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This article presents the construction of a prototype three-wheeled vehicle for people with disabilities, approved in the L2e category. The vehicle is equipped with a special tilt mechanism that allows people with disabilities, who cannot balance their body, to return to an upright position after completing a driving maneuver on a curve of the road. The tilt angle of the vehicle depends on its speed and steering angle. When designing the vehicle, the availability and price of spare parts for scooters and motorcycles were taken into account to make the vehicle as cheap as possible.

Ultra-low molecular weight disaccharide-polyolefin conjugates with cellobiose, lactose and maltose head groups and atactic polypropene tails, such as 1, undergo a series of irreversible thermotropic order-order transitions with increasing temperature to provide nanostructured phases in the sequence: lamellar (L), hexagonal perforated lamellar (HPL), double gyroid (DG) and hexagonal cylindrical (C). The DG phase displays exceptional stability at ambient temperature and features two interpenetrating sugar domain networks having a sub-2-nm strut width and a lattice parameter, aDG , of 13.1 nm. The unique stability of this DG phase extends further within ultrathin films all the way down to the two-dimensional limit of 15 nm in which film thickness, l, is now less than the surface-oriented unit cell height, hDG . In addition to raising the fundamental question of what minimally constitutes a Schoen triply periodic minimal surface and DG lattice, these results serve to establish the class of sugar-polyolefin conjugates as a new material platform for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of breast cancer surgery in middle aged women on the serum

The paper presents the results from studies upon the influence of chemical structure of filtration masses used for the treatment of groundwater on the values of selected physicochemical parameters of water. The pH value of treated water and the redox potential are important in process the oxidation of iron and manganese compounds. These values may change as a result of water contact with filter materials. The value of zeta potential of filtration masses characterizing the surface charge of particles and their affinity to counter-ions, is also important. The study tested masses of different chemical structure, i.e. manganese ores and de-acidifying masses. Experiments were carried out at two different pH values of the model water. The results showed that the filtration masses affected the water quality and water treatment processes, and the type and magnitude of changes in physicochemical parameters are closely related to, among others, the chemical structure of the filter bed.

Infections are among the most important problems of contemporary oncology. Not only are they responsible for a significant part of cancer mortality, but they are also frequent complications of cancer treatment. Immunosuppression, predominantly due to chemotherapy, predisposes oncological patients to infections, caused not only by the typical bacteria, but also by opportunistic microorganisms. This leads to widespread use of antimicrobial agents in oncological practice, and forces physicians taking care of patients with cancer to become experts in antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, the efforts to combat infections have been hampered by the phenomenon of increasing antibiotic resistance among bacterial species. Multiple cases of infections with bacteria resistant to all, or almost all, known antibiotics have been described. Complications of antibiotic therapy, especially Clostridium difficile infections are also a growing concern. The results of studies confirm that proper antibiotic therapy not only improves cure rates of infections but also helps diminish antibiotic usage and therefore may contribute to a reduction of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. The aim of this paper is to disseminate knowledge about proper antimicrobial treatment with special emphasis on topics related to oncology and recent discoveries in this field.

Pollution of soil and water environment by liquid waste originating from septic tanks is a huge problem in Poland. This applies especially to rural areas. Negative changes are observed both in the vicinity of the leaking tanks, from which concentrated and rotten sewage infiltrates into the ground, and in surface water as well as arable land, to which impurities from the emptied tanks are discharged. The paper presents the scale of the practice of uncontrolled domestic sewage discharge into the environment on the example of selected municipality. Presented data were compared with the results of the qualitative assessment of groundwater, which is collected in the same municipality for waterworks. In a significant number of wells, water was not safe in sanitary terms, as the presence of microbiological contamination was recorded. Among determined microorganisms, the indicator organisms of domestic waste pollution prevailed. Water quality problems have been reported at intake points located near the properties equipped with septic tanks or in places, to which sewage from emptying septic tanks were transferred in an uncontrolled manner. In this way it has been shown that there is a relationship between improperly maintained wastewater management and groundwater quality collected for the purpose of water supply.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important site for protein folding and maturation in eukaryotes. The cellular requirement to synthesize proteins within the ER is matched by its folding capacity. However, the physiological demands or aberrations in folding may result in an imbalance which can lead to the accumulation of misfolded protein, also known as “ER stress.” The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cell-signaling system that readjusts ER folding capacity to restore protein homeostasis. The key UPR signal activator, IRE1, responds to stress by propagating the UPR signal from the ER to the cytosol. Here, we discuss the structural and molecular basis of IRE1 stress signaling, with particular focus on novel mechanistic advances. We draw a comparison between the recently proposed allosteric model for UPR induction and the role of Hsp70 during polypeptide import to the mitochondrial matrix.

