Adult Ileocolic Intussusception from the Appendix.

Intussusception is more commonly considered in the pediatric patient with abdominal pain, but can occur in adults as well. Adult patients are more likely to have an underlying intra-abdominal pathology leading to the condition. We present an adult patient presenting with abdominal pain with ileocecal intussusception diagnosed on imaging and confirmed surgically.

Characteristics and Management of Emergency Department Patients Presenting with C2 Cervical Spine Fractures.

Background: C2 cervical fractures account for approximately 18% of cervical spine injuries. Few studies have examined patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with this injury relative to demographics, injury mechanism, and hospital course.

Objectives: To compare multiple variables of ED patients presenting with these types of injuries.

Impact of solution chemistry on the properties and bactericidal activity of silver nanoparticles decorated on superabsorbent cryogels.

This study investigated the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and various electrolytes commonly found in environmental aqueous matrices on the physicochemical properties and bactericidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are immobilized on cryogels (or PSA/AgNP cryogel). The AgNPs in the PSA/AgNP cryogel that were exposed to different media underwent morphological transformation in terms of particle size and structure. In addition, the presence of DOM and electrolytes increased the release of dissolved Ag.

Bactericidal mechanisms revealed for rapid water disinfection by superabsorbent cryogels decorated with silver nanoparticles.

The authors have recently reported the fabrication of superabsorbent cryogels decorated with silver nanoparticles (PSA/AgNP cryogels) that demonstrate rapid water disinfection. This paper provides a systematic elucidation of the bactericidal mechanisms of AgNPs (silver nanoparticles), both generally and in the specific context of cryogels. Direct contact between the PSA/AgNP cryogel interface and the bacterial cells is required to accomplish disinfection.

Epoxy-based broadband antireflection coating for millimeter-wave optics.

We have developed epoxy-based, broadband antireflection coatings for millimeter-wave astrophysics experiments with cryogenic optics. By using multiple-layer coatings where each layer steps in dielectric constant, we achieved low reflection over a wide bandwidth. We suppressed the reflection from an alumina disk to 10% over fractional bandwidths of 92% and 104% using two-layer and three-layer coatings, respectively.

Evaluation and treatment of sternoclavicular, clavicular, and acromioclavicular injuries.

Injuries to the clavicle and associated structures may involve fractures of the clavicle or injuries to the surrounding joints, usually from a blow to the shoulder. They present with variable signs and symptoms, requiring a thorough history and physical examination. Diagnosis typically involves plain radiographs but more advanced imaging may be required, especially in the case of sternoclavicular joint dislocations.

CO2 switchable dual responsive polymers as draw solutes for forward osmosis desalination.

Low molecular weight dual responsive polymers, after purging with CO2, become polyelectrolytes with high osmolality, which can be used as draw solutes for seawater desalination. These polymers precipitate above their Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) after removal of CO2 via purging with inert gas for ease of recovery and reuse.

Superabsorbent cryogels decorated with silver nanoparticles as a novel water technology for point-of-use disinfection.

This paper reports the preparation of poly(sodium acrylate) (PSA) cryogels decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for point-of-use (POU) water disinfection. The PSA/Ag cryogels combine the high porosity, excellent mechanical and water absorption properties of cryogels, and uniform dispersion of fine AgNPs on the cryogel pore surface for rapid disinfection with minimal Ag release (<100 μg L(-1)). They were used in a process that employed their ability to absorb water, which subsequently could be released via application of mild pressure.

Towards temperature driven forward osmosis desalination using Semi-IPN hydrogels as reversible draw agents.

We report a study to explore new materials and a new concept for temperature driven quasi-continuous desalination using hydrogels as draw agents in forward osmosis (FO). This concept is enabled by the design and preparation of thermally responsive hydrogels having a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) structure. Thermally responsive semi-IPN hydrogels were synthesized by polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) in the presence of polysodium acrylate (PSA) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

Strategic Co-Location in a Hybrid Process Involving Desalination and Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO).

This paper focuses on a Hybrid Process that uses feed salinity dilution and osmotic power recovery from Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) to achieve higher overall water recovery. This reduces the energy consumption and capital costs of conventional seawater desalination and water reuse processes. The Hybrid Process increases the amount of water recovered from the current 66.

