An investigation of commercial carbon air cathode structure in ionic liquid based sodium oxygen batteries.

In order to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical energy density in sodium oxygen batteries challenges need to be overcome. In this work, four commercial air cathodes were selected, and the impacts of their morphologies, structure and chemistry on their performance with a pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid electrolyte are evaluated. The highest discharge capacity was found for a cathode with a pore size ca.

Conformational Dynamics in an Organic Ionic Plastic Crystal.

Understanding the short-range molecular motions of organic ionic plastic crystals is critical for the application of these materials as solid-state electrolytes in electrochemical devices such as lithium batteries. However, the theory of short-range-motions was originally developed for simple molecular plastic crystals and does not take account of strong interionic interactions that are present in organic ionic plastic crystals. Here we report a fundamental investigation of the dynamic behavior of an archetypal example triethyl(methyl)phosphonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide ([P][FSI]) through calorimetry, impedance spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and solid-state NMR and Raman spectroscopies.

Rural people who inject drugs: A cross-sectional survey addressing the dimensions of access to secondary needle and syringe program outlets.

Objective: To better understand issues related to access to injecting equipment for people who inject drugs (PWID) in a rural area of New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Design: Cross-sectional face-to-face survey using convenience and snowball sampling.

Setting: Six regional and rural population centres in Northern NSW, within the Hunter New England Local Health District.

Discriminative separation of gases by a "molecular trapdoor" mechanism in chabazite zeolites.

Separation of molecules based on molecular size in zeolites with appropriate pore aperture dimensions has given rise to the definition of "molecular sieves" and has been the basis for a variety of separation applications. We show here that for a class of chabazite zeolites, what appears to be "molecular sieving" based on dimension is actually separation based on a difference in ability of a guest molecule to induce temporary and reversible cation deviation from the center of pore apertures, allowing for exclusive admission of certain molecules. This new mechanism of discrimination permits "size-inverse" separation: we illustrate the case of admission of a larger molecule (CO) in preference to a smaller molecule (N(2)).

Structure and transport properties of a plastic crystal ion conductor: diethyl(methyl)(isobutyl)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate.

Understanding the ion transport behavior of organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) is crucial for their potential application as solid electrolytes in various electrochemical devices such as lithium batteries. In the present work, the ion transport mechanism is elucidated by analyzing experimental data (single-crystal XRD, multinuclear solid-state NMR, DSC, ionic conductivity, and SEM) as well as the theoretical simulations (second moment-based solid static NMR line width simulations) for the OIPC diethyl(methyl)(isobutyl)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate ([P(1,2,2,4)][PF(6)]). This material displays rich phase behavior and advantageous ionic conductivities, with three solid-solid phase transitions and a highly "plastic" and conductive final solid phase in which the conductivity reaches 10(-3) S cm(-1).

Molecular and functional characterisation of resilin across three insect orders.

Resilin is an important elastomeric protein of insects, with roles in the storage and release of energy during a variety of different functional categories including flight and jumping. To date, resilin genes and protein function have been characterised only in a small number of flying insects, despite their importance in fleas and other jumping insects. Microscopy and immunostaining studies of resilin in flea demonstrate the presence of resilin pads in the pleural arch at the top of the hind legs, a region responsible for the flea's jumping ability.

The effect of hydration on molecular chain mobility and the viscoelastic behavior of resilin-mimetic protein-based hydrogels.

The outstanding rubber-like elasticity of resilin and resilin-mimetic proteins depends critically on the level of hydration. In this investigation, water vapor sorption and the role of hydration on the molecular chain dynamics and viscoelastic properties of resilin-mimetic protein, rec1-resilin is investigated in detail. The dynamic and equilibrium swelling behavior of the crosslinked protein hydrogels with different crosslink density are reported under various controlled environments.

A new method to position and functionalize metal-organic framework crystals.

