Improved electrodes for skin contacts

Design is described of thick, flexible electrodes with appropriate metal surfaces which prevent unnecessary skin motion. Electrodes provide sufficient radial pressure directed toward body surface to depress skin a noticeable portion of its normal resilient thickness

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

The TM multispectral scanner system was calibrated in an absolute manner before launch. To determine the temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire system, spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM collections over White Sands, New Mexico. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels of the in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined. Tables show values for the reflectance of snow at White Sands measured by a modular 8 channel radiometer, and values for exoatmospheric irradiance within the TM passbands, calculated for the Earth-Sun distance using a solar radiometer

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

In order to determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system in flight spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM image collections over the White Sands, New Mexico area. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined, band 1:0.45 to 0.52 micrometers, band 2:0.53 to 0.61 micrometers band 3:0.62 to 0.70 micrometers and 4:0.78 to 0.91 micrometers. These levels were compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors

Post-polymerisation modification of bio-derived unsaturated polyester resins via Michael additions of 1,3-dicarbonyls

Post-polymerisation modification of α,β-unsaturated polyesters (UPEs) is useful to deliver polymers with tuneable properties and applications different from their parent backbone. Bio-derivable itaconate unsaturated polyesters, with a range of co-monomers, were modified via a heterogeneously catalysed microwave-assisted Michael addition of pendants, acetylacetone (Hacac) and dimethyl malonate (DMM), to the polymer backbones with very short reaction times. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed an increase in the glass-transition temperatures of most of the saturated polyesters considered. Solubility and complexation studies demonstrated metal chelating abilities of the acetylacetone pendant can be retained, even following tethering to a polyester backbone. Additionally, it is demonstrated for the first time that Michael addition with Hacac and DMM can be used to reverse Ordelt saturation, an unwanted side-reaction in the synthesis of UPEs

Older, Heavier, Arthritic, Psychiatrically Disordered, and Opioid-Familiar Patients Are at Risk for Opioid Use After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Purpose: To investigate which factors predispose patients for prolonged opioid use after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction at a single institution between January 2013 and June 2020 was conducted. Opioid consumption before and after surgery was recorded and confirmed using Michigan Automated Prescriptions System monitoring program. Patients were classified into preoperative opioid users and nonusers. Risk factors for continued opioid use were assessed by collecting patient demographic variables, psychiatric history, number of previous patellar dislocations, and operative factors. Results: A total of 102 patients were included during the time frame of interest. Patients were on average 21.6 ± 8.5 years old with a mean body mass index of 28.2 ± 7.9. Thirty patients (29.0%) sustained \u3e10 dislocations preoperatively. Preoperative opioid use was present in 13 (12.7%) patients. Greater than 10 dislocations (odds ratio [OR] 5.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-20.92) and psychiatric history (OR 3.33, 95% CI, 1.2-9.1; P = .016) significantly predicted opioid refills the first month after surgery. Risk factors for opioid refills at 2 to 12 months postoperatively included smoking (OR 4.50, 95% CI 1.13-17.96), preoperative opioid use (OR 7.32, 95% CI 1.88-28.47), psychiatric disorder (OR 3.77, 95% CI 2.3-6.2; P \u3c .001), age \u3e30 years (OR 7.03, 95% CI 3.63-13.61; P \u3c .001), and obesity (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.40-5.14; P = .002). Compared with Outerbridge 0, a greater percentage of patients with Outerbridge 1 or 2 and 3 or 4 continued using opioids 2 to 12 months after surgery (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.33-7.02; P = .006 and OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.24-6.59; P = .010, respectively). Conclusions: For patients undergoing MPFL reconstruction, preoperative opioid use, cartilage damage, age \u3e30 years, smoking history, body mass index \u3e30, and history of psychiatric disorder were found to be significantly associated with prolonged opioid use after surgery. Postoperative opioid refills in this cohort declined after 1 month. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study

Lower Extremity Injury After Return to Sports From Concussion: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested increased rates of lower extremity (LE) musculoskeletal injury after a diagnosed concussion, although significant heterogeneity exists. PURPOSE: To examine the current body of research and determine whether there is an increased risk for LE musculoskeletal injury after a concussion and to identify populations at an increased risk. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A systematic review of current literature using MEDLINE and PubMed databases was performed. Keywords included concussion, athlete, lower extremity injury, and return to sport. Inclusion criteria required original research articles written in the English language examining the rate of LE injuries after a diagnosed concussion. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies involving 4349 athletes (88.1% male and 11.9% female; mean age, 19.8 years) met inclusion criteria. Athletes were classified as high school (46.1%), collegiate (17.0%), or professional (36.9%). Of the 13 studies, 4 demonstrated an increased risk of LE injury within 90 days of a diagnosed concussion (odds ratio [OR], 3.44; 95% CI, 2.99-4.42), and 6 revealed an elevated risk of injury within 1 year of concussion (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.73-2.84). Increased risk was seen in professional (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 2.40-2.72) and collegiate (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.96-2.16) athletes compared with high school athletes (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.89-1.05). A stepwise increase in risk of sustaining an LE injury was observed with multiple concussions, with increasing risk observed from ≥2 (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.85-2.83) to ≥3 (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 2.36-3.48) career concussions. CONCLUSION: An increased incidence of LE injuries was observed at 90 days and 1 year after the diagnosis of a concussion. Higher levels of competition, such as at the collegiate and professional levels, resulted in an increased risk of sustaining a subsequent LE injury after a diagnosed concussion. These results suggest an at-risk population who may benefit from injury prevention methods after a concussion. Future studies should focus on identifying which injuries are most common, during what time period athletes are most vulnerable, and methods to prevent injury after return to sports

Psychosocial Interventions and Wellbeing in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: A number of studies, including systematic reviews, show beneficial effects of psychosocial interventions for people with diabetes mellitus; however, they have not been assessed using meta-analysis. The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials is to investigate the effects of psychosocial interventions on depressive and anxiety symptoms, quality of life and self-efficacy in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Methods: The databases Pubmed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and SocINDEX were searched with no year restriction. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials published in English that included individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, aged 18 years or above, who engaged in a psychosocial intervention, with outcome measures addressing depressive or anxiety symptomology, quality of life or self-efficacy. Eligible studies needed to compare the intervention to usual care. Study selection was completed using Covidence and meta-analysis was undertaken using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results: Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Five studies investigated the effects of psychosocial interventions and showed a medium to large benefit for depressive symptoms (SMD: -0.70; CI: -1.27, -0.13) which persisted at follow up (SMD: -1.54, CI: -2.97, -0.12). Similar results were not seen immediately post-intervention in the three studies that assessed anxiety symptoms (SMD: -0.30; CI: -0.69, 0.10); however, a medium beneficial effect was seen at follow up (SMD = -0.61, CI = -0.92 to -0.31). Small benefits were seen in the three studies assessing quality of life outcomes (SMD: 0.30, CI: 0.06, 0.55). No benefit was seen in the two studies assessing self-efficacy (SMD: 0.23, CI: -0.11, 0.57). Conclusions: The results of the current study provide preliminary evidence that psychosocial interventions, compared to usual care, reduce depressive symptoms, and may improve quality of life in individuals with diabetes. However, only a few studies were included and the clinical significance of these findings is unknown