Menstrual Hygiene Product Use and the Incidence of Abnormal Papanicolaou Smear Results

Today the majority of females fifteen years and older have used tampons. Since their introduction in 1933, tampons have changed greatly in composition: more absorbent synthetic fibers have replaced natural fibers, plastic applicators have joined cardboard, and some contain a fragrance. While changes in vaginal mucosa including inflammatory changes, lacerations, and micro-ulcerations as a result of tampon use have been documented, no research examining the use of menstrual hygiene products and their effect on cervical cytology was located. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between menstrual hygiene product use and the incidence of abnormal Pap smear results, specifically that of benign cellular inflammatory changes and/or atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS). The Theory of Nursing as Human Science and Human Care as proposed by Jean Watson (1979) was the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected by chart audit review of 250 women, ages 14 to 36, who sought Pap smear screening at a Midwestern family planning clinic. The data collection instrument was designed by the researcher. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS-X). The association in Pap smear result by tampon applicator use, analyzed using Pearson Chi square, was . . 2 found to be statistically significant (X =18.53; df=4; p=0.003). The difference in Pap smear result by type of 2 tampon was also statistically significant (X =48.06; df=3; p=0.000). Reported use of plastic and/or deodorized tampon use by those subjects with inflammatory changes and/or ASCUS Pap results was three times that of those reporting cardboard applicator, non-deodorized tampon or sanitary pad use

Sputtering yield measurements at glancing incidence using a quartz crystal microbalance

Low energy sputtering yields at grazing incidence have been investigated experimentally using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. This method involved precoating the QCM with a thin film of the desired target material and relating the resonance frequency shift directly to mass loss during ion bombardment. A highly focused, low divergence ion beam provided a well defined incidence angle. Focusing most of the ion current on the center of the target allowed for higher sensitivity by taking into account the radial mass sensitivity of the QCM. Measurements of Mo, Cu, and W sputtering yields were taken for low energy (80–1000 eV) Xe+ and Ar+ to validate this experimental method. The target films ranged from 3.5 to 8.0 µm in thickness and were deposited so that their crystal structure and density would match those of the bulk material as closely as possible. These properties were characterized using a combination of scanning electron microscope imagery, profilometry, and x-ray diffraction. At normal incidence, the sputtering yields demonstrated satisfactory agreement with previously published work. At angles of incidence up to 40° off normal, the data agreed well with predictions from existing theoretical models. Sputtering yields were found to increase by a factor of 1.6 over this range. The optimum angle for sputtering occurred at 55°, after which the yields rapidly decreased. Measurements were taken up to 80° from the surface normal

Design and Preliminary Testing Plan of Electronegative Ion Thruster

Electronegative ion thrusters are a new iteration of existing gridded ion thruster technology differentiated by their ability to produce and accelerate both positive and negative ions. The primary motivations for electronegative ion thruster development include the elimination of lifetime-limiting cathodes from a thruster system and the ability to generate appreciable thrust through the acceleration of both positive or negative-charged ions. Proof-of-concept testing of the PEGASES (Plasma Propulsion with Electronegative GASES) thruster demonstrated the production of positively and negatively-charged ions (argon and sulfur hexafluoride, respectively) in an RF discharge and the subsequent acceleration of each charge species through the application of a time-varying electric field to a pair of metallic grids similar to those found in gridded ion thrusters. Leveraging the knowledge gained through experiments with the PEGASES I and II prototypes, the MINT (Marshall's Ion-ioN Thruster) is being developed to provide a platform for additional electronegative thruster proof-of-concept validation testing including direct thrust measurements. The design criteria used in designing the MINT are outlined and the planned tests that will be used to characterize the performance of the prototype are described

MAGIC observations of Mkn 421 in 2008, and related optical/X-ray/TeV MWL study

The HBL-type blazar Markarian 421 is one of the brightest TeV gamma-ray sources of the Northern sky. From December 2007 until June 2008 it was intensively observed in the VHE (E>100 GeV) band by the MAGIC gamma-ray telescope. The source showed intense and prolonged activity during the whole period. In some nights the integral flux rose up to 3.6 Crab units (E>200 GeV). Intra-night rapid flux variations were observed. We compared the optical (KVA) and X-ray (RXTE-ASM, Swift-XRT) data with the MAGIC VHE data, investigating the correlations between different energy bands.Comment: 4 pages,4figures, Contribution to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland, July 200