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In urban areas, shallow foundations are inevitably adjacent to each other. Moreover, the presence of thin, weak layers in these areas is not unanticipated. This study analyzes the combined impact of a thin, weak layer and the interaction of adjacent foundations on bearing capacity. Whereas previous research has separately explored the effects of weak layers and adjacent foundations. To attain the research objective, by utilizing the finite element method, the impact of various parameters, such as spacing between the foundations, the shear strength characteristics of a thin, weak layer, and the depth of this layer from the surface on the behavior of the adjacent shallow foundations studied. The foundation bed and thin-weak layer are assumed to be sandy soil. The analysis result indicates that the thin and weak layers reduce the bearing capacity of the shallow foundations, which is related to the shear strength parameters of the weak layer. Nevertheless, the placement of adjacent foundations at a short distance from each other reduces the negative impact of the existence of the thin, weak layer. This impact depends on the shear strength parameters, the depth of the weak layer, and the distance between the foundations. Compared to a single foundation, interfering footings can increase between 6 and 50% in the bearing capacity. The depth of the impact of the weak layer on the bearing capacity will also be a function of the distance between the adjacent foundations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jurnal Reviu Akuntansi dan Keuangan (JRAK) is the property of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aerospace industry pursues lighter, stronger, and more fuel-efficient aircraft, relying on lightweight materials. This study investigates one-shot drilling of thin hybrid stacks, including carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP, 2.2 mm thick), and aluminum alloys (Al2024-T3, 1.6 mm thick, and Al7075-T6, 1.0 mm thick), crucial in modern aircraft structures. The challenge of thin materials lies in their reduced flexural stiffness, which significantly impacts the quality of the final hole and the effects of the process parameters on torque and thrust force. The experimental approach involves drilling each material separately to analyze thrust force, torque, and hole quality, then comparing outcomes with one-shot drilling in thin hybrid stacks. The results highlight that thin hybrid stacks are challenging to drill because their reduced flexural stiffness significantly impacts the final hole quality and the effects of the process parameters on torque and thrust force differently from what typically occurs for the drilling of conventional hybrid stacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible strain sensors based on conductive fillers and flexible polymers possessed significant advantages in human motion detection. Preparing a strain sensing layer with high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical property under high content of conductive filler contributed to the stability of flexible strain sensors. In this study, MWCNTs/PDMS composite film was prepared by the organic solvent method. The microstructure, electrical conductivity, mechanical property, and piezoresistive characteristics of the composite film at different MWCNTs contents were characterized and discussed. When the mass fraction of MWCNTs in the composite film was 5%, the composite film exhibited a high electrical conductivity of 9.56 S/m while maintaining ideal mechanical properties, and the film thickness was just about 180 μm. The relationship between electrical signals and film strain was performed. The piezoresistive characteristic results demonstrated that the prepared composite film could be used as flexible strain sensor for human motion detection. The prepared thin MWCNTs/PDMS composite film in this paper illustrated high conductive and desired flexibility, and was an alternative material for human motion detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Coatings & Protection / Tuceng yu Fanghu is the property of Coating & Protection Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Artvin Coruh University International Journal of Social Sciences (ACUSBD) is the property of Artvin Coruh University International Journal of Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Thin, high-strength graphene films are at the forefront of research regarding electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. Herein, we synthesized a novel graphene-based film (CoFe2O4 nanoparticle-carbon nanotubes (CFO–CNTs)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO)p) reinforced with porous CFO–CNTs nanocomposites and self-cross-linking trimethylolpropane triacrylate between the RGO sheets. Only a 15-μm-thick (thin) CFO–CNTs/RGOp film exhibits an excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) value of 38.7 dB as well as an excellent tensile strength (84.5 MPa) because of synergistic interfacial and cross-linking interactions. Further, the film subjected to ultraviolet aging retains 86.6% and 82.4% of its original EMI SE and tensile strength, respectively, indicating high durability. Because of the outstanding integrated features and high durability, the as-prepared film can be used to shield aircrafts and miniaturized electronic devices from EMIs in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultra-wideband polarization-insensitive frequency selective surface (FSS) absorber is proposed for S to K-band applications. The absorber comprises two compensation slabs, a lossy FSS layer and a grounded dielectric plate. The FSS unit cell is a combination of a second-order Chinese knot and a cross. To enhance the bandwidth and angular stability of the single-layer FSS absorber, a compensation layer composed of FR4 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slabs is incorporated. The proposed FSS absorber demonstrates a remarkable absorption rate of over 90% within the frequency range of 3.1–22.1 GHz, exhibiting a fractional bandwidth of 150.8%. Even when subjected to an oblique incidence of 45°, the absorber maintains an 80% absorption rate in the frequency range of 4.4–19.1 GHz for both TE and TM polarizations. The total thickness of the FSS absorber is 0.0848 λL (the wavelength at the lowest cutoff frequency), and only 1.08 times the Rozanov limit. To validate the design, a prototype of the proposed absorber was fabricated and measured. Good agreements were observed between the simulations and measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the equilibrium problem of interaction of three elastic bodies of different elastic properties. The main body is the unit cube. On top of it, there is a thin layer/cuboid of thickness ε$$ \varepsilon $$ of material whose stiffness is of order 1ε$$ \frac{1}{\varepsilon } $$ that in the middle contains another cuboid which is of width and thickness ε$$ \varepsilon $$ that is made of material with elasticity coefficients of order 1εq$$ \frac{1}{\varepsilon^q} $$ for q>0$$ q>0 $$. We show that the family of solutions of linearized elasticity problems, when ε$$ \varepsilon $$ tends to zero, converges to a solution of a problem that is posed only on the unit cube with possibly additional elastic terms on the boundary related to the plate/rod energy of the thin elastic parts. It turns out that there are five different regimes related to different values of q(q∈⟨0,2⟩,{2},⟨2,4⟩,{4},⟨4,∞⟩)$$ q\kern0.1em \left(q\in \left\langle 