Aniline alkylation over MFI zeolites and its relation to stepwise desorption of ammonia

A clear correlation between aniline alkylation over HZSM-5 zeolite and the acidity as measured by stepwise temperature programmed desorption (STPD) of NH₃ and cumene dealkylation has been established.     

Magnetic ports in tissue expanders--a caution for MRI

Although a great deal is known about the potential hazards of ferromagnetic materials relative to MRI, little has been written about the safety of tissue panders. Recently a new modification of the existing ports has been made available by incorporating a magnet for ease of identification of the injection site. Despite its low mass, the intrinsic magnetic field presents a contra-indicating factor due to the potential for torque and movement in the presence of the strong magnetic field found in the clinical MR imagers. With any evidence of tissue expander prosthesis obtained in the history, a careful questioning about the possibility of a magnetic port should be carried out.     

Evaluation of residual stress in valve disks due to stellite deposition

Experimental Techniques -     

Near-infrared tetra-substituted aluminum 2, 3-naphthalocyanine dyes for optical fiber applications

The synthesis and spectral characterization of several tetra-substituted aluminum 2, 3-naphthalocyanine dyes for the determination of metal ions is reported. The synthesis is done by means of a homogeneous phase reaction, replacing the previously used heterogeneous method. The new scheme allows for improved product yields, higher purity, better product reproducibility and can be monitored at different stages using UV-Vis-near-infrared spectroscopy. The incorporation of electron-donating or -withdrawing groups was found to influence the product yield and to cause a shift in the absorbance maximum. The typical shift in the excitation maximum (of up to 27 nm) enables the dye to match the output of semiconductor laser diodes. In addition the tetra-substituted groups were capable of undergoing an ion-exchange process with the metal ions which produced a change in the fluorescence signal of the dye. Similar results were achieved using an optical fiber metal probe. The detection of metal ions using the near-infrared dyes was accomplished via steady-state fluorescence using both a commerically available instrument and a fiber optic system and also via the fluorescence lifetime technique.     

Structure of silica in <Emphasis Type="Italic"> Equisetum arvense</Emphasis>

Silicified regions in the stem and leaf of the horsetail Equisetum arvensewere studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The silica was present as a thin layer on the outer surface with variation in the size of this layer depending on the part investigated. There was a dense arrangement of silica spheres with some density fluctuations. A loose arrangement of silica particles with variation in their size was found beneath this dense arrangement suggesting the agglomeration of silica. An electron diffraction pattern showed the presence of amorphous silica, with the short range order being comparable to that of silica from other chemical sources. The medium range order shows the presence of silica with a high inner surface. SAXS measurements correlate with the particle size observed in TEM, and provide values for surface fractals. A new method of plasma ashing to remove the organics is also described.     

Heterogeneous effects on the thermal and photoreactivities of tris(1,2-diaminoethane)chromium(III) cation and hexathiocyanatochromate(III) anion in aqueous media

The ground- and excited-state reactivities of the [Cr- (en)3]3+ (en=1,2-diaminoethane) and [Cr(NCS)6]3− ions in a polyacrylamide (PAA) environment are reported. The aquation kinetics of these complexes has been studied to identify the effect of added PAA with varying molecular weight. Aquation of the complexes in aqueous acid containing PAA yielded the respective substituted products. The macromolecule in solution was found to decrease significantly the rate of ligand replacement. Similarly, photolysis of the cationic and anionic complexes in water–PAA mixtures revealed a decrease in aquation quantum yield. Possible explanations for the decrease in reaction rates and quantum yields are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Solid phase radioimmunoassay of triiodothyronine (T3) using antibody coupled carboxymethylcellulose powder

The paper describes a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for triiodothyronine (T₃) using antibody coupled to carboxymethylcellulose powder. The free carboxylic acid groups of cellulose are covalently coupled to the amino groups of the antibody using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride. Immobilized antibody thus prepared was used in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay of T₃. The assay has a sensitivity of 0.18 g/l, and a range of 0.18–4 g/l. Satisfactory correlation was obtained when this assay was compared with a T₃ assay based on dextran coated charcoal separation system (Y=0.95X+0.15 g/L; r=0.98).     

Anisotropic multicompartment micro- and nano-capsules produced via embedding into biocompatible PLL/HA films

We present a novel strategy to fabricate anisotropic multicompartment Janus capsules by embedding larger containers into a soft poly-L-lysine/hyaluronic acid (PLL/HA) polymeric film, followed by adsorption of smaller containers on top of their unmasked surface. This research is also attractive for developing substrates for cell cultures.