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Metal-Organic Deposition (MOD) technique has been used for the first time, in the spray version, to obtain thin and thick films of BSCCO on substrates like MgO and Ag and, in the dipping version, to deposit YBCO thick films directly on a thin Ag wire. Diffraction data show that BSCCO films are textured and oriented with their normal axis along the [001] direction. Electron microprobe data confirm a strong presence of (2212) modification of BSCCO. The YBCO/Ag wire is very uniform, as confirmed by SEM micrographs, and shows a transition temperature around 90 K. Thick films and platelets of YBCO have been also prepared by metalorganic solution spraying and by using a commercial microwave oven in the last annealing stage, reducing the duration of this step from several hours to about 65 minutes. YBCO samples show good stoichiometry, a very smooth surface morphology and transition temperatures, as measured by a.c. susceptometry at low magnetic fields, which are around 90 K. Films, deposited on MgO, are oriented with their growth axis along the [005] direction and, if deposited on SrTiO3, along the [006] direction. Physical, chemical, structural and morphological properties of these HTSC samples obtained by MOD are presented and discussed, with the conclusion that this technique, which is simple, flexible, suitable for large surface areas, for ribbons and for wires, has achieved a good stage of maturity.

Objectives Prenatal diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) anomalies by 2-dimensional sonography is challenging because of difficulties in obtaining complete visualization of the fetal brain during routine examinations, which is necessary for identification of its axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Three-dimensional (3D) sonography has been introduced as a tool for studying the fetal CNS because of its ability to facilitate examinations of the fetal brain. The objective of this study was to determine inter-center agreement in diagnosing CNS defects by review of 3D volume data sets. Methods This study included 11 centers with expertise in 3D fetal neurosonography. A total of 217 fetuses with and without confirmed CNS defects were scanned after 18 weeks' gestation, and their volume data sets were uploaded onto a centralized file transfer protocol server and later analyzed by all of the centers. Intercenter agreement was determined using a κ statistic for multiple raters. Results All volumes were made anonymous and sent to the centers for blinded analysis with the exception of the data sets they had themselves previously uploaded. For identification of fetuses with CNS defects, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and false-positive and -negative rates were 93.3%, 96.5%, 96.5%, 93.3%, 3.5%, and 6.7%, respectively. No differences were found in the efficacy of the diagnostic indices according to either the route of acquisition (transabdominal or trans-vaginal) or the gestational age at diagnosis (18-24 or >24 weeks). Intercenter agreement was excellent (κ = 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.97). Conclusions Among centers with technical expertise, remote review of 3D sonographic volumes of the fetal CNS resulted in an accurate and reliable method for diagnosis of fetal brain malformations.

Gas phase ion—molecule reactions occurring in GeH4/SiH4 systems under different partial pressures and their mechanisms have been investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS). SiH+n (n=0–3) and GeH+n (n = 0–3) are the main ionic species at zero reaction time when the GeH4: SiH4 ratio is in the range 1:1 to 1:12. Self-condensation sequences are observed at increasing reaction times. Moreover, formation of ions containing GeSi bonds, such as GeSiH+n (in = 2–5) and GeSi2H+n (n = 4, 5), occurs by reactions of Si2H+n (n = 2–5) and Si3H+n (n = 4, 5) with GeH4. At longer reaction times, further substitution of silicon with germanium in GeSiH+n (n = 2–5) ions has been observed, to give Ge2H+n (n = 2–5).

Abnormal ventral induction may result in disorders of formation, cleavage, and midline development of prosencephalic structures. Holoprosencephaly is a developmental field defect of impaired cleavage of prosencephalon. The most widely accepted classification of holoprosencephaly recognizes three major varieties: the alobar, semilobar and lobar types, according to the severity of the malformation. The brain malformations, characterized by the fusion of the cerebral hemisphere along the midline are commonly associated with facial anomalies. Corpus callosum agenesis and septo-optic dysplasia are disorders of prosencephalic midline development, and usually have less severe presentations but still, affected subjects may suffer from neurodevelopmental retardation, and/or endocrinologic and visual disorders. In this article we report an up-to-date of pathogenesis, prenatal sonographic findings, differential diagnosis and prognosis of the aforementioned anomalies.