0,2\right\rangle, \left\{2\right\},\left\langle 2,4\right\rangle, \left\{4\right\},\left\langle 4,\infty \right\rangle \right) $$ with different limit problems. We further formulate a model posed on the unit cube that has the same asymptotics when ε$$ \varepsilon $$ tends to zero as the full 3D problem posed on the union of the unit cube and thin cuboids. This model then can be used as the approximating model in all regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin dioxide (SnO 2), as an easily tunable dielectric material with adjustable polarisation, high dielectric loss and green environment, has become a new choice for building efficient microwave absorbers. However, the single attenuation mechanism of SnO 2 causes its limitation in the effective absorption of electromagnetic waves. In this study, tin dioxide/graphene composites with layer-by-layer dense stacking structure were successfully synthesised. It was further found that the successful loading of SnO 2 particles in graphene flakes formed abundant heterogeneous interfaces and defects, which improved the interface/defect polarisation of the SnO 2 /rGO composites. The layer-by-layer dense stacked structure enhances the multiple reflection/scattering of electromagnetic waves inside the material, which strengthens the electromagnetic wave loss. In addition, the close connection between the layers helps the rapid electron transport and ensures the good conduction loss of the composite. The excellent synergy between conduction loss and polarisation loss enables the composites to achieve excellent microwave absorption performance, and the layer-by-layer dense stacking structure ensures the thin thickness of the material, with a minimum reflection loss of −41.79 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 4.16 GHz at only 2.0 mm. In addition, fighter radar cross section simulations highlight the potential of SnO 2 /rGO composites for radar stealth applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of using a thin bronchoscope for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods Between March 2019 and November 2021, we prospectively enrolled participants with suspected PTB whose sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and tuberculosis (TB) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were negative or who could not produce self-expectorated sputum. Participants were randomized to a control group (bronchial washing [BW] using a 5.9-mm conventional bronchoscope guided by chest computed tomography) or an investigational group (BW using a 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope under virtual bronchoscopic navigation guidance). The primary outcome was detection of TB in BW fluid, defined as a positive result in the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. The secondary outcomes included AFB smear and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture positivity, time to treatment initiation, and bronchoscopy-related complications. Results In total, 85 participants were included in the final analysis (43 in the control group and 42 in the investigational group). Twenty-three and 29, respectively, were finally diagnosed with PTB. The TB detection rate in BW fluid was higher in the investigational group (72.4% vs 43.5%, P =.035). Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture positivity was also higher in the investigational group (79.3% vs 52.2%, P =.038). No participants required premature bronchoscopy termination because of complications. Of the participants with PTB, the time to treatment initiation was shorter in the investigational group (median, 2.0 days vs 4.0 days, P =.001). Conclusions BW using a thin bronchoscope increases the TB detection rate in patients with PTB compared to conventional bronchoscopy. Clinical Trials Registration. ȃNCT03802812. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cyclic and monotonic performance of stiffened extended end-plate joints with large-sized bolts and thin end-plates are investigated through experimental and numerical study. The variables affecting the capacity and behavior of these connections are examined under both monotonic and cyclic loading. Pursuant to these goals, six specimens in which end-plates were picked from thin plates of 10 mm, 8 mm and 6 mm were exposed to seismic and service loads. The seismic loading was applied using the cyclic loading protocol provided by AISC 341-16. The stiffened extended end-plate connections with thin end-plates and large bolts can be utilized in non-seismic applications as well as for partial strength connections and fuse members. A parametric numerical study including 156 numerical models investigating end-plate thickness, the type of I-section, end-plate width, diameter of bolt/washer, pitch distance, weld thickness and edge distance and distance from bolt row to beam flange as variables was performed. The plastic moment capacities obtained from the experimental and numerical findings are evaluated based on the design methods provided by current provisions such as EN1993-1-8 and AISC 358-16. The results indicated that the moment resistance of stiffened extended end-plate joints is underestimated by the current provisions. The ratio of the actual to predicted plastic moment resistance by AISC 358-16 and EC3:1-8 are averagely 2.31 and 2.77 for the numerical part. These ratios outcomes turned to 3.74 and 5.38 for the experimental findings. This underestimation can be associated with the span length between the plastic hinges and the observed yield line mechanism. A new method to accurately estimate the capacity is proposed. The ratio of the actual to predicted plastic moment resistance according to the developed expression is averagely 1.22 and 1.19 for the numerical and experimental findings, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formulation and flexural properties of thin fly ash geopolymers with thickness of merely 10 mm and replacement of ladle furnace slag to fly ash in thin geopolymer were presented. The formulation was discussed in terms of NaOH molarity, solid aluminosilicates-to-liquid alkali activator (S/L) mass ratio, and alkali activator (Na2SiO3/NaOH) mass ratio. Thin fly ash geopolymers with flexural strength and Young's modulus of 6.2 MPa and 0.14 GPa, respectively, were obtained by using 12 M NaOH, S/L ratio of 2.5 and Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio of 4.0. A high Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio was implemented for thin geopolymer synthesis to produce a more viscous slurry which helped to retain the shape of a thin geopolymer. The incorporation of ladle furnace slag up to 40 wt.% reported an increment of 26% in flexural strength up to 7.8 MPa as compared to pure fly ash geopolymers and the stiffness was increased to 0.19 GPa. Denser microstructure with improved compactness was observed as the ladle furnace slag acted as the filler. New crystalline phases of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) were formed and coexisted with the geopolymer matrix, which consequently enhanced the flexural strength of thin fly ash geopolymer. This proved that the ladle furnace slag has the potential to be utilised in geopolymer synthesis and will enhance the flexural properties of thin geopolymers. The flexural performance of thin geopolymers in this study was considerably good as the thin geopolymers exhibited comparatively similar flexural strengths, but a higher strength/thickness ratio as compared to geopolymers with thickness greater than 40 mm.

