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INTRODUCTION: In the West Midlands region of the UK, delivery of pre-hospital care has been remodelled through introduction of a 24 h Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT). Teams including physicians and critical care paramedics (CCP) are deployed to incidents on land-based and helicopter-based platforms. Clinical practice, including delivery of rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia (RSI), is underpinned by standard operating procedures (SOP). This study describes the first 12 months experience of prehospital RSI in the MERIT scheme in the West Midlands. METHODS: Retrospective review of the MERIT clinical database for the 12months following the launch of the scheme. Data was collected relating to the number of RSIs performed; indication for RSI; number of intubation attempts; grade of view on laryngoscopy and the base speciality/grade of the operator performing intubation. RESULTS: MERIT teams were activated 1619 times, attending scene in 1029 cases. RSI was performed 142 times (13.80% of scene attendances). There was one recorded case of failure to intubate requiring insertion of a supraglottic airway device (0.70%). In over a third of RSI cases, CCPs performed laryngoscopy and intubation (n=53, 37.32%). Proficiency of obtaining Grade I view at laryngoscopy was similar for physicians (74.70%) and CCPs (77.36%). Intubation was successful at the first attempt in over 90% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that operation within a system that provides high levels of exposure, underpinned by comprehensive and robust training and governance frameworks, promotes levels of performance in successful prehospital RSI regardless of base speciality or profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sensitivity and spatial resolution in magnetic particle imaging are affected by magnetic properties of the nanoparticle tracers used during imaging. Here, we have carried out a comprehensive magnetic characterization of single-core iron oxide nanoparticles that were designed for MPI. We used ac susceptometry, fluxgate magnetorelaxometry, and magnetic particle spectroscopy to evaluate the tracer׳s magnetic core size, hydrodynamic size, and magnetic anisotropy. Our results present a self-consistent set of magnetic and structural parameters for the tracers that is consistent with direct measurements of size using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering and that can be used to better understand their MPI performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• First characterization of magnetic dynamics of platelet suspensions using ACS. • Comparison of dynamics in isotropic and nematic phases. • Analysis of ACS spectra by using superposition of multiple Debye-type processes. • Investigation of influence of magneto- and electrostatic interactions. • Exploration of relationship between magnetic dynamics and macroscopic flow. Dense dispersions of ferrimagnetic bariumhexaferrite nanoplatelets form colloidal nematic phases even in the isotropic solvent such as n-butanol. The transition into the nematic phases is marked by developing the long-range orientational and magnetic correlations between the particles. Here we explore the magnetic dynamics in such dispersions in the range of the isotropic and nematic phases. We demonstrate that even in the low concentration isotropic regime, a simple Debye-type mechanism cannot describe the dynamics. Clustering of the particles results in low-frequency contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a survey concerning the production assignments in theatre education in the U.S. The author suggests data, according to which, at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, a theatre student can complete a theatre Bachelor of Arts (BA) without production related credits. Pie charts, integrity rules released by the U.S. Department of Education in 2010, and recommendations announced by the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) in 1991 are also discussed.

The rotating magnetic field as a source of magnetic nanoparticle manipulation for the use in homogenous bioassays is presented and compared with the frequently used alternating magnetic field technique. For the investigation of the impact of the rotating and alternating field mode on the biomolecule detection, a fluxgate based measurement system has been used. This system detects the MNPs magnetization stray field and calculates the phase lag between the aligning field and the MNPs magnetization. By analyzing the phase lag, the analysis is not altered by changes in MNP concentration. The measured phase lag spectra show a significant difference between both magnetic field modes and agree well with simulations based on the Fokker-Planck equation. A modeling of binding experiments based on these simulations predicts a higher sensitivity for the rotating magnetic field manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach for the synthesis of chemically stabilized β-cristobalite-like glass-ceramic materials is developed. It is based on an activated reaction sinter-crystallization process of compacted powder mixtures at relatively low temperatures (1400-1450°C) and short heat treatment times. To facilitate homogeneous dopant distribution and thus the formation of a high content of β x-cristobalite-like phases, possessing a very low thermal expansion coefficient, the batch components are introduced in a chemically, mechanically, or thermally preactivated form. In this way, the high-temperature glass premelting usually employed in the 'classical' synthesis of glass-ceramics is avoided. Using different, mutually complementary techniques of analysis it is revealed that optimal refractory properties are achieved with glass-ceramics containing α x- and β x-cristobalite solid solutions with close values of the lattice parameters. In this case, the transformation between these two cristobalite-like solid solutions proceeds instead by a first-order displacive transition, by a process exhibiting features characteristic for both a suppressed first-order phase change and a second-order λ-type phase transitions. The refractory properties of the glass-ceramic materials thus synthesized and the possibility to use various forming techniques open many fields for their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the evolution of entertainment technology and the creative process in theatrical productions. It mentions about 5D, which is described as a group of designers, scientists, artists and educators who talk about exploring the idea of digital technology as an element that has fundamentally changed the world of entertainment. It relates about immersive design, which uses a collaborative workspace that uses digital tools to visualize a certain space.

