Editorial

Soft X-ray (2.05–4.4nm) contact microscopy, using synchrotron radiation, of ultrasections of lead-polluted chloragogenous tissue of the earthworm Dendrobaena rubida has been achieved. The positive resist, after etching to leave areas corresponding to high absorbance in the tissue, is viewed by SEM and the imaging compared with the same section viewed, after irradiation, by TEM. No radiation damage as evident and the lead deposits associated with the chloragosomes and within the debris vesicles imaged clearly. The characteristics of the broad beam have thus produced a lead ‘map’. Resolution is in the order of 70 nm. The results are compared with the markedly different imaging of control tissue containing insignificant lead levels.     

Some ionospheric factors affecting the coverage of an HF/VHF direct broadcasting satellite service

A study has been undertaken to assess the effects of the ionosphere on the performance of a direct broadcasting satellite service operating in the high frequency (HF) band. Results relating to two issues of performance are presented: 1) determining under what conditions a frequency allocated to the broadcasting service can be expected to reach the surface of the earth from a satellite and 2) the loss of signal strength due to passage through the ionosphere, it was found that if high frequency broadcast services are to be provided on a worldwide basis using satellite platforms, the satellites need to be optimally configured for the intended service area. Also, a 3 dB loss of signal strength is expected due to ionospheric absorption.     

Application of a Muscle-Potential Monitor to Electroconvulsive Therapy

A battery-operated IC amplifier converts muscle potentials to audio signals. It has been successfully used clinically to monitor patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy for evidence of muscle relaxation, duration, and bilaterality of response.     

Overlap of clusters of psychiatric symptoms among clients of a comprehensive addiction treatment service.

This article describes the prevalence and overlap of psychiatric symptoms among 2,784 clients of the outpatient programs at a comprehensive addictions treatment facility. The psychiatric symptoms were assessed by a computer-based questionnaire, and the analysis focused on the overlap of symptom clusters (multimorbidity) and their relation to selected intake variables known to be predictors of treatment outcome. Of all clients, 27.4% scored positive for 1, 18.9% for 2, and 22.3% for 3 or more clusters, the most frequent being depression, anxiety, and history of conduct disorder. Multimorbidity was significantly correlated with female gender, unemployment, less social support, cannabis problems, fewer legal problems, and increased treatment engagement. Clients with more substance use disorders presented more psychiatric symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ex situ aqueous mineral carbonation

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) located in Albany, OR (formerly the Albany Research Center) has studied ex situ mineral carbonation as a potential option for carbon dioxide sequestration. Studies focused on the reaction of Ca-, Fe-, and Mg-silicate minerals with gaseous CO2 to form geologically stable, naturally occurring solid carbonate minerals. The research included resource evaluation, kinetic studies, process development, and economic evaluation. An initial cost estimate of approximately $69/ton of CO2 sequestered was improved with process improvements to $54/ton. The scale of ex situ mineral carbonation operations, requiring 55 000 tons of mineral to carbonate, the daily CO2 emissions from a 1-GW, coal-fired power plant, may make such operations impractical.     

An Experimental and Numerical Study on the Effects of Leakages and Ventilation Conditions on Informal Settlement Fire Dynamics

Fire Technology - The one billion people that currently reside in informal settlements are exposed to a high and daily risk of large conflagrations. With the number of informal settlement dwellers...     

Flexible multibody systems–fluid interaction

Modelling the dynamics of a flexible multibody system coupled to a rigid container carrying a fluid with a free surface is addressed. The proposed methodology allows the analyst to implement all sort of non-linearities inherent in the dynamics of the structure. Potential flow with modified Rayleigh damping is used to model the fluid. Non-linear sloshing effects are considered and no simplifications are made on the field equations and boundary conditions. A set of first-order differential equations for the motion of both the structure and the fluid are presented. Emphasis is placed on the point that the motion of the flexible multibody system is not prescribed but is found as part of the solution procedure. Some improvements are presented with respect to a previous introductory work by the authors. Detailed derivations and two numerical examples are presented: a flexible column supporting a rigid water tank (with a comparison using an approximate method) and a double flexible-link pendulum coupled to a rigid container. © 1998 This paper was produced under the auspices of the U.S. Government and it is therefore not subjected to copyright in the U.S.     

Quality of informal care is multidimensional.

Purpose: To demonstrate that assessing quality of informal care involves more than merely determining whether care recipient needs for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) are routinely satisfied. We investigated the extent to which potentially harmful behavior (PHB), adequate care, and exemplary care (EC) are empirically distinct dimensions of quality of care. Design: 237 care recipients completed the quality of care measures, and their caregivers completed psychosocial measures of their own depression, life events, cognitive status, and perceptions of pre-illness relationship quality. Results: Although PHB was moderately related to EC, adequate care was not associated with PHB and was only slightly related to EC. Psychosocial variables were not related to adequate care but were differentially associated with PHB and EC, providing additional evidence for the distinction between these measures of quality of care. Conclusions: ADL assistance can be adequate in the presence of PHB and/or the absence of EC. Declines in EC may signal increases in PHB, independent of adequacy of care. These findings produce a brief, portable, and more comprehensive instrument for assessing quality of informal care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on Amino Acids,Polyphenols and Antioxidant Capacity of Tamarillo Yoghurts

Laird’s Large tamarillo powder is high in protein (10%) essential amino acids (EAAs), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and polyphenols (0.6% phenolics plus anthocyanins) and fibre 25%. This study aimed to investigate, using a standardized static in vitro digestion model, the stability of amino acids and antioxidant capacity of polyphenols in yoghurt fortified with 5, 10 and 15% tamarillo powder either before (PRE) or after (POS) fermentation. Compared to plain yoghurt, the fruit polyphenols (rutinosides and glycosides) were retained and substantial increases in FEAAs (free essential amino acids), total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were observed particularly at the end of intestinal phase of digestion. Together with SDS-PAGE results, peptides and proteins in tamarillo yoghurts were more easily digested and therefore may be better absorbed in the small intestine compared to the control. TPC and antioxidant activity of fortified yoghurts increased significantly after in vitro digestion. Relatively high bioaccessibilty of chlorogenic acid and kaempferol-3-rutinoside in digested PRE samples was observed. The results suggest that the yoghurt matrix might protect some compounds from degradation, increasing bioaccessibility and in the small intestine allow increased absorption and utilization possible. Fortification would deliver intact polyphenols and fibre to the large intestine and improve gut health. Further research of acceptability, shelf life, and then trials for health effects should be implemented.