The influence of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding process on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of Inconel 718 alloy weldments of 1 mm thin sheets was investigated. By varying the selected input variables such as laser power, weld speed, and pulse duration, an analysis has been done on the weld characteristics, namely penetration and top and bottom width by Taguchi's approach. The results were presented by focusing on weld bead geometry, grain structure in the Fusion Zone (FZ), Heat Affected Zone (HAZ), and the tensile properties. The FZ and HAZ microstructure consists of equiaxed, columnar grain structures, respectively, and clear ductile failure was observed with weldment. The combination of laser power at 2.5 kW, weld speed at 2.38 mm/min, and pulse duration at 6.6 ms achieves minimum top and bottom width. Similarly, a combination with 3.3 kW laser power, 2.02 mm/min weld speed, and 8.4 ms pulse duration offers maximum possible penetration that results in quality weldments. The influence of process variables was analyzed by ANOVA. A hybrid Grey–ANFIS model is evolved for determining the multiple performance index. From the validation outcomes attained (MAPE – 0.0413, correlation coefficient – 0.9991), it is proved that the evolved model is proficient for precise prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to predict the pavement layer moduli using responses from surface deflections data using a lightweight deflectometer (LWD). For thin asphalt pavement, LWD may be a useful tool for evaluation purposes. A finite element method, Plaxis 2D software, was used to analyse the LWD stress influences on selected pavement crust thickness. Conversion of in situ deflections values into moduli values is known as the backcalculation technique and; it is a complex and mathematical process that relies solely on one of the factors of measured surface deflections under a given load. It is challenging to measure backcalculate moduli of thin pavements. Thus, this study aims to develop an empirical equation using regression analysis for a quick approximate estimation of in situ layer moduli using user-friendly interference Microsoft excel without any seed value and software interface requirement. In this regard, Kenlayer pavement analysis was used to develop synthetic data, which helps develop an empirical equation. Validation for the developed empirical model deals with the genetic algorithm base backcalculation approach, laboratory results and field test data. Validation of the results strengthens the developed empirical equation. Eventually, LWD with 20 kg drop weight proposed empirical model provides a quick approximate estimation, and efficient way to access the existing thin asphalt pavement condition may be the further no requirement of backcalculation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy storage devices for flexible/wearable and portable electronics are on immediate requirement demanding for high-performance flexible supercapacitors. Nevertheless, the real-time application of advanced electronics necessitates supercapacitors to own admirable mechanical properties to endure rigorous straining environments. Also, it is necessary to reduce the mass and volume of the whole device. Therefore, constructing a high-performance flexible supercapacitor based on better electrochemical and significant mechanical properties is still a formidable task. Herein, we have successfully fabricated a vanadium nitride thin film electrode onto the flexible, thin, and light-weight graphite paper substrate via reactive direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering method. The as-fabricated graphite sheets current collector is flexible, thin, light-weight, electrically conductiviting, cost-effective, and easy to fabricate. Furthermore, the as-prepared binder-free flexible negative electrode displayed better supercapacitor performance in terms of specific capacitance and cycle stability. The negative electrode exhibited an areal capacitance of 91 mF cm−2 and better cycling stability with > 64% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles. Moreover, the flexible hybrid supercapacitor is fabricated with NiCo hydroxide and VN films and showed a maximum energy density of 1.80 μWh cm−2 and power density of 387.5 μW cm−2 and good stability. These results propose that the fabricated electrode has great prospective as a power source for flexible, wearable, and portable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Worldwide the rate of unplanned pregnancies is more than 40%. Identifying women at risk of pregnancy can help prevent negative outcomes and also reduce healthcare costs of potential complications. It can also allow the investigation of the natural history of pregnancy outcomes, such as ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages. The use of medical records databases has been a crucial development in the field of pharmacoepidemiology – e.g. The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database is a validated database representative of the UK population. This project aimed to test the feasibility of identifying a population of women of childbearing age who are at risk of pregnancy not using any contraception in THIN database. Methods First a cohort of women of childbearing age (15-45yo) was identified. By applying a computer-based algorithm, containing codes for contraception methods or other suggestion of contraception, the risk of pregnancy was then ascertained. Next, two validation steps were implemented: 1) Revision of medical records/free text and 2) Questionnaires were sent to primary care practitioners (PCP) of women whose medical records had been reviewed. Positive predicted values (PPV) were calculated. Results A total of 266,433 women were identified in THIN. For the first validation step, 123 records were reviewed, with a PPV of 99.2% (95%CI: 95.5–99.9). For the questionnaires step, the PPV was of 82.3% (95%CI: 70–91.1). Information on sexual behaviour and attitudes towards conception was not captured by THIN. Conclusion This study shows that by applying a comprehensive computer-based algorithm, THIN can be used to identify women at risk of pregnancy.

Background Cohort studies are among the most robust of observational studies but have issues with external validity. This study assesses threats to external validity (generalizability) in the European QUALity (EQUAL) study, a cohort study of people >65 years of age with Stage 4/5 chronic kidney disease. Methods Patients meeting the EQUAL inclusion criteria were identified in The Health Improvement Network database and stratified into those attending renal units, a secondary care cohort (SCC) and a not primary care cohort (PCC). Survival, progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) and hospitalization were compared. Results The analysis included 250, 633 and 2464 patients in EQUAL, PCC and SCC. EQUAL had a higher proportion of men compared with PCC and SCC (60.0% versus 34.8% versus 51.4%). Increasing age ≥85 years {odds ratio [OR] 0.