Unraveling the origin of Kondo-like behavior in the 3d-electron heavy-fermion compound YFe2Ge2.

The heavy fermion (HF) state of [Formula: see text]-electron systems is of great current interest since it exhibits various exotic phases and phenomena that are reminiscent of the Kondo effect in [Formula: see text]-electron HF systems. Here, we present a combined infrared spectroscopy and first-principles band structure calculation study of the [Formula: see text]-electron HF compound YFe[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text]. The infrared response exhibits several charge-dynamical hallmarks of HF and a corresponding scaling behavior that resemble those of the [Formula: see text]-electron HF systems. In particular, the low-temperature spectra reveal a dramatic narrowing of the Drude response along with the appearance of a hybridization gap ([Formula: see text] 50 meV) and a strongly enhanced quasiparticle effective mass. Moreover, the temperature dependence of the infrared response indicates a crossover around [Formula: see text] 100 K from a coherent state at low temperature to a quasi-incoherent one at high temperature. Despite of these striking similarities, our band structure calculations suggest that the mechanism underlying the HF behavior in YFe[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text] is distinct from the Kondo scenario of the [Formula: see text]-electron HF compounds and even from that of the [Formula: see text]-electron iron-arsenide superconductor KFe[Formula: see text]As[Formula: see text]. For the latter, the HF state is driven by orbital-selective correlations due to a strong Hund's coupling. Instead, for YFe[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text] the HF behavior originates from the band flatness near the Fermi level induced by the combined effects of kinetic frustration from a destructive interference between the direct Fe-Fe and indirect Fe-Ge-Fe hoppings, band hybridization involving Fe [Formula: see text] and Y [Formula: see text] electrons, and electron correlations. This highlights that rather different mechanisms can be at the heart of the HF state in [Formula: see text]-electron systems.

Composite antiferromagnetic and orbital order with altermagnetic properties at a cuprate/manganite interface.

Heterostructures from complex oxides allow one to combine various electronic and magnetic orders as to induce new quantum states. A prominent example is the coupling between superconducting and magnetic orders in multilayers from high-Tc cuprates and manganites. A key role is played here by the interfacial CuO2 layer whose distinct properties remain to be fully understood. Here, we study with resonant inelastic X-ray scattering the magnon excitations of this interfacial CuO2 layer. In particular, we show that the underlying antiferromagnetic exchange interaction at the interface is strongly suppressed to J≈70 meV, when compared with J≈130 meV for the CuO2 layers away from the interface. Moreover, we observe an anomalous momentum dependence of the intensity of the interfacial magnon mode and show that it suggests that the antiferromagnetic order is accompanied by a particular kind of orbital order that yields a so-called altermagnetic state. Such a 2D altermagnet has recently been predicted to enable new spintronic applications and superconducting proximity effects.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a clinical consensus statement of the ESC working group on pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function.

The current treatment algorithm for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) as depicted in the 2022 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) includes a multimodal approach of combinations of pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and medical therapies to target major vessel pulmonary vascular lesions, and microvasculopathy. Today, BPA of >1700 patients has been reported in the literature from centers in Asia, the US, and also Europe; many more patients have been treated outside literature reports. As BPA becomes part of routine care of patients with CTEPH, benchmarks for safe and effective care delivery become increasingly important. In light of this development, the ESC Working Group on Pulmonary Circulation and Right Ventricular Function has decided to publish a document that helps standardize BPA to meet the need of uniformity in patient selection, procedural planning, technical approach, materials and devices, treatment goals, complications including their management, and patient follow-up, thus complementing the guidelines. Delphi methodology was utilized for statements that were not evidence based. First, an anatomical nomenclature and a description of vascular lesions are provided. Second, treatment goals and definitions of complete BPA are outlined. Third, definitions of complications are presented which may be the basis for a standardized reporting in studies involving BPA. The document is intended to serve as a companion to the official ESC/ERS guidelines.

Analogies of phonon anomalies and electronic gap features in the infrared response of Sr14-xCaxCu24O41and underdoped YBa2Cu3O6+x.

