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An optically pumped near infrared rubidium (Rb) pulsed, mirrorless laser has been demonstrated in a heat pipe along both the 6 2 P 3/2 –6 2 S 1/2 transition at 2.73 µm and the 6 2 P 1/2 –6 2 S 1/2 transition at 2.79 µm. The bleached limit, slope efficiency, and maximum laser output energy of the near infrared Rb laser scale linearly with increasing Rb density, contrary to prior results. Previously, a maximum output energy of ~5 nJ had been observed before a rollover occurred in the scaling of output energy with rubidium concentration. In this experiment, the maximum laser output energy observed was ~100 nJ, with no indication of any scaling limitation. A maximum slope efficiency of 1.7×10 −4 was observed. A small percentage of the pump photons were absorbed even at the maximum Rb density attainable in the heat pipe, indicating that laser efficiency could be scaled to near the quantum efficiency. Additionally, the hyperfine structure and absorption spectral profile of the 5 2 S 1/2 –6 2 P 1/2 and 5 2 S 1/2 –6 2 P 3/2 (blue) pump transitions were studied using a cw pump source.

The terminology for female pelvic floor prolapse (POP) should be defined and organized in a clinically-based consensus Report. This Report combines the input of members of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by external referees. Appropriate core clinical categories and a sub-classification were developed to give a coding to definitions. An extensive process of fourteen rounds of internal and external review was involved to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). A Terminology Report for female POP, encompassing over 230 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically-based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction and POP. Female-specific imaging (ultrasound, radiology and MRI) and conservative and surgical managements are major additions and appropriate figures have been included to supplement and clarify the text. Emerging concepts and measurements, in use in the literature and offering further research potential, but requiring further validation, have been included as an appendix. Interval (5–10 year) review is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. A consensus-based Terminology Report for female POP has been produced to aid clinical practice and research.

INTRODUCTION: The terminology for female pelvic floor prolapse (POP) should be defined and organized in a clinically-based consensus Report. METHODS: This Report combines the input of members of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by external referees. Appropriate core clinical categories and a sub-classification were developed to give a coding to definitions. An extensive process of fourteen rounds of internal and external review was involved to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). RESULTS: A Terminology Report for female POP, encompassing over 230 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically-based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction and POP. Female-specific imaging (ultrasound, radiology and MRI) and conservative and surgical managements are major additions and appropriate figures have been included to supplement and clarify the text. Emerging concepts and measurements, in use in the literature and offering further research potential, but requiring further validation, have been included as an appendix. Interval (5-10 year) review is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSION: A consensus-based Terminology Report for female POP has been produced to aid clinical practice and research. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and The International Urogynecological Association.

Introduction The terminology for female pelvic floor prolapse (POP) should be defined and organized in a clinically-based consensus Report.

Optically pumped rare gas lasers are being investigated as potential high-energy, high beam quality systems. The lasing medium consists of rare gas atoms (Rg=Ne, Ar, Kr, or Xe) that have been electric discharge excited to the metastable np5(n+1)s P32 state. Following optical excitation, helium (He) at pressures of 200–1000 Torr is used as the energy transfer agent to create a population inversion. The primary technical difficulty for this scheme is the discharge production of sufficient Rg* metastables in the presence of >200 Torr of He. In this Letter, we describe a pulsed discharge that yields >1013 cm−3Ar* in the presence of He at total pressures up to 750 Torr. Using this discharge, a diode-pumped Ar* laser providing 4.1 W has been demonstrated.

Three plasma discharge systems operating at pressures between 450 and 760 Torr are used to excite rare gas atoms and of particular interest to this work the metastable 6 s [ 3 2 ] 2 (Racah notation) state of xenon. This metastable state of rare gas atoms is of interest of due to its ability to operate as a ground level for a lasing scheme operating in the near infrared with the potential to be scaled to higher power. Spectroscopic measurements of the metastable xenon population densities and the spectral broadening of the 904.545 nm transition are presented.

Introduction A systematic literature review of studies measuring the prevalence of personality disorder in community secondary care is needed to identify both the met and unmet needs and plan services accordingly. Methods PsycINFO, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using NHS Evidence. Only studies assessing overall personality disorder prevalence within help-seeking, outpatient populations were included. Papers were excluded for focusing solely on the prevalence of specific personality disorders or comorbid prevalence within specific populations. Results A total of 269 papers were identified. Nine papers met criteria and were critically appraised, showing a high level of heterogeneity with regards to methods, inclusion criteria, source of information, time of assessment, instruments used and overall quality of research. Prevalence estimates in Europe varied between 40% and 92%, were more consistently approximated between 45% and 51% in the USA and differed significantly in the two Asian studies: 1.07% (India) and 60% (Pakistan). Conclusions The prevalence of personality disorder in community mental health care appears to be substantial, but better estimates will only emerge from high quality studies with greater consistency of method. Implementing screening tools within outpatient or community services may result in high rates of personality disorder identification, with both clinical and service implications. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Multiple variants of the Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) have recently been demonstrated at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Highlights of this ongoing research effort include: a) a 571W rubidium (Rb) based Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) with a gain (2α) of 0.48 cm-1, b) a rubidium-cesium (Cs) Multi-Alkali Multi-Line (MAML) laser that simultaneously lases at both 795 nm and 895 nm, and c) a 1.5 kW resonantly pumped potassium (K) DPAL with a slope efficiency of 50%. The common factor among these experiments is the use of a flowing alkali test bed.

