Molesey Hospital

Phytoplankton primary productivity is most commonly measured by 14 C assimilation although less direct methods, such as O 2 exchange, have also been employed. These methods are invasive, requiring bottle incubation for up to 24 h. As an alternative, Fast Repetition Rate fluorometry (FRRf) has been used, on wide temporal and spatial scales within aquatic systems, to estimate photosystem II (PSII) electron flux per unit volume ( JV PSII ), which generally correlates well with photosynthetic O 2 evolution. A major limitation of using FRRf arises from the need to employ an independent method to determine the concentration of functional photosystem II reaction centers ([RCII]); a requirement that has prevented FRR fluorometers being used, as stand‐alone instruments, for the estimation of electron transport. Within this study, we have taken a new approach to the analysis of FRRf data, based on a simple hypothesis; that under a given set of environmental conditions, the ratio of rate constants for RCII fluorescence emission and photochemistry falls within a narrow range, for all groups of phytoplankton. We present a simple equation, derived from the established FRRf algorithm, for determining [RCII] from dark FRRf data alone. We also describe an entirely new algorithm for estimating JV PSII , which does not require determination of [RCII] and is valid for a heterogeneous model of connectivity among RCIIs. Empirical supporting evidence is presented. These data are derived from FRR measurements across a diverse range of microalgae, in parallel with independent measurements of [RCII]. Possible sources of error, particularly under nutrient stress conditions, are discussed.

. We 1) re-evaluate core physiological processes governing how microalgae invest photosynthetic electron transport-derived energy and reductant into stored carbon versus alternative sinks. Then, we 2) outline steps to facilitate broader uptake and exploitation of FRRf, which could transform our knowledge of aquatic primary productivity. We argue it is time to 3) revise our historic methodological focus on carbon as the currency of choice, to 4) better appreciate that electron transport fundamentally drives ecosystem biogeochemistry, modulates cell-to-cell interactions, and ultimately modifies community biomass and structure.

On 3 October 2007, 40 participants with diverse expertise attended the workshop Tamiflu and the Environment: Implications of Use under Pandemic Conditions to assess the potential human health impact and environmental hazards associated with use of Tamiflu during an influenza pandemic. Based on the identification and risk-ranking of knowledge gaps, the consensus was that oseltamivir ethylester-phosphate (OE-P) and oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) were unlikely to pose an ecotoxicologic hazard to freshwater organisms. OC in river water might hasten the generation of OC-resistance in wildfowl, but this possibility seems less likely than the potential disruption that could be posed by OC and other pharmaceuticals to the operation of sewage treatment plants. The work-group members agreed on the following research priorities: a) available data on the ecotoxicology of OE-P and OC should be published; b) risk should be assessed for OC-contaminated river water generating OC-resistant viruses in wildfowl; c) sewage treatment plant functioning due to microbial inhibition by neuraminidase inhibitors and other antimicrobials used during a pandemic should be investigated; and d) realistic worst-case exposure scenarios should be developed. Additional modeling would be useful to identify localized areas within river catchments that might be prone to high pharmaceutical concentrations in sewage treatment plant effluent. Ongoing seasonal use of Tamiflu in Japan offers opportunities for researchers to assess how much OC enters and persists in the aquatic environment.

Skid steering has advantages for military armoured vehicles because it gives greater internal hull volume and improved manoeuvrability. The steering performance of an 18t 6×6 skid-steered vehicle is analysed and compared with that of a similar Ackermann-steered vehicle. The basic properties of the double-differential mechanism used for steering most modern skid-steered vehicles are analysed. A tyre model is used that enables the force characteristics at combined slip to be established from the relatively small amount of pure slip data that are available for truck-sized tyres. A spreadsheet analysis is used for solving the equations of motion. This shows that the skid-steered vehicle is generally neutral to oversteer whereas the Ackermann-steered vehicle is understeer. The skid-steered vehicle is also shown to require more power when cornering because of the power required by the steering mechanism. This will increase the fuel consumption and reduce the range of the skid-steered vehicle.