We present an experimental and theoretical study which compares the phonon anomalies and the electronic gap features in the infrared response of the weakly coupled two-leg-ladders in Sr14-xCaxCu24O41(SCCO) with those of the underdoped high-Tcsuperconductor YBa2Cu3O6+x(YBCO) and thereby reveals some surprising analogies. Specifically, we present a phenomenological model that describes the anomalous doping- and temperature-dependence of some of the phonon features in thea-axis response (field along the rungs of the ladders) of SCCO. It assumes that the phonons are coupled to charge oscillations within the ladders. Their changes with decreasing temperature reveal the formation of a crystal (density wave) of hole pairs that are oriented along the rungs. We also discuss the analogy to a similar model that was previously used to explain the phonon anomalies and an electronic plasma mode in thec-axis response (field perpendicular to the CuO2planes) of YBCO. We further confirm that an insulator-like pseudogap develops in thea-axis conductivity of SCCO which closely resembles that in thec-axis conductivity of YBCO. Most surprisingly, we find that thec-axis conductivity (field along the legs of the ladders) of SCCO is strikingly similar to the in-plane one (field parallel to the CuO2planes) of YBCO. Notably, in both cases a dip feature develops in the normal state spectra that is connected with a spectral weight shift toward low frequencies and can thus be associated with precursor superconducting pairing correlations that are lacking macroscopic phase coherence. This SCCO-YBCO analogy indicates that collective degrees of freedom contribute to the low-energy response of underdoped highTccuprates and it even suggests that the charges in the CuO2planes tend to segregate forming quasi-one-dimensional structures similar to the two-leg ladders, as predicted for the stripe-scenario or certain intertwinned states.

Selective ligand removal to improve accessibility of active sites in hierarchical MOFs for heterogeneous photocatalysis.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are commended as photocatalysts for H2 evolution and CO2 reduction as they combine light-harvesting and catalytic functions with excellent reactant adsorption capabilities. For dynamic processes in liquid phase, the accessibility of active sites becomes a critical parameter as reactant diffusion is limited by the inherently small micropores. Our strategy is to introduce additional mesopores by selectively removing one ligand in mixed-ligand MOFs via thermolysis. Here we report photoactive MOFs of the MIL-125-Ti family with two distinct mesopore architectures resembling either large cavities or branching fractures. The ligand removal is highly selective and follows a 2-step process tunable by temperature and time. The introduction of mesopores and the associated formation of new active sites have improved the HER rates of the MOFs by up to 500%. We envision that this strategy will allow the purposeful engineering of hierarchical MOFs and advance their applicability in environmental and energy technologies.

Optical signatures of multifold fermions in the chiral topological semimetal CoSi.

We report the optical conductivity in high-quality crystals of the chiral topological semimetal CoSi, which hosts exotic quasiparticles known as multifold fermions. We find that the optical response is separated into several distinct regions as a function of frequency, each dominated by different types of quasiparticles. The low-frequency intraband response is captured by a narrow Drude peak from a high-mobility electron pocket of double Weyl quasiparticles, and the temperature dependence of the spectral weight is consistent with its Fermi velocity. By subtracting the low-frequency sharp Drude and phonon peaks at low temperatures, we reveal two intermediate quasilinear interband contributions separated by a kink at 0.2 eV. Using Wannier tight-binding models based on first-principle calculations, we link the optical conductivity above and below 0.2 eV to interband transitions near the double Weyl fermion and a threefold fermion, respectively. We analyze and determine the chemical potential relative to the energy of the threefold fermion, revealing the importance of transitions between a linearly dispersing band and a flat band. More strikingly, below 0.1 eV our data are best explained if spin-orbit coupling is included, suggesting that at these energies, the optical response is governed by transitions between a previously unobserved fourfold spin-3/2 node and a Weyl node. Our comprehensive combined experimental and theoretical study provides a way to resolve different types of multifold fermions in CoSi at different energy. More broadly, our results provide the necessary basis to interpret the burgeoning set of optical and transport experiments in chiral topological semimetals.

Elasto-Viscoplastic Material Model of a Directly-Cast Low-Carbon Steel at High Temperatures.

