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Infrared (IR) predissociation of hydrogen-bonded ternary cluster ions such as aniline-water-ethanol (AWE(+)), aniline-water-isopropanol (AWP(+)), aniline-methanol-ethanol (AME(+)), aniline-water-pyrrole (AWPy(+)), and aniline-water-benzene (AWB(+)) was examined in the region of 2700-4000 cm(-1) to explore the key factors which determine the branching ratios in the concurrent unimolecular dissociation. The smaller solvent molecule was predominantly ejected when the binding energies of the two were not too different. On the other hand, when they were far off, the binding energy also acted significantly on the branching ratio. Besides, mode-selective IR predissociation was observed, while the selectivity was not quite distinct. The IR predissociation of ternary cluster ions bound via hydrogen bonding is considered to occur on a time scale much faster than intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution, which was proved by a statistical transition state theory.

Background: The results of modified Kidner procedures have generally been satisfactory at short-term followup. The objective of this study was to evaluate the midterm followup results including medial longitudinal arch height., Methods: Forty-one patients (50 feet) with a symptomatic accessory navicular who underwent the modified Kidner procedure between July 1999 and February 2004 were evaluated. A midfoot AOFAS score, VAS score, and satisfaction rate were recorded. The talo-first metatarsal (T-MT1), talo-calcaneal (TC), and calcaneal pitch (CP) angles were measured on plain radiographs. Average clinical and radiological followup periods were 88.4 ±17.0 months and 85.7 ±15.0 months, respectively., Results: The mean preoperative and followup AOFAS scores were 40.8 ±7.1 (range, 32 to 57), and 88.4 ±7.9 (range, 72 to 100), respectively (p < 0.01). The mean preoperative and followup VAS scores were 7.1 ±1.0 (range, 4 to 9) and 1.8 ±1.0 (range, 0 to 5), respectively (p < 0.01). At last followup , the satisfaction rate was 82.0%. There were no significant differences between preoperative and followup T-MT1 (p = 1.00), TC (p = 0.84), and CP (p = 0.08) angles. Increased medial longitudinal arch was found in four of 16 feet in patients 15 years of age or younger with followup radiographs., Conclusion: We found the modified Kidner procedure could result in symptomatic relief and high satisfaction rate without a loss of arch height in any patient.

Background and Objectives: Dapsone is used as an antibiotic for leprosy and for dermatological disorders and may cause methemoglobinemia. The aims of this study are to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with dapsone ingestion to identify risk factors associated with mortality., Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of adult ED patients with methemoglobinemia because of dapsone intoxication admitted to a tertiary care hospital from September 2003 to December 2008. Data collected included demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics, as well as survival to discharge. Characteristics of young (less than or equal to 55 years) and older (greater than age 55) patients were compared. The main outcome was in-hospital mortality., Results: There were 46 patients included in the study. The minimum intoxication dose was two 100 mg tablets and the maximum was 100 tablets. Changes in mental status were more common in the older patients. Methemoglobin levels were slightly higher in the younger patients, but both groups were treated with similar doses of methylene blue. Shock and death were more common in the older patients., Conclusions: Late presentation to medical care and an altered mental status at the time of presentation were predictive of death after dapsone intoxication. Methemoglobin levels tended to be higher in those who died.

We fabricated hexagonal arrays of Co/Pt nanodots on Si surfaces by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using cylindrically phase-separated polystyrene-b-poly(methylmethacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer thin films as templates after the removal of PMMA. The size and the separation of the nanodots were 23 and 40 nm, respectively, and the density of the nanodots was 1.5 x 10(11)/cm2. The magnetic properties of nanodot arrays measured by vibrating sample magnetometer were compared with those of PLD grown film. The films showed magnetic anisotropy with an easy axis in the in-plane direction, whereas no noticeable anisotropy was observed for nanodot arrays. In addition, the saturation magnetization (Ms) of both the Co/Pt nanodots and the film increased with the Pt content.

We present the integration of a cyclo olefin copolymer microfluidic chip with electrochemical pumps and an SU-8 tip for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The electrochemical pump, using electrolysis as an internal pressure source, was fabricated directly on the surface of the polymer chip. The triangular SU-8 emitter tip was fabricated on a glass wafer using standard photolithography. After release from the glass wafer, this tip was aligned to the microchannel and bonded between two polymer plates. The electrochemical pump and the electrospray tip were tested with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry confirmed the stability of the electrochemical pump and the electrospray tip.