12C14N vibration-rotation bands for the sequences (1-0) through (9-8) were observed in the spectral region 1800-2200 cm-1 using a Bruker 120 HR Fourier transform spectrometer at an unapodized resolution of 0.027 cm-1. Of the 362 lines observed, the wavenumbers of 237 lines were least-squares fitted using the Dunham expansion coefficients with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.00093 cm-1. Together with most accurate data from the literature, the data were also fitted in the framework of the reduced potential curve (RPC) method. The global potential energy function resulting from this fit provides a fairly quantitative description of the experimental data, at least up to 30 000 cm-1. In addition to global fitting, the RPC approach was also used for fully quantitative fitting of the data pertaining to the lowest three vibrational states. The effective potential energy curves obtained in this way allow for very accurate predictions of highly excited rotational states.

Obesity is a significant problem worldwide. Several serious diseases that decrease patient quality of life and increase mortality (high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes etc.) are associated with obesity. Obesity treatment is a multidisciplinary and complex process that requires maximum patient compliance. Change of lifestyle is fundamental in the treatment of obesity. While pharmacotherapeutic options are available, their efficacy is limited. Surgical treatment though highly effective, carries the risk of complications and is thus indicated mostly in advanced stages of obesity. Endoscopic treatments of obesity are less invasive than surgical options, and are associated with fewer complications and nutritional deficits. Currently, there is a large spectrum of endoscopic methods based on the principles of gastric volume reduction, size restriction and gastric or small bowel bypass being explored with only few available in routine practice. The aim of this publication is to present an up-to-date summary of available endoscopic methods for the treatment of obesity focusing on their efficacy, safety and nutritional aspects.

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A new technique for high resolution photoacoustic detection based on application of laser diodes has been developed. This method was tested and compared using identical photoacoustic instrumentation (cell and microphone) to study gas absorption in three different spectral regions, namely: the infrared range near 2100 cm(-1), CO and OCS fundamental band absorption; the ranges near 4200 and 4350 cm(-1), CH4, NH3 and N2O overtone and combination band absorption; the near infrared range near 6500 cm(-1), CO, CO2 and NH3 overtone absorption. Several types of diode laser operating at room temperature or at liquid nitrogen temperature were compared. The optimum gas pressures for the maximum sensitivity of the photoacoustic signals were found and the detection limits were estimated for all of the gases studied. The best sensitivity was achieved for NH3 at 100 ppbv. The sensitivity of the developed system was tested on detection of traces of NH3 and CO2 gases from car exhaust.

The distribution of pollutants in two urban scale models (point emission source and street canyon with extensive transport) was investigated by means of CO(2) laser photoacoustic spectroscopy in the region of the atmospheric window (9-10 mum). The experimental results of physical modeling are in a good agreement with the numerical calculations performed in the frame of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling. Methanol, ethanol, and ozone (examples of light pollutants), as well as sulfur hexafluoride and 1,2 dichlorethane (examples of heavy pollutants), were selected on the basis of their high resolution spectra acquired by Fourier transform and laser diode spectroscopy.