Plastic Support Research Articles

Perspectives of Canadian Plastic Surgeons on the Surgical Management of Pressure Injuries

Introduction: Pressure injuries, particularly among patients with spinal cord injuries and the elderly, significantly contribute to morbidity, mortality, and financial sequelae. Surgical interventions, including debridement and flaps, may improve outcomes, especially for stage 3 and 4 pressure injuries. This survey assesses Canadian plastic surgeons’ perspectives and practices regarding the surgical management of these injuries. Methods: A web-based survey was distributed to 405 registered members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) and remained open for a 6-week period. The 16-question survey explored management practices for pressure injuries and the training associated with resident education. Results: Responses from 129 surgeons (31.8%) were analyzed. Of these, 85% manage stage 3 or 4 pressure injuries, though only 67.5% performed both debridement and flap coverage. The majority believe care should ideally occur in community facilities with plastic surgery coverage rather than being centralized in academic centers, although careful patient selection, perioperative planning, and rehabilitation are critical to justify the surgical investment. Most respondents (83%) agreed that plastic surgery residents should be proficient in both debridement and flap coverage by the end of their training. Conclusion: The survey indicates that most surgeons prefer managing pressure injuries in facilities with adequate plastic surgery support rather than exclusively at academic centers. However, structured management pathways and enhanced training in pressure injury care remain crucial. Future healthcare policy and research should focus on improving care delivery and patient outcomes, ensuring that all facilities involved in this care are equipped with the necessary resources and multidisciplinary expertise.

Metagratings for underwater acoustic wavefront manipulation

Metagratings are flat periodic assemblies of small scatterers, engineered to achieve effects such as steering, beamforming, or absorption. They have recently received attention in both electromagnetism and acoustic fields. In this work, we report the design, modeling, and experimental characterization of metagratings to steer underwater acoustic wavefronts towards anomalous directions (i.e. not classically allowed by Snell-Decartes relationships) with high efficiency (close to 100%). They are build from simple assemblies of small brass cylinders, hold by 3D-printed plastic supports, and can redirect ultrasonic wavefronts either in reflection mode (when placed in front of a reflective surface like e.g. the water / air interface) or in transmission mode. Furthermore, we demonstrate how metagratings build from an asymmetrical pattern of multiple basic elements can achieve near perfect asymmetrical transmission: a wavefront incident from side of the structure is fully transmitted, while a similar wavefront incoming from the other side is fully reflected, achieving an acoustic one-way mirror effect. This work combine theoretical analysis, finite element modeling, and experimentation in water tanks to explore and demonstrate the potential of such metagratings for various applications in underwater acoustics, like communication, noise mitigation, and stealth.

Cell as a reference point in medicine (185 years of cell theory)

the cellular theory, formulated by T. Schwann in 1839, defines the cell as the elementary unit of living things, and has retained its relevance even now as a basic concept of medicine. Aim is to substantiate the definition of the concept of a cell as a reference point for the use of ideas about its organization and properties as a tool for the study of vital processes/pathology in the human body and in experiments. The progress of biology and medicine over the past century and a half has led to numerous attempts to revise the formulation and content of the cell theory. In fact, attempts were made to expand the interpretation/definition of the semantic parts of the initial content of its definition, namely: what is a cell (structure, composition, and properties); what is an elementary unit (taking into account the existence of proto- and eukaryotes, unicellular and multicellular organisms); what is this living thing? Systemic analysis of the organization of the cell allows, as an option, to consider it as a system for the vital activity of which such subsystems are necessary and sufficient as: the carrier of hereditary information (genome), the system of implementation of hereditary information, the plastic support system, the energy supply system, the regulatory system, the reproduction system. Ideas about these functional life support systems can be extrapolated to a multicellular organism. T. Schwann 's idea that a cell is the elementary unit of a living thing, and R. Virchow’s idea that a pathological process is a manifestation of cell changes are generally accepted today. Accordingly, cellular acts as a reference point for analyzing the development of the pathological process and methods of its correction. From these positions, the disease begins with a change in a some pattern of cells associated with changes in their genetic landscape or life support systems. Cells dysfunction of a certain differentiation leads to a lesion of the tissue specific function and the corresponding organ, and ultimately to a lesion of the organism vital activity as a whole. Accordingly, the systematization of facts and the clear definition of certain ideas about the composition, properties of the cell, the nature of its differentiation and the formation of tissue in the composition of the organs of the body is an effective tool for solving many applied questions of medicine.