A model-based process control of material production processes demands realistic material models describing the local evolution of the thermal and mechanical state variables, i.e., temperature, stress, strain, or plastic strain, for the relevant microstructure state. In the present work, a material model for the specific microstructure in a continuously cast strand shell, viable for reproducing cyclic viscoplastic effects, was developed for a 0.17 wt.% C steel. Experimental data was generated using directly-cast samples and a well-controllable testing facility to apply representative loading conditions. Displacement- and force-controlled experiments in the temperature range of 700-1100 °C were conducted, with a special focus on the relevant strain rates documented for the straightening operation. A temperature-dependent constitutive material model combining elastic, plastic, and viscoplastic effects was parameterized to fit the whole set of experimentally-determined material response curves. In order to account for the cyclic plastic material response, a combination of isotropic and kinematic hardening was considered. The material model sets a new standard for the material description of a continuously cast strand shell, and it can be applied in elaborate continuous casting simulations.

Electron-phonon-driven three-dimensional metallicity in an insulating cuprate.

The role of the crystal lattice for the electronic properties of cuprates and other high-temperature superconductors remains controversial despite decades of theoretical and experimental efforts. While the paradigm of strong electronic correlations suggests a purely electronic mechanism behind the insulator-to-metal transition, recently the mutual enhancement of the electron-electron and the electron-phonon interaction and its relevance to the formation of the ordered phases have also been emphasized. Here, we combine polarization-resolved ultrafast optical spectroscopy and state-of-the-art dynamical mean-field theory to show the importance of the crystal lattice in the breakdown of the correlated insulating state in an archetypal undoped cuprate. We identify signatures of electron-phonon coupling to specific fully symmetric optical modes during the buildup of a three-dimensional (3D) metallic state that follows charge photodoping. Calculations for coherently displaced crystal structures along the relevant phonon coordinates indicate that the insulating state is remarkably unstable toward metallization despite the seemingly large charge-transfer energy scale. This hitherto unobserved insulator-to-metal transition mediated by fully symmetric lattice modes can find extensive application in a plethora of correlated solids.

Lamination of Separators to Electrodes using Electrospinning.

This study shows the feasibility of the Electrospinning method as a process step for advanced and fast production Li ion cells. Lamination is a key technology for Lithium-ion battery production. It bares different advantages, such as a fast production line speed by fixing the separator to the electrodes. Unfortunately, this technology is inapplicable for separator and electrode formulations not based on thermoplastic binders. Using Electrospinning, this disadvantage can be overcome. In our study, beaded PVDF polymer nanofibres were spun onto a fibre-reinforced, inorganic-filled separator. This modified separator was then laminated onto a NMC111-cathode using a temperature profile of 110/110/120°C within the laminator. After Lamination, the separator was pulled-off again and placed in a SEM to see the adhesive behaviour of the applied polymer. The information gathered with SEM clearly shows a successful lamination of the separator to the electrode.

Diagnostic confidence of run-off CT-angiography as the primary diagnostic imaging modality in patients presenting with acute or chronic peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the reliability of CT-angiography of the lower extremities (run-off CTA) to derive a treatment decision in patients with acute and chronic peripheral artery disease (PAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 314 patients referred for run-off CTA were includ-ed in this retrospective study. First, diagnostic confidence of run-off CTA to derive a treat-ment decision was assessed in an interdisciplinary vascular conference using a 2 point scale (sufficient or not sufficient diagnostic confidence) and compared with the image quality eval-uated by two readers in consensus in four different levels (abdominopelvic, thigh, calf, foot arteries). Second, reliability of treatment decision was verified in all patients undergoing re-vascularization therapy. RESULTS: Diagnostic confidence of run-off CTA to derive a treatment deci-sion was sufficient in all patients with acute and in 97% of patients (215/221) with chronic PAD, whereas the rate of run-off CTA with non-diagnostic image quality was considerably higher in the calf and foot level (acute vs. chronic; calf: 28% vs.17%; foot: 52% vs. 20%). Reliability of treatment decision was superior for patients with chronic (123/133 = 92%) than for patients with acute PAD (64/78 = 82%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Run-off CTA is a reliable imaging modality for primary diag-nostic work-up of patients with acute and chronic PAD.

