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Health care organisations are required to deliver high quality evidence based and cost effective clinical care. Generating research evidence, appraising new published evidence and integrating it into clinical practice is time-consuming but an essential component in the continuous improvement of care delivery. This article is a personal reflection on the impact of research in clinical practice in a busy, single breast imaging unit from a number of different perspectives. It also highlights a number of benefits that are to be realised both from a service delivery perspective and across the whole staff team from engagement in such activity, which is an integral aspect of our work.

Zeolites have important industrial applications including use as catalysts, molecular sieves and ion exchange materials. In this study, three zeolite materials have been characterized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as reference materials (RMs): zeolite Y (RM 8850), zeolite A (RM 8851) and ZSM-5 zeolite (RM 8852). They have been characterized by a variety of chemical and physical measurement methods: X-ray fluorescence (XRF), gravimetry, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), calorimetry, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, laser light extinction, laser light scattering, electric sensing zone, X-ray sedimentation, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The chemical homogeneity of the materials has been characterized. Reference values are given for the major components (major elements, loss on ignition [LOI] and loss on fusion [LOF]), trace elements and Si/Al and Na/Al ratios. Information values are given for enthalpies of formation, unit cell parameters, particle size distributions, refractive indices and variation of mass with variation in relative humidity (RH). Comparisons are made to literature unit cell parameters. The RMs are expected to provide a basis for intercomparison studies of these zeolite materials.

At present, there is a great deal of discussion about the use of lubricants in machining. Industry and research institutions are looking for ways to reduce the use of lubricants because of ecological and economical reasons. While there are established applications of dry turning and milling, dry drilling presents special difficulties due to the problems of swarf clearance from the drill flutes and consequent heat build-up and clogging. The rising costs associated with the use and disposal of cutting fluid have forced engineers to concern themselves more intensively with questions of cooling technology. Included in these concerns are topics such as cooling lubricant monitoring, cleaning and disposal together with exploring the potential for cooling lubricant reduction and avoidance. This paper presents an investigation into various methods of cutting fluid application with the objective of deriving the optimum cutting condition for the drilling of cast aluminium alloys. A series of tests were carried out using various methods of cutting fluid application, under varying conditions of cutting speed and feed.

The molecules CHI 3 (iodoform) and S 8 (octasulfur) form not only their own homomolecular crystals but also a complex of formula CHI 3 ·3S 8 . Molecular polarizabilities are deduced for the molecules in their homomolecular crystals from the crystal linear susceptibilities. These polarizabilities, treated as transferable between crystal environments, are then used to calculate the refractive indices of the complex, but the results do not agree well with experiment. Approximate local fields deduced at the different molecules in the complex using the crystal susceptibilities directly yield better agreement. These local fields also indicate that to reproduce the experimental refractive indices of the complex requires an iodoform polarizability increased perpendicular to the molecular axis, which could occur through charge transfer from octasulfur. Theoretical hyperpolarizabilities for the two molecules combined with the same local fields are used to calculate the quadratic non-linear optical susceptibility χ (2) of the complex, yielding only moderate agreement with experiment. Distortions of the octasulfur molecular framework in the crystal structure of the complex are important because they induce sizeable hyperpolarizability components, absent in the free molecule, which determine the sign of the major components of χ (2) .

The additional of Sm 2 BaCuO 5 to YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+ x has been shown to increase the transport critical current density. Because Sm 2 BaCuO 5 and CuO do not coexist at equilibrium, additions of Sm 2 BaCuO 5 to YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+ x cause a reaction with the Cu rich liquid phase usually present during sintering. This forms crystalline phases that do not completely cover the grain boundaries. Sm was foun to be homogeneously distributed in the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+ x matrix. Additions of 5 mole% Sm 2 BaCuO 5 and sintering temperatures of 950°C are effective in increasing the transport critical current density.

A colloidal-chemistry-based technique was developed for interface modification of silicon carbide platelets (SiCp) by coating with alumina particles. The coating process utilizes electrostatic and/or electrosteric interactions between the particles to promote heterocoagulation. Since an understanding of the chemical interface between the SiCp and alumina is important for improving the coating process, the powders were characterized by the measurement of the electrokinetic sonic amplitude (ESA). The major factors studied were particle size, type of alumina, presence of polyacrylate surfactant, and concentration of alumina in the coating slip. The surface coverage and morphology of the alumina coating on SiCp was determined quantitatively by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that around pH 5.8, the surface charge difference between SiCp and alumina was the largest and the coating of alumina on SiCp was feasible. The SEM data showed that surface coverage was uniform, and the highest surface coverage on SiCp was 66% when the surface area ratio of alumina to SiCp was 250% in the suspension. No significant improvement of the coating rate was observed by the addition of a polyacrylate for dispersion of SiCp. The concentration of alumina in the slip exhibited a strong influence on the amount of surface coverage on SiCp.

