The role of the epoxy resin : curing agent ratio in composite interfacial strength by single fibre microbond test

This paper focuses on an investigation into the role of the epoxy resin: curing agent ratio in composite interfacial shear strength of glass fibre composites. The procedure involved changing the percentage of curing agent (Triethylenetetramine [TETA]) used in the mixture with several different percentages used, ranging from 4% up to 30%, including the stoichiometric ratio. It was found by using the microbond test, that there may exist a relationship between the epoxy resin to curing agent ratio and the level of adhesion between the reinforcing fibre and the polymer matrix of the composite

Cancer caregiving tasks and consequences and their associations with caregiver status and the caregiver's relationship to the patient:a survey

BACKGROUND: Seriously ill patients often depend on their informal caregivers to help and support them through the disease course. This study investigated informal cancer caregivers’ experiences of caregiving tasks and consequences and how caregiver status (primary vs. non-primary caregiver) and the caregiver’s relationship to the patient (spouse/partner, etc.) are related to these experiences. METHODS: In a cross-sectional questionnaire study, randomly selected cancer patients with a range of diagnoses and disease stages were invited to pass on the ‘Cancer Caregiving Tasks, Consequences and Needs Questionnaire’ (CaTCoN) to 1–3 of their caregivers. RESULTS: A total of 590 caregivers related to 415 (55% of 752 eligible) cancer patients participated. Large proportions of caregivers experienced substantial caregiving workload, e.g., provision of psychological support (74%), as well as a range of negative consequences, most commonly stress (59%). Some caregivers experienced personal growth, but relatively large proportions did not. Caregiver status and the caregiver’s relationship to the patient were associated with some caregiving aspects. Primary caregivers experienced the highest caregiving workload, and non-primary caregivers experienced most problems with getting time off from work. Spouses/partners and/or parents experienced the highest workload, most lack of time for social relations, most financial difficulties, and had the greatest need for seeing a psychologist. They furthermore experienced the highest degree of personal growth and had the smallest need for living a normal life while being a caregiver. Yet, regarding the majority of caregiving aspects, no associations with caregiver status or the caregiver’s relationship to the patient were found. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings confirm that cancer caregiving is burdensome. The primary and the closest caregivers seemed to take on most caregiving tasks, but, contrary to expectations, regarding the majority of caregiving consequences non-primary and more distant caregivers were affected to the same degree as the primary and closest caregivers. Initiatives and interventions to support not only the primary caregivers are therefore warranted. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-541) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Developing an offline digital library for South Sudan - the SolarSPELL Health: nursing and midwifery library

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Neuroprotective and anxiolytic potential of green rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) polyphenolic extract

South African rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) tea is globally consumed for its health benefits and caffeine free nature, but no information is available on the neuroprotective capacity of (unfermented) green rooibos. Our aim was to investigate the cytoprotective activity of green rooibos in neuronal cells, including probing antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties that could explain observed effects in these cells. We also investigated the anxiolytic potential of green rooibos using zebrafish larval models. Green rooibos extract (Green oxithin (TM)) was assessed for its neuroprotective potential in Neuro-2a cells treated with different concentrations of the extract (12.5-25-50-100 mu g mL(-1)) and different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (250 or 125 mu M) as oxidizing agent. Cell viability (MTT) and redox status (intracellular ROS) were also quantified in these cells. Antioxidant properties of the extract were quantified using cell-free systems (DPPH, ORAC and xanthine/xanthine oxidase), and potential neuroprotection evaluated in terms of its potential to inhibit key enzymes of the CNS (monoamine oxidase A (MOA-A), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase (TYR)). Results demonstrated that green rooibos extract exerted significant cytoprotective properties in Neuro-2a cells, particularly when exposed to lethal 250 mu M hydrogen peroxide, increasing cell survival by more than 100%. This may be ascribed (at least partially) to its capacity to limit intracellular ROS accumulation in these cells. Data from cell-free systems confirmed that green rooibos was able to scavenge free radicals (synthetic and physiological) in a dose dependent manner with a similar profile activity to vitamins C and E. Green rooibos also acted as a moderate MAO-A inhibitor, but had no significant effect on AChE or TYR. Finally, zebrafish larvae treated with lower doses of green rooibos demonstrated a significant anxiolytic effect in the light-dark anxiety model. Using the PTZ excitotoxicity model, green rooibos was shown to rescue GABA receptor signalling, which together with its demonstrated inhibition of MAO-A, may account for the anxiolytic outcome. Current data confirms that green rooibos could be considered a functional brain food and may be a good option as starting ingredient in the development of new nutraceuticals

Trends in sexually transmitted infections in general practice 1990-2000: population based study using data from the UK general practice research database

Objective: To describe the contribution of primary care to the diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections in the United Kingdom, 1990-2000, in the context of increasing incidence of infections in genitourinary medicine clinics. Design: Population based study. Setting: UK primary care. Participants: Patients registered in the UK general practice research database. Main outcome measures: Incidence of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in primary care and estimation of the proportion of major such infections diagnosed in primary care. Results: An estimated 23.0% of chlamydia cases in women but only 5.3% in men were diagnosed and treated in primary care during 1998-2000, along with 49.2% cases of non-specific urethritis and urethral discharge in men and 5.7% cases of gonorrhoea in women and 2.9% in men. Rates of diagnosis in primary care rose substantially in the late 1990s. Conclusions: A substantial and increasing number of sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed and treated in primary care in the United Kingdom, with sex ratios differing from those in genitourinary medicine clinics. Large numbers of men are treated in primary care for presumptive sexually transmitted infections

Joining zone evaluation of hybrid semi-finished products after backward can extrusion

As a result of the general need for lightweight product design, multi-material systems are gaining in importance. In addition to reducing component weight, the combination of different materials in a single component allows other properties to be locally tailored to its application. This topic is the aim of research within the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1153 “Tailored Forming”, which investigates the entire process chain for the production of hybrid components from previously joined workpieces. One of the main focal points is the investigation of the joining zone development of steel-aluminium products (20MnCr5 - EN AW-6082) during friction welding and further processing in different forming processes. The overall strength of the multi-material component is determined by joint strength. In order to improve the properties of the joining zone by thermomechanical treatment, a backward can (BC) extrusion process was utilized. This work addresses both, the simulative design as well as the implementation of heating and forming processes for BC extrusion. The joint interface of the hybrid components was analysed and a qualitative evaluation was carried out using metallographic images. The simulation results were validated and an effect on the joining zone trough BC extrusion could be achieved

A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Advancement in Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A

Sanfilippo syndrome (also known as MPS III) type A is caused by the mutation of gene SGSH on chromosome 17, region 17q25.3. Sanfilippo syndrome is a recessive gene affecting 1 in 70,000 babies each year. This mutation affects the mucopolysaccharides and causes the patient to lose an enzyme that is crucial to breaking down the mucopolysaccharide heparan sulfate. Heparan sulfate is stored in the cells instead of being broken down, causing progressive damage. Symptoms become apparent after the age of 1-year-old and learning abilities decline between the ages of 2 and 6. The symptoms and progression rate are different in each patient. Eventually, physical growth slows, resulting in small stature. Some other common symptoms include behavioral problems, coarse facial features, full lips, heavy eyebrows, sleep difficulties, stiff joints, and difficulty walking. There is no known cure and no approved treatment for MPS III. Bone marrow transplants and enzyme replacement therapy have not been effective in treating MPS III. Currently, gene therapy, chaperone therapy, and intrathecal enzyme therapy are being explored as treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome