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xviii, 294 p. ; 23 c

Hurricane Mitch: Women's Needs and Contributions

This report examines evidence from post-Mitch Central America and disasters in other parts of the world to identify the ways disasters affect women and to highlight women's participation in prevention, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. This report is based on background papers prepared on the effects of Mitch and past disasters on women, and inputs from a technical meeting with government and NGO representatives of the four countries directly affected by Mitch -El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua- and Costa Rica, which suffered indirect impacts. The report was prepared for and presented at the meeting of the Consultative Group for the Reconstruction and Transformation of Central America which took place in Stockholm, Sweden on May 25th-27th, 1999

Low Temperature Synthesis and Characterization of AlScMo3O12

Recent interest in low and negative thermal expansion materials has led to significant research on compounds that exhibit this property, much of which has targeted the A2M3O12 family (A = trivalent cation, M = Mo, W). The expansion and phase transition behavior in this family can be tuned through the choice of the metals incorporated into the structure. An undesired phase transition to a monoclinic structure with large positive expansion can be suppressed in some solid solutions by substituting the A-site by a mixture of two cations. One such material, AlScMo3O12, was successfully synthesized using non-hydrolytic sol-gel chemistry. Depending on the reaction conditions, phase separation into Al2Mo3O12 and Sc2Mo3O12 or single-phase AlScMo3O12 could be obtained. Optimized conditions for the reproducible synthesis of stoichiometric, homogeneous AlScMo3O12 were established. High resolution synchrotron diffraction experiments were carried out to confirm whether samples were homogeneous and to estimate the Al:Sc ratio through Rietveld refinement and Vegard’s law. Single-phase samples were found to adopt the orthorhombic Sc2W3O12 structure at 100 to 460 K. In contrast to all previously-reported A2M3O12 compositions, AlScMo3O12 exhibited positive thermal expansion along all unit cell axes instead of contraction along one or two axes, with expansion coefficients (200–460 K) of αa = 1.7 × 10−6 K−1, αb = 6.2 × 10−6 K−1, αc = 2.9 × 10−6 K−1 and αV = 10.8 × 10−6 K−1, respectively

Evaluation of a long pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for improvement in appearance of cellulite.

BackgroundCellulite is a common, unwanted condition, which is challenging to treat.ObjectivesThe objective of this investigation was to evaluate safety and effectiveness of a long-pulsed 1064 Nd:YAG laser as a method for improvement in cellulite appearance and to evaluate parameter selection.Materials and methodsTwenty-two female subjects with posterior leg cellulite were randomly assigned to treatment of left or right thigh with higher energy treatment with cryogen spray cooling (CSC) (10-mm spot size; 50 J/cm(2); 50-ms pulse duration and CSC settings of 30-ms duration with a 20-ms delay) or lower energy treatment with no CSC (10 mm; 20 J/cm(2); 50 ms). Subjects received three treatments at 4 weeks intervals. Digital photographs and circumference measurements were taken pre-treatment and up to 6 months post-treatment.ResultsNineteen subjects completed three treatments and 16 subjects completed 6-month follow-up. Circumference measurements pre- and post-treatment were not significantly different. Blinded evaluators noted mild improvement in three of seven subjects in high energy group and moderate improvement in two of nine subjects in low energy group.ConclusionMultiple passes with a long-pulsed 1064 Nd:YAG achieved mild or moderate improvement in some subjects as rated by blinded evaluators

Combined benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring photodynamic therapy and pulsed dye laser for port wine stain birthmarks.

BackgroundPulsed dye laser (PDL) is a commonly utilized treatment for port wine stain birthmarks (PWS) in the United States; however, results are variable and few patients achieve complete removal. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is commonly used in China, but treatment associated photosensitivity lasts several weeks and scarring may occur. We propose an alternative treatment option, combined PDT+PDL and performed a proof-of-concept preliminary clinical trial.MethodsSubjects with non-facial PWS were studied. Each subject had four test sites: control, PDL alone, PDT alone (benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A photosensitizer with 576 nm light), and PDT+PDL. Radiant exposure time for PDT was increased in increments of 15 J/cm(2). Authors evaluated photographs and chromametric measurements before and 12 weeks post-treatment.ResultsNo serious adverse events were reported; epidermal changes were mild and self-limited. No clinical blanching was noted in control or PDT-alone sites. At PDT radiant exposures of 15 and 30 J/cm(2), equivalent purpura and blanching was observed at PDL and PDT+PDL sites. At PDT radiant exposures over 30 J/cm(2), greater purpura was noted at PDT+PDL sites as compared to PDL alone. Starting at 75 J/cm(2), improved blanching was noted at PDT+PDL sites.ConclusionsPreliminary results indicate that PDT+PDL is safe and may offer improved PWS treatment efficacy. Additional studies are warranted

Combined benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring photodynamic therapy and pulsed dye laser for port wine stain birthmarks.

BackgroundPulsed dye laser (PDL) is a commonly utilized treatment for port wine stain birthmarks (PWS) in the United States; however, results are variable and few patients achieve complete removal. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is commonly used in China, but treatment associated photosensitivity lasts several weeks and scarring may occur. We propose an alternative treatment option, combined PDT+PDL and performed a proof-of-concept preliminary clinical trial.MethodsSubjects with non-facial PWS were studied. Each subject had four test sites: control, PDL alone, PDT alone (benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A photosensitizer with 576 nm light), and PDT+PDL. Radiant exposure time for PDT was increased in increments of 15 J/cm(2). Authors evaluated photographs and chromametric measurements before and 12 weeks post-treatment.ResultsNo serious adverse events were reported; epidermal changes were mild and self-limited. No clinical blanching was noted in control or PDT-alone sites. At PDT radiant exposures of 15 and 30 J/cm(2), equivalent purpura and blanching was observed at PDL and PDT+PDL sites. At PDT radiant exposures over 30 J/cm(2), greater purpura was noted at PDT+PDL sites as compared to PDL alone. Starting at 75 J/cm(2), improved blanching was noted at PDT+PDL sites.ConclusionsPreliminary results indicate that PDT+PDL is safe and may offer improved PWS treatment efficacy. Additional studies are warranted

Evaluation of a long pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for improvement in appearance of cellulite

BackgroundCellulite is a common, unwanted condition, which is challenging to treat.ObjectivesThe objective of this investigation was to evaluate safety and effectiveness of a long-pulsed 1064 Nd:YAG laser as a method for improvement in cellulite appearance and to evaluate parameter selection.Materials and methodsTwenty-two female subjects with posterior leg cellulite were randomly assigned to treatment of left or right thigh with higher energy treatment with cryogen spray cooling (CSC) (10-mm spot size; 50 J/cm(2); 50-ms pulse duration and CSC settings of 30-ms duration with a 20-ms delay) or lower energy treatment with no CSC (10 mm; 20 J/cm(2); 50 ms). Subjects received three treatments at 4 weeks intervals. Digital photographs and circumference measurements were taken pre-treatment and up to 6 months post-treatment.ResultsNineteen subjects completed three treatments and 16 subjects completed 6-month follow-up. Circumference measurements pre- and post-treatment were not significantly different. Blinded evaluators noted mild improvement in three of seven subjects in high energy group and moderate improvement in two of nine subjects in low energy group.ConclusionMultiple passes with a long-pulsed 1064 Nd:YAG achieved mild or moderate improvement in some subjects as rated by blinded evaluators