To present a cross-sectional qualitative exploration of how individuals cope with a lower limb amputation and to examine the influence of positive coping and stress-related psychological growth on adjustment. Participants: 12 patients with a lower limb amputation. Setting: Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre in South Wales, United Kingdom. Design: Semistructured interviews, using grounded theory for analysis. Measures: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (A. Zigmond & R. Snaith, 1983) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (M. Rosenberg, 1965). Results: No evidence of psychological distress among participants. Qualitative analysis revealed 5 categories of coping, and a theoretical model of positive coping following lower limb amputation was generated. Conclusions: Coping strategies evolve, reflecting the changes in psychological demands postamputation. Positive coping and psychological growth facilitates psychological adjustment. Clinicians may facilitate adaptive outcomes by appreciating the positive psychology perspective.

No abstract

Mainstream cigarette smoke generated using a Walton smoking machine and Kentucky 2R1 research cigarettes was studied. Results ~howed that puff volume and total particulate matter were consistent after the first puff, with average values of 35.6 cm' and 3.37 mg, respectively. The particle size distribution, measured with a multijet cascade impactor, was not related to butt length or relative humidity ( 1 95%), but was strongly dependent on the aging time. Based on simple monodisperse coagulation, the mass median aerodynamic diameter was calculated to be 0.45 pm at a dilution ratio of 21.7. Using a technique based on the dimensional change of collected droplet particles at various viewing angles of a scanning electron microscope, the count median diameter was

No abstract

The deposition and retention of inhaled 95Nb(V) oxalate and 95Nb(V) oxide aerosols were studied in beagle dogs. The aerosols were polydisperse in particle sizes with activity median aerodynamic diameters (AMAD) between 1.6 and 2.5 pm. About 60% of the inhaled aerosols deposited in the dogs, with about one-half being in the deep lung or pulmonary region. Subsequent redistribution of the 95Nb to internal body organs was markedly different for the two aerosol forms. With the oxide particles, most of the upper respiratory tract deposits cleared within 2 days, but the "Nb in the deep lung was retained with a biological half-time greater than 300 days. Less than 1% was absorbed into the systemic circulation. With the oxalate aerosols, about 60% of the initial lung burdens of 9sNb was absorbed. Of this amount, 15% was deposited in the skeleton, 8% in the liver and 14% in other soft tissues. About 55% of the absorbed 9sNb was excreted in the urine and 8% was excreted in feces. The lung was projected to receive the greatest radiation dose after inhalation of either aerosol. By projecting the observed biological clearance patterns to other longer-lived niobium isotopes, 93Nbm and %Nb, through the use of a metabolic model, the skeleton and kidneys were also identified as being potential organs of concern for radiation exposure from inhaled radioactive niobium.