Understanding interactions of glyoxal and acetone at aqueous and ice interfaces using vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy.

Persistent organic pollutants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common contaminants in the environment that undergo long range transport and are introduced into regions where they were not previously found. Glyoxal is well-studied and one of the most abundant oxygenated VOCs in the atmosphere, produced by the oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere and through isoprene and terpene reactions. Vibrational Sum-Frequency Generation (SFG) Spectroscopy and Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy have been utilized to obtain data of free OH and CH stretch vibrational bonds at the surface and in bulk for glyoxal and acetone in aqueous solution and on ice. Glyoxal can be studied using SFG to gain an understanding of the molecular structure and orientation on the surface of ice and water. Investigating molecular level details of glyoxal on aqueous interfaces can provide information for climate models and the impact of organic pollutants on the environment

MAGE (M-file/Mif Automatic GEnerator): A graphical interface tool for automatic generation of Object Oriented Micromagnetic Framework configuration files and Matlab scripts for results analysis

We present a tool for fully-automated generation of both simulations configuration files (Mif) and Matlab scripts for automated data analysis, dedicated for Object Oriented Micromagnetic Framework (OOMMF). We introduce extended graphical user interface (GUI) that allows for fast, error-proof and easy creation of Mifs, without any programming skills usually required for manual Mif writing necessary. With MAGE we provide OOMMF extensions for complementing it by mangetoresistance and spin-transfer-torque calculations, as well as local magnetization data selection for output. Our software allows for creation of advanced simulations conditions like simultaneous parameters sweeps and synchronic excitation application. Furthermore, since output of such simulation could be long and complicated we provide another GUI allowing for automated creation of Matlab scripts suitable for analysis of such data with Fourier and wavelet transforms as well as user-defined operations

Sexual abuse in people with alcohol problems - A study of the prevalence of sexual abuse and its relationship to drinking behaviour

Background. There is evidence that people with a history of sexual abuse may have an increased risk of developing alcohol and drug problems.Method. A self-completion sexual abuse questionnaire was designed and administered to a sample of attenders at three London alcohol services. Drinking behaviour was assessed using the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire and the Alcohol Problems Questionnaire, and additional data were derived from case notes. Results. Fifty-four per cent of women and 24% of men identified themselves as victims of sexual abuse or assault. for the majority this had started before the age of 16 and involved non-relatives. Subjects with a history of sexual abuse were younger, reached drinking milestones earlier, were more likely to have a family history of alcohol misuse and had more alcohol-related problems than non-abused subjects. Sexual abuse, age and alcohol dependence predicted level of problems in a regression analysis.Conclusions. The high rates of sexual abuse and its association with indications of increased morbidity suggest it is an important issue for the management of alcohol problems. More use could be made of self-completion questionnaires for the investigation of sexual abuse.</p