Cutibacterium acnes biofilm formation is influenced by bone microenvironment, implant surfaces and bacterial internalization

BackgroundThe bacterial persistence, responsible for therapeutic failures, can arise from the biofilm formation, which possesses a high tolerance to antibiotics. This threat often occurs when a bone and joint infection is diagnosed after a prosthesis implantation. Understanding the biofilm mechanism is pivotal to enhance prosthesis joint infection (PJI) treatment and prevention. However, little is known on the characteristics of Cutibacterium acnes biofilm formation, whereas this species is frequently involved in prosthesis infections.MethodsIn this study, we compared the biofilm formation of C. acnes PJI-related strains and non-PJI-related strains on plastic support and textured titanium alloy by (i) counting adherent and viable bacteria, (ii) confocal scanning electronic microscopy observations after biofilm matrix labeling and (iii) RT-qPCR experiments.ResultsWe highlighted material- and strain-dependent modifications of C. acnes biofilm. Non-PJI-related strains formed aggregates on both types of support but with different matrix compositions. While the proportion of polysaccharides signal was higher on plastic, the proportions of polysaccharides and proteins signals were more similar on titanium. The changes in biofilm composition for PJI-related strains was less noticeable. For all tested strains, biofilm formation-related genes were more expressed in biofilm formed on plastic that one formed on titanium. Moreover, the impact of C. acnes internalization in osteoblasts prior to biofilm development was also investigated. After internalization, one of the non-PJI-related strains biofilm characteristics were affected: (i) a lower quantity of adhered bacteria (80.3-fold decrease), (ii) an increase of polysaccharides signal in biofilm and (iii) an activation of biofilm gene expressions on textured titanium disk.ConclusionTaken together, these results evidenced the versatility of C. acnes biofilm, depending on the support used, the bone environment and the strain.

Composite Paints with High Content of Metallic Microparticles for Electromagnetic Shielding Purposes

This paper describes the technological process used to manufacture composite paints with a high content of metallic microparticles (Al and Fe) for automotive electromagnetic compatibility applications. The thickness of the deposited paint layer was larger for paints with a greater metal content, regardless of the plastic support used for paint deposition. The roughness of paint layers with a greater content of metal particles was about 30%–35% higher than that of layers with a lower metal particle content, regardless of the metal type. The surface roughness of paint layers containing Al was at least 2.5-times higher than that of paint layers containing Fe, an aspect that could be explained by the better formulation of the paint containing Fe. The dielectric loss and conductivity values crucially depend on the plastic substrate used, meaning that the dipolar polarization of the substrate enhances the effect of conductive paints. Based on the dielectric properties measured at 10 kHz, the optimal recipe for efficient electromagnetic compatibility was found to be 20 wt.% Fe powder, deposited on a sandblasted polycarbonate (PC) substrate. It is expected that formulations of paints with a high percentage of metallic particles will effectively compete with traditional plastic metallization technologies.

Determination of the type of arched carbon fiber reinforced fastening of the preparatory opening for the conditions of the «Dniprovska» mine in weakly metamorphized rocks

The object of study is an arched carbon fiber-reinforced support of constant cross-section in a layered massif of weakly metamorphosed rocks. The article presents an analysis of the possible use of arched fiber-reinforced support of constant cross-section in a layered massif of weakly metamorphosed rocks for the conditions of the «Dniprovska» mine (Ukraine) around the preparatory opening. An analysis of the stability of mine openings in Western Donbas mines has shown that it is necessary to modernize the support system by introducing carbon fiber. The main reason for the low stability of the opening is the insufficient load-bearing capacity of the support, while its technical characteristics do not take into account the complex mining and geological conditions. The increase in stresses at mining depth is associated with impact safety, which is a serious problem during mining. Metal arch supports are deformable and have high rock loads and require a high level of energy absorption, i. e., to be very strong and flexible to withstand significant loads and avoid large displacements of the opening walls. Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is able to ensure the stability of the fastening system and eliminate the existing disadvantages of typical metal arch fasteners, namely, high labour intensity, low production speed and high weight of the structure. In this article, the stress-strain state for the specified conditions and the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic arch support of constant cross-section was analyzed using the SolidWorks software product, taking into account the physical and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and layered rocks. Taking into account the results of laboratory tests of an equivalent layered array on a press made of PLA and carbon fiber, the dependence of deformations of the equivalent array with increasing load was established. The use of arched carbon fiber supports of various cross-sections can ensure the opening stability by reducing the intensity of stresses around its contour. On the basis of this study, a rational arched composite support of constant cross-section was proposed for the conditions of the «Dniprovska» mine. The obtained results indicate the need for further research, which will be considered in the author's future works.

