Investigation into Photoconductivity in Single CNF/TiO(2)-Dye Core-Shell Nanowire Devices.

A vertically aligned carbon nanofiber array coated with anatase TiO(2) (CNF/TiO(2)) is an attractive possible replacement for the sintered TiO(2) nanoparticle network in the original dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) design due to the potential for improved charge transport and reduced charge recombination. Although the reported efficiency of 1.1% in these modified DSSC's is encouraging, the limiting factors must be identified before a higher efficiency can be obtained. This work employs a single nanowire approach to investigate the charge transport in individual CNF/TiO(2) core-shell nanowires with adsorbed N719 dye molecules in dark and under illumination. The results shed light on the role of charge traps and dye adsorption on the (photo) conductivity of nanocrystalline TiO(2) CNF's as related to dye-sensitized solar cell performance.

[Treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures with a double dorsal plate: a study of 12 patients]. / Traitement des fractures du radius distal à déplacement postérieur avec double plaque dorsale: à propos de 12 cas.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures with dorsal displacement and comminution are unstable and difficult to treat. Several surgical techniques have been suggested. Dorsal plates may have some advantages because of the failure of external fixation and pinning. The biomechanical superiority of radius reconstruction using two dorsal plates in both radial columns has been demonstrated in comparison to other techniques. METHODS: A prospective study was made on 12 patients with distal radius fractures with dorsal displacement, operated with double Mathys plates used in neutralization, and seven cases were grafted with Endobon. RESULTS: We have a follow-up of ten months. According to the Herzberg score, one case was rated as excellent, seven as good, three as medium and one as bad. The average flexion was 48.3 degrees, extension 49.8 degrees, pronation 75 degrees and supination 80 degrees. We found two cases of algodystrophy, and one of malunion. DISCUSSION: The best indication to apply the double dorsal plates on distal radius fractures is for metaphyso-diaphyseal fractures with dorsal displacement, comminution and articular involvement. Among its advantages, plating allows good control of the articular surface and of the "posterior-middle" fragment. A stable and solid ostheosynthesis allows rapid re-education and mobilization.

Effects of different growing systems and fertiliser rates on attractiveness of maize crop to beetles of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and larvae dammage.

Monitoring of plant lodging, yield reaction due to root injures caused by western corn rootworm larvae (WCR) (Diabroticia virgifera virgifera Le Conte) and adults abundance with yellow Multigard and Pherocone AM and pheromone Csalomon traps, were performed in three field trials. First one with 4 variants of maize growing system; maize continuous cropping, two crop rotation (wheat-maize, soybean-maize) and three crop rotation (wheat-soybean-maize), set up in 1985. Second one with 54 variants, both conducted in Zemun Polje. A large scale trial with three rates of NPK mineral fertilizers; (NPK 0 kg/ha, 170 kg/ha and 270 kg/ha with two type of N applied in side dressing (N 0 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha and 80 kg/ha) was set up in Crepaja in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Each variant of fertilizers had two combinations; one treated with insecticide and another one untreated check. Feeding on root system of WCR larvae, in the variants with insecticide application, resulted in plant lodging that ranged in average from 2.1% in 1997, to 61.6% in 1999, while in variant without insecticide application, root damage resulted in plant lodging from 19.5% in 1997, to 56.6% in 1999. Increasing of the nitrogen rates in the variants without application of insecticide tended to raise the percentage of plant lodging Yield reaction on nitrogen application was positive in 1997, first year and 1998, second year of maize monoculture, while in 1999 was negative. Larval injury affected maize yield in the higher extend in extremely dry year 2000, when yield index was 0.37 comparing 2.86 t/ha in maize monoculture to 7.66 t/ha in three crop rotation, 0.54 (2.86: 5.28 maize monoculture: wheat-maize) and 0.55 (2.86: 5.22 maize monoculture: soybean-maize). Adult abundance monitored with yellow sticky and pheromone traps indicate that maize in three crop rotation has the smallest attraction to the migratory WCR beetles. The choice of three crop rotation seems to be the most promising choice for maize growing, which will result with the lowest risk of plant lodging and yield decrease.

Time of planting and choice of maize hybrids in controlling WCR (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte) in Serbia and Montenegro.