The increasing population of very old intensive care patients (VIPs) is a major challenge currently faced by clinicians and policymakers. Reliable indicators of VIPs' prognosis and purposefulness of their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) are urgently needed.This is a report from the Polish sample of the VIP1 multicentre cohort study (NCT03134807). Patients ≥ 80 years of age admitted to the ICU were included in the study. Information on the type and reason for admission, demographics, utilisation of ICU procedures, ICU length of stay, organ dysfunction and the decision to apply end-of-life care was collected. The primary objective was to investigate the impact of frailty syndrome on ICU and 30-day survival of VIPs. Frailty was assessed with the Clinical Frailty Scale (≥ 5 points on a scale of 1-9).We enrolled 272 participants with a median age of 84 (81-87) years. Frailty was diagnosed in 170 (62.5%) patients. The ICU and 30-day survival rates were equal to 54.6% and 47.3% respectively. Three variables were found to significantly increase the odds of death in the ICU in a multiple logistic regression model: SOFA score (OR = 1.16; 95%CI 1.16-1.24), acute mode of admission (OR = 5.1; 95%CI 1.67-15.57) and frailty (OR = 2.25; 95%CI 1.26-4.01).Measuring frailty in critically ill older adults can facilitate making more informed clinical decisions and help avoid futile interventions.

The paper presents some aspects of the problem of heavy metals presence in wastewater and sewage sludge from water treatment. In the first part, issues on quality of wastewaters and sludge produced during water treatment along with actions aimed at the neutralization of such wastes, were discussed. Subsequent parts of the work present the example of 12 groundwater treatment stations in a particular municipality, and the problem of backwash water quality, in particular, heavy metals contents. The analysis covered a period of three years: 2013, 2014, and 2015. The authors, using the discussed examples, have shown that besides hydrated iron and manganese oxides, also other toxic contaminants can be present in backwash water from groundwater treatment. In particular, the qualitative analysis of the backwash water revealed the presence of heavy metals, mainly zinc. The test results for backwash water were compared with those of filtrate qualitative assessment, wherein the heavy metals were not found. This fact indicated the metal retention in the filter bed and their unsustainable immobilization resulting in penetration of heavy metals from deposit to the backwash water along with other impurities, mainly iron and manganese oxides. The main conclusion from the study is to demonstrate the need for constant monitoring of the backwash water quality, including the presence of toxic heavy metals. This is also important because of the requirement to minimize the negative environmental impact of wastes generated during the water treatment process.

Background: The increasing population of very old intensive care patients (VIPs) is a major challenge currently faced by clinicians and policymakers. Reliable indicators of VIPs’ prognosis and purposefulness of their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) are urgently needed. Methods: This is a report from the Polish sample of the VIP1 multicentre cohort study (NCT03134807). Patients ≥ 80 years of age admitted to the ICU were included in the study. Information on the type and reason for admission, demographics, utilisation of ICU procedures, ICU length of stay, organ dysfunction and the decision to apply end-of-life care was collected. The primary objective was to investigate the impact of frailty syndrome on ICU and 30-day survival of VIPs. Frailty was assessed with the Clinical Frailty Scale (≥ 5 points on a scale of 1–9). Results: We enrolled 272 participants with a median age of 84 (81–87) years. Frailty was diagnosed in 170 (62.5%) patients. The ICU and 30-day survival rates were equal to 54.6% and 47.3% respectively. Three variables were found to significantly increase the odds of death in the ICU in a multiple logistic regression model: SOFA score (OR = 1.16; 95%CI 1.16–1.24), acute mode of admission (OR = 5.1; 95%CI 1.67–15.57) and frailty (OR = 2.25; 95%CI 1.26–4.01). Conclusion: Measuring frailty in critically ill older adults can facilitate making more informed clinical decisions and help avoid futile interventions.

