No abstract

Objective: Embolism from a proximal source to the retinal circulation could be a sign of embolism from the same source to the hemispheric circulation. We sought to determine the frequency of acute brain infarcts on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with monocular visual loss of presumed ischemic origin (MVL). Methods: We retrospectively studied 129 consecutive patients with MVL secondary to retinal ischemia. All patients underwent DWI, comprehensive ophthalmologic and neurologic examination, and diagnostic evaluations for the underlying etiology. Statistical analyses explored univariate and multivariate predictors of DWI evidence of acute brain infarcts. Results: DWI revealed concurrent acute brain infarct(s) in 31 of the 129 patients (24%). The probability of positive DWI was higher in embolic versus nonembolic MVL (28 vs 8%, p = 0.04), in MVL characterized by permanent visual loss versus transient symptoms (33 vs 18%, p = 0.04), and in MVL associated with concurrent hemispheric symptoms versus isolated MVL (53 vs 20%, p < 0.01). Patients with positive DWI were more likely to harbor a major underlying etiology as compared to those with normal DWI (odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–9.4). Interpretation: This study demonstrates that MVL does not always represent an isolated disease of the retina; approximately 1 of every 4 patients with MVL demonstrates acute brain infarcts on DWI. Because patients with concurrent brain infarcts are more likely to exhibit a cardiac or vascular source of embolism, imaging evidence of brain injury in patients with MVL may be a useful marker to guide the timing and extent of diagnostic examinations. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:286–293.

Polybenzoxazines are newly developed thermoset polymers exhibiting versatility in a wide range of applications including in the electronics and aerospace industries. When combined as composites, the attractive characteristics of both components are apparent. The chemistry of benzoxazine synthesis offers wide molecular design flexibility and thus facilitates preparation of various polybenzoxazine‐based composites. This article reviews recent developments in the preparation and thermal curing of benzoxazine composites with a focus on structure–property relations of cured materials. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

In this work, we have reported a nanocomposite, composed of a BiFeO3 nanowire and reduced graphene oxide (BFO-RGO), as an electrode material for a high-performance supercapacitor. A facile hydrothermal method was employed to prepare BFO-RGO nanocomposite. The electrochemical measurements were performed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The specific capacitance of the BFO-RGO nanocomposite was 928.43 F g–1 at current density 5 A g–1, which is superior to that of pure BiFeO3. Additionally, this nanocomposite shows good cyclic stability, and ∼87.51% of specific capacitance is retained up to 1000 cycles. It also exhibits a high charge density of 18.62 W h kg–1 when the power density is 950 W kg–1. These attractive results suggest the potential of BiFeO3 nanowire-RGO nanocomposite as an active material for the construction of a high-performance supercapacitor electrode. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the application of BiFeO3 nanowire-RGO nanocomposite as a supercapacitor has been reported.