With controlled nanometre-sized pores and surface areas of thousands of square metres per gram, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) may have an integral role in future catalysis, filtration and sensing applications. In general, for MOF-based device fabrication, well-organized or patterned MOF growth is required, and thus conventional synthetic routes are not suitable. Moreover, to expand their applicability, the introduction of additional functionality into MOFs is desirable.

Comparisons of recombinant resilin-like proteins: repetitive domains are sufficient to confer resilin-like properties.

Two novel recombinant proteins An16 and Dros16 have recently been generated. These recombinant proteins contain, respectively, sixteen copies of an 11 amino acid repetitive domain (AQTPSSQYGAP) observed in a resilin-like gene from Anopheles gambiae and sixteen copies of a 15 amino acid repetitive domain (GGRPSDSYGAPGGGN) observed in the first exon of the Drosophila melanogaster CG15920 gene. We compare structural characteristics of the proteins and material properties of resulting biopolymers relative to Rec1-resilin, a previously characterized resilin-like protein encoded by the first exon of the Drosophila melanogaster CG15920 gene.

Metal-organic frameworks impregnated with magnesium-decorated fullerenes for methane and hydrogen storage.

A new concept is described for methane and hydrogen storage materials involving the incorporation of magnesium-decorated fullerenes within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The system is modeled using a novel approach underpinned by surface potential energies developed from Lennard-Jones parameters. Impregnation of MOF pores with magnesium-decorated Mg(10)C(60) fullerenes, denoted as Mg-C(60)@MOF, places exposed metal sites with high heats of gas adsorption into intimate contact with large surface area MOF structures.

A synthetic resilin is largely unstructured.

Proresilin is the precursor protein for resilin, an extremely elastic, hydrated, cross-linked insoluble protein found in insects. We investigated the secondary-structure distribution in solution of a synthetic proresilin (AN16), based on 16 units of the consensus proresilin repeat from Anopheles gambiae. Raman spectroscopy was used to verify that the secondary-structure distributions in cross-linked AN16 resilin and in AN16 proresilin are similar, and hence that solution techniques (such as NMR and circular dichroism) may be used to gain information about the structure of the cross-linked solid.

Design and facile production of recombinant resilin-like polypeptides: gene construction and a rapid protein purification method.

Resilin is an elastic protein found in specialized regions of the cuticle of insects, which displays unique resilience and fatigue lifetime properties. As is the case with many elastomeric proteins, including elastin, gliadin and spider silks, resilin contains distinct repetitive domains that appear to confer elastic properties to the protein. Recent work within our laboratory has demonstrated that cloning and expression of exon 1 of the Drosophila melanogaster CG15920 gene, encoding a putative resilin-like protein, results in a recombinant protein that can be photochemically crosslinked to form a highly resilient, elastic biomaterial (Rec1 resilin).

Distribution of intranasal C-zolmitriptan assessed by positron emission tomography.

Nine healthy volunteers aged 18-28 years were recruited into this open, single-centre, two-phase trial. In phase 1, two volunteers received a single dose of 11C-zolmitriptan 2.5 mg administered as a nasal spray and then underwent positron emission tomography (PET) scanning to determine the most appropriate times for scanning in phase 2.

Health rights in secondary schools: student and staff perspectives.

This paper examines the perspectives of secondary school students and staff about the extent to which young people's health rights are catered for at school. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the concept of Health-Promoting Schools encourage the provision of healthy school environments. A postal survey of secondary schools in New Zealand elicited responses from 821 Year 11 (15-16 year olds) students and 438 staff in 107 schools.

Pharmacokinetics, dose proportionality, and tolerability of single and repeat doses of a nasal spray formulation of zolmitriptan in healthy volunteers.

The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics, dose proportionality, and tolerability of a range of single and multiple doses of a nasal spray formulation of zolmitriptan in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced, incomplete crossover study. Thirty healthy male or female volunteers received two of five dose levels of zolmitriptan nasal spray: 0 (placebo), 0.5, 1, 2.

