Exploring Pyroelectricity, Thermal and Photochemical Switching in a Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Crystal by In Situ X-Ray Diffraction.

The switching behavior of the novel hybrid material (FA)Na[Fe(CN)(NO)].HO (1) in response to temperature (T), light irradiation and electric field (E) is studied using in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD). Crystals of 1 display piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, second and third harmonic generation.

Drivers of the changing abundance of European birds at two spatial scales.

Detecting biodiversity change and identifying its causes is challenging because biodiversity is multifaceted and temporal data often contain bias. Here, we model temporal change in species' abundance and biomass by using extensive data describing the population sizes and trends of native breeding birds in the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU). In addition, we explore how species' population trends vary with species' traits.

Abundance decline in the avifauna of the European Union reveals cross-continental similarities in biodiversity change.

Although global assessments provide evidence of biodiversity decline, some have questioned the strength of the evidence, with local assemblage studies often showing a more balanced picture of biodiversity change. The multifaceted nature of biodiversity and imperfect monitoring datasets may partially explain these findings. Here, using an extensive dataset, we find significant biodiversity loss in the native avifauna of the European Union (EU).

An Assessment of the Effect of Progressive Water Absorption on the Interlaminar Strength of Unidirectional Carbon/Epoxy Composites Using Acoustic Emission.

Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) in aerospace applications are expected to operate in moist environments where carbon fibres have high resistance to water absorption; however, polymers do not. To develop a truly optimised structure, it is important to understand this degradation process. This study aims to expand the understanding of the role of water absorption on fibrous/polymeric structures, particularly in a matrix-dominant property, namely interlaminar strength.

Acoustic emission technology can warn of impending iatrogenic femur fracture during femoral canal preparation for uncemented hip replacement. A cadaveric animal bone study.

During uncemented hip arthroplasty the femoral prosthesis can be fitted too tightly into the femoral canal, causing a hoop-stress fracture of the proximal femur. The research undertaken evaluated Acoustic Emission (AE) technology as a potential method of detecting a fracture forming in this manner, in an attempt to assess whether this technology may be used as a means of early warning of impending fracture during surgery. Deer femora were prepared in a manner similar to surgery and uncemented hip arthroplasty broaches were inserted until fracture occurred.

Agricultural Management and Climatic Change Are the Major Drivers of Biodiversity Change in the UK.

Action to reduce anthropogenic impact on the environment and species within it will be most effective when targeted towards activities that have the greatest impact on biodiversity. To do this effectively we need to better understand the relative importance of different activities and how they drive changes in species' populations. Here, we present a novel, flexible framework that reviews evidence for the relative importance of these drivers of change and uses it to explain recent alterations in species' populations.

Developing and enhancing biodiversity monitoring programmes: a collaborative assessment of priorities.

Biodiversity is changing at unprecedented rates, and it is increasingly important that these changes are quantified through monitoring programmes. Previous recommendations for developing or enhancing these programmes focus either on the end goals, that is the intended use of the data, or on how these goals are achieved, for example through volunteer involvement in citizen science, but not both. These recommendations are rarely prioritized.

Structural characterisation and transdermal delivery studies on sugar microneedles: experimental and finite element modelling analyses.

Dissolving microneedles are especially attractive for transdermal drug delivery as they are associated with improved patient compliance and safety. Furthermore, microneedles made of sugars offer the added benefit of biomolecule stabilisation making them ideal candidates for delivering biological agents such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. In this study, we performed experimental and finite element analyses to study the mechanical properties of sugar microneedles and evaluate the effect of sugar composition on microneedle ability to penetrate and deliver drug to the skin.

Statins and breast cancer in postmenopausal women without hormone therapy.

Background: Epidemiological data on the association between statin use and risk of breast cancer among overweight or obese postmenopausal women who have never used hormone therapy (HT) is limited.

Patients And Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Fargo, ND, USA. Cases were overweight or obese, postmenopausal White women without a history of HT use who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Endoluminal stent-graft placement for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the community setting.

Purpose: To demonstrate that results similar to high-volume academic centers can be achieved in the community setting when treating abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using endovascular techniques, given appropriate volume and skill sets.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 342 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) by surgeons in a community hospital group from October 1999 through September 2005. In this population, 245 (71.

National threatened species listing based on IUCN criteria and regional guidelines: current status and future perspectives.

As countries worldwide become increasingly interested in conserving biodiversity, the profile of national threatened species lists expands and these lists become more influential in determining conservation priorities. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Categories and Criteria for evaluating extinction risk, originally intended for use at the global level, are increasingly being used at the national level. To facilitate this process, the IUCN recently published guidelines for the application of the criteria at subglobal levels.

Erythromelalgia misdiagnosed as cellulitis.

This case report examines the presentation of a patient with erythromelalgia that was misdiagnosed as cellulitis on several prior occasions. The presentation of bilateral acral edema and erythema, especially in the setting of myeloproliferative and/or connective tissue diseases, should alert the physician to the possibility of alternate diagnoses, including erythromelalgia. Treatments target symptom alleviation, as well as diagnosis and treatment of causative factors.

Career decision-making self-efficacy of South African high school boys and girls.

Social cognitive career theory suggests that males and females may not differ in career decision-making self-efficacy, but this statement requires extension of research to high school samples. The Career Decision-making Self-efficacy Scale-Short Form was administered to white South African high school students in Grades 9 to 11, of whom 368 were boys and 494 girls. No significant sex differences were found, suggesting that career interventions based on social cognitive career theory in high school need not be sex-specific in content.