OH-Initiated Oxidation of m-Xylene on Black Carbon Aging.

Laboratory experiments are conducted to investigate aging of size-classified black carbon (BC) particles from OH-initiated oxidation of m-xylene. The variations in the particle size, mass, effective density, morphology, optical properties, hygroscopicity, and activation as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are simultaneously measured by a suite of aerosol instruments, when BC particles are exposed to the oxidation products of the OH-m-xylene reactions. The BC aging is governed by the coating thickness (Δrve), which is correlated to the reaction time and initial concentrations of m-xylene and NOx.

Markedly enhanced absorption and direct radiative forcing of black carbon under polluted urban environments.

Black carbon (BC) exerts profound impacts on air quality and climate because of its high absorption cross-section over a broad range of electromagnetic spectra, but the current results on absorption enhancement of BC particles during atmospheric aging remain conflicting. Here, we quantified the aging and variation in the optical properties of BC particles under ambient conditions in Beijing, China, and Houston, United States, using a novel environmental chamber approach. BC aging exhibits two distinct stages, i.

Observations of aminium salts in atmospheric nanoparticles and possible climatic implications.

We present laboratory studies and field observations that explore the role of aminium salt formation in atmospheric nanoparticle growth. These measurements were performed using the Thermal Desorption Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TDCIMS) and Ultrafine Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzers. Laboratory measurements of alkylammonium-carboxylate salt nanoparticles show that these particles exhibit lower volatilities and only slightly lower hygroscopicities than ammonium sulfate nanoparticles.

Patient satisfaction after blepharoplasty performed as office surgery using oral medication with the patient under local anesthesia.

Background: Blepharoplasty can be performed in the office setting using oral medication with the patient under local anesthesia. This article reviews the authors' experience with this approach, evaluating patient satisfaction and demonstrating why this technique has become their procedure of choice for selected healthy patients.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of the 86 patients who underwent office-based blepharoplasty and mailed surveys to assess patient satisfaction with the procedure.

Efficacy of a local anesthetic pain pump in abdominoplasty.

Background: Recently, pain infusion pumps for postoperative pain control have gained popularity in many surgical specialties. This investigation was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a local anesthetic pain infusion pump in management of postoperative pain in abdominoplasty patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of 38 abdominoplasty patients with local anesthetic pain pumps and 35 abdominoplasty patients without pain pumps was performed.

Continuous collection of soluble atmospheric particles with a wetted hydrophilic filter.

Approximately one-third of the area (14-mm diameter of a 25-mm diameter) of a 5-microm uniform pore size polycarbonate filter is continuously wetted by a 0.25 mL/min water mist. The water forms a continuous thin film on the filter and percolates through it.

Preventing seroma in the latissimus dorsi flap donor site with fibrin sealant.

Donor site seroma continues to be the most common complication of latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. Numerous preventive methods and treatments have been described. The use of fibrin sealant in the donor site before closure may be an effective means of seroma prevention.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting in the plastic surgery patient.

Despite great advances in modern medicine, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continue to be a significant problem without a definitive cure. This article describes a prospective study conducted with 143 plastic surgery patients at a single institution between 1998 and 2000 to identify preoperative risk factors for PONV that may be specific to plastic surgery patients. In addition, a prophylactic regimen was identified that demonstrated a decrease in the incidence of PONV from the published incidence of 22% to 3%.

Nipple-areola reconstruction: satisfaction and clinical determinants.

After performing a chart review, the authors identified 120 patients who underwent breast cancer-related reconstruction. All charts were evaluated with regard to breast mound reconstruction type, nipple-areola reconstruction type, the interval between breast mound and nipple-areola reconstruction, the number of procedures needed to achieve nipple-areola reconstruction, patient history of radiation therapy, and complications. A questionnaire was then developed and mailed to all of the patients who underwent both breast mound and nipple/areola reconstruction (n = 105) to evaluate their level of satisfaction.