Seen but not partisan: Changing expectations of public servants in Westminster systems.

Unlabelled: Much has been written about the changing role of unelected public servants in Westminster systems of government and their relationship with elected officials and the public. However, there are no studies comparing how these three groups perceive the role, and what they expect from public servants. This article provides the findings from three surveys of public servants, politicians and the public in Canada to assess how they view the role of the public servant and how this compares to different conceptions in the academic literature.

Microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents and in targeted drug delivery.

The development of microbubbles has had considerable impact on the field of diagnostic ultrasound. These minute, gas- or lipid-filled spheres have enabled imaging in the kidney, liver, heart, and myocardium with resolutions that were previously unachievable. Insonation of these microagents generates high-energy cavitational oscillations, which, in addition to providing contrast, can increase local drug diffusivity through microstreaming or bubble collapse.

Determination of acid substituents and unesterified hydroxyl groups in cellulose esters.

The properties of mixed cellulose esters are strongly affected by the nature and ratio of acid substituents. Fast reliable methods are needed to determine the acid substituents of these products. For some applications it is necessary to also determine the unesterified hydroxyl content.