Radiological evaluation of a case of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO)

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a severe form of gastrointestinal dysmotility (often due to derangement of the innervation and/or smooth muscle and/or interstitial cells of Cajal) with recurrent episodes of intestinal sub-occlusion. We describe a clinical setting and radiological features of CIPO in an 11-year-old girl with periodic relapses. Our attention was focused firstly on surgical causes, leading to a delay in the diagnosis; thus, is important detecting equivocal symptoms and considering the possible correlation to the CIPO for an early diagnosis and related prevention of acute episodes improving prognosis and quality of life of pediatric patients

Effect of the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch on body composition. Results of bioelectrical impedance analysis in a population of Italian women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As weight gain is one of the most frequently cited reasons for not using and for discontinuing hormonal contraceptives, in an open-label, single-arm, multicentre clinical study we evaluated the effect of the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch (EVRA, Janssen-Cilag International, Belgium) on body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Body weight and impedance vector components (resistance (R) and reactance (Xc), at 50 kHz frequency, Akern-RJL Systems analyzer) were recorded before entry, after 1, 3 and 6 months in 182 Italian healthy women aged 29 yr (18 to 45), and with BMI 21.8 kg/m²(16 to 31). Total body water (TBW) was estimated with a BIA regression equation. Vector BIA was performed with the RXc mean graph method and the Hotelling's T²test for paired and unpaired data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 6 months body weight increased by 0.64 kg (1.1%) and TBW increased by 0.51 L (1.7%). The pattern of impedance vector displacement indicated a small increase in soft tissue hydration (interstitial gel fluid). Body composition changes did not significantly differ among groups of previous contraceptive methods. Arterial blood pressure did not significantly change over time.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>After 6 months of treatment with the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch we found a minimal, clinically not relevant, increase in body weight less than 1 kg that could be attributed to an adaptive interstitial gel hydration. This fluctuation is physiological as confirmed by the lack of any effect on blood pressure. This could be useful in increasing women's choice, acceptability and compliance of the ethinylestradiol/norelgestromin contraceptive patch.</p

Divertor of the European DEMO: Engineering and technologies for power exhaust

In a power plant scale fusion reactor, a huge amount of thermal power produced by the fusion reaction and external heating must be exhausted through the narrow area of the divertor targets. The targets must withstand the intense bombardment of the diverted particles where high heat fluxes are generated and erosion takes place on the surface. A considerable amount of volumetric nuclear heating power must also be exhausted. To cope with such an unprecedented power exhaust challenge, a highly efficient cooling capacity is required. Furthermore, the divertor must fulfill other critical functions such as nuclear shielding and channeling (and compression) of exhaust gas for pumping. Assuring the structural integrity of the neutron-irradiated (thus embrittled) components is a crucial prerequisite for a reliable operation over the lifetime. Safety, maintainability, availability, waste and costs are another points of consideration. In late 2020, the Pre-Conceptual Design activities to develop the divertor of the European demonstration fusion reactor were officially concluded. On this occasion, the baseline design and the key technology options were identified and verified by the project team (EUROfusion Work Package Divertor) based on seven years of R&D efforts and endorsed by Gate Review Panel. In this paper, an overview of the load specifications, brief descriptions of the design and the highlights of the technology R&D work are presented together with the further work still needed

Assessing the Farming Methods of Local Communities in Nan Province

Our team performed a comparison of crop rotation and integrated terrace farming in highland areas of Nan Province for the Raks Thai Foundation. Farmers have begun to transition from detrimental rotation methods to more sustainable integrated terrace farming, but face barriers such as lack of knowledge about new methods and debt. The comparison is intended to support efforts to persuade farmers to switch farming methods. Our recommendations focused on ways farmers can overcome barriers to adopting integrated terrace farming

Green Design Alternatives for New Water Treatment Plants in Parker, Colorado

A WPI student team collaborated with Stantec Consulting, Inc in Burlington, Massachusetts to progress two new water treatment plants in Parker, Colorado beyond the 60% design phase. The team's goal was to assess the energy consumption of the proposed water treatment plants and devise greener alternatives to save energy and decrease operational costs for the owner. The final recommendations are intended to provide different design alternatives to Stantec for potential use in the continuation of the water treatment plant project