Doubly charged ions produced in the mass spectra of mono- and bimetallic carbonyl compounds at 40, 70 and 100 eV electron beam energies are reported. Fe 2 (CO) 9 and Mn 2 (CO) 10 give very weak doubly charged ions, whilst a strong increase of the relative abundances of these species is observed in the mass spectra of Re 2 (CO) 10 . The presence of the halogeno ligands in Mn(CO) 5 X and Re(CO) 5 X (X=Cl, Br, I) produces a stabilizing effect on the doubly charged ions. A higher ion current is transported by doubly charged fragments of Mn(CO) 5 X with respect to Mn 2 (CO) 10 , while [M] 2+ accompanied by doubly charged high mass fragments are originated by Re(CO) 5 X. The strong increase of the relative abundances of doubly charged ions observed in the mass spectra of Fe 2 (CO) 6 C 4 (C 2 H 5 ) 4 and Os 2 (CO) 6 C 4 (C 2 H 5 ) 4 suggests a significant effect of the unsaturated organic ligands, which adds to that of the nature of the metal atom on the stabilization of multiply charged ions.

Objective Coronary arterial abnormalities can be one of the few negative prognostic indicators in transposition of the great arteries (TGA), and their occurrence is related to the type of spatial relationship of the great arteries. The main objective of this study was to assess whether the use of the reconstructed en-face view with color Doppler imaging of the four cardiac valves can demonstrate the different types of spatial relationship of the arterial trunks in fetuses with TGA, in order to derive the risk of coronary abnormalities. A secondary end-point was the evaluation of the type of coronary arterial branching pattern. Methods Twenty-three fetuses with a confirmed diagnosis of TGA underwent four-dimensional (4D) echocardiography at 19–33 gestational weeks. The en-face view of the four cardiac valves and color Doppler with high persistence were employed to assess the spatial relationships of the great arteries. In all cases, confirmation of the vessels' arrangement and coronary arterial distribution was obtained at neonatal echocardiography and/or surgery. Results The spatial relationships of the great vessels was identified correctly in 20/23 (87%) cases. The aorta was found to be located anterior to and to the right of the pulmonary trunk in 13/23 (56.5%) cases and just anterior to the pulmonary artery in 6/23 (26.1%) cases; in the remaining four (17.4%) cases, the two vessels were side by side. With respect to the association between the spatial relationship of the great arteries and the occurrence of an unusual pattern of coronary arterial branching, five of the TGA fetuses had abnormal coronary arterial distribution. Conclusions Using 4D echocardiography with color Doppler, it is possible to define the spatial relationships of the great arteries in fetuses with TGA with a high degree of accuracy. This information can be used during counseling to predict the likelihood of abnormal coronary arterial distribution. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The gas phase ion/molecule reactions of GeH 4 with some simple saturated (CH 4 , C 2 H 6 ) and unsaturated hydrocarbons (C 2 H 2 , C 3 H 4 , C 3 H 6 ) have been studied by high pressure mass spectrometry and Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The effects of the nature of the hydrocarbon and of the total pressure and the relative concentrations of the reagent gases on the formation of GeC containing ions are reported. Saturated hydrocarbons give only limited amounts of such species, whereas a variety of GeC containing products are efficiently produced when alkenes or alkynes are added to germane. In these latter cases, GeCH + 3 and GeCH + 5 are among the most abundant products, invariably accompanied by ions containing germanium, carbon and hydrogen in relative yields increasing with the hydrocarbon partial pressure. For all systems, the reaction pattern is presented and discussed in relation to the preparation of amorphous GeC containing materials for photovoltaic applications.

The formation of the complexes Co2(CO)6(C6H8) (I) and Co3(CO)9(C6H7) (II) by nuclear recoil of 60Co and T is reported together with the crystal structure of II. The very low T activity found in II suggests that benzvalene species play an important role in the formation of II. The crystal structure of II has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Crystals are triclinic, space group P 1 , a = 8.593(4), b = 14.305(7), c = 8.144(5) A, α=95.28(2), β = 112.24(2), γ = 100.78(2)°. The structure has been solved from diffractometer data by direct and Fourier methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0.0578 for 1456 observed reflections. The structure consists of an equilateral triangular cluster of Co atoms [CoCo bond distances: 2.450(3), 2.451(3) and 2.459(3) A]. A carbon atom from the (2-cyclopenten-1-methylidine) ligand nearly symmetrically caps the metal triangle [CoC bonds: 1.883(11), 1.901(11) and 1.902(14) A].