Collimation and Image Quality of C-Arm Computed Tomography: Potential of Radiation Dose Reduction While Maintaining Equal Image Quality.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the potential for radiation dose reduction in collimated C-arm computed tomography (CACT) while maintaining the image quality of the full field of view (FFOV) acquisition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A whole-body anthropomorphic phantom representing a 70-kg male was used in this study. The upper abdomen of the phantom was imaged using an angiographic system (Artis Zeego Q; Siemens Healthcare, Germany) with either the standard detector radiation dose level (RDL; D100, 360 nGy) or 14 experimental reduced RDLs ranging from 95% (D95, 342 nGy) to 30% D100 (D30, 108 nGy). Either the FFOV (craniocaudal coverage, 18 cm) or a collimated field of view (CFOV; craniocaudal coverage, 6 cm) was applied. The organ dose was measured using thermoluminescence detector dosimetry, and the mean effective dose was computed according to the recommendations by the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 103. To compare the CFOV and the FFOV data sets, image quality was assessed in terms of high- and low-contrast resolution by calculating the modulation transfer function using the wire method as well as the image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio using a low-contrast insert placed in the upper abdomen (Δ50 HU). RESULTS: Collimated imaging (CFOV) covering 33% of the FFOV led to an increase in the x-ray tube output of 152% for CFOV (D100; FFOV, 95.5 mGy; CFOV, 147.7 mGy) to maintain the detector dose. The mean effective dose of D100 was 6.0 mSv (male) and 6.2 mSv (female) for the FFOV and 3.7 mSv (male) and 4.1 mSv (female) for the CFOV. High-contrast resolution was comparable for all acquisition protocols (mean 10% modulation transfer function ± 95% confidence interval; FFOV, 8.8 ± 0.1 line pairs/cm; CFOV, 8.8 ± 0.1 line pairs/cm). Low-contrast resolution was superior for the CFOV compared with that for the FFOV for each RDL (D100; image noise: FFOV, 34 ± 2 HU; CFOV, 22 ± 1 HU; contrast-to-noise ratio: FFOV, 1.3 ± 0.2; CFOV, 1.8 ± 0.3). Low-contrast resolution of the standard (D100) FFOV acquisition was achieved for the CFOV at 84% D100 of the FFOV and 54% D100 of the CFOV. Therefore, collimation up to 33% of the FFOV combined with the lower detector dose allows overall reduction of a patient's radiation exposure to 33% × 84% = 28% compared with FFOV acquisition. In the upper abdomen, this results in a nearly 50% reduction of the mean effective radiation dose (male, 2.0 mSv; female, 2.2 mSv) without loss of image quality compared with the standard FFOV acquisition. CONCLUSIONS: Craniocaudal collimation in CACT should be used whenever possible to increase the image quality and reduce the patient's overall radiation exposure. Therefore, new smart acquisition protocols are required for collimated CACT to improve the trade-off between radiation exposure and image quality requirements considering the collimation used.

Virtual single-source computed tomography using dual-source acquisition: a new technique for the dose-neutral intraindividual comparison of different scan protocols.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the image quality of a standard single-source (SSS) computed tomography (CT) with that of a virtual single-source CT (VSS-CT) data set reconstructed from 2 raw data sets obtained by dual-source CT acquisition in abdominal CT to establish a radiation dose-neutral approach for the intraindividual comparison of 3 acquisition protocols at different radiation dose levels (RDLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An abdominal phantom representing an 80-kg male was imaged using dual-source CT (SOMATOM Definition; Siemens Healthcare) at 3 RDLs with 120 kV(p) and different tube currents (low, standard, and high milliampere-second protocol). For each RDL, raw data were obtained once in single-source mode using x-ray tube A only and 5 times in dual-source mode using different ratios for tube current of x-ray tubes A and B (same total radiation dose; A/B: 90%/10%, 80%/20%, 70%/30%, 60%/40%, 50%/50%). For each RDL, SSS-CT and 5 virtual single-source image data sets (VSS-CT50 - 90) were reconstructed. To compare SSS-CT and VSS-CT data sets, image quality was assessed in terms of high- and low-contrast performance by calculating the modulation transfer function, image noise, noise power spectrum, and, for low contrast lesion detectability, the modified multiscale structural similarity index (MS-SSIM*). A maximum decrease of Δ = 5% of image quality compared with SSS-CT was defined as acceptable, and a noninferiority analysis with Δ was performed. RESULTS: For modulation transfer function, noninferiority was observed for all VSS-CT data sets and RDL (P < 0.05). Image noise demonstrated an acceptable increase (<3.2%, P < 0.05) for each RDL and noise power spectrum showed only minor differences in the midfrequency range. The MS-SSIM* index demonstrated for the high RDL protocol a minor decrease for VSS-CT data sets (<2%, P < 0.05). For the standard and low RDL, the relative differences of the MS-SSIM* index increased and were only in 1 case above Δ (standard RDL, mean VSS-CT80 5.1%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The image quality obtained by virtual and SSS reconstruction using equivalent total radiation exposure to the patient showed only negligible differences in image quality. Therefore, this technique might allow an intraindividual comparison of full and reduced radiation dose protocols within 1 image acquisition step by simply splitting the radiation dose between the 2 x-ray tubes of a dual-source CT.

