Development of new dyes for use in integrated optical sensors

New chromoionophores have been developed, focused on NIR applications so that optode membranes may be used in monolithically integrated optical sensors. The wavelength of maximum absorbance has been estimated for a new model compound by the Pariser-Parr-Pople (PPP) method. Several cyanine type dyes have been tested as membrane chromoionophores. Membrane composition has been altered to overcome solubility problems. In this way, simple pH-sensitive optode membranes have been produced.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of methylaminocellulose

Homogeneously prepared tosylcelluloses (TC) with degrees of substitution (DS) of DS_Tos 0.1–1.8 were used as intermediates for the synthesis of methylaminocelluloses (MAC) by nucleophilic substitution with methylamine. TC with DS_Tos up to 1.1 were shown to be valuable intermediates for selective synthesis of MAC with DS_MA varying from 0.1 to approximately 1. No nucleophilic substitution was observed at higher DS_Tos. At the chosen reaction conditions (60 °C, 48 h) residual tosyl moieties remained unchanged and little hydrolysis took place. The samples obtained were characterized by means of elemental analysis, FTIR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy was found to be an efficient tool for quantification of DS_MA. Furthermore, the swelling behaviour in water was investigated and preliminary tests concerning the bilirubin adsorption capacity of MAC were carried out.     

Magnetic resonance imaging and pulsed Doppler sonography of poststenotic jets: Correlation between signal void and flow velocity distribution

To correlate the appearance of poststenotic jets on gradient echo images with features of localized Doppler spectra of the jets, we studied an in vitro model of steady flow-through stenoses of 86, 96, and 99% area reduction. As fluids, water and a 40% glycerol solution in water were used. MRI was performed with a 1.5 T whole body imager and gradient echo images were obtained in planes parallel to the direction of flow. Doppler spectra were acquired separately from the MR measurements at 1 cm intervals for a distance of 10 cm downstream from the stenosis. Poststenotic signal void was observed for water and for the 40% glycerol solution only if the mean velocity within the stenosis exceeded a limit of 50–60 cm/sec. On the MR images, the jets could be divided into two segments: A proximal jet segment of uniform width equal to the diameter of the stenosis, followed by a distal jet segment which was characterized by broadening and then dissipating signal void. Except for the 99% stenosis, a high signal intensity core was present within the proximal jet segment. In the proximal jet segment, the Doppler measurements showed a low temporal fluctuation of the maximal flow velocity and only little flow opposite to the main flow direction. In the distal jet segment, the velocity fluctuation and the intensity of reverse flow increased sharply. The high signal intensity core of the jet was associated with a poststenotic zone of constant maximal flow velocity. The results demonstrate a close relationship between characteristic features of poststenotic jets in MRI and pulsed Doppler sonography.     

Einstein algebras and general relativity

A purely algebraic structure called an Einstein algebra is defined in such a way that every spacetime satisfying Einstein's equations is an Einstein algebra but not vice versa. The Gelfand representation of Einstein algebras is defined, and two of its subrepresentations are discussed. One of them is equivalent to the global formulation of the standard theory of general relativity; the other one leads to a more general theory of gravitation which, in particular, includes so-called regular singularities. In order to include other types of singularities one must change to sheaves of Einstein algebras. They are defined and briefly discussed. As a test of the proposed method, the sheaf of Einstein algebras corresponding to the spacetime of a straight cosmic string with quasiregular singularity is constructed.     

Editorial

The principles of quantum-mechanical measurements are a key issue in the foundation of modern physics. A beautiful consequence of these is the concept of Quantum Nondemolition (QND) measurements. Such measurements permit, in principle, to measure particular observables of a quantum system with unlimited precision, leaving their temporal evolution undisturbed. The application of QND measurements may play an important role in future high-sensivity experiments.Experimental QND measurements require appropriate measurements schemes and apparats, whose development took place in the past few years, thanks to strong progress in ultra-low noise mechanical, electronic and optical detection techniques, coherent light sources, and nonlinear optical systems. At present, interest is focused on measurements of mechanical observables, such as displacement of macroscopic masses and of intensity or phases of electomagnetic field modes in the optical spectral range.This special issue contains original papers on theory and experiments of QND measurements. Recent experimental developments are presented, and proposals and analyses of novel QND schemes are made.The issue focuses on contributions presented at the Workshop on QND Measurements, held March 27–29, 1996, on the Island of Reichenau, Lake Constance (Germany). The workshop was made possible through a generous grant from the Directorats General XII for Sciences, Research and Development of the European Commission.We thank Dr. W. Petrich for his help in preparing this special issue.