Objectives To explore whether the use of four dimensional (4D) ultrasound examination with B-flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) can supply additional information with respect to two-dimensional (2D) gray-scale and color Doppler echocardiography in the prenatal characterization of isolated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Methods The study population comprised a group of three TAPVC fetuses that had been examined exclusively by conventional echocardiography, and a group of four additional cases initially identified by conventional echocardiography and examined further by 4D ultrasonography; a thorough postnatal work-up was available for all fetuses. Results At our center, isolated TAPVC was found in seven of 1040 fetuses with cardiac defects (0.67%). Anomalous drainage was supracardiac to the innominate vein in three cases, cardiac to the coronary sinus in two, and infracardiac to the portal vein in the remaining two cases. An evident asymmetry between left heart and right heart structures was observed in 4/7 cases. The confluence of the anomalous pulmonary veins (PVs) was visualized in 4/7 cases and the connecting vertical vein was identified in 3/5 cases at 2D echocardiography. 4D ultrasound imaging with B-flow imaging and STIC clearly visualized the anomalous PV confluence and the draining vertical vein in all four cases examined. Conclusion 2D and color Doppler echocardiography appears to diagnose reliably TAPVC, albeit with some limitations in thorough assessment of the pathology, depending on the anatomy of the defect, on the technical adequacy of the equipment used and on the experience of the operator. 4D ultrasound examination with Bflow imaging and STIC is apparently able to facilitate identification of the anatomical features of TAPVC, thus supplying additional information over that provided by 2D fetal sonography. Copyright  2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In the present paper we report the results of photoconductivity experiments carried out in nearly optimally doped, single-phase Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x (Bi-2212) whiskers. Samples with both straight and bent shapes have been investigated by means of the four-probe and two-probe configurations in dark and in illuminated conditions. Experimental data invariably show the absence of a persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect. Such observations, combined with the very high crystal quality of the whiskers, which corresponds to the absence of defects acting as electron traps, can be explained in the framework of the electron–hole pair excitation model (Kudinov et al 1990 Phys. Lett. A 151 358). In contrast, experimental data show a reversible increase of the electrical resistance under illumination, which is fully consistent with a local heating effect due to the thermal load induced by the light. Such resistance increase is especially large for samples measured in the two-probe configuration, suggesting a possible supplementary effect due to an interaction between the light and the c-axis resistivity or the contact resistance.

The effect of different Na doping levels on structural and electric transport properties MgB2 of bulk samples was investigated. The samples were synthesized by an assisted microwave method using the microwave radiation to heat the powder precursors (Mg and B, high purity) constrained in a stainless steel box. It was found that Na addition induces a small X-ray diffraction peak broadening. Moreover a slight decreasing of the critical temperature and an improvement of both the irreversibility field and the upper critical field are exhibited. The result is almost independent on the doping level. The pinning energy turns out to be higher for the doped samples even if its dependence on current and temperature is the same for doped and undoped samples. Doping effect, flux pinning, magnesium diboride, microwave synthesis, structural characterization.

