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Objective To compare factors influencing adequacy of endometrial samples obtained using two outpatient sampling devices – Pipelle and Tao Brush. Design Pragmatic unblinded trial with investigation schedule randomised separately within two groups according to endometrial cancer risk. Setting Gynaecology outpatient clinic of a large city hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. Population All women referred to a gynaecology outpatient clinic during a 28-month period complaining of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Methods Women were assigned to two ‘risk groups’ for endometrial cancer (‘high risk’ for postmenopausal women and ‘moderate risk’ for premenopausal women aged over 40 years or with other risk factors). Women in each risk group had both types of biopsy and were randomised to two outpatient visualisations: hysteroscopy and/or transvaginal ultrasound scan. Main outcome measures Completion of the investigation, adequacy of sample and acceptability of investigation to women. Results In 200 high-risk women, adequate samples were significantly more likely to be obtained by Tao Brush than Pipelle (P < 0.001). Nulliparity was strongly associated with failed insertion for both devices (P < 0.001). Inadequate samples were strongly associated with postmenopausal status only for Pipelle (P < 0.001), and among premenopausal women, for both samplers, with nulliparity (P < 0.001). A significantly greater proportion of women preferred the Tao Brush to the Pipelle endometrial sampler (P < 0.001). Conclusions In postmenopausal women, Tao Brush sampling offers advantages over use of Pipelle, and the former should be considered as an alternative or additional sampling device in this group of women.

The Rosseland mean opacity can be used to describe radiation transport through high‐opacity materials. This mean opacity is dominated by the minima in the frequency‐dependent opacity. By mixing appropriate materials, we can fill in the low opacity regions of one material with the high opacity regions of another material, resulting in a material with a Rosseland mean opacity higher than either of the constituents. This composite material can be used to improve the energy balance in indirect‐drive inertial confinement fusion. For a given laser energy, this can raise the temperature of the laser heated hohlraum, or for a given desired temperature, require less laser energy.

Large‐scale‐length axial nonuniformities in imploding z pinches have been measured with a time‐resolved framing pinhole camera and a filtered x‐ray diode. The nonuniform initial conditions of the annular gas column result in a nonsimultaneous stagnation along the pinch axis. By tailoring the initial gas‐puff density distribution we have reduced the time interval of stagnation from 10 ns to below 4 ns for a 2‐cm‐long pinch.

The results of a 'Summary/Overview of Ejector Augmentor Theory and Performance, Phase II-Technical Report' are presented. In the Volume I-Technical Discussion, the results of the study are presented first in a description of the fundamental considerations relevant to ejector augmentor design and performance and second in a discussion of experimental results for the various components comprising an ejector augmentor: primary nozzles, secondary inlet, mixing section and diffuser. In the theoretical discussion a limit value of static augmentation ratio which depends only on the ratio of primary to secondary stagnation pressure is formulated, and it is shown that the best published experimental results approach 90% of the limit value. In the experimental section extensive data compilations are presented to provide a summary of the predominant geometric and gasdynamic parametric effects on ejector performance. Four ejector-augmentor flight systems (XFV-12A, XV-4A, XC-8A and the JW-1), are discussed in terms of the research and development programs leading to the prototype/demonstrator vehicles, and the actual vs. predicted performance. Conclusions regarding ejector technology based on this study are made, and recommendations for needed ejector technology research and development programs are presented.