A metastable argon laser operating at 912 nm has been demonstrated by optically pumping with a pulsed titanium sapphire laser to investigate the temporal dynamics of an Advanced Noble Gas Laser (ANGL). Metastable argon concentrations on the order of 1011 cm-3 were maintained with the use of a radio frequency (RF) capacitively coupled discharge. The end-pumped laser produced output powers under 2 mW of average power with pulse lengths on the order of 100 ns. A comparison between empirical results and a four level laser model using longitudinally average pump and inter-cavity intensities is made. An alternative, highly-efficient method of argon metastable production for ANGL was explored using carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers. © (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

This Account provides an overview of our activities in the area of asymmetric hydrogenation over the last 12 years. We discuss the manufacture of metal-containing precatalysts and their use in asymmetric hydrogenation processes. Many of the metal complexes have been made on a multikilogram scale for our own use and also provided to our customers. In addition, we review some of the applications that we have developed for our asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts, many of which have been operated on commercial scales. This all underlines that asymmetric hydrogenation is a mature technology that has been adopted for use in the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical industries.

To compare perioperative characteristics, short-term, and long-term outcomes for laparoscopic Burch colposuspension (LBC) and open Burch colposuspension (OBC) for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence.Randomised surgical trial with single blinding.Three tertiary level teaching hospitals involving seven surgeons of varying skill levels.Two hundred women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).The two groups were treated in identical fashion, except for the laparoscopic or open approach to surgery. Attempts were made to blind the subjects and the observers obtaining outcome data to treatment group. Analyses were adjusted for surgeon experience.Absence of USI 6 months following surgery, postoperative pain, time spent in hospital, and time to return to activities of normal daily living.There were no significant differences in objective and subjective measures of cure and in patient satisfaction at 6 months, 24 months, or 3-5 years of follow up between laparoscopic and open colposuspension groups. Laparoscopic colposuspension took longer time to perform (87 versus 42 minutes, P0.0001) but was associated with less blood loss (P = 0.03), less pain (P = 0.02), and quicker return to normal activities (P = 0.01).LBC has significant advantages over traditional OBC, without any apparent compromise in short-term and long-term outcomes. To compare perioperative characteristics, short-term, and long-term outcomes for laparoscopic Burch colposuspension (LBC) and open Burch colposuspension (OBC) for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence. Randomised surgical trial with single blinding. Three tertiary level teaching hospitals involving seven surgeons of varying skill levels. Two hundred women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). The two groups were treated in identical fashion, except for the laparoscopic or open approach to surgery. Attempts were made to blind the subjects and the observers obtaining outcome data to treatment group. Analyses were adjusted for surgeon experience. Absence of USI 6 months following surgery, postoperative pain, time spent in hospital, and time to return to activities of normal daily living. There were no significant differences in objective and subjective measures of cure and in patient satisfaction at 6 months, 24 months, or 3-5 years of follow up between laparoscopic and open colposuspension groups. Laparoscopic colposuspension took longer time to perform (87 versus 42 minutes, P0.0001) but was associated with less blood loss (P= 0.03), less pain (P= 0.02), and quicker return to normal activities (P= 0.01). LBC has significant advantages over traditional OBC, without any apparent compromise in short-term and long-term outcomes.

The practicalities of the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives are addressed. The catalysts used, derived from the precatalysts [(xylylPhanePhos)RuCl2(DPEN)] (S)-(R,R)-1 and (R)-(S,S)-1, were shown to possess very high reactivity. 4‘-Fluoroacetophenone was hydrogenated at a molar substrate-to-catalyst ratio (S/C) of 100,000 with complete conversion effected in as little as 80 min (average turnover ∼1200 min-1, peak turnover ∼2500 min-1). The catalysts are tolerant of a range of commercial grade substrates, in most cases a S/C of 5000−10000 was achieved without the need to purify the ketone. Using precatalyst 1 enantioselectivities of 95 → 99% ee were achieved. The high selectivity and catalyst activity, plus the simplicity of the process, offers significant advantages over other enantioselective ketone reductions.

