Upright Birthing Positions: The Positive Impacts on Labor

The lithotomy position is the most common birthing position currently used in Western medicine. Historically, women used upright birthing positions which include sitting, kneeling, squatting, and standing. This article reviews the advantages of upright birthing positions in comparison to lithotomy. Studies have shown benefits in reduced episiotomies, perineal trauma, and labor time, while providing the most optimal pelvic position

In newborn babies, what are the risks of developing Vitamin K deficiency bleeding disorders if not provided IM Vitamin K injection at birth?

Vitamin K, which is produced in the large intestines of adults, is naturally lacking in neonates. It is a crucial part in the clotting cascade for activating clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. For the past several decades, it has been a standard in Western Medicine to give an IM Vitamin K injection to neonates post birth. In recent years, statistics of refusal have continued to grow creating an increased prevalence of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding Disorders. This study is aimed at exploring the statistics of injection refusal, reasons for refusal, alternative methods to injections, and the importance behind parent education. The studies analyzed demonstrate that there are higher rates of refusal in birth centers and home births as opposed to hospital births. Alternative methods studied, such as breast feeding and mother supplementation, have not been shown to be an equivalent to the IM injection, however, there is promising research regarding an oral method of Vitamin K administration. Based on the research conducted, it is imperative that providers ensure proper patient education throughout the entire pregnancy regarding screenings and preventions, such as a Vitamin K injection and what it prevents, so that parents can make informed decisions when their child is born

On the molecules of numerical semigroups, Puiseux monoids, and Puiseux algebras

A molecule is a nonzero non-unit element of an integral domain (resp., commutative cancellative monoid) having a unique factorization into irreducibles (resp., atoms). Here we study the molecules of Puiseux monoids as well as the molecules of their corresponding semigroup algebras, which we call Puiseux algebras. We begin by presenting, in the context of numerical semigroups, some results on the possible cardinalities of the sets of molecules and the sets of reducible molecules (i.e., molecules that are not irreducibles/atoms). Then we study the molecules in the more general context of Puiseux monoids. We construct infinitely many non-isomorphic atomic Puiseux monoids all whose molecules are atoms. In addition, we characterize the molecules of Puiseux monoids generated by rationals with prime denominators. Finally, we turn to investigate the molecules of Puiseux algebras. We provide a characterization of the molecules of the Puiseux algebras corresponding to root-closed Puiseux monoids. Then we use such a characterization to find an infinite class of Puiseux algebras with infinitely many non-associated reducible molecules.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figure

Minimal symmetric Darlington synthesis

We consider the symmetric Darlington synthesis of a p x p rational symmetric Schur function S with the constraint that the extension is of size 2p x 2p. Under the assumption that S is strictly contractive in at least one point of the imaginary axis, we determine the minimal McMillan degree of the extension. In particular, we show that it is generically given by the number of zeros of odd multiplicity of I-SS*. A constructive characterization of all such extensions is provided in terms of a symmetric realization of S and of the outer spectral factor of I-SS*. The authors's motivation for the problem stems from Surface Acoustic Wave filters where physical constraints on the electro-acoustic scattering matrix naturally raise this mathematical issue

Algebraic charge liquids

High temperature superconductivity emerges in the cuprate compounds upon changing the electron density of an insulator in which the electron spins are antiferromagnetically ordered. A key characteristic of the superconductor is that electrons can be extracted from them at zero energy only if their momenta take one of four specific values (the `nodal points'). A central enigma has been the evolution of the zero energy electrons in the metallic state between the antiferromagnet and the superconductor, and recent experiments yield apparently contradictory results. The oscillation of the resistance in this metal as a function of magnetic field indicate that the zero energy electrons carry momenta which lie on elliptical `Fermi pockets', while ejection of electrons by high intensity light indicates that the zero energy electrons have momenta only along arc-like regions. We present a theory of new states of matter, which we call `algebraic charge liquids', which arise naturally between the antiferromagnet and the superconductor, and reconcile these observations. Our theory also explains a puzzling dependence of the density of superconducting electrons on the total electron density, and makes a number of unique predictions for future experiments.Comment: 6+8 pages, 2 figures; (v2) Rewritten for broader accessibility; (v3) corrected numerical error in Eq. (5

Statistical studies of supernova environments

Investigations of the environments of SNe allow statistical constraints to be made on progenitor properties. We review progress that has been made in this field. Pixel statistics using tracers of e.g. star formation within galaxies show differences in the explosion sites of, in particular SNe types II and Ibc (SNe II and SNe Ibc), suggesting differences in population ages. Of particular interest is that SNe Ic are significantly more associated with H-alpha emission than SNe Ib, implying shorter lifetimes for the former. In addition, such studies have shown that the interacting SNe IIn do not explode in regions containing the most massive stars, which suggests that at least a significant fraction of their progenitors arise from the lower end of the core-collapse SN mass range. Host HII region spectroscopy has been obtained for a significant number of core-collapse events, however definitive conclusions have to-date been elusive. Single stellar evolution models predict that the fraction of SNe Ibc to SNe II should increase with increasing metallicity, due to the dependence of mass-loss rates on progenitor metallicity. We present a meta-analysis of host HII region oxygen abundances for CC SNe. It is concluded that the SN II to SN Ibc ratio shows little variation with oxygen abundance, with only a suggestion that the ratio increases in the lowest bin. Radial distributions of different SNe are discussed, where a central excess of SNe Ibc has been observed within disturbed galaxy systems, which is difficult to ascribe to metallicity or selection effects. Environment studies are evolving to enable studies at higher spatial resolutions than previously possible, while in addition the advent of wide-field integral field unit instruments allows galaxy-wide spectral analyses which will provide fruitful results to this field. Some example contemporary results are shown in that direction

Formative peer assessment in a CSCL environment

In this case study our aim was to gain more insight in the possibilities of qualitative formative peer assessment in a computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment. An approach was chosen in which peer assessment was operationalised in assessment assignments and assessment tools that were embedded in the course material. The course concerned a higher education case-based virtual seminar, in which students were asked to conduct research and write a report in small multidisciplinary teams. The assessment assignments contained the discussion of assessment criteria, the assessment of a group report of a fellow group, and writing an assessment report. A list of feedback rules was one of the assessment tools. A qualitative oriented study was conducted, focussing on the attitude of students towards peer assessment and practical use of peer assessment assignments and tools. Results showed that students’ attitude towards peer assessment was positive and that assessment assignments had added value. However, not all students fulfilled all assessment assignments. Recommendations for implementation of peer assessment in CSCL environments as well as suggestions for future research are discussed

Pregnancy is associated with elevation of liver enzymes in HIV-positive women on antiretroviral therapy.

The objective of this study is to assess whether pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of liver enzyme elevation (LEE) and severe LEE in HIV-positive women on antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Importance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Diffusion-weighted Imaging in Guiding Biopsy of Nodular Ganglioneuroblastoma: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Nodular ganglioneuroblastoma is a rare peripheral neuroblastic tumor of variable prognosis. Accurate diagnosis, staging, and risk categorization can be particularly challenging in patients with nodular ganglioneuroblastoma due to the inherent heterogeneity of these lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: We illustrate the use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to identify tumor nodules and guide tumor biopsy in an almost 5-year-old boy with a large abdominal tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was successful in detecting and guiding biopsy of a poorly differentiated neuroblastoma nodule within the context of a well-differentiated ganglioneuroma, allowing the diagnosis and characterization of a ganglioneuroblastoma nodular, thus influencing the child's prognosis and treatment