Effects of the length of growing season of maize hybrids (FAO maturity groups 400, 500, 600 and 700) and planting dates on the maize crop, as an attractive supplemental feeding for western corn rootworm (WCR) beetles and larval survival, were observed in two locations of South Banat, during a three-year (1997-1999) and a two-year period (2001 and 2002). The feeding attraction of the maize crop for WCR beetles and survival of larvae were evaluated in dependency of the variable "plant lodging". The following results were obtained: First location: A. Plant lodging over time of planting and applied insecticides. 1. Early planting: 44.2%, 77.6%, and 76.7% for FAO 400, 500 and 600, respectively. 2. Late planting: 4.7%, 14.9%, and 7.9% for FAO 400, 500 and 600, respectively. B. Plant lodging over time of planting and cropping practices: 1. Early planting without insecticide application 72.2%, and with insecticide application 7.3%. The efficacy of application of insecticide carbofurane (Furadan 350 FS, dosage 4.0 liter/ha) in larval control was 89.9%. 2. Late planting without insecticide application, plant lodging was 47.7%, and with insecticide application 8.1%. The efficacy of application of insecticide carbofurane (Furadan 350 FS, dosage 4.0 l/ha-1) in larval control was 83.0%. Early planting resulted in greater survival of larvae; hence plant lodging was 10 times greater in early than in late planting. The percentage of lodged plants indicates that the maize crop in late planting was more attractive to imagoes. Therefore, more lodged plants were observed in the treatment where late planting preceded. Second location: Plant lodging as dependent on "treatments" 1. Regular plantings: 90.7% in untreated control and 76.2% in insecticide treated variant. The efficacy of insecticide application in control of high larval population was 16.0%. 2. Replanting date: 12.2% in untreated and 4.4% in treated variant. The efficacy of insecticide in control of low larval population increased from 16.0 to 63.9%. To successfully decrease the size and intensity of attacks of the Diabrotica v. virgifera population under conditions of applying insecticides or not, it is necessary to use maize hybrids of the earliest possible maturity group and to plant the seed on the earliest date possible in the first year of growing maize, if maize is to be followed by maize in the next year.

Orientation disruption of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in maize by a liquid MCA formulation released from paper squares in the Banat region of Serbia and Montenegro.

Serbia-Montenegro, formerly the Republic of Yugoslavia, is the first European Country where Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (Col.: Chrysomelidae) (D.v.v.) was reported in 1992 as an invasive alien pest species, Baca (1993), Camprag and Baca, (1995): From a focal point near Belgrade airport, the maize pest quickly spread in all directions reaching the economic threshold in a number of surrounding countries around 1995. The field experiments described took place in the Banat region east of Belgrade in July of 2002. The plant kairomone mimic 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (MCA) dissolved in acetone was slowly volatilized from paper squares. It permeated a maize field of known D.v.v. history of 0.5 ha size 3 km north of the village of Crepaja. With release rates of 266 g/ha, max. orientation disruption levels of 55% were achieved. The total amount of MCA was distributed in two manual applications. Readings of orientation levels were continued for eleven days during the latter part of July and into early August of 2002.

[Initial experience with the use of Levovist in adult patients with suboptimal echocardiograms]. / Experiencia inicial con el empleo de Levovist en pacientes adultos con ecocardiogramas subóptimos.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with the use of Levovist in echocardiographic studies. METHOD: We studied consecutively patients with suboptimal echocardiographic studies. A bolus of 4 gr @ 400 mg/ml was administered via antecubital vein and a second echocardiogram was performed during the ensuing minutes. RESULTS: Between June and July 1998 we studied 16 patients with suboptimal echocardiograms, seven males and nine females, ages 29-77. There were six patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), three with mitral regurgitation (MR), one with dynamic subaortic stenosis, five with right chambers dilatation and one with a left atrial tumor. No patient referred discomfort or had any complication-with Levovist. The mean time of the contrast effect was nine minutes. A better delineation of endocardial borders was observed this allowed better evaluation of wall motion and left ventricular function in patients with CAD. There was Doppler enhancement in patients with MR and subaortic stenosis facilitating its evaluation. We documented atrial septal defect non visualized previously in two of five patients with right chambers dilatation. There was a better delineation of the left atrial tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Levovist showed enhancement of all Doppler modalities and facilitated de evaluation of MR, left ventricular function, subaortic stenosis and a cardiac tumor. It was safe and well tolerated.

[Recurrent cardiac tamponade secondary to postpericardiotomy syndrome]. / Taponamiento cardíaco recidivante secundario a síndrome postpericardiotomía.

A 22-year-old woman underwent surgical repair of a secondary atrial septal defect. Thirty-five days after surgery, she developed fever, systemic venous congestion, and respiratory symptoms and chest pain. The echocardiogram demonstrated pericardial effusion (PE) quantified at approximately 3,500 cc, with signs of cardiac tamponade (CT). Pericardiocentesis was performed and symptomatology subsides when Prednisone 10 mg was administered every 24 h. Fourteen days after discharge, she was readmitted due to progressive dyspnea, orthopnea and fatigue. The echocardiogram showed the reappearance of PE and a mild CT. Prednisone 40 mg/day was given. After 10 days an echocardiogram showed are duction of the PE (600 cc) and the clinical condition of the patient improved. Three months later, PE disappeared in the echocardiogram and the patient remained asymptomatic.