Objective To characterize the types of detrusor smooth muscle junctions in the bladders of women with detrusor instability and in a control group without, and to assess whether there are differences in the cell junctions between these groups. Patients and methods The study included 13 women with detrusor instability (median age 57 years, range 32–86) and 11 control women (median age 50 years, range 33–62). Bladder biopsies were taken from each participant, processed for electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry (using a labelled antibody to vinculin) and analysed by investigators who were unaware of the patients' diagnoses. Results Adherens (intermediate) junctions in classic and rudimentary forms were present in all biopsies from patients and controls. Adherens junctions and dense plaques occupied almost the complete cell border in most samples. Complete immunohistochemistry was possible in seven patients and five controls. In almost every detrusor smooth muscle cell studied, there was staining of the entire cell border with labelled antibody to vinculin in all biopsies. Conclusions This study provides evidence against an ultrastructural basis for idiopathic detrusor instability based on possible differences in detrusor smooth muscle intercellular junctions. Virtually the entire cell membrane of detrusor smooth muscle fibres is occupied by adherens junctions in classic and rudimentary forms, and with dense plaques present in samples from women with an unstable bladder and from controls. There was no junction detected in those with instability that was not present in the control group. The adherens junctions in the bladder facilitate mechanical coupling between cells.

The aim of this study was to compare the pubovaginal sling with a new Vicryl mesh rectus fascia (VMRF) sling in the surgical treatment of low urethral pressure genuine stress incontinence. Fifty-one consecutive women who had a VMRF (n = 27) or a pubovaginal sling (n = 24) procedure between March 1995 and December 1997 were evaluated. The patient-determined subjective success rate of the VMRF sling (85%) was significantly higher than that of the pubovaginal sling (58%) in women with low urethral pressure stress incontinence (P=0.03). The objective success rates following the VMRF and the pubovaginal sling were 52% and 50%, respectively. The prevalence of postoperative symptomatic voiding dysfunction and de novo detrusor instability was 7% after the VMRF sling and 25% following the pubovaginal sling (P = 0.08). The VMRF sling had a higher patient-determined success rate and a lower complication rate than the pubovaginal sling, and should be considered in the surgical management of women with low urethral pressure stress incontinence.

Reaction of Me3Al with a series of aromatic ketones results in the precipitation of either dimethylaluminium enolates or alkoxides. In situ 1H-NMR spectroscopic studies of the reaction between Me3Al and acetophenone reveal a complex mixture of products whereas under the same conditions 2,4,6-trimethylacetophenone reacts cleanly to give the corresponding enolate. The enolate compounds [Me2AlOC(2,4,6-Me3–C6H2) CH2] (2) and [Me2AlOC(C6Me5) CH2] (4) were isolated and 2 as well as the representative alkoxide [Me2AlOCMe2Ph] (6) were characterised by X-ray crystallography. Both 2 and 6 form dimers with a central Al2O2 core. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations (HF/6-31G*) indicate that both 2 and 6 are the thermodynamic products of their reactions. For 2,4,6-trimethylacetophenone enolisation is preferred over alkylation by 4.70 kcal mol−1 whereas for acetophenone alkylation is preferred by 25.39 kcal mol−1 over enolisation. Disubstitution of the ortho positions on the aromatic ring by methyl groups results in the relative destabilisation of the alkoxide compared to the enolate due to steric crowding around the quaternary carbon atom.

The vibrational spectrum of tetraethylorthotitanate (TET) has been assigned by using vibrational and structural data from the series Ti(OEt)yCl4 − y (y = 1 to 4), to distinguish between bands due to bridging and terminally coordinated ethoxide. EXAFS studies of the series showed an increase in association with increasing y, in agreement with previous cryoscopic measurements. IR bands in the spectrum of TET in the region 1300 to 800 cm−1 have been assigned as follows: 850 and 885 cm−1 , C–C stretch of bridging ethoxide; 910 and 919 cm−1 , C–C stretch of terminal ethoxide; 1044 cm−1, C–O stretch of bridging ethoxide; 995 and 1067 cm−1, C–O stretch of terminal ethoxide; 1013 cm−1, C–O stretch of both bridging and terminal ethoxide. Unresolved bands in the region 1100 to 1200 cm−1 are assigned to in- and out-of-plane rocking modes of both bridging and terminal ethoxide. The assignment of the 885 and 1044 cm−1 bands to bridging ethoxide has been confirmed by comparison of the Ti(OEt)3(acac) and Ti(OEt)2(acac)2 spectra. The vibrational assignments of TET were used to investigate the alcohol exchange reaction between tetraisopropyltitanate (TPT) and EtOH by IR and Raman spectroscopy. Ligand exchange occurred quantitatively on reaction of TPT with one mol equivalent of EtOH, the resulting Ti(OPri)3(OEt) being five-fold coordinated with bridging predominantly occurring through the ethoxide ligand. The second isopropoxide was also exchanged quantitatively with addition of EtOH but further exchange was slower, with the final isopropoxide remaining coordinated to the Ti(IV) site, even in an excess of EtOH.