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–0.40]} and comorbidity [Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥4, OR 0.69 (95% CI 0.52–0.91)] were associated with non-participation in EQUAL. EQUAL had a higher proportion of patients starting RRT at 1 year compared with SCC (8.1% versus 2.1%; P < 0.001). Patients in the PCC and SCC had increased risk of hospitalization [incidence rate ratio 1.76 (95% CI 1.27–2.47) and 2.13 (95% CI 1.59–2.86)] and mortality at 1 year [hazard ratio 3.48 (95% CI 2.1–5.7) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.1–2.7)] compared with EQUAL. Conclusions This study provides evidence of how participants in a cohort study can differ from the broader population of patients, which is essential when considering external validity and application to local practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'How many Europes?' [Agnew (2001). How many Europes? The European Union, Eastward Enlargement and Uneven dDevelopment. European Urban and Regional Studies, 8(1), 29–38; Zoppi (2020). How mMany Europes? Fragmentation in the European Space since the Great Recession. The International Spectator. Advanced online publication] is a critical question that led to several attempts to analyse the multiplicity of European segments, strata, and trends as well as dichotomies such as peoples vs. elites, North vs. South, East vs. West, intergovernmental bargains vs. supranational institutions. There is a need to go beyond the existing analyses by contextualizing European crises and transformations globally. This special issue builds upon Chris Rumford's collaborative research on 'Europe and World Society', 'European Multiplicity' and the trichotomy of 'Thin, Thick and Parallel Europes'. Given its focus and innovative approach, European Politics and Society has become a suitable venue for the special issue that seeks to deal with 'hot topics' in European social and political transformations from an original and innovative perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the conversion efficiency of solar cells decreases with the increase in temperature. This temperature dependence is mitigated by enhancing the open circuit voltage (VOC). Given a solar cell, its VOC can be enhanced by several routes, for example, reducing the defect density within the absorber, applying passivating contacts, and reducing the absorber thickness. In this work, we investigate the impact of wafer thickness in crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells from the viewpoint of the photovoltaic performance at elevated temperatures. It is confirmed experimentally that the VOC of c‐Si solar cells increases by thinning the Si wafer, for example, VOC ≥ 0.75 V is obtained at a wafer thickness of <60 μm with a conversion efficiency of 22.7%, if surface recombination is sufficiently suppressed. It is also confirmed that thin c‐Si cells exhibiting high VOC show less temperature dependence. As a result, the optimum wafer thickness for maximizing the efficiency decreases with the increase in temperature according to the relation of −1.1 μm/°C. Numerical simulation predicts that this tendency becomes more emphasized with the suppression of Shockley–Read–Hall recombination. These findings suggest that the device structure of c‐Si solar cells including the choice of the wafer thickness should be optimized depending on the operating temperature in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is an inexpensive way of producing objects through a programmed layer-by-layer deposition. For multi-layer, macro-scaled prints, acceptable printing is achieved provided, amongst other factors, first layer adhesion is sufficient to fix a part to the surface during printing. However, in the deposition of structures with a single or few layers, first layer consistency is significantly more important and is an issue that has been previously overlooked. As layer-to-bed adhesion is prioritised in first layer printing, thin layer structures are difficult to remove without damage. The deposition of controllable thin structures has potential in tissue engineering through the use of bioactive filaments and incorporation of microfeatures into complex, patient-specific scaffolds. This paper presents techniques to progress the deposition of thin, reproducible structures. The linear thickness variation of 3D-printed single PVA and PLLA layers is presented as a function of extrusion factor and the programmed vertical distance moved by the nozzle between layers (the layer separation). A sacrificial PVA layer is shown to significantly improve first layer consistency, reducing the onus on fine printer calibration in the deposition of single layers. In this way, the linear variation in printed single PLLA layers with bed deviation is drastically reduced. Further, this technique is used to demonstrate the printing of freestanding thin layers of ~25 µm in thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present numerical simulations of post-Darcy flow in thin porous medium: one consisting of staggered arrangements of circular cylinders and one random distribution of cylinders bounded between walls. The simulations span a range of Reynolds numbers, 40 to 4000, where the pressure drop varies nonlinearly with the average velocity, covering nonlinear laminar flow to the fully turbulent regime. The results are compared to those obtained by replacing the bounding walls with symmetric boundaries with the aim to reveal the effect of bounding walls on microscopic characteristics and macroscopic measures, i.e., pressure drop, hydrodynamic dispersion and Reynolds stresses. We use large eddy simulation to directly calculate the Reynolds stresses and turbulent intensity. The simulations show that vortical structures emerge at the boundary between the cylinders and the bounding walls causing a difference between the microscopic flow in the confined and non-confined porous media. This affects the averaged values of pressure drop, the hydrodynamic dispersion and the Reynolds stresses. Finally, the distance between the bounding walls is altered with the particle Reynolds number kept constant. It is observed that the difference between results calculated in confined and non-confined cases increases when the bounding walls are narrower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obesity is associated with numerous health problems such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, type II diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases, and coronary heart diseases. Gait as an effective factor in controlling obesity is very important in human motor development. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of obesity and slimming on the gait kinematics in children. Methods: Thirty student boys with the age of 7-9, based on weight –age percentile and body mass index were divided to three normal, thin and overweight groups. All the children were healthy and had no physical abnormality. The 3D motion analysis was used for measuring gait parameters such as walking speed, stride length, stride width, single support phase duration, double support and swing phase duration. ANOVA was run for the purpose of data analysis. Result: The findings indicated that there not significant differences between walking speed (0/056), stride length (0/164) and stride width (0/126) in normal, thin and obese children, but there were significant differences in swing phase (0/004), single support (0/001) and double support (0/008) phases duration, between normal, thin and obese children and that obesity can affect some of the spatiotemporal parameters in children’s gait which can cause changes in obese children’s gait patterns. Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that when the movement system is under pressure, some kinematics gait factors may change which can help better movement control.