As reading fiction can challenge us to better understand fact, using fake animals can sometimes serve as our best solution to understanding the behavior of real animals. The use of dummies, doppelgangers, fakes, and physical models have served to elicit behaviors in animal experiments since the early history of behavior studies, and, more recently, robotic animals have been employed by researchers to further coax behaviors from their study subjects. Here, we review the use of robots in the service of animal behavior, and describe in detail the production and use of one type of robot - "faux" frogs - to test female responses to multisensory courtship signals. The túngara frog (Physalaemus pustulosus) has been a study subject for investigating multimodal signaling, and we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the faux frogs we have designed, with the larger aim of inspiring other scientists to consider the appropriate application of physical models and robots in their research.

Abstract This study presents a methods evaluation and intercalibration of active fluorescence‐based measurements of the quantum yield ( ) and absorption coefficient ( ) of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry. Measurements of , , and irradiance ( E ) can be scaled to derive photosynthetic electron transport rates ( ), the process that fuels phytoplankton carbon fixation and growth. Bio‐optical estimates of and were evaluated using 10 phytoplankton cultures across different pigment groups with varying bio‐optical absorption characteristics on six different fast‐repetition rate fluorometers that span two different manufacturers and four different models. Culture measurements of and the effective absorption cross section of PSII photochemistry ( , a constituent of ) showed a high degree of correspondence across instruments, although some instrument‐specific biases are identified. A range of approaches have been used in the literature to estimate and are evaluated here. With the exception of ex situ estimates from paired and PSII reaction center concentration ( ) measurements, the accuracy and precision of in situ methodologies are largely determined by the variance of method‐specific coefficients. The accuracy and precision of these coefficients are evaluated, compared to literature data, and discussed within a framework of autonomous measurements. This study supports the application of an instrument‐specific calibration coefficient ( ) that scales minimum fluorescence in the dark ( ) to as both the most accurate in situ measurement of , and the methodology best suited for highly resolved autonomous measurements.© 2014 Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography

At present, when designing a Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminaire, different strategies of development are followed depending on the size of the company. Since on LED datasheets there is only limited information provided, companies designing LED luminaires spend a lot of effort gathering the required input of LED details to be able to design reliable products. Small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) do not have the bandwidth to gather such input and solely rely on empirical approaches leading to approximated luminaire designs, while larger companies use advanced hardware and software tools to characterize parts, design versions, and finally optimize all design steps. In both cases, considerable time and money is spent on prototyping, sampling, and laboratory testing. Digitalization of the complete product development (also known as Industry 4.0 approach) at all integration levels of the solid state lighting (SSL) supply chain would provide the remedy for these pains. The Delphi4LED European project aimed at developing multi-domain compact models of LED (for a consistent, combined description of electronic, thermal, and optical properties of LEDs) as digital twins of the physical products to support virtual prototyping during the design of luminaires. This paper provides an overview of the Delphi4LED approach aimed at supporting new, completely digital workflows both for SMEs and larger companies (Majors) along with some comparison with the traditional luminaire design. Two demonstration experiments are described: One to show the achievable benefits of the approach and another one to demonstrate the ease of use and ability to be accommodated in a larger scale product design for assessing design choices like e.g., number and type of LEDs versus electrical/thermal conditions and constraints, in a tool agnostic manner.

