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Background: Little is known about the comparative risk of death with atypical or conventional antipsychotics (APs) among persons with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease (CCD). Research design and methods: A cohort study was conducted using five Italian claims databases. New atypical AP users with CCD aged ≥65 (reference) were matched to new conventional AP users. Mortality per 100 person-years (PYs) and hazard ratios (HR), estimated using Cox models, were reported. Incidence and risk of death were estimated for persons having drug–drug interactions. Outcome occurrence was evaluated 180 days after AP initiation. Results: Overall 24,711 and 27,051 elderly new conventional and atypical AP users were identified. The mortality rate was 51.3 and 38.5 deaths per 100 PYs for conventional and atypical AP users. Mortality risk was 1.33 (95%CI: 1.27–1.39) for conventional APs. There was no increased mortality risk with single drug–drug interactions (DDIs) vs. no DDI. AP users with ≥1 DDI had a 29% higher mortality risk compared to no DDI in the first 90 days of treatment (HR: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.00–1.67)). Conclusions: Conventional APs had a higher risk of death than atypical APs among elderly persons with CCD. Having ≥1 DDI was associated with an increased risk of death.

Background. Organic solvents cause diseases of the vestibular system. However, little is known regarding the correlation between vestibular damage and exposure to organic solvents below threshold limit values. The best measure by which to evaluate vestibular disorders is static and dynamic posturography. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate equilibrium disorders via static and dynamic posturography in workers without clear symptoms and exposed to low doses of mixed solvents. Methods. 200 subjects were selected. Using an Otometrics device (Madsen, Denmark), all subjects endured static and dynamic posturography testing with both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Results were compared with a control group of unexposed individuals. Result. Based on the obtained data, the following results can be drawn: (a) subjects exposed to mixtures of solvents show highly significant differences regarding all static and dynamic posturography parameters in comparison to the control group; (b) posturography testing has proven to be a valid means by which to detect subliminal equilibrium disorders in subjects exposed to solvents. Conclusion. We can confirm that refinery workers exposed to mixtures of solvents can present subliminal equilibrium disorders. Early diagnosis of the latter is made possible by static and dynamic posturography.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects on serum insulin and serum thyroid profile of a dietary supplement, myo-inositol, given alone or in combination with melatonin to women during menopausal transition.Forty women aged 45-55 years and at least 6 months of amenorrhea were enrolled in this study. They were randomly assigned to two groups of 20 each. One group took myo-inositol (myo-Ins) (2 g twice a day) and the other group took 2 g/d myo-Ins plus 3 g/d melatonin before sleeping. At the beginning of the study and after 6 months, all women were evaluated for the following indices: waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, endometrial thickness, as well as serum concentrations of TSH, FT3, FT4 and insulin.Both at baseline and at 6 months, the two groups were statistically similar for each of the considered indices. If percent changes (Δ%, 6 months over baseline) are contrasted in the two groups, serum TSH decreased in the myo-Ins group but increased in the latter, while serum insulin decreased in both groups.The combination of myo-Ins plus melatonin seems to affect positively glucose metabolism, while myo-Ins only seems to improve thyroid function.

In this work the self-broadening coefficients and the integrated line intensities for a number of ro-vibrational transitions of vinyl fluoride have been determined for the first time by means of TDL spectroscopy. The spectra recorded in the atmospheric window around 8.7 m appear very crowded with a density of about 90 lines per cm-1. In order to fit these spectral features a new fitting software has been implemented. The program, which is designed for laser spectroscopy, can fit many lines simultaneously on the basis of different theoretical profiles (Doppler, Lorentz, Voigt, Galatry and Nelkin-Ghatak). Details of the object oriented implementation of the application are given. The reliability of the program is demonstrated by determining the line parameters of some ro-vibrational lines of sulphur dioxide in the 1 band region around 9 m. Then the software is used for the line profile analysis of vinyl fluoride. The experimental line shapes show deviations from the Voigt profile, which can be well modelled by using a Dicke narrowed line shape function. This leads to the determination of the self-narrowing coefficient within the framework of the strong collision model.