Percutaneous punctures with MR imaging guidance: comparison between MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and real-time MR Imaging guidance.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the technical accuracy and feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and real-time MR imaging guidance for percutaneous puncture procedures in phantoms and animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental protocol was approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Punctures were performed in phantoms, aiming for markers (20 each for MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and real-time MR imaging guidance), and pigs, aiming for anatomic landmarks (10 for MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and five for MR imaging guidance). To guide the punctures, T1-weighted three-dimensional (3D) MR images of the phantom or pig were acquired. Additional axial and coronal T2-weighted images were used to visualize the anatomy in the animals. For MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance, phantoms and pigs were transferred to the fluoroscopic system after initial MR imaging and C-arm computed tomography (CT) was performed. C-arm CT and MR imaging data sets were coregistered. Prototype navigation software was used to plan a puncture path with use of MR images and to superimpose it on fluoroscopic images. For real-time MR imaging, an interventional MR imaging prototype for interactive real-time section position navigation was used. Punctures were performed within the magnet bore. After completion, 3D MR imaging was performed to evaluate the accuracy of insertions. Puncture durations were compared by using the log-rank test. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare the spatial errors. RESULTS: In phantoms, the mean total error was 8.6 mm ± 2.8 with MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and 4.0 mm ± 1.2 with real-time MR imaging guidance (P < .001). The mean puncture time was 2 minutes 10 seconds ± 44 seconds with MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and 37 seconds ± 14 with real-time MR imaging guidance (P < .001). In the animal study, a tolerable distance (<1 cm) between target and needle tip was observed for both MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and real-time MR imaging guidance. The mean total error was 7.7 mm ± 2.4 with MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and 7.9 mm ± 4.9 with real-time MR imaging guidance (P = .77). The mean puncture time was 5 minutes 43 seconds ± 2 minutes 7 seconds with MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and 5 minutes 14 seconds ± 2 minutes 25 seconds with real-time MR imaging guidance (P = .68). CONCLUSION: Both MR imaging-enhanced fluoroscopic guidance and real-time MR imaging guidance demonstrated reasonable and similar accuracy in guiding needle placement to selected targets in phantoms and animals.