Abstract: We introduce a novel biosensor concept, which employs hybrid nanoparticles consisting of magnetic nanorods encapsulated by noble metal shells. These nanoparticles have the potential to directly signal the presence of analyte molecules in the sample solution via inducing a change in their rotational dynamics on analyte binding, thus circumventing the need of extensive sample preparation. While the nanoparticles’ magnetic cores enable rotation in an external magnetic field, their shells are used to monitor their rotational dynamics through the excitation and observation of longitudinal plasmon resonances. We present model calculations on the aspired properties of suitable core-shell nanorods and first experimental results proofing the principle of this measurement method for plain Co-nanorods excited by a rotating magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetorelaxometry can be applied for the comprehensive and fast characterization of magnetic core-shell nanoparticles. The magnetic relaxation of magnetic nanoparticle samples measured with a differential fluxgate-having the potential for a standard testing tool-and a low-Tc SQUID system-acting as a highly sensitive reference system-is compared. It is shown that magnetorelaxation curves agree, i.e., they are not influenced by the different experimental setup. Furthermore, utilizing tiny coils as calibration standards, the measured magnetic flux density can be referred to a magnetic moment of the sample, and measurement data can be quantitatively transferred from one system to the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Binding assays based on the magnetorelaxation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles as markers are presented utilizing a differential fluxgate system. As ligand and receptor, streptavidin and biotin, respectively, are used. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are functionalized with streptavidin and bound to two types of biotinylated analytes: agarose beads and bovine serum (BSA) proteins. The size difference of the two analytes causes a different progress of the reaction. As a consequence, the analysis of the relaxation signal is carried out dissimilarly for the two analytes. In addition, we studied the reaction kinetics of the two kinds of analytes with the fluxgate system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have compared the structure parameters of magnetic core–shell nanoparticles determined from fluxgate magnetorelaxometry measurements applying the moment superposition model with the results from other methods. For the characterization of the magnetic cores, the nanoparticles are immobilized by freeze-drying. The core size distribution estimated for superparamagnetic Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with polyacrylic acid shell agrees well with that from transmission electron microscopy measurements. The distribution of hydrodynamic diameters of nanoparticle suspensions estimated from magnetorelaxometry measurements is in good agreement with that obtained from ac susceptibility and photon correlation spectroscopy measurements. Advantages of magnetorelaxometry compared to the other two integral techniques are that it is fast and the signal is less dominated by larger particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The occurrence of taste and odor problems in drinking water supplies is a widespread phenomenon. From a Saxonian water reservoir we isolated a cyanobacterial species which was classified as Phormidium sp. Under laboratory conditions it produced an earthy-musty smell due to the synthesis of geosmin. The only genes shown to be involved in geosmin biosynthesis are cyc2 and geoA of Streptomyces. Based on the alignment of Cyc2 with a putative sesquiterpene synthase of Nostoc punctiforme, a degenerate primer pair was designed. By PCR, we could amplify two similar genes in Phormidium sp., which we named geoA1 and geoA2. Their expression was studied by reverse transcription-PCR. This revealed that both genes are expressed at 20°C and a light-dark cycle of 12 h. Expression was not detectable at the end of a 24-h dark period. To analyze the prevalence of geoA1 and geoA2 in samples from the phytobenthos, we generated PCR fragments with the same degenerate primer pair. Fifty-five different sequences that might represent geoA variants were obtained. The GC content ranged from 42% to 67%, suggesting that taxonomically very different bacteria might contain such genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The next generation light sources require synchronization of (soft and hard) X-rays to beamline and end station lasers. The relative timing jitter required will be of the order of the photon pulse length down to a few fs between sources separated by ∼100–500m. Also the synchronization of electron beam production at the photo-injector, the beam acceleration and compression in the linac, the electron arrival time at the insertion devices and some of the beam diagnostics in the linac must be synchronized with a precision of the same order of magnitude. The concept of synchronization is described and limiting factors for synchronization in Energy Recovery Linacs are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A magnetorelaxometry system based on sensitive fluxgate magnetometers for the analysis of the relaxation behavior of magnetic nanoparticles is presented. The system is tested with a dilution series of magnetite. The results are directly compared with data obtained with a SQUID magnetorelaxometry system measured on the same samples. Advantages of using fluxgates rather than SQUIDs for magnetorelaxometry are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]