Alpha-multiplicity in 12C induced reactions

Average a-multiplicities have been determined from a-a coincidence data in the 12C + 16°Gd reaction at bombarding energies of 120 MeV and 200 MeV. The results show that the incomplete fusion reactions a(12C, a) and a(12C, 2a), and the 3a-particle breakup a(12C, 3a) can account for the large inclusive c~-production cross sectio

Risk factors for wound infection in surgery for spinal metastasis

Wound infection rates are generally higher in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis. Risk factors of wound infection in these patients are poorly understood. Purpose To identify demographic and clinical variables that may be associated with patients experiencing a higher wound infection rate. Study design Retrospective study with prospectively collected data of spinal metastasis patients operated consecutively at a University Teaching Hospital, adult spine division which is a tertiary referral centre for complex spinal surgery. Patient sample Ninety-eight patients were all surgically treated, consecutively from January 2009 to September 2011. Three patients had to be excluded due to inadequate data. Outcome measures Physiological measures, with presence or absence of microbiologically proven infection. Methods Various demographic and clinical data were recorded, including age, serum albumin level, blood total lymphocyte count, corticosteroid intake, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) score, neurological disability, skin closure material used, levels of surgery and administration of peri-operative corticosteroids. No funding was received from any sources for this study and as far as we are aware, there are no potential conflict of interest-associated biases in this study. Results Higher probabilities of infection were associated with low albumin level, seven or more levels of surgery, use of delayed/non-absorbable skin closure material and presence of neurological disability. Of these factors, levels of surgery were found to be statistically significant at the 5 % significance level. Conclusion Risk of infection is high (17.9 %) in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis. Seven or more vertebral levels of surgery increase the risk of infection significantly (p < 0.05). Low albumin level and presence of neurological disability appear to show a trend towards increased risk of infection. Use of absorbable skin closure material, age, low lymphocyte count, peri-operative administration of corticosteroids and MUST score do not appear to influence the risk of infection

A birefringent and transparent electrical conductor

We have developed a range of thin film coatings that are transparent in the visible, electrically conducting, adjustably birefringent and capable of aligning calamitic liquid crystals. The coatings were fabricated from indium tin oxide by oblique or glancing angle deposition, and a wide range of microstructures such as helices, chevrons, uniaxial posts and biaxial slabs were produced. Under many deposition conditions, these structures showed optical transmittance and electrical conductivity comparable to standard indium tin oxide, yet a strong form birefringence (Δn > 0.07 at 589 nm) was also measured. In addition, many coatings were found to be capable of aligning liquid crystals along a common director, leading us to conclude that the technology may be useful in liquid crystal displays and other lightwave applications

Different mechanisms of Ca2(+)-handling following nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation, P2U-purinoceptor stimulation and K(+)-induced depolarization in C2C12 myotubes.

