Dissolution of nanosized crystallites may be inhibited and even suppressed due to their small size. Nanoparticles with size distribution similar to that of critical dissolution pits (see picture) can be kinetically stabilized against further dissolution even in undersaturated solutions. In biological systems, this behavior confers remarkable self‐preservation on biominerals in the fluctuating milieu.

Purpose Minimally invasive treatment of solid cancers, especially in the breast and liver, remains clinically challenging, despite a variety of treatment modalities, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation or highintensity focused ultrasound. Each treatment modality has advantages and disadvantages, but all are limited by placement of a probe or US beam in the target tissue for tumor ablation and monitoring. The placement is difficult when the tumor is surrounded by large blood vessels or organs. Patientspecific image-based 3D modeling for thermal ablation simulation was developed to optimize treatment protocols that improve treatment efficacy. Methods A tissue-mimicking breast gel phantom was used to develop an image-based 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model for the evaluation of a planned RF ablation. First, the tissue-mimicking gel was cast in a breast mold to create a 3D breast phantom, which contained a simulated solid tumor. Second, the phantom was imaged in a medical MRI scanner using a standard breast imaging MR sequence. Third, the MR images were converted into a 3D CAD model using commercial software (ScanIP, Simpleware), which was input into another commercial package (COMSOL Multiphysics) for RFA simulation and treatment planning using a finite element method (FEM). For validation of the model, the breast phantom was experimentally ablated using a commercial (RITA) RFA electrode and a bipolar needle with an electrosurgi- Results A 3D CAD model, created from MR images of the complex breast phantom, was successfully integrated with an RFA electrode to perform FEM ablation simulation. The ablation volumes achieved both in the FEM simulation and the experimental test were equivalent, indicating that patientspecific models can be implemented for pre-treatment planning of solid tumor ablation. Conclusion A tissue-mimicking breast gel phantom and its MR images were used to perform FEM 3D modeling and validation by experimental thermal ablation of the tumor. Similar patient-specific models can be created from preoperative images and used to perform finite element analysis to plan radiofrequency ablation. Clinically, the method can be implemented for pre-treatment planning to predict the effect of an individual's tissue environment on the ablation process, and this may improve the therapeutic efficacy.

This study explored the application of shape memory alloy (SMA) springs in a multilayer protective fabric assembly for intelligent insulation that responded to thermal environment changes. Once the SMA spring was actuated, clothing layers were separated, creating an adjustable air gap between the adjacent fabric layers. The impacts of six different SMA arrangement modes and two different spring sizes on thermal protection against either a radiant heat exposure (12 kW/m2) or a hot surface exposure (400 °C) were investigated. The findings showed that the incorporation of SMA springs into the fabric assembly improved the thermal protection, but the extent to which the springs provided thermal protection was dependent on the arrangement mode and spring size. The effectiveness of reinforcing the protective performance using SMA springs depended on the ability of clothing layers to expand an air layer. The regression models were established to quantitatively assess the relationship between the air gap formed by SMA spring and the thermal protective performance of clothing. This study demonstrated the potential of SMA spring as a suitable material for the development of intelligent garments to provide additional thermal protection and thus reduce the number of clothing layers for transitional thermal protective clothing.

As shown by J. Shi, W. Bu, and co‐workers on page 3867, ultrasmall NaGdF4 nanodots (ca. 2 nm) with diethylenetriaminepenta‐acetic acid (DTPA) conjugation are synthesized for efficient magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Impressively, the r1 value in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reaches up to 8.93 mM−1 s−1. The ultrasmall vessel lumen of a rabbit is lit up remarkably. After 3 h, atherosclerotic plaques can be discriminated clearly. This is quite favorable for the accurate early diagnosis of vascular pathema.