The EBSD spatial resolution of a Timepix-based detector in a tilt-free geometry.

Performing EBSD with a horizontal sample and a parallel EBSD detector sensor, enables safer specimen movements for data collection of large specimen areas and improves the longitudinal spatial resolution. The collection of electron backscattering patterns (EBSPs) at normal incidence to the electron beam has been revisited via the use of a direct electron detection (DED) sensor. In this article we present a fully operational DED EBSD detection system in this geometry, referred to as the tilt-free geometry. A well-defined Σ=3[101]{121} twin boundary in a Molybdenum bicrystal was used to measure the physical spatial resolution of the EBSD detector in this tilt-free geometry. In this study, two separate methods for estimating the spatial resolution of EBSD, one based on a pattern quality metric and the other on a normalised cross correlation coefficient were used. The spatial resolution was determined at accelerating voltages of 8 kV, 10 kV, 12 kV, 15 kV and 20 kV ranging from ~22-38 nm using the pattern quality method and ~31-46 nm using the normalised cross correlation method.

Rapid on-site detection of explosives on surfaces by ambient pressure laser desorption and direct inlet single photon ionization or chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Considering current security issues, powerful tools for detection of security-relevant substances such as traces of explosives and drugs/drug precursors related to clandestine laboratories are required. Especially in the field of detection of explosives and improvised explosive devices, several relevant compounds exhibit a very low vapor pressure. Ambient pressure laser desorption is proposed to make these substances available in the gas phase for the detection by adapted mass spectrometers or in the future with ion-mobility spectrometry as well. In contrast to the state-of-the-art thermal desorption approach, by which the sample surface is probed for explosive traces by a wipe pad being transferred to a thermal desorber unit, by the ambient pressure laser desorption approach presented here, the sample is directly shockwave ablated from the surface. The laser-dispersed molecules are sampled by a heated sniffing capillary located in the vicinity of the ablation spot into the mass analyzer. This approach has the advantage that the target molecules are dispersed more gently than in a thermal desorber unit where the analyte molecules may be decomposed by the thermal intake. In the technical realization, the sampling capillary as well as the laser desorption optics are integrated in the tip of an endoscopic probe or a handheld sampling module. Laboratory as well as field test scenarios were performed, partially in cooperation with the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA, Wiesbaden, Germany), in order to demonstrate the applicability for various explosives, drugs, and drug precursors. In this work, we concentrate on the detection of explosives. A wide range of samples and matrices have been investigated successfully.

Intracellular axial current in Chara corallina reflects the altered kinetics of ions in cytoplasm under the influence of light.

Recent experiments demonstrate that the concentration of Ca2+ in cytoplasm of Chara corallina internodal cells plays important role in electrical excitation of the plasma membrane. The concentration of free Ca2+ in the cytoplasm -[Ca2+]c is also sensitive to visible light. Both phenomena were simultaneously studied by noninvasive measuring action potential (AP) and magnetic field with a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer in very close vicinity of electrically excited internodal C. corallina cells. A temporal shift in the depolarization maximum, which progressively occurred after transferring cells from the dark into the light, can be explained by the extended Othmer model. Assuming that the change in membrane voltage during the depolarization part of AP is the direct consequence of an activation of [Ca2+]c sensitive Cl- channels, the model simulations compare well with the experimental data. We can say that we have an example of electrically elicited AP that is of biochemical nature. Electric and magnetic measurements are in good agreement.

Analysis of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and DNA strand breaks in white blood cells of occupationally exposed workers: comparison with ambient monitoring, urinary metabolites and enzyme polymorphisms.