BACKGROUND: Horner syndrome is a rare but likely underdiagnosed complication of internal jugular vein cannulation. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a young woman undergoing chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic disease for whom venous port implantation was attempted due to poor peripheral vein access. Despite ultrasound guidance, the procedure was unsuccessful and complicated by a local haematoma, causing compression of the sympathetic nerves with Horner syndrome. The symptoms subsided within 3 weeks without treatment. The possible pathomechanisms of Horner syndrome after central venous cannulation are presented with suggested diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Special emphasis must be placed on excluding carotid artery dissection because it carries the risk of subsequent cerebral vascular incidents. In the event of a carotid dissection, a multidisciplinary team must choose a pharmacological (antiplatelet drugs/anticoagulation) or interventional approach. CONCLUSION: Even with ultrasonography, central venous cannulation is not free of serious risks. In case of anisocoria following an uneventful procedure, diagnostic imaging of the vascular structures in the neck is mandatory for the exclusion of potentially serious complications, such as carotid dissection or venous thrombosis.

This paper presents the results of experimental and numerical investigations of air flow through the crossing of a mining longwall and ventilation gallery. The object investigated consists of airways (headings) arranged in a T-shape. Maintained for technological purposes, the cave is exposed particularly to dangerous accumulations of methane. The laboratory model is a certain simplification of a real longwall and ventilation gallery crossing. Simplifications refer to both the object’s geometry and the air flow conditions. The aim of the research is to evaluate the accuracy with which numerical simulations model the real flow. Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) was used to measure all velocity vector components. Three turbulence models were tested: standard k-ε, k-ε realizable and the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM). The experimental results have been compared against the results of numerical simulations. Good agreement is achieved between all three turbulence model predictions and measurements in the inflow and outflow of the channel. Large differences between the measured and calculated velocity field occur in the cavity zone. Two models, the standard k-ε and k-ε realizable over-predict the measure value of the streamwise components of velocity. This causes the ventilation intensity to be overestimated in this domain. The RSM model underestimates the measure value of streamwise components of velocity and therefore artificially decreases the intensity of ventilation in this zone. The RSM model provides better predictions than the standard k-ε and k-ε realizable in the cavity zone.

We present a novel, parallelizable algorithm capable of automatically reconstructing and calculating anatomical statistics of cerebral vascular networks embedded in large volumes of Rat Nissl-stained data. In this paper, we report the results of our method using Rattus somatosensory cortical data acquired using Knife-Edge Scanning Microscopy. Our algorithm performs the reconstruction task with averaged precision, recall, and F2-score of 0.978, 0.892, and 0.902 respectively. Calculated anatomical statistics show some conformance to values previously reported. The results that can be obtained from our method are expected to help explicate the relationship between the structural organization of the microcirculation and normal (and abnormal) cerebral functioning.

