Comparison of three monoclonal antibody pools for the detection of respiratory viral antigen in respiratory secretions

The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivities of commercial monoclonal antibody pools to be used as an initial rapid screen for detection of viral antigens in respiratory secretions. The availability of commercial monoclonal antibodies has dramatically improved the detection of viruses by immunofluorescence techniques in exfoliated cells obtained from respiratory secretions. Several companies have recently introduced monoclonal antibody pools to detect the presence of respiratory viruses in a single preparation. Ninety-four stored slide preparations that had previously been examined by individual monoclonal antibodies were tested using three commercial monoclonal antibody pools produced by Sanofi (UK), Dako (UK), and Quadratech (UK). These monoclonal antibody pools had a sensitivity of 79.6%, 90.9%, and 100%, respectively, when compared with the original results. The overall intensity of immunofluorescence was also examined.     

Investigating the thermal-plasma processing of advanced materials

Due to several inherent advantages, plasma processing technology may become a very useful tool in the production of new materials. An increasing research effort based on experimental as well as theoretical investigations has been invested in this area for the synthesis of advanced materials. In describing the thermal-plasma processing technique, this article employs examples from research at the Plasma Processing Laboratory at the University of Idaho.     

Airway stents. Present and future

Tracheobronchial stent insertion is a relatively new technique used to palliate or cure central airways obstruction. When performed by experienced thoracic endoscopists, this procedure is both safe and effective, even if complications of indwelling stents may require repeat endoscopic intervention. Although proven clinically beneficial to many patients, airway prostheses have not yet been the subject of large comparative case studies or randomized controlled investigations. Reports are often experiential and anecdotal. Further research is needed to determine the effects of stenting on survival in patients with malignant airway disease and its degree of success in patients with benign airway strictures. Only then will airway stents truly deserve their place alongside other therapies for tracheobronchial obstruction.     

易护理的Tencel纺织品

对于今天的织物，易护理性是一项基本要求。然而，理想的易护理效果不可能仅通过Tencel纤维本身的性能来获得，合适的织物组织结构、恰当的前处理，以及最佳的高级整理加工可以提高Tencel织物的易护理性能，并超过其他纤维素纤维。关于织物组织结构的影响已经在其他杂志上有过讨论。本文将说明如何采用不同的前处理、后整理加工，获得高档最终产品的方法。     

Microwave signal generation using an optical self-heterodyne technique

A new technique for mixing optical waves to generate microwave-frequency signals using an injection laser diode and a fibre-optic interferometer is reported. A beat signal is produced by interfering light from the laser with light from the same laser emitted earlier at a different frequency. The interferometer consists of an evanescent-field fibre coupler joined to a length of single-mode optical fibre. The laser is tuned by pulsed or bipolar current waveforms superimposed on a DC bias current. Feedback from an external cavity stabilises the laser frequency and reduces its linewidth. Efficient mixing at difference frequencies from 250 MHz to 2 GHz is obtained, with spectral widths of less than 1% of the centre frequency.     

The function of bleaching earths in the processing of palm,palm kernel and coconut oils

The results presented in the literature, which attempt to elucidate the mechanisms by which triglyceride oils are bleached by earths, are reviewed. The impact of this work and how the mechanistic proposals affect changes in oil properties are considered, with particular emphasis on the needs of the palm oil processor. Important properties include color, metals and phosphorus content and oxidative stability of the oil. Investigations made in our own laboratories have been aimed at elucidating the effect of varying physical and chemical properties of the bleaching earth on the quality of bleached and deodorized oils. Techniques used in this work are pore-size distribution, surface area, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and a variety of chemical and X-ray analysis methods. The ability to vary such parameters in montmorillonite clays by alteration of process conditions to give materials with specific performance characteristics is demonstrated. Comparisons are made between acid-activated montmorillonites and other clay types.     

The preparation of high purity Mg2Ni

The intermetallic compound Mg₂Ni has been prepared by the vapour exchange/diffusion reaction of the elements sealed in a stainless steel container. The product has been characterised by powder X-ray diffractometry with Mo-K_α radiation, using step-scanning and profile refinement techniques. The hexagonal unit cell has constants a = 5.2117(4), $\text{c}\text{= 13.2538(9)}\text{A}\text{?}$.     

Effect of heat treatment in air on the thermal properties of SiC fibre reinforced composite: Part 2 A magnesium aluminium silicate (MAS) matrix glass ceramic composite

The thermal properties of a magnesium aluminium silicate (MAS) glass ceramic matrix composite reinforced by SiC (Nicalon) fibres have been investigated before and after heat treatment in the temperature range 600–1,200 °C. Within this temperature range, during the heat treatment at lower temperatures such as 600 and 700 °C, the oxidation of the carbon layer occurred and mixture of silicon and carbon was formed in the interface. This results in a decrease in thermal diffusivity values. After heat treatment at the temperatures higher than 1,000 °C, the carbon layer was thickened and resulted in the higher thermal diffusivity values.