Search

How does an ordinary dietitian have an extraordinary career? What is the most important asset that a dietitian has? Why is it important to take risks, be resilient, and challenge the status quo? In this article I answer these questions by sharing the highlights of my career and describing how I was socialized into the dietetics profession and ended up as the first female President of a Canadian university in Egypt.

The response of the BAS-TR image plate (IP) was absolutely calibrated using CR-39 track detector for high linear energy transfer (LET) Au ions up to $\sim$1.6 GeV (8.2 MeV/nucleon), accelerated by high-power lasers. The calibration was carried out by employing a high-resolution Thomson parabola spectrometer, which allowed resolving Au ions with closely spaced ionization states up to 58$^+$. A response function was obtained by fitting the photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) per Au ion for different ion energies, which is broadly in agreement with that expected from ion stopping in the active layer of the IP. This calibration would allow quantifying the ion energy spectra for high energy Au ions, which is important for further investigation of the laser-based acceleration of heavy ion beams., Comment: 6 pages; 4 figures. Submitted to journal for review

At sufficiently high laser intensities, the rapid heating to relativistic velocities and resulting decompression of plasma electrons in an ultra-thin target foil can result in the target becoming relativistically transparent to the laser light during the interaction. Ion acceleration in this regime is strongly affected by the transition from an opaque to a relativistically transparent plasma. By spatially resolving the laser-accelerated proton beam at near-normal laser incidence and at an incidence angle of 30°, we identify characteristic features both experimentally and in particle-in-cell simulations which are consistent with the onset of three distinct ion acceleration mechanisms: sheath acceleration; radiation pressure acceleration; and transparency-enhanced acceleration. The latter mechanism occurs late in the interaction and is mediated by the formation of a plasma jet extending into the expanding ion population. The effect of laser incident angle on the plasma jet is explored.

A key issue in realising the development of a number of applications of high-intensity lasers is the dynamics of the fast electrons produced and how to diagnose them. We report on measurements of fast electron transport in aluminium targets in the ultra-intense, short-pulse (c) expanding region of Ohmic heating at the rear of the target, driven by lateral transport of the fast electron population inside the target. Simulations demonstrate that a broad angular distribution of fast electrons on the order of 60° is required, in conjunction with extensive recirculation of the electron population, in order to drive such lateral transport. These results provide fundamental new insight into fast electron dynamics driven by ultra-short laser pulses, which is an important regime for the development of laser-based radiation and particle sources.

The collective response of electrons in an ultrathin foil target irradiated by an ultraintense ( ${\sim}6\times 10^{20}~\text{W}~\text{cm}^{-2}$ ) laser pulse is investigated experimentally and via 3D particle-in-cell simulations. It is shown that if the target is sufficiently thin that the laser induces significant radiation pressure, but not thin enough to become relativistically transparent to the laser light, the resulting relativistic electron beam is elliptical, with the major axis of the ellipse directed along the laser polarization axis. When the target thickness is decreased such that it becomes relativistically transparent early in the interaction with the laser pulse, diffraction of the transmitted laser light occurs through a so called ‘relativistic plasma aperture’, inducing structure in the spatial-intensity profile of the beam of energetic electrons. It is shown that the electron beam profile can be modified by variation of the target thickness and degree of ellipticity in the laser polarization.

Control of the collective response of plasma particles to intense laser light is intrinsic to relativistic optics, the development of compact laser-driven particle and radiation sources, as well as investigations of some laboratory astrophysics phenomena. We recently demonstrated that a relativistic plasma aperture produced in an ultra-thin foil at the focus of intense laser radiation can induce diffraction, enabling polarization-based control of the collective motion of plasma electrons. Here we show that under these conditions the electron dynamics are mapped into the beam of protons accelerated via strong charge-separation-induced electrostatic fields. It is demonstrated experimentally and numerically via 3D particle-in-cell simulations that the degree of ellipticity of the laser polarization strongly influences the spatial-intensity distribution of the beam of multi-MeV protons. The influence on both sheath-accelerated and radiation pressure-accelerated protons is investigated. This approach opens up a potential new route to control laser-driven ion sources., Intense laser pulse interaction with ultra-thin foils constitutes a promising approach for proton acceleration. Here the authors show that the degree of ellipticity in the laser beam polarization can be used to control the proton beam profile.

