Design, fabrication, and characterization of high-efficiency extreme-ultraviolet diffusers.

As the development of extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography progresses, interest grows in the extension of traditional optical components to the EUV regime. Because of the strong absorption of EUV by most materials and because of its extremely short wavelength, however, it is difficult to implement many components that are commonplace in the longer-wavelength regimes. One such example is the diffuser that is often implemented with ordinary ground glass in the visible light regime.

20-nm resolution x-ray microscopy demonstrated by use of multilayer test structures [corrected].

A spatial resolution of 20 nm is demonstrated at 2.07-nm wavelength by use of a soft x-ray microscope based on Fresnel zone plate lenses and partially coherent illumination. Nanostructural test patterns, formed by sputtered multilayer coatings and transmission electron microscopy thinning techniques, provide clear experimental results.

5-aryl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines: potent inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3).

A novel series of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines has been identified that are potent inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3).

Structure-activity relationships for 1',1'-dimethylalkyl-Delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols.

A series of 1',1'-dimethylalkyl-Delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol analogues with C-3 side chains of 2-12 carbon atoms has been synthesized and their in vitro and in vivo pharmacology has been evaluated. The lowest member of the series, 1',1'-dimethylethyl-Delta(8)-THC (8, n=0) has good affinity for the CB(1) receptor, but is inactive in vivo. The dimethylpropyl (8, n=1) through dimethyldecyl (8, n=8) all have high affinity for the CB(1) receptor and are full agonists in vivo.

The immunisation cold chain. Why is it so hard to get right?

Background: Although the standards for vaccine storage required for accreditation of general practices, and the Guidelines for Australian Immunisation are widely available, all research to date suggests that in Australia compliance with these standards has not been readily achieved.

Objective: The New South Wales Central West Division of General Practice (NSWCWDGP) and the Public Health Unit of the New South Wales Mid Western Area Health Service (NSW MWAHS) worked together from 1999 to 2001 to produce an intervention that would gather information about current vaccine storage, and provide practical help to storage sites which were not complying with accepted standards.

Discussion: Cooperation between a general practice division and the public health unit can deliver coverage of 100% of vaccinators in a large geographic region.

Paradoxical pharmacological effects of deoxy-tetrahydrocannabinol analogs lacking high CB1 receptor affinity.

The present study investigated the role of peripheral cannabinoid (CB(2)) receptors in producing hypomobility, antinociception and hypothermia in mice. Results revealed that the CB(2)-selective antagonist, SR144528, did not block cannabimimetic effects of a potent delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analog in mice. While most of a series of CB(2)-selective 1-deoxy-THC analogs were active in vivo only if they also had good affinity for CB(1) receptors, four of these analogs showed in vivo activity even though their affinities for CB(1) receptors were poor.

A three-component coupling process based on vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS(AR))-alkylation reactions: an approach to indoprofen and derivatives.

The intermediate anion derived from the vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) of hydrogen reacts with a series of alkyl halides to generate the corresponding alpha-alkylated conventional VNS product in a one-pot process. This one-pot VNS-alkylation reaction offers a convenient route to a range alpha-substituted nitrobenzyl phosphine oxides, sulfones, and esters via a three-component coupling reaction. Reactions of alpha-chloroethyl phenyl sulfone (14) and ethyl 2-chloropropionate (16) with nitrobenzene followed by subsequent addition of an alkylating agent give a series of sulfones and esters bearing an alpha-aryl quaternary center.

3-(1',1'-Dimethylbutyl)-1-deoxy-delta8-THC and related compounds: synthesis of selective ligands for the CB2 receptor.

The synthesis and pharmacology of 15 1-deoxy-delta8-THC analogues, several of which have high affinity for the CB2 receptor, are described. The deoxy cannabinoids include 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy-delta8-THC (5), 1-deoxy-delta8-THC (6), 1-deoxy-3-butyl-delta8-THC (7), 1-deoxy-3-hexyl-delta8-THC (8) and a series of 3-(1',1'-dimethylalkyl)-1-deoxy-delta8-THC analogues (2, n = 0-4, 6, 7, where n = the number of carbon atoms in the side chain-2). Three derivatives (17-19) of deoxynabilone (16) were also prepared.

Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in Sydney children, 1991-96.

Objective: Few data are available on invasive disease due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in representative Australian childhood populations. This study aimed to determine the age-specific incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in Sydney children.

Methodology: Population-based prospective study where isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from normally sterile sites were identified through an established laboratory surveillance network.

Synthesis and pharmacology of the isomeric methylheptyl-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols.

The synthesis of the 3-heptyl, and the eleven isomeric 3-methylheptyl-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols (3-7, R and S methyl epimers, and 8) has been carried out. The synthetic approach entailed the synthesis of substituted resorcinols, which were subjected to acid catalyzed condensation with trans-para-menthadienol to provide the delta8-THC analogue. The 1'-, 2'- and 3'-methylheptyl analogues (3-5) are considerably more potent than delta8-THC.

Enantioselective synthesis and pharmacology of 11-hydroxy-(1'S,2'R)-dimethylheptyl-delta 8-THC.

An enantioselective synthesis of the (1'S,2'R)-dimethylheptyl cannabinoid side chain has been developed and employed in the synthesis of 11-hydroxy-(1'S,2'R)-dimethylheptyl-delta 8-THC (3). Pharmacology, in vivo and in vitro, indicate (3) to be one of the most potent traditional cannabinoids known.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis: impact on young children, their families and the health care system.

Objective: To assess the impact of rotavirus gastroenteritis on young children attending a paediatric hospital, their families and the health care system.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey.

Setting: New Children's Hospital (Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children), Sydney, New South Wales, 15 July to 4 October 1996.

Can occupational therapy intervention play a part in maintaining independence and quality of life in older people? A randomised controlled trial.

The main objective of this study was to see if older people could maintain their quality of life and independence after their homes had been modified and they were using community services as recommended by an occupational therapist. There were 167 study participants aged 69 to 94 years from the Northern Sydney Area. After being assessed at home by an occupational therapist, 105 were randomly allocated to one of two groups, to either have or not have the occupational therapist's recommendations carried out.

Measuring health outcome in paediatrics: development of the RAHC measure of function.

Objective: To develop a genetic measure of health outcome (the RAHC Measure of Function) for paediatric health services.

Methodology: The RAHC Measure of Function (MOF) was modified from the Child Global Assessment Scale. The utility and reliability of the MOF was then tested by inter-clinician agreement on case scenarios, by inter-clinician agreement in outpatients, by parent-clinician agreement in outpatients and by responsiveness to change in acute admissions.

How general practitioners store vaccines. A survey in south-western Sydney.

Objective: To describe how general practitioners store vaccines.

Design: A cross-sectional descriptive survey of general practices and observation of storage procedures for vaccines.

Setting: South-western Sydney between September and December 1993.

The views of elderly patients and their relatives on cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Little was previously known of the factors that may influence patients and relatives when asked to make decisions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Attitudes towards resuscitation in general appear to influence the wishes of elderly patients and their relatives for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowledge of the procedure involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and its success rate and the patients' sex and health status do not influence their wishes.