An experimental program was conducted to investigate the effects of specimen width and specimen curvature on the residual compression strength of composite sandwich panels after low-energy impact. Flat and curved (1.1 m radius) specimens of three widths (83, 152, and 305 mm) were manufactured from thin-gage (four plies) graphite/epoxy facesheets and 25.4-mm-thick Nomex core. A drop mechanism was used to create barely visible impact damage on one facesheet of the panels (convex face of the curved panels) maintaining the energy level as constant in all cases. All specimens were then loaded axially in compression to failure. Above a certain panel width, the panel width and curvature had no effect on the ultimate strength of the panel. Although width and curvature increased the size of the damage caused by an identical energy impact, the indentation growth was delayed with respect to farfield strain (stress). Because indentation growth is chiefly a local phenomenon, the delay was probably due to the variations in the damage state. The baseline specimen (flat, 83 mm in width) serves as an adequate coupon-level test even though it is conservative when compared to wider plates.

Introduction Auricular acupuncture is given as a treatment for drug dependence. Points are usually chosen on the assumption that the body is represented somatotopically in the ear, although there is no anatomical basis for this. In clinical trials, sham treatment is often given at points that are supposedly 'incorrect' for the condition, in the belief that they are inactive. The aim of this study was to explore whether there is any difference in the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture at 'correct' and 'incorrect' points. Methods Controlled trials of semi-permanent auricular acupuncture or acupressure for smoking cessation were systematically located, and the results combined in exploratory meta-analyses which took into account the study quality.Results Thirteen studies were included. Combining ten studies showed auricular acupuncture at 'correct' points to be more effective than control interventions, odds ratio 2.24 (95% CI 1.61, 3.10), a result which is confirmed in the four high validity studies. Other analyses showed inconsistent results between all studies and higher quality studies. Comparisons of three higher quality studies suggest that 'correct' and 'incorrect' point acupuncture is no different (odds ratio 1.22, CI 0.72, 2.07); and two studies showed that 'incorrect' point acupuncture may be more effective than other interventions (odds ratio 1.96, CI 1.00, 3.86).Conclusion Auricular acupuncture appears to be effective for smoking cessation, but the effect may not depend on point location. This calls into question the somatotopic model underlying auricular acupuncture and suggests a need to re-evaluate sham controlled studies which have used 'incorrect' points. Further experiments are necessary to confirm or refute these observational conclusions.

Background: Tobacco smoking is a serious risk to health: several therapies are available to assist those who wish to stop. Smokers who approach publicly funded stop-smoking clinics in the UK are currently offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion, and group behaviour therapy, for which there is evidence of effectiveness. Acupuncture and acupressure are also used to help smokers, though a systematic review of the evidence of their effectiveness was inconclusive. The aim of this pilot project was to determine the feasibility of a study to test acupressure as an adjunct to one anti-smoking treatment currently offered, and to inform the design of the study.

A randomised double-blind controlled trial compared three-day and 10-day courses of amoxycillin (25 mg/kg daily) in children with otitis media. Seventeen doctors from five centres admitted 84 children between the ages of 2 and 10 years. Symptoms and signs were measured on admission to the trial, on day 3, and on day 15. Mothers' observations were recorded daily for 10 days. Audiograms were performed at four and 12 weeks after the end of the trial. The treatment groups showed little difference in the speed of resolution of symptoms and signs, the numbers of primary treatment failures, or the frequency of recurrent ear infections. There were no complications in either group.Most children with otitis media can probably be successfully and safely treated with no more than a three-day course of amoxycillin providing their progress is reviewed about the fifth or sixth day after treatment started. This policy could save over £1 million annually in antibiotic costs.