Landslide is a kind of serious geologic disaster. It's very important to monitor the deformation of the landslide area that threatens the lives or constructions. There are some successful applications in deformation monitoring using GPS. In certain circumstance, the continuous observation and real-time 3D coordinates with high precision can be carried out automatically using GPS. However, most of the landslide areas lie in canyons where the signals from GPS satellites are sheltered seriously. So in this case, to get precise and reliable results in deformation monitoring using GPS is a problem which needs being discussed and solved. In this paper, the landslides monitoring project in the Kala Reservoir area using GPS in China is introduced firstly. The design of deformation monitoring GPS network and the data processing method are discussed subsequently. The results of the deformation monitoring indicate that the requirements of the project are accomplished.

A sol-gel coating of transparent optically varialie is introduced in this paper. The plastic films coated with titanium dioxide using sol-gel process were embossed to form special patterns in micrometer scales. AFM, SEM, ellipsometer and electrophotometer were used to characterize the TiO2 Coating and the transparent optically variable. The results show that the titania coating has nano-porous structure and the refractive index is about 1.9. The diffraction efficiency of the transparent optically variable coating is about 2.0%.

Currently, the only FDA-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the thrombolytic, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; alteplase; activase). It has been proposed that both the spin trap agent NXY-059 (cerovive) and tenecteplase (TNK-tPA), which are currently in phase II clinical trials, may also be useful for the treatment of ischemic stroke. However, there is little information available concerning the dose–response profiles or therapeutic window for NXY-059 in a validated embolic stroke model, nor is there information available pertaining to the effects of combining NXY-059 with tenecteplase. Thus, we determined the pharmacological profile of NXY-059 on behavioral outcome following small clot embolic strokes in rabbits when administered alone or in combination with tenecteplase. Male New Zealand white rabbits were embolized by injecting a suspension of small blood clots into cerebral circulation via a carotid catheter. NXY-059 (0.1–100 mg/kg) was infused intravenously (IV), 1 h following embolization, whereas control rabbits received infusions of saline. We also determined the therapeutic window for NXY-059 by administering the drug 1, 3, or 6 h following embolic strokes. Lastly, in combination studies, NXY-059 was given concomitantly with tenecteplase 1 or 6 h following embolization. In the vehicle control group, the P50 value (milligrams of clots that produce behavioral deficits in 50% of the rabbits) measured 24 h following embolism was 1.20 ± 0.15 mg, and this was increased by 100–134% if NXY-059 (1–100 mg/kg) was administered following embolization. If NXY-059 was administered beginning 3 or 6 h following embolization, there was no significant behavioral improvement. If NXY-059 (100 mg/kg) and tenecteplase (0.9 mg/kg) were administered concomitantly 1 h postembolization, we did not measure any additional behavioral improvement compared to either drug alone. However, if the drugs were administered 6 h following embolization, we measured a statistically significant reduction of behavioral deficits. This study shows that NXY-059 is neuroprotective over a wide range if administered early following an embolic stroke. In addition, the study shows that NXY-059 can be administered in combination with tenecteplase to provide additional behavioral improvement at extended delays following embolization.

Thin films of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 were prepared by different sputtering techniques. All films show a significant magnetoresistive effect. The topographic and electronic properties of the films were studied by STM/STS under ambient conditions. The local conductance of different films and of spatially separated areas on a film was measured. A surprisingly high degree of homogeneity was found in contrast to previous comparable experiments. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nano-structured TiO2 thin films were coated on plastic foil by sol-gel. Our efforts focus on many technological factors, including film thickness, its refractive index, and transmittance as well as the depth and diffraction efficiency of the grating, to develop a new type of laser hologram anti-counterfeit materials. The film with the following technical specifications works well: film thickness is 1-2 μm, transmittance ≈ 90%, refractive index n=1.8-1.9, depth of the grating = 100 nm. The diffraction efficiency of the transparent laser hologram can be as high as 1.9. Moreover, good holographic images can be clearly seen in the transparent film. We found that as the view angle increases, diffraction improves, optimizing at an angle of 60°.