Chemical nature evolution of solid supports used in electromembrane extraction procedures: A comparative analysis based on metric tools

BackgroundIn recent decades, green chemistry has been focusing on the adaptation of different chemical methods towards environmental friendliness. Sample preparation procedures, which constitute a fundamental step in analytical methodology, have also been modified and implemented in this direction. In particular, electromembrane extraction (EME) procedures, which have traditionally used plastic supports, have been optimized towards greener approaches through the emergence of alternative materials. In this regard, biopolymer-based membranes (such as agarose or chitosan) have become versatile and very promising substitutes to perform these processes. ResultsDifferent green metric tools (Analytical Eco-Scale, ComplexGAPI and AGREEprep have been applied to study the evolution of solid supports used in EME from nanostructured tissues and polymer inclusion membranes to agar films and chitosan flat membranes. The main goal is to evaluate the usage of these new biomaterials in the analytical procedure to quantify their environmental impact in the frame of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC). In addition, both RGB model and BAGI metrics have been employed to study the sustainability of the whole procedure, including not only greenness, but also analytical performance and feasibility aspects. Results obtained after the performance of the mentioned metrics have demonstrated that the most efficient and environmentally friendly analytical methods are based on the use of chitosan supports. This improvement is mainly due to the chemical nature of this biopolymer as well as to the removal of organic solvents. SignificanceThis work highlights the advantages of biodegradable materials employment in EME procedures to achieve green analytical methodologies. These materials also contribute to raise the figure of merits regarding to the quantification parameters in a wide range of applications compared to classical supports employed in EME, thus enhancing sustainability of procedures.

Sustainable menaquinone-7 production through continuous fermentation in biofilm bioreactors.

Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a vital vitamin with numerous health benefits, is synthesized and secreted extracellularly by the formation of biofilm, dominantly in Bacillus strains. Our team developed an innovative biofilm reactor utilizing Bacillus subtilis natto cells to foster biofilm growth on plastic composite supports to produce MK-7. Continuous fermentation in biofilm reactors offers a promising strategy for achieving sustainable and efficient production of Menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Unlike conventional batch fermentation, continuous biofilm reactors maintain a steady state of operation, which reduces resource consumption and waste generation, contributing to sustainability. By optimizing fermentation conditions, MK-7 production was significantly enhanced in this study, demonstrating the potential for sustainable industrial-scale production. To determine the optimal operational parameters, various dilution rates were tested. These rates were selected based on their potential to enhance nutrient supply and biofilm stability, thereby improving MK-7 production. By carefully considering the fermentation conditions and systematically varying the dilution rates, MK-7 production was significantly enhanced during continuous fermentation. The MK-7 productivity was found to increase from 0.12mg/L/h to 0.33mg/L/h with a dilution rate increment from 0.007 to 0.042h-1). This range was chosen to explore the impact of various nutrient supply rates on MK-7 production and to identify the optimal conditions for maximizing productivity. However, a further increase in the dilution rate to 0.084h-1 led to reduced productivity at approximately 0.16mg/L/h, likely due to insufficient retention time for effective biofilm formation. Consequently, a dilution rate of 0.042h-1 exhibited the highest productivity of 0.33mg/L/h, outperforming all investigated dilution rates and demonstrating the critical balance between nutrient supply and retention time in continuous fermentation. These findings validate the feasibility of operating continuous fermentation at a 0.084h-1 dilution rate, corresponding to a 48h retention time, to achieve the highest MK-7 productivity compared to conventional batch fermentation. The significant advancements achieved in enhancing Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) productivity through continuous fermentation at optimal dilution rates in the present work indicate promising prospects for even greater efficiency and sustainability in MK-7 production through future developments.