Low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) in humans, encompassing transcranial direct current (tDCS), transcutaneous spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS), transcranial alternating current (tACS), and transcranial random noise (tRNS) stimulation or their combinations, appears to be safe. No serious adverse events (SAES) have been reported so far in over 18,000 sessions administered to healthy subjects, neurological and psychiatric patients, as summarized here. Moderate adverse events (AEs), as defined by the necessity to intervene, are rare, and include skin burns with tDCS due to suboptimal electrode-skin contact. Very rarely mania or hypomania was induced in patients with depression (11 documented cases), yet a causal relationship is difficult to prove because of the low incidence rate and limited numbers of subjects in controlled trials. Mild AEs (MAEs) include headache and fatigue following stimulation as well as prickling and burning sensations occurring during tDCS at peak-to-baseline intensities of 1-2 mA and during tACS at higher peak-to-peak intensities above 2 mA.& para;& para;The prevalence of published AEs is different in studies specifically assessing AEs vs. those not assessing them, being higher in the former. AEs are frequently reported by individuals receiving placebo stimulation. The profile of AEs in terms of frequency, magnitude and type is comparable in healthy and clinical populations, and this is also the case for more vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly persons, or pregnant women. Combined interventions (e.g., co-application of drugs, electrophysiological measurements, neuroimaging) were not associated with further safety issues.& para;& para;Safety is established for low-intensity 'conventional' TES defined as

Remarkably, the eye is able to discriminate incremental stimuli over light intensities from a moonlit night to a bright, sunny day. The ability of the retina to function over this nine log unit range is largely due to its duplex structure, consisting of rods and cones (Perlman and Normann, 1998). Both photoreceptor classes capture light photons through the isomerization of 11-cis to all-trans retinal, which is then reisomerized and returned to the outer segments through the retinoid cycle (Lamb and Pugh, 2004; McBee et al., 2001). Cones, which support daytime vision, require a markedly higher flux of 11-cis retinoid compared with rods. How are 11-cis retinoids efficiently targeted to the cone outer segments in the presence of rods, which collectively have a greater outer segment surface area? First, cones, but not rods, can utilize 11-cis retinol generated from the Muller glia (Mata et al., 2002). Second, mechanisms could exist to target visual cycle retinoids to the cones. Such a mechanism could involve the unique extracellular matrix surrounding the cone outer segments, known as the “cone matrix sheath.” Little is known about the function of cone matrix sheaths except that they are specialized regions of the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) (Blanks et al., 1988; Hageman and Johnson, 1987; Johnson and Hageman, 1991; Johnson et al., 1986). The IPM consists of 1) an insoluble, lace-like network of components distributed throughout the extracellular space between the photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and Muller cells; 2) specialized domains located along the interface between the IPM and surrounding cone outer and inner segments (photoreceptor matrix sheaths); and 3) soluble components bound to the matrix and distributed within the matrix interstices (Hollyfield, 1999; Hollyfield et al., 1998). The insoluble IPM, with its cone matrix sheaths, and bound molecules can be delaminated from the retina as delicate sheets. The matrix is thought to support RPE–retina interactions, including adhesion, photoreceptor stability, and exchange of growth factors and nutrients, such as visual cycle retinoids (Hageman and Kuehn, 1998; Mieziewska, 1996). The major soluble protein component of the IPM is a 145-kDa glycolipoprotein termed “interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein” (IRBP; Gonzalez-Fernandez, 2003; Gonzalez-Fernandez and Ghosh, 2008). IRBP consists of four homologous “modules,” each of ~300 amino acids. It is a member of the crotonase/C-terminal processing protease family, whose members bind hydrophobic ligands in diverse settings. Structural and site-directed mutagenesis studies have defined a putative retinol binding site (Gonzalez-Fernandez et al., 2009). Mutation of a highly conserved salt bridge in the scaffold of the retinoid-binding site is associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (den Hollander et al., 2009). Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of hereditary retinal degenerations characterized by impaired dark adaptation, night blindness, and loss of midperipheral visual field, often leading to blindness (de Maziere et al., 1996; Periasamy et al., 1999). Structural studies of IRBP suggest the presence of conserved charged surface domains that represent putative docking sites for matrix and/or a cell surface receptor (Loew and Gonzalez-Fernandez, 2002). IRBP also contains RHAMM (receptor for HA-mediated motility)-type hyaluronan binding motifs, suggesting an interaction with the matrix scaffold (Hollyfield, 1999). Through an unknown mechanism, IRBP promotes the release of all-trans retinol from the outer segments (Qtaishat et al., 2005; Tsina et al., 2004; Wu et al., 2007) and its delivery to the RPE (Okajima et al., 1989). IRBP also promotes the release of 11-cis retinol from the RPE (Carlson and Bok, 1992; Edwards and Adler, 2000) and its return to the outer segments (Jin et al., 2009). Recent studies suggest an important role of IRBP in the cone visual cycle (Jin et al., 2009; Parker and Crouch, 2010; Parker et al., 2009, 2011). The chicken retina provides a useful system to define the molecular basis of these processes (Muniz et al., 2009; Trevino et al., 2005). Interestingly, the expression of the chicken IRBP ortholog is light-dependant. The protein accumulates within the IPM and contains a signal peptide followed by four homologous modules, each ~300 amino acid residues in length, in keeping with the structure of tetrapod IRBPs (Stenkamp et al., 2005). It is possible that IRBP distinguishes between the different visual cycle retinoids to deliver the appropriate retinoid to the correct cell through tailored receptor docking domains (Gonzalez-Fernandez et al., 2007; Lin et al., 1997). The present study was designed to determine whether IRBP associates with regions of the IPM. We characterized the distribution of IRBP that remains bound in saline washed retinas and delaminated IPM. We found a previously unrecognized affinity of IRBP for the cone matrix sheath. This finding may help to explain how visual cycle retinoids are efficiently exchanged at cone outer segments.

