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Single-group feasibility clinical trial. This study examined the feasibility and outcomes of a modified version of a validated internet-delivered pain management programme, the Pain Course, for adults with SCI. Nationwide in Australia. Sixty-eight adults participated in the programme, which comprises five online lessons and homework tasks that are systematically released over 8 weeks. Participants were supported through the course with weekly contact from a clinical psychologist. Eighty-five percent of participants provided data at post-treatment and 76% of participants completed all five lessons of the course. High levels of satisfaction were observed and relatively little clinician time (M = 93.16 min; SD = 52.76 min) was required per participant to provide the course. Preliminary evidence of clinical improvements in pain-related disability (ds≥0.53.; avg. improvement ≥ 20%; Mdiff ≥ 7.77), depression (ds≥0.44.; avg. improvement ≥ 24%; Mdiff ≥ 2.44), anxiety (ds≥0.41.; avg. improvement ≥ 26%; Mdiff ≥ 1.8) and average pain intensity (ds≥0.46.; avg. improvement ≥ 13%; Mdiff ≥ 0.71) were observed at post-treatment, which were maintained or further improved to 3-month follow-up. These improvements were reflected in overall improvements in self-reported satisfaction with life (ds≥0.31; avg. improvement ≥ 25%; Mdiff ≥ 2.16) These findings highlight the potential of carefully developed internet-delivered interventions as an approach for overcoming barriers and increasing access to psychosocial care for adults with SCI. iCare Lifetime Care and Support Authority and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

The gamma irradiation was utilized to facilitate the synthesis of poly (glycerol sebacate)-co-lactic acid (PGS-co-LA). The effect of methyl methacrylate (MMA) crosslinker and varying dosage of irradiation to the structural composition and thermal properties of the synthesized PGS-co-LA was investigated. Compositional analyses of the polymer materials using infrared spectroscopy confirm the covalent formation of ester linkage. The use of methyl methacrylate enhances the formation of the characteristic bonds in the polymer structure. The intensity of these peaks increases with increasing irradiation dosage and high amount of crosslinker. The melting temperature of the PGS-co-LA becomes more negative with the incorporation of high amount of MMA.

Mineral working and the environment M.K . Gun&, BSc(Hons), PhD, FGS, FIB, MRTPI Proc. Instn Civ. Engrs Mun. Engr. 1994, 103, June, 97-103 Minerals are vital to society. In the past the extraction of minerals has taken place with little thought to theenvironmental consequences and legacies of dereliction caused by those workings abound. There is no doubt that society will continue to demand minerals for industry,houses, schools and roads, but balancing these demands against the environmental impact of mineral extraction presents a challenge...

Of twenty-five patients with mild to moderate hypertension, recruited and managed in the community, seventeen responded fully to, and completed a randomised cross-over study of, captopril (ceiling dose 100 mg) compared with lisinopril (ceiling dose 40 mg) both given as a single daily dose. Mean supine and standing blood pressures measured at the end of the dose interval were significantly reduced compared to placebo by both compounds at three and six weeks. However, a consistent, significant increase in blood pressure occurred between three and six weeks in both arms of the study despite good and unchanged compliance with a fixed dose of each medication. Both captopril and lisinopril were well tolerated. Drug-related cough was the principal adverse effect.

Abstract: A standardised movement task has been developed for an investigation of normal patterns of electromyographic (e.m.g.) activity. The subject is required to turn a cranked wheel with his arm which is supported horizontally in front of him. The movement is standardised by positioning the subject using anatomical landmarks and is defined by a single parameter, the angle of the wheel. The present report describes the acquisition and processing of e.m.g. signals from a group of arm and trunk muscles and shows that characteristic patterns of e.m.g. activity in relation to the position of the wheel can be defined. Further processing by computer may be used to obtain simple parameters for the comparison of patterns. Two normal subjects were tested in a number of sessions to demonstrate the repeatability of the processing techniques and results from a group of 20 normal subjects used to define average patterns. Preliminary results from stroke patients show significant departures from these normal patterns.

An experimental set-up for the continuous monitoring of cytochemical enzyme reaction rates is described. The design consists of a 32K Commodore PET microcomputer, upgraded to Basic 4 and containing a graphics facility. The microcomputer is interfaced with a Vickers M85A microdensitometer, which has been modified and equipped with a Zeiss X63 water immersion objective. The software allows for the automatic transfer of density readings from the M85A to the microcomputer, and for the continuous monitoring of the enzyme reaction as its proceeds at short time intervals (i.e. down to 3.3 s). The relationship between the absorbance change of the enzyme final reaction product and time is printed both numerically and graphically. Initial velocity rates are calculated by regression analysis, and statistical evaluation of grouped data is possible.