复杂而有序的软物质

 法国物理学家德·热纳(P. G. De Gennes)(图1)在1991 年获得诺贝尔物理奖时,以“软物质”为题演讲,首次用“软物质”一词概括所有“软”的东西,包括普通的流体和当时美国学者惯常称呼的“复杂流体”,从此推动了一门21 世纪跨越物理、化学和生物三大学科的重要交叉学科的发展。     

开窗放入大江来——新春寄语

 想起了宋代诗人曾公亮七绝《宿甘露僧舍》,那诗言道:“枕中云气千峰近,床底松声万壑哀.要看银山拍天浪,开窗放入大江来.”好一个“开窗放入大江来”!《现代物理知识》杂志,我们心中的圣地.谢希德说她是本“老少读者都欢喜的一本刊物”;王淦昌说她“对于我有很大的好处”;冯端说她的“科学性是有保证的”;赵忠贤说她“生动活泼,可读性强”;朱重远说她是“了解物理各分支领域的知识及进展的主要渠道”;施士元说她“能面向实际,面向世界,面向未来”;卞毓麟说她“能在科学上给不同层次读者以‘实惠’的刊物”;钱临照说她是“我国物理类型的好书”;廖山涛说她“读起来给人以享受”;于敏说她“对拓宽物理学工作者知识面和培养年青一代都会起良好作用;”卢鹤绂说她“是联系我国物理学界的纽带,”…….     

走向统一的自然力——电力与磁力的统一(I)

 电闪雷鸣,是人类早在远古时期就注意到的自然现象,因此,电磁相互作用,可以说是人类最先接触到的自然力.开始人们对电和磁是分开认识的,后来经过奥斯特发现“电动生磁”和法拉第发现“电磁感应”, 人们才将“电”和“磁”联系起来,最终导致麦克斯韦提出电磁理论,统一了“电力”和“磁力”.本讲座,将详细介绍“电力”和“磁力”走向统一的研究历程.     

黑洞趣闻

 人们常把“黑洞”、“白洞”、“空洞”称之为宇宙三怪.美国“哈勃”太空望远镜发回的NGC7457照片,使众多的天文学家为之鼓舞.因为围绕黑洞是否存在,人们已经苦苦追寻它将近200年了.由中国科技大学研究生院丁亦兵教授编译的《黑洞趣闻》系列文章,妙趣横生地叙述了人们是怎样探索黑洞这一当代科学“六大悬案”之一的奥秘的,希望有更多的学者、科普作家写出这类好文章.     

征求Signature定名

 物理学名词审定委员会在讨论“Signature”的中文定名时,搜集到多方的意见.长期来都没有Signature合适的中文名,曾按英文字面译为“签记”、“签量子数”、“押量子数”等等,都不尽人意.现有人认为它是±1的数,建议定为“正负标数’”.     

光敏药物与激光治癌

 “癌魔”作乱于人世已有它漫长的历史,近年似乎更为猖獗.世界许多国家曾大量耗资与“癌魔”宣战,其结果如何?大量事实证明进展甚微,“癌魔”的幽灵依然在世界各地游荡.然而,光敏药物与激光的出阵,为人们战胜“癌魔”提供了新的希望.     

光纤在通信领域中的应用

 能够传播光的纤维丝称作“光导纤维”,简称“光纤”。信息高速公路就是以现代通信技术和计算机网络为基础,用大容量的光纤作为铺“路”材料,集话音、数据、图像和文字为一体的多媒体信息源为“车”,这些“路”和“车”便构成了“信息高速公路”。对光纤的研究、开发和利用,是以物理学为基础,经过对光传播的研究、光谱的分析、材料的筛选、以及半导体激光器和光电检测器件的研制,在通信领域取得了成功,是物理学和无线电通信的完美结合。 一、光纤的问世 通光的材料和结构对于光信号的通过能力有一定的影响,这就是我们常说的损耗。光纤损耗的主要原因在于玻璃中含有过度金属离子以及拉丝工艺。     

北京现代物理研究中心介绍

 北京现代物理研究中心(Beijing Institute ofModern Physics,简称BIMP)是由李政道教授倡议,并经国务院批准,于1987年10月14日在北京大学成立.国家教委聘请李政道教授担任“中心”主任兼“中心”学术委员会主任,中国科学院院长周光召教授担任“中心”学术委员会副主任,北京大学副校长陈佳洱教授担任“中心”常务副主任和学术委员会副主任.设立北京现代物理研究中心的目的,是为了在我国建立良好的学术环境,促进国内科学研究的横向联合,和国内外的学术交流,使“中心”逐步成为培养现代物理方面的高级人才的开放型教学和科研基地.“中心”主要活动方式是,按精选的题目,组织国内精干的学术队伍,与国外著名学者一起,就现代物理的前沿问题进行探讨,组织力量突破.     

