A spin- and angle-resolving photoelectron spectrometer

A new type of hemispherical electron energy analyzer that permits angle and spin resolved photoelectron spectroscopy has been developed. The analyzer permits standard angle resolved spectra to be recorded with a two-dimensional detector in parallel with spin detection using a mini-Mott polarimeter. General design considerations as well as technical solutions are discussed and test results from the Au(111) surface state are presented

The impact of water level fluctuation on the breeding success of the Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica in South-west Sweden

We evaluated the impact of water level fluctuation on the breeding success of the Black-throated Diver in South-west Sweden by using results from a one-year study of 43 lakes (49 pairs) in 1996 and surveys of a population of 16–22 pairs at the lake system Fegen-Svansjöarna in 1997–2000. At this lake system, the water level is regulated (for hydropower production) with a maximum amplitude of 1.75 m. In 1997–2000, an attempt was made to maintain a stable water level during the period 1 May–15 June. Flooding was the most important cause of breeding failure at the 43 lakes, whereas no failure could be related to this factor at Fegen-Svansjöarna. In the 43 lakes, the change in median water level during incubation was +6 cm for five flooded nests, compared to –5 cm for 14 hatched clutches and –6 cm for 13 clutches that failed because of other or unknown causes. The mean breeding success at Fegen-Svansjöarna was on the same level as for South-west Sweden in general during 1997–2000 (0.44 and 0.38 chicks per pair and year, respectively), but was higher than for the four years before the attempt to keep the water level stable (0.22 chicks). We conclude that flooding is a main cause of nesting failure, that rainfall is the main factor behind the water level fluctuations, and that the regulation of the water level for hydropower production may have an additional negative impact on some lakes. Control of the water level during the incubation period may help to reduce the risk of failure caused by flooding, and our results support previous recommendations to allow for a rise of only a few centimetres or a lowering of a maximum of 20–30 cm during the incubation period

Preserved physical fitness is associated with lower 1-year mortality in frail elderly patients with a severe comorbidity burden

Kristina Åhlund,1,2 Niklas Ekerstad,3,4 Maria Bäck,2,5 Björn W Karlson,6,7 Birgitta Öberg2 1Department of Physiotherapy, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan, Sweden; 2Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; 3Department of Research and Development, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan, Sweden; 4Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Health Care Analysis, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; 5Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; 6Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 7Department of Internal and Acute Medicine, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan-Uddevalla, Sweden Introduction: Physical deterioration in connection with a care episode is common. The aim of this study was, in frail elderly patients with a severe comorbidity burden, to analyze 1) the association between physical fitness measurements and 1-year mortality and 2) the association between preserved physical fitness during the first three months after discharge from emergency hospital care and 1-year prognosis. Methods: Frail elderly patients (≥75 years) in need of inpatient emergency medical care were included. Aerobic capacity (six-minute walk test, 6MWT) and muscle strength (handgrip strength test, HS) were assessed during the hospital stay and at a three-month follow-up. The results were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression; 1) 0–12-month analysis and 2) 0–3-month change in physical fitness in relation to 1-year mortality. The analyses were adjusted for age, gender, comorbidity and frailty. Results: This study comprised 408 frail elderly hospitalized patients of whom 390 were evaluable (mean age 85.7 years, Charlson’s index mean 6.8). The three-month mortality was 11.5% and the 1-year mortality was 37.9%. After adjustments, the Cox-regression analysis showed that both 6MWT and HS were associated with 1-year mortality, HR6MWT 3.31 (95% CI 1.89–5.78, p<0.001) and HRHS 2.39 (95% CI 1.33–4.27, p=0.003). The 0–3-month change in the 6MWT and the HS were associated with 1-year mortality, where patients who deteriorated had a poorer prognosis than those with improved fitness, HR6MWT 3.80 (95% CI 1.42–10.06, p=0.007) and HRHS 2.21 (95% CI 1.07–4.58, p=0.032). Conclusion: In frail elderly patients with a severe comorbidity burden, physical fitness in connection with emergency hospital care was independently associated with 1-year mortality. Moreover, a change in physical fitness during the first months after hospital care was important for the long-term prognosis. These results emphasize the importance of providing hospital care designed to prevent physical deterioration in frail elderly patients. Keywords: frail elderly, mortality, physical fitness, six-minute walk test, handgrip strength test, in-hospital rehabilitatio

STM and XPS characterization of zinc phthalocyanine on InSb(001)

Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) adsorbed on the InSb(0 0 1)-c(8 x 2) surface has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Coverages from sub-monolayer to monolayer (ML) have been investigated. The molecules form ordered structures on the reconstructed rows of the surface with the molecular plane parallel to the surface. A change in the electronic structure between the sub-ML and higher coverages has been observed. Moreover, in order to study the influence of annealing on the electronic and geometric structures, the samples have been heated to elevated temperatures (about 640 K). In addition, multi-layer ZnPc films have been characterized by XPS measurements

Potassium-intercalated H2Pc films: Alkali-induced electronic and geometrical modifications

X-ray spectroscopy studies of potassium intercalated metal-free phthalocyanine multilayers adsorbed on Al(110) have been undertaken. Photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show the presence of several charge states of the molecules upon K intercalation, due to a charge transfer from the alkali. In addition, the comparison of valence band photoemission spectra with the density functional theory calculations of the density of states of the H2Pc− anion indicates a filling of the formerly lowest unoccupied molecular orbital by charge transfer from the alkali. This is further confirmed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies, which show a decreased density of unoccupied states. XAS measurements in different experimental geometries reveal that the molecules in the pristine film are standing upright on the surface or are only slightly tilted away from the surface normal but upon K intercalation, the molecular orientation is changed in that the tilt angle of the molecules increases.