Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites and Methods of Making Same Without the Use of Oven or Autoclave

Method embodiments for producing a fiber-reinforced epoxy composite comprise providing a mold defining a shape for a composite, applying a fiber reinforcement over the mold, covering the mold and fiber reinforcement thereon in a vacuum enclosure, performing a vacuum on the vacuum enclosure to produce a pressure gradient, insulating at least a portion of the vacuum enclosure with thermal insulation, infusing the fiber reinforcement with a reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent under vacuum conditions, wherein the reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent generates exothermic heat, and producing the fiber-reinforced epoxy composite having a glass transition temperature of at least about 100.degree. C. by curing the fiber reinforcement infused with the reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent by utilizing the exothermically generated heat, wherein the curing is conducted inside the thermally insulated vacuum enclosure without utilization of an external heat source or an external radiation source

The natural resources of Elkhorn Slough: their present and future use

This report summarizes the history of the slough, ecological attractions, educational value, and problems facing its continued existence. Appended references provide the interested and concerned citizen with sources of more specific information. As a result of the initial survey of estuarine areas of California (California Department of Fish and Game, 1969), the critical status of the coastal marshes became obvious. This report on Elkhorn Slough is part of the high priority inventory and assessment of coastal wetlands by the Department of Fish and Game, and it is intended as a guide for citizens, planners, administrators, and all others interested in the use and development of coastal lands and waters. As such, this report transcends local issues on pollution and development and, in fact, documents the status and future of natural resources that should be a part of the inheritance of following generations. This publication is one of a scheduled series. It follows similar documents on Upper Newport Bay (orange county), Goleta Slough (Santa Barbara County) and the Bolinas Lagoon (Marin county). (Document has 126 pages

The Art Car Spectacle: a Cultural Display and Catalyst for Community

This auto-ethnographic study focuses on Houston’s art car community and the grassroots movement’s 25 year relationship with the city through an art form that has created a sense of community. Art cars transform ordinary vehicles into personally conceived visions through spectacle, disrupting status quo messages of dominant culture regarding automobiles and norms of ownership and operation. An annual parade is an egalitarian space for display and performance, including art cars created by individuals who drive their personally modified vehicles every day, occasional entries by internationally renowned artists, and entries created by youth groups. A locally proactive public has created a movement has co-opted the cultural spectacle, creating a community of practice. I studied the events of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art’s Art Car Weekend to give me insight into art and its value for people in this community. Sources of data included the creation of a participatory art car, journaling, field observation, and semi-structured interviews. The first part is my academic grounding, informed by critical pedagogy and socially reconstructive art practices. The second part narrates my experiences and understandings of the community along with the voices of others. Dominant themes of exploration include empowerment, community, and art. I examine the purposes for participation by artists, as well in the practices of audiences and organizations that provide support for this art form. My findings have significant implications community-based art education and k-12 classroom educators. Relational and dialogic approaches to making art, teaching, and researching are tied to problem-posing education as a recommendation for art education

The role of social and/or ecological contexts influences assessment strategy use in Tilapia

Animals engage in costly agonistic contests during which winners procure resources. During these interactions, the combatants obtain and use information to make decisions on whether to persist or to withdraw from the fight, which is termed assessment. Recent theory and work have suggested that the types of assessment employed may be more variable than previously thought, with the use of different strategies possibly being influenced by social and ecological conditions during priming. This study addresses the contextual components (social and ecological) that affect the utilization of one assessment strategy over another. Male tilapia were primed with different combinations of social (large and small animals) and ecological (resource rich or poor) contexts 24 hr prior to fighting in staged, dyadic contests. When opponents were primed with the same context, a clear assessment strategy emerged and differed as a function of priming treatment. Conversely, when fish were primed with different treatment contexts, there was no discernible assessment. In addition, priming conditions had differing effects for large and small fish. Thus, assessment strategies in cichlids are dependent upon a combination of social, ecological contexts and size of the animal. Since assessment strategies change as a function of both of these contexts, as well as others, future framework investigating assessment strategies should include both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may shape fighting dynamics.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151902/1/eth12936_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151902/2/eth12936.pd

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Endoscopic balloon dilatation for Crohn's disease strictures

Background: Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) is recognised treatment for symptomatic Crohn's strictures. Several case series report its efficacy. A systematic analysis for overall efficacy can inform the design of future studies. Aim: To examine symptomatic (SR) and technical response (TR) and adverse events (AE) of EBD. Stricture characteristics were also explored. Methods: A systematic search strategy of COCHRANE, MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. All original studies reporting outcomes of EBD for Crohn's strictures were included. SR was defined as obstructive symptom-free outcome at the end of follow-up, TR as post-dilatation passage of the endoscope through a stricture, and adverse event as the presence of complication (perforation and/or bleeding). Pooled event rates across studies were expressed with summative statistics. Results: Twenty-five studies included 1089 patients and 2664 dilatations. Pooled event rates for SR, TR, complications and perforations were 70.2% (95% CI: 60-78.8%), 90.6% (95% CI: 87.8-92.8%), 6.4% (95% CI: 5.0-8.2) and 3% (95% CI: 2.2-4.0%) respectively. Cumulative surgery rate at 5 year follow-up was 75%. Pooled unweighted TR, SR, complication, perforation and surgery rates were 84%, 45%, 15%, 9% and 21% for de novo and 84%, 58%, 22%, 5% and 32% for anastomotic strictures. Outcomes between two stricture types were no different on subgroup meta-analysis. Conclusions: Efficacy and complication rates for endoscopic balloon dilatation were higher than previously reported. From the few studies with 5 year follow-up the majority required surgery. Future studies are needed to determine whether endoscopic balloon dilatation has significant long-term benefits

