\n\nSubjects: VLBW deliveries in New York City from 1996 to 2001 to non-Hispanic Black (n = 4947) and non-Hispanic White (n = 1615) mothers.\n\nResults: Black mothers were less likely to deliver in a top-tier hospitals (White = 44%, Black = 28%; P < 0.001) and top-tier hospitals were less likely to be located in Black mothers’ neighborhoods

(White = 40%, Black = 33%; P < 0.001). Distance, however, did not contribute to the disparity in use of top-tier hospitals. Non-Hispanic Black mothers lived marginally closer to a top-tier hospital than non-Hispanic White mothers (0.65 miles closer; P < 0.001), and mothers of both the races often bypassed their neighborhood hospital (Black = 62% bypassed, White = 71%; P < 0.001). Inattention selleckchem to recommended prenatal behaviors was associated with using a closer hospital, suggesting that geographic proximity was most important to mothers of vulnerable neonates. Purported measures of hospital quality such as Neonatal Intensive Care Unit level and volume were more strongly associated with use of hospital for White mothers than for Black mothers.\n\nConclusions: The influence of geography selleck chemical on the use of top-tier hospitals for mothers of VLBW neonates is complex. Other personal and hospital characteristics, not just distance or geography, also influenced hospital use in New York City.”
“We present experimental results and numerical

finite element analysis to describe surface swelling due to the creation of buried graphite-like inclusions in diamond substrates subjected to MeV ion implantation. Numerical predictions

are compared to experimental data for MeV proton and helium implantations, performed with scanning ion microbeams. Swelling values are measured with white-light CA4P order interferometric profilometry in both cases. Simulations are based on a model which accounts for the through-the-thickness variation of mechanical parameters in the material, as a function of ion type, fluence and energy. Surface deformation profiles and internal stress distributions are analyzed and numerical results are seen to adequately fit experimental data. Results allow us to draw conclusions on structural damage mechanisms in diamond for different MeV ion implantations. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background and purpose: Lumbar discectomy with the METRx X-Tube system and operating microscope is a modification of microendoscopic discectomy. The aim of this study was to describe this method and present the results of treatment of the first 13 patients.\n\nMaterial and methods: Under general anaesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance, a guidewire was placed over the inferior aspect of the superior lamina. A 2.5-3 cm midline skin incision was made, followed by paramedian lumbar fascia incision. Then, dilators were sequentially introduced (muscle-splitting approach). Finally, a tubular retractor was fixed directly over the interlaminar space.