The role of fluids in high-pressure polymorphism of drugs: Different behaviour of β-chlorpropamide in different inert gas and liquid media

Compression of β-chlorpropamide gives different phases depending on the choice of non-dissolving pressure-transmitting fluid (paraffin, neon and helium).</p

Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy

Background: Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods: ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Findings: Between Jan 15, 2008, and Dec 31, 2020, 3625 patients in 130 centres were randomly allocated, 1811 to CAS and 1814 to CEA, with good compliance, good medical therapy and a mean 5 years of follow-up. Overall, 1% had disabling stroke or death procedurally (15 allocated to CAS and 18 to CEA) and 2% had non-disabling procedural stroke (48 allocated to CAS and 29 to CEA). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year non-procedural stroke were 2·5% in each group for fatal or disabling stroke, and 5·3% with CAS versus 4·5% with CEA for any stroke (rate ratio [RR] 1·16, 95% CI 0·86–1·57; p=0·33). Combining RRs for any non-procedural stroke in all CAS versus CEA trials, the RR was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (overall RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·91–1·32; p=0·21). Interpretation: Serious complications are similarly uncommon after competent CAS and CEA, and the long-term effects of these two carotid artery procedures on fatal or disabling stroke are comparable. Funding: UK Medical Research Council and Health Technology Assessment Programme

Wine branding:developing a framework for the Cyprus wine industry

This conference covered the branding of the wine industry in Cyrpus

Wine marketing: a survey investigation in the Cyprus wine industry

Paper investigating the marketing of wine in Cyprus

Reasoned action and food choice in a transitional economy

This study examines predictive factors of consumer behaviour in food, employing a study of 485 Romanian respondents using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Drawing on a structural equation models approach, causal paths for six products were estimated. Habit emerged as the most significant predictor of behavioral intention. The results of this empirical study support the notion that attitudes and habits influence behavioral intentions toward food consumption. A modification of the TRA, within the context of income constraints, is proposed in the form of willingness to consume. Competing structural models are discussed, and the implications of the study for both marketers and consumers are highlighted

High-pressure crystallography : how to see the structure of materials…deeper

During recent decades the number of high-pressure crystallographic studies has rapidly increased. This has been possible owing to the diamond-anvil cell, a small, relatively cheap and save apparatus breaking all records of static pressure. The diamond-anvil cell is suitable for diffraction structural studies, optical and IR spectroscopy and many other types of physical measurements; it can be also applied as a microscopic chemical reaction chamber. High pressure is now often used for synthesizing super-hard materials, new polymorphs and solvates with unique properties required in high-tech applications as well as in food processing and pharmaceutical industry

Patient and Caregiver Perception of Adenoidectomies: A Non‐Real‐World Social Media Analysis

Abstract Objective To survey the social media outlets Twitter and Instagram for public posts related to adenoidectomy surgery. This study aims to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of patients and caregivers on social media, through thematic content‐analysis of social media posts regarding adenoidectomy. Study Design Non‐real world qualitative study. Setting Twitter and Instagram social media platforms. Methods Public posts uploaded between February, 2021 and February, 2023 using the hashtags “#adenoidectomy,” and “#adenoidectomyrecovery” were searched. Posts were excluded if they were unrelated to adenoidectomy or were in a non‐English language. Relevant posts were stratified demographically as patient or caregiver and pre‐ or postoperative, and categorized into relevant themes for analysis. Outcomes were measured as the total number of posts. Results A total of 394 relevant posts were analyzed. A significance threshold of P < 0.05 was used. Patients posted significantly more posts regarding procedure pain (P = 0.002) and concern for appearance (P = 0.048) compared to caregivers. Caregivers posted significantly (P < 0.001) more posts regarding condition awareness and were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to spread positivity in their posts compared to patients themselves. Posts made by female caregivers were more likely to reference fear, while those made by male caregivers were more likely to provide education (P = 0.002). Conclusion Patients may worry about appearance and mental health while caregivers are more likely to spread information and positivity. Male and female caregivers may also use social media differently. A better understanding of patient and caregiver concerns may optimize physician interaction and involvement

Minority joint venture A UK-Nigerian case study

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Lending Division - LD:6224.121(8502) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Investigation of Free Space Optical Detection Module Operating at the Wavelength Range of 8-12 μm

The paper presents the construction and test results of a long-term radiation detector module for free space optical communication operated at the wavelength range of 8-12 μm. In the module a Polish detector manufactured in the company Vigo System S.A. was applied. High sensitivity of the detection module was achieved through a multi-layered heterostructure HgCdTe with immersion lens, which is optimized for the radiation detection at the wavelength of 10 μm. Detector noises were reduced as a result of detector cooling by means of four-stage thermoelectric cooler. The developed detection module is dedicated to design a next-generation optical data link. The link will be characterized by a greater range in difficult weather conditions in relation to the currently offered links operating at the shorter wavelengths

The Croonian Lecture 2004 Risk: food, fact and fantasy

We all take risks, but most of the time we do not notice them. We are generally bad at judging the risks we take, and in the end, for some of us, this will prove fatal. Eating, like everything else in life, is not risk free. Is that next mouthful pure pleasure, or will it give you food poisoning? Will it clog your arteries as well as filling your stomach? This lecture weaves together three strands—the public understanding of science, the perception of risk and the role of science in informing government policy—as it explains how food risks are assessed and managed by government and explores the boundaries between the responsibilities of the individual and the regulator. In doing so, it draws upon the science of risk assessment as well as our attitudes to risk in relation to issues such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, dioxins in salmon and diet and obesity