Objectives To assess the reliability of two-dimensional gray-scale (2D) and color Doppler echocardiography in the study of the size and anatomy of the central pulmonary arteries and of the sources of pulmonary blood flow in a case series of fetuses with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD), and to evaluate whether the use of 4D ultrasound with B-flow imaging and spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) can improve prenatal diagnostic accuracy. Methods The study population comprised a group of seven PA-VSD fetuses that had been examined by 2D and color Doppler echocardiography exclusively, and a group of five additional cases identified initially by conventional echocardiography and examined further by 4D ultrasound, for all of which a thorough postnatal or autopsy study of the size and anatomy of the pulmonary arteries and blood supply was available. Results 2D and color Doppler echocardiography failed to assess the anatomy of the central pulmonary arteries and the source of the pulmonary blood supply in 33% and 25% of the 12 cases, respectively. 4D ultrasound with B-flow imaging and STIC assessed successfully the anatomy of the pulmonary arteries and the source of pulmonary blood supply in all five fetuses examined. Conclusions The prognosis of PA-VSD is influenced by the anatomy of the pulmonary arteries and the sources of the pulmonary blood supply, and by coexisting extracardiac and genetic anomalies. Our findings, although limited to a small sample size, suggest that 4D echocardiography with B-flow imaging and STIC, unlike 2D ultrasound, can provide thorough visualization of very small vessels and of the arterial blood supply to the lungs of fetuses with PA-VSD. 4D ultrasound may be used in the future to improve and help to detail the diagnosis of other fetal cardiac defects. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To describe the anatomy, associated anomalies and outcome of 30 cases of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) detected prenatally. Methods This was a retrospective observational study of the 30 cases of ccTGA confirmed at autopsy or postnatal echocardiography seen at one of three referral centers from 1994 to 2003. The following data were considered: gestational age at diagnosis, cardiac anatomy, associated cardiac and extracardiac anomalies and fetoneonatal outcome. All fetuses underwent fetal echocardiography and a detailed anomaly scan, with follow-up scans at 3-4- week intervals until delivery. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy or after delivery. Follow-up data were retrieved from the clinical files of the patients. Results The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 25.5 weeks. Intracardiac defects associated with the ccTGA included a ventricular septal defect in 21 cases, pulmonary outflow obstruction in 12 cases, an abnormal tricuspid valve in 10 cases, ventricular hypoplasia in five cases and dextro/mesocardia in five cases. The karyotype was normal in all 24 newborns, and unknown in the cases which resulted in termination of pregnancy (n = 5) or intrauterine death (n = 1). There were associated extracardiac anomalies in four cases only. Three of the four cases of atrioventricular block (AV block) developed in the third trimester, while the fourth appeared after birth. There were nine deaths (five terminations, two perinatal deaths and two infant deaths). The remaining 21 (70%) newborns were alive at a median follow-up time of 32 months, 11 of them after various surgical procedures. Conclusions Our data suggest that in fetuses with ccTGA the risk of chromosomal and extracardiac anomalies is low, in accordance with postnatal data. The spectrum of associated cardiac lesions is consistent with that reported in the pediatric literature. These data may be of use during prenatal counseling since no figures regarding survival and/or outcome of ccTGA in the fetus have been reported so far. Copyright  2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Trisomy 4 mosaicism is extremely rare: herein we report the cytogenetic and molecular characterization and prenatal US findings of a case diagnosed prenatally. The diagnosis of level III mosaicism was established in cultured amniotic fluid cells (22.5%). At 22 weeks gestation, micrognathia and hypotelorism were suspected at 2-D sonography, and confirmed at 3-D examination. In addition, 2-D US showed cerebellar hypoplasia associated with borderline ventriculomegaly (confirmed at magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), spine deformity (hemivertebra), and a complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). The pregnancy was terminated. Trisomy 4 mosaicism was confirmed in placental and fetal skin cultured cells. The cord blood karyotype was normal. Molecular analysis excluded uniparental disomy of chromosome 4, and indicated that the trisomy 4 was of maternal meiotic origin. In presence of chromosome 4 mosaicism, accurate fetal sonography and echocardiography are mandatory. Low level mosaicism and normal echographic examinations seem to be associated with good prognosis. In postnatal life, chromosome 4 mosaicism should be suspected, and cytogenetic analysis proposed of further tissues (i.e., skin), in presence of craniofacial dysmorphism, cardiac defects, and abnormal hands/feet, even if mental development is appropriate or only slightly impaired.

Amorphous hydrogenated films of germanium carbides have been prepared by radiolysis of GeH4–C3H8 mixtures in the 430–570 K temperature range. Ge/C ratios range from 0.67 to 76 and Ge/H ratios from 0.22 to 10.8 according to the deposition temperature and the gas-phase composition. The corresponding bandgaps range from 1.58 to 1.04 eV. The effect of sp2 and sp3 carbon is discussed.

