678 research outputs found
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Efficacy of a therapeutic wand in addition to physiotherapy for treating bladder pain syndrome in women: a pilot randomized controlled trial
YesThe aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial
(PFM) treatment in women with bladder pain syndrome (BPS). Prolonged PFM
tension contributes to the bladder pain, urinary frequency and urgency associated
with BPS. Pelvic health physiotherapists routinely provide intravaginal myofascial
release (MFR) to the PFMs in order to effectively reduce symptoms. Rapid access
A TW was designed so as to allow men with chronic pelvic pain to self- treat,
and this may be effective in women with BPS. For 6 weeks, two groups received
weekly physiotherapist- provided MFR, and were monitored for a further 6- week
follow- up period. One group also used a TW at home three times a week throughout
the pilot. Weekly outcome measures of BPS symptoms and quality of life
were recorded. A clinically meaningful difference in Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms
Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index score changes between groups was
group = 6.20 ± 0.83 and 5.00 ± 1.41, respectively), and a difference was observed
during the follow- up period (control group = 4.50 ± 1.73 and 4.00 ± 2.44, respecevents.
Using the TW appears to have enhanced physiotherapy treatment during
the initial 6 weeks, and improved symptoms during the 6- week follow- up period.
The TW may be a clinically useful tool for long- term management of BPS. The
feasibility of the study method was proven, some alterations were recommended
and an RCT is now warranted
Lower Bounds on the Chromatic Number of Random Graphs
We prove that a formula predicted on the basis of non-rigorous physics arguments [Zdeborová and Krzakala: Phys. Rev. E (2007)] provides a lower bound on the chromatic number of sparse random graphs. The proof is based on the interpolation method from mathematical physics. In the case of random regular graphs the lower bound can be expressed algebraically, while in the case of the binomial random we obtain a variational formula. As an application we calculate improved explicit lower bounds on the chromatic number of random graphs for small (average) degrees. Additionally, we show how asymptotic formulas for large degrees that were previously obtained by lengthy and complicated combinatorial arguments can be re-derived easily from these new results
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Delay to diagnosis and specialist consultation following anterior cruciate ligament injury: A study investigating the nature of, and factors associated with, pathway delay
Background:
Historically the identification of ACL injuries upon initial presentation is low and
considerable diagnostic delays have been reported. However, specific evidence
on the individual elements of, and factors which influence delay, is lacking.
Aims:
The overarching aim was to provide a comprehensive picture of delay to
diagnosis and specialist consultation, including factors which influence delay.
An additional aim was to determine whether the approach to examining acute
knee injuries varied as a consequence of varying patient presentation or
experience of the assessing clinician.
Methods:
Study 1: Cross -sectional survey.
Study 2: Non-participant direct observation methodology.
Results:
Data from 194 patients were analysed in the survey. Only 15.5% of patients
were given a correct diagnosis of ACL rupture at the initial consultation. Median delay to diagnosis was 67.5 days (IQR= 15 to 178 days) and specialist
consultation 108 days (IQR= 38 to 292 days). The factors most influential on
delay were whether a follow-up appointment was arranged after attending A&E,
whether the site of attendance operated an acute knee clinic and whether MRI
was performed.
The direct observation study showed wide variation in approach to injury
assessment. Specialist clinicians performed the most comprehensive
examination. A&E clinicians were more likely to assess for bony, neurovascular
and gross tendon injuries as opposed to ligamentous or meniscal injury.
Conclusions:
The diagnostic rate of ACL injury at initial presentation remains low.
Considerable delays to diagnosis and specialist consultation are apparent
following ACL injury, the majority of which is attributable to health system delay
Enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in normal and pathological human tissues
Abstract Not Provided
Gamma-Ray Spectra & Variability of the Crab Nebula Emission Observed by BATSE
We report ~ 600 days of BATSE earth-occultation observations of the total
gamma-ray (30 keV to 1.7 MeV) emission from the Crab nebula, between 1991 May
24 (TJD 8400) and 1994 October 2 (TJD 9627). Lightcurves from 35-100, 100-200,
200-300, 300-400, 400-700, and 700-1000 keV, show that positive fluxes were
detected by BATSE in each of these six energy bands at significances of
approximately 31, 20, 9.2, 4.5, 2.6, and 1.3 sigma respectively per day. We
also observed significant flux and spectral variations in the 35-300 keV energy
region, with time scales of days to weeks. The spectra below 300 keV, averaged
over typical CGRO viewing periods of 6-13 days, can be well described by a
broken power law with average indices of ~ 2.1 and ~ 2.4 varying around a
spectral break at ~ 100 keV. Above 300 keV, the long-term averaged spectra,
averaged over three 400 d periods (TJD 8400-8800, 8800-9200, and 9200-9628,
respectively) are well represented by the same power law with index of ~ 2.34
up to ~ 670 keV, plus a hard spectral component extending from ~ 670 keV to ~
1.7 MeV, with a spectral index of ~ 1.75. The latter component could be related
to a complex structure observed by COMPTEL in the 0.7-3 MeV range. Above 3 MeV,
the extrapolation of the power-law continuum determined by the low-energy BATSE
spectrum is consistent with fluxes measured by COMPTEL in the 3-25 MeV range,
and by EGRET from 30-50 MeV. We interpret these results as synchrotron emission
produced by the interaction of particles ejected from the pulsar with the field
in different dynamical regions of the nebula system, as observed recently by
HST, XMM-Newton, and Chandra.Comment: To be published in the November 20, 2003, Vol 598 issue of the
Astrophysical Journa
Children of prisoners: exploring the impact of families' reappraisal of the role and status of the imprisoned parent on children's coping strategies
Qualitative data from a larger study on the impact of parental imprisonment in four countries found that children of prisoners face fundamentally similar psychological and social challenges. The ways that children cope, however, are influenced by the interpretative frame adopted by the adults around them, and by how issues of parental imprisonment are talked about in their families. This article argues that families have to reappraise their view of the imprisoned parent and then decide on their policy for how to deal with this publicly. Their approach may be based on openness and honesty or may emphasise privacy and secrecy, or a combination of these. Children are likely to be influenced by their parents'/carers' views, although these may cause conflict for them. Where parents/carers retain a positive view of the imprisoned parent, children are likely to benefit; where parents/carers feel issues of shame and stigma acutely, this is likely to be transmitted to their children. This is important for social workers and practitioners involved in supporting prisoners' families and for parenting programmes
Weld-bonded stainless steel to carbon fibre-reinforced plastic joints
This paper investigates a resistance spot welded reinforced adhesive (weld-bonded) joint between 304 stainless steel to carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), where welds are made both with and without the reinforcing carbon fibres present. Successful welds with the fibres present could only be produced with high electrode pinch forces, which helped reduce contamination of the weld nugget. Similar joint strengths were achieved in both cases, however the joints without fibres exhibited an increased strain to failure. Both joints were significantly stronger than either an adhesive joint or a comparable bolt reinforced adhesive joint. These techniques provide an alternative for joining thin metallic components to CFRP structures where increased strength and integrity is required
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