This study is continuation of research on gas evolution rate from heated moulding sands used in the manufacture of foundry moulds. Thefirst stage of the study described in [1] included bentonite-bonded sands. At the second stage, sands bonded with organic binders weretested. The composition of gases, evolved at a given temperature using mould heating system that simulates the process of mould pouringwith molten metal, was determined. Metal was not used in these studies to prevent its reaction with gases formed as a result of moulding sand heating, since this effect would significantly impede the gas identification or even make it totally impossible.

Background Promoting a more patient-responsive service has been the focus of policy initiatives in newer EU states. One measure of success should be the patient's assessment of their consultation with their doctor. Objectives To measure consultation quality in Polish primary care using patient enablement (a patient-driven instrument developed in the UK) and to test its theoretical framework. To compare the patient enablement outcome of different types of doctor delivering primary care in Poland following reform. Design Cross-sectional quantitative questionnaire survey. Setting Random sample of primary care doctors practising within a 60-km radius of Gdansk, Poland. Subjects and outcome measures Patient Enablement Instrument and correlates were measured in 7924 consecutive adult consultations of 48 doctors, stratified according to training: family medicine specialists (diploma holders), non-diplomates and general medicine doctors (polyclinic internists). Results Completion was high (78%). The mean patient enablement score in Poland was 4.0 (SD 3.3) and mean consultation length was 10.3 min (SD 5.4 min). Consultation length and knowing the doctor are independently related to patient enablement in the Polish context. Variation between doctors is significant, but earlier differences in enablement between alternative providers have largely been ameliorated in practice. Conclusion It is feasible to use patient enablement on a large scale at routine consultation in primary care in Poland: acceptability was good in diverse environments. The internal consistency of enablement and its relationships broadly mirror those found in the UK. The effect of patient expectations shaped by social and cultural issues influencing enablement outcome requires further investigation.