1. The increase in intracellular CA2+ on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) stimulation, P2U-purinoceptor stimulation and K(+)-induced depolarization was investigated in mouse C2C12 myotubes by use of fura-2 fluorescence to characterize the intracellular organisation of Ca2+ releasing stores and Ca(2+)-entry process. 2. Stimulation of nAChRs with carbachol induced a rapid rise in internal Ca2+ (EC50 = 0.85 +/- 0.09 microM), followed by a sustained phase. The Ca2+ response evoked by carbachol (10 microM) was completely blocked by the nAChR antagonist, pancuronium (3 microM), but was not affected by the muscarinic antagonist, atropine (3 microM), or under conditions when Ca2+ entry was blocked by La3+ (50 microM) or diltiazem (10 microM). Addition of pancuronium (3 microM) during the sustained phase of the carbachol-evoked response did not affect this phase. 3. Stimulation of P2U purinoceptors with ATP (1 mM) induced a somewhat higher biphasic Ca2+ response (EC50 of the rapid phase: 8.72 +/- 0.08 microM) than with carbachol. Pretreatment with La3+ abolished the sustained phase of the ATP-induced Ca2+ response, while the response was unaffected by diltiazem or pancuronium. 4. Stimulation of the cells with high K+ (60 mM), producing the same depolarization as with carbachol (10 microM), induced a rapid monophasic Ca2+ response, insensitive to diltiazem, pancuronium or La3+. 5. Under Ca(2+)-free conditions, the sustained phase of the carbachol- and ATP-evoked responses were abolished. Pre-emptying of depolarization-sensitive stores by high K+ under Ca(2+)-free conditions did not affect the carbachol- or ATP-evoked Ca2+ mobilization and vice versa. Preincubation of the cells with ATP in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ decreased the amplitude of the subsequent carbachol-induced Ca2+ response to 11%, while in the reverse procedure the ATP-induced response was decreased to 65%. Ca2+ mobilization evoked by simultaneous addition of optimal concentrations of carbachol and ATP was increased compared to levels obtained with either agonist. 6. Preincubation with high K+ under normal conditions abolished the sustained phase of the ATP-evoked Ca2+ response. The carbachol response consisted only of the sustained phase in the presence of high K+. 7. The carbachol-induced Ca2+ response was completely abolished under low Na+/Ca(2+)-free conditions, while under low Na+ conditions only a sustained Ca2+ response was observed. The ATP- and K(+)-induced responses were changed compared to Ca(2+)-free conditions. 8. ATP (300 microM) induced the formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 under Ca(2+)-free conditions with a comparable time course to that found for the rise in internal Ca2+. In contrast to ATP, carbachol (10 microM) did not affect Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels under Ca(2+)-free conditions. 9. It is concluded that the Ca2+ release from discrete stores of C2C12 myotubes is induced by stimulation of nAChRs, P2U-purinoceptors and by high K+. Only the P2U-purinoceptor and nAChR activated stores show considerable overlap in releasable Ca2+. Sustained Ca(2+)-entry is activated by stimulation of nAChRs and P2U-purinoceptors via separate ion-channels, which are different from the skeletal muscle nAChR-coupled cation-channel

Optical performance of porous TiO 2 chiral thin films

Porous thin film structures have been fabricated by physical vapor deposition at an incident flux angle that was typically greater than 80°. This deposition technique, often called glancing angle deposition (GLAD), was used to create thin films composed of isolated helical columns. Modification of the deposition parameters was used to control the porosity, the handedness, and the pitch of the helical structure. The high porosity of the GLAD film (>50%) permits fluids, and in particular liquid crystals (LC), to be incorporated into the voids of the nanostructure. We present the results of a study assessing the effect of film material, chiral morphology, and liquid crystalline material on the optical performance of helical GLAD films. Films fabricated from TiO 2, a high refractive index material, exhibited strong optical rotation of linearly polarized light and selective reflection of circularly polarized light. By increasing the number of turns of the helix the chiral optical response was enhanced, and by tailoring the pitch of the helical columns, the wavelength-dependence of the reflection band was tuned to preferentially reflect red, green, or blue light

Optical performance of porous TiO \u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e chiral thin films

\u3cp\u3ePorous thin film structures have been fabricated by physical vapor deposition at an incident flux angle that was typically greater than 80°. This deposition technique, often called glancing angle deposition (GLAD), was used to create thin films composed of isolated helical columns. Modification of the deposition parameters was used to control the porosity, the handedness, and the pitch of the helical structure. The high porosity of the GLAD film (&gt;50%) permits fluids, and in particular liquid crystals (LC), to be incorporated into the voids of the nanostructure. We present the results of a study assessing the effect of film material, chiral morphology, and liquid crystalline material on the optical performance of helical GLAD films. Films fabricated from TiO \u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e, a high refractive index material, exhibited strong optical rotation of linearly polarized light and selective reflection of circularly polarized light. By increasing the number of turns of the helix the chiral optical response was enhanced, and by tailoring the pitch of the helical columns, the wavelength-dependence of the reflection band was tuned to preferentially reflect red, green, or blue light.\u3c/p\u3

A birefringent and transparent electrical conductor

\u3cp\u3eWe have developed a range of thin film coatings that are transparent in the visible, electrically conducting, adjustably birefringent and capable of aligning calamitic liquid crystals. The coatings were fabricated from indium tin oxide by oblique or glancing angle deposition, and a wide range of microstructures such as helices, chevrons, uniaxial posts and biaxial slabs were produced. Under many deposition conditions, these structures showed optical transmittance and electrical conductivity comparable to standard indium tin oxide, yet a strong form birefringence (Δn &gt; 0.07 at 589 nm) was also measured. In addition, many coatings were found to be capable of aligning liquid crystals along a common director, leading us to conclude that the technology may be useful in liquid crystal displays and other lightwave applications.\u3c/p\u3