New Approach toward Laser-Assisted Modification of Biocompatible Polymers Relevant to Neural Interfacing Technologies.

We report on a new approach toward a laser-assisted modification of biocompatible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers relevant to the fabrication of stretchable multielectrode arrays (MEAs) devices for neural interfacing technologies. These applications require high-density electrode packaging to provide a high-resolution integrating system for neural stimulation and/or recording. Medical grade PDMS elastomers are highly flexible with low Young's modulus < 1 MPa, which are similar to soft tissue (nerve, brain, muscles) among the other known biopolymers, and can easily adjust to the soft tissue curvatures.

Bi-component semiconductor oxide photoanodes for the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of organic solutes and vapours: a short review with emphasis to TiO2-WO3 photoanodes.

The use of binary semiconductor oxide anodes for the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of organic species (both in solution and gas phase) is reviewed. In the first part of the review, the principle of electrically assisted photocatalysis is presented, the preparation methods for the most common semiconductor oxide catalysts are briefly mentioned, while the advantages of appropriately chosen semiconductor combinations for efficient UV and visible (vis) light utilization are highlighted. The second part of the review focuses on the discussion of TiO(2)-WO(3) photoanodes (among the most studied bi-component semiconductor oxide systems) and in particular on coatings prepared by electrodeposition/electrosynthesis or powder mixtures (the focus of the authors' research during recent years).

Diphtheria outbreak in St. Petersburg: clinical characteristics of 1860 adult patients.

An epidemic of respiratory tract diphtheria began in Russia in 1989. In 1994 more than 2,500 cases occurred in St. Petersburg alone.