Development of Gold Inks for Inkjet Printing of Gas Sensors Electrodes on Plastic Support

Among the conventional inks used for inkjet printing, metals, oxides, or polymers have been deposited in order to form functional coatings. Gold is one of the most used metals for electrode fabrication in the gas sensor field due to its inert behavior when exposed to reactive gases and conductive properties. However, only a few commercial gold inks are commercially available, and the combination of excessive price, a high minimum purchase quantity, and an unknown composition renders the actual products unappealing. To meet these shortcomings, gold inks were formulated with different solvents in order to reach sufficient properties for the inkjet printing process, such as surface tension and viscosity. On the one hand, gold ink was developed using a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) solution as the metal. This ink was optimized from nanoparticle synthesis, with the ink formulation obtaining a 32 mN·m−1 surface tension and 11.2 mPa·s viscosity in order to be inkjet-printed onto polyimide foil. On the other hand, a particle-free ink, called a precursor based of ink, was also developed. In this case, ink was made by solubilizing gold salt in aqueous medium in order to reach jettable properties. Surface tension was measured at 32 mN·m−1 while viscosity was 14.0 mPa·s. Then, printing and deposition parameters were optimized in order to obtain a highly conductive gold coating. The measured resistivity was 2 × 10−7 Ω·m which is close to the bulk gold conductive value. These coatings could be used for the fabrication of various devices in different working fields.

Esboço para uma leitura iconográfica dos objetos artísticos marianos na Costa Rica

This article provides an iconographic reading of the figure of Mary of Nazareth based on the description and contextualization of artistic objects in Costa Rica. The study uses only the first two levels of reading proposed by Panofsky (1987). First, the pre-iconographic description, as a practical experience that facilitates familiarization with the objects and the circumstances that surround them, and second, the iconographic analysis to trace the constitution of the world of images, stories and allegories that underlie artistic assets. The study join the different Marian titles seen in different plastic artistic supports, into three large categories: 1. Joyful Mary; 2. Glorious Mary and 3. Mary Sorrowful, which are associated with the narrative of the mysteries of the Rosary, and are also linked to the way in which the Marian cult developed from Divine Motherhood dogmas, the Assumption to heaven and the Mary’s compassion towards her Son`s death.

Research on Reducing Drilling Damage of CFRP Pipe Based on Plastic Pipe Auxiliary Support

Research on Reducing Drilling Damage of CFRP Pipe Based on Plastic Pipe Auxiliary Support

Public awareness and perceptions of ocean plastic pollution and support for solutions in the United States

We conducted a nationally-representative survey of United States (U.S.) adults (n=1,960) in 2021 to gather insights on the knowledge, perceptions, and concerns about threats to the ocean, with a specific focus on plastics and microplastic pollution. Responses from the U.S. adult survey group were compared to a group of highly-engaged, Ocean Conservancy members who are very attuned to ocean issues (n=882). Ocean Conservancy is a U.S.-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest challenges. Plastic pollution was the primary ocean concern identified by both U.S. adults and Ocean Conservancy members, surpassing eight other threat categories including oil spills, chemical and nutrient pollution, and climate change. Broad concern was reported for both study groups about the impacts of ocean plastics on marine wildlife, with human health and coastal community impact concerns being less prominent. About half of U.S. adults and 90% of Ocean Conservancy members had heard of microplastics. Both study groups indicated widespread support for microplastic pollution prevention measures in the U.S. and believed industry to be most responsible for taking action to address it. Ocean Conservancy members were generally better informed and more concerned about plastic pollution impacts and microplastics than U.S. adults and reported significantly greater levels of personal action to reduce their plastic footprint when compared to U.S. adults. In general, U.S. adults reported a willingness to refuse single-use plastics, but less frequently brought personal food containers to restaurants for takeout, or contacted local representatives or businesses about reducing plastic waste and pollution. Overall, our survey results provide new insights about public understanding of ocean threats and plastic pollution, willingness to participate in individual plastic-reduction actions, and support for needed solutions.

Predictive Methodology for Quality Assessment in Injection Molding Comparing Linear Regression and Neural Networks.

