Rapid Growth of Crystalline Mn5O8 by Self-Limited Multilayer Deposition using Mn(EtCp)2 and O3.

This work investigates the use of ozone as a post-treatment of ALD-grown MnO and as a coreactant with bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (Mn(EtCp)2) in ALD-like film growth. In situ quartz crystal microbalance measurements are used to monitor the mass changes during growth, which are coupled with ex situ materials characterization following deposition to evaluate the resulting film composition and structure. We determined that during O3 post-treatment of ALD-grown MnO, O3 oxidizes the near-surface region corresponding to a conversion of 22 Å of the MnO film to MnO2.

Dual-mode optical sensing of organic vapors and proteins with polydiacetylene (PDA)-embedded electrospun nanofibers.

Optical sensors capable of colorimetric visualization and/or fluorescence detection have shown tremendous potential for field technicians and emergency responders, owing to the portability and low cost of such devices. Polydiacetylene (PDA)-enhanced nanofibers are particularly promising due to high surface area, facile functionalization, simple construction, and the versatility to empower either colorimetric or fluorescence signaling. We demonstrate here a dual-mode optical sensing with electrospun nanofibers embedded with various PDAs.

Effect of soil moisture on chlorine deposition.

The effect of soil moisture on chlorine (Cl(2)) deposition was examined in laboratory chamber experiments at high Cl(2) exposures by measuring the concentration of chloride (Cl(-)) in soil columns. Soil mixtures with varying amounts of clay, sand, and organic matter and with moisture contents up to 20% (w/w) were exposed to ≈3×10(4)ppm Cl(2) vapor. For low water content soils, additional water increased the reaction rate as evidenced by higher Cl(-) concentration at higher soil moisture content.

Cl2 deposition on soil matrices.

Deposition of chlorine gas, Cl(2), on synthetic soil sample matrices was examined in a small chamber to ascertain its potential significance as a chemical sink during large-scale releases. The effects of organic matter, clay and sand mass fractions of the soil matrix, soil packing, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light on the observed Cl(2) deposition were examined. Organic matter content was found to be the dominant soil variable investigated that affected Cl(2) deposition; all other variables exhibited no measurable effect.

Nanofibers doped with dendritic fluorophores for protein detection.

We report a solid-state, nanofiber-based optical sensor for detecting proteins with an anionic fluorescent dendrimer (AFD). The AFD was encapsulated in cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun nanofibers, which were deacetylated to cellulose to generate secondary porous structures that are desirable for enhancing molecular interactions, and thus better signaling. The protein sensing properties of the fibers were characterized by monitoring the fluorescence response of cytochrome c (cyt c), hemoglobin (Hgb), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a function of concentration.

Chemically modified tetracycline improves contractility in porcine coronary ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium has been implicated in extension of infarct size and deleterious clinical outcomes. Anti-inflammatory agents reduce this reperfusion injury. Chemically modified tetracycline-3 (CMT-3) (Collagenex Pharmaceuticals, Newtown, PA, USA) lacks antimicrobial properties yet retains anti-inflammatory activity.

Applications of computed tomography in renal imaging.

There have been huge advances in CT technology since its introduction more than 30 years ago. Modern, multislice CT scanners are fast and produce truly volumetric data, allowing it to be reconstructed in almost any plane. In this article, we explore the impact of these developments on the use of CT in imaging of the renal tract.

Bile duct disruption following radiofrequency ablation: successful repair using a covered stent.

Persistent biliary leaks, whether iatrogenic or secondary to malignancy, often present a difficult management problem. Recent reports have suggested a role for covered metallic stents in this context. We describe the successful use of a covered stent to seal a persistent biliary leak following radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastases.