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Purpose: Use of automated perfusion software has gained importance for imaging of stroke patients for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aim to compare four perfusion software packages: 1) with respect to their association with 3‑month functional outcome after successful reperfusion with MT in comparison to visual Cerebral Blood Volume - Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (CBV-ASPECTS) and collateral scoring and 2) with respect to their agreement in estimation of core and penumbra volume. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study (2015–2019) analyzed data from 8 centers. We included patients who were functionally independent before and underwent successful MT of the middle cerebral artery. Primary outcome measurements were the relationship of core and penumbra volume calculated by each software, qualitative assessment of collaterals and CBV-APECTS with 3‑month functional outcome and disability (modified Rankin scale >2). Quantitative differences between perfusion software measurements were also assessed. Results: A total of 215 patients (57% women, median age 77 years) from 8 centers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Multivariable analyses showed a significant association of RAPID core (common odds ratio, cOR 1.02; p = 0.015), CBV-ASPECTS (cOR 0.78; p = 0.007) and collaterals (cOR 0.78; p = 0.001) with 3‑month functional outcome (shift analysis), while RAPID core (OR 1.02; p = 0.018), CBV-ASPECTS (OR 0.77; p = 0.024), collaterals (OR 0.78; p = 0.007) and OLEA core (OR 1.02; p = 0.029) were significantly associated with 3‑month functional disability. Mean differences on core estimates between VEOcore and RAPID were 13.4 ml, between syngo.via and RAPID 30.0 ml and between OLEA and RAPID −3.2 ml. Conclusion: Collateral scoring, CBV-ASPECTS and RAPID were independently associated with functional outcome at 90 days. Core and Penumbra estimates using automated software packages varied significantly and should therefore be used with caution. © 2020, The Author(s).

OBJECTIVE: To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases. RESULTS: There were 91,373 stroke admissions in the 4 months immediately before compared to 80,894 admissions during the pandemic months, representing an 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] -11.7 to -11.3, p < 0.0001) decline. There were 13,334 IVT therapies in the 4 months preceding compared to 11,570 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 13.2% (95% CI -13.8 to -12.7, p < 0.0001) drop. Interfacility IVT transfers decreased from 1,337 to 1,178, or an 11.9% decrease (95% CI -13.7 to -10.3, p = 0.001). Recovery of stroke hospitalization volume (9.5%, 95% CI 9.2-9.8, p < 0.0001) was noted over the 2 later (May, June) vs the 2 earlier (March, April) pandemic months. There was a 1.48% stroke rate across 119,967 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was noted in 3.3% (1,722/52,026) of all stroke admissions. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of stroke hospitalizations, IVT, and interfacility IVT transfers. Primary stroke centers and centers with higher COVID-19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines. Recovery of stroke hospitalization was noted in the later pandemic months. © 2021 American Academy of Neurology.

Iron(II) complexes of the type [Fe(L)(NCS)2] with tetradentate ligands L are well known to show spin crossover properties. However, this behavior is quite sensitive in regard to small changes of the ligand system. Starting from the thoroughly investigated complex [Fe(tmpa)(NCS)2] [tmpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, also abbreviated as tpa in the literature] we modified the ligand by increasing systematically the chelate ring sizes from 5 to 6 thus obtaining complexes [Fe(pmea)(NCS)2], [Fe(pmap)(NCS)2], and [Fe(tepa)(NCS)2] [pmea = N,N-bis[(2-pyridyl)methyl]-2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine, pmap = N,N-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-(2-pyridyl)methylamine, and tepa = tris[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]amine]. All complexes were structurally characterized and spin crossover properties were investigated using Möβbauer spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and IR/Raman analyses. The results demonstrated that only the iron complexes with tmpa and pmea showed spin crossover properties, whereas the complexes with the ligands pmap and tepa only formed high spin complexes. Furthermore, DFT calculations supported these findings demonstrating again the strong influence of ligand environment. Herein the effect of increasing the chelate ring sizes in iron(II) isothiocyanato complexes with tetradentate tripyridyl-alkylamine ligands is clearly demonstrated.

— Resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectra (CARS) are reported for monomers and for trimers with and without linker proteins of allophycocyanin isolated from Mastigocladus laminosus. The CARS spectrum of the monomer is independent of the presence of linker proteins and is very similar to that of phycocyanin monomers indicating that the equivalent chromophores exhibit like structures in both biliproteins. Large differences are, however, observed between the spectra of phycocyanin trimers and those of allophycocyanin trimers with or without linker proteins (Lc8,9). The observed differences between monomer and trimer spectra are consistent with a change of the α-chromophore-protein arrangement upon aggregation without linker. If linker proteins are present in the trimer, then additional geometry changes of the β-chromophores are induced; these could relate to a transition from the 15Z-anti to 15Z-syn conformation.

A biochemical procedure is described to purify the T-cell mitogen in the supernatant of cultured Mycoplasma arthritidis organisms. The mitogenic material was bound on an affigel blue column. The eluate of this column was then acylated at 0 degrees C for 1.5 h and subsequently chromatography on a Sepharose Cl 6B and a Superose 12HR column were performed. SDS-PAGE showed a major band at MW 26,000 and some minor bands at 50,000. With this material biological tests were performed, including induction of lymphoproliferation and interferon induction in murine spleen cell cultures. Purified Mycoplasma arthritidis supernatant (MAS) vigorously stimulated spleen cell cultures of A/J, CBA, C3H/He, and DBA/2 mice, whereas a low-grade but definitive response was observed in C57BL/6 spleen cells. Cultures of Balb/c nu/nu mice, in contrast to those of their euthymic littermates, were non-reactive. When induction of interferon was tested, a marked response to purified MAS was observed in CBA and C3H/HeJ spleen cell cultures, whereas C57BL/6 spleen cells were non-reactive.

The vibrational spectra of the synthetic minerals crandallite and goyazite MAl3(OH)6(HPO4)(PO4) (M = Ca and Sr) were studied by means of vibrational (IR and Raman) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectrometries at room and low temperatures. The results were discussed taking into consideration the effects of different types of disorder (random distribution of PO4 and HPO4, orientational distribution with HPO4 and displacement of Ca in crandallite). The consequences of the resulting perturbed symmetry and of the non-equivalence of the bridging µ-OH groups in the Al2OH fragments were pointed out (complexity of the ν(Al2OH), δ(Al2OH) and γ(Al2OH) bands). The vibrations of the PO4 and HPO4 groups could be separated. Some aspects of the vibrational behaviour of the AlO2(OH)4 units and of the layers composed therewith were addressed. The translational modes of the interlayer cations Ca2+ and Sr2+ could be observed; the findings support the suggested displacement of Ca in crandallite. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The non-linear response (second harmonic generation, SHG, hyper-Rayleigh scattering, HRS, surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering, SEHRS, and continuum generation) of two different types of silver colloids is compared by stationary and correlation spectroscopy. Employing a poly-disperse colloid prepared after the protocol of Lee and Meisel we found that the efficiency of all types of non-linear response is greatly enhanced if the colloid is ‘activated’ by addition of chloride ions. This activation is also necessary to observe SEHRS with both the Lee-Meisel and the mono-disperse colloid prepared by hydrazine reduction. The correlation curves of both types of colloid show one step ( τ 1/2 ∼10 ms) which can be associated with lateral diffusion of the individual particles. Its τ 1/2 —value is larger for the poly-disperse colloid, which contains larger particles. In addition, we find a second step, its relative amplitude being dependent on experimental parameters, whose τ 1/2 —value is, however, essentially the same for all samples investigated ( τ ′ 1/2 ∼50 μs). We assign this correlation time to processes that lead to a restructuring of the surface and the formation and destruction of so-called ‘hot spots’. Under optimum condition, the efficiency for all non-linear processes connected with one such ‘hot spot’ is extremely high. ‘Hot particles’ contain at least one hot spot and can therefore dominate the non-linear signal without the need of aggregation (field enhancement in the gap between particles).

Vibrational spectra (IR, Raman, inelastic neutron scattering) were measured of natural wardite (ideal formula NaAl 3 (OH) 4 (PO 4 ) 2 ·2 H 2 O) from Trauira, Brazil, with the main impurities Fe and Ca. The spectra are discussed on the basis of a symmetry analysis restricted to one layer in the four-layer structure. The band pattern in the ν (OH) region is due to two different Al 2 OH groups and their correlation coupling; their deformations δ and γ are assigned based on IR and INS spectra. Contributions of the hydrogen-bonded H 2 O molecules are discussed, as are the vibrations of the AlO 6 octahedra dominating the Raman spectrum. From the fundamentals ν (OH) of the OH groups and their overtones anharmonicity constants have been estimated.

The electrodeposition of a sufficiently large amount of gold on vapor-deposited film electrodes at high overpotentials leads to excellent substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The SERS enhancement factor is estimated to be >107 with near-infrared excitation, a value which is superior to that for gold surfaces roughened by conventional oxidation–reduction cycles. Its wavelength dependence was studied over a wide range of excitation wavelengths and compared with that of silver electrodes prepared in an analogous manner. Furthermore, the broad applicability of the SERS-active gold film electrodes was demonstrated using numerous environmentally relevant s-triazine derivatives containing amino and/or thioether groups as probe molecules. Finally, it is shown that the high stability of the roughened gold surfaces allows even strongly adsorbed molecules to be removed by plasma cleaning without distinctly altering the SERS enhancement factor. First results allow the conclusion that this type of SERS-active surfaces is well suited for their repeated use. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

SERS spectra of eight benzodiazepine drugs were recorded with an FT-NIR Raman spectrometer employing AuFONs (gold films over nanospheres) as SERS-active substrates. A tentative assignment of the vibrational bands was made by comparison with the Raman spectra of crystalline reference samples and the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is concluded that the bands observed in the SERS spectra are almost exclusively due to vibrations located on rings a and b of the benzodiazepine moiety. The latter should be adsorbed with the molecular plane essentially orthogonal to the metal surface. However, different adsorption geometries are postulated for derivatives containing NH or NCH3 groups. It is demonstrated that a few hundred nanograms of analyte per well are sufficient to record spectra that allow identification and discrimination of the drugs. Such amounts can be collected at the output of an HPLC instrument employed for separating these drugs from blood serum. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy was employed to characterise different drugs and some of their degradation products contained in bio-matrices after separation by HPLC. Since acetonitrile, which is contained in the widely used Daldrup type eluents, adsorbs readily to the silver surface and disturbs SERS measurements at low analyte concentration, a gradient technique relying on a methanol/buffer mixture was developed. Application of this eluent helps to lower the detection limit of most of the drugs investigated (e.g. Dihydrocodeine, Doxepine, Citalopram, Trimipramine, Carbamazepine, Methadone) into the 1 μg/sample domain. The examples presented also demonstrate that the retention times determined by independent runs of reference solutions alone are not always sufficient for a unique identification of all fractions appearing in the chromatogram of a mixture that may contain degradation products. The Raman band patterns of many derivatives are, however, so distinct that in these cases an assignment to certain families of drugs is possible even without a detailed analysis of the spectrum (correlation of band positions with calculated normal mode frequencies). If SERS spectra of reference solutions recorded under similar experimental conditions are available, the described technique can provide a second, independent means of identification next to HPLC/MS for example if necessary during a law suit.

In the quest for low-molecular-weight metal sulfur complexes that bind nitrogenase-relevant small molecules and can serve as model complexes for nitrogenase, compounds with the [Ru(PiPr 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')] fragment were found ('N 2 Me 2 S 2 , 2 - =1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-benzenethiolate) 2 - ). This fragment enabled the synthesis of a first series of chiral metal sulfur complexes,. [Ru(L)-(PiPr 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')] with L=N 2 , N 2 H 2 , N 2 H 4 , and NH 3 , that meet the biological constraint of forming under mild conditions. The reaction of [Ru-(NCCH3)(PiPr 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')] (1) with NH 3 gave the ammonia complex [Ru-(NH 3 )(PiPr 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')] (4), which readily exchanged NH 3 for N 2 to yield the mononuclear dinitrogen complex [Ru(N 2 )(PiPT 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')] (2) in almost quantitative yield. Complex 2, obtained by this new efficient synthesis, was the starting material for the synthesis of dinuclear (R,R)- and (S,S)-[μ-N 2 (Ru(PiPr3)('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')} 2 ] ((R,R)-/ (S,S)-3). (Both 2 and 3 have been reported previously.) The as-yet inexplicable behavior of complex 3 to form also the R,S isomer in solution has been revealed by DFT calculations and 2 D NMR spectroscopy studies. The reaction of 1 or 2 with anhydrous hydrazine yielded the hydrazine complex [Ru(N 2 H 4 )(PiPr 3 )I'N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')] (6), which is a highly reactive intermediate. Disproportionation of 6 resulted in the formation of mononuclear diazene complexes, the ammonia complex 4, and finally the dinuclear diazene complex [μ-N 2 H 2 {Ru(PiPr 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 ')} 2 ] (5). Dinuclear complex 5 could also be obtained directly in an independent synthesis from 1 and N 2 H 2 , which was generated in situ by acidolysis of K 2 N 2 (CO 2 ) 2 . Treatment of 6 with CH 2 Cl 2 , however, formed a chloromethylated diazene species [{Ru-(PiPr 3 )('N 2 Me 2 S 2 '})-μ-N 2 H 2 {Ru(Cl)('N 2 -Me 2 S 2 CH 2 Cl')}] (9) ('N 2 Me 2 S 2 CH 2 Cl' 2 - = 1,2-ethanediamine-N,N'-dimethyl-N-(2-benzenethiolate) 1 - -N'-(2-benzenechloromethylthioether) 1 - ]. The molecular structures of 4, 5, and 9 were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis, and the labile N 2 H 4 complex 6 was characterized by NMR spectroscopy.

NIR−FT-Raman spectra of 1,10-phenanthroline were recorded of crystalline material and three different solutions (CD3OD, CHCl3, and CS2) in the wavenumber range 100−1800 cm-1. FT-IR spectra of the solid material were obtained for the range 400−1800 cm-1. A complete assignment of the experimental vibrational spectra (IR and Raman) of 1,10-phenanthroline is given on the basis of calculated frequencies and Raman intensities obtained from the DFT(BP86) harmonic force field. A satisfactory agreement of the harmonic BP86 wavenumbers with the fundamental experimental ones is found. This good agreement is due to a systematic error compensation for BP86 harmonic force fields. Raman intensities were calculated within the double harmonic approximation with different basis sets in order to investigate whether moderately sized triple-ζ basis sets with comparatively few polarization functions can properly describe nonresonant Raman scattering. A satisfactory agreement with experimental data for all in-plane vibrations i...

We have developed a new analysis procedure based upon High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in combination with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy as detection technique to meet todays need for an additional unique and reliable identification method of the ingredients of illicitly sold drugs or other pharmaceutical compounds. Separation of the individual components of a sample was preferentially achieved by employing an acetonitrile free eluent. The fractions of interest were collected as microliter volumes in the wells of a microtiter plate, which contained a home-made, matrix-stabilized silver halide dispersion. The latter functions as the precursor for the SERS-active surface generated by the probing laser beam. The limits of detection can be as low as 1 μg of analyte per one well of the microtiter plate. The recorded SERS spectra of the drugs Cocaine, Heroine and Amphetamine or the pharmaceuticals (Nor-) Papaverine and Procaine promise the possibility of a unique identification, especially if compared with the spectra of reference samples, and, therefore, can support the conclusions drawn by other identification techniques, if requested for example during a law suit.

Binding N2 to the metal sulfur cofactors of nitrogenase is considered the first step of biological N2 fixation. In quest of low-molecular weight complexes modeling this step [μ-N2{Ru(PiPr3)(N2Me2S2)}2] (3) was synthesized and completely characterized. Complex 3 was obtained from [Ru(N2)(PiPr3)(N2Me2S2)] (1) that dissociates N2 under reduced partial pressure of N2. Complex 1, in turn, forms from [Ru(CH3CN)(PiPr3)(N2Me2S2)] (2) and N2 at standard conditions (20 °C, 1 bar) such that the formation of 3 corresponds with a binding of molecular nitrogen to metal thiolate complex fragments under mild conditions, not requiring abiologically strong reductants. Complex 3 forms as racemate of (R,R)-3 and (S,S)-3 enantiomers which spontaneously separate upon crystallization and could both be characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 3 exhibits short bonds trans to the N2 ligand, a ν(N2) frequency (2042 cm−1) low in comparison with that of 1 (2113 cm−1) and a non-linear [RuNNRu] entity. The thiolate donors of 3 represent Broensted-basic sites for reversible protonations so that 3 becomes a complex suited for investigations aiming at the reduction of N2 by nitrogenase-like coupled [2H+/2e−] transfer steps.

