Bubble dynamics in vibrated liquids under normal and simulated low gravity environments

Bubble dynamics in vibrated liquids under normal and simulated low gravity environment

Longitudinal vibration of ring stiffened cylindrical shells containing liquids Technical report no. 7

Longitudinal vibration of ring stiffened cylindrical shells containing liquids for application to liquid fueled space vehicle booster

Some Notes on Liquid Sloshing in Compartmented Cylindrical Tanks Technical Report No. 1

Frequencies and total force response in rigid cylindrical tanks comparted into sectors by vertical walls and excited in translation to study liquid sloshin

Dynamic interaction between structure and liquid propellants in a space shuttle vehicle model, part 1 Final report

Dynamic interaction between structure and liquid propellants in space shuttle vehicle model

Coupling between structure and liquids in a parallel stage space shuttle design

A study was conducted to determine the influence of liquid propellants on the dynamic loads for space shuttle vehicles. A parallel-stage configuration model was designed and tested to determine the influence of liquid propellants on coupled natural modes. A forty degree-of-freedom analytical model was also developed for predicting these modes. Currently available analytical models were used to represent the liquid contributions, even though coupled longitudinal and lateral motions are present in such a complex structure. Agreement between the results was found in the lower few modes

The efficacy of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor as primary treatment of retinopathy of prematurity: Experience from a tertiary hospital

Background. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease affecting premature babies and a major cause of blindness in childhood. Appropriate screening and treatment can prevent blindness.Objective. To report on the efficacy of using antivascular endothelial growth factor (bevacizumab) as first-line therapy in ROP.Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of patients with ROP treated at St John Eye Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa, over a 3-year period. Outcome measures were the clinical response to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) as well as the economic impact of IVB therapy.Results. Twenty-three patients were treated for active ROP or type 1 disease, in 44 eyes. Two patients required treatment in one eye only. The mean birth weight of these patients was 1 074 g (range 810 - 1 480). Response to treatment outcome was available for 22 patients (43 eyes). The mean follow-up period was 9 months (range 1 - 18). Forty-one eyes (95.3%) showed complete regression or non-progression of the disease. Two eyes (one eye each in two patients) progressed to advanced disease. There were no short-term adverse events. A cost-effective model showed that IVB treatment was much more economical than laser therapy.Conclusion. IVB is a safe and effective first-line treatment for ROP and should be considered in resource-limited centres

The efficacy of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor as primary treatment of retinopathy of prematurity: Experience from a tertiary hospital

Background. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease affecting premature babies and a major cause of blindness in childhood. Appropriate screening and treatment can prevent blindness.Objective. To report on the efficacy of using antivascular endothelial growth factor (bevacizumab) as first-line therapy in ROP.Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of patients with ROP treated at St John Eye Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa, over a 3-year period. Outcome measures were the clinical response to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) as well as the economic impact of IVB therapy.Results. Twenty-three patients were treated for active ROP or type 1 disease, in 44 eyes. Two patients required treatment in one eye only. The mean birth weight of these patients was 1 074 g (range 810 - 1 480). Response to treatment outcome was available for 22 patients (43 eyes). The mean follow-up period was 9 months (range 1 - 18). Forty-one eyes (95.3%) showed complete regression or non-progression of the disease. Two eyes (one eye each in two patients) progressed to advanced disease. There were no short-term adverse events. A cost-effective model showed that IVB treatment was much more economical than laser therapy.Conclusion. IVB is a safe and effective first-line treatment for ROP and should be considered in resource-limited centres

Impact of the global financial crisis on low birth weight in Portugal: a time-trend analysis

Background: The 2007–2008 global financial crisis had adverse consequences on population health of affected European countries. Few contemporary studies have studied its effect on perinatal indicators with long-lasting influence on adult health. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of the 2007–2008 global financial crisis on low birth weight (LBW) in Portugal. Methods: Data on 2 045 155 singleton births of 1995–2014 were obtained from Statistics Portugal. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to identify the years in which changes in LBW trends occurred, and to estimate the annual per cent changes (APC). LBW risk by time period expressed as prevalence ratios were computed using the Poisson regression. Contextual changes in sociodemographic and economic factors were provided by their trends. Results: The joinpoint analysis identified 3 distinct periods (2 jointpoints) with different APC in LBW, corresponding to 1995–1999 (APC=4.4; 95% CI 3.2 to 5.6), 2000–2006 (APC=0.1; 95% CI −050 to 0.7) and 2007–2014 (APC=1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0). For non-Portuguese, it was, respectively, 1995–1999 (APC=1.4; 95% CI −3.9 to 7.0%), 2000–2007 (APC=−4.2; 95% CI −6.4 to −2.0) and 2008–2014 (APC=3.1; 95% CI 0.8 to 5.5). Compared with 1995–1999, all specific maternal characteristics had a 10–15% increase in LBW risk in 2000–2006 and a 20–25% increase in 2007–2014, except among migrants, for which LBW risk remained lower than in 1995–1999 but increased after the crisis. The increasing LBW risk coincides with a deceleration in gross domestic product growth rate, reduction in health expenditure, social protection allocation on family/children support and sickness. Conclusions: The 2007–2008 global financial crisis was associated with a significant increase in LBW, particularly among infants of non-Portuguese mothers. We recommend strengthening social policies aimed at maternity protection for vulnerable mothers and health system maintenance of social equity in perinatal healthcare.Statistics Portugal (INE) is appreciated for providing the database used for the analysis. This study was funded by FEDER through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016874), under the project “Migrants and Perinatal Health: Barriers, Incentives and Outcomes (baMBINO)” (Ref. FCT PTDC/DTP-SAP/6384/2014) and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862; Ref. UID/DTP/04750/2013)

Evolution of Sialendoscopy in clinical practice: Survey of attending practitioners

Sialendoscopy is a relatively new technique that is safe, minimally invasive and effective as a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic tool for the management of deep seated, proximal, salivary ductal obstruction. However, more than 20 years since its inception it is still not in mainstream use worldwide. Objectives Our aim of this study was to ascertain the awareness of sialendoscopy amongst the medical fraternity in South Africa. More specifically, to determine whether it was frequently used amongst practitioners and the type of cases managed using sialendoscopy. Methods An exploratory survey design involving 100 practitioners was used to collect data, using an online survey involving 10 closed-ended multiple choice questions. Results The results of the study revealed that while practitioners saw patients who could benefit from sialendoscopy, most practitioners did not feel comfortable performing the procedure independently, and as such, most patients were referred on to other professionals for management. The majority of attending practitioners believed that they would benefit from further practical and theoretical training in the field of sialendoscopy, illustrating the need for continued professional development in this area