A microstructural investigation of an industrial attractive gel at pressure and temperature.

Oil-continuous drilling fluids used in the oil and gas industry are formulated to be pseudoplastic with a relatively weak yield stress. These fluids are required to maintain their properties over wide temperature and pressure ranges yet there are few methods that can sensitively study the inherent structure and mechanical properties in the fluids under such conditions. Here we study a model oil-continuous drilling fluid formulation as a function of both temperature (up to 153 °C) and pressure (up to 1330 bar) with Diffusive Wave Spectroscopy (DWS). The system comprises a colloidal gel network of clay particles and trapped emulsion droplets. As a function of temperature the system undergoes local structural changes reflected in the DWS dynamics which are also consistent with macroscopic rheological measurements. On cycling to high pressure the system exhibits similar structural and dynamic changes with a strong hysteresis. Although multiple scattering in multicomponent non-ergodic samples does not directly yield self diffusion probe dynamics, the use of microrheology analysis here appears to be in good agreement with direct rheological measurements of the sample linear viscoelasticity at ambient pressure. Thus DWS microrheology succesfully probes irreversible changes in the structure and the mechanical response of the drilling fluid formulation under a high pressure cycle.

The Voices of Interracial and Interethnic Couples Raising Biracial, Multiracial, and Bi-ethnic Children Under 10 Years Old.

This study explored the experiences of parents in an interracial or interethnic marriage who were raising children under 10 years old. Nineteen parents married to someone of a different race or ethnicity and with at least one child under 10 years old were surveyed and interviewed between September 2020 and April 2021 as part of a larger study of interracial and interethnic families. A majority of the parents identified four themes that emerged from their parenting practices. These were: (1) racism/discrimination, which they saw or were concerned about in reference to their child(ren); (2) the child(ren)'s ethnic-racial identity development; (3) the child(ren)'s skin color; and (4) the benefits to the child(ren) of being multiracial, biracial, or bi-ethnic. In addition, some of the parents expressed heightened concern for their child(ren) due to the political climate as reflected by recent racial protests and anti-Asian and anti-Latinx hate crimes. Social workers should practice with cultural humility when helping families deal with racism, microaggressions, and the identity development of children. In addition, they should explore the strengths of interracial and interethnic families.

Evaluation of the Safety of Early Compared to Late Enteral Nutrition in Canine Septic Peritonitis.

Septic peritonitis is a relatively common condition in the veterinary intensive care unit, with a classically high mortality rate. Early enteral nutrition (EEN) in critically ill humans can lead to improved outcome. This study was performed to determine the safety of early postoperative feeding in canine septic peritonitis. In this retrospective case series, 56 dogs were identified. Sixteen dogs received EEN, defined as nutrition within 24 hr of surgery; 27 received late enteral nutrition (LEN) defined as nutrition more than 24 hours following surgery; and 13 dogs had no enteral nutrition in hospital (NEN). Signalment, physical examination findings, and occurrence of pre-admission vomiting, regurgitation, and length of anorexia were the same amongst all groups. There was no significant difference in the number of gastrointestinal complications postoperatively between the EEN, LEN, and NEN groups or in the occurrence of vomiting/regurgitation postoperatively compared to preoperatively. There was no difference in the length of hospitalization between any group, although fewer dogs in the NEN group survived compared to the EEN/LEN combined group (46% [6/13] versus 81% [37/40]). This study indicates it is safe to initiate EEN without additional risk of gastrointestinal complications. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the potential benefits of EEN in dogs with septic peritonitis.

Postpartum depression: risks, protective factors, and the couple's relationship.

This study examined pregnancy risk for developing, and protective factors for preventing, Postpartum Depression (PPD). The object of this study was to (a) examine previously identified pregnancy stressors to learn which stressors put women more at risk for PPD and (b) to identify possible buffers for women who are at risk for developing PPD. A secondary data set was used for two analyses. Women were invited to participate in the study while still in the hospital, within 24-48 hours after delivery of a singleton, term (≥37 weeks) live-born infant. The data were collected in four large urban hospitals in Utah from 2005-2007. A total of 1,568 women participated in the study. Women who report experiencing less stress in their couple relationship are less likely to report PPD symptoms even when they have a personal history of depression and or PPD. The results of these analyses illustrate that a couple's relationship, depending on the stress level experienced in the relationship, can be both a risk and protective factor for pregnant women.