Differences in Rejuvenation Mechanisms and Physical Properties of Aged Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS)-Modified Bitumen by Mono-Epoxy and Di-Epoxy Compounds.

Studying the mechanisms and effects of rejuvenators on SBS-modified bitumen is crucial for repairing degraded SBS and recycling aged SBS-modified bitumen (ASMB), thereby contributing to the sustainable development of bitumen pavements. This research examines the roles of mono-epoxy Alkyl (C12-C14) glycidyl ether (AGE) and di-epoxy 1,6-Hexanediol diglycidyl ether (HDE) under the catalysis of N,N-dimethyl benzyl amine (BDMA) in repairing degraded SBS chains. Aromatic oil (ORSMB)-, AGE-aromatic oil (ARSMB)-, and HDE-aromatic oil (HRSMB)-rejuvenated bitumen are analyzed for their chemical structures, physical properties, and rheological properties.

Major ABO Incompatibility in Non-Myeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Sickle Cell Disease-Not an Insurmountable Obstacle.

With advances in conditioning strategies and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prevention, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a safe, curative treatment option for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, donor options have been limited in non-myeloablative matched sibling donor (MSD) setting by excluding recipients with major ABO blood group incompatible donors due to concern of the risk of significant complications such as pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). We present three cases of successful HSCT with major ABO incompatibility with their donors, and discuss strategies to safely expand the donor pool to include these donors.

Selection of the apposite vacuum extractor during operative delivery: A biomechanical study.

Background: Operative delivery is a technique used during vaginal or cesarean birth to facilitate the patient's labor course through the assistance of a vacuum extractor. This method is increasingly used compared with forceps. This study aimed to investigate the forced effects of vacuum extractors comprising vacuum cups with different thicknesses on the fetal head and the vacuum extractor during vacuum-assisted delivery and to determine the optimal thickness for reducing the failure rate and minimizing neonatal and maternal morbidity.

Validation of a mail-in delayed semen analysis protocol developed for home collection.

Objective: To validate a mail-in delayed semen analysis service using deidentified remnant samples from a US fertility clinic.

Design: Double-blinded prospective validation of screening/diagnostic test.

Setting: Fertility clinic and clinical reference laboratory.