Update Update on June 17, 2015: The retraction notice for this article has been revised as explained in J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015 June 17;97(12):1011. Update on April 15, 2015: This article has been retracted as explained in “A letter to our readers” in J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015 Apr 15;97(8):667. Update on November 20, 2013: An expression of concern regarding this article was published in J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013 Nov 20;95(22):2057. Background: Chronic Achilles tendinosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder often refractory to conservative management. Our study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the use of autologous skin-derived collagen-producing cells in the treatment of refractory Achilles tendinosis. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind study on forty Achilles tendons in thirty-two patients (eight with bilateral involvement) who had a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of Achilles tendinosis. The patients ranged from twenty-two to sixty-seven years old and had a mean age of 45.2 years. The patients with unilateral involvement were randomized into the treatment group (twelve patients) and control group (twelve patients). The eight patients with bilateral involvement were individually randomized into treatment and control groups, with eight Achilles tendons in each group. Achilles tendons in the treatment group were injected under ultrasound guidance with laboratory-expanded, skin-derived fibroblasts suspended in autologous plasma. The control group received ultrasound-guided injection of a local anesthetic and physiotherapy. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used as the main outcome measures for both groups. Results: Significant differences in the mean VISA and VAS scores were detected between the treatment and the control groups for the patients with unilateral involvement at six months (p < 0.001 for both). With use of the Mann-Whitney U Test, significant differences in the VISA score were observed at the second visit and at the three-month and six-month visits (p = 0.02, p = 0.007, and p < 0.001 respectively). The VAS scores also showed significant differences at the second visit and at the six-month evaluation (p = 0.014 and p < 0.001, respectively). The eight patients with bilateral involvement were analyzed separately; with the number of patients studied, no significant differences in the VISA or VAS scores were observed between the treatment group and the control group. Conclusions: These preliminary short-term results demonstrate that the injection of skin-derived fibroblasts for the treatment of Achilles tendinosis is safe. However, larger studies with a longer duration of follow-up are required to determine the long-term effectiveness before wider clinical application is considered. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The description is given of an anomalous muscle arising from the flexor digitorum superficialis indicis tendon distal to the transverse carpal ligament which presented as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract For reinforced concrete structures a localisation of all significant critical areas can only be done by a full surface inspection. The economic advantages are obvious: uncritical areas have not to be repaired expensively 1 . The first step of the assessment should always be a visual inspection 2 . The range of deterioration causes can be limited and the degree of deterioration may be estimated roughly. The inspection program can be adjusted to the requirements. By means of a full surface potential mapping areas with a high risk for chloride induced reinforcement corrosion can be localised, although no deteriorations are visually detectable at the concrete surface. In combination with concrete cover depth and resistivity measurements areas with corrosion promoting exposure conditions can be localised even if the reinforcement is not yet depassivated. The following publication gives an overview about the essential full surface investigation methods to localise critical areas regarding corrosion of steel in concrete. The selection of methods is based on the inspection procedure given in 2 .

With the advancement of biomedical research into antimicrobial treatments for various diseases, the source and delivery of antibiotics have attracted attention. In periodontal diseases, antibiotics are integral in positive treatment outcomes; however, the use of antibiotics is with caution as the potential for the emergence of resistant strains is of concern. Over the years, conventional routes of drug administration have been proven to be effective for the treatment of PD, yet the problem of antibiotic resistance to conventional therapies continues to remain a setback in future treatments. Hydrogels fabricated from natural and synthetic polymers have been extensively applied in biomedical sciences for the delivery of potent biological compounds. These polymeric materials either have intrinsic antibacterial properties or serve as good carriers for the delivery of antibacterial agents. The biocompatibility, low toxicity and biodegradability of some hydrogels have favoured their consideration as prospective carriers for antibacterial drug delivery in PD. This article reviews PD and its antibiotic treatment options, the role of bacteria in PD and the potential of hydrogels as antibacterial agents and for antibiotic drug delivery in PD. Finally, potential challenges and future directions of hydrogels for use in PD treatment and diagnosis are also highlighted.

Abstract Despite much recent work examining the short‐term effect of counselling in primary healthcare settings, to date relatively little research has examined the effectiveness of such treatment programmes over the longer term. In this study, 58 participants underwent brief, time‐limited integrative counselling sessions, with symptoms being measured using the CORE‐OM immediately before, immediately after, and 30 months after counselling. It was found that in addition to participants reporting significantly lower levels of psychological distress immediately post‐counselling, a further significant improvement at 30‐month follow‐up was also apparent, indicating that the benefit from counselling was maintained. In addition to this reduction in symptoms post‐counselling, a significant reduction in GP visits was also detected in the 12 months following counselling when compared with the 12 months prior to counselling, indicating a lower reliance on the primary healthcare team after counselling.

