A practical approach to neuroimaging in stroke

This chapter, ‘A practical approach to neuroimaging in stroke’, provides an overview on the different imaging modalities used in stroke medicine, including a brief outline of more advanced research tools. There is a recap of imaging used in acute infarction, the Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS), computed tomography (CT) perfusion, magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion, arterial spin labelling, magnetic resonance spectroscopy; subacute imaging as in haemorrhagic transformation of infarcts, fogging effect, contrast enhancement; direct plaque imaging, and ultrasonography. Finally, it explores the dedicated vascular imaging techniques used for assessing the aetiology of stroke and guiding management. Due to the time-critical nature of treatment in stroke, it is important that imaging is readily accessible. With the multitude of imaging modalities and studies available, it is important that clinicians have sufficient knowledge to be able to select the most appropriate test for the patient, and to be aware of potential limitations and diagnostic pitfalls.

Field Test of Self-Cleaning Zr-Modified-TiO2-SiO2 Films on Glass with a Demonstration of Their Anti-Fogging Effect

The number of commercial products claiming self-cleaning properties is rising and testing of long-term activity and durability of such coatings needs to be addressed more. The time-dependent changes of different characteristics like haze, transparency, and color are essential for transparent glazing materials. Herein, we aimed to examine whether the laboratory results obtained on the Zr-modified-titania-silica (TiZr) self-cleaning materials would translate to larger-scale outdoor-exposed testing. TiZr thin films were deposited via spraying onto float glass window surfaces and exposed into three different environments for 20 months. For comparison, a commercially available active SGG BIOCLEANTM glass and standard float glass were simultaneously exposed in the same conditions. It was shown that the self-cleaning property of either a commercial product or TiZr-coated float glass was not considerably effective in real field test conditions, although the previous laboratory tests showed pronounced photocatalytic activity of TiZr thin films. The inclination angle; however, was shown to have a considerable effect on the self-cleaning ability of samples, as did the rain patterns during the testing period. On the other hand, the anti-fogging effect of our TiZr material was very well expressed in controlled laboratory conditions (measuring droplet formation time) as well as in the real outdoor environment.

Response of GAFChromic® HD-V2 film dosimeter in 10-300 Gy dose range for radiation testing of electronic devices

The study reported in this paper aimed to investigate the response of a GAFChromic? HD-V2 film dosimeter in the dose range between 10 and 300 Gy, normally used to perform irradiation tests on electronic devices with a 60Co gamma-ray irradiator. The well-defined linearity of response in terms of absorbance as a function of absorbed dose, easiness of handling and data analysis of irradiated dosimeters, reproducibility, stability, and insensitivity to visible light and most of the environmental parameters, make HD-V2 film a flexible, inexpensive and reliable dose measurement device. The study has shown a fogging effect of the dosimeter response since its value changes over time. Strategies and adequate precautions to take into account changes on HD-V2 film physical properties for calibration and routine use in industrial applications, with a specific reference to radiation testing of electronic devices, have been discussed.