Epidemiological Assessment of GI BioFire Negative Tests at Parkview Health

Background and Hypothesis: With advances in multiplex PCR testing, many gastrointestinal pathogens can be identified in about an hour and provide 23% increased yield of pathogens (Beatty et al., 2016). At our facility, 60.4% of these samples return with no microorganisms found. This study implemented diagnostic stewardship principles by evaluating the negative GI BioFire multiplex results and ordering patterns of providers at Parkview Health. Design: This retrospective chart review of 300 negative GI BioFire results from 2018 pulled demographics and records from Parkview LIS and EPIC software. Inclusion Criteria: negative gastrointestinal BioFire results. Exclusion Criteria: positive results, negative results outside the study period, any patient data not admitted at Parkview Health. Results: 57.0% of patients had diarrhea-associated co-morbidities. 14.3% had redundant tests. 51.0% were administered laxatives, 72.3% were administered antibiotics. 73.4% did not follow ACG guidelines stating diarrhea must have persisted longer than seven days. 79.3% had laxatives concurrently administered or did not follow ACG guidelines. 19.7% had endoscopic procedures within eight weeks of assay testing. 14.4% of providers documented a non-C Diff suspicion when ordering assay. 18.9% had non-reported diarrhea consistency. 45.9% were hospitalists, 5.5% were surgeons, and 17.9% were infectious disease or gastroenterologists. 78.3% had at least one C-Diff diarrhea risk factor. Conclusion and Potential Impact: This data suggests using appropriate algorithms for GI BioFire and utilizing C-Diff antigen testing is more cost effective and should be used before GI BioFire for those with risk factors. Following ACG guidelines, and deferring those administered laxatives would remove over three-quarters of negative panels. Documentation of stool consistency, volume and suspicious etiologies are essential to furthering diagnostic stewardship. These recommendations will save approximately $1,036,399 after consideration for C-Diff antigen testing replacement per year for Parkview Health. &nbsp

Emergencies after endoscopic procedures

Endoscopy adverse events (AEs), or complications, are a rising concern on the quality of endoscopic care, given the technical advances and the crescent complexity of therapeutic procedures, over the entire gastrointestinal and bilio-prancreatic tract. In a small percentage, not established, there can be real emergency conditions, as perforation, severe bleeding, embolization or infection. Distinct variables interfere in its occurrence, although, the awareness of the operator for their potential, early recognition, and local organized facilities for immediate handling, makes all the difference in the subsequent outcome. This review outlines general AEs’ frequencies, important predisposing factors and putative prophylactic measures for specific procedures (from conventional endoscopy to endoscopic cholangio-pancreatography and ultrasonography), with comprehensive approaches to the management of emergent bleeding and perforation

METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS SCREENING OF NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT STAFF IN AN OUTBREAK SETTING

Presented at 2023 APIC Annual Conference In December 2020, our infection prevention (IP) department noted an increase in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates over baseline in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Our hospital sees a steady influx of parents colonized with MRSA and our weekly screening process regularly discovers neonates that subsequently become colonized with MRSA. A doubling of the number of cases per month led to deeper investigation. Epidemiologic data were collected on the neonates and matched to their mother’s screening cultures (when obtained). Sensitivity patterns were matched, and staff noted that a single sensitivity pattern predominate

Candida auris screening in the acute care setting: An infection control partnership between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities

Presented at 2023 APIC Annual Conference Background: Candida auris (C. auris) is a drug-resistant fungus that can spread easily between hospitalized patients and nursing home residents. To mitigate risk of C. auris spread, a nine-hospital healthcare system developed a C. auris screening tool in January 2020. Infection Preventionists (IPs) use the screening tool to determine which patients qualify for C. auris screening, looking specifically at the facility type where the patient came from. The IP then initiates the isolation and testing protocol with the bedside nurse and provider. Methods: Over the course of three years, the hospital epidemiologist collected data on all screening events, such as date of lab testing and results, location of residence, and history of other multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) to evaluate, educate, and report on the screening process. Epidemiological surveillance data were evaluated using pivot tables to identify possible epidemiological trends. Results: Data analysis revealed three out of the thirty-five facilities had residents who tested positive for C. auris. Of the three facilities, all were skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), two of which provide ventilator care (v). The SNFs were de-identified with new labels – vSNF1, vSNF2, and SNF. Of the three facilities found to have C. auris positive residents (n=88), 3.4% (3/88) came from vSNF1, 5.7% (5/88) and 2.3% (2/88) were from vSNF2 and SNF, respectively. Outbreak clusters emerged from the pivot table using screening dates, which were organized into yearly quarters. The first two clusters occurred at the SNF and vSNF2 facilities during the same timespan from 2021Q2 to 2021Q4. No additional screens resulted positive in 2022 for both facilities. The third cluster occurred between 2022Q3 to 2022Q4 at vSNF1. Conclusion: Receiving a positive C. auris result allows the IP department to promptly reach out to the facility where the patient came from and begin assisting with intervention needs and staff education, if requested. Additionally, all positive results are reported to the state department of health, who also duly assists with control measures necessary to mitigate risk and prevent future outbreaks