The infrared spectrum of isotopically enriched CH281BrF was investigated in the ν3 and ν8 region between 1150 and 1370 cm−1 at a resolution of 0.003 cm−1. The ν3 vibration of symmetry species A′ gives rise to an a-/b-hybrid band with a-type predominance, while the ν8 mode of A″ symmetry produces c-type absorption. Due to the proximity of the band origins to those of closely lying overtones and combination bands, the v3 = 1 and v8 = 1 levels were found perturbed through Coriolis resonance by the v5 = 2 (A′) and v6 = v9 = 1 (A″) states, respectively. The spectral analysis resulted in the identification of 3132 transitions (J″ ≤ 98 and Ka″ ≤ 14) for the ν3 and 2958 transitions (J″ ≤ 68 and Ka″ ≤ 19) for the ν8 bands. The assigned data were fitted using the Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the Ir representation and the perturbation operators. Although no transitions belonging to the perturbers were observed, the band origins and excited state parameters for fundamentals and ‘dark states’ together with coup...

The isotopically pure form of methyl chloride, CH2D35Cl, was synthesized and investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with an unapodized resolution of 0.004 cm−1 in the range 650–900 cm−1, the region of the lowest fundamentals ν5 (827 cm−1) and ν6 (714 cm−1). These distinct bands have been analysed in detail in the P-, Q- and R-branches. In spite of their expected a/b-hybrid nature, both envelopes show the peculiar characteristic of only a-type bands of near prolate asymmetric top molecules. Ground state parameters have been determined for the first time through ground state combination differences from both bands. Parameters of the excited vibrational states and coupling constants have been obtained using a model which accounts for c-type Coriolis interaction and ΔKa = ± 2 anharmonic resonance.

The adsorption of carbon monoxide (CO) on anatase (101) and (001) surfaces was simulated using periodic density functional theory calculations. The surface Lewis acidity was evaluated by computing the binding energy and the adsorbed CO stretching frequency at surface coverages equal to 1 and 0.25 monolayer (ML). The obtained results, in agreement with the experimental data, indicate that the Ti cation of the (101) surface is more electrophilic than that of the (001) surface, corresponding to a larger surface Lewis acidity. A nearly linear correlation between the calculated binding energy and the CO stretching frequency was found for the first time at the computational level. The effects of slab relaxation on the two surfaces were also investigated and an opposite behaviour was found for the two parameters.

The adsorbate–substrate interaction between carbon monoxide and clean and hydroxylated surfaces of anatase (001) was simulated by periodic DFT calculations. For the clean surface, different periodicities were taken into account in order to investigate the influence of lateral effects. The results show that the molecule interacts only with the penta-coordinated titanium ion when high surface coverages are employed, whereas it interacts with both the titanium and the di-coordinated oxygen ions when the smallest surface coverage is considered. Adsorption on the hydroxylated surface, which was carried out for the first time, was studied by considering the largest used periodicity and focusing attention on the influence of both the terminal and bridging OH groups. The resulting data show that, in the case of adsorption on the hydroxylated surface, no additional bond between the surface oxygen and the carbon atom is present. Therefore, in a regime of very low surface coverage, the molecule behaves in a very dif...

The adsorption of carbon monoxide on a clean and hydroxylated rutile (110) surface has been investigated using a periodic approach at DFT/B3LYP level. The hydroxylated surface was modelled by considering both terminal and bridging OH groups. The variation of the electrophilicity of the Lewis acid site near these groups was evaluated by taking into account the adsorbate–substrate distance, the magnitude of the interaction energy and the blue-shift of the adsorbed CO stretching frequency. The results obtained suggest that the electrophilicity increases in proximity to OH terminal groups, and decreases near the OH bridging groups.

