the system resolution by effectively reducing the intrinsic resolution of the cameras, this collimator also increases the system sensitivity by utilizing a large fraction of the crystal area. We have thought that to use multislice fan beam collimator is beneficial for SPECT images.     

Two-photon absorption in binary Bi2O3–B2O3 glass at 532 nm

Measurements of two-photon absorption (TPA) coefficients β at 532 nm in binary Bi₂O₃:B₂O₃ glasses are reported. The β obtained ranges from 12.9 to 16.4 cm/GW with the larger value observed in higher Bi₂O₃ glass. The relationship between β and glass composition is discussed in terms of the electronic structure of glasses: β can be scaled with optical band gap.     

Light-harvesting and photocurrent generation by gold electrodes modified with mixed self-assembled monolayers of boron-dipyrrin and ferrocene-porphyrin-fullerene triad

Three different kinds of mixed self-assembled monolayers have been prepared to mimic photosynthetic energy and electron transfer on a gold surface. Pyrene and boron-dipyrrin were chosen as a light-harvesting model. The mixed self-assembled monolayers of pyrene (or boron-dipyrrin) and porphyrin (energy acceptor model) reveal photoinduced singlet-singlet energy transfer from the pyrene (or boron-dipyrrin) to the porphyrin on the gold surface. The boron-dipyrrin has also been combined with a reaction center model, ferrocene-porphyrin-fullerene triad, to construct integrated artificial photosynthetic assemblies on a gold electrode using mixed monolayers of the respective self-assembled unit. The mixed self-assembled monolayers on the gold electrode have established a cascade of photoinduced energy transfer and multistep electron transfer, leading to the production of photocurrent output with the highest quantum yield (50 +/- 8%, based on the adsorbed photons) ever reported for photocurrent generation at monolayer-modified metal electrodes and across artificial membranes using donor-acceptor linked molecules. The incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) of the photoelectrochemical cell at 510 and 430 nm was determined as 0.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Thus, the present system provides the first example of an artificial photosynthetic system, which not only mimics light-harvesting and charge separation processes in photosynthesis but also acts as an efficient light-to-current converter in molecular devices.     

Preparation and characterization of 16-benzoylated tetraaza[14]annulenes

The condensation reaction between tetraaza[14]annulene ( 1 ) and a series of para-substituted benzoyl chlorides led to the 16-benzoylated corresponding products in 13–21% yields, but 1 was unreactive with alkyl acid chlorides and easily cleaved in macrocyclic framework. The mass spectra show the presence of molecular ion peaks which support the 16-benzoylated products. A strong ir band due to the C = N stretching mode of the macrocyclic moiety was observed at 1610 cm^?1 and shifted slightly toward higher energy upon benzoylation. An intense ir band which was associated with a C = 0 stretching mode was newly observed at 1640 cm¹. The very strong absorption band about 29000 cm^?1 was attributed to the π ? π* transition and gave a slight shift to higher frequency on benzoylation. All proton signals except for methyl protons exhibit downfield shifts due to the deshielding effect of the substituted benzene ring, but the methyl proton peaks show upfield shifts due to the shielding effect caused by the magnetic anisotropy of the substituted benzene ring. The ¹³C nmr result is also in accord with that of ¹H nmr.     

Highly conducting crystals based on single-component gold complexes with extended-TTF dithiolate ligands

Highly conducting crystals based on single-component gold complexes with extended-TTF dithiolate ligands [Au(dmdt)(2)](0+) (1) and [Au(tmdt)(2)](0+) (2) were prepared (dmdt = dimethyltetrathiafulvalenedithiolate and tmdt = trimethylenetetrathiafulvalenedithiolate). On the basis of the synchrotron radiation powder diffraction data, the MEM electron density of 2 was successfully obtained. The conductivities of compacted powder samples of 1 and 2 at room temperature were 12 and 15 S cm(-1), respectively. Pauli-like susceptibility of 1 suggested the system to be essentially metallic at least above 50 K, while 2 showed a magnetic transition around 100 K without loss of its high conductivity.     

3-Phenacylidene-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-ones and 2-Phenacylidene-1,2-dihydro-4H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3-ones

Condensation of 2,3-diaminopyridine ( 1 ) with ethyl o-, m- and p-substituted benzoylpyruvates 2–9 gave two isomeric products. The preferential formation of one or the other isomer has been achieved by different reaction conditions. All the products appear to exist in the enamine form as evidenced by their ¹H nmr and ir spectra.     

Porous polystyrene microspheres having dimpled surface structures prepared within micellar assemblies of amphiphilic silica particles in water

Production of porous polystyrene microspheres having dimpled surface structures was demonstrated using amphiphilic and hydrophobic silica particles as structure-directing agents.     

Development of a static headspace gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method to analyze the level of volatile contaminants biodegradation

Volatile compound biodegradation analysis usually requires the time-consuming step of extraction of the analytes from the matrix using organic solvents or costly radioactive-compounds. Thus, it is desirable to have a simple and fast technique to generate a good evaluation of bacterial biodegradation. The goal of this research was to develop a methodology on the basis of static headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) to evaluate the level of volatile contaminant biodegradation. The effects of the following parameters were studied: temperature and time of equilibration. The biodegradation experiments were carried out with bacteria inoculation in mineral media in presence of volatile hydrocarbon compounds (toluene, p-xylene, nonane and naphthalene). Autoclaved inoculates were used as control and reference sample. The optimal headspace conditions were observed when the vials were heated at 80 degrees C for 20 min, the syringe at 81 degrees C and an injection volume of 0.4 mL was used. This methodology has the advantage of being relative free from matrix effects.     

Isolation of aspirochlorine (=antibiotic A30641) possessing a novel dithiodiketopiperazine structure from Aspergillus Flavus

A very unusual dithiokikeptopiperazine structure ($\text{1}$) has been assigned to aspiroclorine, C₉H₁₂N₂O₅S₂Cl, produced as a biologically active substance together with canadensolide by $\text{Aspergillus}$$\text{flavus}$, which has been found to be identical with the antibiotic A 30641 from $\text{A.}$$\text{tamarii}$.