Argonne National Laboratory Reports

Measurements of the optical properties of metallic aluminum are reviewed and available data are analyzed to obtain the bulk values of the optical constants and the complex dielectric function from 0.04 eV to 10 keV. The intra- and interband contributions to the dielectric function are discussed briefly, and recently proposed values for the Drude parameters describing the intraband absorption are critically considered. Factors influencing experimental measurements are discussed with emphasis on sample properties such as surface oxide layers, bulk inclusion of gases, surface roughness, and degree of crystallinity. The results of recent optical measurements are tabulated, along with recommended values of the optical properties resulting from a self-consistent Kramers-Kronig analysis of reflectance, transmission, and electron-energy-loss studies. The tabular data include the complex dielectric function, the complex index of refraction, and the reflectance and phase shift for normal incidence on a smooth, oxide-free surface. Detailed tabulations are given for the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum

Randomised controlled trial of a brief alcohol intervention in a general hospital setting

BACKGROUND: The evidence suggests that brief alcohol-focused interventions, directed at hazardous and harmful drinkers in non-specialist settings such as primary care are effective in reducing alcohol consumption. However, there is a need for further research in the hospital setting. This is a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of a 10-minute brief intervention amongst 'at risk’ drinkers admitted to general hospital wards. Unlike some previous trials, this trial is randomised, used blinded assessors, includes an intention-to-treat analysis, included female subjects and excluded people with alcohol dependence. METHODS: A total of 250 'at risk’ drinkers admitted to King’s College Hospital were identified using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Some 154 subjects entered the study and were randomly allocated to the control and intervention groups. Subjects in the control group received no advice about their drinking whilst subjects in the intervention group received 10 minutes of simple advice on reducing alcohol consumption. Recruitment took place between 1995 and 1997. The primary outcome was the AUDIT questionnaire at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were a previous week’s Drinks Diary, questionnaires (General Health Questionnaire, Alcohol Problems Questionnaire and the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire) and laboratory blood tests (gamma glutamyl transferase, mean cell volume and haemoglobin). RESULTS: At 3-month and 12-month follow-up, all participants were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. At both time points there was no evidence of an intervention effect that could be attributed to the brief intervention. Both the intervention and control groups had an improved AUDIT score and reduced levels of alcohol consumption as measured by a subjective Drinks Diary at 3 months which was maintained at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study has added further evidence on brief interventions in the hospital setting. In contrast to the recent Cochrane review by McQueen et al., the results of this study do not support the effectiveness of a brief alcohol intervention in general hospital wards. However our study was underpowered and there were flaws in the statistical analyses, and these limitations temper the strength of our conclusions

Identification of alpha3, alpha4 and alpha5 chains of type IV collagen as alloantigens for Alport posttransplant anti-GBM antibodies

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Directional Control of Radiation Heat Transfer by V-Groove Cavities-Collimation of Energy in Direction Normal to Cavity Opening

for the case of p 0 = 0. The rays striking the emitter surface may cause the temperature increase, and may damage the heater surface. The heater is not damaged for the involute reflector because the emitted rays are not absorbed by the emitter. Comparison With Experimental Data. The experimental data for involute and circular arc reflectors show relatively good accordance. Especially the values in the vicinity of the aperture edges of IR agreed; nevertheless, the directional reflectivity of the aluminum was derived from the theoretical value for X = 0.5 ^m. In the experimental data, there are several parts that are smaller than the theoretical prediction. This is due to the fact that the directional radiant intensity on the surface of the fluorescent lamp is not ideally uniform, but is of a smaller value at large emission angle 9; hence, the effect results in a lower value of experimental data than the prediction. For practical application of the involute reflector, some deformation of the involute may be needed for improving the effect of unisotropic emission characteristics of the emitter surface