Health technology assessment: a sociological commentary on reflexive innovation

This study provides a sociological commentary on the current debates within health technology assessment (HTA), specifically in response to the approaches taken in France, The Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It argues that HTA is part of a wider reflexive innovation system that seeks to order current and prospective technologies. The study discusses the socio-political process of HTA priority setting, the rhetorical role of HTA, the localised and contingent use of HTA, and the policy gap between guidelines and practice. It argues for the development of new types of methodologies for assessment and for a stronger social embedding of HTA practice

A new intermediate for the production of flexible stable polymers

Method of incorporating ether linkages into perfluoroalkylene segment of a dianydride intermediate yields intermediate that may be used in synthesis of flexible, stable polyimides for use as high-temperature, solvent-resistant sealants

Development of improved potting and conformal coating compounds

Improved organic potting and conformal coating materials protect fragile electronic components and circuitry from mechanical shock and vibration, moisture, and corrosion. These materials meet specifications covering resistance to cycling, radiation, flammability, and sterilizing agents for certain space applications

Structural Studies of Nonionic Dodecanol Ethoxylates at the Oil–Water Interface: Effect of Increasing Head Group Size

The conformation of charged surfactants at the oil-water interface was recently reported. With the aim to assess the role of the head group size on the conformation of the adsorbed layer, we have extended these studies to a series of non-ionic dodecanol ethoxylate surfactants (C12En, ethylene oxide units n from 6 to 12). The study was performed using neutron reflectometry to enable maximum sensitivity to buried interfaces. Similarly to charged surfactants, the interface was found to be broader and rougher compared to the air-water interface. Irrespectively of the head group size, the tail group region was found to assume a staggered conformation. The conformations of the head group were found to be significantly different compared to the air-water interface, moving from a globular to an almost fully extended conformation at the oil-water interface. The stretching of the head groups is attributed to the presence of some hexadecane oil molecules, which may penetrate all the way to this region. It is proposed here that the presence of the oil, which can efficiently solvate the surfactant tail groups, plays a key role in the conformation of the adsorbed layer and is responsible for the broadening of the interface

Planting on Rural School Grounds

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