National Survey of Fertility Barriers: Methodology Report for Wave 1

This methodology report provides information on the first wave of the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB). This nationally representative telephone survey of women age 25-45 was funded by grant R01-HD044144 from the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) entitled “Infertility: Pathways and Psychological Outcomes.” Professor Lynn K. White was the Principal Investigator for the first two years of the project. Following her retirement, Professor David R. Johnson assumed this role. The survey was conducted between 2004 and 2007 and includes completed interviews with 4,712 women age 25 to 45 and 936 of their partners. The data were collected by the Survey Research Center at The Pennsylvania State University and the Bureau of Sociological Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Bureau of Sociological Research is currently in the field re-interviewing the respondents three years after their initial interview. The field work on the second wave is not expected to be completed until the end of 2009. The documentation in this report is directed towards researchers who are interested in conducting analyses of the public release version of these data. The data are being released and are archived with the Population Research Institute at Penn State University. Inquiries about the NSFB should be directed to the study Principal Investigator Professor David R. Johnson at Penn State University ([email protected]) or to Professor Julia McQuillan, a project investigator at the University of Nebraska ([email protected]). Contents Research Procedures Study Design and Sample Selection The Survey Interview Schedules Obtaining Interviews and Response Rate Analysis Representativeness and Calculation of Sample Weights Management of the Study Appendices: A. Proposal B. Letters Sent to Respondents C. Survey Interview Schedules and Frequencies D. Planned Missing Design Information E. Response Rate Formulas and Calculations F. Interviewer Guides G. Responses to Open-ended Questions H. Constructed Variables Glossary and Sample Syntax I. List of Variables in the Data File J. Comparisons with Select External Measures K. Imputation of Planned Missing Dat

Clinical usefulness of biplane transesophageal echocardiography

The clinical usefulness of biplane color Doppler transesophageal echocardiography is illustrated by the results obtained in 300 successive examinations. The additional contribution of the newer longitudinal plane was judged significant or major in 64% of the cases. The method was useful mainly for intraoperative examinations, assessment of native valvular disease, prosthetic valve evaluation, search for tumors, and assessment of endocarditis, congenital heart disease, and aortic disease. In contrast, the longitudinal plane option was not contributory in 68% of the cases of thromboembolism. Typically, the technique aided in the evaluation of mitral valve insufficiency and the detection of paraprosthetic leaks. Lesions located at the level of the ascending aorta, the left and right ventricular outflow tracts, and the interatrial septum were also visualized best. The limitations of the method were negligible and the duration of the examination was not significantly increased in comparison to the monoplane method. When available, biplane transesophageal echocardiography seems to be preferred in most clinical settings.Journal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jFLWNAinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Mechanically Enhanced Liquid Interfaces at Human Body Temperature Using Thermosensitive Methylated Nanocrystalline Cellulose

The mechanical performance of materials at oil/water interfaces after consumption is a key factor affecting hydrophobic drug release. In this study, we methylated the surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) by mercerization and dimethyl sulfate exposure to produce thermosensitive biopolymers. These methylated NCC (metNCC) were used to investigate interfacial thermogelation at air/water and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)/water interfaces at body temperature. In contrast to bulk fluid dynamics, elastic layers were formed at room temperature, and elasticity increased significantly at body temperature, which was measured by interfacial shear and dilatational rheology <i>in situ</i>. This unique phenomenon depends on solvent quality, temperature, and polymer concentration at interfaces. Thus, by adjusting the degree of hydrophobicity of metNCC, the interfacial elasticity and thermogelation of the interfaces could be varied. In general, these new materials (metNCC) formed more brittle interfacial layers compared to commercial methylcellulose (MC A15). Thermogelation of methylcellulose promotes attractive intermolecular forces, which were reflected in a change in self-assembly of metNCC at the interface. As a consequence, layer thickness and density increased as a function of temperature. These effects were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the displaced interface and confirmed by neutron reflection. The substantial structural and mechanical change of methylcellulose interfaces at body temperature represents a controllable encapsulation parameter allowing optimization of lipid-based drug formulations

Untersuchung elektrooptischer Fluessigkristall-Effekte fuer grosse Temperaturbereiche und hohen Informationsfluss Schlussbericht

With 41 refs.; 5 tabs.; 63 figs.Copy held by FIZ Karlsruhe; available from UB/TIB Hannover / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman