This paper studies a membrane of a dielectric elastomer deformed into an out-of-plane axisymmetric shape, a configuration

used in a family of commercial devices known as the universal muscle actuators. The kinematics BAY 57-1293 manufacturer of deformation and charging, together with thermodynamics, leads to equations that govern the state of equilibrium. Numerical results indicate that the field in the membrane can be very inhomogeneous, and that the membrane is susceptible to several modes of failure, including electrical breakdown, loss of tension, and rupture by stretch. Care is needed in the design to balance the requirements of averting various modes of failure while using the material efficiently. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3253322]“
“Background: Few randomized controlled trials have compared operative with nonoperative treatment of clavicular fractures.

Methods: Patients with displaced midshaft clavicular AZD6094 fractures were randomized either to nonoperative treatment with a sling

or to operative treatment with a stainless steel 3.5-mm reconstruction plate. Outcome measures were the Constant shoulder score, DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score, pain, fracture-healing, and complications. The null hypothesis was that the Constant and DASH scores would not differ between the groups at the one-year follow-up evaluation.

Results: In accordance with the power analysis, we included sixty patients in the study; thirty-two were randomized to the nonoperative group and twenty-eight to the operative group. We found no difference in the Constant score (p = 0.75), the DASH score (p = 0.89), or pain (p = 0.98) between the groups at the one-year follow-up

evaluation. All fractures in the operative group healed, but six nonunions (24%) occurred in the nonoperative group.

Conclusions: One year after a displaced midshaft NVP-BSK805 JAK/STAT inhibitor clavicular fracture, nonoperative treatment resulted in a higher nonunion rate but similar function and disability compared with operative treatment.”
“A commercially available lower critical solution temperature (LCST) polymer was demonstrated to preferentially adsorb water containing a reduced ion concentration, from CrCl(3) salt solutions and release some of this scavenged water at higher temperatures. The scavenging ability of the polymer was demonstrated to be dependent on the bulk salt concentration. The volume of water scavenged and the concentration of the remaining CrCl(3) solution increased linearly with the amount of LCST polymer (Pluronic PE 6200) used. Both the volume of water removed and the amount by which the remaining CrCl(3) solution was concentrated decreased with increasing CrCl(3) concentration. Implications for research into a novel method for sea water desalination are addressed.