The aim of this study was to compare Burch colposuspension with the pubovaginal sling in the management of low urethral pressure urinary stress incontinence. Forty-five women with low urethral pressure stress incontinence were retrospectively reviewed: 21 underwent colposuspension and 24 a pubovaginal sling. The subjective success rate of the Burch colposuspension and the pubovaginal sling was 90% and 71% (P = 0.12), respectively; the objective success rate was 67% and 50% (P = 0.26), respectively. The incidence of postoperative complications, including de novo detrusor instability and symptomatic voiding dysfunction following the colposuspension, was 5% compared to 25% following the pubovaginal sling (P = 0.06). Colposuspension should be considered in the management of women undergoing surgical correction of low urethral pressure stress incontinence. In a clinically similar group of women, the Burch colposuspension had a superior subjective and objective success rate with a lower incidence of complications than did the pubovaginal sling. Although these differences failed to reach statistical significance, colposuspension can be safely considered in the management of women with low urethral pressure GSI.

To establish the safety and efficacy of low-dose oral methotrexate in treating refractory interstitial cystitis, 9 women who fulfilled internationally accepted criteria for the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis were enrolled in a prospective study. All had proven unresponsive to conventional treatment modalities. Assessment by pain score and frequency volume charts was performed pretreatment and up to 6 months during therapy. No significant adverse side effects were noted. At the end of follow-up, 4 women had noted a subjective improvement in bladder pain and wished to continue on methotrexate, 4 women noted little change and 1 woman reported a worsening of symptoms. Overall there was a significant reduction in pain score (p = 0.047) posttreatment. However, there was no significant difference in urinary frequency per 24 hours (p = 0.40), maximum voided volume (p = 0.089) or mean voided volume (p = 0.59). Methotrexate significantly improved bladder pain in women with interstitial cystitis, although no significant change was found in voiding pattern.

The phenomenon of “youth enterprise” arose in the 1980s in response to a particular combination of socio‐economic and political factors. Since then, increasing numbers of young people have set up their own businesses with the assistance of organisations such as the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, Livewire and the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). This study draws on the experiences and views of a number of recipients of support from PSYBT, who are currently in business, to assess the value of the support provided, identify possible improvements, and, in general, develop greater insights into how young people can be assisted to develop their businesses. The results of the survey indicated a generally high level of satisfaction with the support provided by PSYBT and with the aftercare counsellor. There were, however, expressions of dissatisfaction from some respondents and a number of potential areas for improvement were identified. These primarily related to the skills, knowledge and attitude (ie “competence”) of the aftercare counsellor which could be addressed through enhanced recruitment, induction, supervision and continuing training and development processes. These results have implications for the way that support is delivered to young people in business and, in particular, the training and development of business counsellors playing an “aftercare” role to support the survival and development of the business over time.

Titania sols, gels and nanopowders have been produced by the controlled hydrolysis of tetraisopropyltitanate (TPT) in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. Particle formation and aggregation have been investigated by photon correlation spectroscopy, the crystal phases by FT-Raman spectroscopy, and the crystallite dimensions of the precipitates by transmission electron microscopy. Nanoparticles could be produced at relatively high Ti(IV) concentrations (up to 0.05 mol dm−3). These nanoparticles aggregated into sols, with colloid sizes of 20–300 nm, eventually forming gelatinous precipitates. The kinetics of particle formation and aggregation were controlled by varying the primary process parameters [TPT], [H2O]/[AOT] (w0), and [H2O]/[Ti(IV)] (R), yielding a range of products including stable, transparent sols, precipitates and monolithic gels. The aggregation kinetics and physical properties of the sols depended strongly on w0. Different titania phases were produced, depending on w0; w0 ≤ 6 yielded amorphous particles, while w0 ≥ 10 produced anatase. The dimensions of the crystallites were comparable to those of the parent reverse micelles. A model was developed to interpret the effect of the primary process parameters on colloidal stability: (1) nucleation to form primary crystallites occurs by rapid hydrolysis and condensation reactions within the reverse micelle and (2) subsequent colloidal growth by aggregation occurs by reverse micellar exchange, where the rate of growth is governed by electrostatic and steric stability factors which increase as [AOT]/[TPT] (S) and residual [H2O]/[AOT] (wr) increase.

