12 research outputs found
Suppression of electrical breakdown phenomena in liquid TriMethyl Bismuth based ionization detectors
Organometallic liquids provide good properties for ionization detectors.
TriMethyl Bismuth (TMBi) has been proposed as a detector medium with charge and
Cherenkov photon readout for Positron Emission Tomography. In this work, we
present studies for the handling of TMBi at different electric fields and under
different environmental conditions to find applicable configurations for the
suppression of electrical breakdowns in TMBi at room temperature. A simple
glass cell with two electrodes filled with TMBi was constructed and tested
under different operation conditions. Working at the vapour pressure of TMBi at
room temperature of about 40 mbar and electric fields of up to 20 kV/cm in
presence of a small oxygen contamination we found the formation of a discharge
channel in the liquid and a steady increase in the current. Further reduction
of pressure by pumping caused the TMBi to boil and a spontaneous combustion.
Eliminating the oxygen contamination led the TMBi under the same condition to
only decompose. When operating the setup under an argon atmosphere of 1 bar we
did not observe breakdowns of the electrical potential up to field strengths of
20 kV/cm. Still, in presence of a small oxygen contamination fluctuating
currents in the nA range were observed, but no decomposition or combustion. We
conclude from our experiments that TMBi at room temperature in a pure argon
atmosphere of 1 bar remains stable against electrical breakdown at least up to
electric field strengths of 20 kV/cm, presumably because the formation of
gaseous TMBi was prevented.Comment: 14 page, 8 figure
Magnetically-coupled piston pump for high-purity gas applications
Experiments based on noble elements such as gaseous or liquid argon or xenon
utilize the ionization and scintillation properties of the target materials to
detect radiation-induced recoils. A requirement for high light and charge
yields is to reduce electronegative impurities well below the ppb level. To
achieve this, the target material is continuously circulated in the gas phase
through a purifier and returned to the detector. Additionally, the low
backgrounds necessary dictate low-Rn-emanation rates from all components that
contact the gas.
Since commercial pumps often introduce electronegative impurities from
lubricants on internal components or through small air leaks, and are not
designed to meet the radiopurity requirements, custom-built pumps are an
advantageous alternative. A new pump has been developed in Muenster in
cooperation with the nEXO group at Stanford University and the nEXO/XENON group
at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute based on a magnetically-coupled piston in a
hermetically sealed low-Rn-emanating vessel. This pump delivers high
performance for noble gases, reaching more than 210 standard liters per minute
(slpm) with argon and more than 170 slpm with xenon while maintaining a
compression of up to 1.9 bar, demonstrating its capability for noble gas
detectors and other applications requiring high standards of gas purity.Comment: 11 pages, 18 figure
Systematic Evaluation of Fluorination as Modification for Peptide‐Based Fusion Inhibitors against HIV‐1 Infection
With the emergence of novel viruses, the development of new antivirals is more urgent than ever. A key step in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is six-helix bundle formation within the envelope protein subunit gp41. Selective disruption of bundle formation by peptides has been shown to be effective; however, these drugs, exemplified by T20, are prone to rapid clearance from the patient. The incorporation of non-natural amino acids is known to improve these pharmacokinetic properties. Here, we evaluate a peptide inhibitor in which a critical Ile residue is replaced by fluorinated analogues. We characterized the influence of the fluorinated analogues on the biophysical properties of the peptide. Furthermore, we show that the fluorinated peptides can block HIV-1 infection of target cells at nanomolar levels. These findings demonstrate that fluorinated amino acids are appropriate tools for the development of novel peptide therapeutics
Rhetorical Transformations in Multimodal Advertising Texts: From General to Local Degree Zero
The use of rhetoric in advertising research has been steadily gaining momentum since the 1980’s. Coupled with an increased interest in multimodality and the multiple interactions among verbal, pictorial and auditory registers, as structural components of an ad filmic text, the hermeneutic tools furnished by traditional rhetoric have been expanded and elaborated. This paper addresses the fundamental question of how ad filmic texts assume signification from a multimodal rhetorical point of view, by engaging in a fruitful dialogue with various research streams within the wider semiotic discipline and consumer research. By critically addressing the context of analysis of a multimodal ad text in the course of the argumentation deployed by different approaches, such as Social Semiotics (Kress/Leeuwen 2001), Film Semiotics (i.e. Metz 1982, Carroll 1980, Branigan 1982), Visual Semiotics (i.e. Sonesson 2008; 2010, Eco 1972;1976;1986, Groupe " 1992), Consumer Research (i.e. Mick/McQuarrie 1999; 2004, Philips 2003, Scott 1994), the relative merits of a structuralist approach that prioritizes the distinction between local and general degree zero, as put forward by Groupe " (1992), are highlighted. Furthermore, the modes whereby rhetorical transformations are enacted are outlined, with view to deepening the conceptual tackling of degree zero of signification, while addressing its applicability to branding discourse and multimodal ad texts
Systematic Evaluation of Fluorination as Modification for Peptide-Based Fusion Inhibitors against HIV-1 Infection
With the emergence of novel viruses, the development of new antivirals is more urgent than ever. A key step in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is six-helix bundle formation within the envelope protein subunit gp41. Selective disruption of bundle formation by peptides has been shown to be effective; however, these drugs, exemplified by T20, are prone to rapid clearance from the patient. The incorporation of non-natural amino acids is known to improve these pharmacokinetic properties. Here, we evaluate a peptide inhibitor in which a critical Ile residue is replaced by fluorinated analogues. We characterized the influence of the fluorinated analogues on the biophysical properties of the peptide. Furthermore, we show that the fluorinated peptides can block HIV-1 infection of target cells at nanomolar levels. These findings demonstrate that fluorinated amino acids are appropriate tools for the development of novel peptide therapeutics
Hand MRI and the Greulich-Pyle atlas in skeletal age estimation in adolescents
Objective
To evaluate the feasibility of hand MRI in age assessment in adolescents using the Greulich-Pyle (GP) atlas criteria.