Reported are the syntheses, crystal structure determinations from single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic properties of two new ternary compounds, Eu{sub 11}Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} and Eu{sub 11}Zn{sub 6}Sb{sub 12}. Both crystallize with the complex Sr{sub 11}Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} structure type-monoclinic, space group C2/m (no. 12), Z=2, with unit cell parameters a=31.979(4) A, b=4.5981(5) A, c=12.3499(14) A, {beta}=109.675(1){sup o} for Eu{sub 11}Zn{sub 6}Sb{sub 12}, and a=32.507(2) A, b=4.7294(3) A, c=12.4158(8) A, {beta}=109.972(1){sup o} for Eu{sub 11}Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12}. Their crystal structures are best described as made up of polyanionic {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[Zn{sub 6}Sb{sub 12}]{sup 22-} and {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12}]{sup 22-} ribbons of corner-shared ZnSb{sub 4} and CdSb{sub 4} tetrahedra and Eu{sup 2+} cations. A notable characteristic of these structures is the presence of Sb-Sb interactions, which exist between two tetrahedra from adjacent layers, giving rise to unique channels. Detailed structure analyses shows that similar bonding arrangements are seen in much simpler structure types, such as Ca{sub 3}AlAs{sub 3} and Ca{sub 5}Ga{sub 2}As{sub 6} and the structure can be rationalized as their intergrowth. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements indicate that Eu{sub 11}Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} orders anti-ferromagnetically below 7.5 K, while Eu{sub 11}Zn{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} does not order down to 5 K. Resistivity measurementsmore » confirm that Eu{sub 11}Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} is poorly metallic, as expected for a Zintl phase. - Graphical abstract: The synthesis, structure determination from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic properties of Eu{sub 11}Zn{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} and Eu{sub 11}Cd{sub 6}Sb{sub 12} are reported. Both compounds crystallize with the monoclinic space group C2/m, and their structure can be viewed as built of ZnSb{sub 4} or CdSb{sub 4} tetrahedra, which are connected through common corners and exo-bonds.« less

Recent innovations may lead to magnetic sensors that are smaller, more sensitive, and/or cost less than current magnetometers. Examples of this are the chip scale atomic magnetometer, magnetic tunnel junctions with MgO barriers, and a device for minimizing the effect of 1∕f noise, the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flux concentrator. In the chip scale atomic magnetometer, researchers have been able to fabricate the light source, optics, heater, optical cell, and photodiode detector in a stack that passes through a silicon wafer. Theoretical and subsequent experimental work has led to the observation of magnetoresistance values of 400% at room temperature in magnetic tunnel junctions with MgO barriers. This large magnetoresistance occurs because electrons in the majority band can tunnel more easily through the MgO barrier than electrons in the minority band. The MEMS flux concentrator has the potential to increase the sensitivity of magnetic sensors at low frequencies by more than an order of magnitu...

Objective The aim of the study was to explore the effect of a medical food intervention, developed to improve synaptic formation and function, on magnetoencephalography (MEG), as a proxy of macroscopic effects of synaptic changes, in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods In an exploratory 24-weeks, double blind, randomised controlled sub-study of the Souvenir II study, differences between the active ( n = 22) and control ( n = 27) drug-naïve mild AD patients were computed for frequency analysis, functional connectivity and functional brain network measures in source space MEG. Results The groups were significantly different with respect to baseline mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (active: 23.8 ± 2.3 (mean ± SD); control 25.3 ± 2.6). No consistent statistically significant intervention effects were found on the MEG measures. Conclusions In the current subsample of mild AD patients we could not detect an intervention effect of the medical food on MEG measures as opposed to EEG that has been used in a larger sample and revealed beneficial intervention effects on functional connectivity and brain network organisation in mild AD. Key message Further research is needed with substantially larger sample sizes and better balanced study groups to further assess the role of MEG in intervention trials in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new rare-earth metal containing Zintl phases, Eu 11 InSb 9 and Yb 11 InSb 9 have been synthesized by reactions of the corresponding elements in molten In metal to serve as a self-flux. Their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction—both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Iba 2 (No. 45), Z =4 with unit cell parameters a =12.224(2) A, b =12.874(2) A, c =17.315(3) A for Eu 11 InSb 9 , and a =11.7886(11) A, b =12.4151(12) A, c =16.6743(15) A for Yb 11 InSb 9 , respectively (Ca 11 InSb 9 -type, Pearson's code o I 84). Both structures can be rationalized using the classic Zintl rules, and are best described in terms of discrete In-centered tetrahedra of Sb, [InSb 4 ] 9− , isolated Sb dimers, [Sb 2 ] 4− , and isolated Sb anions, Sb 3− . These anionic species are separated by Eu 2+ and Yb 2+ cations, which occupy the empty space between them and counterbalance the formal charges. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements corroborate such analysis and indicate divalent Eu and Yb, as well as poorly metallic behavior for both Eu 11 InSb 9 and Yb 11 InSb 9 . The close relationships between these structures and those of the monoclinic α -Ca 21 Mn 4 Sb 18 and Ca 21 Mn 4 Bi 18 are also discussed.