Emergency water supply: a review of potential technologies and selection criteria.

Access to safe drinking water is one of the first priorities following a disaster. However, providing drinking water to the affected population (AP) is challenging due to severe contamination and lack of access to infrastructure. An onsite treatment system for the AP is a more sustainable solution than transporting bottled water.

Hydrogel matrix entrapping PLGA-paclitaxel microspheres: drug delivery with near zero-order release and implantability advantages for malignant brain tumour chemotherapy.

Purpose: To develop paclitaxel-delivering PLGA microspheres entrapped in a gel matrix with sustained drug release properties and implantability advantages for local glioma chemotherapy.

Methods: Paclitaxel-loaded PLGA microspheres were fabricated using electrohydrodynamic atomization and entrapped by electrospray and gelation. The physicochemical characterizations were performed using scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.

Numerical Approximation of Solutions of a Nonlinear Inverse Problem Arising in Olfaction Experimentation.

Identification of detailed features of neuronal systems is an important challenge in the biosciences today. Cilia are long thin structures that extend from the olfactory receptor neurons into the nasal mucus. Transduction of an odor into an electrical signal occurs in the membranes of the cilia.

Helical computed tomography alone compared with plain radiographs with adjunct computed tomography to evaluate the cervical spine after high-energy trauma.

Background: Current literature supports the use of the three-view plain-radiograph series supplemented, when necessary, with helical computed tomography to evaluate the cervical spine in patients who have sustained trauma injury. The purpose of this study was to determine if helical computed tomography alone can be used to evaluate the cervical spine for acute osseous injury following high-energy trauma, thus eliminating the need to make radiographs.

Methods: Patients were prospectively evaluated with helical computed tomography scanning of the cervical spine and standard three-view plain radiography.

Sliding-cavity fluid contactors in low-gravity fluids, materials, and biotechnology research.

The well-known method of sliding-cavity fluid contactors used by Gosting for diffusion measurements and by Tiselius in electrophoresis has found considerable use in low-gravity research. To date, sliding-cavity contactors have been used in liquid diffusion experiments, interfacial transport experiments, biomolecular crystal growth, biphasic extraction, multistage extraction, microencapsulation, seed germination, invertebrate development, and thin-film casting. Sliding-cavity technology has several advantages for spaceflight: it is simple, it accommodates small samples, samples can be fully enclosed, phases can be combined, multiple samples can be processed at high sample density, real-time observations can be made, and mixed and diffused samples can be compared.

Trajectory surgical guide stent for implant placement.

This article describes a new implant placement surgical guide that gives both implant location and trajectory to the surgeon. Radiopaque markers are placed on diagnostic dentures and a lateral cephalometric radiograph is made that shows the osseous anatomy at the symphysis and the anterior tooth location. The ideal implant location and trajectory data are transferred to a surgical stent that programs the angle and location of the fixtures at time of surgery.

The use of processed silicone to retain the implant-supported tissue-borne overdenture.

A technique is described for constructing the implant-retained overdenture with heat-polymerized silicone that is processed around undercuts in a round bar framework connecting the implants. An acrylic resin circular rest contacting the bar ensures that the implants are loaded in occlusion for stress distribution over the fixtures.

An improved index for the waxed stage of an implant-retained framework.

A method for making an improved index for the waxed stage of Branemark implant-retained frameworks is described. The index improves visibility of the tooth and abutment cylinder relationship permitting the optimization of framework dimensions and contour.

A simplified technique for fabricating esthetic cast metal occlusal surfaces for dentures.

This article describes a simplified method for making esthetic cast metal occlusal surfaces. Monoplane posterior acrylic resin block teeth, cast in a nickel-chrome alloy, are coated with silane and an esthetic composite resin veneer is applied to the buccal surface. These veneered posterior metal teeth are incorporated in the wax setup and the dentures are processed and finished.

Geometrical aspects of sorted patterned ground in recurrently frozen soil.

A model for sorted patterned ground shows that some types arise from density-driven Rayleigh free convection that occurs during thawing of water-saturated recurrently frozen soils. The regularly spaced convection cells result in an uneven melting of the underlying ice front. Frost action causes stones to be upthrusted and to form in a pattern on the ground surface that mirrors the corrugation in the underlying ice front.