Materials and methods
Two radiologists, who were blinded to the study subjects chronologic ages, semi-objectively evaluated 1.5-T MRIs of the left hands of ten patients (13.52.6 years) who had left-hand radiographs and 50 healthy volunteers (152 years).
Results
A coronal T1-weighted, volumetric, interpolated, breath-hold examination with water excitation (T1 VIBE-3D-WE) achieved the best image quality. The correlation between estimated patients ages on radiographs and MRI was high. The average estimated age difference between the MRIs and radiographs was 0.05 years for reader 1 and 0.175 years for reader 2. The interclass coefficients (ICCs) showed high interobserver agreement (radiographs: ICC=0.95, MRI: ICC=0.97). The ICC, calculated separately for the male and female volunteers estimated ages by MRI, also showed a high agreement between the two readers (male: ICC=0.97, female: ICC=0.95). Reader 1 estimated 94% of volunteers within 2 standard deviations (SD) and 62% within 1 SD. The results for reader 2 were 92% and 54%, respectively. Thirty-nine percent of girls and 27% of boys were estimated to be older using 1 SD.
Conclusion
MRI of the left hand is a feasible alternative to hand radiographs for skeletal age estimation in adolescents using the GP criteria with 2 SD. Using 1 SD, the age of healthy volunteers tended to be estimated as higher than the chronologic age. Future studies should evaluate the results in a larger number of participants.(VLID)358223
Unenhanced MDCT in patients with suspected urinary stone disease: do coronal reformations improve diagnostic performance?
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study were to assess whether coronal reformations improve the diagnostic performance of MDCT in patients with acute flank pain and suspected urinary stone disease; and to determine if performing such reformations from 3-mm-thick sections is sufficient or if it is necessary to perform reformations from thinner sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 147 consecutive patients (72 women and 75 men; mean age +/- SD, 58 +/- 18.1 years) with suspected urinary stone disease who underwent unenhanced MDCT. Scans were obtained with a 4 x 1 mm collimation and were reconstructed with a section thickness of 1.25 and 3 mm. We compared the diagnostic yield of 3-mm axial sections with that of coronal reformations reconstructed from 1.25- and 3-mm axial sections. Imaging data were evaluated in random order by two radiologists. The significance of the difference between the axial sections and coronal multiplanar reformations (MPRs) was tested for the number, size, and location of uroliths and for the presence of alternative diagnoses. The time required for review by both observers was recorded. RESULTS: We found uroliths in 72 patients. There was no difference between 3-mm axial sections and coronal reformations from 1.25-mm sections with regard to the number of detected stones (n = 264 for both protocols), whereas coronal reformations from 3-mm sections revealed significantly fewer calcifications (n = 255, p = 0.016). Coronal reformations did not improve the localization of calcifications. Review time, however, was significantly shorter for coronal reformations than for axial sections (p = 0.001); however, coronal reformations were less sensitive than axial sections for the detection of additional findings suggestive of alternative diagnoses in 16 (30%) of 53 patients. CONCLUSION: Coronal reformations from MDCT do not improve urinary stone detection but may reduce evaluation time; however, there is the danger of missing additional findings. Coronal reformations reconstructed from thick (i.e., 3-5 mm) axial sections may result in reduced detection of small stones and should therefore be avoide
Magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement of brain tumors at 3 tesla versus 1.5 tesla
Sodium MR imaging of the lumbar intervertebral disk at 7 T: correlation with T2 mapping and modified Pfirrmann score at 3 T - preliminary results
PURPOSE: To compare sodium imaging of lumbar intervertebral disks in asymptomatic volunteers at 7-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with quantitative T2 mapping and morphologic scoring at 3 T.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following ethical board approval and informed consent, the L2-3 to L5-S1 disks were examined in 10 asymptomatic volunteers (nine men, one woman; mean age, 30 years; range, 23-43 years). At 7 T, normalized sodium signal-to-noise ratios were calculated, by using region-of-interest analysis. At 3 T, T2 mapping was performed with a multiecho spin-echo sequence (repetition time msec/echo times msec, 1500/24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132, 144, 156). T2 values were calculated over the nucleus, with a pixelwise, monoexponential nonnegative least-squares-fit analysis. Morphologic grading according to a modified Pfirrmann score was assessed independently by three experienced musculoskeletal radiologists, and Pearson correlation analysis of the covariates was performed.
RESULTS: The mean normalized sodium signal intensity was 275.5±115.4 (standard deviation). The T2 mapping showed a mean value of 89.8 msec±19.34. The median modified Pfirrmann score was 2b (90% had score≤3c). The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a cubic function between sodium imaging and the modified Pfirrmann score, a moderate inverse correlation between T2 mapping and the modified Pfirrmann score (r=-0.62), and no correlation between sodium imaging and T2 mapping (r=0.06).
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MR imaging of the intervertebral disk, using sodium imaging and T2 mapping, can help characterize different component changes and that both of these methods are to some degree related to the Pfirrmann score