The hydrogen donor abilities of several heavy oils/bitumens used in CANMET coprocessing were determined using chemical methods (1,1′-binaphthyl and sulphur as hydrogen acceptors) and a 13 C n.m.r. technique. The degree of hydrogen donor ability (HDA) of each material was compared with values for model compounds such as tetralin, 9,10-dihydroanthracene and liquefaction solvents such as hydrogenated anthracene oil and raw anthracene oil. Results showed that the coprocessing heavy oil and bitumen solvents have similar hydrogen donor abilities regardless of their origin, as determined by the above methods. In support of these findings, solubilization of Forestburg subbituminous coal in these solvents both in nitrogen and hydrogen atmospheres was similar. Further, the coal conversion to THF solubles was not affected by either the saturate or the asphaltene contents in these oils/bitumens. However, depending on the method used, the measured HDA of heavy oils/bitumens was higher or lower than that of tetralin. Factors such as the physical interaction between solvent and coal are discussed.

This paper describes a prototype system used to establish and demonstrate test techniques for the automatic in-process inspection of printed hybrid substrates and the semi-automatic precap inspection of completed hybrid units. The in-pro cess inspection is intended to provide an economical method of inspecting print ed substrates at certain key manufactur ing points where a 100 percent visual inspection is desirable but impractical using manual inspection. The semi automatic inspection will replace the microscope as an inspection instrument. Electronic zooming and positioning of the camera image by a computer in combi nation with the hybrid image being dis played on a television monitor, will provide a repeatable controlled sequen tial inspection process free from the operator fatigue characteristic of microscope inspection.

A goal for the Joint Center - Flexible Computer Integrated Manufacturing (FCIM) is the rapid delivery of small volumes of replacement circuit cards at moderate cost. While the overall FCIM program is targeted to mechanical and electronic assemblies, this paper is limited to the automated fabrication and testing of electronics. It describes a proposed approach that can remove many of the roadblocks by unifying available tools, technologies, and standards within the acquisition and manufacturing community to form a rapid production capability; goal that also has a direct application for the commercial world. >

This paper presents the results of a capacity evaluation for a micro-cellular code-division, multiple access (CDMA) system over a wide-band fading channel. The system considered is based on direct-sequence, spread-spectrum, multiple-access (DSSS-MA) with a linear adaptive receiver structure used in combination with convolutional coding. The performance of the system in terms of total efficiency is considered when using codes with varying rates and maintaining constant bandwidth. The channel model used was developed from actual propagation measurements made in a heavily built-up urban environment. Both intra-cell and inter-cell interferers are modelled.

The triazolobenzodiazepine estazolam can be quantitated by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. After addition of a suitable internal standard, plasma samples are extracted into toluene—isoamyl alcohol or benzene—isoamyl alcohol. The organic extract is separated, evaporated to dryness, reconstituted, and chromatographed using a 50:50 methyl—phenyl column (SP-2250). The sensitivity limit is approximately 1 ng of estazolam in a 1-ml sample. The method is suitable for clinical or experimental pharmacokinetic studies.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective procedure in specialist centres, but its wider application will depend on the ability of general surgeons to become skilled in this technique. 180 patients underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy during a nine-month period at a single district general hospital. All patients who would have been eligible for elective open cholecystectomy were offered the laparoscopic alternative. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was abandoned in favour of an open procedure in 10 (6%) patients. Median operating time was 55 min. 2 patients had serious morbidity (right hepatic duct injury and a duodenal fistula) and there were no deaths. 3 patients required subsequent treatment for retained common duct stones. 90% of patients were discharged within 48 h of the operation and the median time to resume full activity after discharge was 12 days. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and cost-effective technique in a district general hospital.

PNL`s capabilities for infrared and near-infrared spectroscopy include tunable-diode-laser (TDL) systems covering 300--3,000 cm{sup {minus}1} at

The levels of protein A-reactive immunoglobulin (PA-Ig) in foetal bovine serum were measured in commercial batches. For tissue culture media incorporating 10% foetal bovine serum, the levels of bovine PA-Ig were of a similar order to those of mouse monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridomas grown in such media. The equilibrium constants were calculated for the binding to protein A-Sepharose of a number of mouse monoclonal antibodies, and of PA-Ig in foetal bovine serum and normal mouse serum. The average affinity of the mouse PA-Ig was 10 times higher than that of the bovine PA-Ig, suggesting that the two could be separated by affinity chromatography on protein A-Sepharose. The mouse monoclonal antibodies, however, displayed a range of affinity 1.5–100 times that of the bovine PA-Ig, indicating that such separation could not be generally applied. The optimal technique involved removing PA-Ig from bovine serum before its inclusion in the culture medium and then purifying the monoclonal antibody on a second protein A-Sepharose column.