At low temperatures, the mononuclear copper(I) complex of the tetradentate tripodal aliphatic amine Me(6)tren (Me(6)tren = tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine) [Cu(I)(Me(6)tren)(RCN)](+) first reversibly binds dioxygen to form a 1:1 Cu-O(2) species which further reacts reversibly with a second [Cu(I)(Me(6)tren)(RCN)](+) ion to form the dinuclear 2:1 Cu(2)O(2) adduct. The reaction can be observed using low temperature stopped-flow techniques. The copper superoxo complex as well as the peroxo complex were characterized by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The spectral characteristics and full kinetic and thermodynamic results for the reaction of [Cu(I)(Me(6)tren)(RCN)](+) with dioxygen are reported.

IR and Raman spectra (λex = 1064, 400 and 280 nm) were recorded for solutions of tetracycline and several derivatives in acidified and alkaline H2O and D2O, respectively. Based on the observed resonance enhancement, an empirical assignment of most of the Raman bands in the wavenumber range 1000

The drop coating technique was applied to generate thin films of various polymer nanospheres as a basis for the preparation of AgFON (Ag films over nanospheres). In contrast to the well known spin coating technique, the chosen procedure also allows the use of multiwell (microtiter) plates as substrate, thereby opening up the possibility of a high-throughput analysis technique based on SERS. Employing commercially available spheres of polystyrene (diameter 533 nm) or silica (diameter 470 nm) and an Ag top layer 200 nm thick, SERS spectra of several food dyes were recorded; for Brillant Green (E 142), the detection limit was about 500 pg per well. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

IR and Raman (λex = 785 and 1064 nm) spectra of Fe(phen)2(NCS)2 were recorded at T = 298 and 100 K, and the observed vibrations were assigned by comparison with the results obtained by DFT/BP86 cal...

Highly ordered silver nanowire arrays have been obtained by pulsed electrodeposition in self-ordered porous alumina templates. Homogeneous filling of all the pores of the alumina template is achieved. The interwire distance is about 110 nm corresponding to a density of silver nanowires of 61×109 in.−2 and the diameter can be varied between 30 and 70 nm. The silver wires are monocrystalline with some twin lamella defects and grow perpendicular to the 〈110〉 direction. The previously encountered difficulty to obtain 100% filling of the alumina pores is discussed in the framework of electrostatic instabilities taking into account the different potential contributions during electrodeposition. To obtain homogeneously filled pore membranes, a highly conductive metal containing electrolyte, a homogeneous aluminum oxide barrier layer, and pulsed electrodeposition are a prerequisite.

In order to develop a high-throughput analysis method based upon surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, we have successfully tested the possibility of generating SERS-active silver surfaces from home-made AgX dispersions deposited in the wells of commercially available microtiter plates. In an effort to reduce the number of preparation steps, the SERS-active silver metal surface is generated from the silver halides in situ after sample application by the tightly focused Raman probe laser. The intensity of the SERS signal increases initially with the conditions for a high-enhancement factor becoming optimal. Later on, it decreases as the solvent is evaporated completely. The signal can, however, be restored to a great extent by adding new refreshing solvent, preferably methanol. Pilot experiments using aromatic thiols and amines as test analytes proved that sample volumes as small as 1 mL with analyte concentrations down to 10−6 M are sufficient for recording of SERS spectra suitable to identify the analyte. A feasibility study was performed aimed at the identification of several analytes contained in the various fractions of the output of an analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument.

Raman measurements were carried out for sputtered amorphous SiNi thin films. Raman scattering in a-Si is not influenced by a low Ni content (≤8.3 at.%) to any significant degree, the position of peaks and their widths are not changed. A shift to lower frequencies and a broadening of the high frequency band transverse optical (TO) (which results in a redistribution of phonon states to lower frequencies) are observed with an increase of the Ni content. These modifications are correlated with the presence of Ni in the coordination sphere of Si, as resulted from the calculated local structure in NiSi alloys on the basis of the diffraction patterns.

— Resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) spectra are reported for trimers of phycoerthrocyanin (PEC) dissolved in H2O and D2O. The CARS spectra are significantly different when recorded with pump wavelength either at 585 nm or 630 nm. By comparison of the 630 nm spectra with those of phycocyanin one can conclude that there is a change in the relative location of the lowest excited states of the β84 and β155 chromophores. Upon additional illumination with 514.5 nm laser light, only the spectra recorded with 585 nm pump wavelength change. This is in accordance with earlier observations that the phycoviolobilin chromophore of the a-subunit exhibits photochromic behavior. The changes in the CARS spectra provide evidence that it is the methine bridge between rings C and D that undergoes the geometrical changes. Furthermore, it is suggested that there are different types of photoinduced rearrangements operative and that the isomeric distribution is different in H2O and D2O.

Vibrational spectra of two dyes, malachite green and crystal violet are presented. Raman and hyper-Raman spectra are recorded as surface-enhanced (hyper-) Raman spectra on silver colloids. These data are compared to the respective IR spectra with respect to the point group of the molecules (C 2 and C 3 ). Theoretical calculations (PM3 semiempirical) and polarized Raman spectra are used to give an assignment of some vibrational bands. The advantage of SERS (surface-enhanced Raman scattering) and SEHRS (surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering) is discussed for the analysis of vibrational spectra

Three building blocks of the antenna complexes of the cyanobacterium Westiellopsis prolifica were studied: PEC(X), which is similar to the α-subunit of phycoerythrocyanin (PEC), trimers of PEC and monomers derived from these by deaggregation with KSCN. The fit of the fluorescence decay curve of PEC(X) requires at least four exponentials, although it supposedly contains only one chromophore. The coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra indicate that the heterogeneity observed is due to geometrical isomers, which are in part generated by photoinduced processes. A similar heterogeneity in chromophore structure and properties is also found in the monomers, where four exponentials are needed to fit the fluorescence decay curve. As in trimers, there is a long-lived, low-amplitude component, which can be assigned to impurities and/or oxidation products. The energy transfer time between the two phyocyanobilin chromophores in the β-subunit is about 500 ps; the lifetime of the fluorescing β-chromophore is 1.5 ns. The phycoviolobilin chromophore in the α-subunit adopts different geometries characterized by fluorescence lifetimes of about 240 and 800 ps. No evidence was found for energy transfer between the α-chromophore and the β-chromophores. This energy transfer occurs in trimers on a time scale of less than 20 ps; the energy transfer time between the two different types of β-chromophore is about 250 ps and the lifetime of the terminal emitter is about 1.5 ns. The excited state kinetics are therefore similar to those of PEC trimers from Mastigocladus laminosus, as are the CARS spectra, indicating a similar chromophore—protein arrangement. In comparison with phycocyanin, the ordering of the excited states of chromophores β84 and β155 may be changed. Although PEC trimers of Westiellopsis prolifica show almost as good a photostability as trimers of Mastigocladus laminosus, monomers are so photolabile that no CARS spectra could be recorded.

Resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectra are recorded for monomers and trimers of phycocyanin from three different cyanobacteria: Westiellopsis prolifica, Mastigocladus laminosus and Spirulina platensis. It is shown that upon aggregation from monomer to trimer the electronic structures of both the α84 and β84 chromophores are changed. The spectra of the trimers originating from S. platensis and M. laminosus are very similar to each other, but distinctly different from the spectrum of W. prolifica.

(1) To demonstrate average length of service (ALOS) bias in the currently used acute-care hospitalization (ACH) home health quality measure, limiting comparability across agencies, and (2) to propose alternative ACH measures.Secondary analysis of Medicare home health service data 2004-2007; convenience sample of Medicare fee-for-service hospital discharges.Cross-sectional analysis and patient-level simulation.We aggregated outcome and ALOS data from 2,347 larger Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) in the United States between 2004 and 2007, and calculated risk-adjusted monthly ACH rates. We used multiple regression to identify agency characteristics associated with ACH. We simulated ACH during and immediately after home health care using patient and agency characteristics similar to those in the actual data, comparing the existing measure with alternative fixed-interval measures.Of agency characteristics studied, ALOS had by far the highest partial correlation with the current ACH measure (r(2)=0.218, p.0001). We replicated the correlation between ACH and ALOS in the patient-level simulation. We found no correlation between ALOS and the alternative measures.Alternative measures do not exhibit ALOS bias and would be appropriate for comparing HHA ACH rates with one another or over time.

