465 nm laser sources by intracavity frequency doubling using a 49-edge-emitters laser bar.

A compact blue laser was generated by intracavity frequency doubling based on quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation (SHG) in a MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate bulk crystal. A 49 single-transverse-mode edge-emitters laser bar with antireflective coating was used as a pump source. An optical output power of 1.

The effect of acid pretreatment on the anaerobic digestion and dewatering of waste activated sludge.

Waste activated sludge (WAS) is difficult to degrade in anaerobic digestion systems and pretreatments have been shown to speed up the hydrolysis stage. Here the effects of acid pretreatment (pH 6-1) using HCl on subsequent digestion and dewatering of WAS have been investigated. Optimisation of acid dosing was performed considering digestibility benefits and level of acid required.

Children's understanding of and motivations for toothbrushing: a qualitative study.

Objective: To explore children's understanding of why they do or do not brush their teeth and their motivations for toothbrushing.

Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 66 children aged 6-7 years and 10-11 years in four purposively selected primary schools in Cardiff, UK. Data were analysed using a constructive process of Thematic Content Analysis and techniques of open and selective coding.

Haemostatic response to hypoxaemic/exercise stress: the dilemma of plasma volume correction.

Objective: Patients with arterial occlusive disease are typically hypoxaemic, and exercise is prescribed for rehabilitation. Both stressors independently contract plasma volume (PV), which may influence clinical interpretation of a patient's thrombogenicity. The aim of the study was to emphasise the conceptual significance of PV correction.

Preoperative antisepsis: critiquing a research article.

A critique of a research article on preoperative skin antisepsis was undertaken using a recognised framework. This critique drew out issues which may be of use for clinicians in making a judgement regarding implementing change into their clinical practice.

Relative similarity within purine nucleotide and ligand structures operating on nitric oxide synthetase, guanylyl cyclase and potassium (K ATP, BK Ca) channels.

Objectives: Purine nucleotides play a central role in signal transduction events initiated at the cell membrane. The NO-cGMP-cGK pathway, in particular, mediates events involving NOS and some classes of K(+) ion channel. The aim of this study is to investigate relative molecular similarity within the ligands binding to NOS, K(ATP), BK(Ca) channels and regulatory nucleotides.

Letting go or holding on? Parents' perceptions of their relationships with their children during emerging adulthood.

This qualitative interview study explored and examined the transitions surrounding emerging adulthood within the family from the parents' perspective. Interviews conducted with a purposive sample of parents (N = 59) revealed the perceived difficulties parents have in 'letting go' of their grown-up children, and in acknowledging their developing autonomy; and demonstrated a range of perceived parental strategies in response to young people's growing independence. The significance of these intertwined elements of perceived dependency, emotional tensions, and interactive behaviours for relationships in the family, and the implications for 'emerging adulthood', was discussed.

Are international nursing students disadvantaged by UK patients?

International students bring billions of pounds annually to the UK through higher education. Although nursing students may not contribute as significantly in monetary terms as traditional graduate and postgraduate learners, they do, however, bring with them other benefits in terms of wealth of experience, diversity and cultural capital, often looking after client groups sometimes marginalized by mainstream society. The reality is that many nursing homes and care homes simply would not function without internationally recruited nurses contributing to our health service and the wellbeing of society.

Effects of education and experience on nurses' value of ulcer prevention.

Few studies have focused on the value that nurses place on pressure ulcer prevention, even though values are a key determinant of a person's behaviour and actions. Previous studies have reported that the value that a nurse places on pressure ulcer prevention is linked to the skin care that they deliver. This article describes a study that was undertaken to determine the value that nurses place on pressure ulcer prevention, which also identified how this value is formed.

Abolition of prescription charges in Wales: the impact on medicines use in those who used to pay.

Objectives: patient co-payments for prescription medicines in Wales were abolished in April 2007 and there has been much speculation on the possible effects. We analysed patient-reported use of medicines before and after abolition of the prescription charge, noting changes in the number of items prescribed, number of non-prescription medicines purchased and participants not collecting all prescribed items (primary non-adherence).

Methods: a sample of community pharmacists across Wales (n = 249) issued questionnaires to customers at the point of dispensing who were not exempt from the prescription charge.

Cyanoacrylate microbial sealants for skin preparation prior to surgery.

Background: Surgical site infections are a continuing concern in health care. Microbial sealant is a liquid applied to the skin immediately before surgery. It is thought to contribute to reducing surgical site infections by sealing in the skin flora to prevent contamination and infection of the surgical site.

Mapping the vulnerability of older persons to disasters.

Older people sit at the centre of a unique constellation of factors that combine to increase their vulnerability to the negative effects of catastrophic events. The aim of this paper is to explore some of the factors that underlie this vulnerability. Attention will be directed at three broad factors that will be discussed in some depth, namely poverty, long standing health conditions and psychological trauma.