The use of recycled polypropylene in industry to reduce environmental impact is increasing. Design for manufacturing and process simulation is a key stage in the development of plastic parts. Traditionally, a trial-and-error methodology is followed to eliminate uncertainties regarding geometry and process. A new proposal is presented, combining simulation with the design of experiments and creating prediction models for seven different process and part quality output features. These models are used to optimize the design without developing additional time-consuming simulations. The study aims to compare the precision and correlation of these models. The methods used are linear regression and artificial neural network (ANN) fitting. A wide range of eight injection parameters and geometry variations are used as inputs. The predictability of nonlinear behavior and compensatory effects due to the complex relationships between this wide set of parameter combinations is analyzed further in the state of the art. Results show that only Back Propagation Neural Networks (BPNN) are suitable for correlating all quality features in a single formula. The use of prediction models accelerates the optimization of part design, applying multiple criteria to support decision-making. The methodology is applied to the design of a plastic support for induction hobs. Furthermore, this methodology has demonstrated that a weight reduction of 27% is feasible. However, it is necessary to combine process parameters that differ from the standard ones with a non-uniform thickness distribution so that the remaining injection parameters, material properties, and dimensions fall within tolerances.

Current Practices and Trends of Plastic and Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons in Canada.

Background: There is a lack of previous studies investigating oncoplastic practice trends for breast reconstruction in Canada, particularly from the plastic surgeon perspective. Given the rising popularity of oncoplastic techniques, this study aimed to identify current practice trends for breast and plastic surgeons in Canada. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of breast and plastic surgeons performing oncoplastic surgery across Canada was conducted. Results: Ninety-five surgeons were invited to complete the survey, with 58 respondents (response rate 61%), of which 29 (50.0%) were breast surgeons and 29 (50.0%) were plastic surgeons. Compared to plastic surgeons, breast surgeons performed significantly more level 1 surgeries (27.6 vs 3.45%, P < .001). Plastic surgeons performed more level 2 (37.9% vs 13.8%, P = .0475) and level 3 (31.4% vs 10.3%, P = .00814) surgeries. Breast surgeons identified significant perceived barriers including unfamiliarity with techniques (P = .00513), adjuvant therapy delays (P = .00612), lack of plastic surgery support (P < .001), lack of radiation oncology support (P = .0485), increased OR time (P < .001), lack of OHIP billing codes (P < .001), and post-operative complication management (P = .0372). Breast surgeon comfort with oncoplastic techniques was not correlated with practice duration (R-square = .037, P-value = .853). Breast surgeon comfort with contralateral surgery was not correlated with practice setting (R-square = .071, P-value = .632). Conclusions: Breast surgeons perceive a lack of training, a lack of support from plastic surgery, concerns regarding appropriate financial remuneration, and worries of increased OR time as barriers in oncoplastic surgery. Collaboration between general breast surgery and plastic surgery is needed for improving training options for oncoplastic surgery in Canada and for providing excellent breast cancer care overall.

Enhanced exopolysaccharide production of Cordyceps militaris via mycelial cell immobilization on plastic composite support in repeated-batch fermentation

Repeated-batch fermentation with fungal mycelia immobilized in plastic composite support (PCS) eliminates the lag phase during fermentation and improves metabolite productivity. The strategy is implemented herein, and a novel modified PCS is developed to enhance exopolysaccharide (EPS) production from the medicinal fungus Cordyceps militaris. A modified PCS (SYE + PCS) was made by compositing polypropylene (PP) with a nutrient mixture containing soybean hull, peptone, yeast extract, and minerals (SYE+). The use of SYE + PCS has consistent cell productivity throughout the multiple fermentation cycles, which resulted in a more higher cell productivity after second batch compared to unmodified PCS. The cell grown on SYE + PCS also generates a higher yield of EPS (3.36, 6.93, and 5.72 g/L in the first, second, and third fermentation cycles, respectively) up to three-fold higher than the cell immobilized on unmodified PCS. It is also worth noting that the EPS from mycelium grown on SYE + PCS contains up to 2.3-fold higher cordycepin than those on unmodified PCS. The presence of nutrients in SYE + PCS also affects the hydrophobicity and surface roughness of the PC, improving mycelial cell adhesion. This study also provides a preliminary antioxidant activity assessment of EPS from immobilized C. militaris grown with SYE + PCS.

