[en] Objective: To study the changes of the posterior communicating artery in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) severe stenosis or occlusion on digital subtract angiography (DSA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Methods: DSA or MRA findings were analyzed in 74 patients with ICA stenosis or occlusion and in 120 persons selected in the control group, who were unremarkable on cerebral DSA or MRA. Results: On DSA, the presence rate of ipsilateral posterior communicating artery (PCoA) between the study group and the control group had no significant difference; on MRA the rate in the study group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). In the control group, the presence rate of PCoA on DSA were significantly higher than that on MRA. No significant difference was found between DSA and MRA on the diameter of PCoA (P>0.05). In the study group, the presence rate of PCoA on DSA was significantly higher than that on MRA (P<0.05). The diameters of the three arteries had not significant difference between on DSA and on MRA (P>0.05). The presence rate of PCoA shown no significant difference between the cases with unilateral ICA involved and cases with bilateral ICA involved. Conclusion: The posterior communicating artery is very important to the patients with the internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion. Its dilatation on DSA and MRA or appearance on MRA shows its compensation. DSA is valuable in the evaluation of the posterior communicating artery. MRA is a noninvasive and functional imaging method for evaluation the posterior communicating artery

[en] Highlights: • QAS-containing fluorosilicone multi-block copolymers were synthesized. • The block length of PHFBMA in the copolymers was tailored via RAFT polymerization. • Surface roughness of the copolymers decreased with the increased PHFBMA content. • A certain length of PHFBMA block enhanced C−N"+ percentage on the surface. - Abstract: Symmetrically structured fluorosilicone multi-block copolymers containing poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PHFBMA) were sequentially synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chain transfer agent with dithiocarbonate groups at both ends. Then, the CBABC-type block copolymers were quaternized with n-octyliodide to tether quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) groups in the PDMAEMA blocks for the antimicrobial use. The obtained fluorosilicone copolymers showed clear variations in the C-N"+ composition and surface morphology on their films depending on the content of the PHFBMA blocks, which were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The results indicated that the symmetrical CBABC structure favored PDMS and QAS tethered blocks migrating to the film surface. With the mass percentage of the PHFBMA increased from 0 to 32.5%, the surface roughness of the copolymer film decreased gradually with a tendency to form a smooth surface. Owing to the surface properties, fluorosilicone multi-block copolymers containing a certain amount of PHFBMA with higher C-N"+ content and relatively smooth morphology demonstrated obvious antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. The functionalized multi-block copolymers based on fluorosilicone and QAS groups would have potential applications in antimicrobial coatings

[en] Objective: It's a study of the collateral circulation secondary to unilateral and bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) severe stenosis or occlusion using digital subtract angiography (DSA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Methods: Ninty-five patients with ICA stenosis or occlusion were diagnosed by DSA or MRA. Forty-four patients were assessed by DSA, and fifty-one patients were evaluated by MRA, who were divided into two groups of the unilateral and bilateral involvement. DSA, MRA findings were analyzed, by which the patterns of the collateral circulation were comparatively studied. Results: The presence rate of anterior communicating artery (AcoA) in the unilateral group on DSA and MRA was significantly higher than that in the bilateral group (P<0.05); while there was no significant difference in the presence rate of posterior communicating artery (PCoA) between the two groups (P>0.05). On DSA, the presence rate of ophthalmic artery (OphA) in the unilateral and bilateral groups had no significant difference between the two groups. The augmentation rate of the OphA in the bilateral group was significantly higher than that in the unilateral group (P<0.05). The presence rate of leptomeningeal anastomosis in the bilateral group was significantly higher than that in the unilateral group on DSA and MRA (P<0.01). Conclusion: In patients with the unilateral and bilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion, the collateral circulation formats in different patterns. The major collateral pathways secondary to the unilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion are AcoA and ispilateral PCoA, while to the bilateral ICA stenosis or' occlusion are PCoA, OPhA, and leptomeningeal anastomosis. (authors)

