Effects of thermal and mechanical treatments on a titanium-based conversion coating for aluminium alloys

The influence of mechanical deformation and heating on the protective performance of a chromium-free conversion treatment for aluminium alloys has been assessed by polarisation and AC impedance measurements. Protection is unlikely to be seriously compromised by typical production operations.     

The spinal muscular atrophy gene region at 5q13.1 has a paralogous chromosomal region at 6p21.3

We have examined acetaminophen (paracetamol) dosing for outpatient management of posttonsillectomy pain in children. Forty children, 5-15 years of age, undergoing tonsillectomy and their parents were randomly assigned to use a scheduled administration of acetaminophen in weight appropriate doses, 60 mg.kg-1.24h-1 orally, 90 mg.kg-1.24h-1 rectally, or to use acetaminophen 'as needed' according to present standards (control group). Postoperative pain was assessed by the child using the poker chip tool for the first three days after discharge. The prevalence of pain amongst all the children was high. The second day after discharge 22%-64% of the children in the study group and 36%-73% of the children in the control group rated severe pain. Recommended dose ranges of acetaminophen do not provide sufficient pain relief in children following tonsillectomy. Further studies are required to determine, whether higher doses of acetaminophen or analgesics with different analgesic properties will lead to improved analgesia in children following tonsillectomy.     

Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects

A model of induced lactation was modified to examine the effects of bovine prolactin (bPRL) and bovine placental lactogen (bPL) on mammary growth and differentiation. Thirty-two peripubertal, non-pregnant Holstein heifers were given daily s.c. injections of oestradiol (0.05 mg/kg) and progesterone (0.25 mg/kg) for 7 days to initiate mammary growth. Treatment with bromocriptine (40 mg/3 days) reduced serum PRL concentrations to approximately 25% of pretreatment levels, for the duration of the study. On the day following the last steroid injection, groups of eight heifers were given twice daily s.c. injections of either saline (negative control), recombinant bPRL (rbPRL; 80 mg/day) or recombinant bPL (rbPL; 80 and 160 mg/day) for 7 days. At the end of this period (day 15), growth and differentiation of the mammary glands were assessed. Treatment with rbPL increased total mammary DNA above control value by 50 and 60% for the 80 and 160 mg/day doses respectively. However, total DNA was not different for the control and rbPRL-treated groups. The blood serum concentration of alpha-lactalbumin was measured daily throughout the study and used as an index of mammary differentiation. Both rbPRL and rbPL stimulated mammary differentiation (i.e. induction of milk synthesis), although rbPRL appeared to be more potent than rbPL. These results indicate that rbPL is lactogenic in vivo and strongly suggest that bPL is a mammary mitogen.     

Frontoethmoidal meningoencephaloceles: a review of 14 consecutive patients

Over a period of 4.5 years, 14 patients with frontoethmoidal meningoencephaloceles were treated. Most patients came from Northern Namibia. Precise delineation of all cranial abnormalities was obtained by modern imaging techniques, and specific patterns of cerebral abnormality were found. The malformation was corrected in a single stage, and significant modifications have been developed to render the procedure simpler and safer. Information from our series favors delayed neural tube closure as the primary pathogenesis of the defect and suggests a common teratogen as the most probable etiological agent. Our experience leads us to advocate early correction of even small defects.     

Optical diffraction by the microstructure of the wing of a moth

On the wing of the moth Trichoplusia orichalcea a prominent, apparently highly reflective, golden spot can be seen. Scales from this area of the wing exhibit a regular microstructure resembling a submicrometer herringbone pattern. We show that a diffraction process from this structure is responsible for the observed optical properties, such as directionality, brightness variations, polarization, and color.     

Challenges in Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation,Processing, and Assembly of Pristine Graphene

Recent developments in the exfoliation, dispersion, and processing of pristine graphene (i.e., non‐oxidized graphene) are described. General metrics are outlined that can be used to assess the quality and processability of various “graphene” products, as well as metrics that determine the potential for industrial scale‐up. The pristine graphene production process is categorized from a chemical engineering point of view with three key steps: i) pretreatment, ii) exfoliation, and iii) separation. How pristine graphene colloidal stability is distinct from the exfoliation step and is dependent upon graphene interactions with solvents and dispersants are extensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of using pristine graphene as nanofillers in polymer composites, as well as as building blocks for macrostructure assemblies are summarized in the context of large‐scale production.