Regarding the second paragraph of Eric Deeson's review of Capra's book The Tao of Physics (Physics Bulletin March 1976 p123), Sanskrit texts of India most definitely contain intimate knowledge of nuclear science and particle physics. As ancient texts can only be interpreted in the light of current knowledge, modern translations only are able to clarify these scientific issues.

Multi-domain electro-thermal-optical models of LEDs are required so that their thermal and optical behavior may be predicted during a luminaire design process. Today, no standardized approach exists for the extraction of such models. Therefore, models are not readily provided by LED suppliers to end-users. This results in designers of LED-based luminaires wasting time on LED characterization and ad hoc model extraction themselves. The Delphi4LED project aims to address these deficiencies by identifying standardizable methodologies to extract both electro-optical and thermal compact models of LEDs that together can be used in a multi-domain simulation context. This article describes a methodology to extract compact thermal models of LEDs that are dynamic, in that they accommodate transient thermal effects, and are boundary condition-independent, in that their accuracy is independent of their thermal operating environment. Such models are achieved by first proposing an equivalent thermal nodal network topology. The thermal resistances and capacitances of that network are identified by means of optimization so that the transient thermal response of the network matches that of either an equivalent calibrated 3D thermal model or a transient thermal measurement of a physical sample. The accuracy of the thermal network is then verified by comparing the thermal compact model with a 3D detailed model, which predicts thermal responses within a 3D system-level model.

Abstract Full surface surveys which are likely to include e.g. a deterioration and potential mapping as well as a cover depth survey, should be the base to identify critical areas which are suspect to be suffering from reinforcement corrosion 1 . Localised assessment in these areas should give further information about the type and extent of deterioration. It should include the determination of the chloride profile beyond the cover depth, the depth of carbonation and a direct visual assessment of the steel reinforcement by breaking away the cover concrete at selected locations. Further valuable information may be collected by determining the water content of the concrete or performing corrosion rate measurements. Within this publication the essential methods for local detailed inspections are discussed regarding the application and interpretation of the results. An overview of the survey procedure is given in ref. 2 .

To reduce the number of animals and studies needed to fulfill the information requirements as required by Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (EC no. 1907/2006), a read-across approach was used to support approximately 30 higher olefins. This study aimed to assess the absorption potential of higher olefins through the gut wall as the experimentally determined bioavailability which would strengthen the read-across hypothesis and justification, reducing the need for toxicity studies on all of the higher olefins. The absorption potential of a series of higher olefins (carbon range from 6 to 28, with five configurations of the double bond) was determined in the in vitro everted rat small intestinal sac model and subsequently ranked. In addition, in silico approaches were applied to predict the reactivity, lipophilicity, and permeability of higher olefins. In the in vitro model, everted sacs were incubated in "fed-state simulated small intestinal fluid" saturated with individual higher olefins. The sac contents were then collected, extracted, and analyzed for olefin content using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The C6 to C10 molecules were readily absorbed into the intestinal sacs. Marked inter-compound differences were observed, with the amount of absorption generally decreasing with the increase in carbon number. Higher olefins with ≥C14 carbons were either not absorbed or very poorly absorbed. In the reactivity simulation study, the reactivity is well described by the position of the double bond rather than the number of carbon atoms. In the lipophilicity and permeability analysis, both parameter descriptors depend mainly on the number of carbon atoms and less on the position of the double bond. In conclusion, these new approach methodologies provide supporting information on any trends or breakpoints in intestinal uptake and a hazard matrix based on carbon number and position of the double bond. This matrix will further assist in the selection of substances for inclusion in the mammalian toxicity testing programme.

Abstract This paper describes the procedure of the assessment of the condition of concrete structures regarding reinforcement corrosion and selection criteria for the methods to be used for inspection. It is based on the European Standard EN 1504 on Repair of Concrete Structures and the experience of the members of the task group.

