Acrylamide polymerization kinetics in gel electrophoresis capillaries. A Raman microprobe study

The formation of 3.5% T, 3.3% C cross-linked polyacrylamide is monitored in 75-microns-i.d. electrophoresis capillaries by Raman microprobe spectroscopy. The disappearance of the acrylamide 1292-cm-1 band is followed with 60-s time resolution for 30 min, and 2-4 min resolution for up to 10 h. Polymerization is 98% complete in 1.5 h and greater than 99% complete after 2 h. In the 900-1700-cm-1 region no bands attributable to cross-linking are observable. Reaction in the capillary follows second-order kinetics. The reaction is faster in the bulk system because heat dissipation is not sufficient to maintain a constant temperature.

What do patients eat in hospital?

A study was made of the food chosen and eaten by patients on a surgical, a medical, an accident service and an elective orthopaedic ward. Patients were studied over 5 consecutive days. Daily energy intake was less than the predicted basal metabolic rate in 13 (24 per cent) of the 55 patients studied. Daily protein intake was less than 0.8 g/kg ideal body weight in nine (16 per cent) patients. Many of the patients had daily intakes of iron and of vitamins less than those recommended for healthy adults. There were no differences in food intake between the patients on the different wards. This study indicates the neglect of nutrient intake of many hospital patients.