Bowel problems and coping strategies in people with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease, estimated to affect 100,000 people in the UK. Bowel symptoms are reported to be common in MS, with constipation affecting 29-43% and faecal incontinence affecting just over 50%. Both have an impact on quality of life. Very little is known about how people with MS manage their bowels and the effectiveness of different interventions. We conducted a 2-part survey of people with MS and bowel problems. MS Society members were invited to participate in an online survey: 155 replied. 47 people additionally filled in a more detailed postal questionnaire. In this self-selected sample, 34% spend more than 30 minutes a day managing their bowel. Managing bowel function was rated as having an impact equal to mobility difficulties on quality of life. Respondents used a wide range of strategies to manage their bowel but few were rated as very helpful. There is a need for high quality research on all aspects of managing bowel dysfunction in MS in order to improve patients' quality of life

A nursing assessment tool for adults with fecal incontinence.

Fecal incontinence affects slightly more than 1% of community-dwelling adults. This article describes an assessment format, with a research basis when available, that has been developed in a specialist nursing clinic in the United Kingdom. The focus is on how to obtain the most useful information from the patient to plan appropriate nursing interventions. A subsequent article will describe the biofeedback program developed as part of a package of care to meet individual needs of persons with fecal incontinence

Cable insulation cut-through tester

Device accurately measures cut-through load within specified time or time when cut-through occurs at specific load. Tests are performed at ambient conditions or in an environmental chamber

An investigation of surface albedo variations during the recent sahel drought

Applications Technology Satellite 3 green sensor data were used to measure surface reflectance variations in the Sahara/Sahel during the recent drought period; 1967 to 1974. The magnitude of the seasonal reflectance change is shown to be as much as 80% for years of normal precipitation and less than 50% for drought years. Year to year comparisons during both wet and dry seasons reveal the existence of a surface reflectance cycle coincident with the drought intensity. The relationship between the green reflectance and solar albedo is examined and estimated to be about 0.6 times the reflectance change observed by the green channel

Controlled Environment Agriculture: A Pilot Project

The controlled-environment agricultural (CEA) project discussed in this report was first conceived for the Wildwood Air Force Station in Kenai, Alaska, in 1972. The region contained high unemployment and a U.S. Air Force Station that had just closed. The Kenai Native Association, Inc. (KNA), was to take possession of the Air Force Station through land transfers associated with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and this corporation was interested in expanding business and employment opportunities for local people. The University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) contacted KNA to determine if it had a facility which might be adaptable for use in a research and development program in controlled- 1 environment agriculture. It was determined that such a facility was available. Subsequently, AES and KNA contacted the General Electric Company (GE) in Syracuse, New York, to determine its interest in such a project. GE had extensive background in lighting technology and environmental control systems and the engineering capability to develop a total system for CEA production. It was agreed that GE would provide technological expertise and AES would provide horticultural and economic expertise for the growing and marketing of a variety of salad crops. KNA would manage the project, employ the nontechnical people, and provide the building. The Wildwood site was selected because it contained two buildings which were thought to be well suited for CEA production. One building would provide sufficient inside space for a 1/4-acre pilot production plant, nine small research modules , a laboratory , offices, a training area, and space for preparing the crop for shipping. A second building near the first contained three diesel generators which were to be converted to natural gas to provide power for the production facility.The Controlled Environment Agriculture Project at Wildwood Village, Kenai, Alaska, spanned a period of five years. During that time, three agencies: Kenai Native Association, Inc.; General Electric Company; and University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station , were responsible for the management, research, and production activities. Many persons from these agencies who participated in all phases of the project are acknowledged for their participation and support. This report summarizes work began in 1972 and concluded in 1977 on controlled-environment agriculture in facilities located at Wildwood Village, Kenai, Alaska, managed by the Kenai Native Association , Inc. The authors wish to express their appreciation to all those who have participated in the preparation of this bulletin. Particular acknowledgment is given to: Dr. Gerald Carlson, U.S .D.A., Beltsville, Maryland; Dr. Donald Dinkel, University of Alaska, Agricultural Experiment Station; Dr. Delbert Hemphill, Oregon State University ; John Monfor, Kenai Native Association, Inc.; Dr. Eion Scott, General Electric Company; and Dr. Norman Whittlesey, Washington State University, who thoroughly reviewed the contract document

Fecal incontinence: the quality of reported randomized, controlled trials in the last ten years.

This study was designed to analyze the characteristics and the quality of reporting of randomized, controlled trials published during the last ten years on fecal incontinence

Periodicities In The X-Ray Intensity Variations of TV Columbae: An Intermediate Polar

We present results from a temporal analysis of the longest and the most sensitive X-ray observations of TV Columbae--an intermediate polar. The observations were carried out with the RXTE PCA, ROSAT PSPC, and ASCA. Data were analyzed using a 1-dimensional CLEAN and Bayesian algorithms. The presence of a nearly sinusoidal modulation due to the spin of the white dwarf is seen clearly in all the data, confirming the previous reports based on the EXOSAT data. An improved period of 1909.7+/-2.5s is derived for the spin from the RXTE data.The binary period of 5.5hr is detected unambiguously in X-rays for the first time. Several side-bands due to the interaction of these periods are observed in the power spectra, thereby suggesting contributions from both the disk-fed and the stream-fed accretion for TV Col. The accretion disk could perhaps be precessing as side-bands due to the influence of 4 day period on the orbital period are seen. The presence of a significant power at certain side-bands of the spin frequency indicates that the emission poles are asymmetrically located. The strong power at the orbital side-bands seen in both the RXTE and ROSAT data gives an indication for an absorption site fixed in the orbital frame. Both the spin and the binary modulation are found to be energy-dependent. Increased hardness ratio during a broad dip in the intensity at binary phase of 0.75--1.0 confirms the presence of a strong attenuation due to additional absorbers probably from an impact site of the accretion stream with the disk or magnetosphere. Hardness ratio variations and the energy dependent modulation depth during the spin modulation can be explained by partially covered absorbers in the path of X-ray emission region in the accretion stream.Comment: 34 pages, including 12 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomical Journal, scheduled for January 2004 issue (vol. 127