Background: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) is increasingly used to treat chronic subdural hematomas, arteriovenous fistulas and meningiomas. Less commonly, MMAE is performed for pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms. While procedural safety and efficacy in the context of the former diseases is well-documented, data for MMA aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm treatment are scarce. Methods: We conducted a systematic review using PubMed/Medline and GoogleScholar, targeting studies published in English since 1994. Original research studies and case reports involving adult patients (≥18 years) with aneurysms or pseudo-aneurysms treated with MMAE were included. Data on complications, outcomes, procedural techniques, and embolization materials were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of 1,690 identified studies, 600 underwent full-text review, and 27 studies/case reports focusing on MMAE for pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms were included in the final analysis. In most cases, the treatment was successful, with complete (pseudo-)aneurysm occlusion in all patients and symptom improvement in 24 of 28 patients (85.7%). Complications were rare, occurring in <5%, and mild, such as transient headaches (n=1) which resolved spontaneously. Conclusions: MMAE appears to be a safe and effective treatment for pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms, with minimal complications and high success rates. However, available data are scarce and from case reports only, limiting generalizability. Confirmation in larger, multi-center studies is needed.

Over recent years, there has been an increase in otolaryngology publications concerning diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The aims of this review paper are to summarise the basic principles of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and to provide an overview of current otolaryngological applications and areas of research. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a radiological technique which has shown promising results in various areas of otolaryngology. However, studies of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging are difficult to compare, as different imaging parameters and techniques have been used. The role of this imaging modality within otolaryngology is yet to be fully elucidated. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging may prove to be a useful adjunct in both the pre- and post-operative care of otolaryngology patients.

Allelochemicals from essential oil-bearing plants have been categorized as green pesticides because they are biodegradable and predominantly non-toxic to vertebrates. With an aim to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides, they represent one of the most promising approaches for eco-chemical control of insects. Eight compounds were evaluated via topical application against third instar Chilo partellus Swinhoe larvae. Thymol was the most active (lethal dose (LD)50 = 189.7 μg/larva) and methyl eugenol the least (LD50 = 1069.4 μg/larva). The compounds were also tested at sublethal levels, i.e. LD10 and LD30, and there was approximately 15–43% of reduction in growth, which was transitory, and some recovery was observed 6 days post-treatment. Compounds were also used as binary mixtures and tested for synergy, using toxicity and feeding inhibition parameters. The data showed that thymol and α-terpineol synergized the effects of both linalool and 1,8-cineole, but linalool with 1,8-cineole exhibited only an additive effect against C. partellus. Although there is no specific generalization that could be drawn relating to efficacy of binary mixtures, the present findings resulted in several complex mixtures that could be developed and tested as leads for effective control of C. partellus.

Two Napier millet (Pennisetum purpureum×P. glaucum) hybrids, namely PBN 83 and PBN 233 and one sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) variety, SL 44, were assessed for their potential role as a trap crop in the management of the stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on maize. Oviposition preference and larval survival and development were determined for different test plants under laboratory and screen house conditions. Further, field dispersal of C. partellus larvae was assessed between Napier millet and maize crops. Results from no-choice and dual-choice tests indicated that Napier millet hybrids were preferred for oviposition over maize by C. partellus moths. Sorghum was, however, not preferred over maize in this respect. Napier millet hybrids were poor larval hosts, and a rapid decline in larval numbers was noticed within the first five days after hatching and virtually no larvae survived to pupation. Leaf area eaten by the borer larvae was significantly less on these hybrids than on maize or sorghum. Plant damage was more severe in maize and sorghum than Napier millet hybrids. No appreciable larval shift was noticed from Napier millet hybrids to the adjoining maize crop. The evaluated Napier millet hybrids, therefore, had potential for use as trap crop in C. partellus management. Sorghum, however, did not hold promise in this respect.

Time-resolved photoluminescence studies can provide useful information for the development of InGaN/GaN heterostructures for long wavelength visible emitters. In this paper, we present results of time-resolved photoluminescence from samples grown using two different approaches to achieve green emission from InGaN/GaN MQWs. In one approach, samples, with high indium incorporation, were grown on a high quality AlN substrate to achieve green emission. The resulting photoluminescence decay of the green luminescence is long-lived and non-exponential. Quantitative analysis showed that the decay has a stretched-exponential characteristic, typical of InGaN/GaN MQW with potential fluctuation along the growth plane. This carrier localization, in a structure with low defect density, proves to be an effective means to achieve green emission. In another approach, a piezoelectric Stark-like ladder effect is used. In this case, a methodical layer-by-layer growth homogeneity optimization process was adopted to achieve an optical transition below the electron to heavy-hole (e1hh1) transition when the quantum well is subjected to the strong piezoelectric polarization dipole. This approach has proven to be successful in achieving green luminescence on conventional sapphire substrates. The resulting photoluminescence decay at 14 K, of a sample grown by this approach, is single exponential and shorter in duration than the decay observed in the first approach. This exponential decay is consistent with previous AFM studies that revealed a homogeneous active region.

Two first-step copper damascene slurries and one commercial second-step slurry are characterized in terms of their intrinsic properties and CMP performance. A prototype first-step slurry with high static etch rate (∼150 nm/min) yielded higher dishing in the copper lines (∼200 nm in 100 μm lines) compared to a commercial first-step slurry with negligible static etch rate. In both the cases, dishing in copper lines is observed to be a strong function of line width and radial position on the wafer. High static etch rate of the prototype slurry is believed to be responsible for the high dishing. Non-selective second-step polishing removes the liner layer while maintaining planarity.