RHA™ anti-Peanut agglutinin monoclonal antibody, clone PNA

Electromagnetic absorbers based on carbonaceous materials, i.e., carbon black, polyaniline, polypyrrole, carbon fiber, etc., are prominently employed to attenuate incident electromagnetic waves. In the current work, exfoliated graphite (EG) was synthesized with swollen expanded volume from graphite flake by using a simple and inexpensive method. After synthesis, a series (8.9, 22.9, 33.3, 41.4 and 44.7 volume percentage) of EG-epoxy composites were prepared using a wet mixing method. EG and the prepared composites were characterized by x-ray diffraction analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. An Agilent vector network analyzer (model PNA E8364B) was employed to compute the complex permittivity (epsilon(r) = epsilon ' - j epsilon '') of the prepared composites in the frequency range of 2 GHz to 18 GHz. The dielectric loss of the prepared EG-epoxy composites was quantified in terms of the loss tangent (tan delta(e) = epsilon ''/epsilon '). Their radar absorption properties were evaluated in terms of the return loss (RL), which in turn was calculated for varying thicknesses of the prepared composites using the computed complex permittivity data. The measured minimum RL was -26.4 dB for the absorber with thickness of 4.0 mm, and the bandwidth achieved was 5.2 GHz for RL <= - 10 dB in the effective frequency region of 8 GHz to 14 GHz. The matching frequency shifted towards downwards with increasing EG content in the epoxy thermosetting matrix according to both the calculated and measured data. Consequently, the prepared composites exhibited good complex permittivity, dielectric tangent loss, and microwave absorption and could be utilized in the design of electromagnetic interference shielding and absorbers for stealth applications.

Objective Understanding factors that affect postoperative length of stay (LOS) may improve patient recovery, hasten postoperative discharge, and minimize institutional costs. This study sought to (a) describe LOS among head and neck patients undergoing free flap reconstruction and (b) identify factors that predict increased LOS. Methods A retrospective cohort was performed of 282 head and neck patients with free flap reconstruction for oncologic resection between 2011 and 2013 at a tertiary academic medical center. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgical and infectious complications were characterized. Multivariable regression identified predictors of increased LOS. Results A total of 282 patients were included. Mean age was 64.7 years (SD = 12.2) and 40% were female. Most tumors were located in the oral cavity (53.9% of patients), and most patients underwent radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction (RFFF-73.8%, anterolateral thigh flap-11.3%, and fibula free flap-14.9%). Intraoperative complications were rare. The most common postoperative complications included nonwound infection (pneumonia [PNA] or urinary tract infection [UTI]) (15.6%) and wound breakdown/fistula (15.2%). Mean and median LOS were 13 days (SD = 7.7) and 10 days (interquartile range = 7), respectively. Statistically significant predictors of increased LOS included flap take back (Beta coefficient [C] = +4.26, P < .0001), in-hospital PNA or UTI (C = +2.52, P = .037), wound breakdown or fistula (C = +5.0, P < .0001), surgical site infection (C = +3.54, P = .017), and prior radiation therapy (C = +2.59, P = .004). Conclusion Several perioperative factors are associated with increased LOS. These findings may help with perioperative planning, including the need for vigilant wound care, optimization of antibiotics prophylaxis, and institution-level protocols for postoperative care and disposition of free flap patients. Level of Evidence 2b; retrospective cohort.