Serial magnetic resonance imaging in patients following acute myocardial infarction.

The detection of serial changes in magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensity of the heart following acute myocardial infarction may provide a useful method of characterizing tissue healing. Fourteen patients with acute Q-wave infarction underwent T2-weighted, spin-echo cardiac imaging during hospitalization, followed by one or more additional MR studies (total 31) over a 6- to 27-wk period (mean: 3 mo). Visual assessment of the images demonstrated a gradual reduction in signal intensity and localization of the bright signal to the subendocardium of the infarction region over the three-mo study period. A quantitative measurement of signal intensity (infarction/normal myocardium) fell from 1.81 +/- 0.42 on the initial study to 1.34 +/- 0.37 (p less than 0.05) at a mean of 14 wk. Two patients had an increase in signal intensity on the follow-up study and both patients had been readmitted with acute coronary syndromes. In summary, characterization of changes in signal intensity may provide a useful method of assessing myocardial healing following acute myocardial infarction. Further studies are indicated to determine the prognostic significance of these parameters.     

Multiphoton ionization vibrational state selection of H2O, D2O and HDO

We present a study of single color (2 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of H₂O, D₂O, and HDO via several Rydberg states lying in the energy range from 80 000 to 86 000 cm⁻¹. Photoelectron spectra (PES) show that the corresponding cations can be vibrationally state-selected for most vibrational states. The exception is the bend of H₂O⁺ and HDO⁺, where mixing in the REMPI intermediate level results in weak ion intensity and only 50% state purity.     

Contact angle hysteresis, adhesion, and marine biofouling

Adhesive and marine biofouling release properties of coatings containing surface-oriented perfluoroalkyl groups were investigated. These coatings were prepared by cross-linking a copolymer of 1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate and acrylic acid with a copolymer of poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) and methyl methacrylate at different molar ratios. The relationships between contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, adhesion, and marine biofouling were studied. Adhesion was determined by peel tests using pressure-sensitive adhesives. The chemical nature of the surfaces was studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Resistance to marine biofouling of an optimized coating was studied by immersion in seawater and compared to previous, less optimized coatings. The adhesive release properties of the coatings did not correlate well with the surface energies of the coatings estimated from the static and advancing contact angles nor with the amount of fluorine present on the surface. The adhesive properties of the surfaces, however, show a correlation with water receding contact angles and contact angle hysteresis (or wetting hysteresis) resulting from surface penetration and surface reconstruction. Coatings having the best release properties had both the highest cross-link density and the lowest contact angle hysteresis. An optimized coating exhibited unprecedented resistance to marine biofouling. Water contact angle hysteresis appears to correlate with marine biofouling resistance.     

Composition and thermal stability of SiO2-based hybrid materials TEOS-MTEOS system

Hybrid materials with different amounts of organics permanently bound on the inorganic network obtained in the TEOS-MTEOS (tetraethoxysilan-methyltriethoxysilan) system are used for obtaining coatings with different optical and mechanical properties. To study the thermal stability of the mentioned materials, compositions with different molar ratios of the precursors were prepared. The influence of the solvent and water amounts on the gelation process was also investigated. The gels obtained were characterised by IR spectrometry and their decomposition temperatures were determined by DTA/TG. Thermal stability of the gels is rather influenced by their composition than the conditions of the gelation process. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Controlled shrinkage polymers: Characterization of epoxy resins cured with spirobislactones

The diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) was cured with either an aliphatic or an aromatic spirobislactone using a tertiary amine catalyst. The products were characterized by FTIR, TGA, DSC, dilatometry, and single-fiber adhesion measurements, and their performance was compared to that of DGEBA cured with acid anhydrides. Both aliphatic and aromatic bislactones are effective curing agents for DGEBA. FTIR and dilatometry confirm that both lactone rings open early in the curing reaction and initially offset shrinkage caused by polymerization. After the bislactone has been consumed, oxirane reactions proceed in a normal fashion. The final shrinkage of cured DGEBA polymers, with or without addition of bislactones, is 3.0–3.5%. Bislactone-modified materials possess superior thermal properties, when compared to those of anhydride-cured materials.     

Radiation dose contribution from coal-slags used as structural building material

A significant dose contribution on the population could be derived from coal slags used as isolation material. Extremely high natural activities are measured in the coal slag, derived from the region of the settlement Ajka, Hungary. In some buildings monitored, the elevated -doses were nearly 5–10 times higher than the world average ones. The annual average indoor radon concentrations from the slag exceeded 400 Bq/m³ and in some cases up to 1200 Bq/m³. Due to the elevated exposure and the radon concentrations in the dwellings the annual dose was estimated to 8–24 mSv/y more than 5–10 times of the world average one.     

[M(bpy)3] (M = Fe,Ru, Os): New Crystalline Materials from the reductive electrocrystallization of [M(bpy)3](PF6)2

Reductive electrocrystallization at a constant current density (11.0–11.5 μA/cm²) of millimolar solutions of [M(bpy)₃](PF₆)₂, where M = Fe, Ru, or Os, and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine in acetonitrile containing 0.1M Bu₄NPF₆ results in the formation of dark crystals on the Pt cathode. The crystals grow as long, thin, and shiny needles having a hexagonal cross section of 0.1–0.5 mm in diameter. Combustion microanalyses results are consistent with the composition for [Fe(bpy)₃], [Ru(bpy)₃], and [Os(bpy)₃]. In addition, the chromophores are conserved, as confirmed by recording both the electronic and the ¹H-NMR spectra after reoxidation of the electrocrystals in humid air. The spectra are identical to those for authentic samples of [Fe(bpy)₃]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, and [Os(bpy)₃]²⁺. A ratio of 2.0 ± 0.1 e^?/molecule is observed upon completion of the controlled potential electrolysis of a solution of [M(bpy)₃]²⁺, which results in the precipitation of a dark solid and the almost complete fading of the color of the original solution. Unexpectedly, the crystals do not exhibit an ESR signal. These data indicate the formation of novel materials, crystalline [Fe(bpy)₃], [Ru(bpy)₃], and [Os(bpy)₃].