Charged-particle orbits near a magnetic null point

An approximate analytical expression is obtained for the orbits of a charged particle moving in a cusp magnetic field. The particle orbits pass close to or through a region of zero magnetic field before being reflected in regions where the magnetic field is strong. Comparison with numerically evaluated orbits shows that the analytical formula is surprisingly good and captures all the main features of the particle motion. A map describing the long-time behaviour of such orbits is obtained

How to better identify the true managerial performance: State of the art using DEA

Our motivation is to detail a potential improvement on the three-stage analysis published by Fried et al. [Accounting for environmental effects and statistical noise in data envelopment analysis. Journal of Productivity Analysis 2002;17:157–74] that can distinguish true performers from those that may be advantaged by favourable environments or measurement errors. The method starts with data envelopment analysis (DEA), and continues with stochastic frontier analysis to explain the variation in organisational performance in terms of the operating environment, statistical noise and managerial efficiency. It concludes with DEA again using adjusted data to reveal a measure of performance based on management efficiency only. Our proposed contributions include (i) a comprehensive approach where total input and output slacks are identified simultaneously for non-radial inefficiencies before levelling the playing field, (ii) identifying percent adjustments attributable to the environment and statistical noise, and (iii) using a fully units-invariant DEA model

Postabortion contraception

The European Society of Contraception Expert Group on Abor tion identified as one of its priorities to disseminate up-to-date evidence-based information on postabortion contraception to healthcare providers. A concise communication was produced which summarises the latest research in an easy-to-read format suitable for busy clinicians. Information about individual methods is presented in boxes for ease of reference

Field assisted processing of 3D printed ceramics

Advanced ceramic products for highly demanding applications in electronics, energy, healthcare and defence sectors require densification/sintering, a high temperature process (~1000–2000oC) that in industry can take days. The amount of energy needed, and CO2 emitted, is therefore very significant. Conventional processing of these functional devices/components are often plagued by interfacial issues, unwanted grain growth and limitations of co-firing dissimilar materials. Thus, rapid and efficient sintering methods such as SPS, Microwave Assisted Sintering (MAS) and Flash Sintering (FS) are continuously being developed. These approaches referred as Field Assisted Sintering Techniques (FAST) use an external field that was demonstrated to have a positive effect on densification. For example, the FS method, for reasons that are far from fully understood, has yielded full densification in very short periods (5 s) at very low furnace temperatures (850oC) for zirconia, and at a surprisingly low temperature of 325oC for Co2MnO4 spinel ceramics. The associated time and energy advantage is estimated to be staggering, as well as the ability to tailor the microstructure. In this talk, we will have a closer look at MAS and FS methods– one a well-established and the other a newly emerging densification method. The MAS method can be suitable for the processing of various simple and complex shaped engineering components, the early use of FS method was restricted to dog-bone shaped ceramic specimens – that are both difficult to make and do not have much industrial applicability. However, the recent developments have demonstrated that FS can also be used to sinter different sample shapes. We investigated the feasibility of sintering of 3D printed ultra-low loss 5G microwave dielectrics, YSZ/ZTA biomedical components using MS and FS methods along with measurements of shrinkage and thermal mapping. This talk will review these developments on FS along with the operative mechanisms in comparison with MAS

Self-assessment of success of early medical abortion using a self-performed urine pregnancy test.

Purpose: The European Society of Contraception Expert Group on Abortion identified as one of its priorities the need to disseminate up-to-date evidence-based information on the use of urine pregnancy tests by women for the self assessment of the success of early medical abortion (EMA). Methods and materials: A concise communication was produced which summarises the latest research in an easy-to-read format suitable for busy clinicians. Information about individual urinary pregnancy tests is presented in boxes for ease of reference. Results: Urinary pregnancy tests (low sensitivity, high sensitivity and multilevel) can be used in combination with signs and symptoms of pregnancy to exclude an ongoing pregnancy after EMA. Conclusion: Women are able to determine the success of early medical abortion (EMA) themselves using a combination of signs, symptoms and a urine pregnancy test. This simplifies EMA, expands the range of professionals able to provide EMA and most importantly gives women greater control over their bodies and treatment

Johnson Space Center's Solar and Wind-Based Renewable Energy System

The NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas has a Sustainability Partnership team that seeks ways for earth-based sustainability practices to also benefit space exploration research. A renewable energy gathering system was installed in 2007 at the JSC Child Care Center (CCC) which also offers a potential test bed for space exploration power generation and remote monitoring and control concepts. The system comprises: 1) several different types of photovoltaic panels (29 kW), 2) two wind-turbines (3.6 kW total), and 3) one roof-mounted solar thermal water heater and tank. A tie to the JSC local electrical grid was provided to accommodate excess power. The total first year electrical energy production was 53 megawatt-hours. A web-based real-time metering system collects and reports system performance and weather data. Improvements in areas of the CCC that were detected during subsequent energy analyses and some concepts for future efforts are also presented

The effect of intravenous iron on postoperative transfusion requirements in hip fracture patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Anaemia following hip fracture is common. Approximately 30 to 45% of patients have haemoglobin concentrations below population norms on admission, and around 10% are severely anaemic. Anaemia on admission, and in the postoperative period, is associated with poor outcomes with regard to mobility, postoperative mortality and readmission. There is currently no clear consensus on the optimal method of managing perioperative anaemia in this group of frail patients with frequent comorbidity. Liberal red cell transfusion in the postoperative period does not appear to improve outcome, whereas tranexamic acid appears to reduce transfusion rate at the expense of increased cardiovascular morbidity. There are encouraging results from one centre with the use of agents to stimulate red cell production, including intravenous iron and erythropoietin. UK practice differs significantly from these patients and these studies, and it is not clear whether these promising results will translate to the UK population. Methods/Design This is a single-centre randomized controlled parallel group trial, in a British university hospital.Randomization is achieved using a website and computer-generated concealed tables. Participants are 80 patients 70 years or over with acute hip fracture undergoing operative repair. The intervention group receive three daily infusions of 200 mg iron sucrose, starting within 24 hours of admission. The control group receive standard hospital care at the discretion of the clinical team. Red cell transfusions for each group are given in accordance with standard clinical triggers. The primary outcome is an increase in mean reticulocyte count in the intervention group at day 7. Secondary outcome measures include haemoglobin concentrations, early and late transfusion rates, infectious and cardiovascular complications, mobility and 30-day mortality. Discussion This is a pilot study to demonstrate haematopoietic efficacy of intravenous iron in this setting. Hence, we have chosen to measure change in reticulocyte count rather than the more clinically relevant differences in haemoglobin concentration or transfusion rate. If our results are positive, the study will provide the necessary information for development of a full-scale trial of intravenous iron. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN76424792; UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (EuDRACT: 2011-003233-34)