A number of studies have been reported on coprocessing of coal and oil sand bitumen, petroleum residues and distillate fractions in catalytic and non-catalytic processes. The studies described the effects of feedstock characteristics, process chemistry and operating variables on the product yield and distribution; however, very few kinetic data were reported in these investigations. This paper presents the kinetic data and modeling of the CANMET coal/heavy oil coprocessing process. A number of reaction networks were evaluated for CANMET coprocessing. The final choice of model was a parallel model with some sequential characteristics. The model explained 90.0 percent of the total variance, which was considered satisfactory in view of the difficulties of modeling preasphaltenes. The models which were evaluated showed that the kinetic approach successfully applied to coal liquefaction and heavy oil upgrading can be also applied to coprocessing. The coal conversion networks and heavy oil upgrading networks are interrelated via the forward reaction paths of preasphaltenes, asphaltenes, and THFI and via the reverse kinetic paths of an adduct formation between preasphaltenes and heavy oil.

Continuous filament glass fibres held in a resinous matrix—in this case polyester—can be arranged to form lattice structures. Structures formed in this manner can provide distinct technical and commercial advantages when compared with structural steel fabrications. Significant advantages have been demonstrated by using such structures on temporary overhead electrification supports and the indications are that more permanent applications are feasible offering very worthwhile savings in first cost, maintenance and erection.

Field-collected third- and fourth-instar larvae of salt marsh Culicoides spp. were found infected with a microsporidium. Larvae were prepared for electron microscopy by fixation in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1% acrolein buffered in 0.17 m cacodylate, pH 7.5. Based upon the evidence obtained by light and electron microscope examination, this pathogen appears to be a Nosema-type microsporidium. This evidence includes (1) persistence of nuclei in diplocaryotic configuration; (2) a maximum of four nuclei within each sporont; and (3) development of two sporoblasts from each sporont.

We have quantitatively characterized nearest- and near-neighbor distances and local-area fractions of second-phase populations in a matrix using automatic image analysis and Dirichlet cell tessellation procedures. These procedures were applied to distributions of sulfide inclusions and carbides in six steels and to a composite of graphite fibers in aluminum. In addition, computer-generated random particle distributions were obtained for the different steels and the composite using a distribution of particle sizes with the same means and standard deviations as the actual distributions. Comparison of the actual second-phase particle distributions with the generated distributions showed that the sulfide distributions consisted of clusters superimposed on a random spatial distribution, while the carbide distributions and the graphite-fiber distributions are close to random.

Evaluation of the progress of osteogenic activity in mandibular bone grafts in dogs by a noninvasive, nondestructive radionuclide method is feasible. The method provides a meaningful sequential interpretation of osseous repair more sensitive than conventional radiography. It is presumed that accumulating hydroxyapatite is being labelled by the imaging agent technetium diphosphonate. The osseous allograft systems studied were comparable to or exceeded autografts in their repair activity in mandibular discontinuity defects as judged by radionuclide imaging. A lyophilized mandibular allograft segment augmented with autologous cancellous marrow was more active than autograft controls at 3 and 6 weeks and was the most active system studied. Allograft segments augmented with lyophilized crushed cortical allogeneic bone particles were equal to controls at 3 weeks and more active than controls at 6 weeks. Lyophilized crushed cortical allogeneic bone particles retained in a Millipore filter while not clinically stable at 6 weeks did show osteogenic activity equal to control autografts at this interval.

This case report records the rare presentation of accelerated hypertension secondary to long-standing renal tuberculosis and the subsequent beneficial response to surgery predicted by lateralisation of renin levels within the renal veins. The patient's hypertension proved difficult to control medically and he was therefore assessed for possible surgical management. Renin sampling revealed clear lateralisation within the renal veins indicating possible benefits from surgery. Nephro-ureterectomy was performed and, post-operatively, the patient's hypertension, while not completely resolved, was easily controlled with monotherapy. Patients with unilateral renal tuberculosis and hypertension which prove difficult to control should have measurement bilaterally of renal venous renin which may indicate potential benefits from surgery.

Hepatitis B surface antigen particles were purified from human plasma by monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography, followed by isopycnic centrifugation.

The reverse passive respiratory reactions (RPRR) resulting from bronchial aerosolization of rabbit anti-IgE was studied in a series of nine rhesus monkeys. The respiratory response was shown to be reproducible in selected animals and to occur for at least 2 months after repeated challenges. No evidence for development of a refractory state was shown in that period of time. The RPRR occurs in a high incidence in animals which also have marked cutaneous and respiratory reactivity to standard Ascaris antigen. This suggests that there may be more than a coincidental relation between respiratory response to anti-IgE and the respiratory response to the nematode antigen. The respiratory response to anti-IgE may be potentiated or diminished by passive sensitization with IgE. The response following passive sensitization appears to be dependent on both the amount of IgE with which the animal is pretreated and the time from sensitization to challenge with anti-IgE.

The distribution of hematoporphyrin derivative has been studied in patients undergoing transurethral resections and total cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder. Although hematoporphyrin derivative fluorescence was not confined to malignant tissues with the dose used there was preferential localization in malignant and pre-malignant epithelium. Also high intensity illumination of an area of hematoporphyrin derivative sensitized carcinoma caused tumor destruction. Therefore, it is suggested that hematoporphyrin derivative could be used as an aid to the diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma of the bladder.

The NMR relaxation rates of 3 He in two phases of the solid are reported. It is unambiguous that the lattice modification makes a striking difference in the spectral density function.