The Microwave Temperature and Humidity Profiler: Description and Preliminary Results.

This manuscript presents the Microwave Temperature and Humidity Profiler (MTHP), a dual-band spectroradiometer designed for measuring multi-incidence angle temperature and humidity atmospheric profiles from an aircraft platform. The MTHP bands are at 60 GHz for measuring the oxygen complex lines, therefore at this band, MTHP has a hyperspectral radiometer able to provide 2048 channels over an 8 GHz bandwidth, and 183 GHz for measuring water vapor, which only uses four channels since this absorption band's spectral richness is simpler. The MTHP builds upon the Microwave Temperature Profiler (MTP) with the inclusion of the hyperspectral radiometer. The instrument's design, components, and calibration methods are discussed in detail, with a focus on the three-point calibration scheme involving internal calibration loads and static air temperature readings. Preliminary results from the Technological Innovation into Iodine and GV aircraft Environmental Research (TI3GER) campaign are presented, showcasing the instrument's performance during flights across diverse geographical regions. The manuscript presents successful antenna temperature measurements at 60 GHz and 183 GHz. The hyperspectral measurements are compared with a simulated antenna temperature using the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) showing an agreement better than R2 > 0.88 for three of the flights analyzed. Additionally, the manuscript draws attention to potential Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) effects observed during a specific flight, underscoring the instrument's sensitivity to external interference. This is the first-ever airborne demonstration of a broadband and hyperspectral multi-incidence angle 60 GHz measurement. Future work on the MTHP could result in an improved spatial resolution of the atmospheric temperature vertical profile and, hence, help in estimating the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) with better accuracy. The MTHP and its hyperspectral multi-incidence angle at 60 GHz have the potential to be a valuable tool for investigating the PBL's role in atmospheric dynamics, offering insights into its impact on Earth's energy, water, and carbon cycles.

Diabetes and pregnancy: time to rethink the focus on type 2 diabetes.

With the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity in Australia, more women with type 2 diabetes are becoming pregnant. Our study confirms that pregnancies with type 2 diabetes have poorer outcomes and there is a strong need for further research into modification of risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in type 2 diabetes. We believe it is time to rethink the strategies to improve their outcomes.

Intrapartum care and management of complications in women with obesity.

Pregnant women with obesity are at considerable risk during their labor and delivery. The aim of obstetric care is the safe delivery of the baby and the maintenance of good health of the mother while providing an ongoing support for the family unit. The awareness and mitigation of risks associated with caring for women who are obese is vital in ensuring continued good outcomes. Transfer of women for labor care, presence of senior staff, bariatric resources, understanding of the progress of labor with an increase in body mass index, and preparation for complications are covered in this chapter.

Power-Optimizing Repair for Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture: Stronger and Safer.

Purpose: Many approaches have been described to accomplish tendon reattachment to the radial tuberosity in a distal biceps tendon rupture, with significant success, but each is associated with potential postoperative complications, including posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) injury. To date, there has been no consensus on the best approach to the repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the supination strength and the distance of drill exit points from the PIN in a power-optimizing distal biceps repair method and compare the findings with those of a traditional anterior approach endobutton repair method. Methods: Cadaveric arms were dissected to allow for distal biceps tendon excision from its anatomic footprint. Each arm was repaired twice, first with the power-optimizing repair using an anterior single-incision approach with an ulnar drilling angle and biceps tendon radial tuberosity wraparound anatomic footprint attachment, then with the traditional anterior endobutton repair. Following each repair, the arm was mounted on a custom-built testing apparatus, and the supination torque was measured from 3 orientations. The PIN was then located posteriorly, and its distance from each repair exit hole was measured. Results: Five cadaveric arms, each with both the repairs, were included in the study. On average, the power-optimizing repair generated an 82%, 22%, and 13% greater supination torque than the traditional anterior endobutton repair in 45° supination, neutral, and 45° pronation orientations, respectively. On average, the power-optimizing repair produced drill hole exit points farther from the PIN (23 mm) than the traditional anterior endobutton repair (14 mm). Conclusions: The power-optimizing repair provides a significantly greater supination torque and produces a drill hole exit point significantly farther from the PIN than the traditional anterior endobutton approach. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic III.

Induction of labour and intrapartum care in obese women.

The rising incidence of obesity in pregnancy has a significant impact on the provision of health services around the world. Due to the pathophysiological processes associated with the condition, the obese pregnant woman is at increased risks of induction of labour, caesarean section, post-partum haemorrhage, infection, longer hospital stay, macrosomia and higher perinatal morbidity and mortality. Labour is more likely to be prolonged and dysfunctional, leading to the requirements for higher doses of oxytocin and increased risks of operative deliveries and morbidity. A multidisciplinary approach to the planning of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care is vital to ensure a safe outcome for the obese pregnant woman and her baby. The need for supervision and attendance by senior obstetric staff is increased, emphasising the need to identify the appropriate place of birth for this high-risk group of women, placing a significant strain on the resources of health-care providers.

Influenza A H1N1 2009 (Swine Flu) and Pregnancy.

The Influenza A H1N1 pandemic (A H1N1) occurred between June 2009 and August 2010. Although the pandemic is now over, the virus has emerged as the predominant strain in the current seasonal influenza phase in the northern hemisphere. The A H1N1 influenza is a novel strain of the influenza A virus and is widely known as swine flu. The virus contains a mixture of genetic material from human, pig and bird flu virus. It is a new variety of flu which people have not had much immunity to. Much has been learnt from the Pandemic of 2009/2010 but the messages about vaccination and treatment seem to be taken slowly by the clinical profession. Most people affected by the virus, including pregnant women, suffer a mild viral illness, and make a full recovery. The median duration of illness is around seven days. This influenza typically affects the younger age group i.e. from the ages of 5-65 years. Current experience shows that the age group experiencing increased morbidity and mortality rates are in those under 65 years of age. Pregnant women, because of their altered immunity and physiological adaptations, are at higher risk of developing pulmonary complications, especially in the second and third trimesters. In the United Kingdom, twelve maternal deaths were reported to be associated with the H1N1 virus during the pandemic and clear avoidable factors were identified (Modder, Review of Maternal Deaths in the UK related to A H1N1 2009 influenza (CMACE). www.cmace.org.uk, 2010). The pregnancy outcomes were also poor for women who were affected by the virus with a fivefold increase in the perinatal mortality rate and threefold increase in the preterm delivery rate (Yates et al. Health Technol Assess 14(34):109-182, 2010). There continues to be a low uptake of the flu vaccine and commencement of antiviral treatment for pregnant women.