Persistent pain after caesarean section and its association with maternal anxiety and socioeconomic background

Background: Pain, both from the surgical site, and from other sources such as musculoskeletal backache, can persist after caesarean section. In this study of a predominantly socially deprived population we have sought to prospectively examine the association between antenatal maternal anxiety and socioeconomic background and the development of persistent pain of all sources after caesarean section. Methods: Demographic details and an anxiety questionnaire were completed by 205 women before elective caesarean section. On the first postoperative day, pain scores were recorded, and at four months patients were asked to complete a Brief Pain Inventory and an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score. Results: Of 205 parturients recruited, 186 records were complete at the hospital admission phase and 98 (52.7%) were complete at the four-month follow-up phase. At recruitment, 15.1% reported pain. At four months 41.8% (95% CI 32.1 to 51.6%) reported pain, of whom pain was a new finding in 35.7% (95% CI 26.2 to 45.2%). Antenatal anxiety was not a significant predictor of severity of new pain at four months (P=0.43 for state anxiety, P=0.52 for trait anxiety). However, four-month pain severity did correlate with social deprivation (P=0.011), postnatal depression (P<0.001) and pain at 24 h (P=0.018). Conclusion: Persistent pain from a variety of sources after caesarean section is common. Our findings do not support the use of antenatal anxiety scoring to predict persistent pain in this setting, but suggest that persistent pain is influenced by acute pain, postnatal depression and socioeconomic deprivation

Assessing the influence of the rhizosphere on soil hydraulic properties using X-ray Computed Tomography and numerical modelling

Understanding the dynamics of water distribution in soil is crucial for enhancing our knowledge of managing soil and water resources. The application of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) to the plant and soil sciences is now well established. However, few studies have utilised the technique for visualising water in soil pore spaces. Here we utilise this method to visualise the water in soil in situ and in three-dimensions at successive reductive matric potentials in bulk and rhizosphere soil. The measurements are combined with numerical modelling to determine the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, providing a complete picture of the hydraulic properties of the soil. The technique was performed on soil cores that were sampled adjacent to established roots (rhizosphere soil) and from soil that had not been influenced by roots (bulk soil). A water release curve was obtained for the different soil types using measurements of their pore geometries derived from CT imaging and verified using conventional methods e.g. pressure plates. The water, soil and air phases from the images were segmented and quantified using image analysis. The water release characteristics obtained for the contrasting soils showed clear differences in hydraulic properties between rhizosphere and bulk soil, especially in clay soil. The data suggests that soils influenced by roots (rhizosphere soil) are less porous due to increased aggregation when compared to bulk soil. The information and insights obtained on the hydraulic properties of rhizosphere and bulk soil will enhance our understanding of rhizosphere biophysics and improve current water uptake models

Experimental and numerical modelling of the ignition of solid propellant

International audienceMixing processes of solid propellants can result in friction. Solid propellant ignitions can be observed under safety tests. Analysing a solid propellant elementary friction test from a mechanical, thermal, and physiochemical point of view, it appears that specific friction conditions allow the emergence of component flows in the solid propellant volume, readying the self-ignition. Numerical simulations of the solid propellant elementary friction test involve discrete elements to model these dynamic behaviours of the components within the contact. Indeed, comparisons between experiments and simulations are performed on mechanical parameters and on the evolution of the solid propellant components within the contact. Such comparisons exhibit qualitative and quantitative results by validating local parameters (adhesion), which make understand the solid propellant ignition scenario

Laminar flow-induced scission kinetics of polymers in dilute solutions

AbstractKing Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) EPSRC (Grant No. EP/S009000/1

Constraints on the Cluster Environments and Hot Spot Magnetic Field Strengths of the Radio Sources 3C254 and 3C280