Reaction of (R,R′)- or (S,S′)-bis(1-phenylethyl)amine with nBuLi in hexane solution gave the chiral amide [{PhC(H)Me}2NLi] 1. Complex 1 crystallises with approximate D3 symmetry as a ring trimer (13) from hexane solution, as determined by X-ray crystallography. In direct contrast to the crystal structure of the related compound dibenzylamidolithium, [{(PhCH2)2NLi}3], no significant agostic Li· · ·C(H) contacts are present in 13. Solution 1H and 7Li NMR spectra of 1 in d8-toluene show the presence of two distinct aggregated species which have been assigned as a trimer and a monomer. The complex [PhCH2{PhC(H)Me}NLi·THF] 2·THF, was prepared by reaction of nBuLi with (R)-N-benzyl-α-methylbenzylamine in a hexane–THF solution and has been determined by X-ray crystallography to adopt a dimeric structure (22·2THF) in the solid state with C1 symmetry. As in 13, no short Li· · ·C(H) contacts are present in 22·2THF. The lack of Li· · ·C(H) interactions in both 13 and 22·2THF suggests that the rotameric conformations adopted for the benzyl groups in the complexes are governed mainly by steric effects. Using ab initio molecular orbital calculations (HF/6-31G*), the minimum energy structure for unsolvated monomeric 11 was determined to be a C2 symmetric molecule, I, where the faces of both phenyl groups are directed towards the metal, maximising the Li–aromatic π interactions. The related C2 symmetric molecule with both methyl groups directed towards the metal is 8.68 kcal mol–1 less stable than I. Therefore, in the absence of aggregation and external solvation, significant stabilisation is achieved through Li· · ·C(H) benzyl interactions. The energy barrier to rotation for one benzyl sidearm for geometry I is 4.76 kcal mol–1, representing a significant lifetime for this conformer.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how flow affects slice-selective excitation, particularly for radiofrequency (rf) pulses optimized for slice-selective excitation of stationary material. Simulation methods were used to calculate the slice profiles for material flowing at different velocities, using optimal flow compensation when appropriate. Four rf pulses of very different shapes were used in the simulation study: a 90 degrees linear-phase Shinnar-LeRoux pulse; a 90 degrees self-refocusing pulse; a minimum-phase Shinnar-LeRoux inversion pulse; and a SPINCALC inversion pulse. Slice profiles from simulations with a laminar flow model were compared with experimental studies for two different rf pulses using a clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. We found that, for a given rf pulse, the effect of flow on slice-selective excitation depends on the product of the selection gradient amplitude, the component of velocity in the slice selection direction, and the square of the rf pulse duration. The shapes of the slice profiles from the Shinnar-LeRoux pulses were relatively insensitive to velocity. However, the slice profiles from the self-refocusing pulse and the SPINCALC pulse were significantly degraded by velocity. Experimental slice profiles showed excellent agreement with simulation. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that slice-selective excitation can be significantly degraded by flow depending on the velocity, the gradient amplitude, and characteristics of the rf excitation pulse used. The results can aid in the design of rf pulses for slice-selective excitation of flowing material.

The new complexes [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Rh(C 2 H 4 ) 2 ] 1 , [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Rh(CO) 2 ] 2 , [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Rh(nbd)] 4 , [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Rh(cod)] 5 , [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )TiCl 2 Cp] 6 , [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Mn(CO) 3 ] 7 , were obtained from the reaction of the monoanion [CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 ] − with the appropriate metal–halide unit. [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Co(CO) 2 ] 8 and [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 7 )Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 11 could be synthesized by reacting CpHCMe 2 C 9 H 7 with Co 2 (CO) 8 and Fe 2 (CO) 9 , respectively. With the dilithiumsalt of the ligand the dinuclear complexes [( η 5 : η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 6 )Rh 2 (C 2 H 4 ) 4 ] 12 and [( η 5 : η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 6 )Rh 2 (CO) 4 ] 13 , [( η 5 : η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 6 )Rh 2 (nbd) 2 ] 14 and [( η 5 : η 5 -CpCMe 2 C 9 H 6 )Rh 2 (cod) 2 ] 15 could be formed. Also some compounds [( η 5 -CpCMe 2 ) 2 (C 9 H 6 )Rh 2 (L n ) 2 ] 16–18 (L=C 2 H 4 , CO, nbd) with the related ligand [1,3-(CpCMe 2 ) 2 (C 9 H 6 )] 2− were isolated. Some unsuccessful attempts to synthesize heterobimetallic complexes with the ligand CpCMe 2 C 9 H 6 were described. All new compounds were characterized by MS and NMR. Single crystals of 1 , 5 , 8 and 12 were obtained and characterized by X-ray analysis.

UV irradiation of [CpRh(C 2 H 4 ) 2 ] in pentane in the presence of alkynes C 2 R 2 [R = Me ( a ); Et ( b )] gives a variety of products, and several compounds have been isolated by chromatography. The η 4 -benzene complexes [CpRhC 6 R 6 ] ( 2a,b ) and the rhodacyclopentadienyl species [Cp 2 Rh 2 C 4 R 4 ] ( 3a,b ) were obtained as main products. The isolable but highly reactive complexes [CpRh(C 2 H 4 )(C 2 R 2 )] ( 1a,b ) act as precursors for 3 and for hexaalkylbenzene, and by hydrolysis during chromatography also give the 1-rhoda-2-oxa-cyclohexa-3,5-diene compounds [Cp 2 Rh 2 C 4 R 4 O]( 6a,b ). Further isolated products are the bis( μ -vinyl) compound [Cp 2 Rh 2 (C 2 H 3 )(C 2 HMe 2 )] ( 4a ) as well as the η 4 -butadiene species [CpRh{C 4 HR 4 -C 5 H 4 Rh(C 2 H 4 ) 2 }] ( 5a ) the formation of which involves the unusual C-H activation of a Cp moiety. From the reaction mixture formed by UV irradiation of [CpIr(C 2 H 4 ) 2 ] in hexane only the μ -vinyl species [Cp 2 Ir 2 (C 2 H 3 ) 2 ] ( 7 ) was isolated, while irradiation in the presence of butyne-2 yielded the η 4 -hexamethylbenzene complex [CpIrC 6 Me 6 ] ( 8 ). The compounds 2b , 3b , 5a , and 8 were characterised by X-ray crystal analysis.