“黑青”“黑碧”的谱学鉴别特征探究

“黑青”指颜色近黑色,主要成分为透闪石的青玉。“黑碧”指颜色近黑色,主要成分为阳起石的碧玉。采用电子探针、激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱仪和红外光谱测试分析手段,确定“黑青”“黑碧”的矿物种属。采用拉曼光谱、显微紫外-可见分光光度计、红外光谱对“黑青”“黑碧”的谱学鉴别特征进行探究。“黑青”为标准透闪石拉曼谱峰,“黑碧”的谱峰位置与“黑青”存在几个波数的偏差,向波数小的方向移动。可见-近红外波段,“黑青”出现445 nm吸收峰,680和940 nm宽吸收带,为Fe2+和Fe3+作用;“黑碧”出现445 nm吸收峰,660和690 nm双吸收峰以及970 nm吸收峰,为Fe2+,Fe3+,Cr3+作用。显微紫外-可见光谱可分析到样品的近红外区,“黑青”在1 397,2 310,2 387和2 466 nm出现强吸收峰,1 915和2 120 nm出现弱吸收峰;“黑碧”在1 400,2 313和2 394 nm出现吸收峰。红外光谱分析“黑青”在5 225,4 738,4 692,5 349,4 317,4 190和4 064 cm-1存在吸收峰;“黑碧”在4 708,4 307,4 178和4 031 cm-1存在吸收峰。显微紫外-可见光谱与红外光谱分析结果虽然存在小的差异,但基本保持一致,以红外光谱分析结果为准。将透闪石质的“黑青”、阳起石质的“黑碧”、广西大化阳起石质玉进行对比,综合红外光谱和显微紫外-可见光谱分析结果得出“黑青”（透闪石）与“黑碧”（阳起石）近红外光谱的鉴别特征：“黑青”（透闪石）在4 800～4 600 cm-1存在两个吸收峰,4 350～4 300 cm-1存在分裂双吸收峰;“黑碧”（阳起石）在4 800～4 600 cm-1存在一个弱吸收峰,4 350～4 300 cm-1存在一个吸收单峰。且“黑碧”（阳起石）的近红外吸收峰相较于“黑青”（透闪石）整体向低波数方向移动。     

同步辐射光源史话

 由北京正负电子对撞机国家实验室同步辐射室“青年工程师和科学家俱乐部”主持的、由学部委员朱洪元先生题写栏名的《青年之光》栏目,带着新春的喜悦同大家见面了.“发展科技待后生”,这是老一辈科学家的共识、呼唤与心愿.“不负众望,迎头赶上”的后生们,在同步辐射这一崭新的学科领域内获得了可喜的成就.人们将从他们撰写的文章中了解到同步辐射技术在物理学、化学、生物、材料科学、微电子学、显微技术等方面的应用.由他们的导师冼鼎昌教授撰写的《同步辐射光源史话》一文,作为本栏目的首篇奉献给广大读者,希望大家能从中获得启迪.     

Comparisons of EPR imaging and T1-weighted MRI for efficient imaging of nitroxyl contrast agents

The resolution and signal to noise ratio of EPR imaging and T(1)-weighted MRI were compared using an identical phantom. Several solutions of nitroxyl contrast agents with different EPR spectral shapes were tested. The feasibility of T(1)-weighted MRI to detect nitroxyl contrast agents was described. T(1)-weighted MRI can detect nitroxyl contrast agents with a complicated EPR spectrum easier and quicker; however, T(1)-weighted MRI has less quantitative ability especially for lipophilic nitroxyl contrast agents, because T(1)-relaxivity, i.e. accessibility to water, is affected by the hydrophilic/hydrophobic micro-environment of a nitroxyl contrast agent. The less quantitative ability of T(1)-weighted MRI may not be a disadvantage of redox imaging, which obtains reduction rate of a nitroxyl contrast. Therefore, T(1)-weighted MRI has a great advantage to check the pharmacokinetics of newly modified and/or designed nitroxyl contrast agents.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of dissolved hyperpolarized Xe using a membrane-based continuous flow system

