29 research outputs found
Clozapine: when to start, how to augment and guidelines for management
RANZCP AbstractsB O'Donaghue, D Siskind, N Warren, S Clar
Being positive: revisiting the elevated sodium permeability hypothesis in cystic fibrosis
Correlation of Fabrication Methods and Enhanced Wear Performance in Nanoporous Anodic Aluminum Oxide with Incorporated Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) Nanomaterials
Wear performance is integral to component longevity, minimizing industrial waste and excess energy costs in a wide variety of applications. Anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) has many beneficial properties leading to its wide use across industries as a surface treatment for many aluminum components, but the wear properties of the coating could be improved significantly. Here, we used an electrochemical method to incorporate molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a nanomaterial used as a dry lubricant, to modify alloys of aluminum during AAO preparation. Using Raman spectroscopy and tribological scratch measurements, we thoroughly characterized the structure and wear behavior of the films. The MoS2 deposition procedure was optimal on aluminum 5052 anodized in higher acid concentrations, with friction coefficients at around 0.05 (~10× better than unmodified AAO). Changing anodization conditions to produce harder films with smaller pores led to worsened wear properties, likely because of lower MoS2 content. Studying a commercial MoS2/AAO film of a different Al alloy (7075) showed that a heat treatment step intended to fully convert all deposited MoSx species to MoS2 can adversely affect wear in some alloys. While Al 6061 and 1100 produced films with worse wear performance compared to Al 5052 or 7075, our results show evidence that acid cleaning after initial anodization likely removes residual alloying elements, affecting MoS2 incorporation. This study demonstrates a nanomaterial modified AAO film with superior wear characteristics to unmodified AAO and relates fabrication procedure, film structure, and practical performance
A prospective evaluation of the repeatability and reliability of new steady-state pattern electroretinogram parameters
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of a new Pattern Electroretinography (PERG) device in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 40 eyes of 20 healthy subjects (45.6 +/- 6.8 y, 70% female) were enrolled in this prospective study. Steady-state PERG were recorded using the Diopsys NOVA (Diopsys Inc., NJ) to obtain the Magnitude, MagnitudeD, MagnitudeD/Magnitude Ratio, and Signal to Noise Ratio. Subjects underwent 2 "contrast sensitivity" protocols with the same electrodes and 2 after changing electrodes, by a single examiner. Eyes were stimulated separately using high and low contrast patterns. The same examination was repeated by a different operator following the same protocol 6 months after the baseline measures. Repeatability and reproducibility of the readings were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A Bland-Altman plot was used to analyze the agreement between measures. Results: ICC of Magnitude, MagnitudeD, MagnitudeD/Magnitude ratio, and SNR were 0.87, 0.81, 0.36, and 0.81, respectively between measures taken with the same electrodes (repeatability). After changing electrodes, ICC of the Magnitude, MagD, MagD/Mag ratio, and SNR were 0.79, 0.85, 0.51, and 0.83, respectively during the same session as baseline measures, and 0.87, 0.85, 0.40, and 0.76 when repeated after 6 months (reproducibility). The variability of MagD/Mag ratio increased with successive test repetitions. Conclusions: Mag, MagD, and SNR were repeatable and reproducible, whereas the MagD/Mag ratio was less repeatable and reproducible. These results suggest that the former parameters are sufficiently reliable to be used in clinical practice