Titania nanoparticles have been produced by the controlled hydrolysis of tetraisopropyltitanate (TPT) in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. Particle formation and aggregation were investigated by static and dynamic light scattering and the chemical species by vibrational spectroscopy.

A systematic literature review of studies measuring the prevalence of personality disorder in community secondary care is needed to identify both the met and unmet needs and plan services accordingly.PsycINFO, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using NHS Evidence. Only studies assessing overall personality disorder prevalence within help-seeking, outpatient populations were included. Papers were excluded for focusing solely on the prevalence of specific personality disorders or comorbid prevalence within specific populations.A total of 269 papers were identified. Nine papers met criteria and were critically appraised, showing a high level of heterogeneity with regards to methods, inclusion criteria, source of information, time of assessment, instruments used and overall quality of research. Prevalence estimates in Europe varied between 40% and 92%, were more consistently approximated between 45% and 51% in the USA and differed significantly in the two Asian studies: 1.07% (India) and 60% (Pakistan).The prevalence of personality disorder in community mental health care appears to be substantial, but better estimates will only emerge from high quality studies with greater consistency of method. Implementing screening tools within outpatient or community services may result in high rates of personality disorder identification, with both clinical and service implications.

The structure of sodium his(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles and water-in-oil microemulsions in isooctane and cyclohexane has been investigated using vibrational spectroscopy. The formation of reverse micelles resulted in an increase in the interaction between the Na + counterion and the -SO 3 - group, compared with the solid state. Hydration of reverse micelles in cyclohexane to form water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions led to a shift in the wavenumber of the symmetric sulfonate stretching mode from 1064 to 1050 cm -1 in the Raman spectrum and from 1051 to 1045 cm -1 in the infrared spectrum. The difference between the wavenumber of the band maxima in the infrared and Raman spectra, which decreased from 13 to 5 cm -1 after hydration, is attributed to correlation coupling. The splitting of the antisymmetric sulfonate stretching mode in the infrared spectrum, which produces two strong bands at ca. 1212 and 1248 cm -1 in the reverse micelles,is also reduced upon hydration. These results are interpreted in terms of the increase in the separation between the Na + counterion and the -SO 3 - group and an associated increase in the separation between the -SO 3 - groups of adjacent surfactant molecules at the micellar interface. The greatest changes in the interaction between the sulfonate moiety and the sodium counterion occurred below ω o = [H 2 O]/[AOT] = 3, with only small band shifts in the spectra observed beyond ω o = 6. No shifts were evident beyond ca. ω o = 15. These results are consistent with a strong hydrogen-bonding interaction involving three H 2 O molecules located between the oxygen atoms of the -SO 3 - group and a Na + cation, and the requirement of at least six H 2 O molecules per AOT molecule to completely solvate the head-group. In contrast, hydration produced only minor changes in the relative infrared intensities of carbonyl stretching modes at ca. 1735 and 1723 cm -1 . These observations reflect changes in the relative populations of different conformations about the acyl C-C bond and an increase in the degree of rotation, which accompanies the increase in the average area occupied by the head-group upon hydration.

Spin-lock and spin-tip excitations are the two magnetization components created by the preparatory RF pulse of an MRI contrast enhancement sequence. Only spin-lock is inherently adiabatic, preserving spin alignment so that tissue-specific relaxation can generate desired saturation contrasts. Spin-tip is the rotating-frame oscillating excitation, and generally causes nonadiabatic loss of all detectable magnetization. Relative levels of spin-lock and spin-tip are important to understand as a function of the preparatory B1 delta amplitude, resonance frequency offset, delta, and the pulse waveform. These MR responses can be accurately analyzed theoretically and numerically by using Torrey's tipped coordinates to formulate Bloch's equations. At near-resonance offsets, (delta/gamma B1) less than 2.0, spin-lock contrast (SLC) depends strongly on T2, due to the nature of spin-lock T1 rho relaxation in the RF pulse interval. The relaxation rates 1/T1 rho and 1/T2 rho apply for active B1 delta, but remain linear combinations of ordinary (1/T1) and 1/T2) for motionally narrowed MR. The SLC increases rapidly as delta decreases below 2000 Hz; carefully chosen B1 delta rise times avoid spin-tip losses down to 150 Hz or less. The SL saturation enhances or multiplies any other indirect saturation effects that may be also present, such as magnetization transfer. A strong near-resonance SLC multiplier is advantageous for clinically practical MRI sequences that use short B1 delta pulses and fast SE multislice scan modes. Simulations based upon spin-lock/spin-tip theory and measured (T1,T2) yield excellent agreement with real MRI results for clinically practical fast multislice scans.

