Automated system to measure the carbonate concentration of sediments

We have developd a computer controlled system to measure the calcium carbonate content of sediment samples. A menu driven program controls the analysis of each sample. The system first communicates with a Mettler digital balance to record the weights of the 40 samples which must be loaded into each run. The sample boats are next loaded into the sample carousel which is then sealed from the atmosphere. The system is first pumped down to a vacuum of 0.04 torr. The valve to the pump closes and the stepping motor turns the carousel, moving a sample boat over the delivery slot and dropping the sample into 80°C 100% phosphoric acid under vigorous spinning action. During the reaction, carbonate is evolved into H2O and CO2 and the resulting pressure change within the closed system is measured by a pressure transducer and recorded into memory next to the sample identification and sample weight. The system is pumped once again to 0.04 torr and the process continues until all 40 samples have been analyzed. The data can then be uploaded and converted to percent carbonate values using a regression line produced from multiple analyses of varying weights of a 100% carbonate standard. Precision of the system, based upon 120 replicate analysis ranges from 0.49% to 0.88%.Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation through Grant Nos. OCE 85-11014 and OCE 88-13307

CAMbase – A XML-based bibliographical database on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

The term "Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)" covers a variety of approaches to medical theory and practice, which are not commonly accepted by representatives of conventional medicine. In the past two decades, these approaches have been studied in various areas of medicine. Although there appears to be a growing number of scientific publications on CAM, the complete spectrum of complementary therapies still requires more information about published evidence. A majority of these research publications are still not listed in electronic bibliographical databases such as MEDLINE. However, with a growing demand by patients for such therapies, physicians increasingly need an overview of scientific publications on CAM. Bearing this in mind, CAMbase, a bibliographical database on CAM was launched in order to close this gap. It can be accessed online free of charge or additional costs. The user can peruse more than 80,000 records from over 30 journals and periodicals on CAM, which are stored in CAMbase. A special search engine performing syntactical and semantical analysis of textual phrases allows the user quickly to find relevant bibliographical information on CAM. Between August 2003 and July 2006, 43,299 search queries, an average of 38 search queries per day, were registered focussing on CAM topics such as acupuncture, cancer or general safety aspects. Analysis of the requests led to the conclusion that CAMbase is not only used by scientists and researchers but also by physicians and patients who want to find out more about CAM. Closely related to this effort is our aim to establish a modern library center on Complementary Medicine which offers the complete spectrum of a modern digital library including a document delivery-service for physicians, therapists, scientists and researchers

Efficacy of cupping therapy in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome-a randomised placebo controlled trial

© 2016 The Author(s). This study aimed to test the efficacy of cupping therapy to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients diagnosed with the fibromyalgia syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to cupping therapy, sham or usual care. Cupping was administered five times at twice weekly intervals on the upper and lower back. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity at day 18. Secondary outcomes included functional disability, quality of life, fatigue and sleep quality as well as pressure pain sensitivity, satisfaction and safety at day 18 and 6 months. Altogether 141 patients were included in this study (139 females, 55.8 ± 9.1 years). After 18 days patients reported significant less pain after cupping compared to usual care (difference-12.4; 95% CI:-18.9;-5.9, p < 0.001) but not compared to sham (difference-3.0; 95% CI:-9.9, 3.9, p = 0.396). Further effects were found for quality of life compared to usual care. Patients were mildly satisfied with cupping and sham cupping; and only minor side effects were observed. Despite cupping therapy being more effective than usual care to improve pain intensity and quality of life, effects of cupping therapy were small and comparable to those of a sham treatment, and as such cupping cannot be recommended for fibromyalgia at the current time

Critical Review Effects of Yoga Interventions on Pain and Pain-Associated Disability: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract: We searched databases for controlled clinical studies, and performed a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of yoga interventions on pain and associated disability. Five randomized studies reported single-blinding and had a higher methodological quality; 7 studies were randomized but not blinded and had moderate quality; and 4 nonrandomized studies had low quality. In 6 studies, yoga was used to treat patients with back pain; in 2 studies to treat rheumatoid arthritis; in 2 studies to treat patients with headache/migraine; and 6 studies enrolled individuals for other indications. All studies reported positive effects in favor of the yoga interventions. With respect to pain, a random effect meta-analysis estimated the overall treatment effect at SMD = À.74 (CI: À.97; À.52, P &lt; .0001), and an overall treatment effect at SMD = À.79 (CI: À1.02; À.56, P &lt; .0001) for pain-related disability. Despite some limitations, there is evidence that yoga may be useful for several pain-associated disorders. Moreover, there are hints that even short-term interventions might be effective. Nevertheless, large-scale further studies have to identify which patients may benefit from the respective interventions. Perspective: This meta-analysis suggests that yoga is a useful supplementary approach with moderate effect sizes on pain and associated disability