Neurotized Free Muscle Flaps can Produce MRI Changes Mimicking Tumour Recurrence

Soft tissue sarcomas are investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both for initial staging and follow-up. We describe the presence of increased signal on T2-weighted images caused by a neurotized muscle flap following reconstructive surgery. This raised concern about possible sarcoma recurrence that was not clinically evident. On post-operative imaging of sarcomas the presence of recurrent tumour is indicated by a mass and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. However, high signal changes in skeletal muscle on T2-weighted images are not specific. In this case, the free functioning muscle transfer with neurotization of the flap mimicked recurrence on MR scan. High signal intensity on T2-weighted images in muscle is an indication of either a physiological change or a pathological condition and must be taken in context of the clinical picture

Anisotropic nanomaterials: structure, growth, assembly, and functions

Comprehensive knowledge over the shape of nanomaterials is a critical factor in designing devices with desired functions. Due to this reason, systematic efforts have been made to synthesize materials of diverse shape in the nanoscale regime. Anisotropic nanomaterials are a class of materials in which their properties are direction-dependent and more than one structural parameter is needed to describe them. Their unique and fine-tuned physical and chemical properties make them ideal candidates for devising new applications. In addition, the assembly of ordered one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) arrays of anisotropic nanoparticles brings novel properties into the resulting system, which would be entirely different from the properties of individual nanoparticles. This review presents an overview of current research in the area of anisotropic nanomaterials in general and noble metal nanoparticles in particular. We begin with an introduction to the advancements in this area followed by general aspects of the growth of anisotropic nanoparticles. Then we describe several important synthetic protocols for making anisotropic nanomaterials, followed by a summary of their assemblies, and conclude with major applications

Setting the scene: human activities, environmental impacts and governance arrangements in Antarctica

The scope and intensity of human activity in the Antarctic region has changed considerably over the past 100 years, resulting in significant modifications to the Antarctic environment and its ecosystems, and to the institutional arrangements governing human activities. Since the nineteenth century, Antarctica has seen periods of heavy resource exploitation followed more latterly by swells of governmental scientific research programmes which have, in turn, led to a plethora of international agreements. By the end of the twentieth century, commercial tourism was also firmly established. Development in human engagement with the Antarctic environment has been accompanied by changes in human values, technologies and ways of thinking. This chapter sets the scene for the entire volume by providing a historical background on human activities, their management and their implications, which other chapters build upon. The purpose of this chapter is not to explore the full breadth of human activities, environmental impacts and governance arrangements in Antarctica. Rather, it aims to provide a contextual framework that can be used to anchor together the diverse subjects treated in the subsequent chapters