Influence of SiC content on the oxidation of carbon fibre reinforced ZrB2/SiC composites at 1500 and 1650 °C in air

The microstructure and the oxidation resistance in air of continuous carbon fibre reinforced ZrB₂–SiC ceramic composites were investigated. SiC content was varied between 5–20?vol.%, while maintaining fibre content at ～40?vol.%. Short term oxidation tests in air were carried out at 1500 and 1650?°C in a bottom-up loading furnace. The thickness, composition and microstructure of the resulting oxide scale were analysed by SEM-EDS and X-Ray diffraction. The results show that contents above 15?vol.% SiC ensure the formation of a homogeneous protective borosilicate glass that covers the entire sample and minimizes fibre burnout. The scale thickness is ～90?μm for the sample containing 5?vol.% SiC and decreases with increasing SiC content.     

Parents and procedures: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Previous work has shown that parents prefer to be present when their children undergo common invasive procedures, although physicians are ambivalent about parental presence. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a parent-focused intervention on the pain and performance of the procedure, anxiety of parents and clinicians, and parental satisfaction with care. POPULATION: Children younger than 3 years old undergoing venipuncture, intravenous cannulation, or uretheral catheterization. SETTING: Pediatric emergency department of Boston City Hospital. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with three groups; parents present and given instructions on how to help their children; parents present, but no instructions given; and parents not present. INTERVENTION: The parents were instructed to touch, talk to, and maintain eye contact during the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 431 parents was randomized to the intervention (N = 153), present (N = 147), and not present (N = 131) groups. The groups were equivalent with respect to measured sociodemographic variables and parents' previous experience in the pediatric emergency department. No differences emerged with respect to pain (3-point scale measured by parent and clinician, and analysis of cry); performance of the procedure (number of attempts, completion of procedure by first clinician, time); clinician anxiety; or parental satisfaction with care. Parents who were present were more likely to rate the pain of the children as extreme/severe (52%) in comparison to clinicians (15%, kappa .07, poor agreement) and were significantly less anxious than parents who were not present. CONCLUSION: Overall, the intervention was not effective in reducing the pain of routine procedures. Parental presence did not negatively affect performance of the procedure or increase clinician anxiety. Parents who were present were less anxious than those who were not present. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: In general, parents have indicated that they want to be present when their children undergo procedures. The results of this study challenge the traditional belief that parental presence negatively affects our ability to successfully complete procedures. We should encourage parents who want to be present to stay during procedures.     

Rapid and direct determination of fructose in food: A new osmium-polymer mediated biosensor

This paper describes the development and performance of a new rapid amperometric biosensor for fructose monitoring in food analysis. The biosensor is based on the activity of fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) immobilised into a carbon nanotube paste electrode according to two different procedures. The direct wiring of the FDH in a highly original osmium-polymer hydrogel was found to offer a better enzyme entrapment compared to the immobilisation of the enzyme in an albumin hydrogel. The optimised biosensor required only 5 U of FDH and kept the 80% of its initial sensitivity after 4 months. During this time, the biosensor showed a detection limit for fructose of 1 μM, a large linear range between 0.1 and 5 mM, a high sensitivity (1.95 μA cm⁻² mM), good reproducibility (RSD = 2.1%) and a fast response time (4 s).     

Effects of solvent and alkaline earth metals on the heat-induced precipitation process of sodium caseinate

The precipitation temperatures of sodium caseinate in H₂O and D₂O in the presence of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ were investigated through fluorescence, turbidity and conductivity experiments.     

Temperature-dependent microtensile testing of thin film materials for application to microelectromechanical system

A specially designed microtensile apparatus capable of carrying out a series of tests on microscale thin films for microelectromechanical system (MEMS) applications at room temperature and at temperature up to 400°C has been developed and tested, and is described here. Several MEMS-applicable thin films were measured with it, including thermally grown silicon dioxide, gold, and gold–vanadium. The silicon dioxide was tested at room temperature. Gold and gold–vanadium films were tested at room temperature and at 200 and 400°C. Examples of these results are presented.

     

Serum hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA in multitransfused thalassemics from eastern Sicily

To evaluate the efficacy of continuous administration of 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen for reducing pain during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy 32 children aged 3-60 months were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. Indications for endoscopy included persistent atelectasis (6), wheezing (10) cystic fibrosis (2) pneumonia (11) persistent cough (3). All patients received Midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) atropine (20 mcg/kg) intra rectaly 20 minutes before the procedure. The flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (Olympus BF3C4) was inserted transnasally through a face mask. Topical anesthesia with 1% lidocaine hydrochloride (3 mg/kg) was applied to the nose, larynx, trachea and bronchial tree over 15 minutes through the suction chanel of the bronchoscope. All patients were monitored with a pulse oximeter and a cardiac monitor. The experimental group (n = 16) received 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen prior (3 minutes) and during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, the control group (n = 16) received only oxygen. We measured pain of the children by a behavioral observation scale (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale: CHEOPS) at each phase of topical anesthesia during bronchoscopy in the two groups. At the end of bronchoscopy physician's satisfaction was scored by a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-100) in which 0 corresponded to absence of satisfaction. Nitrous oxide was associated with lesser pain scores than those with oxygen. Physician significantly preferred these procedure compared with oxygen. No complication occurred during procedure. Combined with local anesthesia midazolam and atropin the administration of 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen seems a better choice for flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children and should be used routinely.     

时尚大方，创造客厅中的影院世界亿立（ELITE SCREEN）16：9弧形框架幕

不少朋友都希望能够在客厅中建立大画面的投影系统,同时又能完整保留原来的客厅功能,不想刻意打造复杂的家庭影院视听室。     

尽享顶级影音带来的无穷乐趣 新汉建业香港HEC家庭娱乐中心

为了进一步吸引影音消费者的目光,影音行业内掀起了一股打造极具归属感以及震撼影音享受的影音体验中心之风。     

Topical progesterone as support for the luteal phase in induced cycles

e efficacy and tolerability of 2.5% natural vaginal progesterone as luteal phase support in pharmacologically induced cycles has been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of the administered therapy, the population studied was subdivided at random into four different groups. Sixty patients came to the Sterility Autonomous Department of the Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital in Milan from November 1994 to January 1996. Both ultrasonographic and plasmatic hormonal parameters have been evaluated on a monthly basis. RESULTS: The plasma progesterone levels and ultrasonographic endometrial thickness average values resulted more important in groups treated with topical progesterone; in these same groups a greater percentage of pregnancies was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained demonstrated that the drug studied can be recommended as a valid luteal phase support in pharmacologically induced cycles.