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ZnO/Al-Zn-LDH nanostructures have been synthetized by chemical bath deposition at 75 °C for 15 s to 10 min by immersing substrates (200 µm thick Al foil (Nilaco), 50–250 nm Al coating on flexible polyimide substrate) in a stirred solution ZnO nanopowder mixed in ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid. The competitive growth of ZnO nanorods and Al-Zn-LDH platelets was characterized by SEM, XRD and EDS and a mechanism for the growth was proposed. Stirring condition was outlined as a key parameter as low value leads to the growth of Al-Zn-LDH platelets while high value leads to the growth of ZnO nanorods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of life sciences, the monitoring of biological samples has become a great concern to control the ecosystem evolution. However, their characterization is often time-consuming because the typical size of the organisms/particles of interest is several orders of magnitude smaller than the size of the sample under observation. Optical visualization systems require, then, high magnifications that severely limit the depth of focus and consequently decrease the sampling rate. To tackle this issue, the most straightforward technique consists in focusing the samples to fit the observation field of view by means of so-called "sheath flows". This expedient allows for increasing the overall flow rate, inversely related to the sampling time. In this article, a cost-effective 3D hydro-focusing device is presented. Several flow rates have been tested for both sample and sheath flows, and a thorough investigation of the shape of the focused streamlines conducted in order to validate the prototype design. The 3D position of the sampled micro-objects has been located by digital holographic microscopy and their distribution in cross-sections downstream the injection nozzle compared to numerical simulations. A maximum constriction-ratio between the part of the cross-sections where particles are present with and without focusing sheath flow-of 4.4 % has been observed confirming the potentiality of the technique. Also, a successful match between experiment and numerical simulation has been noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Clinical scales evaluating arm function after stroke are weak at detecting quality of movement. Therefore a new scale, the Motor Evaluation Scale for Upper Extremity in Stroke Patients (MESUPES), was developed, comprising 22 items pertaining to arm and hand performance. The scale was investigated for validity and unidimensionality using the Rasch measurement model, and for inter-rater reliability. SETTING: Twelve hospitals and rehabilitation centres in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. PATIENTS: There were 396 patients (average age 63.38+/-12.89 years) in the Rasch study and 56 patients (average age 65.68+/-12.75 years) in the reliability study. MAIN MEASURES: The scale was examined on its fit to the Rasch model, thereby evaluating the scale's unidimensionality and validity. Differential item functioning was performed to test the stability of item hierarchy on several variables. Inter-rater reliability was examined with kappa values, weighted percentage agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: Based on Rasch analysis, five items were removed. The MESUPES was divided in two tests: the MESUPES-arm test (8 items) and MESUPES-hand test (9 items). Both scales fitted the Rasch model. All items were stable among the subgroups of the sample. ICCs were 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91 -0.97) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.98) for the total score on arm and hand test respectively. The scale was also reliable at item level (weighted kappa 0.62 -0.79, weighted percentage agreement 85.71 -98.21). CONCLUSION: The MESUPES-arm and MESUPES-hand meet the statistical properties of reliability, validity and unidimensionality. Both tests provide a useful clinical and research tool to qualitatively evaluate arm and hand function during recovery after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]