Simultaneous local sensing of two chemical properties with dual soft probe scanning electrochemical microscopy

A new method for the rapid and economic fabrication of dual soft microelectrodes for Soft-Probe-Scanning electrochemical microscopy (Soft-Probe-SECM) and their use for the simultaneous local detection of locally generated species is presented. The process is based on encapsulating electrode wires, such as Pt, Au and carbon fiber, by UV-photo-polymerization of a dielectric material leading to two microdisc electrodes, which are individually addressable. Probe stability is realized by using a flexible plastic support. The thickness of the dielectric material that controls the distance between the microelectrodes and the substrate surface during lateral scans over a substrate in contact mode is highly controllable by the probe fabrication parameters. The thickness of the dielectric material of the soft probes fabricated here varies between 27 µm and 35 µm, while the two microelectrodes inter-distance varies between 180 µm and 250 µm. The dual soft probes combine Pt, Au and C microdiscs of different radii (12.5 µm for Pt and Au and 4 µm for C). The flexible selection of the electrode materials enables the fabrication of dual soft probes with electrode materials suitable to detect electro-active analytes of interest at solid/solution interfaces. The dual soft probes can be used in double amperometric, double potentiometric or mixed potentiometric-amperometric modes. As a proof-of concept of the latter mode, a dual platinum black/Pt (PtB/Pt)–iridium oxide/Au (IrOx/Au) soft probe is used to image in real time the chemically induced dissolution of inkjet printed silver patterns in 0.2 mM HNO3, generating locally reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and simultaneously changing the pH. RNS amounts are measured at 0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, KCl, reference electrode) at the PtB/Pt microelectrode, while the corresponding pH changes are obtained from open circuit potential measurements with the IrOx/Au microelectrode.

Removal of H2S from Biogas Using Thiobacillus sp.: Batch and Continuous Studies

Anaerobic digestion produces biogas which usually contains 60-70% of methane (CH4), 30-40% of carbon-di-oxide (CO2), and 10-2,000 ppm hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The concentration of H2S depends upon the type of substrate. H2S tends to corrode pipes and machines carrying them. The high concentrations of H2S present in biogas may adversely affect electricity generation. Hence, the removal of H2S and enrichment of biogas with CH4 is an essential step towards higher energy production. In the present study, the biological method of removing H2S using Thiobacillus sp. was demonstrated for a one cu.m anaerobic co-digestion (ACD) unit running on an organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and septage sludge. Initial lab scale studies were conducted by collecting the biogas generated from 1 cu.m digesters, and continuous experiments were optimized for the process parameters such as flow rate, the volume of medium with culture, time, the height of the column, column composition, etc. The raw biogas was purged in a liquid medium (LM) with a culture containing Thiobacillus sp. The studies with the LM containing Thiobacillus sp. culture showed a 68% removal of H2S in the first 8 min, and the saturation occurred at 75 min when the time-dependent experiment was studied. The smaller flow rate (0.48 L.min-1) and highest volume of culture (500 mL) showed better results than other parameters. The highest and average oxidation rates of sulfate were recorded as 39 and 40.3 ppm.sec-1, respectively, for 0.48 L.min-1 flow rate and 500 mL of the culture volume. In the column studies, a column containing cocopeat (CP) was studied for its efficiency in removing H2S. At a flow rate of 0.9 L.min-1, 25% adsorption was encountered and reached saturation at 90 min. The bed height of 9 inches with CP and plastic support (PS) showed a 20% H2S removal. The filling ratio of CP and PS (1:1) was the best ratio for proper gas passage with optimal time for adsorption/absorption. The kinetic, isotherm, and continuous models helped to understand the capacity of the adsorbent. Freundlich, Yoon-Nelson, and BDST model were best fit for the present study. A pilot scale setup for one cu.m biogas reactor showed an average of 50% removal of H2S for LM with culture, and an additional 20% removal was possible by the introduction of a column along with the liquid bed in series. An overall efficiency of 70-75% of H2S removal was achieved. No significant CH4 loss was encountered during the study.