Dose-wise scanning in visceral computed tomography angiography: a phantom study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the tube current-time product in multidetector computed tomography angiography on the accuracy of stenosis quantification in a phantom model of occlusive vessel disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stenosed pelvic and visceral arteries were simulated using acrylic tubes (inner diameter: small, 4.0 mm; large, 6.5 mm) filled with plaque material (epoxy resin, hydroxylapatite, glass bubbles) to create different degrees of stenosis and plaque composition (calcified plaques, >1000 Hounsfield units [HU]; soft plaques, ∼50 HU; inhomogeneous plaques, 50-1000 HU). The lumen was filled with water-diluted contrast material (Iomeprol 400; Bracco Imaging, Konstanz, Germany) to increase the density to 350 HU. The vessel phantoms were inserted in an Alderson phantom and imaging was conducted on a 64-slice MDCT (Somatom Definition, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany; collimation, 0.6 mm; reconstructed slice thickness, 1 mm; 120 kVp) using 8 different image acquisition protocols (IAPs), with reference tube current-time products (IQualRef) ranging between 20 and 280 mAs (IAP20-IAP280). The signal-to-noise ratio was calculated for each IAP. The measured luminal area within a stenosis was correlated to the known value using the Kappa-Lin test (κLin). A decrease of 10% of the maximum achievable correlation was defined as substantial. The sensitivity and specificity of hemodynamically relevant stenoses (>50%) were computed. For all IAPs, the effective dose was measured with thermoluminescence dosimetry and calculated with CTEXPO 2.0 (ICRP103). RESULTS: The measured effective dose ranged from 0.8 to 10.7 mSv. The calculated effective dose was approximately 10% lower for each IAP (0.7-9.8 mSv). A total of 2592 stenosis measurements were performed. In large vessels, the correlation was almost perfect for IAP80 to IAP280 (κLin = 0.91-0.95). In comparison, overall correlation was inferior in small vessels and was substantial for IAP280 to IAP120 (κLin = 0.89-0.82). Overall, the best correlation was observed in calcified (κLin = 0.95) and soft (κLin = 0.93) plaques as compared with inhomogeneous (κLin = 0.89) plaques. A substantial decrease in the correlation was observed below IAP100 for the large vessel phantoms and IAP120 for the small vessel phantoms. The sensitivity of hemodynamically relevant stenoses was 90% to 99% for IAP20 to IAP280 and both vessel diameters, whereas the specificity decreased from 91% (IAP280) to 31% (IAP20) for the large vessel phantoms and from 81% to 25%, respectively, for the smaller vessel phantoms. CONCLUSION: In large (>6.5 mm) vessel phantoms that simulate pelvic and renal arteries, representing a high-contrast scenario, a substantial dose reduction is feasible as compared with established abdominal imaging protocols. In smaller vessel phantoms that represent intestinal arteries, the quality of luminal delineation is already limited because of the spatial resolution. Therefore, an increase in image noise can only be accepted to a smaller degree and the potential dose reduction is limited but still substantial.

Shear bond strength of fluoride-releasing orthodontic bonding and composite materials.

Several fluoride-releasing bonding materials are available for orthodontic bracket placement. These are supposed to prevent white spot lesions during therapy. The objectives of this in vitro study were to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) and failure mode of a recently introduced fluoride-releasing adhesive, as well as the comparison with established orthodontic adhesives. Sixty bovine mandibular incisors were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 20): stainless steel brackets were bonded with Transbond Plus Color Change Adhesive, Transbond XT, or Light Bond. A universal testing machine was used to determine the SBS at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. After debonding, the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was used to assess the adhesive remaining on the brackets. One-way analysis of variance comparing the three experimental groups showed no differences between the bonding systems for mean SBS (P = 0.27). ARI scores showed more residual adhesive on the teeth bonded with the Transbond systems (P < 0.01). As the fluoride-releasing bonding system provided sufficient mean bond strength in vitro (19.9 MPa), it may be used as an additional prophylactic measure in orthodontic therapy. However, the clinical effectiveness of its fluoride release may be questionable, as the amount of fluoride required from a bonding material to be caries preventive is still unknown.

Contrast-enhanced abdominal angiographic CT for intra-abdominal tumor embolization: a new tool for vessel and soft tissue visualization.

C-Arm cone-beam computed tomography (CACT), is a relatively new technique that uses data acquired with a flat-panel detector C-arm angiography system during an interventional procedure to reconstruct CT-like images. The purpose of this Technical Note is to present the technique, feasibility, and added value of CACT in five patients who underwent abdominal transarterial chemoembolization procedures. Target organs for the chemoembolizations were kidney, liver, and pancreas and a liposarcoma infiltrating the duodenum. The time for patient positioning, C-arm and system preparation, CACT raw data acquisition, and data reconstruction for a single CACT study ranged from 6 to 12 min. The volume data set produced by the workstation was interactively reformatted using maximum intensity projections and multiplanar reconstructions. As part of an angiography system CACT provided essential information on vascular anatomy, therapy endpoints, and immediate follow-up during and immediately after the abdominal interventions without patient transfer. The quality of CACT images was sufficient to influence the course of treatment. This technology has the potential to expedite any interventional procedure that requires three-dimensional information and navigation.

Adhesion forces in interactive mixtures for dry powder inhalers--evaluation of a new measuring method.