We present new Chandra Observatory observations with archival HST and radio observations of 3C254, a radio quasara at z=0.734, and 3C280, a radio galaxy at z=0.996. We report the detection of X-ray and possible HST optical counterparts to the radio hot spots in 3C280 and of an X-ray counterpart to the radio hot spot in 3C254. We present constraints on the presence of X-ray clusters and on the magnetic field strengths in and around the radio hot spots. The spatial resolution of Chandra allows us to show that these sources are not in hot, massive clusters. The extended emission seen in ROSAT observations is resolved into point sources. The IGM around these sources is demonstrably not dense and hot. We conclude that radio sources are not reliable signposts of massive clusters at moderate redshifts. X-ray synchrotron emission could explain the radio, optical, and X-ray hot spot fluxes in 3C280, but it would require continuous acceleration of electrons to high Lorentz factors, since the synchrotron lifetime required to produce the X-ray emission is of order a human lifetime. SSC with or without IC scattering of the CMB can also explain the X-ray emission, but not the optical. We review all of the physical mechanisms and summarize our current constraints on the magnetic field strengths in andaround the hot spots of 3C254 and 3C280.Comment: accepted, ApJ, Feb 20, 2003 publication date estimate

Towards sarcosine determination in urine for prostatic carcinoma detection

Sarcosine, a potential biomarker for prostate cancer, can be detected in a solid state enzyme based biosensor using sarcosine oxidase, with particle immobilised reagents. A novel fusion protein of the fluorescent protein, mCherry, sarcosine oxidase (SOx), and the polypeptide R5 (R52-mCherry-SOx-R5-6H), was explored, which allowed self-immobilization on silica microparticles and long-term (90 days +) retention of activity, even at room temperature. In contrast, commercial wildtype SOx lost activity in a few days. A silica-R52-mCherry-SOx-R5-6H microparticle sensor for determination of sarcosine in urine, linked the SOx coproduct, H2O2, to a measurement catalysed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilised on silica, in the presence of Amplex Ultrared (AR) to generate fluorescence at 582 nm. Silica microparticles carrying all the reagents (R52-mCherry-SOx-R5-6H, HRP and AR) were used to produce a silica-microparticle biosensor which responded to sarcosine at micromolar levels. Interference by amino acids and uric acid was examined and it was found that the silica-reagent carrying system could be calibrated in urine and responded across the clinically relevant concentration range. This contrasted with similar assays using commercial SOx, where interference inhibited the sarcosine signal measurement in urine. The microparticle biosensor was tested in urine from healthy volunteers and prostate cancer patients, showing higher concentrations of sarcosine in cancer patients consistent with previous reports of elevated sarcosine levels.BBSRC/EPSRC funded Grant No. BB/L014130/1 Gates Cambridge Trust Generalitat Valenciana and European commission for its postdoctoral grant (APOSTD/113/2016) Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 2016/109

Trauma-informed Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative symptoms are regarded as forms of disconnection from external stimuli, internal experiences, and interpersonal relationships. The Contextual Trauma Treatment (CTT) model for survivors of prolonged childhood abuse integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatment. DBT enhances capacities for skillful interactions with others, and identifying and tolerating emotional experiences through the use of didactically-taught skill-based groups that balance encouraging acceptance of difficulties with the recognition of the need for change. This presentation will provide an overview of CTT for conceptualizing dissociation in the context of family of origin environment and development, and describe how TRIP integrates trauma-informed and DBT-informed treatment

Gouy phase shift of single-cycle picosecond acoustic pulses

Ultrafast laser pulses are used to generate single-cycle picosecond acoustic pulses in thin metal films on silicon. For small initial excitation spot sizes, propagation of the acoustic pulses across a 485-μm Si crystal leads to significant diffraction effects. The temporal reshaping of the acoustic wave form due to diffraction is investigated, and we demonstrate that the acoustic far field can be reached. © 2003 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71324/2/APPLAB-83-2-392-1.pd

The Highly Miniaturised Radiation Monitor

We present the design and preliminary calibration results of a novel highly miniaturised particle radiation monitor (HMRM) for spacecraft use. The HMRM device comprises a telescopic configuration of active pixel sensors enclosed in a titanium shield, with an estimated total mass of 52 g and volume of 15 cm$^3$. The monitor is intended to provide real-time dosimetry and identification of energetic charged particles in fluxes of up to 10$^8$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ (omnidirectional). Achieving this capability with such a small instrument could open new prospects for radiation detection in space.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figure