Exposure to blood and body fluids is a major concern to health care professionals working in operating rooms (ORs). Thus, it is essential that hospitals use fluid waste management systems that minimise risk to staff, while maximising efficiency.The current study compared the utility of a 'closed' system with a traditional canister-based 'open' system in the OR in a private hospital setting.A total of 30 arthroscopy, urology, and orthopaedic cases were observed. The closed system was used in five, four, and six cases, respectively and the open system was used in nine, two, and four cases, respectively. The average number of opportunities for staff to be exposed to hazardous fluids were fewer for the closed system when compared to the open during arthroscopy and urology procedures. The open system required nearly 3.5 times as much staff time for set-up, maintenance during procedures, and post-procedure disposal of waste. Theatre staff expressed greater satisfaction with the closed system than with the open.In conclusion, compared with the open system, the closed system offers a less hazardous and more efficient method of disposing of fluid waste generated in the OR.

Multiple ion acceleration mechanisms can occur when an ultrathin foil is irradiated with an intense laser pulse, with the dominant mechanism changing over the course of the interaction. Measurement of the spatial-intensity distribution of the beam of energetic protons is used to investigate the transition from radiation pressure acceleration to transparency-driven processes. It is shown numerically that radiation pressure drives an increased expansion of the target ions within the spatial extent of the laser focal spot, which induces a radial deflection of relatively low energy sheath-accelerated protons to form an annular distribution. Through variation of the target foil thickness, the opening angle of the ring is shown to be correlated to the point in time transparency occurs during the interaction and is maximized when it occurs at the peak of the laser intensity profile. Corresponding experimental measurements of the ring size variation with target thickness exhibit the same trends and provide insight into the intra-pulse laser-plasma evolution.

The influence of low temperature (eV to tens-of-eV) electrical resistivity on the onset of the filamentation instability in fast-electron transport is investigated in targets comprising of layers of ordered (diamond) and disordered (vitreous) carbon. It is shown experimentally and numerically that the thickness of the disordered carbon layer influences the degree of filamentation of the fast-electron beam. Strong filamentation is produced if the thickness is of the order of 60 μm or greater, for an electron distribution driven by a sub-picosecond, mid-1020 Wcm-2 laser pulse. It is shown that the position of the vitreous carbon layer relative to the fast-electron source (where the beam current density and background temperature are highest) does not have a strong effect because the resistive filamentation growth rate is high in disordered carbon over a wide range of temperatures up to the Spitzer regime.

The role of low-temperature electrical resistivity in defining the transport properties of mega-Ampere currents of fast (MeV) electrons in solids is investigated using 3D hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. By considering resistivity profiles intermediate to the ordered (lattice) and disordered forms of two example materials, lithium and silicon, it is shown that both the magnitude of the resistivity and the shape of the resistivity-temperature profile at low temperatures strongly affect the self-generated resistive magnetic fields and the onset of resistive instabilities, and thus the overall fast electron beam transport pattern. The scaling of these effects to the giga-Ampere electron currents required for the fast ignition scheme for inertial fusion is also explored. This publication relates to the EPSRC funded project Advanced laser-ion acceleration strategies towards next generation healthcare (EP/K022415/1) and the EPSRC funded research fellowship Multi-PetaWatt laser-Plasma Interactions: A New Frontier in Physics (EP/J003832/1). This publication also relates to the dataset 'Data set for McKenna_PPCF_2015': https://pure.strath.ac.uk/portal/en/datasets/data-set-for-mckennappcf2015(19c2dd8f-4b3b-4155-b7eb-1d6c8f2874b9).html

