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PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) versus three-dimensional (3D) image fusion for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) image guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2016 and March 2018, all eligible patients who underwent TEVAR were prospectively included in a single-center study. Image fusion methods (2D/3D or 3D/3D) were randomly assigned to guide each TEVAR and compared in terms of accuracy, dose area product (DAP), volume of contrast medium injected, fluoroscopy time and procedure time. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were prospectively included; 18 underwent 2D/3D and 14 underwent 3D/3D TEVAR. The 3D/3D method allowed more accurate positioning of the aortic mask on top of the fluoroscopic images (proximal landing zone error vector: 1.7\,±\,3.3~mm) than was achieved by the 2D/3D method (6.1\,±\,6.1~mm; p\,=\,0.03). The 3D/3D image fusion method was associated with significantly lower DAP than the 2D/3D method (50.5\,±\,30.1~Gy~cm2 for 3D/3D vs. 99.5\,±\,79.1~Gy~cm2 for 2D/3D; p\,=\,0.03). The volume of contrast medium injected was significantly lower for the 3D/3D method than for the 2D/3D method (50.6\,±\,22.9~ml vs. 98.4\,±\,47.9~ml; p\,=\,0.002). CONCLUSION: Higher image fusion accuracy and lower contrast volume and irradiation dose were observed for 3D/3D image fusion than for 2D/3D during TEVAR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II, Randomized trial.

Introduction Surgical treatment of radio-induced carotid stenosis (RICS) is challenging and burdened by an elevated risk of local complications. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) may be a suitable alternative. The best approach is yet to be defined. We reviewed the results of both techniques following selection based on better-suitability characteristics (anatomic and clinical). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients treated for 43 RICS from a group of 1230 patients who had carotid interventions between 2008 and 2015 (5 bilateral). Primary endpoints were morbidity and mortality at 30 days (transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, or death). Secondary endpoints were technical success, wound complications, cranial nerve injury (CNI), restenosis (≥50%) and recurrent symptoms. Results RICS was symptomatic in 6 patients in the OR group and 3 in the CAS group. Lesions in the OR group were longer (P=0.02) and more calcified (P=0.08). Technical success rate was 100%. Cranial nerve injury rate was 14.2% (3/21). All injuries were completely resolved within several weeks. In the CAS group, technical success rate was 95% (21/22) with the one failure due to a residual stenosis exceeding 30%. Periprocedural stroke rates were 0% and 4.5% in the OR and CAS groups respectively (0/21 vs 1/22, P=0.32). There were no early deaths. Mean follow-up was 19.1 months (3-75). The restenosis rate was 9.5% (2/21) in the OR group and 9% (2/22) in the CAS group. Conclusion Our results do not support a preferred treatment strategy. The choice of treatment should be considered on an individual basis.

Surgical treatment of radio-induced carotid stenosis (RICS) is challenging and burdened by an elevated risk of local complications. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) may be a suitable alternative. The best approach is yet to be defined. We reviewed the results of both techniques following selection based on better-suitability characteristics (anatomic and clinical).We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients treated for 43 RICS from a group of 1230 patients who had carotid interventions between 2008 and 2015 (5 bilateral). Primary endpoints were morbidity and mortality at 30 days (transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, or death). Secondary endpoints were technical success, wound complications, cranial nerve injury (CNI), restenosis (≥50%) and recurrent symptoms.RICS was symptomatic in 6 patients in the OR group and 3 in the CAS group. Lesions in the OR group were longer (P=0.02) and more calcified (P=0.08). Technical success rate was 100%. Cranial nerve injury rate was 14.2% (3/21). All injuries were completely resolved within several weeks. In the CAS group, technical success rate was 95% (21/22) with the one failure due to a residual stenosis exceeding 30%. Periprocedural stroke rates were 0% and 4.5% in the OR and CAS groups respectively (0/21 vs 1/22, P=0.32). There were no early deaths. Mean follow-up was 19.1 months (3-75). The restenosis rate was 9.5% (2/21) in the OR group and 9% (2/22) in the CAS group.Our results do not support a preferred treatment strategy. The choice of treatment should be considered on an individual basis.