Prenatal diagnosis of aortic coarctation (AoCo) is feasible and has been shown to improve survival of affected neonates.1 However, AoCo represents the main determinant of both false negative and false positive diagnoses of congenital heart disease (CHD) in the fetus.2,3 As a primary lesion, it accounts for 7.1–8.3% of CHD in fetal series and is significantly associated with chromosomal and extra-cardiac anomalies.2,3 We report here a retrospective analysis conducted on a population of 68 fetuses diagnosed with AoCo confirmed at necropsy or after birth. The objectives of this study are to analyse the characteristics, associations, and outcome of AoCo when diagnosed in the fetus and to evaluate the prognostic impact of these characteristics on survival. This study is an observational analysis including all fetuses with a primary diagnosis of isolated AoCo seen at two referral centres over an eight year period (1995–2002). Of the original 166 fetuses, 98 were excluded (association with other major CHDs in 71 cases, lesion unconfirmed at birth in 18 cases, necropsy/surgical confirmation not available in nine cases). The remaining 68 cases with confirmed AoCo represent the study population. All fetuses underwent fetal echocardiography and a detailed anomaly scan. All examinations were performed with high resolution ultrasound systems (Prosound 5000 and 5500 Aloka, Tokyo, Japan; Toshiba Powervision 6000, Tokyo, Japan). The following variables were entered in the analysis: indication for …

Objectives To assess in a population of 21 fetuses diagnosed with absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis, the incidence of extracardiac and chromosomal anomalies and the perinatal outcome. Methods This was a retrospective observational study of 21 fetuses with a confirmed diagnosis of APVS. All of them underwent fetal echocardiography and a detailed anatomical scan. Karyotyping was performed in 20/21 cases, with fluorescent in-situ hybridization analysis to detect the 22q11 microdeletion performed in 16/21 cases. The following variables were retrieved from databases and evaluated: indication for referral, gestational age at diagnosis, presence of cardiomegaly, branch pulmonary dilatation, associated anomalies or intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal/neonatal outcome. Autopsy reports and postnatal surgical/medical files were available for confirmation in all cases. Results Prenatal diagnosis of APVS proved correct in all cases, with only three cases occurring not in association with tetralogy of Fallot. Additional cardiovascular anomalies were present in five cases (24%). Extracardiac anomalies were found in nine cases (42.8%), and were associated with chromosomal anomalies in five cases (24%). The 22q11 microdeletion was present in 4/16 cases (25%). Fetal/neonatal outcome was as follows: nine terminations of pregnancy, three intrauterine deaths, six postnatal deaths. The remaining three (14.3%) neonates were alive after surgery. Cardiomegaly and marked branch pulmonary dilatation were present in 16 and 15 cases, respectively, and were associated with bronchomalacia in virtually all cases. Conclusions APVS can be reliably diagnosed and characterized prenatally. The association with major chromosomal anomalies or 22q11 microdeletion is consistent with previous findings. The relatively poor survival rate is due to the high rate of terminations, associated genetic anomalies and bronchomalacia. Bronchomalacia is present in the overwhelming majority of cases featuring cardiomegaly and marked branch pulmonary dilatation. Copyright  2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis, the incidence of extracardiac and chromosomal anomalies, and the perinatal outcome in a population of fetuses with common arterial trunk (CAT). Design: Observational study of 23 fetuses from three referral centres with a confirmed diagnosis of CAT. All underwent fetal echocardiography, detailed anatomical scanning, and karyotyping. In 19 cases, FISH analysis was done to detect 22q11 microdeletion. The following variables were evaluated: gestational age at diagnosis, anatomical variants of the CAT, presence of extracardiac and chromosomal anomalies, pregnancy, and fetal–neonatal outcome. Necropsy reports and postnatal files were available for confirmation of the prenatal diagnosis in all cases. Results: The prenatal diagnosis proved correct in 23 of 24 cases, the last being pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PAVSD). A second cardiovascular anomaly was present in eight cases (34.8%); extracardiac anomalies were found in 10 (43.4%). FISH analysis showed 22q11 microdeletion in six of 19 cases (31.6%). Outcomes were as follows: eight terminations of pregnancy (34.8%), two intrauterine deaths (8.7%), five postnatal deaths (before or after surgery) (21.7%); the remaining eight neonates (34.8%) are alive and thriving after surgery (six) or awaiting surgery (two). Conclusions: CAT can be reliably diagnosed and characterised in prenatal life, although differentiation from PAVSD may be challenging. The association with chromosomal anomalies is consistent (8.7%), but there is a higher risk of 22q11 microdeletion (31.6%), in agreement with postnatal studies. The relatively poor survival rate (34.8%) reflects the high rate of terminations and the unfavourable cardiac anatomy in some cases.