Introduction: Exposure to blood and body fluids is a major concern to health care professionals working in operating rooms (ORs). Thus, it is essential that hospitals use fluid waste management systems that minimise risk to staff, while maximising efficiency. Method: The current study compared the utility of a 'closed' system with a traditional canister-based 'open' system in the OR in a private hospital setting. Results: A total of 30 arthroscopy, urology, and orthopaedic cases were observed. The closed system was used in five, four, and six cases, respectively and the open system was used in nine, two, and four cases, respectively. The average number of opportunities for staff to be exposed to hazardous fluids were fewer for the closed system when compared to the open during arthroscopy and urology procedures. The open system required nearly 3.5 times as much staff time for set-up, maintenance during procedures, and post-procedure disposal of waste. Theatre staff expressed greater satisfaction with the closed system than with the open. Conclusion: In conclusion, compared with the open system, the closed system offers a less hazardous and more efficient method of disposing of fluid waste generated in the OR.

The first experimental measurements of intense (${\sim }7\times 10^{19}~ {\rm W}~ {\rm cm}^{-2}$) laser-driven terahertz (THz) radiation from a solid target which is preheated by an intense pulse of laser-accelerated protons is reported. The total energy of the THz radiation is found to decrease by approximately a factor of 2 compared to a cold target reference. This is attributed to an increase in the scale length of the preformed plasma, driven by proton heating, at the front surface of the target, where the THz radiation is generated. The results show the importance of controlling the preplasma scale length for THz production.

A new approach to rear surface optical probing is presented that permits multiple, time-resolved 2D measurements to be made during a single, ultra-intense ( > 1018 W cm−2) laser-plasma interaction. The diagnostic is capable of resolving rapid changes in target reflectivity which can be used to infer valuable information on fast electron transport and plasma formation at the target rear surface. Initial results from the Astra-Gemini laser are presented, with rapid radial sheath expansion together with detailed filamentary features being observed to evolve during single shots.

SYNOPSIS The cause of a chronic wound must be identified before treatment can begin. This assessment includes an evaluation of the patient’s general health, nutrition and medication. The cause of the wound dictates the management including the choice of dressing. Moist wound dressings are now preferred. As ulcers may take months to heal prevention is important. Patients with diabetes particularly need instruction on how to take care of their feet. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended. Index words: diabetes, dressings, ulcers, infection. (Aust Prescr 2000;23:6–9)

The influence of lattice-melt-induced resistivity gradients on the transport of mega-ampere currents of fast electrons in solids is investigated numerically and experimentally using laser-accelerated protons to induce isochoric heating. Tailoring the heating profile enables the resistive magnetic fields which strongly influence the current propagation to be manipulated. This tunable laser-driven process enables important fast electron beam properties, including the beam divergence, profile, and symmetry to be actively tailored, and without recourse to complex target manufacture.

The measured spatial-intensity distribution of the beam of protons accelerated from the rear side of a solid target irradiated by an intense (>1019 Wcm−2) laser pulse provides a diagnostic of the two-dimensional fast electron density profile at the target rear surface and thus the fast electron beam transport pattern within the target. An analytical model is developed, accounting for rear-surface fast electron sheath dynamics, ionization and projection of the resulting beam of protons. The sensitivity of the spatial-intensity distribution of the proton beam to the fast electron density distribution is investigated. An annular fast electron beam transport pattern with filamentary structure is inferred for the case of a thick diamond target irradiated at a peak laser intensity of 6 × 1019 Wcm−2.

Fast electron transport in Si, driven by ultraintense laser pulses, is investigated experimentally and via 3D hybrid particle-in-cell simulations. A transition from a Gaussian-like to an annular fast electron beam profile is demonstrated and explained by resistively generated magnetic fields. The results highlight the potential to completely transform the beam transport pattern by tailoring the resistivity-temperature profile at temperatures as low as a few eV.

