The technique of neutron inelastic scattering has demonstrated the presence of longitudinal acoustic phonons in two layer-silicate minerals. Values of the elastic constants determined from the dispersion curves have established the validity of the technique for this class of materials.

Teflon amorphous fluoropolymer (TAF) multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) suspensions have the potential for creating conductive coatings on insulating films for numerous applications. However, there are few studies on polymer MWCNT suspension properties and even fewer that use Teflon. To define mechanical and electrical property relationships, bilayer films of TAF-MWCNT were created with differing concentrations of MWCNTs. Nanoindentation revealed that addition of 8 wt% MWCNTs to TAF increased the elastic modulus by about 25% and hardness by about 15%. Conducting indentation showed 8 wt% MWCNT films exhibit uniform stable conductance once indentation depth exceeds several hundred nanometers. Films with lower concentrations of CNTs were insulating. The two techniques provide a unique description of structure property relationships in this suspension film system.

The field of composition and the geochemical trend of the lower portion of the stratiform Stillwater igneous complex correlate well with the field and trend for alpine-type ultrabasic masses in the nearby gneissic basement of the Beartooth Mountains. This is consistent with a derivation of some alpine-type masses by the tectonic disruption and metamorphism of stratiform complexes.

Based on a simple model of lithic procurement, reduction, and use, we generate predictions for patterns in source diversity and average distance-to-source measurements for flaked stone assemblages left behind by small-scale and residentially mobile populations. We apply this model to geochemical data from obsidian artifacts from three regions in western North America. As predicted, results show markedly different patterns in the geochemical composition of small flakes, large flakes, and formal tools. While small flakes and tools tend to have greater source diversity and are on average farther from their original source, the large flake assemblage is composed of fewer and closer sources. These results suggest that a failure to include very late stage reduction (e.g., pressure flakes) and microdebitage in characterization studies may bias interpretations about the extent of residential mobility and/or trade patterns because more distant sources will be underrepresented.

The Lyot Project near-infrared JHK coronagraph achieved first light on the Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) in March 2004. Optical pupil plane imaging at video rates from this coronagraph provides data on atmospheric scintillation and quasi-static pupil intensity variations. We examine the effect of these variations on coronagraphic performance. Early simulations suggested Strehl ratio reductions of the order of 2–3% due to residual uncorrected phase aberrations in H-band. We find that static or quasi-static pupil illumination non-uniformity in I-band reduces Strehl by $\sim$2%. A lower bound on the effects of dynamic illumination variation over the pupil is also $\sim$2% in I-band. Some of the static intensity variations in the pupil are due to pinned deformable mirror (DM) actuators. We simulate the effects a pinned actuator has on the coronagraph. The resultant speckles in simulated coronagraphic images show similarities to some Lyot Project PSFs. This highlights the importance of knowledge of the pupil in next-generation extreme AO coronagraphs in order to realize the predicted photometric dynamic range of their images.

Eight aardvarks Orycteropus afer were fitted with radio-transmitters at Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve between June 1996 and December 1997. Two became habituated and could be approached to a distance of 1 m. Activity patterns, home ranges and burrow use were investigated using telemetry and direct observations. In winter, aardvarks emerged above ground earlier, returned to burrows earlier and were active for shorter periods than in summer. They were nocturnal except occasionally in winter when some individuals foraged above ground before sunset. Home ranges varied between 133 ha and 302 ha and range overlap occurred within and between both sexes. Densities were c. eight animals per 1000 ha. Aardvarks used steep slopes (>15°) less than would have been expected according to availability. Average lengths of consecutive burrow use for three aardvarks were 4.9, 6.9 and 8.6 days, with some burrows being abandoned after only 1 day and one burrow being used for 38 days.

EDXRF analysis of an obsidian scraper from the Spiro Mounds, Oklahoma, shows that the source material was from Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. Given the distinctive peralkaline character of the obsidian, the source assignment is considered extremely secure. The artifact was recovered from the east tunnel of Craig Mound, Spiro, immediately after the cessation of commercial digging in 1935, and has been in the Smithsonian’s collections since 1937. Despite more than 150 years of speculation regarding supposed contact with and influence from the region, this represents the first documented example of Mesoamerican material from any Mississippian archaeological context in the Precolumbian southeastern United States.

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare disease arising from holocrine adnexal components of the skin. Fewer than 400 cases have been reported worldwide and only about 19 are from the nose. We present a sebaceous cancer of the nasal vestibule in a patient who, with adequate excision, is disease-free after two years.

We present a case of peri-orbital surgical emphysema following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), due to extubation with simultaneous manual inhalation with a closed expiratory valve. This complication has not been previously reported in association with general anaesthetic and FESS. Patients undergoing FESS are advised against nose blowing. However, we recommend that the anaesthetist working with a surgeon who performs FESS should also be warned not to use manual inhalation with a closed expiratory valve while extubating, as this can cause peri-orbital surgical emphysema.

