Analysis of optical absorbance spectra for the determination of ZnO nanoparticle size distribution, solubility, and surface energy.

We present a model to calculate particle size distributions (PSDs) of colloidal ZnO nanoparticles from their absorbance spectra. Using literature values for the optical properties of bulk ZnO and correlating the measurement wavelengths in the UV-visible regime with distinct particle sizes by a tight binding model (TBM), an algorithm deconvolutes the absorbance spectra into contributions from size fractions. We find an excellent agreement between size distributions determined from TEM images and the calculated PSDs.

Diagnostic accuracy of cardiac 64-slice computed tomography in detecting atrial thrombi. Comparative study with transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Atrial thrombi are a potential source for cerebral and peripheral emboli. Objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT) for detection of atrial thrombi in comparison with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac surgery.

Material And Methods: Sixty-four patients were examined with ECG-gated multidetector CT coronary or pulmonary vein angiography.

Assessment of the intratesticular resistive index by colour Doppler ultrasonography measurements as a predictor of spermatogenesis.

Objective: To investigate the value of the resistive index (RI) of intratesticular arteries, and to establish diagnostic criteria for normal and pathological sperm counts on the basis of quantitative colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), as the assessment of the testicular RI is widely used to measure intratesticular blood flow.

Patients And Methods: In all, 160 men (aged 22-43 years, 320 testicles) were prospectively investigated; 80 had a normal and 80 a pathological sperm count, the latter having mild oligoasthenozoospermia. The RI was measured using a high-frequency Doppler ultrasound probe (14 MHz), three times on each testicle at an intratesticular artery in the upper, middle and lower testicular pole.

Plain abdominal radiography with transabdominal native tissue harmonic imaging ultrasonography vs unenhanced computed tomography in renal colic.

Objective: To compare plain film kidney, ureter and bladder radiography (KUB) with transabdominal native tissue harmonic imaging ultrasonography (NTHI-US) vs unenhanced computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of urinary calculi in patients with acute flank pain.

Patients And Methods: In all, 112 patients who presented to the urological department with clinical suspicion of ureteric calculi were included. These patients had KUB with NTHI-US and unenhanced CT.

Value of 3-dimensional transrectal/transvaginal sonography in diagnosis of distal ureteral calculi.

Objective: In a prospective study, the feasibility of 3-dimensional (3D) transrectal/transvaginal sonography in comparison with transabdominal sonography and intravenous urography (IVU) in identifying distal ureteral calculi was evaluated.

Methods: Sixty-two patients in the urologic clinic with clinical suspicion of distal ureteral calculi were included. The patients consisted of 44 men and 18 women with a mean age +/- SD of 44 +/- 17 years.