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Assessing changes in functional exercise capacity is highly relevant in the treatment of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), as lung function is often static. In Denmark, most people with COPD are followed in general practice where traditional functional tests, like six-minute walk test, require too much time and space. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a quick functional exercise capacity test that can be performed in a limited setting, such as general practice. This study aimed to identify a quick test to measure functional exercise capacity in people with COPD and identify which factors could affect the implementation of such a test in general practice. A mixed method feasibility study composed of a literature review and qualitative interviews was used. Quick functional tests for people with COPD were identified and evaluated through the COSMIN methodology. For the interviews, 64 general practices were included, and 50 staff members and 14 general practitioners (GPs) participated in the interviews. Responses were categorized and thematically analyzed. The 1 min sit-to-stand-test (1 M STST) was found suitable for a general practice setting. The COSMIN methodology rated it “sufficient” in reliability (ICC 0.90–0.99), measurement error (MID 2.5–3), construct validity and responsiveness (AUC 0.72), and found a moderate to strong correlation in criterion validity (r = 0.4–0.75). Several GPs wished for a quick functional test and emphasized evidence, information, and limitations as essential when deciding on implementation. Other factors identified included time, other tests, and economy. 1 M STST is a valid test to assess functional exercise capacity in people with COPD. The test is quick and can easily be performed in a standard consultation, and several GPs wished for such a test.

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a dramatically increasing prevalence and no disease-modifying treatment. Inflammatory lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Zinc deficiency is the most prevalent malnutrition in the world and may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease potentially through enhanced inflammation, although evidence for this is limited. Here we provide epidemiological evidence suggesting that zinc supplementation was associated with reduced risk and slower cognitive decline, in people with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Using the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease fed a control (35 mg/kg zinc) or diet deficient in zinc (3 mg/kg zinc), we determined that zinc deficiency accelerated Alzheimer's-like memory deficits without modifying amyloid β plaque burden in the brains of male mice. The NLRP3-inflammasome complex is one of the most important regulators of inflammation, and we show here that zinc deficiency in immune cells, including microglia, potentiated NLRP3 responses to inflammatory stimuliin vitro, including amyloid oligomers, while zinc supplementation inhibited NLRP3 activation.APP/PS1mice deficient in NLRP3 were protected against the accelerated cognitive decline with zinc deficiency. Collectively, this research suggests that zinc status is linked to inflammatory reactivity and may be modified in people to reduce the risk and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlzheimer's disease is a common condition mostly affecting the elderly. Zinc deficiency is also a global problem, especially in the elderly and also in people with Alzheimer's disease. Zinc deficiency contributes to many clinical disorders, including immune dysfunction. Inflammation is known to contribute to the risk and progression of Alzheimer's disease; thus, we hypothesized that zinc status would affect Alzheimer's disease progression. Here we show that zinc supplementation reduced the prevalence and symptomatic decline in people with Alzheimer's disease. In an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, zinc deficiency worsened cognitive decline because of an enhancement in NLRP3-driven inflammation. Overall, our data suggest that zinc status affects Alzheimer's disease progression, and that zinc supplementation could slow the rate of cognitive decline.

Introduction\ud \ud Patients with cancer who develop small bowel obstruction are at high risk of malnutrition and morbidity following compromise of gastrointestinal tract continuity. This study aimed to characterise current management and outcomes following malignant small bowel obstruction.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud A prospective, multicentre cohort study of patients with small bowel obstruction who presented to UK hospitals between 16th January and 13th March 2017. Patients who presented with small bowel obstruction due to primary tumours of the intestine (excluding left-sided colonic tumours) or disseminated intra-abdominal malignancy were included. Outcomes included 30-day mortality and in-hospital complications. Cox-proportional hazards models were used to generate adjusted effects estimates, which are presented as hazard ratios (HR) alongside the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The threshold for statistical significance was set at the level of P ≤ 0.05 a-priori.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud 205 patients with malignant small bowel obstruction presented to emergency surgery services during the study period. Of these patients, 50 had obstruction due to right sided colon cancer, 143 due to disseminated intraabdominal malignancy, 10 had primary tumours of the small bowel and 2 patients had gastrointestinal stromal tumours. In total 100 out of 205 patients underwent a surgical intervention for obstruction. 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 11.3% for those with primary tumours and 19.6% for those with disseminated malignancy. Severe risk of malnutrition was an independent predictor for poor mortality in this cohort (adjusted HR 16.18, 95% CI 1.86 to 140.84, p = 0.012). Patients with right-sided colon cancer had high rates of morbidity.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud Mortality rates were high in patients with disseminated malignancy and in those with right sided colon cancer. Further research should identify optimal management strategy to reduce morbidity for these patient groups.

Purpose The purpose of this article was to conduct an extensive literature review of nurse practitioners (NPs) in orthopaedic surgical settings to delineate whether a need exists for NPs in these settings. Background Due to physician shortages and changes in healthcare, patients are experiencing difficulty accessing orthopaedic surgeons. To meet this need, NPs are becoming an essential part of the multidisciplinary orthopaedic team in Level 1 trauma hospitals. Results Nurse practitioners are qualified and competent to work in a variety of orthopaedic settings including preoperative clinics, primary care orthopaedic clinics, and pre-/postoperative care within the hospital. The benefits of NPs in orthopaedic surgical settings includes increased access to care, improved team communication, decreased length of stay, improved quality of care, and improved patient satisfaction. Moreover, NPs meet patient needs while surgeons are operating, and have a positive impact on resident surgeon education. Conclusion A need exists for NPs in orthopaedic surgical settings to both improve access to healthcare for patients and reduce the burden on orthopaedic surgeons.

Background Attending outpatient appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital can be time-consuming, expensive, and inconvenient for families. The aim of the study was to gain an understanding of the issues faced by families in attending, in order to develop techniques to try to alleviate them. Methods Authors created a questionnaire addressing common issues families face when attending clinics: we enquired about cost and time of travel, missed days at work, loss of earnings for parents, missed school, childcare for siblings, and preference for either a telephone consultation or outpatient attendance for future appointments. Questionnaires were given to patients attending an Orthopaedic Clinic between the months of June and July 2017. Questionnaires were all collected on the same day of the week. Data was input and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results 17 questionnaires were collected from 3 Orthopaedic clinics. Average time to travel was approximately 2 hour 30 mins (Range 15 mins – 12 hours). Total cost of travel was approximately £25 per family. 10/16 Family member had to take time out of work to bring child to clinic. 6/16 had loss of earnings. 8/15 had to arrange childcare. 14/17 patients had to miss school. 5/14 had to apply to school to get leave for their child. 13/16 preferred to attend the outpatient appointment rather than having a telephone consultation in the future. Conclusion Despite many inconveniences in attending outpatient appointments, families appear to prefer having face-to-face appointments with specialists over telephone consultations for future appointments. This study has highlighted and confirmed various issues families face attending OPD for just one speciality. As a leading hospital-care provider we should endeavour to do all we can to lessen this burden.

Background The optimal timing of cholecystectomy for patients admitted with acute gallbladder pathology is unclear. Some studies have shown that emergency cholecystectomy during the index admission can reduce length of hospital stay with similar rates of conversion to open surgery, complications and mortality compared with a ‘delayed’ operation following discharge. Others have reported that cholecystectomy during the index acute admission results in higher morbidity, extended length of stay and increased costs. This study examined the cost-effectiveness of emergency versus delayed cholecystectomy for acute benign gallbladder disease. Methods Using data from a prospective population-based cohort study examining the outcomes of cholecystectomy in the UK and Ireland, a model-based cost–utility analysis was conducted from the perspective of the UK National Health Service, with a 1-year time horizon for costs and outcomes. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was used to investigate the impact of parameter uncertainty on the results obtained from the model. Results Emergency cholecystectomy was found to be less costly (£4570 versus £4720; €5484 versus €5664) and more effective (0·8868 versus 0·8662 QALYs) than delayed cholecystectomy. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the emergency strategy is more than 60 per cent likely to be cost-effective across willingness-to-pay values for the QALY from £0 to £100 000 (€0–120 000). Conclusion Emergency cholecystectomy is less costly and more effective than delayed cholecystectomy. This approach is likely to be beneficial to patients in terms of improved health outcomes and to the healthcare provider owing to the reduced costs.

