ESTIMATION OF THE ANISOTROPY EMISSION OF LPN/CIEMAT NEUTRON SOURCES: EFFECT OF HEAVY CAPSULE HOLDERS.

In order to estimate the anisotropy emission of 241Am-Be and 252Cf neutron sources from the Spanish Neutron Standards Laboratory (LPN/CIEMAT) detailed models of sources capsules and capsule holders were designed with the MCNPX code. Simulations of the sources inside the capsules without the capsule holders were done to validate the MC model by comparison with experimental results provided by other authors. After that, the capsule holders were incorporated to the simulation.

Sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassay of triclopyr by digital image analysis.

An image based detection of chemiluminescence enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CL-ELISA) for the quantification of triclopyr has been developed. The immunoassay was an indirect competitive immunoassay with an anti-rabbit secondary antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Chemiluminescence was produced by the luminol/H(2)O(2)/HRP reaction, detected by a monochrome video CCD camera and digitized with an Imagraph IC-PCI frame grabber using a custom program developed in C(++) (Microsoft Visual C(++) 6.

Time resolved spectroscopy of 2-(dimethylamine)fluorene. Solvent effects and photophysical behavior.

The effect of different solvents on the fluorescent properties of 2-(dimethylamine)fluorene (DAF) were studied. In aprotic solvents we detected a strongly emissive intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state that decayed by intersystem crossing to triplet. In proton-accepting solvents DAF exhibits in the excited state an intramolecular proton transfer.

Comparison of adipocere formation in four soil types of the Porto (Portugal) district.

Four typical soils of the Porto (Portugal) area were characterized and used to study the decomposition of buried pieces of pork meat under controlled laboratory experiments (an 8 month experiment with a relatively high soil moisture and a 1 month experiment with relatively low soil moisture). The soils types were: organic, sandy, gravel and clay-gravel soils. Soils were characterized for their grain size distribution, pH, water content, organic matter percentage and mineral composition.

Automated determination of asulam by enhanced chemiluminescence using luminol/peroxidase system.

A flow injection system with chemiluminescence detection for the determination of asulam, enhancer of the system luminol-H(2)O(2)-horseradish peroxidase, is proposed. The method shows a moderate selectivity against other pesticides usually present in formulations of herbicides and in water. The procedure was applied to the determination of asulam in tap water samples and a recovery study was carried out in order to validate the method.

Comparison of ultrasonographic cervical length and the Bishop score in predicting successful labor induction.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasonography to predict successful labor induction, and to estimate the most useful cut-off points for the two methods.

Methods: The five components of the Bishop score were assessed by digital examination and cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography in 177 women with a single pregnancy, 36-42 weeks of gestation, and a live fetus in cephalic presentation before induction of labor.

Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that the Bishop score, cervical length, and parity provided independent contribution in the prediction of the likelihood of delivering vaginally within 60 h.

Rotavirus vaccines: considerations for successful implementation in Europe.

A group of European experts in infectious diseases and vaccinology has met on several occasions to assess the rationale for universal vaccination against rotavirus infection of infants in Europe. On the basis of the available data, we concluded that vaccination was the best approach to prevent severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, and that European countries should consider implementing rotavirus vaccination in their routine immunisation programmes. The main barrier to the implementation of rotavirus vaccination in Europe is a general lack of awareness of stakeholders, policymakers, health-care professionals, and parents about rotavirus disease and the advantages of vaccination.

Long-term outcome after valve replacement with the omnicarbon prosthesis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to determine whether long-term prognosis was affected by valve replacement with a tilting-disc prosthesis.

Methods: Surgical data were recorded prospectively for all (n = 153) valve replacement cases with the Omnicarbon prosthesis during the period February 1985 to January 1986. A rheumatic valvular pathology was present in 105 patients (68.