Preliminary studies of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of zolmitriptan nasal spray in healthy volunteers.

Two preliminary studies of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of zolmitriptan nasal spray were conducted, each involving 12 healthy volunteers. In study 1, an initial double-blind, dose escalation phase (placebo or 2.5, 5.

The pharmacokinetics of the antimigraine compound zolmitriptan in Japanese and Caucasian subjects.

Background: Zolmitriptan is a 5HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist effective in the acute treatment of migraine. Clinical trials in the USA and Europe have demonstrated the optimal oral therapeutic dose to be 2.5 mg.

Effects of the antimigraine compound zolmitriptan ('Zomig') on psychomotor performance alone and in combination with diazepam in healthy volunteers.

Zolmitriptan (Zomig) is a 5HT1B/1D agonist which has the ability to cross the intact blood-brain barrier to access central as well as peripheral receptors. Because of the potential for central nervous system side effects, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-period crossover study evaluated the effects of 2.5 and 5 mg doses of zolmitriptan on psychomotor performance and investigated any pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic interaction with diazepam.

Dieting severity and gastrointestinal symptoms in college women.

Young women report symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements, more often than young men. Young women with eating disorders also report these gastrointestinal symptoms frequently. We hypothesized that if dieting behaviors were associated with these symptoms, the prevalence and frequency of the symptoms would be positively related to dieting severity in young women.

Efficacy of meropenem in experimental meningitis.

Meropenem and comparator antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, benzyl penicillin and a combination of ampicillin plus gentamicin, were evaluated in a model of bacterial meningitis in the guinea-pig. The model is an acute infection in which challenge with each organism, if untreated, causes an increase in numbers of white blood cells, elevation of protein concentrations and 6-8 log10 cfu/mL of bacteria in the CSF. Infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, three strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (two penicillin-resistant), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes all responded to meropenem, which was as active as the comparator agents in all studies, and was more active in most.

Naloxone, an opiate blocker, reduces the consumption of sweet high-fat foods in obese and lean female binge eaters.

To test the hypothesis that endogenous opiate peptides selectively influence hedonic response to sweet and high-fat foods, the opiate antagonist naloxone, opiate agonist butorphanol, and a saline placebo were administered by intravenous infusion to 16 obese and 25 normal-weight women. Twenty of the women (10 obese, 10 lean) fulfilled DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa, as determined by psychiatric interview. During drug infusion the women tasted and rated 20 sweetened dairy products and were presented with eight snack foods of varying sugar and fat content.

The severity of dieting and bingeing behaviors in college women: interview validation of survey data.

A combined survey and interview study was conducted to validate a categorical Dieting and Bingeing Severity Scale (DBSS), and to estimate the prevalence of eating disorders in young women. We hypothesized that assignment to the DBSS categories would be confirmed by clinical interviews such that interview-diagnosed eating disorders would be found with increasing frequency and severity at the upper end of the DBSS. Freshmen college women (n = 1367) completed a survey instrument addressing the frequency and severity of dieting, binge-eating, and other behaviors and attitudes related to weight control.

The impact of sexual and physical abuse on eating disordered and psychiatric symptoms: a comparison of eating disordered and psychiatric inpatients.

The authors compared rates of physical and sexual abuse in women with eating disorders (N = 102) and general psychiatric disorders (N = 49). Relationships between sexual abuse and severity of eating disordered and psychiatric symptoms were also examined. While high rates of sexual abuse were found in the eating disordered sample, these rates were not significantly higher than those found in the general psychiatric population.

Changes in resting energy expenditure and body composition in anorexia nervosa patients during refeeding.

Accurate prediction of the energy level necessary to promote weight restoration in patients with anorexia nervosa would be clinically useful. Resting energy expenditure (REE), respiratory quotient, and body composition were measured in 10 nonmedicated women with anorexia nervosa during a vigorous refeeding protocol. REE was measured three times per week by open-circuit indirect calorimetry after an overnight fast.