Attitudes of consultant anaesthetists to the Calman proposals: a questionnaire survey

We undertook a postal survey to determine the views of all consultant anaesthetists within the North West (Mersey) Regional Health Authority on the Calman proposals for a consultant-based service; replies were received from 110 (84%). Fifty (45%) indicated that they would not resume emergency residential duties, 32 (29%) indicated that they would withdraw from the emergency duty rota, 12 (11%) said they would withdraw/retire from the NHS and 27 (25%) would change hospital under these circumstances. Most consultants had experience in the major anaesthetic sub-specialties within the preceding 5 years (obstetrics 67%, ITU 81%, major trauma 91%). Consequently the need for retraining amongst consultant anaesthetists prior to resuming residential emergency duties would be low. When questioned about the impact on anaesthetic services, 67 (61%) felt the proposals would be detrimental whilst 23 (21%) felt there would be beneficial effects. Most consultants remain antagonistic toward the Calman proposals, with a reluctance to return to residential duties.     

A single amino acid change in turnip crinkle virus movement protein p8 affects RNA binding and virulence on Arabidopsis thaliana

Comparison of the symptoms caused by turnip crinkle virus strain M (TCV-M) and TCV-B infection of a resistant Arabidopsis thaliana line termed Di-17 demonstrates that TCV-B has a greater ability to spread in planta. This ability is due to a single amino acid change in the viral movement protein p8 and inversely correlates with p8 RNA binding affinity.     

Scanning electron microscope studies of the grain surface of leather

The scanning electron microscope showed that the grain surface of leather (i.e. the surface exposed when the epidermis is removed in manufacture) was covered with a layer of non-fibrous material which was more resistant to rubbing in chrome-tanned ox hide than in chrome calf leather. Rubbing burnished the chrome-tanned ox coating which then, apart from occasional line cracks, appeared featureless, but in chrome calf the coating first broke into crenellated plates of fairly uniform size. The coating appeared to be a single layer but the plates could ride over each other during rubbing, to simulate a multi-layered structure. Although the under surface of the cover looked non-fibrous, some appearances suggest that it surrounded fine surface fibres and, when the coating was removed by rubbing, these fibres went with it. The cover was not extraneously produced during processing. It was resistant to the conditions of manufacture of the skin into leather, which included extremes of pH (pH 12.5 to 2.0), the use of a reducing agent (sodium sulphide) and brief treatment with a crude tryptic-type enzyme. It was also resistant to acetone and to dichloromethane. Experimental processing was, at best, only partially successful in producing a grain surface clear of the coating.     

Design criteria for nanostructured Li-ion batteries

Extensive experimental research has indicated that active/inactive nanocomposites are promising electrode materials for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Nanocomposite anode materials allow for capacities between 900 and 4000 mAh g⁻¹ whereas graphitic anodes, which are currently being used by industry, allow for a much lower capacity of 372 mAh g⁻¹. By treating the active sites (which may be comprised of Si, Sn, Al, or Bi) as nanospheres embedded in an inert matrix, linear elastic fracture mechanics are employed in order to develop design criteria for these alternative battery systems, with respect to fracture that results from the large volume expansions that the active sites undergo upon Li-insertion. In particular, the present study: (i) predicts that smaller active site volume fractions are more stable; (ii) Griffith's criterion is used to estimate the crack radius at which cracking will stop; (iii) based on the ultimate tensile strength of the inactive matrix the critical crack length at which the electrode will fracture is calculated; (iv) a theoretical estimation is made for the size of the active sites that will not allow cracks to develop and hence fracture of the electrode will be prevented. Based on the above analysis, Si active sites allow for a greater anode lifetime and therefore are preferred over Sn, furthermore the formulation can be applied to determine the most appropriate matrix materials.     

Investigation of data fusion applied to health monitoring of wind turbine drivetrain components

The research described was performed with diagnostic tools used to detect damage to dynamic mechanical components in a wind turbine gearbox. Different monitoring technologies were evaluated by collecting vibration and oil‐debris data from tests performed on both a ‘healthy’ gearbox and a damaged gearbox that were mounted on a dynamometer test stand at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The damaged gearbox tested had been removed from the field after it experienced component damage because of two events that resulted in the loss of oil. The gearbox was re‐tested under controlled conditions by using the NREL dynamometer test stand. Preliminary results indicate that oil‐debris and vibration data can be integrated to improve the assessment of the health of the wind turbine gearbox. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of biological reduction of hematite by electron shuttling and Fe(II) complexation

Natural organic matter (NOM) enhancement of the biological reduction of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) by the dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32 was investigated under nongrowth conditions designed to minimize precipitation of biogenic Fe(II). Hydrogen served as the electron donor. Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS), methyl viologen, and methylene blue [quinones with an Ew0 (pH 7) of 0.011 V or less], ferrozine [a strong Fe(II) complexing agent], and characterized aquatic NOM (Georgetown NOM or Suwannee River fulvic acid) enhanced bioreduction in 5-day experiments whereas 1,4-benzoquinone (Ew0 value = 0.280 V) did not. A linear relationship existed between total Fe(II) produced and concentrations of ferrozine or NOM but not quinones, except in the case of methylene blue. Such a linear relationship between Fe(II) and methylene blue concentrations could be due to the systems being far undersaturated with respect to methylene blue or the loss of the thermodynamic driving force. A constant concentration of AQDS and variable concentrations of ferrozine produced a linear relationship between total Fe(II) produced and the concentration of ferrozine. Enhancement effects of both AQDS and ferrozine were additive. NOM may serve as both an electron shuttle and an Fe(II) complexant; however, the concentration dependence of hematite reduction with NOM was more similar to ferrozine than quinones. NOM likely enhances hematite reduction initially by electron shuttling and then further by Fe(II) complexation, which prevents Fe(II) sorption to hematite and cell surfaces.     

Surface ultrastructure of human ependyma

Participation by pharmacists in drug-specific reviews of patient care is discussed. Criteria for drug usage review are illustrated along with data resulting from a comparison study of care using such criteria. Audit procedures are adapted from retrospective audit procedures published by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. Recommendations for improving the deficiencies identified in the drug usage review include the use of a drug-specific protocol for use in a continuing education seminar.