International audience; The optical properties of mixed (Ni0.5Ag0.5)n and Pt/Ag clusters are investigated in the size range 2-5 nm. Low Energy Ion Spectroscopy (LEIS) experiments show that the cluster surface is entirely covered by silver atoms for the two systems. The optical spectra of Ni/Ag clusters exhibit a large Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), damped and widened when the cluster size decreases, in agreement with a classical model assuming a core-shell geometry and including the reduction of the conduction electron mean-free path in the silver shell. For Pt/Ag clusters, no SPR emerges in the size range 2-5 nm, although it is predicted within a classical model, a pronounced SPR appearing only for clusters larger than 10 nm in diameter.

International audience; The effects of surface-induced lattice contraction on the size evolution of the surface plasmon resonance and of the electronic thermalization time in small silver clusters have been investigated in the framework of a mixed classical/quantum model. The increase of the conduction-electron density results in a blue-shift trend for decreasing cluster size. However this effect is counterbalanced by the increase of the dielectric function associated to the ionic-core background. Agreement with the blue-shift trend observed in experiment is recovered by introducing an inner surface skin of vanishing ionic-core polarizability having a thickness practically unchanged as compared to previous estimations. The influence of the lattice contraction on the electron dynamics is also discussed. It is shown that this influence is negligible as compared to the surface effects arising from the spillout and the inner skin of reduced ionic-core polarizability which are both responsible for a decrease of the electron thermalization time as the particle size decreases.

Optical properties of mixed clusters (AuxAg 1 - x ) n and (NixAg 1 - x ) n , produced by laser vaporization and embedded in an alumina matrix, are reported. The size effects are investigated for different concentrations (x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75) in the diameter range 2-4 nm. For alloyed clusters (AuxAg 1 - x ) n of a given size an almost linear evolution of the surface plasmon frequency ω s with the concentration is observed (between those of pure gold and pure silver clusters). Moreover the blue-shift and the damping of the resonance with decreasing size is all the more important as the gold concentration in the particles increases. Such results are in agreement with theoretical calculations carried out in the frame of the time-dependent local-density-approximation (TDLDA) including an inner skin of ineffective screening and the porosity of the matrix. The optical response of (NixAg 1 - x ) n clusters exhibits a surface plasmon resonance in the same spectral range as the one observed for pure silver clusters, but considerably damped and broadened. For a given mean cluster size 3.0 nm, a blue-shift of the resonance is observed when increasing the nickel concentration (between x = 0.25 and x = 0.75). The results are in good qualitative agreement with classical predictions in the dipolar approximation, assuming a core-shell geometry.

International audience; The optical properties of nanocomposite thin films of gold, silver and bimetallic silver-gold clusters embedded in a porous alumina matrix have been investigated in the size range 2–6.7 nm. The metallic particles are produced by laser vaporization of either an Au0.5Ag0.5 alloy or a pure metal target whereas the dielectric matrix is evaporated by an electron gun. Samples involving a low metal concentration have been characterized by several complementary techniques in order to determine their composition, morphology and cluster size distribution. The mixed particles have the same stoichiometry as the target rod. Optical absorption spectra exhibit a surface plasmon resonance whose position is shifting with cluster mean size, giving evidence of finite size effects. Theoretical calculations in the framework of Time-Dependent-Local-Density-Approximation (TDLDA), taking into account an inner skin of ineffective screening and the porosity of the matrix, are consistent with observed size evolutions of the Mie frequency in each type of sample.

The optical properties of bimetallic silver-gold clusters are investigated in the size range 1.9--2.8 nm. Clusters, produced by laser vaporization of an alloy target Au-Ag (50%-50% atomic composition) are embedded with a low concentration in an alumina matrix. The mixed particles have the same stoichiometry as the rod. Absorption spectra exhibit a plasmon resonance band between those of pure Au and Ag embedded clusters, shifting towards higher energies with decreasing cluster size. Theoretical calculations in the frame of the time-dependent-local-density-approximation, including an inner skin of ineffective screening and the porosity of the matrix, are in good agreement with experimental results.