The ν4 fundamental band of (ν0 = 1068.517 cm−1), corresponding to the C–F stretching mode, has been measured at high resolution (0.002 cm−1) with a tunable diode laser spectrometer at a temperature of 240 K. The rotational structure of the a- and b-type components of the hybrid band has been extensively interpreted achieving high values of J and K a quantum numbers. Ground state constants up to sextic terms have been provided for the first time by using the combinations method from 11330 assigned transitions. The spectrum has been analysed using the A-reduced Watson's Hamiltonian in the Ir representation. From spectral simulations the dipole moment ratio |Δμ a/Δμ b| of the band has been estimated to be 1.8 ± 0.4. Additionally, simulations and comparisons with spectra of the natural isotopic sample are presented.

The infrared spectra of CH2=CHF have been investigated in the ν5 and ν6 band regions between 1280 and 1400 cm−1, at a resolution of about 0.002 cm−1, using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. These vibrations of symmetry species A′ give rise to a/b-hybrid bands with different contributions from both the components. Spectral analysis resulted in the identification of 1565 (J≤46, K a ≤11) and 1651 (J≤48, K a ≤15) transitions of the ν5 and ν6 fundamentals, respectively. Both bands are perturbed by the nearby states ν8 + ν9 and ν9 + ν11 through different Coriolis resonances and an anharmonic interaction. Using Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the Ir representation and perturbation operators almost all the transitions have been fitted simultaneously to a model including six resonances within the tetrad ν5/ν6/ν8 + ν9/ν9 + ν11. A set of spectroscopic constants for the ν5 and ν6 bands, as well as parameters for the dark states ν8 + ν9 and ν9 + ν11 and coupling constants, have been determined. From spectral sim...

The gas-phase infrared spectra of natural CH2 = CClF have been measured in the v 6 and 2v 12 band regions (930–1050 cm−1) by high-resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy at room temperature. 1-Chloro-1-fluoroethylene is a planar asymmetric rotor (κ = −0.54) belonging to the symmetry point group Cs and the vibrations investigated of symmetry species A′ give rise to a/b-hybrid bands with contributions of comparable intensity from both the components. The rovibrational analysis of the fine structure led to the identification of 1894 (J  73, Ka  20) and 718 (J  53, Ka  8) transitions for the v 6 and 2v 12 bands of the 35Cl isotopic species, respectively. Using the Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the Ir representation a set of accurate spectroscopic parameters for both the excited states u 6 = 1 and u12 = 2 of 35Cl has been obtained for the first time. Transitions of 37Cl isotopomer could also be assigned in the Q branch region of the 2v 12 overtone; the determined band origin shift of 0.782 cm−1 tow...

We use a time series modeling approach to address two related questions of interest to foreign-exchange market participants and policy makers dealing with basket currencies. First, how are unknown weights appropriately extracted from basket currencies? Second, how does one correctly account for the risk—in terms of conditional variance of expected profits—that time-varying weights add to the standard basket-hedge position? We suggest a methodology that can provide answers to these questions and apply it to the heavily traded Thai baht currency basket.

The Fourier transform gas-phase infrared spectra of the v 10 and v 11 bands of natural CH2=CHCl have been measured with a resolution of 0.005 cm−1 in the frequency range 820–1010 cm−1. These vibrations of symmetry species A″ give rise to c-type bands and the transitions observed are characterized by δK a = ±1 and δK c = 0, ±2. Both J and K structures have been resolved in different subbranches and about 1800 (J ≤ 64, K a ≤ 13) and 2800 (J ≤ 72, K a ≤ 14) transitions for the v 10 and v 11 fundamentals, respectively, have been identified for the 35Cl isotopomer. Combined analysis of the assigned data with the available ground state constants allowed the determination of the band origins, rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters for the v 10 = 1 and v 11 = 1 excited states of CH2=CH35Cl isotopic species. The molecular constants obtained account for slight perturbations in the v 10 vibrational level.

