No abstract

Although urinary incontinence is not a life-threatening disorder, it has been shown to have detrimental effects on quality of life in terms of psychological, social, and sexual problems. In this study, investigators explored the effects of different types of urinary incontinence on female sexual function with a reliable and validated questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). One hundred fifty-three women with complaints of incontinence were enrolled in the study. An age-matched group of 89 women who had no incontinence or lower urinary tract disorders were enrolled as a control group; all completed the FSFI. Incontinence was classified as urge, stress, and mixed type. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), if present, was also recorded. FSFI scores were compared between the incontinent and control groups. A multivariate linear regression analysis model was used to explore the effects of patient characteristics on total FSFI domain score. All domain scores of FSFI except lubrication and pain were statistically significant in the incontinence group (for total domain score, P=.005). For FSFI, in terms of types of incontinence, the difference was significant when the group with mixed urinary incontinence was compared with the control group. In multivariate linear regression analysis, age, presence of POP, and mode of delivery were predictors of female sexual function. Mixed urinary incontinence, when compared with other types, had a significant impact on sexual function. When POP was also present, no negative effects were noted in incontinent women.

Semirigid ureteroscopy is effective, with a 90% stone-free rate and efficacy quotient. Most complications are low grade and self-limiting. Our results confirm that prolonged operative time is an independent predictor of complications, and should be considered when choosing and performing the treatment modality.

LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) is a second-generation direct dark matter experiment with spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering sensitivity above $${1.4 \times 10^{-48}}\, {\hbox {cm}}^{2}$$ 1.4 × 10 - 48 cm 2 for a WIMP mass of $${40}\, \hbox {GeV}/{\hbox {c}}^{2}$$ 40 GeV / c 2 and a $${1000}\, \hbox {days}$$ 1000 days exposure. LZ achieves this sensitivity through a combination of a large $${5.6}\, \hbox {t}$$ 5.6 t fiducial volume, active inner and outer veto systems, and radio-pure construction using materials with inherently low radioactivity content. The LZ collaboration performed an extensive radioassay campaign over a period of six years to inform material selection for construction and provide an input to the experimental background model against which any possible signal excess may be evaluated. The campaign and its results are described in this paper. We present assays of dust and radon daughters depositing on the surface of components as well as cleanliness controls necessary to maintain background expectations through detector construction and assembly. Finally, examples from the campaign to highlight fixed contaminant radioassays for the LZ photomultiplier tubes, quality control and quality assurance procedures through fabrication, radon emanation measurements of major sub-systems, and bespoke detector systems to assay scintillator are presented.

Objective : To determine the efficacy of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in anomalous kidneys. Methods : From October 1990 to October 2002, 150 patients (93 men and 57 women) with anomalous urinary tracts, including 45 horseshoe kidneys, 57 duplex kidneys, 30 malrotated kidneys, 14 pelvic and four crossed ectopic kidneys were treated with SWL for urolithiasis at the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine. Shock wave lithotripsy was performed with Siemens Lithostar plus (Siemans, Erlanger, Germany) device and all procedures were carried under fluoroscopic control.Results : The mean shock wave number and intensity received by the patients was 3770 (range, 1380-4100) shocks and 18.4 (range, 16.1-19) kV per session, respectively. The minimum success rate was obtained in patients with lower calyceal (50%) followed by middle calyceal (60%) calculi. The stonefree rate decreased and the number of sessions per patient increased with increasing stone diameter (dm). In patients with a stone dm > 30 mm, only 34% could be stone-free, compared to a rate of 92% for calculi dm < 10 mm. The overall stone free rate at the third month was 68%. The best stonefree rates were obtained in patients with ureteral duplication (80.7%). The stone-free rates in horseshoe, malrotated, pelvic and crossed ectopic kidneys were found to be 66.7%, 56.7%, 57.2% and 25%, respectively. Conclusion : Shock wave lithotripsy might be an effective and minimally invasive treatment alternative in stone-bearing anomalous kidneys. The type of anomaly, stone burden and localization seem to be the main parameters effecting the treatment success.

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment will enable a neutrinoless double beta decay search in parallel to the main science goal of discovering dark matter particle interactions. We report the expected LZ sensitivity to 136 Xe neutrinoless double beta decay, taking advantage of the significant (>600 kg) 136 Xe mass contained within the active volume of LZ without isotopic enrichment. After 1000 livedays, the median exclusion sensitivity to the half-life of 136 Xe is projected to be 1.06×10 26 years (90% confidence level), similar to existing constraints. We also report the expected sensitivity of a possible subsequent dedicated exposure using 90% enrichment with 136 Xe at 1.06×10 27 years.

The LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter search aims to achieve a sensitivity to the WIMP-nucleon spinindependent cross-section down to (1-2)×10 −12 pb at a WIMP mass of 40 GeV/c 2. This paper describes the simulations framework that, along with radioactivity measurements, was used to support this projection, and also to provide mock data for validating reconstruction and analysis software. Of particular note are the event generators, which allow us to model the background radiation, and the detector response physics used in the production of raw signals, which can be converted into digitized waveforms similar to data from the operational detector. Inclusion of the detector response allows us to process simulated data using the same analysis routines as developed to process the experimental data.

The Eastern Anatolian forage pea ecotype generally has a thin stem, small leaves and small seeds. The ecotype is different from the improved breeds and thus cultural techniques for this ecotype are somehow different. Current study was conducted to investigate the effects of row spacing and seeding rate on yield and some other characteristics of the Eastern Anatolian forage pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) ecotype. Experiments were carried out in randomised complete blocks design with three replications under irrigated conditions of Erzurum during the years 2010 and 2011. Three different row spacing (20, 40 and 60 cm) and four different seeding rates (60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha -1 ) were used in experiments. Hay yield, hay crude protein, ADF and NDF ratios, seed yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index parameters were investigated in this study. Results can be summarised as follows: Row spacing and seeding rate had significant effects on dry matter and seed yield of the forage pea. Based on the results of the present study and under Erzurum conditions, it was recommended that the Eastern Anatolian forage pea ecotype should be cultivated with 40 cm row spacing and 120 kg ha -1 seeding rate for hay yield and with 40 cm row spacing and 90 kg ha -1 seeding rate for seed yield.