Objectives To describe the variation in weight gain in people chronically exposed to systemic glucocorticoids in primary care and to identify the risk factors for weight gain. Methods Data were analysed from the British database, The Health Improvement Network. Body weight variations of individuals prescribed systemic glucocorticoids for at least 3 months at a mean dose ≥10 mg/day were described. The risk factors associated with weight gain ≥10% of the usual weight were assessed. Results A total of 31 516 adults prescribed glucocorticoids and 26 967 controls were included in the study. During glucocorticoid exposure, only 12 475 (39.6%) individuals gained >2 kg compared with their usual weight. Younger women were more likely to gain weight (mean weight gain in 18–39-year-old glucocorticoid-exposed women: 3.6 kg (s. d. 8.6) compared with 2 kg (s. d. 7.3) in the control group; the absolute mean difference was 1.6 kg (95% CI 0.9, 2.2; P  < 0.001). Weight gain ≥10% of the usual weight was observed in 10.2% (n  = 3208) of those chronically exposed to glucocorticoids. Women, younger people, those living in areas of higher deprivation, smokers, those on higher doses of the drug and those previously exposed to glucocorticoids were at higher risk. The risk was lower in people prescribed glucocorticoids for an inflammatory condition when compared with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusion After taking into account usual weight rather than weight just before glucocorticoid initiation and the natural history of weight variation, the amount of weight gain induced by systemic glucocorticoids as prescribed in primary care is less than usually thought. Clinical trial registration 18THIN081. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barium Zirconate Titanate–Barium Calcium Titanate (BZT–BCT) is an environmentally friendly piezoelectric-ferroelectric ceramic that is a promising alternative to lead zirconate titanate (PZT), whose toxicity is well known. Producing thin films by sol–gel deposition with properties comparable to their bulk counterparts is quite a difficult task, because of the substrate constraints which typically generate residual stresses during the production process, leading to the onset of cracks. Moreover, typically employed solutions contain toxic and harmful substances or are unstable over time. Recently, we produced a highly stable BZT–BCT precursor solution based on nontoxic and non-carcinogenic solvents. In this work, we optimized the BZT–BCT sol–gel deposition process by varying the spin coating velocity, which influences the thickness of each deposited layer, and the pyrolysis temperature, which impacts on the formation of cracks. Moreover, we explored the possibility to add a third heat treatment step to the deposition process with the aim of releasing the residual stresses, further improving the film properties. As a result, 250 nm thick films were obtained with optimized morphology and limited presence of cracks, thus enhancing the ferroelectric properties (Pr = 33.26 μC cm−2, Ec = 220.6 kV cm−1, ε = 1817). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides an overview about gingival biotype, its characteristics and various methods available for its determination. In recent years, gingival biotype has become a subject of considerable interest in the era of esthetic-driven dentistry. Gingival biotype is a genetically determined trait that describes the faciopalatal thickness of gingiva. Various methods for measuring biotype have been suggested. Routine dental procedures subject the gingiva to various insults and the biotypes behave differently to it. Therefore, gingival biotype can provide clinicians with an insight into the precautions that are necessary during tissue handling to avoid undesirable treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide the rate of unplanned pregnancies is more than 40%. Identifying women at risk of pregnancy can help prevent negative outcomes and also reduce healthcare costs of potential complications. It can also allow the investigation of the natural history of pregnancy outcomes, such as ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages. The use of medical records databases has been a crucial development in the field of pharmacoepidemiology - e.g. The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database is a validated database representative of the UK population. This project aimed to test the feasibility of identifying a population of women of childbearing age who are at risk of pregnancy not using any contraception in THIN database.Methods: First a cohort of women of childbearing age (15-45yo) was identified. By applying a computer-based algorithm, containing codes for contraception methods or other suggestion of contraception, the risk of pregnancy was then ascertained. Next, two validation steps were implemented: 1) Revision of medical records/free text and 2) Questionnaires were sent to primary care practitioners (PCP) of women whose medical records had been reviewed. Positive predicted values (PPV) were calculated.Results: A total of 266,433 women were identified in THIN. For the first validation step, 123 records were reviewed, with a PPV of 99.2% (95%CI: 95.5-99.9). For the questionnaires step, the PPV was of 82.3% (95%CI: 70-91.1). Information on sexual behaviour and attitudes towards conception was not captured by THIN.Conclusion: This study shows that by applying a comprehensive computer-based algorithm, THIN can be used to identify women at risk of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereotypes refer to popular beliefs about the attributes that characterize a social group. In the case of women, there is a gender stereotype related to an image of a woman based on thinness, beauty and care. In this context, a larger research was carried out addressing attitudes towards the female body in a sample of Chilean and Guatemalan women. This article contains the results of one part of the research carried out with the sample of Chilean women. The aim of this article was to explore the attributes associated with two body sizes in women. Thus, this article exposes the analysis of the responses identifying attributes towards the word "fat" and "skinny". Participants: 299 women between 15 and 64 years old, from various regions of Chile and a small group currently living abroad, who responded an online survey. Results: seven categories were organized containing the distribution of the attributes. Specifically, it is observed that the word "fat" is mostly associated to negative attributes such as psychological and physical discomfort, while the word "skinny" is mostly associated to positive attributes related with social assessment and qualifying adjectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper introduces a technique to enhance the bandwidth of the Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC). A multilayer patch type of Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) is stacked on the AMC structure, to increase the thickness of the overall structure contributing to the lower inductivity consequently the higher the bandwidth. Both AMC and FSS structures were designed by using Rogers RT5880 with the thickness of 0.254 mm and permittivity of 2.2. The bandwidth of the AMC structure is successfully enhanced from 1.97% to 3.79%. The AMC was designed at 12 GHz which can be applied for 5G applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary care is likely to see the highest number of Lyme disease patients. Despite this, there is limited published data regarding Lyme disease patients accessing primary care in the UK. We aim to describe trends in the incidence of a new diagnosis, and demographics of patients identified in a primary care electronic health database.Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study of Lyme disease coded patients in UK primary care. 3725 patients coded for Lyme disease during 1998-2016 were identified within The Health Improvement Network (THIN). Incidence rates and the demographics of cases identified were described. Poisson regression was used to analyse socio-demographic characteristics of the cases.Results: There was an increase in annual crude incidence rates, peaking in 2015 at 5.47 (95% CI 4.85-6.14) cases per 100,000 population per year. Multivariable analysis showed there were significant differences in the ages of those affected, incidence of a new diagnosis rose as deprivation levels improved, and that there was a higher incidence of cases living in rural areas compared to urban areas. There was no significant difference between sexes for the UK. Cases were significantly more likely to identify with being white compared to the national population.Conclusions: An increasing incidence of patients newly coded with Lyme disease related Read codes was identified using data from a UK national primary care database. By comparing these incidence figures with national laboratory-confirmed surveillance data, a multiplication factor of 2.35 (95%CI 1.81-2.88) can be calculated in order to estimate the annual number of cases seen in primary care. The significant socio-demographic variables associated with a Lyme disease diagnosis likely reflect a complex interplay of socio-economic issues, which needs to be further explored. Future work is needed to examine the treatment and management of patients within this database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lowering the aqueous solution temperature retarded the diffusion of amine monomer. • Freezing the PIP solution eased the diffusion of PIP and hydrolysis of TMC. • The PA layer of membrane by liquid–solid process were thin and small aperture. • The membrane showed high permeance, rejection to Na 2 SO 4 and salt selectivity. Interfacial polymerization prepared polyamide (PA) nanofiltration membranes are widely used for desalination and wastewater recovery due to their lower operating pressure compared to reverse osmosis desalination and ease of scalability. The diffusion behavior of amine (PIP) and acyl chloride (TMC) monomers make a significant impact on PA structure and performance. In this paper, through freezing the aqueous amine reactive solution which turned the liquid–liquid reaction process into liquid–solid and regulated the amine monomer diffusion behavior, an ultra-thin, defect-free PA layer was achieved. The effect of PIP solution temperature in the range of −15 to 25 °C on membrane morphology, chemical composition and surface properties was investigated. The results indicated that PIP diffusion rate had a positive effect on the crosslinking degree of formed PA layer. However, frozen amine solution effectively inhibited the diffusion rate of PIP and hydrolysis of TMC which simultaneously improve the permeability and selectivity. The fabricated membrane by liquid–solid reaction process showed hydrophilic, dense and ultrathin PA layer with a high pure water permeance (23.7 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1) and good retention of salt (95.4 % for Na 2 SO 4). Also, the good selectivity to divalent cation and anion, and excellent stability of the membrane prefigured its potential in application of various water treatment fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is an inexpensive way of producing objects through a programmed layer-by-layer deposition. For multi-layer, macro-scaled prints, acceptable printing is achieved provided, amongst other factors, first layer adhesion is sufficient to fix a part to the surface during printing. However, in the deposition of structures with a single or few layers, first layer consistency is significantly more important and is an issue that has been previously overlooked. As layer-to-bed adhesion is prioritised in first layer printing, thin layer structures are difficult to remove without damage. The deposition of controllable thin structures has potential in tissue engineering through the use of bioactive filaments and incorporation of microfeatures into complex, patient-specific scaffolds. This paper presents techniques to progress the deposition of thin, reproducible structures. The linear thickness variation of 3D-printed single PVA and PLLA layers is presented as a function of extrusion factor and the programmed vertical distance moved by the nozzle between layers (the layer separation). A sacrificial PVA layer is shown to significantly improve first layer consistency, reducing the onus on fine printer calibration in the deposition of single layers. In this way, the linear variation in printed single PLLA layers with bed deviation is drastically reduced. Further, this technique is used to demonstrate the printing of freestanding thin layers of ~25 µm in thickness.

• Given an alphabet A , and an (anti-)automorphism θ , a set L ⊆ A ⁎ is θ -invariant if θ (L) = L. • In the framework of θ -invariant sets, a defect effect is highlighted. • Several non-trivial examples of finite complete θ -invariant codes are presented. • Over a finite alphabet, any regular non complete θ -invariant code can be embedded into a complete one. • Given a thin θ -invariant code, being a maximal code, or being maximal in the family of θ -invariant codes, or being complete are equivalent properties. Let A be an arbitrary alphabet and let θ be an (anti-)automorphism of A ⁎ (by definition, such a correspondence is determinated by a permutation of the alphabet). This paper deals with sets which are invariant under θ (θ -invariant for short) that is, languages L satisfying θ (L) ⊆ L. We establish an extension of the famous defect theorem. With regard to the so-called notion of completeness, we provide a series of examples of finite complete θ -invariant codes. Moreover, we establish a formula which allows to embed any non-complete θ -invariant code into a complete one. As a consequence, in the family of the so-called thin θ -invariant codes, maximality and completeness are two equivalent notions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells are highly attractive for realizing light‐weight and flexible wafer‐based solar cells as well as for reducing the material cost. Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) architecture using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) is suitable for realizing very thin c‐Si cells, because of its capability of excellent surface passivation. In this work, the potential of very thin c‐Si solar cells is examined by characterizing SHJ solar cells with a wide range of thicknesses from 50 to 400 μm. A trade‐off between the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and the short circuit current density (JSC) against wafer thickness is clearly observed in these SHJ cells, whereas a decrease in fill factor (FF) is found for thin SHJ cells below 80 μm. The loss analysis for the thin SHJ cells with numerical simulation clarifies that the infrared parasitic absorption loss due to the supporting layers is enhanced for thinner wafers, which limits the JSC in the thin SHJ cells. In addition, it is confirmed that the FF is more sensitive to surface recombination than the VOC, and this tendency becomes more pronounced with the decrease in the wafer thickness. A high efficiency of 22% is achieved in a SHJ solar cell with a thickness of only 46 μm, demonstrating a high potential for flexible high‐efficiency c‐Si solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the association between gingival tissue biotypes and different facial phenotypes. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the dental clinics of Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gingival tissue biotypes were assessed and facial measurements recorded for 80 subjects who met the inclusion criteria. Data are presented as numbers (percentages) for all categorical variables and mean ± standard deviation plus median (interquartile range) for all continuous variables. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed and a P-value ≤ 0.05 was accepted as significant for all statistical tests. The age range of the participants was 21–40 years (mean 28.8 ± 04.3), and the majority were males (65.0%). The thin gingival tissue biotype was found in 39 subjects (48.8%) while the thick gingival biotype was present in 41 subjects (51.2%). The majority of patients were mesoprosopic (41.2%), followed by those who were leptoprosopic (37.5%) and euryprosopic (21.3%). The thick gingival tissue biotype was more prevalent in 21–30-year-old patients. The mesoprosopic facial phenotype was significantly associated with presence of the thin gingival tissue biotype (odds ratio = 3.600, p = 0.049). It was found that the mesoprosopic facial phenotype was more likely to exhibit the thin gingival tissue biotype. The mesoprosopic facial phenotype was the most common facial phenotype of the subjects. The thick gingival tissue biotype was more prevalent in younger people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The striatum mediates a broad range of cognitive and motor functions. Within the striatum, recently discovered tyrosine hydroxylase expressing interneurons (THINs) provide a source of intrastriatal synaptic connectivity that is critical for regulating striatal activity, yet the role of THIN's in behavior remains unknown. Given the important role of the striatum in reward‐based behaviors, we investigated whether loss of striatal THINs would impact instrumental behavior in mice. We selectively ablated striatal THINs in TH‐Cre mice using chemogenetic techniques, and then tested THIN‐lesioned or control mice on three reward‐based striatal‐dependent instrumental tests: (a) progressive ratio test; (b) choice test following selective‐satiety induced outcome devaluation; (c) outcome reinstatement test. Both striatal‐THIN‐lesioned and control mice acquired an instrumental response for flavored food pellets, and their behavior did not differ in the progressive ratio test, suggesting intact effort to obtain rewards. However, striatal THIN lesions markedly impaired choice performance following selective‐satiety induced outcome devaluation. Unlike control mice, THIN‐lesioned mice did not adjust their choice of actions following a change in outcome value. In the outcome reinstatement test THIN‐lesioned and control mice showed response invigoration by outcome presentation, suggesting the incentive properties of outcomes were not disrupted by THIN lesions. Overall, we found that striatal THIN lesions selectively impaired goal‐directed behavior, while preserving motoric and appetitive behaviors. These findings are the first to describe a function of striatal THINs in reward‐based behavior, and further illustrate the important role for intrastriatal interneuronal connectivity in behavioral functions ascribed to the striatum more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mohammad Reza Djodeyre,1 Jaime Beltran,2 Julio Ortega-Usobiaga,3 Felix Gonzalez-Lopez,4 Ana Isabel Ruiz-Rizaldos,1 Julio Baviera2 1Department of Refractive Surgery, Clinica Baviera, Zaragoza, 2Department of Refractive Surgery, Clinica Baviera, Valencia, 3Department of Research and Development, Clinica Baviera, Bilbao, 4Department of Refractive Surgery, Clinica Baviera, Madrid, Spain Purpose: To study long-term refractive and visual outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in eyes with a postoperative thin central cornea. Methods: In this retrospective observational case series, we studied 282 myopic eyes with a normal preoperative topographic pattern and postoperative thin corneas (275 µm. Keywords: LASIK, thin, cornea, ectasia, myopia, pachymetry, topography

We consider the action of a group $G$ on the family $\mathcal{P}(G)$ of all subsets of $G$ by the right shifts $A\mapsto Ag$ and give the dynamical characterizations of thin, $n$-thin, sparse and scattered subsets. For $n\in\mathbb{N}$, a subset $A$ of a group $G$ is called $n$-thin if $g_0A\cap\dots\cap g_nA$ is finite for all distinct $g_0,\dots,g_n\in G$. Each $n$-thin subset of a group of cardinality $\aleph_0$ can be partitioned into $n$ $1$-thin subsets but there is a $2$-thin subset in some Abelian group of cardinality $\aleph_2$ which cannot be partitioned into two $1$-thin subsets. We eliminate the gap between $\aleph_0$ and $\aleph_2$ proving that each $n$-thin subset of an Abelian group of cardinality $\aleph_1$ can be partitioned into $n$ $1$-thin subsets.

The aim of the present work is to broaden the scope of application of the hole drilling method and to enable reliable residual stress measurements on thin metal sheets. In this context the focus is on characterization of residual stresses on brazed sheet metal constructions. In this specific case coarse grains and low sheet thickness are strong restrictions for standard residual stress measurement methods. However, in the current work it is shown that it is possible to extend the scope of application of the incremental hole drilling method to thin components. For this purpose, calibration coefficient matrices for sheets having thicknesses of 0.7 mm, 1 mm and 1.6 mm have been calculated using finite element analysis. Furthermore, by measuring residual stresses of bent metal sheets, the determined coefficients and measurement procedure feasibility have been validated. Finally, the application of the incremental hole drilling method on an austenitic-ferritic brazed sheet metal construction is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) specimens are often obtained from patients for further staging after these patients have undergone melanoma excision. Limited data regarding predictors of SLNB positivity in thin melanoma are available.Objective: We sought to evaluate predictors of SLNB positivity in thin melanoma.Methods: Patients with cutaneous melanoma with a Breslow thickness ≤1.00 mm who received a SLNB were identified from the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2014 (n = 9186). Predictors of SLNB positivity were analyzed using logistic regression.Results: In a multivariate analysis, patients <60 years of age (P < .001) and Breslow thickness >0.8 mm (P = .03) were at increased risk for positive sentinel lymph node (SLN). Moreover, on multivariate analysis, the presence of dermal mitoses increased the odds of SLN positivity by 95% (odds ratio [OR] 1.95 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.53-2.5], P < .001), ulceration by 63% (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.21-2.18], P < .001), and Clark level IV to V by 48% (OR 1.48 [95% CI 1.19-1.85]). Patients without ulceration but with dermal mitoses had 92% (OR 1.92 [95% CI 1.5-2.48], P < .001) increased SLN positivity.Limitations: Limited survival data are available.Conclusions: Younger age, a Breslow thickness >0.8 mm, the presence of dermal mitoses, ulceration, and Clark level IV to V are positive predictors of positive SLN. While the new American Joint Committee on Cancer system has removed dermal mitotic rate from staging, continued evaluation of dermal mitotic rate could be valuable for guiding surgical decision making about SLNB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A measurement method without relying on the sensor scale is proposed for the LSRM. • The proposed method uses the combination of the sensor output and a lookup table. • The proposed method is robust to amplitude variation of the sensor output. • The maximum position error of the prototype measurement system was 25 μm. Abstract This paper describes the position measurement and control of a thin and compact linear switched reluctance motor (LSRM) with a disposable-film mover. The paper proposes a position measurement method using the combination of the eddy current sensor output and a lookup table based on a previously measured information. The position measurement system based on the method is integrated into the developed LSRM to increase the disposability of the mover. The proposed method is robust to reproducible amplitude variation of the sensor output owing to the deformation of the mover. Experimental results showed that the measurement system can produce reliable position information, with a measurement error of up to 25 μm and a resolution that is better than 10 μm. Finally, the tracking performance of the control system using the measurement system as a feedback sensor is examined experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal elastic-plastic stresses and strains have been obtained for rotating annular disk by using finite difference method with Von-Mises' yield criterion and non-linear strain hardening measure. The compressibility of the disk is assumed to be varying in the radial direction. From the numerical results, we can conclude that thermal rotating disk made of functionally graded material whose