Cis-1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene has been synthesized, and the gas-phase infrared spectrum has been investigated in the ν6 band region around 1060 cm−1, at Doppler-limited resolution, using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. This fundamental of symmetry species A′ presents an a/b-hybrid band with contributions from both the components. The rovibrational analysis led to the identification of more than 2000 transitions (J ≤ 84, Ka ≤ 19) for the ν6 band of the 35C1 species, whose origin is at 1062.224cm−1. Different excited state perturbations occur throughout the band, caused by the first-order b-type Coriolis resonance with the ν9 + ν10 vibrational state. Using Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the I r representation, a set of spectroscopic constants for both the upper states ν6 and ν9 + ν10 has been obtained. Parameters for the perturber were determined from the interaction effects near the observed crossings in the ν6 band, using a dyad model including first-order b-type Coriolis interaction.

The vibration—rotation spectra of natural CH2=CHCl and mono-isotopic CH2=CH37Cl (isotopic purity, 95%) have been studied in the ν8 band region near 720 cm−1 with a resolution of 0.005 cm−1, by using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. This vibration of symmetry species A′ is expected to give rise to an a/b hybrid band with a predominant contribution of the a-type component. Both J and K structures have been resolved in different subbranches and the rovibrational analysis led to the assignment of about 3300 (J  78, K a  16) and more than 3000 (J  79, K a  16) transitions of 35Cl and 37Cl isotopomers, respectively. The P- and R-branch spectrum with high J values shows a series of lines arising from oblate-type near-degeneracy. Using Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the Ir representation, a least-squares fit of the identified transitions provided excited state constants of the ν8 band for both the isotopic species, which turned out to be free from perturbations.

The infrared spectrum of CH2=CH37Cl has been investigated in the υ5 band region around 1370 cm-1, at Doppler-limited resolution, using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. This vibration of symmetry species A′ yields an a/b hybrid band exhibiting patterns characteristic of molecules approaching the prolate symmetric top limit. The J fine structure was resolved in most of the (P,R)QK clusters and the rovibrational analysis in the P, Q and R branches led to the assignment of about 800 transitions with J ⩽ 49 and Ka ⩽ 11. The band is affected by different Coriolis-type resonances with the nearby states υ8 + υ12 and υ9 + υ10. Using the Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the Ir representation, a least-squares fit of about 650 transitions free of major resonance contribution provided a set of effective molecular constants for the v 5 = 1 state of CH2=CH37Cl. From spectral simulation the |Δµ a /Δµ b | dipole moment ratio was estimated to be 0·74 ± 0·08.

The vibration-rotation spectrum of vinyl fluoride has been investigated in the v 4 band region around 1656 cm-1 at a resolution of about 0·003 cm-1 using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. This fundamental of symmetry species A′ is mainly affected by first-order b-Coriolis resonance with the close-lying v 8 + v 12 and 2v 9 + v 12 levels. The rovibrational analysis led to the identification of about 2000 lines with J ˇ- 58 and K a ˇ- 16 of the predominant a-type component. Using Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the I r representation, a set of effective constants for the v 4 band was obtained employing transitions free of major resonance contribution. Even though no direct transitions to the perturbing levels have been observed, the determination of a few constants for the perturber v 8 + v 12 has been achieved.

The Fourier transform infrared spectrum of CH2=CHF has been investigated in the v 7 band region around 115 5 cm-1 at a resolution of about 0·002 cm-1. This fundamental of symmetry species A′ yields an a/b hybrid band with a prevalent contribution of the a-type component. The band is affected by first-order b-Coriolis resonance with the v 9 + v 12 combination, and the interactions are markedly stronger for the K′ a = 11 and 12 levels; local perturbations with crossings due to higher-order a- and b-Coriolis resonances have also been observed. The rovibrational analysis led to the identification of more than 2900 lines of v 7 with J ⩽ 6>4 and K a ⩽ 1>8, while no features were detected for the v 9 + v 12 band. Using Watson's A-reduction Hamiltonian in the I r representation, the present ground state combination differences combined with available microwave data led to improved sextic distortion terms for the ground state. Of the assigned lines, 2329 free of major resonance contribution provided excited state ...