Experimental evaluation of dual acceptance window weighting function for right coronary MR angiography at 3.0T

To shorten scanning time and increase the feasibility of experimental results, we performed right coronary artery magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) at 3.0 T using dual acceptance window weighting function in 25 normal subjects. We examined these subjects using conventional navigator with fixed gating window and 6 dual acceptance window weighted gating (DAWG) sequences with different central weighted ratio (CWR). Compared with the conventional navigator sequence, DAWG sequences with CWRs of 20% and 25% increased the scanning efficiency by 30% and 26% respectively (P<.05), while maintaining good image quality; further the corresponding scanning time decreased from 2.12–1.64 and 1.69 min, respectively (P<.05). However, CWRs less than 15% caused image degradation to some extent. The coronary artery lengths and diameters did not show statistically significant differences between the two techniques (P>.05). Briefly, to avoid the problems caused by low navigator efficiency and to maintain comparable image quality, the weighted gating parameters of 3 mm width central acceptance window and 15 mm width outer acceptance window with CWR between 20% and 25% are recommended for right CMRA at 3 T.     

Optimal control approach to stability criteria on Hill’s equations

This paper gives a tutorial on how to prove Lyapunov type criteria by optimal control methods. Firstly, we consider stability criteria on Hill's equations with nonnegative potential. By optimal control methods developed in 1990s, we obtain several stability criteria including Lyapunov's criterion, Neǐgauz and Lidskiǐ's criterion. Secondly, we present stability criteria on Hill's equations with sign-changing potential in which Brog's criterion and Krein's criterion are included.     

A recyclable fluorous (S)-pyrrolidine sulfonamide promoted direct, highly enantioselective Michael addition of ketones and aldehydes to nitroolefins in water

[reaction: see text] A recycle and reusable fluorous (S)-pyrrolidine sulfonamide organocatalyst has been developed for promoting highly enantio- and diastereoselective Michael addition reactions of ketones and aldehydes with nitroolefins in water. The organocatalyst is conveniently recovered from the reaction mixtures by fluorous solid-phase extraction and can be subsequently reused (up to six cycles) without a significant loss of catalytic activity and stereoselectivity.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition reactions between N-heterocycles and nitroolefins

[reaction: see text] A method for Michael addition of N-heterocycles to nitroolefins has been developed. The process is promoted by a cinchona alkaloid derivative to give Michael adducts in moderate to high enantioselectivities.     

Particles’ Tunneling in Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes with Dark Matter

Applying the Hamilton-Jacobi method, we investigate particles’ tunneling behavior in a spherically symmetric spacetime with dark matter. The tunneling rate and Hawking temperature at the event horizon are obtained. The result shows that the dark matter parameter β has an important influence on the Hawking temperature and the tunneling rate.     

Effect of fused silica subsurface defect site density on light intensification

The effect of defect density on the modulation of incident laser waves is investigated. First, based on the actual defect distribution in the subsurface of fused silica, a three-dimensional (3D) grid model of defect sites is constructed. The 3D finite-difference time-domain method is developed to solve the Maxwell equations. Then the electrical field intensity in the vicinity of the defect sites in the subsurface of fused silica is numerically calculated. The relationships between the maximal electrical field intensity in fused silica and the geometry of the defect sites are given. The simulated results reveal that the modulation becomes more remarkable with an increase of the defect density. In addition, the effect of the distribution mode of defects on modulation is discussed. Meanwhile, the underlying physical mechanism is analyzed in detail.     

Role of chelating agent in chemical and fluorescent properties of SnO2 nanoparticles

A modified polyacrylamide gel route is applied to synthesize SnO2 nanoparticles. High-quality SnO2 nanoparticles with a uniform size are prepared using different chelating agents. The average particle size of the samples is found to depend on the choice of the chelating agent. The photoluminescence spectrum detected at λex = 230 nm shows a new peak located at 740 nm due to the surface defect level distributed at the nanoparticle boundaries.     

Coulomb‐enhanced spin–orbit coupling and semiconductor to half‐metal transition under pressure in Sr2CrReO6

Ordered Sr₂CrReO₆ has been synthesized recently. It is measured to be ferrimagnetic semiconductor, in contrary to the previous reports of metallic properties. To solve the discrepancy, we have investigated the compound by using the density functional theory. The semiconducting behavior is reproduced by including the electron correlation and spin–orbit coupling simultaneously. The calculated band gap is 0.22 eV, close to the experimental value of 0.21 eV. A large orbital moment of 0.69µ_B is found for Re, which is caused by the Coulomb‐enhanced spin–orbit coupling. By applying pressure, a semiconductor to half‐metal transition is observed through 5% volume compression.