A technique for continuous production of solutions containing hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe is explored for MRI applications. The method is based on hollow fiber membranes which inhibit the formation of foams and bubbles. A systematic analysis of various carrier agents for hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe has been carried out, which are applicable as contrast agents for in vivo MRI. The image quality of different hyperpolarized Xe solutions is compared and MRI results obtained in a clinical as well as in a nonclinical MRI setting are provided. Moreover, we demonstrate the application of ¹²⁹Xe contrast agents produced with our dissolution method for lung MRI by imaging hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe that has been both dissolved in and outgassed from a carrier liquid in a lung phantom, illustrating its potential for the measurement of lung perfusion and ventilation.     

Structural effect on degradability and in vivo contrast enhancement of polydisulfide Gd(III) complexes as biodegradable macromolecular MRI contrast agents

The structural effect of biodegradable macromolecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, polydisulfide gadolinium (Gd)(III) chelates, on their in vitro degradability, and cardiovascular and tumor imaging were evaluated in mice. Polydisulfide Gd(III) chelates, Gd-DTPA cystamine copolymers (GDCC), Gd-DTPA l-cystine copolymers (GDCP), Gd-DTPA d-cystine copolymers (dGDCP) and Gd-DTPA glutathione (oxidized) copolymers (GDGP), with different sizes and narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in mice bearing MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts. GDGP with large steric hindrance around the disulfide bonds had greater T(1) and T(2) relaxivities than GDCC, GDCP and dGDCP. The degradability of the polydisulfide by the endogenous thiols decreased with increasing steric effects around the disulfide bonds in the order of GDCC>GDCP, dGDCP>GDGP. The size and degradability of the contrast agents had a significant impact on vascular contrast enhancement kinetics. The agents with a large size and low degradability resulted in more prolonged vascular enhancement than the agents with a small size and high degradability. It seems that the size and degradability of the agents did not significantly affect tumor enhancement. All agents resulted in significant contrast enhancement in tumor tissue. This study has demonstrated that the vascular enhancement kinetics of the polydisulfide MRI contrast agents can be controlled by their sizes and structures. The polydisulfide Gd(III) chelates are promising biodegradable macromolecular MRI contrast agents for magnetic resonance angiography and cancer imaging.     

Genetically controlled MRI contrast mechanisms and their prospects in systems neuroscience research

Application of MRI contrast agents to neural systems research is complicated by the need to deliver agents past the blood-brain barrier or into cells, and the difficulty of targeting agents to specific brain structures or cell types. In the future, these barriers may be wholly or partially overcome using genetic methods for producing and directing MRI contrast. Here we review MRI contrast mechanisms that have used gene expression to manipulate MRI signal in cultured cells or in living animals. We discuss both fully genetic systems involving endogenous biosynthesis of contrast agents, and semi-genetic systems in which expressed proteins influence the localization or activity of exogenous contrast agents. We close by considering which contrast-generating mechanisms might be most suitable for applications in neuroscience, and we ask how genetic control machinery could be productively combined with existing molecular agents to enable next-generation neuroimaging experiments.     

Co-Assembly of Gd(III)-Based Metallosurfactant and Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles in Organosilica Cross-Linked Block Copolymer Micelles for Highly Efficient MRI and Fluorescent Bimodal Imaging

Conformity of two biological imaging entities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging, is achieved through co-assembly of a Gd(III)-based metallosurfactant, conjugated polymeric nanoparticles, and amphiphilic block copolymer F127 (PEO₁₀₆PPO₇₀PEO₁₀₆) followed by crosslinking with organosilica. The cross-linked micelles with a size around 100 nm exhibit outstanding dispersion stability in aqueous and phosphate buffered saline solutions, bright fluorescence emission, and high relaxivities, providing a new approach to synthesize highly efficient bimodal contrast agents. The relaxivities of the co-assembled micelles are synergistically enhanced by incorporation of Gd(III) complexes with high hydration number (q = 3) and elongation of rotation correlation time to achieve r₁ values up to 105.37 mm ⁻¹ s⁻¹ (at 1.5 T), which is over 20 times that of clinically used MRI contrast agents and among the highest values of all the nanoparticular MRI contrast agents. The external PEO layer endows these micelles with very low cytotoxicity for both in vitro and in vivo imaging. Meanwhile, thanks to the enhanced permeability and retention effect originating from their nanoscale sizes, the bimodal contrast agents show a prolonged blood circulation time in vivo and targeted accumulation at tumor regions to display outstanding MRI imaging performance.     