This paper, describes the endoscopic repair of unilateral choanal atresia with the KTP laser, a one-stage procedure, with no requirement for stenting. Three patients are presented with unilateral choanal atresia, aged six, nine and 38-years-old. The procedure combines the excellent endoscopic visualization, with the good haemostatic and penetrating properties of the KTP laser. Follow up was between 12 months and four years with all choanae remaining patent, no dilatation was required. No surgical complications were noted.

Vocal fold palsy is a cause of dysphonia. Due to incomplete glottic closure during phonation, patients with a unilateral vocal fold palsy present with a weak and breathy voice and recurrent aspiration. To lessen the clinical manifestations of unilateral vocal fold palsy, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) paste is one agent which has been injected into the paraglottic region, thus causing the vocal fold to move more medially. One of the complications associated with Teflon paste injection is migration of the paste into the surrounding tissues. We present a patient with idiopathic left vocal fold palsy who underwent Teflon injection to the vocal fold and subsequently developed a precricoid nodule, mimicking a cartilaginous swelling.

A questionnaire was sent to consultant Otolaryngologists (483) throughout the UK to identify any mortality associated with uvulopalatoplasty and other forms of palatoplasties for snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnoea. The response rate was 76.8 per cent (371). Six intra- and post-operative deaths were reported and four were known to have obstructive sleep apnoea. Life-threatening morbidity occurred in at least seven patients (three known apnoeic), two required immediate tracheostomy and two were managed in the intensive care unit. This suggests that the apnoeic patients undergoing palatoplasties experienced significant mortality and morbidity. Pre-operative sleep study should be performed in all snoring patients to identify the apnoeic subgroup. Continuous positive airway pressure, management of excessive obesity, elective tracheostomy and other strategies should be first considered before palatoplasties in these patients.

A case of cowpox infection presenting as a necrotising cellulitis of the nasal tip and vestibule is reported. Diagnosis was established by identification of the pox virus particles from tissue culture of the nasal biopsy using electronic microscopy and the characteristic lesions on chorio-allantoic membrane produced by the virus. Cowpox of the external nose and transmission of the infection from a dog have not to our knowledge been reported previously.

Otorrhoea is a common otological complaint reflecting infection in the outer and/;or middle ear. Guidelines as to which antibiotic/;steroid ear drop preparation to use in a treatment regime are few and no studies comparing the different types of preparation are available. This paper reviews the antibiotic/;steroid ear drop preparations used by consultant surgeons and general practitioners and presents a two fold rationale for deciding which preparation to use, based on microbial sensitivity and cost.

Obstruction of the laryngeal airway is a life threatening problem due normally to obstructive pathology within the upper aero-digestive tract. We describe four cases of laryngeal stridor (two adults and two children) of psychogenic origin, one of which required a tracheostomy. The literature is reviewed and the subsequent pattern of this disease documented on the basis of 28 patients previously described.

The presence of upper respiratory tract obstruction in patients with acromegaly has been described. The main sites for obstruction were previously thought to be laryngeal and oropharyngeal. This reviews 65 patients with acromegaly and 27 patients with a prolactinoma treated by trans-ethmoidal hypophysectomy. The results confirmed a very high incidence of polyp formation and mucosal hypertrophy within both the sphenoid (88 per cent) and ethmoidal (62 per cent) sinuses of the acromegalic patients. The histological appearances of the mucosal hypertrophy and polyposis confirmed no specific features attributable to acromegaly. Patient age and serum H.G.H. level do not appear to be significance factors. These findings within the para-nasal sinuses have never previously been reported.

Cooper and platinum films were deposited by evaporation and sputtering techniques onto prepared substrates of alumina, sapphire (cut along an a or c axis) and yttria stabilized zirconia. The films are then bombarded with ions of H, He, Ne and Kr at energies within and outside the ion beam mixing regime. Ion beam induced modification in adhesion and its thermal stability were measured by three techniques - a scratch test, a pull test and a peel test. Adhesive energies of these solid-solid systems were determined by contact angle measurements using scanning electron microscopy. The resistance of the films to chemical attack is modified by ion bombardment and will be shown to correlate with adhesion alterations.

The continuing miniaturisation of modern semiconductor devices is placing new demands on the spatial resolution of many existing assessment techniques. With device structures reduced to nm dimensions the need to optimise conditions for high resolution in-depth profiling is essential for accurate characterisation. In this paper we present Auger profiles of two micro-electronic structures and consider the choice of ion beam parameters necessary to minimise ion beam induced distortion. In VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) technology where high dopant concentrations are ion implanted into shallow layer structures, Auger profiling can be used to establish dopant distributions accurately in the peak regions of the high dose implant. This information is shown to provide data for process modelling programmes.

Also presented are profiles of MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition) grown GaAlAs/GaAs superlattices with 70 Å repeat structures. Interface width measurements are of particular importance in this case where sharp interfaces are a pre-requisite for good device performance. These structures have been found to be very vulnerable to enhanced atomic mixing, a consequence of the small mass of the Al atom. The Al content of the GaAlAs determining the obtainable in-depth resolution.