Direct and Secondary Transfer of Touch DNA on a Credit Card: Evidence Evaluation Given Activity Level Propositions and Application of Bayesian Networks

In a judiciary setting, questions regarding the mechanisms of transfer, persistence, and recovery of DNA are increasingly more common. The forensic expert is now asked to evaluate the strength of DNA trace evidence at activity level, thus assessing if a trace, given its qualitative and quantitative features, could be the result of an alleged activity. The present study is the reproduction of a real-life casework scenario of illicit credit card use by a co-worker (POI) of its owner (O). After assessing the shedding propensity of the participants, differences in DNA traces' qualitative and quantitative characteristics, given scenarios of primary and secondary transfer of touch DNA on a credit card, a non-porous plastic support, were investigated. A case-specific Bayesian Network to aid statistical evaluation was created and discrete observations, meaning the presence/absence of POI as a major contributor in both traces from direct and secondary transfer, were used to inform the probabilities of disputed activity events. Likelihood Ratios at activity level (LRα) were calculated for each possible outcome resulting from the DNA analysis. In instances where only POI and POI plus an unknown individual are retrieved, the values obtained show moderate to low support in favour of the prosecution proposition.

The Status of the Plastic Surgery Workforce for Women and Recommendations on How to Be Successful

Abstract Goals/Purpose The status of women in medicine has been rapidly evolving. Recent data shows that women now make up the majority of current medical students in the United States. Women now constitute 40.5% of integrated plastic surgery residents and make up 20% of the current plastic surgery workforce. The evolving face of the plastic surgery workforce warrants a deeper look at where we stand today. There has been literature published in recent years looking at women plastic surgeons in academia but little attention has been paid to the greater female plastic surgery workforce to include those in other practice settings. The purpose of this study is to look at current practices for female plastic surgeons, paths taken to get there, and advice for young female surgeons and surgical trainees. We aim to characterize and project future trends of the status of women in plastic surgery. We further outline recommendations on how to be successful as a female entering the field. Methods/Technique A survey was created using Survey Monkey with a series of 37 questions. These questions focused on demographics, what practices currently look like, paths taken to get there, individual desires for practice changes, and advice for female plastic surgeons early in their career. Email addresses were obtained through a web-based search using both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons listed board-certified female plastic surgeon members in the United States. A total of 748 surveys were emailed and survey responses were collected. Results/Complications There was a total response rate of 33%. Most respondents trained in an integrated pathway program (54%) and did not complete a fellowship (37.7%). The majority practice in a large city (44.6%), work 40-60 hours per week (63.4%) and perform 20-30 cases per month (34.05%). Most respondents work in a solo practice (32.05%). For those that previously worked in a different practice setting, the most common prior settings were small group practice (36.89%) and academia (32.04%). Fifty six percent of women did not have a female mentor. The majority of respondents are very satisfied in their current career (54.63%). The factors that ranked highest for helping women achieve success were persistence (81.14%), patient care (76.75%), patient rapport/communication (77.19%) and grit (74.89%). The highest ranked barrier to success included discrimination as a female (17.18%), lack of mentorship (16.81%), and personal/family demands (16.74%). Recommendations for women pursuing a career in private practice included starting to learn to run a business in residency/fellowship and get additional business education, finding a mentor, and to start growing your social media platform during training. Conclusion The plastic surgery workforce for women continues to evolve. Most practicing female plastic surgeons recommend for trainees to start learning how to run a business during their training and acquire additional business education. In addition, they stress the importance of mentorship throughout this process. As more women continue to enter the field of plastic surgery, mentorship and support for childcare to help with family demands will be paramount to their success. Residency programs should consider incorporating more business training into their curriculum given the majority of trainees will go on to work in a private practice setting.

English

Introduction: Each development stage of the healthcare system and medicine is associated not only with the emergence of new integrated areas of knowledge, but also with radical changes in the technology of the doctor’s work with the patient, algorithms, methods for collecting, processing information, and making decisions. Also, many postulates need revision, activation of existing reserves, certain concepts also require a new interpretation. Objective: To form a high-quality medical model for the rehabilitation of highly qualified athletes. Material and method: The paper proposes a model for constructing a quality assessment of rehabilitation of athletes based on probabilistic methods. The novelty of the study underlies the transition from a qualitative to a quantitative assessment of health, which has become a new direction in the assessment and management of health. Results: The authors present a model of a qualitative increase in the managerial process by the rehabilitation of highly qualified athletes. The paper proves that it is necessary to determine the ability to measure and express the basic properties of any organism in conditionally qualitative proportions – the ability to withstand various stressful effects and adverse environmental influences. Conclusion: The practical significance of the study is determined by the fact that it is necessary to search for evaluative health criteria, and in the individual’s ability to carry out biological and social functions. The perfection of these functions in humans can also be described quantitatively, by reserves of energy, plastic, and regulatory support of functions.