Microbubbles containing gadolinium as contrast agents for both phase contrast and magnetic resonance imaging

Portal vein imaging is an important method for investigating portal venous disorders. However, the diagnostic requirements are not usually satisfied when using single imaging techniques. Diagnostic accuracy can be improved by combining different imaging techniques. Contrast agents that can be used for combined imaging modalities are needed. In this study, the feasibility of using microbubbles containing gadolinium (MCG) as contrast agents for both phase contrast imaging (PCI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are investigated. MCG were made by encapsulating sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas with gadolinium and lyophilized powder. Absorption contrast imaging (ACI) and PCI of MCG were performed and compared in vitro. MCG were injected into the main portal trunk of living rats. PCI and MRI were performed at 2 min and 10 min after MCG injection, respectively. PCI exploited the differences in the refractive index and visibly showed the MCG, which were not detectable by ACI. PCI could facilitate clear revelation of the MCG‐infused portal veins. The diameter of the portal veins could be determined by the largest MCG in the same portal vein. The minimum diameter of clearly detected portal veins was about 300 µm by MRI. These results indicate that MCG could enhance both PCI and MRI for imaging portal veins. The detection sensitivity of PCI and MRI could compensate for each other when using MCG contrast agents for animals.     

Dynamic imaging with MRI contrast agents: quantitative considerations

Time-resolved MRI has had enormous impact in cognitive science and may become a significant tool in basic biological research with the application of new molecular imaging agents. In this paper, we examine the temporal characteristics of MRI contrast agents that could be used in dynamic studies. We consider "smart" T1 contrast agents, T2 agents based on reversible aggregation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles and sensors that produce changes in saturation transfer effects (chemical exchange saturation transfer, CEST). We discuss response properties of several agents with reference to available experimental data, and we develop a new theoretical model that predicts the response rates and relaxivity changes of aggregation-based sensors. We also perform calculations to define the extent to which constraints on temporal resolution are imposed by the imaging methods themselves. Our analysis confirms that some small T1 agents may be compatible with MRI temporal resolution on the order of 100 ms. Nanoparticle aggregation T2 sensors are applicable at much lower concentrations, but are likely to respond on a single second or slower timescale. CEST agents work at high concentrations and temporal resolutions of 1-10 s, limited by a requirement for long presaturation periods in the MRI pulse sequence.     

Proton magnetic resonance imaging of diffusion of high- and low-molecular-weight contrast agents in opaque porous media saturated with water

Besides their use in contrast-enhanced proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast agents were found to be useful as tracer molecules. Since paramagnetic ions in water have the ability to reduce the T1 of protons around them, MRI can determine the locations of Mn2+ and Gd3+ of ppm concentration in water. In opaque porous media saturated with water, MRI revealed diffusional motions of three contrast agents: MnCl2 (molecular-weight [M.W.], 126), gadolinium-diethylene-triaminepenta acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) (M.W., 743) and albumin (Gd-DTPA) (M.W., 94,000) at a diffusional displacement ratio of 9:5:2. With the aid of these contrast agents, the transport of low- to high-molecular-weight molecules in opaque water media such as living bodies can be observed using MRI.     

温敏性磁共振成像造影剂的研究进展

磁共振成像（MRI）技术可实现对温度的非侵入式检测．温敏性MRI造影剂能够对温度变化做出响应,进而导致与其结合的水质子的弛豫速率、信号强度或化学位移等磁共振参数发生显著改变,已作为将温度信号转化为磁共振信号的传感器广泛应用于MRI测温技术中．本文介绍了温敏性MRI造影剂的种类、原理、研究现状及其应用前景．     

用于磁共振成像对比增强的造影剂研发进展

介绍了磁共振成像造影剂的作用原理与性能, 对用于造影剂的钆螯合物和自由基、超顺磁性氧化铁粒子的研究与开发进展作了综合评述.