The relationship between biomarkers of effect (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo, HPLC system) and tail extent moment (comet assay)), markers of external and internal exposure, and biomarkers of susceptibility was evaluated for coke-oven and graphite-electrode-producing plant workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Mean 8-oxodGuo levels in white blood cells (WBC) of exposed workers were between 1.38 times (coke-oven, n = 20; P < 0.01) and 2.15 times (graphite-electrode-producing plant, n = 30; P < 0.01) higher than levels found in control samples (mean +/- SD 0.52 +/- 0.16 8-oxodGuo/10(5) dGuo, n = 47). The mean tail extent moment in lymphocytes was 1.38 times higher for coke-oven workers (n = 19; P = 0.09) and 3.13 times higher for graphite-electrode-producing plant workers (n = 29; P < 0.01) when compared with controls (mean plus minus SD 2.54 +/- 0.68, n = 32). Elevated tail extent moments (>3.73) were found in the majority (84%) of PAH-exposed workers showing increased DNA adduct levels (>0.78 8-oxodGuo/10(5) dGuo). However, no association (P > 0.05) was found between DNA damage (8-oxodGuo/10(5) dGuo or tail extent moment) in WBC of all PAH-exposed workers and either benzo[a]pyrene levels or the sum of 16 PAH levels in the air at work place. Furthermore, no relation (P > 0.05) could be established between DNA damage in WBC and biomarkers of internal exposure (1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and sum of five hydroxyphenanthrenes (OHPHs)). Higher exposure to airborne pyrene and phenanthrene led to increasing concentrations of the metabolites 1-OHP (P < 0.01) and the sum of five OHPHs (P < 0.01) in the urine of PAH-exposed workers. The polymorphisms of genes CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 (biomarkers of susceptibility) showed no association with biomarkers of effect. In conclusion, both biomarkers of effect may be appropriate for further surveillance studies of workers under PAH exposure.

[New statistical needs concerning the estimation of the demographic changes taking place in Poland]. / Nowe potrzeby statystyki wobec koniecznosci oceny przemian demograficznych zachodzacych w Polsce.

PIP: The authors examine the increased need for survey data in Poland to keep track of the rapid economic, social, and demographic changes that are occurring in the country. They discuss the type of surveys that are needed and such topics as data compatibility, sampling, frequency, and organization of data collection through surveys. (ANNOTATION)^ieng

Cognitive functions in the informed consent evaluation process: a pilot study.

Assessment of capacity to give informed consent in the general hospital setting usually rests on a clinical judgment made of a patient's understanding and appreciation of his or her illness, a process limited by its subjective nature, interexaminer variability, and relative deficiency of quantitative instruments available to provide collateral information. Inasmuch as identification of associated variables could strengthen this process, this study examines the association of cognitive functions to the capacity to give informed consent. Over a one-year period, 65 patients were evaluated independent of medical or psychiatric diagnoses. The study population consisted of medical and neurology inpatients seen for neuropsychiatric evaluation. All evaluations included assessment of capacity to give informed consent as it related to the reason for the admission to the hospital, followed by administration of the Hopkins Competency Assessment Test, the Mini-Mental Status Examination, the Trail-Making Test, Parts A and B, and the Executive Interview. Of 65 patients, 34 were excluded based on preset criteria. The remaining patients were assigned to either a "competent" or "noncompetent" group based on clinical evaluation. Number of patients, gender, and handedness distributions between groups were similar. The groups did not differ significantly in terms of age or education. Significant between-group differences were found on an empirical measure of competency, a general mental state measure, and on measures of attentional and executive cognitive functions. An analysis of classification rates indicated that a measure of executive cognitive functioning (Executive Interview) had the best sensitivity and specificity in correctly classifying competent and noncompetent patients. The results of this study support the association between the capacity to give informed consent in the hospital setting and measures of cognitive functioning, suggesting that utilization of cognitive function measures may strengthen the competency assessment process.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder with and without a chronic tic disorder. A comparison of symptoms in 70 patients.

The phenomenological features of 35 obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients with a lifetime history of tics were compared to 35 age- and sex-matched OCD patients without tics. Seven categories of obsessions and nine categories of compulsions were determined using the symptom checklist of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Discriminant function analysis revealed that, compared to their counterparts without tics, OCD patients with tics had more touching, tapping, rubbing, blinking and staring rituals, and fewer cleaning rituals, but did not differ on obsessions. These preliminary findings suggest that the types of compulsions present may help to discriminate between two putative subgroups of OCD, i.e. those with and without tics.

Psychiatric presentations of epilepsy.

The abnormal neuronal excitability underlying seizure disorders may alter behavior. Behavioral alterations associated with epilepsy can occur during the ictal period, especially in patients who suffer partial seizures of temporal or frontal lobe origin, or during the interictal period in the setting of chronic temporolimbic seizure discharges. We use case descriptions to illustrate behavioral presentations of epilepsy that resemble primary psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenic psychoses, mood disorders, panic disorder, and dissociative disorders. The varied secondary psychiatric syndromes produced by epilepsy are elucidated by a consideration of normal functions of temporal and frontolimbic structures. The clinical pictures provide clues to the causes of primary psychiatric disorders.

