Thermoplastic elastomeric blends prepared from blending of (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50 wt%) high density polyethylene(HDPE) and (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50 wt%) ground rubber tire (TPV-R). The blends prepared contain (HDPE)/polybutadiene (TPV-V). The two blends were successfully prepared through a dynamic vulcanization process, involving dicumyl peroxide (3%) as vulcanizing agent. The data of the mechanical (tensile strength at yield, %elongation and young modulus) and rheological properties (shear stress, shear rate, viscosity, flow behavior index and activation energy of melt flow) of the TPV-V and TPV-R showed that there was comparable results between the two blends.

Blend of natural rubber (NR) and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) was so interesting due to binding of the good oil resistance of CSM, the good mechanical properties and low cost of NR. However, due to the different polarities of two rubbers, phase separation and inferior properties of NR/CSM blend were obtained. The practical way to improve its properties is the addition of the third component to bind both phases of the blend. Effects of poly(vinyl chloride), PVC as compatibilizer on cure characteristics, morphology, mechanical properties and automotive fuel resistance of NR/ CSM blend were investigated. In this contribution, NR/CSM blend with blend ratio of 50/50 was prepared using a two-roll mill, and then vulcanized in a compression mold at 160°C. The PVC content was varied from 1 to 7 phr. It was found that the usage of 7 phr PVC led to improve interaction between NR and CSM phases. Therefore, increase in cure characteristics, mechanical strength and automotive fuel resistance of the blend was observed.

The natural rubber (NR) was mixed with fluoro elastomer (FKM), due to the difference of polarity in NR and FKM made this blend incompatible so the third component was used. NR/FKM blended with the blend ratio of 70/30 was prepared by using a two-roll mill and vulcanization in a compression mold at 180℃ using peroxide as a curative agent. Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) or polyisoprene-graft-maleic acid monomethyl ester (PI-ME) was used as a third component. The curing characteristics, morphology, mechanical properties, and automotive fuel swelling were investigated. The results indicated that the scorch time and cure time of the blend rubbers were longer as adding ENR or PI-ME. Both mechanical properties and automotive fuel resistance of the blend rubbers were found to increase with adding ENR in rubber blend. Conversely for adding PI-ME, automotive fuel resistance of the blend rubbers was found to decrease progressively with increasing PI-ME content.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive 5-year audit of patients undergoing laparotomy for suspected or confirmed gynaecological malignancy to document the frequency and incidence of adverse events and to investigate factors associated with shorter length of stay and readmission to hospital. Methods: A 5-year surgical audit of the period commencing 2008 and concluding 2012. All patients undergoing laparotomy were included in the audit without exclusions. Approval was granted by the local Ethics Review Committee. Results: Four hundred and twenty-seven patients underwent laparotomy for suspected or confirmed gynaecological malignancy and were managed by Fast Track Surgery (FTS) principles. Average age was 54.8 years and average weight and BMI were 73.4 kg and 28.1 respectively. Ultimately 254 (59%) patients had confirmed malignancy. Average surgery duration was 2.36 hours and average estimated blood loss (EBL) at surgery was 262 mL. Median and mean LOS was 3.0 and 3.5 days respectively with 125 (29%) patients discharged on day 2. Overall transfusion rate was 5%. Other adverse events in decreasing frequency were hospital readmission (3.7%), significant wound infection (3%) and unplanned High Dependency Unit (HDU) admission (1.4%). All other adverse events were uncommon with rates <0.5%. Factors associated with a short LOS included year of surgery, age, performance status, malignant vs benign pathology, the use of COX-2 inhibitors, operation time, incision type, transfusion, and radical hysterectomy, at least 1 complication, if patients tolerated early oral feeding (EOF). In multivariable analysis, year, age, performance status, the use of COX-2 inhibitors, operation time and incision type were significant. Factors associated with readmission included the use of COX-2 inhibitors, operation time, performance of a lymph node dissection, return to operating theatre, operation category at least 1 complication, and in multivariable analysis lymph node dissection and the occurrence of at least 1 complication were significant. Conclusions: This 5-year audit is important in establishing a contemporary incidence and the prevalence rate of serious adverse events for patients with suspected or confirmed gynaecological cancer undergoing laparotomy and managed by FTS principles. The community can be reassured that the incidence of serious adverse events is low when managed by FTS principles.