Search

Microcellular foams were produced from polycaprolactone (PCL) using a method based on the rapid release of supercritical CO2. The average pore size in the structure was found to vary with the selected vent time and the final microstructure was a combination of open and closed cells. Thermal analysis showed that the degree of crystallinity of all foams was in the region of 70%. This was found to be consistent with the observation of lamellar textures on the inner surface of the pores. There was also a pronounced decrease in compressive modulus with increasing vent time and average pore size.

Homebound patients who could benefit from high-quality, cost-saving longitudinal home-based medical care cannot be identified easily by hospitals, health systems, or payers. Further, without a well-defined population denominator, assessments of care quality are inadequate. We addressed these gaps using the OptumLabsTM Data Warehouse, which includes more than 3 million commercial and Medicare 2014 enrollees age 65 and older. We identified two patient phenotypes who may benefit from home-based medical care: (1) patients with complex comorbid conditions already receiving home-based care (>2 in-home physician visits (N=30,251); and (2) patients receiving substantial acute care (>57% with >1 hospitalization, ER visit, or ambulance service) and low levels of ambulatory services (19.2% with

Objectives To assess the subjective interpretation of the echogenicity of fetal bowel compared to bone from antenatal ultrasound images taken during examinations conducted between 17 and 22 weeks of gestation. Methods Eighty-seven women attending for their antenatal scan were selected in a random prospective manner over a 9-month period. Images of the fetal bowel were taken and evaluated by 10 sonographers, one consultant obstetrician and one consultant radiologist. Images from a further 13 fetuses, in which the subjective assessment of echogenic bowel was made, were also included. All ultrasound images were acquired on a dedicated ultrasound scanner, with a standard transducer, thermal paper printer and single operator using standardized equipment settings and reproducible image sections. Questionnaires with 100 sets of images of fetal bowel were distributed to the participants. Performance was assessed by means of percentage agreement and levels of chance corrected agreement (Kappa). Results The subjective assessment of fetal bowel echogenicity is very variable. Intra- and inter‒observer variation discrepancies in the assessment of bowel echogenicity compared to bone were demonstrated between the sonographers. Good agreement was identified between the consultants with good to almost perfect intra‒observer agreement. Overall, only moderate agreement was observed between the sonographers and the consultants. Conclusions The lack of agreement demonstrated between sonographers when evaluating the echogenicity of fetal bowel should be addressed if this ultrasound marker is to be incorporated into routine fetal screening programs. Copyright © 2000 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

The Mid-Atlantic serves as a host environment for a number of sea turtle species that encompasses their seasonal migration routes. Global evidence suggests that that the migration routes are strongly influenced by two factors: sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentrations. Data gathered from the Pacific Ocean presents compelling evidence of this relationship. In contrast, the finding from studies conducted in the Atlantic have not yet confirmed the role of these factors. Therefore this study established a correlation between sea turtle locations in the Atlantic Ocean in relation to sea surface temperature. Satellite sensor data including the NOAA AVHRR instrument was utilized for this study.

Due to the increased number of fatal accidents caused by overweight trucks on interstate highways, a series of truck safety and weight enforcement facilities were developed by Wisconsin Department of Transportation. These facilities were designed to weigh and inspect trucks while they are in motion. The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) funded a project through the Affiliated Research Center (ARC) at university of Wisconsin-Madison to pilot innovation in geospatial visualization technology for comparing possible sites for a truck safety and weight enforcement facility. The optimal site selection study was conducted along the I-90 corridor between the Illinois/Wisconsin border and Madison, Wisconsin. To accomplish this project EOS-Era Landsat-7 satellite data were integrated and synthesized with digital elevation models (DEMs), aerial photography, and other geospatial data to represent current terrain and land cover. Application of innovative visualization technology enabled the presentation of spatial information reflecting complex engineering, environmental, transportation and design issues in ways that were clear and understandable to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and public stakeholders. Visualization of geospatial data technology and "fly-through" simulation models are presented to demonstrate the alternative scenarios for selecting an optimum site for the truck safety facility.

Echogenic bowel is detected in 0.6–1% of second-trimester fetuses. It has a well-recognised association with a number of fetal conditions, including chromosomal abnormality, cystic fibrosis, subchorionic haemorrhage, bowel obstruction, viral infection and intrauterine growth retardation. The objective of our study was to assess the clinical outcome in fetuses with isolated and complex echogenic bowel. We conducted a prospective observational study of all second trimester fetuses with echogenic bowel as bright as fetal bone. Virology, cystic fibrosis screening and karyotyping was offered in all cases and infants were followed-up between 6 and 12 months of age. Echogenic bowel was identified in 232 cases. It was an isolated finding in 129 (56%) and was found in association with other abnormalities (complex) in 103 (44%). In the isolated cases 67% babies had a normal outcome compared to 27% in the complex group.

The case described demonstrates the development of elliptical stomatocytosis in a neonate and the appearance of elliptical stomatocytes in her mother whose blood film, before delivery, showed elliptocytosis. Further investigations on both individuals indicated a mild haemolytic anaemia. To our knowledge this is the second reported case of elliptical stomatocytosis.

Chronic asymptomatic genital tract infection has been postulated to cause infertility in man. This study demonstrates the correlation of positive seminal fluid bacteriological cultures with abnormal parameters of seminal fluid analysis in the male partners of 100 uninvestigated couples presenting with infertility. Gram negative bacteria were cultured only in patients with semen abnormalities while Gram positive bacteria were cultured from both normal and abnormal semen specimens.

Antibodies against 15 keto PGF2α and 13,14 dihydro 15 keto PGF2α were produced in goats and rabbits using the appropriate prostaglandin protein conjugate. Tritium labeled 15-keto, and 13,14 dihydro 15-keto PGF2α were prepared from 3H-PGF2α. These antibodies and 3H-labeled compounds were used to develop radioimmunoassays for the respective F2α metabolites. The antibodies had relatively little cross-reactivity (≤0.1%) with the parent F2α molecule. Infusion of PGF2α in monkeys increased 15-keto-h2 levels 10–20 fold higher than PGF2α in peripheral plasma. The levels of this metabolite were not altered detectably during clotting, indicating relatively slow rates of PGF2α metabolism in vitro . These assays should be useful to follow release rates of exogenous prostaglandins from various formulations and delivery systems, and in vivo tissue synthesis of PGF2α, where low levels preclude measuring the parent compound.