Fast electron injection and transport in solid foils irradiated by sub-picosecond-duration laser pulses with peak intensity equal to 4 x 10(20)W/cm(2) is investigated experimentally and via 3D simulations. The simulations are performed using a hybrid-particle-in-cell (PIC) code for a range of fast electron beam injection conditions, with and without inclusion of self-generated resistive magnetic fields. The resulting fast electron beam transport properties are used in rear-surface plasma expansion calculations to compare with measurements of proton acceleration, as a function of target thickness. An injection half-angle of similar to 50 degrees - 70 degrees is inferred, which is significantly larger than that derived from previous experiments under similar conditions. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4799726]

Summary form only given. The physics of the transport of large currents of fast (relativistic) electrons in dense matter underpins many topics in high intensity laser-solid interactions, including warm dense matter, ion acceleration and the fast ignition approach to inertial confinement fusion. The propagation of fast electrons within the target is subject to transport instabilities (e.g. resistive instabilities) which give rise to filamentation of the beam.

Summary form only given. A novel spectrometer designed to enable simultaneous spectral and 1-D imaging measurements of X-rays emitted in intense laser-plasma interactions is presented [1]. This new diagnostic enables X-ray emission from a large region of the plasma to be characterised, facilitating for example temperature measurements over extended regions of the target.

Summary form only given. Laser driven ion acceleration is particularly interesting due to its many potential applications, including (isochoric) heating of matter which has been proposed as an attractive method for heating nuclear fuel in fusion reactions. In theory ignition is predicted to be possible with currently achievable proton temperatures, however conversion efficiencies of laser energy to protons must be increased beyond the few percent so far routinely achieved to upwards of ten percent for this to be a feasible concept1.

The higher blood pressures of male compared with female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are the result of the inheritance of different sex chromosomes, although the pathophysiology has not been defined clearly. The reported hypertensive effect of kidneys transplanted from male SHR raises the possibility of a sex-specific renal abnormality, but the effects of transplanting female SHR kidneys have not been studied. To test this hypothesis, single kidneys were transplanted from male SHR into female SHR recipients and vice versa, followed by removal of the native kidneys of the recipients. Male and female SHR that had undergone uninephrectomy were used as controls. After surgery at 14 weeks of age, systolic blood pressures were measured each week until 30 weeks of age. The replacement of a SHR female kidney with a SHR male kidney was not associated with any significant rise in blood pressure, and the replacement of a SHR male kidney with a kidney from a female SHR was not associated with any reduction in blood pressure. These results indicate that the sexual dimorphism of SHR blood pressure is not the result of intrinsic renal differences between males and females and that nonrenal factors would be more likely to explain the blood pressure differences between the sexes.

Three-dimensional hybrid particle-in-cell simulations are used to investigate the sensitivity of annular fast electron transport patterns in silicon to the properties of the drive laser pulse. It is found that the annular transport, which is induced by self-generated resistive magnetic fields, is particularly sensitive to the peak laser pulse intensity. The radius of the annular fast electron distribution can be varied by changing the drive laser pulse properties, and in particular the focal spot size. An ability to optically 'tune' the properties of an annular fast electron transport pattern could have important implications for the development of advanced ignition schemes and for tailoring the properties of beams of laser-accelerated ions.

Bright proton beams with maximum energies of up to 30MeV have been observed in an experiment investigating ion sheath acceleration driven by a short pulse (21 W cm-2 was investigated, with the interplay between target thickness and laser pre-pulse found to be a key factor. While the maximum proton energies observed were maximised for lm-thick targets, the total proton energy content was seen to peak for thinner, 500 nm, foils. The total proton beam energy reached up to 440 mJ (a conversion efficiency of 4%), marking a significant step forward for many laser-driven ion applications. The experimental results are supported by hydrodynamic and particle-in-cell simulations.