Introduction L’obesite est un exces de tissu adipeux corporel, resultant d’un bilan energetique positif, et qui peut avoir un effet negatif sur la sante. C’est l’affection nutritionnelle la plus frequemment rencontree chez le chat : entre 11,5 et 39 % des chats sont obeses selon les etudes. Elle est favorisee par differents facteurs, comme la sterilisation, la suralimentation, la sous-estimation de l’etat corporel du chat par le proprietaire, l’âge du chat – de 2 a 8 ans – le manque d’activite physique et la vie en appartement. Il est important de trouver des solutions efficaces, tant pour le praticien que pour le proprietaire, afin de faire maigrir le chat tout en lui conservant une qualite de vie optimale. Cependant, c’est une espece difficile a faire maigrir pour des raisons metabolique et comportementale. La restriction energetique appliquee pour la perte de poids ne doit pas etre trop importante pour ne pas nuire a la sante du chat, tout en etant suffisante pour permettre l’amaigrissement. Sachant que la sterilisation entraine une diminution des depenses energetiques de 30 % et que la lipidose hepatique feline survient lorsqu’un chat en surpoids subit un deficit energetique de plus de 50 %, la marge est faible pour le clinicien et doit souvent etre adaptee au cours de la prise en charge de la perte de poids. D’un point de vue comportemental, un chat est un carnivore qui se nourrit de plusieurs petits repas tout au long de la journee. La distribution en deux repas peut donc etre un facteur important de frustration. Les restrictions alimentaires sont deconseillees car elles peuvent entrainer a minima des frustrations dont l’evolution est souvent l’apparition d’episodes agressifs. Le traitement de l’obesite semble donc associer deux facteurs incompatibles : la restriction alimentaire et le bien-etre du chat. Materiels et methodes Une etude descriptive a ete menee, entre decembre 2012 et juillet 2013, au centre hospitalier universitaire veterinaire d’Alfort, sur 28 chats de proprietaires, en surpoids ou obeses, afin d’analyser la conciliabilite de ces deux facteurs. Un regime alimentaire adapte a ete mis en place, et les manifestations de stress des chats percues par leur proprietaire ont ete suivies au cours du regime, sur une duree de trois mois. Les chats ont recu une ration personnalisee, avec une restriction calorique de 40 % en premiere intention (calculee sur le poids optimal estime par le veterinaire), evaluee et adaptee lors des visites de suivi, espacees d’un mois, au cours desquelles un examen clinique a ete realise et deux questionnaires nutritionnel et comportemental remplis. Des conseils sur l’enrichissement de l’environnement, une balance et une alimentation de regime de gamme veterinaire [1] ont ete fournis, ainsi qu’un plateau d’alimentation permettant d’augmenter le temps dedie a l’activite alimentaire et d’ameliorer le bien-etre du chat. Resultats Les chats recrutes ont un âge moyen de 6,3 ± 2,8 ans, ils sont sterilises et de race europeenne, vivent majoritairement en appartement, et ont un surpoids moyen de 44 ± 23 % ; 14 % des chats sont en surpoids (10 a 19 % de surpoids) et 86 % sont obeses (20 % de surpoids ou plus). Trois chats ont ete exclus apres un mois et deux apres deux mois, pour des raisons independantes de l’amaigrissement. La prise en charge nutritionnelle associee a une modification de la distribution alimentaire a permis une perte de poids hebdomadaire moyenne de 0,79 % ± 0,26 % sur les trois mois de la prise en charge, avec un coefficient de restriction moyen de 0,57 ± 0,03. Ce dernier a du etre modifie chez 78 % des chats afin de conserver une perte de poids hebdomadaire comprise entre 0,5 et 1,5 %. Soixante-seize pour cent des proprietaires n’ont pas note d’augmentation des manifestations de stress au cours du regime chez leur chat. Discussion La perte de poids hebdomadaire est comparable, voire superieure, aux donnees de la litterature. Aucune donnee biologique evaluant le stress n’a ete recueillie et le questionnaire comportemental est dependant de l’observation du proprietaire. Au quotidien, ce dernier sera plus enclin a continuer le regime s’il ne percoit pas d’augmentation de l’expression des signes de stress chez son chat. Au vu des resultats, il serait interessant et sur de prescrire en premiere intention une restriction calorique de 45 % afin de demarrer plus rapidement l’amaigrissement et de ne pas avoir a reduire l’apport energetique dans les trois premiers mois. Conclusion Les resultats de cette etude sont tres satisfaisants et montrent qu’il est possible d’obtenir une perte de poids efficace et sans danger pour le chat, bien que lente, avec une diminution de la perte de poids hebdomadaire, mois apres mois. L’enrichissement du mode d’alimentation mis en place au cours de l’etude semble avoir permis de limiter les manifestations de stress chez le chat au cours du regime.

Schemes for the synthesis of 5-5′-dihydroxyleucine 3 and its 4-fluoro analog 7 involving the condensation of a suitable “aminoacid moiety” with 2,2-dimethyl-5-iodomethyl-1,3-dioxane 15D or its fluoro analog 27A were tested. The anion of the ethyl N-diphenylmethylene-glycinate 25 gave better yields of 3 than the classical anion of diethyl acetamidomalonate. This strategy could not be successfully applied to the synthesis of 7 , which could be prepared by reduction of a suitably protected 4-fluoro-4-carboxyglutamate with BMS.

Schemes for the synthesis of 5-5′-dihydroxyleucine 3 and its 4-fluoro analog 7 involving the condensation of a suitable “aminoacid moiety” with 2,2-dimethyl-5-iodomethyl-1,3-dioxane 15D or its fluoro analog 27A were tested. The anion of the ethyl N-diphenylmethylene-glycinate 25 gave better yields of 3 than the classical anion of diethyl acetamidomalonate. This strategy could not be successfully applied to the synthesis of 7 , which could be prepared by reduction of a suitably protected 4-fluoro-4-carboxyglutamate with BMS.

Results and analyses of long-term cantilever strength tests on composite line-post insulators are presented. The concept of the damage limit is developed. In service, composite line-post insulators are subjected to complex loading. Mathematical and experimental results show good agreement, allowing presentation of multiple load application curves for line-post insulators with or without brace. Results on time-load characteristics and combined loading are presented and discussed. >

The tripeptides t-butyloxycarbonyl-Xaa-Glu-[3H]Val, where Xaa is either (2R,3S)- or (2R,3R)-3-fluoroglutamate (respectively the erythro and the threo isomer), were synthesized and their behaviour during vitamin K-dependent carboxylation was studied. Neither peptide was carboxylated. The erythro compound gave rise to an HF-elimination product representing 1% of the starting material. This HF elimination did not occur during incubation of the threo compound. The formation of the dehydropeptide, probably by elimination of an F- anion from an intermediate carbanion, favours the ionic pathway for vitamin K-dependent carboxylation.

International audience; The conduction electron energy exchanges are investigated in gold and silver nanoparticles with average size ranging from 2 to 26 nm, embedded in different matrices. The experimental studies were performed by following the internal thermalization dynamics of photoexcited nonequilibrium electrons with a femtosecond pump-probe technique. The probe wavelength dependent measurements are in qualitative agreement with the results of a theoretical model based on bulk metal electron kinetics and band-structure modeling. In both metals, the measured electron thermalization times are close to the bulk ones for nanoparticles larger than 10 nm and sharply decrease for smaller ones. The results are independent of the nanoparticle environment and synthesis technique showing that the observed size behavior reflects an increase of the efficiency of the electron-electron energy exchanges in small nanoparticles. It is in agreement with a simple model based on a bulk metal approach of the electron kinetics modified to introduce surface effects. The observed increase of the electron-electron interaction with size reduction is ascribed to reduction of the screening of the Coulomb interaction by the conduction and core electrons close to the nanoparticle surface.

Optical properties of mixed clusters Ni/Ag, Co/Ag, and Ni/Au of 2-5 nm in diameter, produced by laser vaporization and embedded in an alumina matrix, are investigated. The first part is devoted to (Ni x Ag 1 - x ) n clusters whose photoabsorption spectra reveal a surface plasmon resonance, damped, broadened, and blue-shifted as compared to pure silver clusters. For a given mean size, a blueshift of the resonance band as well as a damping and broadening with increasing nickel proportion is observed, in good qualitative agreement with classical predictions, assuming a Ni-core/Ag-shell geometry. This core-shell structure is confirmed by low energy ion spectroscopy measurements showing that the cluster surface is essentially composed of silver. For a given composition, the size evolution of the plasmon band consists of a damping and broadening with decreasing size whereas no clear shift is noticed. Although the classical predictions, including the surface scattering limited mean free path contribution of the conduction electrons in the silver shell, account well for the size effects, inhomogeneous effects (size, shape, and local porosity) also contribute to the broadening and damping of the resonance in experiment. The second part concerns the optical properties of (Co 0 . 5 Ag 0 . 5 ) n and (Ni 0 . 5 Au 0 . 5 ) n clusters. The size evolution of the optical properties of (Co 0 . 5 Ag 0 . 5 ) n clusters is similar to that of (Ni 0 . 5 Ag 0 . 5 ) n clusters, with in addition, a weak blueshift of the resonance with decreasing size. As for the (Ni 0 . 5 Au 0 . 5 ) n clusters, their optical spectra do not display a marked resonance. The comparison with a core-shell model including a size dependent damping constant in the gold or silver shell gives a good understanding of these features for the two systems Co/Ag and Ni/Au.