Horner syndrome is a rare but likely underdiagnosed complication of internal jugular vein cannulation.We present a case of a young woman undergoing chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic disease for whom venous port implantation was attempted due to poor peripheral vein access. Despite ultrasound guidance, the procedure was unsuccessful and complicated by a local haematoma, causing compression of the sympathetic nerves with Horner syndrome. The symptoms subsided within 3 weeks without treatment. The possible pathomechanisms of Horner syndrome after central venous cannulation are presented with suggested diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Special emphasis must be placed on excluding carotid artery dissection because it carries the risk of subsequent cerebral vascular incidents. In the event of a carotid dissection, a multidisciplinary team must choose a pharmacological (antiplatelet drugs/anticoagulation) or interventional approach.Even with ultrasonography, central venous cannulation is not free of serious risks. In case of anisocoria following an uneventful procedure, diagnostic imaging of the vascular structures in the neck is mandatory for the exclusion of potentially serious complications, such as carotid dissection or venous thrombosis.

Chemical and mechanical stability of FDTS (perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane) hydrophobic coatings was improved by using an oxide adhesion layer followed by an in-situ vapour deposition of the FDTS self-aligned monolayer. The use of silicon oxide base layer improves stability of the FDTS film and degradation of its hydrophobic properties resulting from a continuous immersion in water and other liquids. We ascribe the improved stability of the FDTS films grown on oxide to high density and uniformity of the surface hydroxyl groups required for FDTS attachment and the resulting high quality of the FDTS monolayer. This approach shows film property improvement over traditional substrates such as silicon and aluminium but may also be particularly useful in biochemistry and micro fluidics when films are deposited on substrates with lower density of the surface hydroxyl groups.

The relatively large and linear magnetoresistance found in nonstoichiometric silver chalcogenides makes them attractive candidates for studying the mechanisms of linear magnetoresistance and for field sensing applications. After a brief review of the magnetoresistive properties of these materials, we report on the intrinsic electrical noise in bulk, polycrystalline Ag 2+δ Te . Low-frequency noise is due to resistance fluctuations having a 1/f-like power spectrum. The temperature dependence of the noise magnitude and its spectral slope indicate thermally activated kinetics which we attribute to some form of charge trapping-detrapping process occurring in or near the intergranular regions. The effective magnetic field noise in Ag 2+δ Te is also compared to other materials systems used in field sensing applications.

We report on the novel effect of the growing-in of optical coherence in the FMO antenna complexes. The rise of coherence, monitored by femtosecond two-pulse photon echo spectroscopy at 1.27 K, occurs within a characteristic time of 150−250 fs after impulsive excitation at the red edge of the absorption spectrum and is accompanied by strong and long-lasting oscillations. We show that this effect cannot be explained in the framework of present theories for the photon echo formation. To account for the observations, we take into consideration a finite system-bath interaction time and develop the theory beyond the Markov limit. We show that the coherence does not follow the impulsive excitation promptly, instead its time development is delayed. General expressions are obtained for the nonlinear polarization, which can also be applied for analysis of other time-resolved experiments (three-pulse photon echoes, transient grating, transient absorption etc.). Model calculations fully support our experimental obser...

We report measurements of the density of a vibrated granular material as a function of time or taps. The material studied consists of monodisperse spherical glass beads confined to a long, thin cylindrical tube. Changes in vibration intensity are used to induce transitions between two steady state densities that depend on the intensity of the vibrations. We find a complex time evolution similar to previous work on the irreversible relaxation from a loose state toward a steady state. In addition, frequency dependent third order moments of the density fluctuations are measured. The data indicate a coupling between large variations in density on one time scale and noise power over a broad range of higher-frequency scales.