The phase-mapping method of phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography is shown to be based on an implicit assumption that the intravoxel velocity distribution is symmetric about its mean velocity. The effect of asymmetric distributions on the accuracy of quantitative average velocity measurements is determined analytically and verified experimentally. An explicit formulation is developed for the estimated average velocity in a voxel as a function of the true average velocity and the asymmetry of the distribution about the true average velocity. Worst-case distributions are determined for unidirectional and bidirectional flow, and the special case of laminar flow is also investigated. Computer simulations and phantom imaging experiments demonstrate the accuracy of the analysis. For voxels with unidirectional flow, the phase-mapping method produces accurate estimates of average velocity, while results for bidirectional flow indicate possible large errors unless the aliasing velocity is increased, which decreases the signal-to-noise ratio in the resultant velocity map image.

A range of mono- and bicyclic cyclopentenone and 3-oxocyclopentaneacetic acid derivatives have been made for biological comparison with jasmonates.

We compared the efficacy and complications of tension-free vaginal tape and tension-free vaginal tape-obturator.Women with pure urodynamic stress incontinence undergoing only primary continence surgery were randomized to tension-free vaginal tape or tension-free vaginal tape-obturator at 2 centers between March 2005 and March 2007. Primary outcome was objective cure rate at 6 months, defined by a 24-hour pad test of less than 5 gm. Secondary outcomes were the subjective cure rate on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, quality of life on the King's Healthcare Questionnaire and symptom severity scores on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire.A total of 127 women were recruited. The study was stopped early due to excess leg pain in the tension-free vaginal tape-obturator group. Of the women 66 were randomized to tension-free vaginal tape and 61 were randomized to tension-free vaginal tape-obturator. Analysis was done by intent to treat. The objective and subjective cure rate at 6 months for tension-free vaginal tape vs tension-free vaginal tape-obturator was 69.7% vs 72.1% and 72.7% vs 67.2% (p = 0.76 and 0.49, respectively). Cure rates at 1 year were similar but loss to followup was high. Objective and subjective cure rates at 1 year for tension-free vaginal tape vs tension-free vaginal tape-obturator were 50% vs 41% and 53% vs 42.6% (p = 0.31 and 0.24, respectively). More women complained of leg pain after receiving a tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (26.4% vs 1.7%, p = 0.0001). The incidence of perioperative complications was low and similar between the groups. Time to discharge home and time to normal activity were not significantly different.Short-term cure rates at 6 months were similar. Tension-free vaginal tape-obturator caused more transient leg pain. Each procedure achieved a high cure rate and a low complication rate.

In October 2006, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) released Guideline No. 40: The management of female urinary incontinence. The objective of this study was to investigate the opinions of members of the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) regarding the recommendations contained in the guideline. A closed format questionnaire using stems taken directly from the NICE guideline was sent to all UK-based members of BSUG. There was a 64% response rate. When asked if the guidance overall reflected their current practice, 56.8% agreed/strongly agreed. In terms of changing their practice to comply fully with the guideline, 53.3% disagreed/strongly disagreed. There were two major areas of disagreement. Some 80% of respondents disagreed that preoperative cystometry was not necessary in 'clinically pure' stress urinary incontinence; 72% of respondents disagreed that immediate release oxybutynin should be the first-line treatment for women with an overactive bladder (OAB). A smaller proportion disagreed with the statements on the use of duloxetine. The majority of the guidance formalises current practice among gynaecologists and urogynaecologists practicing in the UK. There are significant concerns regarding some of the recommendations, and the results indicate that over half of the respondents would not change their practice to follow these recommendations.

This paper describes the basic principles of gradient modulated adiabatic passage using a CW radiofrequency excitation. The possible applications of this technique include a direct assessment of in-plane and oblique directional flow velocities, and visualization of flow velocity profiles. Flow angiography based on the time-of-flight technique is also discussed with experimental results.

A maximum entropy (MAXENT) criteria for MR image processing optimizations has previously shown poor performance, but this note observes that there are two entirely different kinds of “data transmission” applications which appear to have been intermixed. In the two cases, “image entropy” actually refers to different kinds of data variables. The previous literature formulations are for transfer of data in which pixel-locations are the transmitted variable, and these pixels may be neither uniform nor constant. The second application concerns the MRI data set for display. Its data variables are image pixel-values of magnetization intensity, and the data transfer mode has the sense of visual display. When MAXENT criteria are modified to address an array of pixel-value intensities, and use a pixel-value information entropy rather than pixel-locations entropy, then successful data processing results. Restoring display visualization from highly nonuniform surface coils for lumbar spine scans are demonstrated, as an example of MAXENT usefulness.