International audience; Electron-lattice energy exchanges are investigated in gold and silver nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 30 to 2.2 nm embedded in different environments. Femtosecond pump-probe experiments performed in the low-perturbation regime demonstrate a strong increase of the intrinsic electron-phonon interaction for nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm due to a confinement effect.

Mixed $({\mathrm{Au}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ag}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{)}_{n}$ clusters of various relative compositions are produced in a laser vaporization source, and embedded in an alumina matrix. The size and concentration effects in the optical properties are investigated for different stoichiometries (from $x=0$ up to 1 in steps of 0.25), in the diameter range 1.5\char21{}5 nm for which the size evolution is ruled by quantum effects. For a given size, we measure a steady evolution of the surface plasmon frequency versus x. For a given relative composition, the blueshift (relative to the prediction of Mie's theory), damping, and broadening of the resonance all become more important as the size decreases and as the gold concentration increases. These spectra are compared with model calculations, based on the time-dependent local-density-approximation formalism, including both the porosity of the matrix and an inner skin of reduced ionic-core polarizability. Two models are introduced to describe the effective dielectric function of the ionic background in the bimetallic cluster. Agreement between experimental results and both models is discussed.

The respiratory burst oxidase of phagocytes and B lymphocytes catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to superoxide anion (O-2) at the expense of NADPH. This multicomponent enzyme is dormant in resting cells but is activated on exposure to an appropriate stimulus. The phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms regulating the activation of the respiratory burst oxidase are unclear, particularly the phosphorylation status of the cytosolic component p67(phox). In this study, we found that activation of human neutrophils with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), a chemotactic peptide, or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a stimulator of protein kinase C (PKC), resulted in the phosphorylation of p67(phox). Using an anti-p67(phox) antibody or an anti-p47(phox) antibody, we showed that phosphorylated p67(phox) and p47(phox) form a complex. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the phosphorylated p67(phox) revealed only 32P-labeled serine residues. Two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping analysis showed that p67(phox) is phosphorylated at the same peptide whether fMLP or PMA is used as a stimulus. In addition, PKC induced the phosphorylation of recombinant GST-p67(phox) in vitro, at the same peptide as that phosphorylated in intact cells. PMA-induced phosphorylation of p67(phox) was strongly inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF109203X. In contrast, fMLP-induced phosphorylation was minimally affected by this PKC inhibitor. Taken together, these results show that p67(phox) is phosphorylated in human neutrophils by different pathways, one of which involves protein kinase C.

The black pigment melanin is involved in the penetration of numerous Ascomycetes ( such as the rice pathogen Pyricularia oryzae) and Deuteromycetes into the host plant. The biosynthesis of melanin represents thus a specific target for fungicides. The last steps of the biosynthetic pathway include two sets of alternating reduction-dehydration (tetrahydroxynaphthalen (T4HN) → scytalone → trihydroxynaphthalen(T3HN) → vermelone →dihydroxynaphthalen ). Tricyclazole, the best known inhibitor up today of melanin biosynthesis, used as a systemic fungicide, has been shown to inhibit the two reduction steps. In an effort to analyze the mechanism of action of this compound so as to elaborate new inhibitors, we have undertaken a complete study of the reductase.

In this communication we summarize our current knowledge concerning the mode of action of ciguatoxin (CTX) on acetylcholine (ACh) release either from motor nerve terminals or from pure cholinergic synaptosomes. The results obtained indicate that CTX affects Ca(2+)-dependent ACh release via distinct actions mediated by Na+ which alter presynaptic excitability and Ca2+ influx through both voltage-sensitive channels and the reversed operation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange system. The external calcium-independent ACh release induced by CTX in motor terminals seems to be due to a Na(+)-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive mechanism which mobilizes Ca2+ from intraterminal stores, as determined by fluorometrical recordings in single mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma NG108-15 cells.