Abstract We present the deployment of a seismic network in the Helsinki capital area of Finland that was installed to monitor the response to the second stimulation phase of an ∼6-kilometer-deep enhanced geothermal system in 2020. The network consists of a dozen permanent broadband stations and more than 100, predominantly short-period, temporary stations. This 2020 deployment is characterized by a mix of single stations and arrays with diverse configurations. It covers a larger area and exhibits a smaller azimuthal gap compared with the network that monitored the first stimulation in 2018. We surveyed the outcropping rocks at one of the large array sites to study surface expressions of shear or weakness zones that are possibly connected to the stimulated volume at depth. We link the relatively large number of macroseismic reports received during the stimulation to an increased public awareness of the project together with an increased sensitivity because the second stimulation occurred during the local COVID-19 mobility restrictions. The spatial distribution of the reports seems to be controlled by the radiation pattern of the induced earthquakes and hence by the stress state in the reservoir. The continuous records contain strong energy at high frequencies above 50 Hz that is attributed to anthropogenic processes in the densely populated urban area. However, the exceptionally low attenuation of the bedrock yields good signal-to-noise ratio seismograms of the induced small events, the largest of which was magnitude ML 1.2. The signal quality of the obtained noise correlation functions is similarly very good. The data set has been collected to underpin a wide range of seismic analysis techniques for complementary scientific studies of the evolving reservoir processes and the induced event properties. These scientific studies should inform the legislation and educate the public for transparent decision making around geothermal power generation.

The development of alternative methods to animal testing has gained momentum over the years, including the rapid growth of in silico methods, which are faster and more cost-effective. A large number of computational tools have been published, focusing on Read-Across, (quantitative) Structure–Activity Relationship ((Q)SAR) models, and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. All of these methods play a crucial role in the risk assessment for cosmetics. However, despite the continuous efforts of various working groups, these methods are not always accepted by regulatory authorities around the world due to a lack of standardization and transparency in their development and application. This study aimed to identify in silico tools that can predict key properties relevant to the hazard assessment of cosmetic ingredients, aiming to streamline decision-making and assist toxicologists in efficiently selecting and integrating in silico predictions. Eighty-four in silico tools were identified based on their predictive capabilities, covering physicochemical parameters, toxicological/ecotoxicological endpoints, and toxicokinetic properties using different computational methods, e.g., (Q)SARs; Read-Across. Additional criteria were also considered for QSAR models, helping toxicologists integrate them into risk assessment processes: (1) definition of the Applicability Domain (AD), (2) model performance, and (3) nearest neighbors of the target substance. Based on these criteria, the models were classified as either useful for screening or suitable for a Weight of Evidence (WoE) approach. Finally, this study highlights the growing number of computational tools available for assessing various endpoints relevant to cosmetic safety. The number of tools continues to increase, and regular reviews are necessary. A deeper understanding of these in silico tools will facilitate their use by toxicologists and improve their acceptance for regulatory purposes from different cosmetic authorities.

Taper degradation in Total Hip Replacements (THR) has been identified as a clinical concern, and the degradation occurring at these interfaces has received increased interest in recent years. Wear and corrosion products produced at the taper junction are associated with adverse local tissue responses, leading to early failure and revision surgery. Retrieval and in-vitro studies have found that variations in taper design affect degradation. However, there is a lack of consistent understanding within the literature of what makes a good taper interface. Previous studies assessed different design variations using their global parameters assuming a perfect cone such as: taper length, cone angle and diameters. This study assessed geometrical variations of as-manufactured head and stem tapers and any local deviations from their geometry. The purpose of this study was to provide a greater insight into possible engagement, a key performance influencing parameter predicted by Morse taper connection theory. This was achieved by taking measurements of twelve different commercially available male tapers and six female tapers using a coordinate measurement machine (CMM). The results suggested that engagement is specific to a particular head-stem couple. This is subject to both their micro-scale deviations, superimposed on their macro-scale differences. Differences in cone angles between female and male tapers from the same manufacturer was found to create a predominately proximal contact. However, distally mismatched couples are present in some metal-on-metal head-stem couples. On a local scale, different deviation patterns were observed from the geometry which appeared to be linked to the manufacturing process. Future work will look at using this measurement methodology to fully characterise an optimal modular taper junction for a THR prosthesis.