A rheological and morphological study of treated PVC

This article reports a rheological and morphological study of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) that was subjected to a treatment capable of decreasing the simultaneous mass transfers occurring between liquid food (or simulant) and PVC packaging. The storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″), and the loss angle (tan δ), have been used to determine the glass transition temperature using a Rheometric Scientific Dynamic Analyzer. Young's modulus was measured on a dynamometer, and a morphological characterization was carried out with an optical microscope. The obtained results show that treated PVC behaves like a composite material, which is in agreement with a previously established model. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3497–3502, 2003     

Yield and P uptake by wheat as affected by P fertilization and soil moisture regime

The influence of different moisture regimes and the method of phosphate application on the availability and uptake of native and fertilizer P by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in a field experiment on sandy loam soil low in available P. Phosphorus application up to 39 kg ha^?1 signficantly increased wheat yield irrespective of the method of application. Wheat yield with drill application of 26 kg P ha^?1 was almost equal to that with broadcast application of 39 kg P ha^?1. A mean increase of 230 kg ha^?1 grains was obtained, when P fertilizer was drilled below seed. The relative efficiencly of placement was found to be 1.4 times that of broadcast method. The increase in IW/PAN-E ratio from 0.6 to 1.0 significantly increased grain yield. Scheduling of irrigation at narrow IW/PAN-E ratio but with fertilizer placed gave almost the same yield as was obtained with irrigation scheduled at IW/PAN-E equal to 1.0 and P fertilizer broadcast. Total P uptake by wheat was greater under wetter moisture regimes. The uptake of applied P decreased with increase in soil moisture regime, while that of soil P tended to increase with frequent irrigation. The uptake of soil P was a linear function of moisture supply and under conditions of this experiment P uptake by wheat beyond a P dressing of 20 kg ha^?1 was limited by soil water.     

21-day outpatient methadone detoxification: an evaluation

A population consisting of all consecutive admissions between May 29, 1974 and July 30, 1974 was studied. Of the 169 applicants, 63 began the detoxification regimen. Persons participating in this program were in contact with the program only during their 21-day detoxification episode. The treatment setting was highly permissive. The primary objective was to help and assist individuals in their efforts to either reduce their use of opiates or attain a drug-free state. Thirty-one of the 63 individuals completed the program. Forty-five persons had lower opiate readings when their last three urine samples were analyzed. Interpretation of the data is guarded.     

Chronic sparing of delayed alternation performance and choline acetyltransferase activity by CEP-1347/KT-7515 in rats with lesions of nucleus basalis magnocellularis

Peripheral injection of the indolocarbazole CEP-1347/KT-7515 into rats that have sustained ibotenic acid lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis has been shown to prevent the loss of cortically-projecting neurons in that basal forebrain region. The present study tested whether this neuroprotective activity would lead to chronic sparing of a behaviour known to be impaired by that lesion, as well as to chronic maintenance of cholinergic activity in cortical target regions of the nucleus basalis. CEP-1347/KT-7515 was injected into adult rats that had sustained bilateral ibotenic acid lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis; the first injection occurred 18-24 h after lesioning, with subsequent injections of CEP-1347/KT-7515 occurring every other day over 12 days. One day following the last injection the animals were tested for retention of a previously-learned delayed alternation task. Animals that received CEP-1347/KT-7515 committed significantly fewer errors than lesioned animals receiving vehicle. These same animals were tested again eight to 10 weeks later (which was 10-12 weeks post-dosing), without receiving further drug or behaviour training during the test-retest interval. The animals that had received CEP-1347/KT-7515 continued to commit significantly fewer errors than vehicle animals. Furthermore their performance at this time point was indistinguishable from normal controls. Analysis of errors showed that CEP-1347/KT-7515 prevented a lesion-induced increase in perseverative errors, suggesting the drug improved attention in the lesioned animals. Choline acetyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex of the behaviourally tested animals that received CEP-1347/KT-7515 three months previously showed a significant 40% recovery of the lesion-induced loss seen in the vehicle animals. These results demonstrate that treatment with CEP-1347/KT-7515 over 12 days following excitotoxic damage to the nucleus basalis magnocellularis produces long-term sparing of an attention-demanding behaviour.     

Acute oxygen therapy

Tissues require oxygen for survival. Its delivery depends on adequate ventilation, gas exchange and distribution in the circulation. Many causes of hypoxaemia can be corrected by adding oxygen to the inspired air but response is variable and must be measured.