Limited therapeutic effect of addition of buspirone in fluvoxamine-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The authors found that buspirone added to the treatment of 33 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder who were refractory to the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine was no better than placebo in reducing obsessive-compulsive, depressive, or anxiety symptoms. This finding suggests that addition of buspirone to ongoing fluvoxamine therapy is not an effective treatment strategy for most patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Demographic situation in Poland and its implications for population policy.

PIP: The author reviews Poland's demographic situation as of 1991, with a focus on policy implications.^ieng

Risk management issues related to the use of contrast agents.

The authors reviewed retrospectively 2,100 claims filed over an 11-year period in 12 hospitals in a large metropolitan area covered by a single insurance carrier. One hundred cases (5%) involved radiologists, and 10 of these were related to the use of contrast media. Four of the cases reached financial settlement before trial, three were dropped with no financial settlement before tribunal or trial, one was dropped after a tribunal finding for the defendants, and two were decided in favor of the defendants at trial. Multiple issues were raised by the plaintiffs in all 10 cases. The questions of quality of care and of informed consent were raised in 10 and nine cases, respectively. In the four cases that reached a financial settlement, quality of care was thought to be an important issue in three, whereas informed consent was not a key issue in any. Conversely, adequate informed consent was an important consideration in three of the six cases that were dropped. Screening of patients and documentation of risk factors, adverse events, treatment, and follow-up were also important factors in determining outcome. The authors conclude that legal claims relating to use of contrast agents are unusual, most often involve non-life-threatening outcomes, and in most cases do not result in trial or a financial settlement.

The advent of clinical standards for professional liability.

The development of clinically based written standards to reduce the frequency and severity of medical malpractice loss appears to be gaining in popularity among provider specialty groups and professional liability underwriters. To date, such standards have addressed problems in specialties such as obstetrics and anesthesia where dollar losses associated with malpractice claims have been high. Guidelines can be developed and used by providers on a purely voluntary basis or mandated on an involuntary basis by third parties such as malpractice insurance companies or legislators. Because the advent of risk-control standards is a relatively new phenomenon, formal scientific studies on the long-term benefits of such guidelines have not yet been published. However, it appears that sharp reductions of malpractice losses in specialties such as anesthesia have coincided with the implementation of formal written standards specifically designed for liability control. This has led some liability insurance carriers to decrease premiums associated with specialists following such standards. Many providers are understandably concerned about the potential use of written standards by plaintiff attorneys in medical malpractice suits. Although it is possible that such policies and guidelines could be admitted into evidence to show that a provider breached the legal duty or standard of care owed to a patient, it is uncertain whether these risk-control standards could ultimately pass the evidentiary rules of relevancy or materiality in a given lawsuit. It is clear, however, that the consensus-based process of creating clinical standards and guidelines specifically for controlling professional liability losses is itself a powerful and emerging standard for health care risk management programs.

[Urodynamics in children with recurrent urinary infection, enuresis and bladder incontinence]. / Urodinamia en niños con infección urinaria recurrente, enuresis e incontinencia.

Clinical and urodynamic findings in 50 children with normal neurologic examination and: enuresis (n = 5), vesical incontinence (n = 2), recurrent urinary tract infection (n = 10) or association of these abnormalities (n = 33) are described. Renal ultrasonography showed bilateral hydronephrosis in a girl with hypotonic bladder. Reflux nephropathy was detected in two children with vesical hyperactivity and in one patient with hypotonic bladder. Vesical residue was evident in 5 patients with hyperactive bladder. Increased bladder capacity occurred in two children with hypotonic response. Vesical neck formation was observed along micturition in 6 patients with hyperactive bladder. Hyperactive bladder response occurred in 5/5 patients with enuresis, in 1/2 children with vesical incontinence (VI), in 8/10 cases of recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI) and in 23/33 patients with combined symptoms (CS). Hypertonic response was seen in 1/2 VI, 1/10 RUTI and 5/33 CS patients. Finally in 1/10 RUTI and in 5/33 CS cases bladders were hypotonic and 4/33 CS showed normal urodynamic findings.