On the action of hydrotalcite-like clay materials as stabilizers in polyvinylchloride

\u3cp\u3eHydrotalcites with different counterions were tested with respect to their ability to act as heat stabilizers in PVC. The stabilization activity results from the capacity of the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) to react with the HCl formed during degradation of PVC. The experiments described are heat stability tests and experiments for a determination of the capacity of the hydrotalcites to react with HCl gas. They show a linear relationship between HCl capacity of LDHs with different counterions and their action as (heat) stabilizer. The reaction between the LDHs and the HCl occurs in a two-step process, firstly (if possible), the counterions between the LDH layers tend to react with the HCl gas, and, secondly, the LDHs themselves react with the HCl under complete destruction of the LDH structure and formation of metal chlorides.\u3c/p\u3

Fetal Programming of Infant Neuromotor Development: The Generation R Study

The objective of the study was to examine whether infant neuromotor development is determined by fetal size and body symmetry in the general population. This study was embedded within the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort in Rotterdam. In 2965 fetuses, growth parameters were measured in mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy. After birth, at age 9 to 15 wks, neuromotor development was assessed with an adapted version of Touwen's Neurodevelopmental Examination. Less optimal neuromotor development was defined as a score in the highest tertile. We found that higher fetal weight was beneficial to infant neurodevelopment. A fetus with a 1-SD score higher weight in mid-pregnancy had an 11% lower risk of less optimal neuromotor development (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.97). Similarly, a fetus with a 1-SD score larger abdominal-to-head circumference (AC/HC) ratio had a 13% lower risk of less optimal neuromotor development (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79-0.96). These associations were also present in late pregnancy. Our findings show that fetal size and body symmetry in pregnancy are associated with infant neuromotor development. These results suggest that differences in infant neuromotor development, a marker of behavioral and cognitive problems, are at least partly caused by processes occurring early in fetal life. (Pediatr Res 67: 132-137, 2010

A Balanced Evaluation Perspective: Picture Archiving and Communication System Impacts on Hospital Workflow

Around the world, hospitals are faced with both budget and regulatory pressures, forcing them to re-examine the way clinical practice is carried out. Proposed technologies that provide workflow enhancements include Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS); however, is PACS really effective in improving hospital workflow and the flow onto patient care, and how should this be evaluated? An acknowledged and successful approach for organizational evaluation is the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), providing the fundamental features for assessing organizations from various perspectives. In this research, the impact of PACS on the workflow of a large public hospital in Melbourne, Australia, is examined using an adapted version of the BSC. Empirically, this model was applied as an evaluation instrument through a series of in-depth interviews with PACS users. Results show that PACS did improve hospital workflow considerably and that the organizational alignment of PACS in hospitals is an important critical success factor