Exercise increases resistance against stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression. Similarly, the perception of control is a powerful predictor of neurochemical and behavioral responses to stress, but whether the experience of choosing to exercise, and exerting control over that exercise, is a critical factor in producing exercise-induced stress resistance is unknown. The current studies investigated whether the protective effects of exercise against the anxiety- and depression-like consequences of stress are dependent on exercise controllability and a brain region implicated in the protective effects of controllable experiences, the medial prefrontal cortex. Adult male Fischer 344 rats remained sedentary, were forced to run on treadmills or motorised running wheels, or had voluntary access to wheels for 6 weeks. Three weeks after exercise onset, rats received sham surgery or excitotoxic lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex. Rats were exposed to home cage or uncontrollable tail shock treatment three weeks later. Shock-elicited fear conditioning and shuttle box escape testing occurred the next day. Both forced and voluntary wheel running, but not treadmill training, prevented the exaggerated fear conditioning and interference with escape learning produced by uncontrollable stress. Lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex failed to eliminate the protective effects of forced or voluntary wheel running. These data suggest that exercise controllability and the medial prefrontal cortex are not critical factors in conferring the protective effects of exercise against the affective consequences of stressor exposure, and imply that exercise perceived as forced may still benefit affect and mental health.

The Peano-Gosper space-filling curve provides an excellent framework for designing planar antenna array distributions with modular architectures and suppressed sidelobes over a relatively wide bandwidth. The curve consists of a self-avoiding path that intersects a triangular lattice and its construction is based on the iterative application of a generating curve. There exist a number of other recently discovered curves, coined generalized Gosper curves, that possess properties similar to those of the Peano-Gosper curve but are based on larger and more complex generating curves. In this paper these generalized curves will be examined as the framework for antenna array layouts. It will be shown that arrays based on these curves have a number of excellent characteristics while offering modular array configurations and sizes that are not inherent to Peano-Gosper arrays. Moreover, when combined with a simple recursive-perturbation technique, the element distributions of these arrays can be efficiently adjusted to generate designs with bandwidths that far exceed that of standard periodic- and triangular-lattice arrays. The efficacy of this technique will be demonstrated through design examples, including one that has more than a 10:1 bandwidth. Full-wave simulations of a wideband patch array will also be used to investigate the effects of mutual coupling on these array distributions.

Cavity-enhanced spectroscopy is a sensitive optical absorption technique but one where the practical applications have been limited to studying small wavelength ranges. This Letter shows that wideband operation can be achieved by combining techniques usually reserved for the communications community with that of cavity-enhanced spectroscopy, producing a multiplexed real-time cavity-enhanced spectrometer. We use multiple collinear laser sources operating asynchronously and simultaneously while being detected on a single photodetector. This is synonymous with radio frequency (RF) cellular systems in which signals are detected on a single antenna but decoded uniquely. Here, we demonstrate results with spectra of methyl salicylate and show parts-per-billion per root hertz sensitivity measured in real-time.

Relapse of previously extinguished fear presents a significant, pervasive obstacle to the successful long-term treatment of anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Thus, identification of a novel means to enhance fear extinction to stand the passage of time and generalize across contexts is of the utmost importance. Acute bouts of exercise can be used as inexpensive, noninvasive treatment strategies to reduce anxiety, and have been shown to enhance memory for extinction when performed in close temporal proximity to the extinction session. However, it is unclear whether acute exercise can be used to prevent relapse of fear, and the neural mechanisms underlying this potential effect are unknown. The current study therefore examined whether acute exercise during extinction of auditory fear can protect against the later relapse of fear. Male, F344 rats lacking an extended history of wheel running were conditioned to fear a tone CS and subsequently extinguished within either a freely mobile running wheel, a locked wheel, or a control context lacking a wheel. Rats exposed to fear extinction within a freely mobile wheel ran during fear extinction, and demonstrated reduced fear as well as attenuated corticosterone levels during re-exposure to the extinguished CS during the relapse test in a novel context 1 week later. Examination of cfos mRNA patterns elicited by re-exposure to the extinguished CS during the relapse test revealed that acute exercise during extinction decreased activation of brain circuits classically involved in driving fear expression and interestingly, increased activity within neurons of the direct striatal pathway involved in reward signaling. These data suggest that exercise during extinction reduces relapse through a mechanism involving the direct pathway of the striatum. It is suggested that a positive affective state could become associated with the CS during exercise during extinction, thus resulting in a relapse-resistant extinction memory.

The technology of the rotational moulding of plastics has improved dramatically in recent years due to the recognition that measuring the temperature inside the mould is fundamental to process control. The next major advance will be made when the benefits of controlling the pressure inside the mould are fully utilized. A drawback of the rotational moulding process has always been the surface pinholes and internal bubbles that occur in the moulded part. These occur because, as the powder particles melt and coalesce, they trap pockets of air and it takes a considerable time for these to disappear. It is known that factors such as the viscosity of the polymer melt, the shape of the powder particles, the particle size and size distribution, the mould release agent and the metal used for the mould all affect the pinholing problem. However, the major factor that influences pinhole removal is mould pressure. If pressure is applied at a strategic point in the heating cycle, it can force trapped air out of the melted plastic. Indeed the use of mould pressurization can offer additional benefits such as cycle time reduction and significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the moulded part. However, few moulders make any attempt to monitor or control the mould pressure, mainly because its effect is not understood. This paper explains why mould pressure control throughout the moulding cycle is crucial to the rotational moulding industry in terms of, firstly, achieving good part quality and, secondly, reducing cycle times. It is also suggested that a fundamental change from passive venting to active venting of the mould is an important development that must occur in this industry.

We have constructed a cavity ring-down spectrometer employing a near-IR external cavity diode laser capable of measuring 13C/12C isotopic ratios in CO2 in human breath. The system, which has a demonstrated minimum detectable absorption loss of 3.2 x 10(-11) cm(-1) Hz(-1/2), determines the isotopic ratio of 13C16O16O/12C16O16O by measuring the intensities of rotationally resolved absorption features of each species. As in isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), the isotopic ratio of a sample is compared to that of a standard CO2 sample calibrated to the Pee Dee Belemnite scale and reported as the sample's delta13C value. Measurements of eight replicate CO2 samples standardized by IRMS and consisting of 5% CO2 in N2 at atmospheric pressure demonstrated a precision of 0.22/1000 for the technique. Delta13C values were also obtained for breath samples from individuals testing positive and negative for the presence of Helicobacter pylori, the leading cause of peptic ulcers in humans. This study demonstrates the ability of the instrument to obtain delta13C values in breath samples with sufficient precision to serve as a useful medical diagnostic.

In horizontal tight and unconventional reservoirs there is currently a lack of low-cost/low risk data that could be used for optimizing completions and hydraulic fracturing designs. The objective for optimizing completion and frac designs is to achieve more consistent stimulation and production from every stage in the lateral. Most wells are completed based on geometric stage lengths and cluster spacings. Evidence is beginning to suggest that using geometric frac stage lengths does not provide consistent production from each perf cluster within a particular stage. Traditionally, unconventional lateral well completion planning uses mostly vertical pilot-hole wireline log data where available. The resulting rock and reservoir characterization is projected along the entire length of the lateral. This methodology does not account for reservoir/mineralogical heterogeneities that can adversely affect stimulation efficiencies for each stage and ultimately, production. By properly characterizing the lateral, the completion design can be optimized with strategic staging and cluster selection that should result in a more consistent production from every perf cluster in each stage. This paper demonstrates a process for correlating mineralogical and textural formation properties from drill cuttings with data from the pilot-hole (including wireline, mud-logging and drilling data and any available core data) with drilling and mud-logging data from the lateral. This process improves lateral well characterization in real time and provides the basis for an optimal completion design. This paper will illustrate the process using currently available data.

A system is described that employs a diode-pumped Nd:YAG continuous-wave laser source servolocked to a three-mirror optical cavity and an analog detection circuit that extracts the ring-down rate from the exponentially decaying ring-down waveform. This scheme improves on traditional cavity ring-down spectroscopy setups by increasing signal acquisition rates to tens of kilohertz and reducing measurement noise sources. For example, an absorption spectrum of a weak CO2 transition at 1064 nm is obtained in less than 10 s at a spectral resolution of 75 kHz employing a cavity with an empty-cavity ring-down decay lifetime of 2.8 μs and a total roundtrip path length of 42 cm. The analog detection system enables laser frequency scan rates greater than 500 MHz/s. The long-term sensitivity of this system is 8.8×10−12 cm−1 Hz−1/2 and the short-term sensitivity is 1.0×10−12 cm−1 Hz−1/2.

Pulse stacking, or synchronous pumping, is a novel approach that offers important advantages in cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Using an ultrashort pulse, high repetition rate laser source we have shown that it is possible to resonantly stack pulses in a high finesse cavity, significantly enhancing the decay wave forms obtained when the laser source is abruptly terminated. We have achieved signal-to-noise ratio improvements of several orders of magnitude compared to single pulse injection systems, demonstrating a sensitivity of 2×10−9 cm−1 at 5.38 μm.

