Friction brake cushions acceleration and vibration loads

Friction brake cushions an object in a vehicle from axially applied vibration and steady-state acceleration forces. The brake incorporates a doubly tapered piston that applies a controlled radial force to friction brake segments bearing against the walls of a cylinder

Increasingly allergenic airborne pollen revealed in sediment of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

The incidence of allergy-related respiratory ailments in Australia is ranked amongst some of the highest in the world. Of interest is how European settlement and the introduction of numerous wind pollinated species from the Northern Hemisphere may have increased the impact on public health. Although anecdotally known as the hay fever capital of Australia, there is very little aerobiological data published for the city of Canberra [Davies, J. M. et al. (2015) ‘Trans-disciplinary Research in Synthesis of Grass Pollen Aerobiology and Its Importance for Respiratory Health in Australasia’, Science of the Total Environment, 534: 85–96]. Canberra, however, is a planned city, with the bulk of its expansion and construction occurring since the latter part of the 20th century. The well-documented development of Canberra provides a unique opportunity to assess the evolution of the allergenic environment in this region through the lens of palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Sediments collected from Lake Burley Griffin were processed for their pollen content to assess how the allergenic load has changed since the founding of Canberra. The analysis reflected historical records of changing land uses and revealed an increasingly allergenic airborne pollen load over the past 90 years, coinciding with population increase and urban development, and underpinned by Canberra’s tree planting scheme. In addition, fire was examined in the record, with the charcoal fractions revealing a complex fire history. Peaks that correspond to the 2003 Canberra bushfire are small relative to other peaks in the profile

A comparison of three fingerstick, whole blood antibody tests for Helicobacter pylori infection: a United States, multicenter trial

We compared three whole blood antibody tests for Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) in a United States, multicenter trial. Methods Patients referred for EGD at three medical centers were recruited. During EGD, biopsies were taken for histology and rapid urease testing (RUT). Immediately after endoscopy, patients underwent the antibody tests (FlexPack HP, Abbott Diagnostics; QuikVue, Quidel Corporation; AccuMeter, ChemTrak) using whole blood obtained by two to three fingersticks. Performance characteristics were calculated for each antibody test using the biopsy-based methods as a gold standard. Results A total of 131 patients participated; 50 (38%) patients had histological evidence of H. pylori infection. Using histology as a gold standard, the sensitivities of FlexPack HP, QuikVue, and Accumeter were 76%, 78%, and 84%, respectively. Specificity was 79% with FlexPack HP and 90% with QuikVue and Accumeter. There were no significant differences in the performance of the three antibody tests though there was a trend toward superior performance for AccuMeter compared to FlexPack HP ( p = 0.019 ). However, RUT proved superior to FlexPack HP using histology as a gold standard ( p = 0.008 ). Using either concordant histology and RUT results or a positive histology or RUT to define active H. pylori infection, there was no statistically significant difference between the antibody tests. Conclusions There were no statistically significant differences in the performance of the three antibody tests. These tests proved only marginally sensitive in detecting patients infected with H. pylori . Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of these tests, particularly when using them as a sole means of testing for H. pylori .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72148/1/j.1572-0241.1999.1135_x.x.pd

The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life scale (PCOSQOL): Development and preliminary validation

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder amongst women, which can negatively impact quality of life. Research proposes that a more sensitive PCOS quality of life measure is needed. This study aims to develop and initially validate a quality of life scale for women with the condition in the United Kingdom. Women with PCOS (n = 714) took part in the development and initial validation of the 35-item polycystic ovary syndrome quality of life scale (PCOSQOL)(α = .95). Subscales include Impact of PCOS (α = .95), Infertility (α = .95), Hirsutism (α = .97) and Mood (α = .89). The PCOSQOL scale represents aspects of quality of life important to women with PCOS and may be more sensitive for use in the clinical and research settings

ALTERAÇÕES POSTURAIS EM JOVENS PRATICANTES DE FUTEBOL

Introdução: A postura representa a posição global do corpo relacionando seus membros e sua orientação no espaço, e ainda, pode ser considerada o estado de equilíbrio muscular e esquelético que protege as estruturas de suporte do corpo contra lesões e deformidades progressivas. A avaliação postural visa um diagnóstico morfofuncional dos indivíduos através de uma análise patobiomecânica, psicocomportamental e orgânica, com vistas a prevenção e reabilitação de alterações. Objetivos: Detectar as alterações posturais em alunos da Escolinha de Futebol da Associação Chapecoense de Futebol. A amostra foi composta por 23 jovens praticantes da Escolinha de Futebol da Associação Chapecoense com uma média de idade de 14,44±0,79 anos. Métodos: As alterações foram registradas por meio de uma ficha de avaliação postural e fotografias para registro de testes quali e quantitativos. As alterações morfofuncionais podem ser classificadas em três grupos: padrão postural misto,  em fechamento e em abertura.  Os desvios laterais da coluna vertebral também foram avaliados e registrados pela fisioterapeuta. Resultados: Detectou-se cinco indivíduos com padrão misto e um deles apresentou escoliose torácica; dezoito indivíduos com padrão em fechamento com hipercifose torácica e anteriorização dos ombros; e em nove indivíduos deste padrão detectou-se escoliose tóraco-lombar. CONCLUSÕES: Sugere-se um tratamento fisioterapêutico e um treinamento compensatório adequado para corrigir  e prevenir  a progressão destas alterações,  e bem como o surgimento de outras patologias ou lesões desportivas