Detection of heterotopic gray matter in children by magnetic resonance imaging

Heterotopic gray matter results from abnormal brain development and is a recognized focus of seizures. It may be associated with mental retardation and/or severe malformations of the brain. Three patients with heterotopia of gray matter were identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT failed to detect the heterotopic gray matter in each case. One child was referred for removal of a neoplasm based on CT studies until MRI demonstrated the developmental nature of his condition. One infant had severely dysplastic left cerebral hemisphere associated with heterotopic gray matter and the syndrome of Hypomelanosis of Ito. All three children suffered from seizures and/or mental retardation. MRI provided important information in the management of each case and appears to be the imaging method of choice in evaluating children with seizures or retardation for heterotopic gray matter in the brain.     

Enhanced Landau-Placzek ratio in a heavy fermion metal observed by Brillouin scattering

Brillouin spectroscopy of the heavy fermion metal UPt₃ shows strong quasielastic scattering, which has no analogue in ordinary metals. An enhanced Landau-Placzek ratio relating the quasielastic to the inelastic scattering intensity is deduced from the line shape analysis. The quasielastic line is of nonmagnetic origin and is attributed to electron density fluctuations as predicted by a recent theory of hydrodynamic fluctuations in heavy fermion systems.     

Reactions of carbenes with bicyclobutanes and quadricyclane : Cycloadditions with two σ bonds

Dicarbomethoxycarbene and dichlorocarbene add to 1,2,2-trimethylbicyclo[1.1.0]butanc in such a fashion as to suggest a concerted addition in which the central and side bonds are cleaved simultaneously. MNDO calculations support such a pathway and suggest that endo attack on the bicyclobutane is preferred to exo. Reaction of the same two carbenes with quadricyclane gives substituted derivatives of the exo-tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]oct-6-ene system. Although these products rearrange further under the conditions of reaction and/or analysis, they can be shown to be primary products. It is suggested that quadricyclane reacts with carbenes in a concerted fashion.