The first direct measurements of the contributions of individual solvent molecules to solvent reorganization associated with photoinitiated charge transfer in a coordination complex are reported fo...

Photochemistry resulting from excitation of a d–d transition at 575 nm between ligand-field states in the gas-phase [CuII(bpy)(serine–H)]+ · complex generated by electrospray ionization is reported. These results are discussed in terms of a reaction scheme proposed by Turecek and co-workers [C.L. Gatlin, F. Turecek, T. Vaisar, J. Mass Spectrom. 30 (1995) 1617] for collisionally activated dissociation of this complex at low center-of-mass collision energies under multiple-collision conditions. Three photofragment ions are observed, corresponding to elimination of formaldehyde, stepwise loss of formaldehyde followed by ·OC(OH)CHNH2, and transfer of a hydroxyl group to the CuII ion accompanied by loss of H2CCHNH2CO2. A fourth fragmentation channel reported by Turecek and co-workers corresponding to decarboxylation and associated dehydration is also observed at moderate center-of-mass collision energies under single-collision conditions but is absent in the laser photofragmentation difference mass spectrum resulting from excitation of [CuII(bpy)(serine–H)]+ · at 575 nm.

Polarization-selective optical heterodyne detection is shown to enhance the practical sensitivity of cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Initial experiments demonstrate a signal-to-noise ratio above 31 dB. Minor improvements should yield shot-noise-limited operation.

The solvent dependence of metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) in the bis(2,2‘,2‘‘-terpyridyl)iron(II) complex, [Fe(terpy)2]2+, isolated in small gas-phase clusters with one or four molecules of the polar, organic solvents acetone, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, methanol, and pyridazine is reported. The shift in the maximum of the MLCT band, Eop, for [Fe(terpy)2·(solvent)1]2+ clusters, measured using laser photofragmentation mass spectrometry, relative to the corresponding values in bulk solution ranges from +601 cm-1 for acetone to +764 cm-1 for pyridazine. The solvent dependence of the outer-sphere reorganization energy predicted by a dielectric continuum model provides a context for comparing Eop values determined for MLCT in [Fe(terpy)2·(solvent)n]2+ clusters (n = 1, 4) with those measured in solution. A model derived from Kirkwood's equation for the mutual electrostatic interaction energy of an ion and a polar medium predicts that the solvent reorganization energy associat...

Distinct locking and sampling light beams are used in a cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) system to perform multiple ring-down measurements while the laser and ring-down cavity are continuously locked. The sampling and locking light beams have different frequencies, to ensure that the sampling and locking light are decoupled within the cavity. Preferably, the ring-down cavity is ring-shaped, the sampling light is s-polarized, and the locking light is p-polarized. Transmitted sampling light is used for ring-down measurements, while reflected locking light is used for locking in a Pound-Drever scheme.

Serial kinetic modeling is commonly used in hemodialysis to assess the adequacy of dialysis. A variety of problems lead to declining Kt/V in previously stable patients. These include noncompliance, vascular access recirculation, and dialyzer dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to find the relative frequencies of these problems in a group of patients undergoing routine hemodialysis. Simultaneous urea kinetic modeling and access recirculation were tested during 3 consecutive months. The baseline Kt/V was defined as the average of each patient's Kt/V values obtained during the previous 4 mo. A clinically important fall in Kt/V was defined as a decline ofor =0.2 if the baseline Kt/V wasor =1.2, or a decline ofor =0.1 if the baseline Kt/V was1.2. Ninety-three of 375 (25%) sessions met the criteria for a significant decline in urea kinetic modeling. The baseline Kt/V in this group was 1.33 +/- 0.20 (mean +/- SEM) and declined to 1.02 +/- 0.18 in the abnormal month (P0.05). In 42% of instances with a decline of Kt/V, reduced blood processing due to a lower blood flow or shorter time than prescribed was responsible. Recirculation of12% was found in 25% of sessions with a decrease in Kt/V. These patients most often had access dysfunction or reversed needles. The remaining one-third of patients with decreases in Kt/V had no problem identified, and subsequent monthly kinetic modeling results returned to baseline. These results suggest that analysis of falling urea kinetic modeling results should include a careful review of the dialysis record for reductions in prescribed time or blood flow rates followed by vascular access testing. If these evaluations are unrevealing, urea kinetic modeling results usually return to baseline in the next month.