The authors report on a successful pregnancy in a young Turkish patient with p and anti-PP1Pk-antibodies. Anti-PP1Pk is considered to cause haemolytic diseases in the newborn and habitual abortions. The patient was treated via plasma exchange and substitution with intravenous immunoglobulin. At 31 weeks of gestation the patient underwent Caesarean section due to growth retardation and pathological signs in the fetal CTG. The child has developed well up to two years after the delivery. Based on our data and a review of the literature, the effectiveness of therapy by plasmapheresis and/or immunoglobulin is discussed.

‘Megadiversity ’ originated as a term in the context of biodiversity conservation in the late 1980s (Mittermeier et al. 2004). It refers to countries with an extremely high level of species richness , usually found in the tropical realm, one or two orders higher in magnitude than in most temperate zone countries. In many ways countries or areas of megadiversity coincide with the slightly longer-established concept of biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al. 2000; Brummitt and Lughadha 2003; see Chapter 2 in this volume). Unlike the concept of hotspots, megadiversity also attempts to take into account degrees of endemism, phylogenetic relatedness, and other measures of diversity applied for identifying biodiversity hotspots as opposed to pure numbers of species or taxa per unit area. More than any academic differentiation, however, the term megadiversity was recently taken up and promoted at the political level, particularly under the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD ), as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES ). Following the original meeting in Cancun, Mexico, in February 2002, 15 countries formed a group of ‘Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries’ (LMMC ) as a forum to address the specific challenges for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use faced by countries with disproportional high levels of biodiversity (‘Cancun declaration 2002’). Later joined by Australia and the USA, this informal group of countries comprises many but by no means all of the recognized global biodiversity hotspots. The Republic of Ecuador qualifies by all standards as being megadiverse, and has also been a founding member of the LMMC group. This relatively small country (approx. 284 000 km) harbors an outstanding variety of habitats along pronounced elevational and wet–dry gradients. The high beta diversity along these gradients, situated within the peak of species-richness at tropical low latitudes, favors an enormous biological diversity that is rivaled by only a few other regions in the world. For example, Jorgensen and Leon-Yanez (1999) listed 15.901 vascular plant species (15 306 of them native) known to occur in Ecuador, which is more than six times the number reported for Germany with its 2682 species in a 25% larger territory (357 000 km). Among the various habitats in

Three patients with hematologic relapse after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia were treated with interferon alpha and transfusion of viable donor buffy coat. All had complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission, which persisted 32 to 91 weeks after treatment. In two patients graft-versus-host disease developed and was treated by immunosuppression. These results are an example of adoptive immunotherapy without cytoreductive chemotherapy or radiotherapy in human chimeras.

The authors describe a new type of electronic packaging topology using embedded transmission-line (ETL) monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC's) along with a new state-of-the-art Z-axis material that acts as a chip adhesive as well as an electrical connection with a carrier substrate. The results from the first two flip chip assemblies that were produced under the Microwave Analog Front End Technology (MAFET) Thrust 2 Program are presented. The flip chip packages provided greater than 1-W package output power on a Kovar housing floor with greater than 8-dB package large signal gain at 11.5 GHz.

Randomized trials have shown that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) reduce mortality and morbidity and improve symptoms in many patients with heart failure. However, recent data show that the rate of ACEI prescriptions in West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with heart failure is not increasing. Data from the charts of patients who were discharged from 44 acute care hospitals during 2000 and 2001 were obtained, and these data were matched with current beneficiary data to determine if and when the patient died subsequent to the hospitalization of record. We examined data from 5,144 patients with heart failure for whom we had information on ACEI use, comorbidities, and contraindications, in addition to basic demographics. Patients who received angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were excluded. Of these patients, 863 were eligible for ACEls, and 716 (83%) were discharged on an ACEI. Logistic regression showed that being discharged on an ACEI had a significant negative association with mortality one year later (P = .0009), reducing mortality in patients with heart failure by about one third.

Highly-ordered two dimensional arrays of monodisperse silver and nickel nanowires were prepared in an alumina matrix. The nearly 100% filling of the template with metal was obtained by improved electrochemical deposition technique. The light propagation in the direction of the long axis of the metal nanowires were studied by far field spectroscopy and the results were compared with the generalized Mie theory. By selectively dissolving the matrix at a constant etching rate the we investigate the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and the results are interpreted with theoretical models. The enhanced SERS signal can be recorded until the whole matrix was removed and the ordering of the metal nanowires collapses.