Physical method, including thermal evaporation and magnetic sputtering, and chemical coating method are applied to prepare organic-inorganic composite chromotropic film. The chromotropic film showing obvious opto-chromo effect with the change of incidence angle and view angle, can be used as a counterfeiting preventing material. The structure of the film system is designed as PET/Cr/dielectric/Al according to the optical interference principle of multiplayer. The dielectric materials are polymer and SiO2 respectively. The SiO2 prepared by sol-gel method shows nano-holes. Its refractive index is between 1.15 and 1.45 by varying the method and condition of catalyst and gel process. Fabrication method and film characteristics are described.

Background and Purpose— Because photon energy delivered using a low-energy infrared laser may be useful to treat stroke, we determined whether transcranial laser therapy would improve behavioral deficits in a rabbit small clot embolic stroke model (RSCEM). Methods— In this study, the behavioral and physiological effects of laser treatment were measured. The RSCEM was used to assess whether low-energy laser treatment (7.5 or 25 mW/cm2) altered clinical rating scores (behavior) when given to rabbits beginning 1 to 24 hours postembolization. Behavioral analysis was conducted from 24 hours to 21 days after embolization, allowing for the determination of the effective stroke dose (P50) or clot amount (mg) that produces neurological deficits in 50% of the rabbits. Using the RSCEM, a treatment is considered beneficial if it significantly increases the P50 compared with the control group. Results— In the present study, the P50 value for controls were 0.97±0.19 mg to 1.10±0.17 mg; this was increased by 100% to 195% (P50=2.02±0.46 to 2.98±0.65 mg) if laser treatment was initiated up to 6 hours, but not 24 hours, postembolization (P50=1.23±0.15 mg). Laser treatment also produced a durable effect that was measurable 21 days after embolization. Laser treatment (25 mW/cm2) did not affect the physiological variables that were measured. Conclusions— This study shows that laser treatment improved behavioral performance if initiated within 6 hours of an embolic stroke and the effect of laser treatment is durable. Therefore, transcranial laser treatment may be useful to treat human stroke patients and should be further developed.

Caspase inhibition has been proposed as a target to attenuate ischemia-induced neurodegeneration and behavioral dysfunction. The present study evaluated the pharmacological effects of a single dose of an irreversible cell permeant general (nonselective) caspase inhibitor, Boc-D-fluoromethylketone (BDFMK) administered intrathecally (i.t.) in a reversible spinal cord ischemia model (RSCIM). Quantal analysis indicated that the P(50) (represents the duration of ischemia that produces permanent paraplegia in 50% of the animals in a group) of the control group was 25.08+/-4.71 min. Using the RSCIM, neuroprotection is observed if a drug significantly prolongs the P(50) compared to the control group. The P(50) values for the BDFMK-treated groups were 27.21+/-2.62, 27.28+/-3.29 and 28.98+/-2.32 min, for the three dose groups studied. There were no statistically significant changes when measured 18 or 48 h following ischemia. Biochemical analysis of cell extracts from the caudal lumbar spinal cord indicated that there was increased production of the 120-kDa fragment of fodrin suggesting enhanced caspase-3 activity, an increase that was reduced by i.t. BDFMK administration. Moreover, in caudal lumbar spinal cord extracts from a set of paraplegic rabbits (25-50 min occlusion), we measured a 32-42% decrease of caspase-3 activity in BDFMK-treated rabbits. The present study shows that i.t. administration of BDFMK reduced caspase-3 activity, but the inhibition did not translate into a significant behavioral improvement. Our results suggest that administration of a single dose of the caspase inhibitor BDFMK is insufficient to attenuate ischemia-induced behavioral deficits following aortic occlusion.