[en] The performance of the so-called superconvergent quantum perturbation theory (Wenhua Hai et al 2000 Phys. Rev. A 61 052105) is investigated for the case of the ground-state energy of the helium-like ions. The scaling transformation r → r/Z applied to the Hamiltonian of a two-electron atomic ion with a nuclear charge Z (in atomic units). Using the improved Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation theory based on the integral equation to helium-like ions in the ground states and treating the electron correlations as perturbations, we have performed a third-order perturbation calculation and obtained the second-order corrected wavefunctions consisting of a few terms and third-order energy corrections. We find that third-order and higher-order energy corrections are improved with decreasing nuclear charge. This result means that the former is quadratically integrable and the latter is physically meaningful. The improved quantum perturbation theory fits the higher-order perturbation case. This work shows that it is a development on the quantum perturbation problem of helium-like systems. (general)

[en] Highlights: • A series of PDMS-b-QPDMAEMA block copolymers were synthesized via RAFT polymerization. • The composition and morphology of the copolymer films strongly depended on the content of QPDMAEMA. • Migration of QPDMAEMA blocks toward surface was promoted when contacting with water. • Heterogeneous film surfaces with higher N"+ content exhibited more obvious antimicrobial activity. - Abstract: Block copolymers PDMS-b-PDMAEMA were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization involving N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) by using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) macro-chain transfer agent. And, the tertiary amino groups in PDMAEMA were quaternized with n-octyliodide to provide quaternary ammonium salts (QPDMAEMA). The well-defined copolymers generated composition variation and morphology evolvement on film surfaces, which were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle measurements. The results indicated that the enrichment of QPDMAEMA brought about lower elemental ratios of Si/N on the film surfaces. The surface morphologies evolved with the variations of QPDMAEMA content, and the variation trend of film roughness was exactly opposite to that of water contact angle hysteresis. With regard to structure-antimicrobial relationships, the copolymer films had more evident antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Bacillus subtilis, and the surfaces with heterogeneous morphology and higher N"+ content presented better antimicrobial activity. The functionalized copolymers based PDMS and quaternary ammonium salts materials have the potential applications as antimicrobial coatings

[en] Graphical abstract: The submicron/nano-structured morphology induced by OVPOSS has a strong effect on ice attachment. The OVPOSS particles aggregated on the top surface could decrease the ice adhesion strength. - Highlights: • Fluorinated hybrid films were fabricated from PMHS–xFMA and OVPOSS. • The hybrid films presented icephobic surfaces in submicron/nano-structure. • PMHS–17FMA could enhance hydrophobicity rather than icephobic properties. • Proper OVPOSS content (10–15 wt%) favored reducing the ice adhesion strength. • Rougher surface morphology (R_q > 90 nm) was benefit for repelling water droplets. - Abstract: Fluorinated hybrid films composed of fluorinated polymethylsiloxane (PMHS–xFMA, x = 6, 13, 17) and octavinyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (OVPOSS) were prepared for icephobic applications. PMHS–xFMA with diverse fluorinated side groups were synthesized via hydrosilylation of polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) with fluorinated methacrylate (xFMA), i.e., hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (6FMA), tridecafluorooctyl methacrylate (13FMA) and heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate (17FMA), respectively. Characterizations of atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope indicated that surfaces of the hybrid films consisted of submicron/nano-scaled OVPOSS aggregates, and the root-mean-square roughness (S_q) could vary from 42.6 nm to 145.2 nm with various OVPOSS content (5–20 wt%). Wettability measurements of the prepared films demonstrated that the relatively longer fluorinated side groups in PMHS–17FMA were beneficial for decreasing surface energy and enhancing hydrophobic properties. However, the fluorinated hybrid films with PMHS–17FMA presented higher ice shear strengths due to the stronger interfacial interactions between the film surface and ice/water. The film prepared by PMHS–13FMA and 10 wt% of OVPOSS with proper roughness (90.2 nm) performed the lowest ice shear strength (188.2 ± 13.4 kPa) among all the samples. Dynamic water droplet impact measurement revealed that the rougher surface with the mass fraction of OVPOSS more than 10 wt% and S_q larger than 90 nm could repel water droplets. The submicron/nano-structured surface of PMHS–xFMA and OVPOSS was expected for anti-icing applications.