Interrupted aortic arch is a rare, severe congenital heart defect subdivided into three types, A, B and C, according to the site of interruption. Type C is by far the least common form of interrupted aortic arch (less than 5% of cases), type A is commonly an isolated defect whereas type B is frequently associated with 22q11 deletion. Differentiation of interrupted aortic arch type A from type B by prenatal echocardiography is possible but difficult; it needs to be done on the basis of observation of reliable morphological indicators which point to the correct diagnosis. Here we report the first case of prenatal diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch type A associated with 22q11 deletion. The significance of this association is not yet clear, since 22q11 genes mainly affect embryonic cardiovascular morphogenesis of those regions whose development is critically dependent on neural crest cell migration and function, affected in type B defect but not in type A.

Amorphous germanium carbides have been prepared by X-ray-activated chemical vapor deposition from germane/ethyne systems. Different mixtures containing the two reagents in variable molar ratios hav...

We report the growth of highly oriented microscopic whisker-like crystals in the Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O system by means of glassy precursors. The dependence of the growth on the stoichiometric composition and on the temperature and duration of the annealing process has been studied. Chemical impurities have been investigated from the point of view of the morphology, the elemental composition and the crystal structure, identifying the presence of CuAl2O4, Sr1.2Bi0.8O3 and Al. Electrical contacts have been fabricated by means of thermal evaporation and diffusion. Their sizes have been carefully measured, achieving contact resistivity in the range of 0.2–3.7 × 10−6 Ω cm2. A very slow degrading of the contacts and the crystals on a time scale of a few years has been detected. This is associated with a decrease in Tc, which is probably due to oxygen release from the material.

The rate constants of the gas phase ion/molecule reactions in CH 3 GeH 3 alone and in CH 3 GeH 3 /SiH 4 mixture have been determined by ion trap mass spectrometry and compared with those obtained in GeH 4 and CH 3 SiH 3 alone, and in GeH 4 /SiH 4 mixture. Collision rate constants have been calculated and efficiencies determined. Chain propagation of ions containing Ge, Si, and, possibly C, important in the radiolytical preparation of materials of interest in photovoltaic technology, occurs through ions such as GeSiCH n + ( n = 4, 6) from Si 2 H n + ( n = 2, 4) reacting with methylgermane and GeSi 2 CH n + ( n = 6, 7) from Si 3 H n + ( n = 4, 5) reacting with methylgermane at rather high rates. The experimental conditions to increase yield of formation of ions with silicon and germanium are discussed.

Metal Organic Deposition (MOD) technique, which represents a flexible method for obtaining both platelets and films of YBCO, is based on baking, pyrolyzing and annealing stages of neodecanoates solutions. The annealing step is generally very long. The whole annealing stage can be simply substituted by a heat treatment (about 1 h) in a commercial microwave (MW) oven, followed by a 15 min. annealing at 900°C in a resistive furnace without oxygenation. With this process, YBCO platelets, films and wires were obtained starting from powders prepared by MO (Metal-Oxide). XRD patterns are indicative of a strong texturing by the evidence of (003) and (005) lines. By the same technique, YBCO films were prepared by spray deposition on A12O 3 for a total thickness of about 5 μm, each spray step, of 1 gm, was followed by 5 min pyrolysis at 500 °C and 1 h MW annealing.The MW technique was also used for preparation of quartz and ceramic fibers covered by YBCO.