Background and Purpose— It has been proposed that the novel thrombolytic microplasmin may be useful in the treatment of ischemic stroke. In the present study the effects and safety profile of microplasmin were evaluated in 2 rabbit embolic stroke models that have been used successfully to develop tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) as the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for stroke. The rabbit small clot embolic stroke model (RSCEM) and rabbit large clot embolic stroke model (RLCEM) were used to determine the potential neuroprotective properties and safety profile of microplasmin, respectively, after an embolic stroke. Methods— Rabbits were embolized by injecting small blood clots (RSCEM) or large blood clots (RLCEM) into the cerebral circulation. For the RSCEM, 126 rabbits were included, with behavioral analysis conducted 24 hours later, allowing for determination of the effective stroke dose (ES 50 ) or clot amount (milligrams) that produces severe neurological deficits in 50% of rabbits. For RLCEM safety study analysis, 47 rabbits were included, with postmortem analyses consisting of assessment of hemorrhage and infarct rate and size. In test animals microplasmin was infused intravenously 60 minutes after embolization, whereas control rabbits were given infusions of the saline/Plasma-Lyte vehicle with all assessments performed in a blinded fashion. Results— In the RSCEM, a drug is considered neuroprotective if it significantly increases the ES 50 compared with the vehicle-treated control group. The ES 50 of the vehicle-treated control group 24 hours after embolization was 1.36±0.42 mg (n=38). Microplasmin, infused starting 60 minutes after embolization, increased the ES 50 to 2.32±0.57 (n=21), 1.89±0.48 (n=21), 2.81±0.55 (n=22), and 1.89±0.28 mg (n=24) for the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-mg/kg doses, respectively. There was a statistically significant behavioral improvement in the 4-mg/kg dose arm ( P =0.040). The microplasmin dose of microplasmin that was statistically significant (4 mg/kg) was subsequently determined to be safe in the RLCEM because it did not increase the incidence of hemorrhages (56%) compared with vehicle-treated rabbits (63%), nor did it significantly alter hemorrhage volume, infarct rate, or infarct volume. Conclusions— The present study shows that microplasmin improves behavioral rating scores in the RSCEM when administered 60 minutes after embolization, at a dose that does not increase hemorrhages in the RLCEM. This is in contrast to tPA, which significantly enhances the hemorrhage rate in the RLCEM.

Background and Purpose — It has been proposed that the novel spin trap agent disodium-[(tert-butylimino)methyl]benzene-1,3-disulfonate N -oxide (NXY-059) may be useful in the treatment of ischemic stroke. However, there is little information concerning the neuroprotective properties of NXY-059 when administered after an embolic stroke. Moreover, there is no information available concerning the combination of NXY-059 with the only Food and Drug Administration–approved pharmacological agent for the treatment of acute stroke, the thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Thus, we determined the effects of NXY-059G, a generic form of NXY-059, on behavioral outcome after an embolic stroke when administered alone or in combination with tPA. Methods — Male New Zealand White rabbits were embolized by injecting a suspension of small blood clots into cerebral circulation via a carotid catheter. NXY-059G (100 mg/kg) was infused intravenously 5 minutes or 3 hours after embolization, whereas control rabbits received infusions of the saline vehicle. In tPA studies, the thrombolytic was administered intravenously starting 60 minutes or 3 hours after embolization (3.3 mg/kg). In combination studies, NXY-059G was given 5 minutes after embolization, followed by the administration of tPA beginning either 60 minutes or 3 hours after embolization. Behavioral analysis was conducted 24 hours after embolization. Results — In the vehicle control group, the ES 50 value (calculated as the amount of microclots [milligrams] that produce neurological dysfunction [impairment] in 50% of the rabbits within a specific treatment group) measured 24 hours after embolism was 1.04±0.31 mg, and this was increased by 153% to 2.54±0.72 mg if NXY-059G was administered beginning 5 minutes after embolization. However, if NXY-059G was administered beginning 3 hours after embolization, the ES 50 was 2.01±0.40 mg. The rabbits treated with tPA alone had an ES 50 of 2.64±0.66 or 0.63±0.35 mg if tPA administration started 60 minutes or 3 hours after embolization, respectively. If tPA was administered after NXY-059G (started at 5 minutes), the ES 50 values were 3.15±0.50 or 2.66±0.82 if tPA administration started 60 minutes or 3 hours after embolization, respectively. Conclusions — This study suggests that NXY-059G is neuroprotective and can increase behavioral ratings if administered early after an embolic stroke. In addition, the study shows that NXY-059G can be used in combination with tPA without negative side effects. The drug combination can improve behavioral function and increase ES 50 values. However, during the short time course of the behavioral analysis, the combination was not statistically better than either drug alone.

