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M Clifton

Publications and source records attributed to M Clifton.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of ionic surfactants on bauxite residues suspensions viscosity.

Measurement of the rheological property of bauxite residue sample received from an Australian alumina refinery, treated with a number of cationic and anionic surfactant in laboratory has been carried out using a Brookfield viscometer for the assessment of the effect of surfactants on the residue viscosity. Sodium laurate, prepared with an excess of sodium hydroxide, was found to be effective while direct addition of anionic surfactants (lauric acid and sodium laureth sulphate) and cationic (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) produce only moderate effect on the red mud suspension apparent viscosity at 65 degrees C. The experimental data appear to confirm the crucial role of the cation sodium in the process of adsorption of anionic surfactants on the flocculated red mud particles.

Journal Article↗

Psychological impact of prophylactic oophorectomy in women at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were twofold: to prospectively assess whether expressed intention to undergo prophylactic oophorectomy translated into uptake and to evaluate the psychological impact of the procedure in a sample of unaffected women with a strong family history of breast/ovarian cancer. METHODS: Ninety-five women, initially assessed at the time of their first attendance at a familial cancer clinic, were followed-up 3 years later. A total of 22 women (23.2%) in this study had undergone a prophylactic oophorectomy. Ten women (10.5%) who had undergone a prophylactic oophorectomy during the 3-year follow-up period were compared to 73 women (76.9%) who did not have a prophylactic oophorectomy. Twelve women (12.6%) who had the procedure prior to study entry were also assessed for psychological adjustment and associated information needs. RESULTS: Age emerged as a significant predictor of uptake of prophylactic oophorectomy (chi(2) = 7.13, P = 0.009). Among those who had the procedure after study entry, a significant reduction in ovarian cancer anxiety was observed (Z = -2.19, P = 0.029). Of the 22 women who had undergone a prophylactic oophorectomy in total (both before and after study entry), 86.4% reported a high degree of satisfaction with their decision to have the procedure. A low level of screening uptake was also reported by women who did not have a prophylactic oophorectomy but for whom screening was recommended. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate that prophylactic oophorectomy is successful in reducing anxiety about ovarian cancer. The results also suggest that women perceive that the benefit of anxiety reduction may outweigh the potentially adverse effects of the procedure, given that women expressed a high level of satisfaction with their decision.

Adult↗

Electrokinetic bioprocessing under microgravity in France as illustrated by space bioseparation: a programme initiated in France and in cooperation with Belgium and Spain.

The use of electrokinetic phenomena should prove to be a promising bioseparation technique especially as an application of bioprocessing under microgravity. Therefore, a bioseparation Research and Development programme involving several research teams has been under way for three years in France. Based upon the results of this fundamental research, a programme is now proposed for the development of an automated process chain making it possible to obtain biological macromolecules of high purity under microgravity. This Space Bio Separation programme received the Eureka label at the 6th Ministerial Eureka conference. The project will last six years. It will involve the cooperation of several scientific and industrial partners in France, in Spain and in Belgium. The programme includes the development and validation of three different bioseparation facilities for space.

Belgium↗

The immediate response to injection therapy for first-degree haemorrhoids.

Over an 8-month period, 100 consecutive patients undergoing sclerotherapy for first-degree haemorrhoids were issued with a questionnaire to assess responses to this treatment. Success was defined as complete cessation of bleeding at defaecation. The effect on bleeding was assessed at the end of 24 hours (99 responders) and 4 weeks later (98 responders): of 61 patients (62%) with no bleeding at 24 hours, only 40 (41%) remained symptom-free at 28 days post-injection. Twelve patients were treatment failures (either unchanged or increased bleeding post-injection). More than half the patients (n = 59) experienced pain related to the injection, which was severe in 9 cases. Although only 3 patients expressed complete dissatisfaction with the treatment they received, and overall 88% were either cured of bleeding or improved, the results suggest that critical judgment should be exercised before recommending the treatment to patients with minimal occasional bleeding due to first-degree haemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids↗