High-altitude pulmonary hypertension is associated with a free radical-mediated reduction in pulmonary nitric oxide bioavailability.

High altitude (HA)-induced pulmonary hypertension may be due to a free radical-mediated reduction in pulmonary nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. We hypothesised that the increase in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) at HA would be associated with a net transpulmonary output of free radicals and corresponding loss of bioactive NO metabolites. Twenty-six mountaineers provided central venous and radial arterial samples at low altitude (LA) and following active ascent to 4559 m (HA).

The impact of nurses' values on the prevention of pressure ulcers.

Values are perceived to be a key determinant of people's behaviour and actions. There is a limited amount of research into the value that nurses place on the prevention of pressure ulcers, but past studies have suggested that nurses place a low value on pressure ulcer prevention. This article describes a study that was undertaken to ascertain what value nurses place on pressure ulcer prevention.

Airway management for nurses:emergency assessment and care.

Within the hospital environment patients can deteriorate rapidly and for many different reasons. Maintaining a patient's breathing is the main priority in any emergency situation--although achieving airway control can be difficult. All health professionals need to be able to safely undertake airway management and the key to the management of an airway is through a thorough assessment, to firstly ensure whether the airway is patent or not.

Prior exposure to major flooding increases individual preparedness in high-risk populations.

Introduction: July 2007 brought unprecedented levels of flooding to the United Kingdom. Health and financial implications were vast and still are emerging. Hydrological disasters will increase in frequency.

Active cervical range of motion recovery following the rugby off-season.

Aim: It has been established that Rugby players have reduced active cervical function that further declines with increased number of playing years; noticeable even over a single season. Here we examine one possible reason, namely insufficient recovery during the off-season, which will only be exacerbated by the trend towards a decreasing off-season period.

Methods: Twenty-six elite rugby players (12 Forwards 24.

Spiritual gaze.

A new book offers nurses insights into spirituality and tools enabling them to assess this aspect of patient care.

Infection control and intravenous therapy in patients in the community.

Recent efforts to reduce infections have been focused within the hospital setting. Early hospital discharge, shorter inpatient stays, day surgery and the movement of patients between acute and long-stay care facilities is likely to make community-acquired infection an increasing problem. There are, or course, universal precautions and general infection control issues to consider when undertaking any clinical procedure, both in hospital and the community, but when administering intravenous therapy (medicines and/or maintenance fluids) specific measures need to be considered.

Thermal imaging today and its relevance to diabetes.

From the historic and simple assessment of temperature by the clinical thermometer, modern infrared technology has opened up new perspectives, especially in the use of thermal imaging to map body surface temperature with a remote sensing camera. Since the 1960s, there is now a greater understanding of thermal physiology and the relationship between skin temperature and blood perfusion. Furthermore, the examination technique, and the advantages of computer-aided digital imaging has greatly improved the reliability of this technology in medicine.

Application of Co-naphthalocyanine (CoNPc) as alternative cathode catalyst and support structure for microbial fuel cells.

Co-naphthalocyanine (CoNPc) was prepared by heat treatment for cathode catalysts to be used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Four different catalysts (Carbon black, NPc/C, CoNPc/C, Pt/C) were compared and characterized using XPS, EDAX and TEM. The electrochemical characteristics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were compared by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV).

Characterisation of an unprocessed landfill ash for application in concrete.

An investigation was carried out to establish the physical, mechanical and durability characteristics of an unprocessed pulverised fuel ash (PFA) from a former landfill site at the Power Station Hill near Church Village, South Wales, United Kingdom. This was aimed at establishing the suitability of the ash in the construction of the Church Village Bypass (embankment and pavement) and also in concrete to be used in the construction of the proposed highway. Concrete made using binder blends using various levels of PFA as replacement to Portland cement (PC) were subjected to compressive strength tests to establish performance.

How older people with learning disabilities perceive ageing.

This article discusses the author's use of reflexivity in trying to gain a better understanding of ageing in older people with learning disabilities. In the general population ageing is viewed in rather negative terms and as a significant life transition. However, for some older people with learning disabilities this transition may go unnoticed because of their past negative life experiences and lack of opportunities.

Mucosal immunity and illness incidence in elite rugby union players across a season.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between upper respiratory illness (URI) incidence with changes in mucosal immunity (saliva immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and saliva lysozyme (s-Lys)) and training load (TL) in a squad of elite rugby union players.

Methods: Timed resting morning saliva samples were taken from players (n = 31) at preselected time points for 11 months. Weekly illness rates and TL were assessed using a Web-based diary and from medical/coaching staff reports.