Three mitochondrial carboxylase activities can be depleted in skin fibroblasts from patients with the neonatal form of multiple carboxylase deficiency when the biotin content of the culture medium is lowered to 25 nmol/l. On the other hand this depletion can be achieved in control fibroblasts or in fibroblasts from patients with the late onset form of the deficiency when avidin (50 U/l) is added to the culture medium. The kinetics of the carboxylase activity decrease are nevertheless identical for control and for both types of fibroblasts. After depletion, control and late onset form fibroblasts recover their carboxylase activities at the same rate, whereas fibroblasts with the neonatal form of deficiency need longer times or higher concentrations of biotin to restore their carboxylase activities. These results are consistent with previous hypotheses concerning the origin of both forms of the deficiency. In addition, this technique provides a convenient access to human apocarboxylases, i.e. substrates for in vitro holocarboxylase synthetase investigation.

Resume L'enolisation acido-catalysee des cetones dissymetriques se fait, dans le methanol, preferentiellement vers le carbone le moins substitue, contrairement a ce qu'on observe dans d'autres solvants (ether, CCl 4 ). On demontre que l'equilibre cetone ∡ cetal qui s'etablit dans le methanol acide est rapide par rapport a l'enolisation de chacun d'eux. Celle-ci peut donc se faire competitivement sur les deux especes. Cette etude montre que le passage par le cetal dimethylique ne peut rendre compte des resultats et qu'il faut envisager l'intervention du methanol au cours de l'etape qui determine l'orientation de l'enolisation des cetones. Il exerce une influence analogue sur l'enolisation des dioxolanes. Dans le cas des cetals dimethyliques, il y a d'abord liberation d'une molecule de methanol, avant l'etape qui determine l'orientation, ce qui explique que ces composes s'enolisent preferentiellement vers le carbone le moins substitue quel que soit le solvant utilise. On montre que le role joue par le methanol est lie a ses proprietes basiques et on formule l'hypothese selon laquelle les differences d'orientation observees dans divers solvants sont dues au changement de la base mise en jeu dans l'enolisation.

Pentapeptides Phe-Leu-X-Glu-Val where X is successively L-threo-gamma-fluoro-glutamyl, L-erythro-gamma-fluoro-glutamyl, L-threo-gamma-methyl-glutamyl or L-erythro-gamma-methyl-glutamyl have been synthesized and tested as substrates for the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation. L-threo- or L-erythro-gamma-methyl-glutamyl are not carboxylated but both corresponding peptides are inhibitors of the reaction. The L-threo-gamma-methyl-glutamyl containing peptide has the highest affinity described so far for the active site of the carboxylase (80 microM). In the gamma-fluoro-glutamyl series, only the L-erythro-gamma-fluoro-glutamyl residue is carboxylated, showing that the enzymatic hydrogen abstraction is stereospecific and corresponds to the elimination of the pro S hydrogen of glutamic acid. The lack of in vitro dicarboxylation of model peptides in contrast with the in vivo polycarboxylation of endogenous precursors is discussed along with the regiospecificity of the reaction with the different substrates.

Low-frequency Raman scattering experiments have been performed on thin films consisting of pure gold or gold-silver alloy clusters embedded in alumina matrix. It is clearly shown that the quadrupolar vibrational modes are observed by Raman scattering because of the effect of resonance with the excitation of the electronic surface dipolar plasmon. This is due to the strong coupling between the collective electronic dipolar excitation and the quadrupolar vibrational modes. This effect of resonance does not exist with the core electron excitations. The mixing of the conduction electron dipolar excitation (surface plasmon) with the core electrons leads to the quenching of the resonant Raman scattering.

Background: Complete fracture ascertainment is critical for fracture cost estimates and planning for future health care facilities. Virtually complete ascertainment is possible for hip fractures because they nearly always require hospitalisation. Aims: To validate the use of radiological reports as a resource for ascertaining fracture cases, using hip fracture as a model. Methods: Hip fracture rates obtained from radiological reports were compared with rates obtained from hospital discharge summaries of medical records using International Classification of Diseases-9 (ICD-9) codes 820.0–820.9 and 733.1 over a three-year period. Results: Hip fracture cases numbered 589 using radiological reports and 585 using medical records. Discharge summaries failed to identify 15 cases ascertained through radiology reports whereas 11 cases ascertained through medical records were not identified from X-ray reports. The age-specific incidence rates for radiological ascertainment were within the 95% confidence limits of the rates derived from medical records. Conclusions: Among a population of patients generally admitted to hospital for treatment of their fracture, we were able to identify more cases from radiological reports than from medical records. Incidence rates for hip fracture were comparable using the two methods. Radiological reports provide a valuable resource for identifying incident fractures. This method of case ascertainment would be suitable for identifying both major and minor fractures in regions with self-contained health services where access to all radiological reports is possible.