Non-attendance at outpatient clinics is a complex problem and previous studies have concentrated on hospital-related factors. It has been suggested that non-attendance might be related to the referral process, including the selection of patients for referral and the quality of communication between GP and patient. These issues are examined in a study of 1492 patients given first-time appointments at ENT and gastroenterology clinics. Non-attendance rates were 26 and 20% respectively. Non-attendance was not related to the nature, severity or duration of the patients' presenting problems at the time of referral or to their perception of the need for referral. Resolution of symptoms did not appear to be a major reason for non-attendance. Patients were significantly less likely to attend if they had been unable or only partly able to discuss their health problem with their general practitioner. Those who had requested referral were equally likely to default.

The authors present the results of a morphological study of solid ammonia using both Fourier-transform infrared and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopy. Dramatic changes in the VUV and infrared spectra at temperatures between 65 and 85 K provide a deeper insight into the structure of ammonia ice particularly with the observation of an exciton transition at 194 nm (6.39 eV) in the VUV spectrum, revealing a structure that is composed of crystallites. A complementary structure is observed in the IR spectrum at 1100 cm(-1) which is assigned to the symmetric deformation of ammonia molecules at the surfaces of the crystallites. Such spectral signatures may be used to identify the environment within which the ammonia ice is formed and provide a new route for obtaining information on the physical and chemical conditions occurring within the interstellar medium, on the surfaces of planetary bodies, and in Kuiper belt objects.

Microsized particles play an important role in many diverse areas of science and technology, for example, surface reactions of micron-sized particles play a key role in astrochemistry, plasma reactors and atmospheric chemistry. To date much of our knowledge of such surface chemistry is derived from 'traditional' surface science-based research. However, the large surface area and morphology of surface material commonly used in such surface science techniques may not necessarily mimic that on the surface of micron/nano scale particles. Hence, a new generation of experiments in which the spectroscopy (e.g., albedo) and chemical reactivity of micron-sized particles can be studied directly must be developed. One, as yet underexploited, non-invasive technique is the use of ultrasonic levitation. In this article, we describe the operation of an 'ultrasonic trap' to store and study the physical and chemical properties of microparticles.

Synchrotron radiation is a good mimic of solar radiation and therefore has been widely used to study photo-induced physics and chemistry in the terrestrial atmosphere. In this paper we review how synchrotron radiation is being used as a tool for investigating atmospheric physics and chemistry with particular emphasis on studies related to ozone depletion, global warming and ionospheric phenomena. The paper concludes with a discussion of the new possibilities that the next generation of synchrotron-based light sources will provide.

Investments in public libraries in developing countries have been made based on the idea that libraries contribute to societal democratization. Yet scholarly understanding of the relationships between public libraries and democratization is sharply limited. In this article we review historical studies of national public library systems that cast doubt on widely held assumptions that a positive relationship necessarily pertains between the establishment of public libraries and democracy. Based on this historical review and on sociological theories of social capital (e.g. Bourdieu 1986), we develop a theoretical framework intended to facilitate systematic investigation of the contributions public libraries may make to democracy. Using comparative historical and ethnographic methods, we analyze the relationship between public libraries and democratic systems of government in Namibia, Nepal, and Malawi, and find that in all three cases public libraries were established mainly during democratic regimes. However, they were not necessarily established by democratically elected governments directly, but rather because democratic regimes proved to be relatively open to the influence of diasporas and global civil society. We only find evidence of public libraries contributing to societal democratization, as we conceptualize the process, in Nepal and to a limited degree Namibia -countries that lack a long-established, empowered elite class. We discuss possible implications of our analysis for library scholarship and its relations to theories of development.