Spin-orbit Splitting and Lifetime Broadening in the A2△ Electronic State of l-C5H

Optical absorption bands at -18772 and -18807 cm-1, previously assigned to A2A-X2H electronic origin band transitions of the linear carbon-chain radicals CsH and CsD, respectively, have been reinvestigated. The spectra have been recorded in direct absorption applying cavity ring-down spectroscopy to a supersonically expanding acetylene/helium plasma. The improved spectra allow deducing a l-CsH upper state spin-orbit coupling constant X=-0.7（3） cm-1 and a A2A lifetime of 1.65=0.3 ps.

MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGENS IN CHINESE HAMTER CELLS IN CULTURE

Chinese hamster cells have been used to studythe mutagenic profiles of different classes ofenvironmental carcinogens.The end points studiedinclude chromosomal aberrations,micronuclei,numerical aberrations (aneuploidy),sister chro-matid exchanges (SCEs) and point mutations (HPRT-).Most of the carcinogens which are genotoxicinduce one or more of these effects.The differ-ent strategies employed to optimise the detectionof these effects using Chinese hamster cells willbe discussed.Special emphasis will be made

“How many times must a man look up before he can really see the sky?” Rheumatic cardiovascular disease in the era of multimodality imaging

Cardiovascular involvement in rheumatic diseases(RD) is the result of various pathophysiologic mechanisms including inflammation, accelerated atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, due to micro- or macro-vascular lesions and fibrosis. Noninvasive cardiovascular imaging, including echocardiography, nuclear techniques, cardiovascular computed tomography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, represents the main diagnostic tool for early, non-invasive diagnosis of heart disease in RD. However, in the era of multimodality imaging and financial crisis there is an imperative need for rational use of imaging techniques in order to obtain the maximum benefit at the lowest possible cost for the health insurance system. The oligo-asymptomatic cardiovascular presentation and the high cardiovascular mortality of RD necessitate a reliable and reproducible diagnostic approach to catch early cardiovascular involvement. Echocardiography remains the routine cornerstone of cardiovascular evaluation. However, a normal echocardiogram can not always exclude cardiac involvement and/or identify heart disease acuity and pathophysiology. Therefore, cardiovascular magnetic resonance is a necessary adjunct complementary to echocardiography, especially in new onset heart failure and when there are conflicting data from clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation of RD patients.

有或无表面活性剂预处理的经皮肤电离子透入疗法的皮肤副作用:1个单盲、随机、对照试验

Background: Iontophoresis, a method that facilitates drug transport across skin by an external electrical field, offers the possibility for long-term transdermal delivery of compounds in a well-controlled manner. In general, the literature supports the contention that iontophoresis is a safe procedure. However, there are important medical issues concerning the epidermal and dermal effects of iontophoresis that have not been extensively investigated. Specific and strictly controlled studies on the dermal effect of iontophoresis are scarce. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the cutaneous side-effects of transdermal iontophoresis application in healthy human volunteers. Methods: This was a single-blinded, randomized and parallel design study. In one group (n = 12) subjects were treated nonocclusively with a surfactant formulation followed by iontophoresis (3-h application at a current density of 250 μA cm-2). In another group (n = 12) iontophoresis alone was performed. No drug was included in these studies. The corresponding passive treatments served as controls. Noninvasive methods including sensation record, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin colour and the visual scoring were used to assess cutaneous effects. Results: Tingling and itching were commonly experienced in the first 30 min of the current application. Iontophoresis in combination with the pretreatment induced significant increases in TEWL values and in skin redness, and resulted in slight to mild erythema and oedema compared with the control. Compared with the iontophoresis alone, the presence of surfactant pretreatment caused slightly more skin irritation (erythema and oedema) but did not further disturb the skin barrier function. Conclusions: The transdermal iontophoresis challenges the skin barrier function and induces transient mild skin irritation, but does not cause any permanent damage to the skin when applied for 3 h at a current density of 0.25 mA cm-2.

Concentrating Solar Power in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa： Achieving Its Potential

CSP （concentrating solar power） is a commercially available renewable energy technology capable of harnessing the immense solar resource in southern Europe, the MENA region （Middle East and North Africa）, and elsewhere. This paper summarises the findings of a study by the European Academies Science Advisory Council which has examined the current status and development challenges of CSP, and consequently has evaluated the potential contribution of CSP in Europe and the MENA region to 2050. It identifies the actions that will be required by scientists, engineers, policy makers, politicians, business and investors alike, to enable this vast solar resource to make a major contribution to establishing a sustainable energy system. The study concludes that cost reductions of 50%-60% in CSP electricity may reasonably be expected in the next 10-15 years, enabling the technology to be cost competitive with fossil-fired power generation at some point between 2020 and 2030. Incorporation of storage delivers added value in enabling CSP to deliver dispatchable power. Incentive schemes will be needed in Europe and MENA countries to enable this point to be achieved. Such schemes should reflect the true value of electricity to the grid, effectively drive research and development, and ensure transparency of performance and cost data.

Foraging ecology and diet of Bornean elephants(Elephas maximus borneensis)in the Sebuku forest area,North Kalimantan Province of Indonesia:Do the choices matter?

INTRODUCTION The Bornean elephant(Elephas maximus borneensis Deraniyagala,1950)is a genetically distinct subspecies of the Asian elephant(E.maximus)(Fernando et al.2003),possibly related to the Javan elephant,which became extinct following the disappearance of the Java-Borneo connection at the last glacial maximum(Cranbook et al.2008).E.maximus has been listed as an endangered species(EN)on the IUCN Red List since 1986(IUCN 2016).