thickness decreases exponentially and density increases exponentially with non-linear strain hardening measure (m = 0.2) is on the safe side of the design as compared to disk made of homogenous material. This is because of the reason that circumferential stress is less for functionally graded disk as compared to homogenous disk. Also, plastic strains are high for functionally graded disk as compared to homogenous disk. It means that disk made of functionally graded material reduces the possibility of fracture at the bore as compared to the disk made of homogeneous material which leads to the idea of stress saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Background In July 2013, new UK guidelines recommended that all patients with symptomatic varicose veins (VV) be referred to a specialist vascular service for consideration of superficial venous intervention (SVI). In the UK, general practitioners (GPs) in primary care control access to publicly funded vascular services provided through the National Health Service. GP awareness and concordance with Clinical Guideline (CG)168 recommendations is vital if patients with VV are to receive evidence-based treatment in line with national recommendations. The aim was to assess the UK-wide impact of new guidelines on GP management of VV using a large database of electronic GP records. Methods An eligible population of patients aged ≥ 18 years was analysed over two 18-month periods, before and after guideline publication. Those with a new diagnosis of VV in each time period were analysed in terms of demographics, specialist referral, compression hosiery prescriptions, and recorded SVI. Results Analysis included approximately two million patients from 285 GP practices. Before and after CG168 cohorts were well matched. Study populations included 13,014 patients before and 12,466 patients after guideline publication. There was an increase in specialist referrals from 24% (n = 3173) to 28% (n = 3457) (Cox hazard ratio [HR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.20; p <.001). Median time to referral was 1.5 days. Prescribed compression hosiery declined from 20% (n = 2558) before the new guidelines to 18% (n = 2292) after the new guidelines (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.98; p =.008). There were similar increases in proportions recorded as having SVI, from 3.6% (n = 469) before the new guidelines to 4.2% (n = 526) after the new guidelines (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.31; p =.023). There was a statistically significant increase in endothermal ablation after CG168. In Cox models, age, sex, Townsend quintile, and body mass index were significantly related to the chance of referral and SVI. Conclusion Encouragingly, following publication of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence CG168, there has been a statistically significant improvement in the management of VV in primary care in line with the CG recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the injection molding (IM) process for the production polymeric parts with thin walls. The injection molding process was numerically modelled, and thin-walled polymeric parts were injection-molded experimentally. In the case of polymeric parts with thin walls, it is critical to understand flow and heat transfer behavior in the mold during the process. Injection-compression molding (ICM) was adopted to fabricate the parts, and the resulting residual stress and warpage were evaluated. In addition, birefringence of the molded part was analyzed to validate the numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our goal was to describe the management of pregestational diabetes in pregnant women in the United Kingdom. Methods: We used electronic medical records from The Health Improvement Network database between January 1995 and June 2012 to identify the first pregnancy in women 15 to 45 years of age with pregestational diabetes type 1 or type 2. Information on lifestyle factors, demographic characteristics, prescription of specific antidiabetic medications, and glycemic control measures (HbA1c) was obtained from primary care provider records. We evaluated treatment patterns and HbA1c levels within 90 days before the last menstrual period (prepregnancy period) and within each trimester of pregnancy. Results: In a cohort of 1511 pregnant women with pregestational diabetes, 60% had type 1 and 40% type 2 diabetes. Among women with type 1 diabetes, 90% received antidiabetic medication (primarily insulin) prepregnancy and 92% during the first trimester. Among women with type 2 diabetes, 54% received antidiabetic medication (primarily metformin) during the prepregnancy period and 60% during the first trimester. Among women with nontreated diabetes type 2 before pregnancy, 22% initiated treatment by the first trimester (primarily insulin); those on noninsulin antidiabetic medications often switched to insulin. The proportion of women with at least 1 HbA1c value recorded within the prepregnancy period was 33% for type 1 (n = 299) and 31% for type 2 diabetes (n = 189); the corresponding proportions within the first trimester were 48% and 40%, respectively. Among women with recorded HbA1c, the prevalence of HbA1c > 7% prepregnancy was 70% for type 1 and 52% for type 2 diabetes; the proportions within the first trimester were 73% and 46%, respectively. Conclusions: Management of pregnant women with diabetes seems to follow recommendations for pharmacological treatment. However, there is substantial room for improvement in HbA1c control, that is, in the planning of pregnancy in women with diabetes, in the initiation of antidiabetic medication among women with diabetes type 2 who may need it, and likely in the compliance with treatments in women with type 2 and type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a suitable motion system design that utilizes a thin and compact linear switched reluctance motor (LSRM) with a disposable-film mover. The motor features a simple structure that is easy to fabricate and install into existing and newly designed instruments. Made using readily available materials, the mover is considered disposable. To meet the objectives of a motion system, i.e., simplicity in terms of use and mover exchangeability, the motion performance should remain the same even when the mover is exchanged. To meet these objectives, it is desirable to provide controllers that are robust to changes to the movers, and it is important to clarify the limitations of the motion performance resulting from the different motor characteristics. Thus, using a controller designed for precise tracking, experiments were carried out to verify the robustness of the motion system against the influences of changes in the length and mass of the movers. The limitations of the motion performance were then formulated for systems with a small effective thrust force such as those used in the developed LSRM, and validated. Based on the results achieved, the range of additional mass specifically applied to maintain the same motion performance is clarified in the present paper.

The comparison of resistive switching (RS) storage in the same device architecture is explored for atomic layer deposition (ALD) Al2O3, HfO2 and HfAlOx-based resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices. Among them, the deeper highand low-resistance states, more uniform VSET-VRES, persistent ROFF/RON (>102) ratio and endurance up to 105 cycles during both DC and AC measurements were observed for HfAlOx-based device. This improved behavior is attributed to the intermixing of amorphous Al2O3/HfO2 oxide layers to form amorphous thermally stable HfAlOx thin films by consecutive-cycled ALD. In addition, the higher oxygen content at Ti/HfAlOx thin films interface was found within the energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis (EDS). We believe this higher oxygen content at the interface could lead to its sufficient storage and supply, leading to the stable filament reduction-oxidation operation. Further given insight to the RS mechanism, SET/RESET power necessities and scavenging effect shed a light to the enhancement of HfAlOx-based ReRAM device as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]