This paper reports the first investigation of the energetics of charge transfer in a coordination complex containing a divalent transition-metal ion as a function of the extent of solvation and provides a detailed description of the first instrument designed for spectroscopic characterization of gas-phase ions and clusters produced by electrospray ionization. Metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) is probed by laser photofragmentation mass spectrometry in clusters of the complex tris(2,2‘-bipyridyl)iron(II), [Fe(bpy)3]2+, with methanol prepared by electrospray ionization. Excitation of the MLCT transition in [Fe(bpy)3]2+ triggers evaporation of methanol solvent molecules from these clusters, permitting indirect detection of absorption. Measurement of ion beam depletion and/or production of charged photofragments as a function of photon energy yields the red edge of the MLCT band for [Fe(bpy)3·(CH3OH)n]2+ clusters, n = 2−6. Increasing the number of methanol molecules in the clusters shifts the onset of the...

We present a new variant of the Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) that is able to scan across more than 1400 nm of spectral bandwidth around 6000 nm, acquiring and analysing more than 150,000 spectral datapoints in less than four seconds.

We present a new variant of the Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) that is able to scan across more than 1400 nm of spectral bandwidth, acquiring and analysing more than 150,000 spectral datapoints in less than four seconds.

The rotational moulding processing method for plastics is steadily expanding its product range and market areas. However, a drawback of the process has always been the surface pinholes and internal bubbles which occur in the products due to the inherent nature of the process. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, a programme of research has been carried out to investigate the factors that affect the formation of the bubbles and more importantly influence their removal. This paper describes how bubbles in rotationally moulded products can be removed by pressurizing the inner atmosphere of the mould. It has been shown that bubbles were successfully removed from MDPE (medium density polyethylene) by introducing a low pressure (0.5 bar) inside the mould after the polymer had melted. The removal of bubbles using pressure was shown to increase the impact properties (25 per cent) and the tensile properties (5 per cent) of the moulding while also reducing the cycle time. Pressure was successfully used to remove bubbles from other rotational moulding materials, such as polypropylene, Nylon 12, polycarbonate, ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene butyl acetate.

Laser photofragmentation mass spectrometry provides the first spectroscopic evidence that electrospray ionization (ESI) produces gas-phase clusters containing transition metal ion complexes analogous to those found in solution. In solution, the tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)iron(II) and ruthenium(II) coordination complexes exhibit strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands in the visible. The characteristic MLCT absorption bands are intact in gas-phase methanolic clusters containing these complexes, indicating that the metal oxidation state is preserved during ESI. Comparison of the ionic species produced by ESI and other ionization/volatilization techniques offers some insight on stabilization of the +2 charge in these gas-phase systems.

The rotational molding processing method for plastics is steadily expanding its product range and market areas. However, a drawback of the process has always been the surface pin-holes and internal bubbles that occur in the products because of the inherent nature of the process. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, a program of research has been carried out to investigate the factors that affect the formation of the bubbles and, more importantly, that influence their removal. This paper describes the results of the first stage of this work and covers variables such as the viscosity of the polymer melt, the nature of the pigmentation, the particle size, shape and distribution in the powder feedstock, the mold release agent, the metal used for the mold, the temperature distribution in the mold, etc. It is shown that the mechanisms of bubble formation and removal can be explained and having done this, steps can be taken to ensure that once formed, the bubbles will decrease in size rapidly. This provides significant advantages in terms of reduced cycle time and improved product quality.

This paper presents results from a pulsed-laser cavity ring-down spectrometer with novel field programable gate array real-time data collection. We show both theoretically and experimentally that the data extraction can be achieved from a single cavity ringdown event, and that the absorbance can be determined without the need to fit the ringdown time explicitly. This methodology could potentially provide data acquisition rate up to 1 MHz, with the accuracy and precision comparable to nonlinear least squares fitting algorithms.