We report on a plasma half cavity target design for laser driven ion acceleration that enhances the laser to proton energy conversion efficiency and has been found to modify the low energy region of the proton spectrum. The target design utilizes the high fraction of laser energy reflected from an ionized surface and refocuses it such that a double pulse interaction is attained. We report on numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrating that conversion efficiencies can be doubled, compared to planar foil interactions, when the secondary pulse is delivered within picoseconds of the primary pulse.

Despite advances in our understanding of wound repair processes and improved pharmaceuticals, chronic leg ulceration continues to be a burden on the Australian health dollar. The simple management protocol presented here would considerably improve this unsatisfactory situation.

Liver transplantation commenced on a regular basis in Australia in 1985. This followed the first succcssful orthotopic transplant in Brisbane in 1985 and the setting up of a National Centre for Liver Transplantation in Sydney in 1985 with clinical transplantation beginning there in 1986. A centre was subsequently developed in Melbourne in 1988. As this procedure was perceived to be expensive, and because of discussion on rationing of medical services, the authors were prompted to test the Victorian community awareness and attitude to government funding of transplantation. One year after the establishment of the Victorian Liver Transplantation Programme, a random survcy of the Victorian population and of general practitioners in Melbourne was conducted with the assistance of a professional polling company. Sixty-five pcr cent of the Victorian population knew livcr transplantation was available in Victoria, 12% said it was not available and 23% did not know. Among general practitioners, 79% knew liver transplantation was available 14% said it was not availablc and 7% did not know. Eighty-eight per cent of Victorians and a similar proportion of general practitioncrs said the State Government should provide funding. Forty-seven per cent of the Victorian population said government should provide total funding and a further 39% funding of more than 50%. Among general practitioncrs, 33% said total funding should be provided and a further 46% thought that more than 50% of funding should be provided. This survey has revealed convincingly that Victorians have decided that their health carc should include the expense of liver transplantation paid for by government. Awareness of the availability of thc operation of liver transplantation is developing rapidly.

Twenty-five consecutive patients underwent percutaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy (PCC). The gallbladder was removed successfully in 18 patients. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.4 days and patients returned to normal activity at a mean 8 days after operation. Postoperative pain was minimal. Formal laparotomy was performed in 7 patients due to: bleeding (3 patients), stone spillage (3 patients) and exploration of the common bile duct (1 patient). Complications were reduced with experience and strict adherence to the described operative technique. With obvious advantages for the patient, hospitals and the community an increased demand for PCC is inevitable. However, its role in the management of cholelithiasis and overall safety have yet to be determined. There is a significant learning curve and proper training is necessary. The widespread introduction of PCC has immediate implications for surgical training.

This study was done to compare the effects of two cholecystokinin antagonists, proglumide and CR-1409, on cholecystokinin-induced changes in intrabiliary pressure in vivo. We have substantially modified the constant infusion biliary manometry model, successfully used in large animals, to measure contractility of the gallbladder in guinea pigs. A silicone catheter for manometry was placed in the fundus of the gallbladder of an anesthetized guinea pig, and the biliary tree was constantly infused at 0.1 milliliter per minute with normal saline solution. The intraluminal pressure of the system was continuously recorded. The model was used to demonstrate a dose-response curve to bolus administration of exogenous cholecystokinin (0.01 to 1.0 nanomole per kilogram) and also to study the actions of proglumide, an antagonist to gastrin and cholecystokinin, and CR-1409, a newer, specific cholecystokinin antagonist, on cholecystokinin-induced contraction of the gallbladder of the guinea pig in vivo. Proglumide, at a dose of 5 millimoles per kilogram, completely abolished increases in intrabiliary pressure caused by cholecystokinin (0.5 nanomole per kilogram), whereas this effect was achieved by only 5 micromoles per kilogram of CR-1409. In both, there was full recovery from cholecystokinin antagonism within one hour. CR-1409 is one thousand times more potent than proglumide against cholecystokinin-induced changes in intrabiliary pressure in vivo and appears to be a useful pharmacologic reagent to study cholecystokinin-mediated components of physiologic contraction of the gallbladder.