Dry powder inhalers mostly contain carrier based formulations where micronized drug particles are adhered to coarse carrier particles. The performance of the dry powder inhaler depends on the inhaler device, the inhalation manoeuvre and the formulation. The most important factor influencing the behaviour of the formulation is the adhesion force acting between the active ingredient and the carrier particles, which can be measured using different methods, for example the centrifuge technique or atomic force microscopy. In this study the tensile strength method, usually applied to determine cohesion forces between powder particles of one material, is optimized for adhesion force measurements between powder particles of unlike materials. Adhesion force measurements between the carrier materials lactose or mannitol and the drug substance salbutamol sulphate using the tensile strength method and the atomic force microscopy show higher values with increasing relative humidity. Consequently, the fine particle fraction determined using the Next Generation Impactor decreases with increasing relative humidity as a result of the enhanced interparticle interactions.

MDCT angiography of peripheral arteries: technical considerations and impact on patient management.

With the introduction of MDCT with 16 or more detector rows, CTA of aortoiliac and peripheral run-off vessels has become a routine clinical tool. Rapid scan times of approximately 30 s for the entire peripheral vascular tree combined with thin slices (1-2 mm) allow high-resolution 3-D reconstruction. The short scan duration requires injection of a relatively small volume of contrast material. We recommend a monophasic contrast bolus of 100 mL Iomeprol 400 (Bracco, Italy) and 50 mL normal saline at a rate of 4 mL/s. This approach provides strong enhancement and adequate visualization of small peripheral vessels, including 93% of arteries below the knee and 84% of pedal arteries. The best synchronization of contrast bolus and scan acquisition is achieved with a table feed of 40-48 mm/s; this approach provides significantly stronger and more homogeneous enhancement along the z-axis than faster or slower approaches, and largely avoids problems associated with overriding of the bolus or venous overlay (<3%). Postprocessing of CTA datasets is crucial for adequate documentation and communication of anatomy and pathology. We prefer MIP reconstructions after bone removal and curved MPR. In a recent comparative study performed in 50 patients (958 lesions) to determine the accuracy of 16-slice CTA compared to DSA for detection of clinically relevant (>50%) stenoses, we obtained sensitivity and specificity values of 90.1-93.3% and 95.6-96.5%, respectively. Patient management decisions (conservative, intervention, or surgery) based on CTA were the same as after DSA in 49 of the 50 patients. CTA is an accurate, noninvasive alternative to DSA of the aorto-iliac and peripheral run-off arteries.

Phase separation in superoxygenated La2-xSrxCuO4+y.

The complex interplay between superconducting and magnetic phases remains poorly understood. Here, we report on the phase separation of doped holes into separate magnetic and superconducting regions in superoxygenated La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4+y), with various Sr contents. Irrespective of Sr-doping, excess oxygen raises the superconducting onset to 40 K with a coexisting magnetic spin-density wave that also orders near 40 K in each of our samples. The magnetic region is closely related to the anomalous, 1/8-hole-doped magnetic versions of La(2)CuO(4), whereas the superconducting region is optimally doped. The two phases are probably the only truly stable ground states in this region of the phase diagram. This simple two-component system is a candidate for electronic phase separation in cuprate superconductors, and a key to understanding seemingly conflicting experimental observations.

Vaccine strategies of meningococcal disease: results of a 10-year population-based study.

UNLABELLED: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults. This study was conducted to determine a possible increase in IMD in recent years with special interest focused on serogroup C disease. From January 1st 1993 to December 31st 2002, IMD was studied in one million residents of Austria. We used active, population-based surveillance data from the Office of Public Health. A total of 126 patients with positive blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture or positive swabs for Neisseria meningitidis were studied. The median age of all patients was 9.5 years (range 1 month to 63 years). The average incidence of all IMD subgroups was 1.05 cases per 100,000 person years and was highest in children 0-4 years old (7.08 cases per 100,000 person years) followed by young adults aged 15 to 19 years (4.35 cases per 100,000 person years). Serogroup C IMD occurred in 1.30 cases/100,000 person years in patients aged 0 to 4 years and in 1.92 cases/100,000 person years in patients aged 15 to 19 years. Overall mortality was 11.1%. There was a significant increase (P =0.001) in IMD due to serogroup B disease within the last 10 years. In contrast, serogroup C disease did not increase during the last decade. CONCLUSION: Currently, we do not recommend mass vaccination against serogroup C disease in Austria, but young adults aged 15 to 19 years display a high incidence of meningococcal C disease. In this age group, vaccination against serogroup C disease should be considered.