Note: Comparison of grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering of a titania sponge structure at the beamlines BW4 (DORIS III) and P03 (PETRA III).

Grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) is a powerful technique for morphology investigation of nanostructured thin films. GISAXS measurements at the newly installed P03 beamline at the storage ring PETRA III in Hamburg, Germany, are compared to the GISAXS data from the beamline BW4 at the storage ring DORIS III, which had been used extensively for GISAXS investigations in the past. As an example, a titania thin film sponge structure is investigated. Compared to BW4, at beamline P03 the resolution of larger structures is slightly improved and a higher incident flux leads to a factor of 750 in scattered intensity. Therefore, the acquisition time in GISAXS geometry is reduced significantly at beamline P03.

In situ observation of cluster formation during nanoparticle solution casting on a colloidal film.

We present a real-time study of the nanostructuring and cluster formation of gold nanoparticles deposited in aqueous solution on top of a pre-structured polystyrene colloidal thin film. Cluster formation takes place at different length scales, from the agglomerations of the gold nanoparticles to domains of polystyrene colloids. By combining in situ imaging ellipsometry and microbeam grazing incidence small-angle x-ray scattering, we are able to identify different stages of nanocomposite formation, namely diffusion, roughness increase, layer build-up and compaction. The findings can serve as a guideline for nanocomposite tailoring by solution casting.

Clinical observation on the use of topical nitroglycerin in the management of severe shoulder-hand syndrome.

A simple widely endorsed treatment protocol for RSD does not exist in the literature. This lack of established management procedures reflects the multiple and often undetermined predisposing factors and variances in patient presentation. The most important factor in the successful management of RSD is early recognition and treatment. The goal of therapy is to relieve pain, limit swelling, prevent complications and restore function of the involved limb. Medical treatment becomes a more difficult challenge in the late stage. Treatment regimens for stage III RSD have been largely unsuccessful, and their benefits infrequently maintained. We observed increased level of function, as well as subjective improvement of pain and reduction of edema in our patient. Additional evaluation will help define the role of venous dilation as it relates to the efficacy and optimum utility of NTG in the adjunct management of stage III RSD. To further document the clinical efficacy of topical nitroglycerin as an adjunct in the management of stage III RSD, placebo controlled studies are indicated.