Citations

This work presents a theory for the acoustic radiation force exerted on a solid sphere by an arbitrary spatially distributed beam. The theory is developed for an sphere suspended in an ideal fluid. We assume that the acoustic beam can be decomposed in a set of plane waves with same frequency, propagating in different directions. The sphere radius is considered to be much smaller than the wavelength of the beam. Bulk properties of the sphere such as shear and compressional sound speed are taken into account. The radiation force is obtained by solving the linear acoustic scattering problem for the sphere. Theoretically, the radiation force depends on the sphere cross section area, the radiation force function, and the vector energy flux upon the sphere. The radiation force function is related to the sphere scattering properties. We apply the developed theory to study the radiation force produced by an spherical concave transducer. The generated radiation force can be decomposed into two components, namely, axial and transverse with respect to the wave propagation direction. The ratio between the transverse and axial components of the force depends on the transducer F-number and wave frequency. Results show that this ratio for a 2 MHz transducer with 3.5 F-number on the focal plane is less than 5%.

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual function through pregnancy and the postpartum period is an important aspect of quality of life. Despite this, prospective studies are limited, and the impact of body image on sexual function has not been explored. Aim To prospectively assess the effects of pregnancy on sexual function, and explore causative factors for sexual function alterations such as body image and pelvic floor symptoms. Materials and Methods Pregnant women completed the questionnaires in the first and third trimester and at 6 months postpartum. These included general information, questions regarding sexual activity and practices, and five validated indices: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire, short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. Main Outcome Measures An assessment of the FSFI domains through the 6 months postpartum and relationships between sexual function, body image, and pelvic floor symptoms. Results One hundred seven women were enrolled, 63 completed the final questionnaire. Sexual function declined through pregnancy and was not recovered by postpartum (P = 0.017); sexual frequency was highest prior to becoming pregnant (P < 0.0005). Sexual practices changed during pregnancy but returned to early pregnancy levels in the postpartum period. Although body image during sexual functioning did not significantly change during pregnancy, it worsened in the postpartum period (P = 0.01). In early pregnancy, low sexual function was associated with impaired body image, while in the postpartum period, worse urinary symptoms correlated with poor FSFI. Conclusion Sexual function worsens during pregnancy and is not recovered by the 6 months postpartum; poor scores may be attributable to low body image and urinary complaints.

Although one-fourth of all medicare dollars are spent during the last year of life, symptom management for terminal hospitalized patients has continued to be inadequate. Quality end-of-life care is often overlooked, seldom taught and rarely measured within Internal Medicine Residency Programmes. We studied the effects of a palliative care order set and educational e-mail on resident comfort. Survey of residents showed that only 54% were comfortable across nine aspects of palliative care. Three months after release, 88% of residents were using the order set and 63% believed it increased their comfort with palliative care. Resident comfort managing palliative symptoms increased an average 10% ( P = 0.02). First-year residents exposed to this order set increased in comfort from 40% to 65% ( P < 0.0001), which significantly surpassed the 48% of second-year residents who reported being comfortable ( P = 0.002). Introducing a palliative care order set improves resident comfort with symptom management in dying patients.