Higher fullerenes such as C 84 present a rich variety of photophysical properties, due to their abundance of distinct geometric isomers. However, this multitude of isomers, along with their similar chromatographic properties, also creates difficulties in purifying and characterizing specific species of C 84 . In this paper, we present the application of an alternating-column HPLC technique to resolve C 84 isomers. We find that this technique presents markedly higher separation efficiency than the recycling HPLC method. Subsequent photophysical analysis of a previously uncharacterized isomer of C 84 , D 2d (I), shows its transient absorbance properties clearly differ from those of other C 84 isomers, in terms of both its spectral features (with maxima at 620 and 840 nm) and lifetime (ca. 45.6 μs). Singlet-oxygen quenching experiments demonstrate that the T 1 energy of D 2d (I) lies below 7880 cm -1 . Finally, the ground-state absorptivity of the D 2d (I) isomer has been characterized via quenching experiments with palladium octaethylporphyrin, showing an ε = 21,400 M -1 cm -1 at a local maximum of 590 nm.

Background Chronic oedema has a profound impact on quality of life. It may originate from primary anatomical reasons (primary lymphoedema), be secondary to cardio-vascular dysfunction, be related to cancer or cancer treatments and is increasingly a result of obesity. The numbers of patients with chronic oedema are increasing and both specialist lymphoedema and community nursing teams are over-stretched. Many community nurses lack evidence-based knowledge and skills in the management of chronic oedema and specialist services therefore often provide care for both complex and straightforward management. Aims To develop and pilot an integrated community pathway for the management of chronic oedema. Method A Knowledge Transfer Partnership project was developed by 3M (Industry) with University of Nottingham. Clinical services in Leicester were engaged and an expert advisory group formed. A clinical care pathway was devised through Nominal Group technique. Data from a point prevalence study, across Leicester City was used to operationally define a feasibility assessment of the pathway. Implementation was supported by a competency framework and bespoke training programme. The pathway was piloted with 30 patients receiving care from three community nursing teams. Data collection: Quantitative and qualitative data has been collected via one-to-one interviews with the community nurses following appointments with pathway inducted patients. Such data includes; a consideration of the symptoms of oedema, a record of resource use, and questions pertaining to levels of patient and nurse knowledge. Results to date The pilot has been underway for three months and initial results reveal an improvement in symptoms supported by an immediate reduction in nurse visits and product use; alongside greater patient concordance.

In this paper, we report on the design and proposed implementation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to power a rural community in conjunction with the development and implementation of a PV system to supply a flux tower for remote weather monitoring sited adjacent to the village. The flux tower is part of the broader NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis field campaign and funding for the tower PV system is being leveraged to support the needs of the community who will be the de facto caretakers of the remote, infrequently visited flux tower. The design of the system was based on the estimated power needs for the FLUX tower combined with that of the village community. Community need was defined after a meeting including the village chief, community members and students and faculty of Howard University who were part of the project. The community understood that the design was constrained by the budget allocation for the flux tower PV system, but nevertheless engaged in discussion about their needs and arrived at a consensus, where community members agreed to allocate at least one light bulb for one room in each village house, lights in two toilets and two kitchen areas and two power outlets accessible to all villagers. The system was designed utilizing RETScreen®, a free software(1), applying their PV System modules. The output from RETScreen demonstrated the need for two sets of PV arrays, one to support demand from the village and the second to support the FLUX tower instruments. For the village system, an inverter was required to enable villagers to utilize AC, while the FLUX tower system was routed directly through a charge controller to the batteries, and all instruments, which were DC powered. The entire project was conducted using students enrolled in independent study elective courses. The paper provides some background on solar energy and discusses the rationale with particular attention to a wind-powered alternative. The design output for system implementation from RETScreen® is presented and the appropriateness of the technology selection is discussed.