Chemical functionalization of emulsion-templated porous polymers by thiol–ene “click” chemistry

Highly porous polymers (polyHIPEs) have been prepared by the photopolymerization of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) with varying ratios of thiol and acrylate monomers. The resulting polymers have a nominal porosity of 80%, and are seen to have a well-defined, interconnected pore morphology, with average pore diameters ranging from 30 to 60 μm. The polyHIPE polymers have been shown using a colourimetric (Ellman's) assay to contain residual thiols which are reactive towards a range of (meth)acrylates (hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate, fluorescein O-acrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate). Functionalization was explored using thermally- and UV-initiated radical-mediated “click” reactions and an amine-catalysed Michael addition reaction. The extent of functionalization was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively using a range of techniques (solid state NMR spectroscopy; FTIR spectroscopy; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); observation of fluorescence); high levels of conversion (up to 90–95%) were observed for the thermally-initiated radical reaction and the Michael reaction

Memory texts and memory work: Performances of memory in and with visual media

The online version of this article can be found at: http://mss.sagepub.com/content/early/2010/05/24/175069801037003

Grassland Management–The PROGRAZE™ Approach

Three courses PROGRAZE™, PROGRAZE™ Plus and STOCKPLAN® have been developed to provide a complete package to assist farmers manage their variable grassland grazing systems. As each package is separate the farmer can use the relevant tool to help them work through major issues they are dealing with at any point in time. All courses are based on the same principle, they do not give answers but rather provide training in skills development, provide key background knowledge and a framework to assist farmers plan and if needed to work through their problems to reach a solution they are comfortable with

A simple high-sensitivity technique for purity analysis of xenon gas

We report on the development and performance of a high-sensitivity purity-analysis technique for gaseous xenon. The gas is sampled at macroscopic pressure from the system of interest using a UHV leak valve. The xenon present in the sample is removed with a liquid-nitrogen cold trap, and the remaining impurities are observed with a standard vacuum mass-spectroscopy device. Using calibrated samples of xenon gas spiked with known levels of impurities, we find that the minimum detectable levels of N2, O2, and methane are 1 ppb, 160 ppt, and 60 ppt respectively. This represents an improvement of about a factor of 10,000 compared to measurements performed without a coldtrap.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figure

From antiferromagnetism to superconductivity in Fe 1+y(Te1-x,Sex) (0 < x < 0.20): a neutron powder diffraction analysis

The nuclear and magnetic structure of Fe1+y(Te1-x,Sex) (0 < x < 0.20) compounds was analyzed between 2 K and 300 K by means of Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction data. Samples with x < 0.075 undergo a tetragonal to monoclinic phase transition at low temperature, whose critical temperature decreases with increasing Se content; this structural transition is strictly coupled to a long range antiferromagnetic ordering at the Fe site. Both the transition to a monoclinic phase and the long range antiferromagnetism are suppressed for 0.10 < x < 0.20. The onset of the structural and of the magnetic transition remains coincident with the increase of Se substitution. The low temperature monoclinic crystal structure has been revised. Superconductivity arises for x > 0.05, therefore a significant region where superconductivity and long range antiferromagnetism coexist is present in the pseudo-binary FeTe - FeSe phase diagram.Comment: 33 pages, 4 tables, 13 figure

Study protocol for a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of continuous subpectoral local anaesthetic infusion for pain and shoulder function following mastectomy: SUB-pectoral Local anaesthetic Infusion following MastEctomy (SUBLIME) study.

INTRODUCTION: Over 16 000 mastectomies are performed in England and Wales annually. Acute postoperative pain and nausea are common. The most frequently occurring long-term complications are chronic pain (up to 50%) and reduced shoulder function (reported at 35%). Regional techniques that improve acute postoperative pain relief may reduce the incidence of these complications. This study assesses the effectiveness of a 24-hour continuous local anaesthetic in the subpectoral plane in improving postoperative pain and quality of life in patients undergoing mastectomy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre, parallel group trial in women undergoing mastectomy with or without axillary involvement. One hundred and sixty participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 0.25% levobupivacaine or 0.9% saline by subpectoral infusion postoperatively for 24 h. All participants will be provided with an intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system. Participants will be followed-up for 24 h in hospital and at approximately 14 days and 6 months postoperatively. Joint primary outcome measures are total morphine consumption and total pain score (captured via patient-recorded visual analogue scale (VAS) 4 hourly) during the first 24 h postoperatively. Primary statistical analysis of total pain is based on the area under the curve of pain versus time graph. Secondary outcomes include PCA attempts in first 24 h; VAS pain scores and shoulder function by goniometry at 24 h, 14 days (approximately) and 6 months; Verbal Rating Scale pain scores in first 24 h; Brief Pain Inventory and Oxford Shoulder Score at 6 months; duration of hospital stay; incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting; cost-effectiveness. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is approved by the South West England Research Ethics Committee (12/SW/0149). RESULTS: will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at local, national and international scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN46621916. EudraCT 2011-005775-16