This paper discusses the effects of different rotor sizes and epoxy systems on the process-induced residual strains accumulated within multi-ring composite rotors. Thick composite cylinders were manufactured with wet impregnation of E-glass and graphite fibers in the epoxy resin systems. The radial stiffness and strength and the coefficients of thermal expansion were first measured. Hybrid two-ring composite rotors of glass and graphite fibers with equal thickness were manufactured for three different inner to outer radius ratios, i.e., 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5. A split ring method was then used to measure the radial and circumferential residual strains, following liquid penetration tests to detect delaminations on the surfaces. The measured residual strains are estimated using a two-dimensional stress analysis with an effective temperature drop. It is shown that the middle temperature-cured rotor attains as high strength as the high temperature-cured rotor while reducing significantly the residual strains.

High healthcare cost has drawn much attention and healthcare service providers (HSPs) are expected to deliver high-quality and consistent care. Therefore, an intimate understanding of the most desirable experience from a patient's and/or family's perspective as well as effective mapping and communication of such findings should facilitate HSPs' efforts in attaining sustainable competitive advantage in an increasingly discerning environment. This study describes (a) the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the experience desired by patients and (b) the application of two visualization tools that are relatively new to the healthcare sector, namely the "spider-web diagram" and "promotion and detraction matrix." The visualization tools are tested with primary data collected from telephone surveys of 1,800 patients who had received care during calendar year 2005 at 6 of 61 hospitals within St. Louis, Missouri-based, Ascension Health. Five CQAs were found by factor analysis. The spider-web diagram illustrates that communication and empowerment and compassionate and respectful care are the most important CQAs, and accordingly, the promotion and detraction matrix shows those attributes that have the greatest effect for creating promoters, preventing detractors, and improving consumer's likelihood to recommend the healthcare provider.

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We report the case of a 33-year-old woman returning from Haiti, presenting to our emergency department (ED) with fever, rash and arthralgia. Following a broad workup that included laboratory testing for dengue and malaria, our patient was diagnosed with Chikungunya virus, which was then reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for initiation of infection control. This case demonstrates the importance of the ED for infectious disease case identification and initiation of public health measures. This case also addresses public health implications of Chikungunya virus within the United States, and issues related to the potential for local spread and autochthonous cases.

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