Background and Purpose — It has been proposed that the novel spin trap agent disodium-[(tert-butylimino)methyl]benzene-1,3-disulfonate N -oxide (NXY-059) may be useful in the treatment of ischemia and stroke. To date, there is little information concerning the safety of NXY-059 when administered in combination with the only Food and Drug Administration–approved pharmacological agent for the treatment of stroke, the thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Thus, we determined the effects of NXY-059G, a generic form of NXY-059, on hemorrhage and infarct rate and volume when administered alone or in combination with tPA. In addition, we determined whether NXY-059G affected 2 physiological variables, blood glucose levels and body temperature. Methods — Male New Zealand White rabbits were embolized by injecting a large blood clot into the middle cerebral artery via a catheter. Five minutes after embolization, NXY-059G (100 mg/kg) was infused intravenously; control rabbits received infusions of saline, the vehicle required to solubilize NXY-059G. In tPA studies, the thrombolytic was administered intravenously starting 60 minutes after embolization (20% bolus injection/80% infusion over 30 minutes). Body temperature and blood glucose levels were measured throughout the study. Postmortem analysis included assessment of hemorrhage and infarct rate, size, and location. Results — In the vehicle control group, the hemorrhage rate after a thromboembolic stroke was 52% (n=23), and this was increased by 67% if tPA was administered (n=15). The rabbits treated with NXY-059G in the absence of tPA had a 79% incidence of hemorrhage (n=19), an increase of 52% over the control group. In the combination drug–treated groups, the NXY-059G/tPA group had a 47% incidence of hemorrhage (n=15). There was a decrease of hemorrhage volume in the NXY-059G+tPA group compared with the other 3 groups included in the study. There was no significant effect of NXY-059G either alone or in combination with tPA on infarct rate or volume. NXY-059G did not significantly alter the physiological variables that were measured. Conclusions — This study suggests that NXY-059G may affect the integrity of the cerebral vasculature when administered immediately after an embolic stroke, as evidenced by an increase in hemorrhage rate. However, when NXY-059G is administered in combination with tPA, it may improve the safety of tPA by reducing the incidence of tPA-induced hemorrhage. The mechanism(s) involved in the NXY-059G–induced increase in hemorrhage rate and reduction of tPA-induced hemorrhage rate remains to be elucidated.

Modified silica aerogels were prepared with polyethoxydisiloxanes (E-40) followed by silylation of alcogels and ethanol supercritical drying. Trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) and dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMMOS) were used as the silylation agents. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen sorption techniques were used to characterise the modified and unmodified silica aerogels. The existence of the methyl groups on the internal surface of aerogels was observed with an infrared and Si-29 magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (MAS-NMR). The thermal conductivities of silica aerogels were measured as a function of air pressure and mixture (air and water vapour) pressure, respectively. The results were discussed by considering the adsorption of water vapour by the silica aerogels.

Silica aerogels were made by sol-gel techniques using industrial silicon derivatives (polyethoxydisiloxanes, E-40), followed by drying under sub-critical pressure with iso-butanol. The shrinkage (linear), specific surface area, S-BET, SEM, TEM and the pore size distribution of the silica aerogels were investigated. The results show that the shrinkage (linear) is below 5%, diameter of the silica particles is about 6 nm and the pore size of the silica aerogels is 10 nm. The specific surface area of the silica aerogel is 559.2 m(2)/g. IR and NMR techniques were used to determine the organic groups on the silica matrix, GC/MS was also introduced to analyse the composition of the recycled iso-butanol. The surface modification and the reactions of iso-butanol to the silica aerogel are also discussed.

