The value of single-shot black-blood MR imaging for mapping of the coronary arteries: a comparison of four different orientations during breath-holding and free breathing

The value of ECG-gated single-shot black-blood MR imaging for rapid visualization of the origin and course of the coronary arteries was investigated. The study population included 28 patients with known or suspected cardiac disease. ECG-gated single-shot black-blood MR acquisitions were acquired in the transverse, coronal, sagittal and LAO orientations, during free breathing and breath-holding. The origin of the left coronary artery was most frequently visualized in the coronal and LAO orientations and the origin of the right coronary artery was most frequently visualized in the LAO orientation. Overall, no significant difference was found for the visualization of the coronary artery segments and the overall image quality among acquisitions during breath-holding and free breathing. ECG-gated single-shot black-blood MR imaging (HASTE) appears to be a time-efficient and robust method for mapping of the entire coronary artery tree, without the need for breath-holding. The LAO orientation provides the most consistent visualization of the origins and major coronary artery segments.     

Structure of long-term average frequencies for kuramoto oscillator systems

We study the long-term average frequency as a function of the natural frequency for Kuramoto oscillators with periodic coefficients. Unlike the case for more general periodically forced oscillators, this function is never a "devil's staircase"; it may have plateaus at integer multiples of the forcing frequency, but we prove it is strictly increasing between these plateaus. The proof uses the fact that the flow maps for Kuramoto oscillators extend to M?bius transformations on the complex plane, and that M?bius transformations have particularly simple dynamics that rule out p∶q mode locking except in the case of fixed points (q=1). We also give a criterion for the degeneration of an integer plateau to a single point and use it to explain the absence of plateaus at even multiples of the collective frequency for a Kuramoto system with a bimodal frequency distribution.     

Thermoelastic wave propagation in inhomogeneous media

Summary A novel approach to the modeling of thermoelastic wave propagation is presented, based on the thermodynamics of discrete systems. The first novelty includes the representation of integral balance laws for thermoelasticity in terms of contact quantities that describe the nonequilibrium state of elements. The next new aspect is a modification of the recently proposed wave-propagation algorithm, which is used as a tool for determining the contact quantities in a finite-volume scheme for the numerical simulation of two-dimensional thermoelastic wave propagation in inhomogeneous media. Such a modification is needed to provide the satisfaction of the thermodynamic consistency conditions between adjacent discrete elements. Results of computations for certain test problems show the efficiency and physical consistency of the algorithm. Received 11 November 1999; accepted for publication 2 May 2000     

Using CLEM to investigate the distribution of nano-sized antimicrobial agents within an EVOH matrix

Efficient characterization of the distribution of antimicrobial agents within a polymer matrix is of vital importance. Two antimicrobial agents, chitin nanowhiskers (ChNWs) and chitosan-based silver nanoparticles (CTSAgNPs), were produced and incorporated separately as well as combined into a poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) matrix by way of electrospinning. Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and energy dispersive X-ray mapping provided a holistic approach to visualize the distribution of the combinations of AgNPs and ChNWs within EVOH fibers. CLEM analysis revealed the tendency of the ChNWs to align themselves on the surface of the fibers, while the silver nanoparticles were localized inside the polymer matrix.     

Die Elektrolyse flüssiger HF-SO2-Mischungen

Zusammenfassung Untersucht wird die Elektrolyse flüssiger HF-SO₂-Mischungen bei –30°C und verschiedenen Wassergehalten. Eine Gasentwicklung findet lediglich an der Anode statt, wobei Sulfurylfluorid als Hauptprodukt in einer Stromausbeute von 85% auftritt, während an der Kathode Schwefelabscheidung festgestellt wird. Bei hohen Wassergehalten im Elektrolyten unterbleibt diese Gasentwicklung, und es findet eine anodische Oxydation von schwefeliger Säure zu Schwefelsäure statt, die infolge des gleichzeitig vorhandenen Fluorwasserstoffes auch Fluorsulfonsäure entstehen läßt.Mit 1 Abbildung     

Dispersive waves in microstructured solids

The wave motion in micromorphic microstructured solids is studied. The mathematical model is based on ideas of Mindlin and governing equations are derived by making use of the Euler–Lagrange formalism. The same result is obtained by means of the internal variables approach. Actually such a model describes internal fields in microstructured solids under external loading and the interaction of these fields results in various physical effects. The emphasis of the paper is on dispersion analysis and wave profiles generated by initial or boundary conditions in a one-dimensional case.     

Transformation of the mathematics classroom with the internet

ZDM – Mathematics Education - Growing use of the internet in educational contexts has been prominent in recent years. In this survey paper, we describe how the internet is transforming the...