[en] Objectives: To evaluate the collateral pathways of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and to compare these two methods in the study for collateral pathways. Methods: Seventy-four patients with ICA stenosis or occlusion were included as the study group. Sixty persons with normal findings on DSA or MRA each served as the control group. DSA, MRA, MRI, CT findings, and clinicall materials were analyzed in the two groups. Results: Stenosis or occlusion over ICA bifurcation was showed clearly in all patients on DSA or MRA. On DSA, the presence rate of ipsilateral posterior communicating artery (PCoA) in the study group (82.5%) was lower significantly than that of the control group (94.2%) (P=0.025). On MRA (3D-TOF), the rate in the study group (59.3%) was higher significantly than that of the controls (30.0%) (P=0.000). On DSA and MRA, the diameter of ipsilateral PCoA in the study group was larger than that of the control group (P=0.000). On DSA, the presence rate of OPhA in the study group was significantly different from that of the control group, and its diameter was larger than that of the control group (P=0.003). On MRA, its presence rate was lower than that of the control group. The presence rate of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) in the study group showed no statistical difference between DSA and MRA. In the study group, the presence rate of PCoA on DSA was significantly higher than that on MRA (P<0.05), and that of OPhA, AcoA, and leptomeningeal anastomosis showed no significant difference between DSA and MRA (P>0.05). The diameters of the three arteries showed no significant differences between DSA and MRA (P>0.05). Conclusion: DSA is highly valuable for the evaluation of collateral pathways of ICA stenosis or occlusion, and it is necessary for preoperative examination. MRA is a non-invasive angiographic method and can evaluate collateral circulation in both morphology and function, and can be the preferred method for the disease. (authors)

[en] The determination of carbon content in LiH was studied with HCS-878F high-frequency infrared C-S measurer. Various experiment conditions such as heating temperature, type and dosage of flux and sampling amount were studied. The results show that hydrogen in the example can be released during burning by increasing the power of the instrument step by step without fulmination. To avoid the influence of hydrogen released on the result of determination, a device for translating CO into CO₂ was installed in the gas road, so the carbon content in the sample can be determined quickly with better accuracy and precision. For sampling amount about 30 mg and carbon content of 500-3000 μg/g, the relative standard uncertainty is less than 10%, and the recovery of carbon is 91%-108%. (authors)

[en] Objective: To explore six-degree-of-freedom (6-DF) registration methods between planning and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) during image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in esophageal cancer. Methods: Thirty pairs of CBCT images acquired before radiation and the corresponding planning computed tomography (CT) images of esophageal cancer were selected for further investigation. Registration markers for 6-DF image registration were determined and contoured in those images. The results of registration as well as time cost were compared among different registration methods of bone match, gray value match, manual match, and bone plus manual match. Results: Contouring bone and spinal canal posterior to the target volume of esophageal carcinoma as registration marker could make 6-DF registration quick and precise. Compared with manual match, set-up errors of v rotation in bone plus manual match (-0.55 degree vs.-0.88 degree, t=2.55, P=0.020), of x-axis and v rotation in bone match (0.12 mm vs.-2.33 mm, t=5.75, P=0.000; -0.35 degree vs. -0.88 degree, t=3.00, P=0.007), and of x-axis and w rotation in gray value match (7.20 mm vs. -2.33 mm, t=3.10, P=0.006; -0.10 degree vs. -0.59 degree, t=2.81, P =0.011) were significantly different. Compared with manual match, the coincidence rate of bone plus manual match was the highest (85.55%), followed by bone match and gray value match (74.45% and 74.45%). The time cost of each registration method from longest to shortest was: 6.00 -10.00 minutes for manual match, 1.00 - 5.00 minutes for bone plus manual match, 0.75 - 1.50 minutes for gray value match, and 0.50 - 0.83 minutes for bone match. Conclusions: Registration marker is useful for image registration of CBCT and planning CT in patients with esophageal cancer. Bone plus manual match may be the best registration method considering both registration time and accuracy. (authors)

[en] Brush block copolymers (BBCPs) with narrow polydispersity index (PDI) have the ability to self-assemble into lamellae phase, which makes them candidates for preparing one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D PC) materials. However, BBCPs with broad PDI were supposed to be difficult in fabrication of well-defined PCs. Herein, by utilizing atom transfer radical polymerization and ring-opening metathesis polymerization, widely dispersed BBCPs with polystyrene and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) as side chains were synthesized. Surprisingly, 1D PC thin films were obtained through controlled evaporation of the dichloromethane solution of BBCPs. The thin films exhibited a maximum peak wavelength of reflectance from 294 to 480 nm with the different main chain length even the PDI of the BBCP was as high as 2.1. And, the reflectance turned broader and broader with an increase in PDI and molecular weight. Wide wavelength PCs reflected from 280 to 620 nm were prepared, which showed great potential in displays.