Introduction: Against a background of variable results achieved by the treatment of childhood autism with dopaminergic agonists or antagonists, and opiate antagonists and mild behavioural improvements achieved following treatment with fenfluramine (Geller et al., 1982; Ritvo et al., 1984 among others) a 12 month double-blind crossover trial of fenfluramine was undertaken. [the d-isomer releases serotonin, the l-isomer modestly blocks dopamine receptors.] Methods: Six female and 14 male children and adolescents with autism were enrolled (median 9y; range 5-17 years of age) in a trial run over a 1 month baseline, 5 months of treatment, 2 months placebo, and 5 months of treatment. Parent diaries were kept. Various tests and rating scales for development, verbal and nonverbal abilities along with measures of blood serotonin, urinary catecholamines and auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were measured at 6-month intervals. Results: a) With fenfluramine treatment children lost weight, blood serotonin decreased by 60% and urinary catecholamine levels fell (25-45%, but dopamine utilization (HVA/DA) increased 2-4-fold. b) Under fenfluramine some autistic subjects improved on measures of cognitive and language function. Two mute subjects began to speak, but for the group overall the improvements did not prove significant. [British Ability Scale, Reynell developmental language and Vineland social maturity scale improvements were significant.] c) Treatment improved early stages of information processing, but impaired later stages as measured in the ERP (i.e. early negative going excitatory vs. later positive going inhibitory response, respectively in 7 patients). The early negativity changes (especially over the right hemisphere) correlated inversely with HVA/DA actvivity. d) Side effects reported included lethargy and irritability. Conclusions: While individuals showed marked reductions of stereotypies, hyperactivity, and improvements on develepmental and cognitive measures, the absence of clear group-wide effects suggests that fenfluramine would have but a limited place in the management of some patients with autism.

A consortium of researchers at University of New South Wales (UNSW@ADFA), and Loyola University New Orleans (LU NO), together with Australian government security agencies (e.g., Australian Federal Police), are working to develop highly sensitive laser-based forensic sensing strategies applicable to characteristic substances that pose chemical, biological and explosives (CBE) threats. We aim to optimise the potential of these strategies as high-throughput screening tools to detect prohibited and potentially hazardous substances such as those associated with explosives, narcotics and bio-agents.

♦ Damage to the physis may lead to slowing or angulation of growth, especially if a bone bar forms♦ Fractures involving the physis may be difficult to diagnose on x-ray♦ The Salter–Harris classification is commonly used♦ Fixation of fractures should not cross the physis if it can be avoided♦ Partial growth arrest may be best treated with a complete epiphysiodesis followed by reconstruction.

One biceps muscle of 8 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was injected at 55 sites with a total of 55 million viable, purified, and contamination-free normal myoblasts (myoblast transfer). The other biceps of each patient was injected with a placebo to serve as a control. The procedure was blinded to the patients, parents, and investigators. Myoblasts derived from a biopsy specimen of the fathers were cultured and purified under strict conditions and carefully screened for microbial contamination. All patients received cyclophosphamide for immunosuppression for 6 or 12 months. No serious complications were observed after myoblast transfer, indicating that the procedure is safe. The overall therapeutic efficiency of myoblast transfer was poor as judged by the results in maximal voluntary force generation, dystrophin content of the muscle, magnetic resonance imaging of the muscle, and the lack of donor-derived DNA and dystrophin messenger RNA in the injected muscle. An improved efficiency of the take of myoblasts might be achieved by using younger cells and injecting the myoblasts with a myonecrotic agent (to increase the prevalence of regeneration) and a basal laminal fenestrating agent.

DyI2 and Dy3I were synthesized by literature techniques. Their enthalpies of solution were determined and their enthalpies of formation calculated to be ΔfH°(DyI2, s, 298 K) = −(394 ± 16) kJ· mol−1 and ΔfH°(DyI3, s, 298 K) = −(616 ± 10) kJ· mol−1. With appropriate literature and estimated enthalpies of solution and standard entropies, the E°(Dy3+/Dy2+, aq) was calculated to be −(2.6 ± 0.2) V. A comparison is made of the enthalpies of reduction of DyI3 to DyI2 and of DyCl3 to DyCl2. Bestimmung der Bildungsenthalpien von DyI2 und DyI3 sowie Abschatzung des Dy3+/Dy2+-Standardelektrodenpotentials in wasrigem Medium DyI2 and DyI3 wurden nach Literaturmethoden hergestellt. Ihre Losungsenthalpien wurden bestimmt und die Bildungsenthalpien zu ΔfH°(DyI3, s, 298 K) = −(394 ± 16) kJ · mol−1 und ΔfH°(DyI2, s, 298 K) = -(616 ± 10) kJ· mol−1 berechnet. Entsprechenden Literaturangaben sowie geschatzten Losungsenthalpien und Standardentropien wurde E°(Dy3+/Dy2+, aq.) zu −(2.6 ± 0.2) V berechnet. Ein Vergleich der Enthalpien fur die Reduktion von DyI3 zu DyI2 bzw. DyI zu DyI2 wird vorgenommen.