A patient who developed six primary malignant neoplasms is reported. Each neoplasm carried a poor prognosis but long term survival occurred. The literature is reviewed and possible forms of treatment for those with multiple primary neoplasms discussed.

Bombesin has both direct and indirect effects [mediated through release of cholecystokinin (CCK)] on pancreatic secretion. Polyamine biosynthesis, essential for DNA synthesis, is increased in the pancreas after CCK stimulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the trophic effects of bombesin and to determine whether the mechanism of bombesin-induced pancreatic growth is mediated through synthesis of polyamines. The time course of bombesin-stimulated polyamine biosynthesis was defined. Rats were studied in groups of six and received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections every 8 h of either saline, bombesin (10 micrograms/kg), CR1409 (2.5 mg/kg) (a CCK-receptor antagonist), or both to define the effects on pancreatic growth and polyamine biosynthesis. Rats were killed at 14 days and the pancreas was excised, weighed, and analyzed for protein, RNA, and DNA content. We found that bombesin produced significant pancreatic hyperplasia (increased pancreatic weight, protein, and DNA content) after 14 days. CR1409 inhibited only bombesin-stimulated DNA content. Bombesin stimulated polyamine biosynthesis as early as 2 h after administration of bombesin, but CR1409 had no effect. The trophic actions of bombesin are both direct and indirect (mediated through CCK), and the direct effects of bombesin are mediated by polyamine biosynthesis.

Measurements of monosynaptic reflex activity were made in 10 patients with spasticity before and during treatment with baclofen. There was evidence of both central sensory facilitation and increased fusimotor drive in untreated patients compared with controls. During treatment with baclofen, the central facilitation was reduced but there was no evidence of a reduction in fusimotor drive. The torque developed by vibration of the belly of the biceps and triceps muscles was not significantly different in 14 patients with spasticity compared with controls, and was not altered by treatment with baclofen despite clinical improvement in 12 of the patients. It is suggested that baclofen reduces the excitability of the monosynaptic reflex arc from dynamic spindles but does not affect the mechanisms responsible for the tonic vibration reflex.

Cervical spinal cord transection is used as a model of mammalian stress ulcerogenesis. Circadian variations in gastric ulceration have been demonstrated in other animal models. We investigated whether gastric ulceration changed after cervical cord transection throughout a 24-h period by subjecting different groups of rats to cord transection. Ulcers were quantitated using an index described by Szabo and colleagues. Ulcer formation showed significant variation as a function of time of lesioning, with least severe ulceration at 8 AM. We found that cord transection, like other models of gastric ulceration, is also influenced by the circadian system.

The influence of endogenous prostaglandins on secretin-mediated inhibition of gastric acid secretion was examined in 6 mongrel dogs with Thomas gastric and Herrera pancreatic cannulas. The dogs were given intravenous pentagastrin (1 microgram/kg.h) during the 180-min experiment, and graded doses of secretin (0.3-1.5 micrograms/kg.h) (1-5 CU/kg.h) were infused intravenously between 60 and 120 min. In alternate, otherwise identical experiments, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, either indomethacin or meclofenamate, was also administered throughout the experiment. Increasing doses of secretin led to increasing inhibition of gastric acid output with the maximum inhibition at 1 microgram/kg.h (3.3 CU/kg.h) of secretin. Both indomethacin and meclofenamate abolished the inhibitory effects of secretin on gastric acid secretion. The inhibitors of prostaglandin generation had no effect on the serotonin system. We concluded that secretin mediates its inhibitory action on gastric acid secretion, at least in part, through endogenous prostaglandins.

The effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) bombesin on bile and gastric acid secretion was examined in the rat. ICV bombesin (10 micrograms in 10 microliters) inhibited basal biliary volume by 27% and bile bicarbonate by 52% of control values, while gastric acid secretion was decreased by 75%. These results provide evidence for central mechanisms for the control of gastrointestinal function.

Twenty-five patients having a major liver resection at the Austin Hospital were reviewed, 18 of whom had their operation after 1986. The indications were for metastatic disease in 14, hydatid in six and primary tumour in five. There were no operative deaths. Dissection was performed with the Cavitron Ultrasound Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) and peroperative ultrasound used in 18 and without in seven. Mean blood loss was 1.75 u in the CUSA group and 6.5 u in the non-CUSA group (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that intra-operative ultrasound and use of the CUSA makes major liver resection a more precise and less hazardous procedure.

A clinical report is presented of a patient who developed Salmonella bovis-morbificans infection and ruptured an abdominal aortic aneurysm as a complication. The management is discussed and treatment suggested.

We have examined the effects of aging on guinea pig biliary motility both in vitro and in vivo. The first experiment compared contractile tension of gallbladder strips from young adult (6–12 months old) and 3-year-old guinea pigs in vitro. Contraction of gallbladder strips from the young guinea pigs was twice as forceful and was more sensitive to octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) stimulation than the gallbladder strips from the older guinea pigs. The two groups were also studied in vivo by measuring changes in the intraluminal pressure of the gallbladder in response to exogenously administered doses of CCK-8. Young adult guinea pigs were more sensitive to CCK-8 at the lower doses tested and demonstrated gallbladder constractions that were more forceful than that of the old guinea pigs. CCK receptors were measured on gallbladder muscularis membranes from young adult and old guinea pigs. The number of receptors on gallbladder membranes decreased with age: 65.0±17.7 fmoles/mg protein on membranes from 1 year old; 7.9±2.0 fmoles/mg protein on membranes from 3 years old. The binding affinity of CCK receptors on gallbladder muscularis membranes for binding to CCK-8 was not significantly different in the two age groups studied. We conclude that age-related decreases in gallbladder responses to CCK-8 may be due to decreased concentrations of CCK receptors on gallbladder muscle cells.

Three patients, with acute spontaneous aorto-caval fistulae, are described. The important aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of these fistulae are discussed and the recommended anaesthetic and surgical management presented.

The paper presents the calibration of Fuji BAS-TR image plate (IP) response to high energy carbon ions of different charge states by employing an intense laser-driven ion source, which allowed access to carbon energies up to 270 MeV. The calibration method consists of employing a Thomson parabola spectrometer to separate and spectrally resolve different ion species, and a slotted CR-39 solid state detector overlayed onto an image plate for an absolute calibration of the IP signal. An empirical response function was obtained which can be reasonably extrapolated to higher ion energies. The experimental data also show that the IP response is independent of ion charge states.

High-intensity laser–solid interactions generate relativistic electrons, as well as high-energy (multi-MeV) ions and x-rays. The directionality, spectra and total number of electrons that escape a target-foil is dependent on the absorption, transport and rear-side sheath conditions. Measuring the electrons escaping the target will aid in improving our understanding of these absorption processes and the rear-surface sheath fields that retard the escaping electrons and accelerate ions via the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. A comprehensive Geant4 study was performed to help analyse measurements made with a wrap-around diagnostic that surrounds the target and uses differential filtering with a FUJI-film image plate detector. The contribution of secondary sources such as x-rays and protons to the measured signal have been taken into account to aid in the retrieval of the electron signal. Angular and spectral data from a high-intensity laser–solid interaction are presented and accompanied by simulations. The total number of emitted electrons has been measured as $2.6\times 10^{13}$ with an estimated total energy of $12\pm 1~\text{J}$ from a $100~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$ Cu target with 140 J of incident laser energy during a $4\times 10^{20}~\text{W}~\text{cm}^{-2}$ interaction.