Phosphine/methylsilane mixtures investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry and reaction pathways together with the rate constants of the main reactions are reported. Mechanisms of ion/molecule reactions have been elucidated by single and multiple isolation steps. The SiHn+(n = 0–3) ions react with phosphine to give mainly the SiPHn+ (n = 1–4) ion family. These ions further react with phosphine or methylsilane to yield SiP2Hn+ (n = 2, 4) and Si2 CPHn+ (n = 5–8) ions respectively. Mixed SiPHn+ (n = 3, 4) ions also originate from the PHn+ (n = 1, 2) phosphine primary ions. Hydride abstraction from methylsilane is a very common process, which takes place from a great number of ionic precursors, including the PHn+ (n = 0–2) ions, yielding the SiCH5+ species. Trends in relative abundance, respectively summed for the SiCPHn+ (n = 5, 6), Si2CPHn+ (n = 5–8) and Si2C2PHn+ (n = 7–12) families of ions as a function of reaction time for different PH3/CH3SiH3 pressure ratios, show that the nucleation of mixed Si-P ions proceeds to a lower extent with excess phosphine and is not substantially influenced by excess methylsilane.

loss occurred in 10.4% and 1.6% of children with 1st and 2nd trimester infection, respectively. One child with deafness treated with cochlear implant and one child diagnosed with mild CP, (attributed to prematurity) both after 1st trimester infection. Three children, after 2ed trimester infection, diagnosed with hypotonia (2) and mild developmental delay (1). Nineteen patients had abnormal sonographic findings (4 with normal MRI, and 10 with subtle MRI findings). Of those, 3 (15.7%) had damage to the auditory system. Two other fetuses had very abnormal US findings (refuse TOP) and they suffered severe neurologic damage. In all cases infection occurred during the 1st trimester. None of the children infected during the third trimester were affected. Conclusions: The outcome of congenital primary CMV infection with normal prenatal US and MRI is favorable. The prognostic value of subtle MRI findings is probably limited and as an isolated finding it probably does not justify termination of pregnancies.

Objectives: To define the feasibility of assessing the right subcalavian artery (RSA) in 1st and 2nd trimester ultrasonographic assessment of routine population and the association of ARSA with chromosomal, cardiac and extracardiac anomalies. Methods: RSA was prospectively evaluated since July 2009 in all routine patients booked in our fetal medicine Unit. We included 11–14 weeks assessment, pre-invasive US evaluation in patients that declined 1st trimester screening at booking and opted directly for fetal karyotyping due to maternal age ≥35 y and routine anomaly scan. All patients referred for increased NT, amniocentesis, cardiac or extracardiac abnormalities were excluded. Results: We have assessed 4068 routine patients, 3036 in the 1st and 3152 in the 2nd trimester; 2281 patients were assessed in both 1st and 2nd trimesters. RSA assessment was feasible in 2529 1st trimester exams (83%). Feasibility in the first trimester was related to the CRL/BMI ratio. In the 2nd trimester the feasibility was higher reaching 98%. The overall feasibility in our series was 91.1% (3709 feasible cases, considering both 1st and 2nd trimester evaluation). An ARSA was found in 49 fetuses (overall incidence 1.32% of the feasible cases) where 28 were detected in the 1st and 19 in the 2nd trimester. Nine of the 2nd trimester ARSA have been misdiagnosed in the 1st trimester assessment. Fetal echocardiography always confirmed the initial diagnosis, when an ARSA was detected in the screening scan (no false positive cases). Of the 49 ARSA, 39 were euploid with no other findings; the remaining 10 cases included 5 aneuploidies, 1 genetic syndrome, 1 22q11 microdeletion, 1 cardiac and 2 extracardiac abnormalities. Conclusions: The feasibility of RSA assessment in a routine population depends on gestational age and maternal BMI, with more than 80% feasible cases in the first trimester. A high rate of ARSA are associated with genetic or structural, abnormalities.

Various (C 2 ,H 5 ,Ge) + stable isomers have been identified on the corresponding SCF 3-21G * potential energy surface. Twelve distinct structures have been characterized, and their relative stability has been evaluated at the correlated MP2 and QCISD(T) post-SCF levels of theory, with double-ζ quality basis sets. Several analogies do exist with the previously described (C 3 ,H 5 ) + species, although significant differences can be pointed out