Comparison of labour and birth outcomes between nulliparous women who used epidural analgesia in labour and those who did not: A prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare labour and birth outcomes between nulliparous women who used versus did not use intrapartum epidural analgesia.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingTwo maternity hospitals in Ireland.PopulationA total of 1221 nulliparous women who gave birth vaginally or by emergency caesarean section.MethodsMultinomial logistic regression was used to analyse categorical outcomes, with results presented as ratios of relative risks (RRR). For dichotomous outcomes we used logistic regression, with results presented as odds ratios (OR).Main outcome measuresMode of birth, IV syntocinon use, pyrexia (≥38 °C), antibiotic treatment, first stage labour ≥10 h, second stage labour ≥2 h, blood loss (≥500 mls, ≥1000 mls), perineal trauma. Neonatal outcomes included Apgar score ≥7 at 1 min and 5 min, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and infant feeding method.ResultsWomen using EA were more likely to require a vacuum-assisted birth (RRR 3.35, p < 0.01) or forceps-assisted birth (RRR 11.69, p < 0.01). Exposure to EA was associated with significantly greater risk of ≥10 h first (OR 6.72, p = 0.01) and ≥2 h second (OR 2.25, p < 0.01) stage labour, increased likelihood of receiving IV syntocinon (OR 9.38, p < 0.01), antibiotics (OR 2.97, p < 0.01) and a greater probability of pyrexia (OR 10.26, p < 0.01). Women who used EA were half as likely to be breastfeeding at three months postpartum (OR 0.53, p < 0.01). No differences were observed between groups in neonatal outcomes.ConclusionsOur data shows significant associations between EA use and several intrapartum outcomes.     

Evaluation of an intervention supporting breastfeeding among late-preterm infants during in-hospital stay

BackgroundLate-preterm infants show lower breastfeeding rates when compared with term infants. Current practice is to keep them in low-risk wards where clinical guidelines to support breastfeeding are well established for term infants but can be insufficient for late-preterm.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate an intervention supporting breastfeeding among late-preterm infants in a maternity service in the Basque Country, Spain.MethodsThe intervention was designed to promote parents’ education and involvement, provide a multidisciplinary approach and decision-making, and avoid separation of the mother-infant dyad. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a control (n = 212) and an intervention group (n = 161). Data was collected from clinical records from November 2012 to January 2015. Feeding rate at discharge, breast-pump use, incidence of morbidities, infant weight loss and hospital stay length were compared between the two groups.ResultsInfants in the control group were 50.7% exclusive breastfeeding, 37.8% breastfeeding, and, 11.5% formula feeding at discharge, whereas in the intervention group, frequencies were 68.4%, 25.9%, and 5.7%, respectively (p = 0.002). Mothers in the intervention group were 2.66 times more likely to use the breast-pump after almost all or all feeds and 2.09 times more likely to exclusively breastfeed at discharge. There were no significant differences in morbidities and infant weight loss between groups. Hospital stay was longer for infants who required phototherapy in the intervention group (p = 0.009).ConclusionThe intervention resulted in a higher breastfeeding rate at discharge. Interventions aimed to provide specific support among late-pretem infants in maternity services are effective.     

孔径自动检测机构的设计与分析

模拟人工测量过程,设计了一种适用于气体测微传感器自动测量孔径的柔顺机构.该机构也适用于孔径分选以及小型轴类零件的自动装配等作业过程.     

高T_c超导材料微波特性的自动化测量

采用单腔多模谐振腔,通过部分置换样品的方法,在程控标量网络分析系统上,实现了高 T_c 超导材料微波特性的自动化测量。该方法简单、准确,能同时测出超导样品的工作频率、微波表面阻抗、工作温度等多个参数,并能以图或表的形式给出测试结果。给出了3 cm 频段上YBCO 块材样品在77K 及附近温度下的测量结果,指出 YBCO 块材的微波特性还有待提高。     

《火炮反后坐装置设计》课程教学探索

《火炮反后坐装置设计》是火炮及自动武器专业的一门主要专业课 ;它不仅研究制退机和复进机的结构设计 ,而且研究其工作参数与全炮受力的关系 ,旨在解决火炮及自动武器威力与机动性的矛盾。研究了该课程的教学内容改革和多媒体教学问题 ,阐述了该课程教学内容应体现本领域的新原理、新结构、新技术 ,应与相关学科和技术的发展相适应 ,提出了对于本课程应用多媒体教学手段将明显提高教学效率和教学效果     

电视机自动增益控制电路动态特性测量

本文提出一种电视机自动增益控制电路动态特性简易测量方法.按照此法,只需在待测电视机前加一级可调衰减器,就能用常用电子仪器测出自动增益控制电路的动态特性,并以此为依据改善电视机相关电路的性能.     

獭兔养殖综合技术研究

对獭兔的适应性、饲养管理、疾病防治、产品加工等养殖综合技术进行了研究,提出了獭兔的“三改、两杯、两早一分和两选两适”规范化饲养管理制度和疾病综合防治技术措施,探索出了优质獭兔毛皮和“富钙兔肉脯”的加工工艺以及獭兔良种推广的有效途径。     

利用数学软件复原碎纸片的方法

研究了碎纸片的拼接复原问题,建立了合理有效的碎纸片拼接复原的数学模型；给出了数学软件实现自动拼接的具体算法；结合人工拼接得出复原图片；最后,对所给的拼接方法提出了改进方向.     

适于DSP的模拟信号调制方式自动识别方法研究

提出一种适用于DSP的基于Bessel插值结构的正交数字下变频方案，可实现已调信号调制方式的自动识别。该方案能够实现提取信号的正交分量和同相分量，并且能够提取出较高精度的信号的基本参数，由此得到的特征参数可以准确地识别出信号的调制模式。最后，通过计算机和DSP仿真，证明了它的可行性。     

Navigating infant feeding supports after migration: Perspectives of Arabic and Chinese mothers and health professionals in Australia

Optimal feeding practices can establish lifelong, transgenerational and global health benefits. Migration and cultural factors impact infant feeding practices and the support mothers receive for optimal infant feeding. This qualitative study explored support for infant feeding among Arabic and Chinese speaking migrant mothers in Australia.Semi-structured focus groups were conducted in language with 24 Arabic and 22 Chinese-Mandarin speaking migrant mothers with children under five years of age. Individual interviews were conducted in English with 20 health professionals working with Arabic or Chinese speaking migrant families. Data were thematically analysed using the framework method.Traditional family networks and trusted bi-cultural doctors were influential infant feeding supports for mothers. Health professionals perceived maternal and child health services to be poorly understood, and some mothers who accessed services felt they were not always culturally sensitive. Mothers sought additional information and support through online sources and peers. Both mothers and health professionals recognised the challenges of managing conflicting infant feeding advice and seeking best-practice support.The findings of this study highlight opportunities for health professionals to better support migrant mothers’ infant feeding practices, for example through engaging families and working with doctors. There is a need for greater cultural sensitivity within maternal and child health services and culturally relevant programs to support healthy infant feeding practices among migrant communities.