Two photon absorption and photo-induced polymerization in partially polymerized crystals of polydiacetylene poly 4,6-dodecadiyn-1,10-diol-bis(n-butoxycarbonylmethylurethane)

We investigated the validity of noninteracting molecular chain theories for fully polymerized polydiacetylene crystals by measuring the two photon absorption spectrum of poly[4,6-dodecadiyn-1,10-diol-bis(n-butoxycarbonylmethylurethane)] chains isolated in their monomer matrix and comparing the results to those obtained previously from polydiacetylene single crystals. Data were taken over 800-940 nm using Z-scan and the measurements were found to be consistent with previously measured results in polydiacetylene single crystal poly[bis(p-toluene sulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol], indicating the validity of the isolated molecule theoretical approach. We also report a low photo-induced polymerization threshold

Two photon absorption and photo-induced polymerization in partially polymerized crystals of polydiacetylene poly 4,6-dodecadiyn-1,10-diol-bis(n-butoxycarbonylmethylurethane)

We investigated the validity of noninteracting molecular chain theories for fully polymerized polydiacetylene crystals by measuring the two photon absorption spectrum of poly[4,6-dodecadiyn-1,10-diol-bis(n-butoxycarbonylmethylurethane)] chains isolated in their monomer matrix and comparing the results to those obtained previously from polydiacetylene single crystals. Data were taken over 800-940 nm using Z-scan and the measurements were found to be consistent with previously measured results in polydiacetylene single crystal poly[bis(p-toluene sulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol], indicating the validity of the isolated molecule theoretical approach. We also report a low photo-induced polymerization threshold

Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension: Recent data (eleven cases) and review of the literature

Eight cases of Shy-Drager syndrome and three of Bradbury-Eggleston idiopathic orthostatic hypotension were examined. In all cases, examination of circulatory reflexes showed major dysfunction of the sympathetic vasoconstrictor system. Anomalies in the vagal cardiomoderator system were less constant. Normal urinary elimination of catecholamines was recorded daily. Characteristically, no elevation of blood or urine norepinephrine levels were found in orthostatism. Insulin hypoglycemia normally raised urinary adrenalin elimination in three of ten patients. Plasma dopa-beta-hydroxylase activity was normal. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system showed variable activity at basal state but usually rose during orthostatism. On the average, very low homovanillic acid levels were found in cerebrospinal fluid before and after probenecid; hydroxyindolacetic acid was normal. Cerebral autoregulation had deteriorated in two of four cases. Physiopathologically the two clinical types are indistinguishable with or without central neurological signs

Survival advantage of hemodialysis relative to peritoneal dialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease and congestive heart failure

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been proposed as a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage renal disease and associated congestive heart failure (CHF). Here, we compare mortality risks in these patients by dialysis modality by including all patients who started planned chronic dialysis with associated congestive heart failure and were prospectively enrolled in the French REIN Registry. Survival was compared between 933 PD and 3468 hemodialysis (HD) patients using a Kaplan–Meier model, Cox regression, and propensity score analysis. The patients were followed from their first dialysis session and stratified by modality at day 90 or last modality if death occurred prior. There was a significant difference in the median survival time of 20.4 months in the PD group and 36.7 months in the HD group (hazard ratio, 1.55). After correction for confounders, the adjusted hazard ratio for death in PD compared to the HD patients remained significant at 1.48. Subgroup analyses showed that the results were not changed with regard to the New York Heart Association stage, age strata, or estimated glomerular filtration rate strata at first renal replacement therapy. The use of propensity score did not change results (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.55). Thus, mortality risk was higher with PD than with HD among incident patients with end-stage renal disease and congestive heart failure. These results may help guide clinical decisions and also highlight the need for randomized clinical trials

Macroscopic coherence of a single exciton state in a polydiacetylene organic quantum wire

We show that a single exciton state in an individual ordered conjugated polymer chain exhibits macroscopic quantum spatial coherence reaching tens of microns, limited by the chain length. The spatial coherence of the k=0 exciton state is demonstrated by selecting two spatially separated emitting regions of the chain and observing their interference.Comment: 12 pages with 2 figure

Stroke care in Brazil and France : national policies and healthcare indicators comparison

Objective: To identify the commonalities and discrepancies between national health policies to combat stroke in France and Brazil. Justification: Both healthcare systems were structured as universal access and comprehensive care attention, hierarchized by the level of care, politically and administratively decentralized. France is an industrialized, high-income country, with health care involving copayment and reimbursement of expenses, and spontaneous demand for services. Brazil is a member of the BRICs, of upper middle income with totally free health care, with an active search for hypertension and diabetes in the general population. Methods: Data regarding policies, risk factors, and health indicators about stroke care, from 2010 to 2017, were obtained from both countries (publicly accessible information or on request) from the respective Ministries of Health or international agencies. Results: About acute stroke hospitalizations, on average, Brazil has 0.75 per 1000 annual population hospitalizations versus 1.54 per 1000 in France. Brazil has 0.21 per 1000 population deaths per year versus 0.40 per 1000 in France. The in-hospital mortality rate in Brazil has 139 per 1000 hospitalized people versus 263 in France. The average length of stay of acute hospitalizations was 7.6 days in Brazil versus 12.6 in France. The prevalence of strokes by age group shows from 0 to 39 years old (this rate is stable); 40–59 years (it is increasing in both countries); and 60–79 and 80+ years (this rate has been increasing in France and decreasing in Brazil). Conclusion: No major differences were found about the health policies and the National Health Plans related to stroke. However, the data directly linked to the period of hospitalization differed substantially between countries. Subsequent studies can be implemented to identify the explanatory factors, notably among the risk factors and actions in primary care, and the moments after hospital care, such as secondary prevention and palliative care

The mid-depth circulation of the northwestern tropical Atlantic observed by floats

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2009. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 56 (2009): 1615-1632, doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2009.06.002.A comprehensive analysis of velocity data from subsurface floats in the northwestern tropical Atlantic at two depth layers is presented: one representing the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW, pressure range 600–1050 dbar), the other the upper North Atlantic Deep Water (uNADW, pressure range 1200–2050 dbar). New data from three independent research programs are combined with previously available data to achieve blanket coverage in space for the AAIW layer, while coverage in the uNADW remains more intermittent. Results from the AAIW mainly confirm previous studies on the mean flow, namely the equatorial zonal and the boundary currents, but clarify details on pathways, mostly by virtue of the spatial data coverage that sets float observations apart from e. g. shipborne or mooring observations. Mean transports in each of five zonal equatorial current bands is found to be between 2.7 and 4.5 Sv. Pathways carrying AAIW northward beyond the North Brazil Undercurrent are clearly visible in the mean velocity field, in particular a northward transport of 3.7 Sv across 16° N between the Antilles islands and the Mid- Atlantic Ridge. New maps of Lagrangian eddy kinetic energy and integral time scales are presented to quantify mesoscale activity. For the uNADW, mean flow and mesoscale properties are discussed as data availability allows. Trajectories in the uNADWeast of the Lesser Antilles reveal interactions between the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) and the basin interior, which can explain recent hydrographic observations of changes in composition of DWBC water along its southward flow.MOVE was funded by the Bundesministerium fu¨r Bildung und Forschung (grants 03F0246A and 03F0377B) as well as by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grant SE815/21), NBC by the National Science Foundation through grants OCE 97-29765 and OCE 01-36477, and SAMBA was fully supported by Ifremer