The optically variable coatings can prevent counterfeiting of value documents. The cost of these coatings deposited by physical technology is very high. The sol-gel technology has the feature of a relatively lower cost and can be used to produce thin films with low refractive. We studied the optically variable coatings by the Nano-composite technology (i.e., compound method of sol-gel technology and physical technology). The degree of color shift of some film structures with the viewing angle, including PET(substrate)/Cr/SiO2/Al and PET(sub.)/Cr/resin/Al etc., was calculated according to the color perception of human eyes. And the coatings produced were measured with the spectrometer.

Silica aerogels were made by sol-gel techniques using industrial silicon derivatives (polyethoxydisiloxanes, E-40), followed by supercritical drying with ethanol. The morphology and microstructure of the silica aerogels were investigated by using specific surface area, SBET, SEM, TEM and the pore size distribution techniques. The thermal conductivity was also measured as a function of air pressure. The results show that the diameter of the silica particles is about 13 nm and the pore size of the silica aerogels is 20–80 nm. The specific surface area of the silica aerogel is about 470 m2/g and the thermal conductivity of the silica aerogel prepared with E-40 is 0.014 w m−1 K−1 at room temperature and 1 atm.

The application of sol-gel thin films on the transparent hologram is introduced in this paper. The plastic films coated with titanium dioxide using sol-gel process were embossed to form special patterns in micrometer scales and thus the transparent holographic thin films were made. AFM, SEM, ellipsometer and electrophotometer were used to characterize the TiO2 coating and the transparent hologram. The results show that the titania coating has nano-porous structure and the refractive index of the titanium dioxide coating is about 1.9. The diffraction efficiency of the titanium dioxide derived transparent holographic thin film is about 2.0%.

Hydrophobic SiO2 aerogels were produced by the surface modification of alcogels prepared via sol-gel process using polyethoxydisiloxanes (E-40) as the precursor and followed by ethanol supercritical drying. The structure of the modified silica aerogels was a silica matrix produced by hydrolysis and condensation of polyethoxydisiloxanes. Si-CH3 was modified on the surface of the silica matrix. The pore size decreased from 23.1nm to 18.2nm, the specific surface area increased from 477 m2(.)g(-1) to 563 m(2).g(-1) and the water vapor adsorption decreased from 0.04 to 0.0012(weight ratio) after the surface modification of silica aerogels. The existence of Si-CH3 was observed using infrared spectra.

Nano-porous TiO2 doped SiO2 aerogel insulation were prepared via sol-gel process using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the precursor and followed by ethanol supercritical drying. TEM, SEM and pore size distribution techniques were used to characterize the morphology and pore structure of the doped silica aerogels. The thermal conductivity measurement of the silica aerogels was determined using the transient hot-wire technique. The results show that TiO2 powders can be scattered homogeneously in the silica aerogels; the pore size of the TiO2 doped silica aerogels is 5 to approximately 70 nm, the average pore size (BJH) is about 20 nm and the size of the silica particles is 5 to approximately 10 nm; the peak of the pore size distribution of the TiO2 doped silica aerogels shortened with the increase of the TiO2 powders while some pores less than several nm emerged and the thermal conductivity of the TiO2 (20 wt%) doped silica aerogel is 0.035 wm-1K-1 at 831 K and 1 atm.

Nano-porous material SiO2 aerogels was used in the low temperature nuclear target in ICF. The BET, SEM, Pore size distribution and TEM techniques were used to characterize the morphology and pore structure of low-density silica aerogels. The gas adsorption of low-density silica aerogels was measured with various densities (18.6-200 kg/m3). The results of adsorption isotherms were analyzed with a BET multilayer adsorption theory.