The efficacy of Burch colposuspension in treating the symptom of coital urinary leakage in women with genuine stress incontinence has to date never been reported. Women who presented to our clinic with regular coital urinary leakage and urodynamically proven genuine stress incontinence between 1993 and 1997, and who proceeded to a Burch colposuspension procedure, were reviewed to determine the outcome of surgery. Fifty-five women were identified (mean age 46.1 years) with a mean follow-up interval after surgery of 18 months (range 3-42 months). All 55 women had symptoms of stress, urge and coital incontinence preoperatively. Following colposuspension, the subjective cure rates for stress and urge incontinence were 84% and 85%, respectively. Of 52 women that were sexually active after surgery, 81% described no further coital incontinence. The success or failure of surgery was not influenced by whether leakage occurred with penetration or orgasm preoperatively.

This Account provides an overview of our activities in the area of asymmetric hydrogenation over the last 12 years. We discuss the manufacture of metal-containing precatalysts and their use in asymmetric hydrogenation processes. Many of the metal complexes have been made on a multikilogram scale for our own use and also provided to our customers. In addition, we review some of the applications that we have developed for our asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts, many of which have been operated on commercial scales. This all underlines that asymmetric hydrogenation is a mature technology that has been adopted for use in the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical industries.

A unique echelle spectrometer system employing charge injection device (CID) array detector technology for use in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is described. Due to improvements in optical design, this system offers increased wavelength coverage and improved light throughput over those of previous systems. Low sensitivity in the far-ultraviolet has been considered a major draw-back when silicon-based detectors are used, due to absorbance in the insulating SiO2 layer. The problem has been overcome through the use of a wavelength conversion phosphor. Therefore, detection limits comparable to those available with most commercial instruments have been obtained even in the far-UV. Operating parameters including precision, resolution, and background correction are also discussed. An analysis of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1643b demonstrates that the system is capable of simultaneously determining at least 15 elements using 31 emission wavelengths with a high degree of accuracy.

The CaMV 35S and Ti plasmid mannopine synthetase (mas) promoters are commonly used by plant genetic engineers. To combine their useful properties, we constructed hybrid promoters incorporating elements from both. These promoters were spliced to the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene and introduced into tobacco and tomato plants by Agrobacterium cocultivation. T1 and T2 transgenic plant populations transformed with different constructs were assayed for the marker enzyme. Comparisons were made based on the range of expression levels found for each promoter construct. We found that a hybrid promoter incorporating the mas region from +65 to -301 and the 35S enhancer region from -90 to -941 had new and interesting properties. This promoter, called Mac, expressed gus at a level three to five times that expressed by a double 35S promoter in the leaves, and 10 to 15 times in hypocotyls and roots. The Mac promoter, however, showed only marginal wound inducibility. Five- to seven-fold wound induction required the presence of the region from -301 to -613 of mas. Reiteration of the 35S enhancer region, from -90 to -430, behind the 35S TATA box region or the mas +65 to -301 region had a smaller effect on expression, ranging from equal to twice the level of the single enhancer control.

The partial hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide in the presence of acetylacetone yields the complex [Ti4(μ3-O)2(μ2-OiPr)2(OiPr)8(acac)2] in which [(acac)(OiPr)2TiO(OiPr)Ti(OiPr)2] units are linked into dimers via the bridging oxide ion to form a ladder-like Ti4(μ3-O)2(μ2-OiPr)2 core containing five- and six-coordinate titanium and three-coordinate oxide ions that link the two units together through bonds to the five-coordinate titanium atoms. The Raman spectrum shows bands at 521 and 712 cm-1 that are assigned to ν(Ti−O) modes of bridging isopropoxide ligands and the μ3-oxygen, respectively.

During a 4-year period from 1993 to 1997, a total of 2153 women were referred to our urogynaecology clinic complaining of urinary incontinence. Of these women, 228 (10.6%) admitted to coital incontinence. Only 22 of these 228 women complained of this symptom without direct questioning. Urine loss occurred during penetration in 158 women, during orgasm in 45 women and during both in 25 women. Comparison of these groups showed few other differences in their presenting symptoms, examination findings, urodynamic data or diagnosis. Genuine stress incontinence was present in 79.8% of women with urinary leakage during penetration, in 93.2% with leak on orgasm and in 92.0% who leaked on both. Detrusor instability was uncommon. In most women who complain of urinary leakage during sexual intercourse, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism is urethral sphincter incompetence. Compared with women presenting with urinary incontinence in the absence of coital incontinence, women with coital leakage had a higher incidence of stress and urge incontinence, and a significantly greater incidence of anterior vaginal wall prolapse and demonstrable stress incontinence on examination.

The application of asymmetric hydrogenation to the manufacture of pharmaceutical intermediates has become increasingly prevalent in the past three to five years. This review focuses on the hydrogenation substrates and their use, rather than comparing the specific catalysts employed. The literature published between 2002 and 2003 is covered, with some pertinent examples from 2001, all of which demonstrate the increasing number of applications for this technology.