Digital Commons Network^™

Living In A Material World: How Visual Cues To Material Properties Affect The Way That We Lift Objects And Perceive Their Weight, Gavin Buckingham, Jonathan Cant, Melvyn Goodale

Gavin Buckingham

The visual properties of an object provide many cues as to the tensile strength, compliance, and density of the material from which it is made. However, it is not well understood how these implicit associations affect our perceptions of these properties and how they determine the initial forces that are applied when an object is picked up. Here we examine the effects of these cues on such forces by using the classic "material-weight illusion" (MWI). Grip and load forces were measured in three experiments as participants lifted cubes made from metal, wood, and expanded polystyrene. These cubes were adjusted to …

Ethical Considerations In The Conduct Of Vaccine Trials In Developing Countries, Charles Weijer, C. Lanata, C. Plowe

Charles Weijer

No abstract provided.

Uptake Of A Team Briefing In The Operating Theatre: A Burkean Dramatistic Analysis, Sarah Whyte, Carrie Cartmill, Fauzia Gardezi, Richard Reznick, Beverley Orser, Diane Doran, Lorelei Lingard

Lorelei Lingard

Communication among healthcare professionals is a focus for research and policy interventions designed to improve patient safety, but the challenges of changing interprofessional communication patterns are rarely described. We present an analysis of 756 preoperative briefings conducted by general surgery teams (anesthesiologists, nurses, and surgeons) at four urban Canadian hospitals in the context of two research studies conducted between August 2004 and December 2007. We ask the questions: how and why did briefings succeed, how and why did they fail, and what did they mean for different participants? Ethnographic fieldnotes documenting the coordination and performance of team briefings were analyzed …

Livelihoods And Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In Cambodia, Sophal Ear, Sigfrido Burgos

Sophal Ear

Nothing To Sneeze At! A Study Into Intra-Operative Contamination, David Graham, Benjamin Parkinson, Meghan Evans, Gerben Keijzers, Petra Derrington

Gerben Keijzers

Purpose: We performed a prospective study of sneezes from orthopaedic registrars to assess the potential for intra-operative contamination from a masked surgeon, and to determine if head position can alter the potential for contamination. Type of Study: Prospective controlled trial. Methods: Four orthopaedic registrars from the Gold Coast Hospital each inhaled pepper to precipitate a sneeze. Cultures were taken with and without standard Smith & Nephew™ surgical masks, in positions directly in front and to the sides of a masked registrar. The process was repeated three times for each registrar. A control plate was left exposed to the atmosphere. A …

Teaching-Learning Philosophy, Celia M. Pechak

Celia M Pechak

No abstract provided.

Applying Informatics To Improve Vulnerable Population Registration For Emergency Preparedness In The Gulf Coast Region Of Texas, Akom Phosuwan, Chiehwen Ed Hsu, Kim Dunn

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

The application of information technology in program evaluation has gained increased attention in recent years. This paper discusses informatics-facilitated evaluation results of a federally-supported self-registration system for vulnerable people in emergency preparedness and response (known as 2-1-1 registration system) in the Gulf Coast Region state of Texas. The purpose of this project is to assess registration system utilization and available service provision, with a special focus on how to improve enrollment for annual year for those zipcodes with low registration, and inform the enhancement of participating health providers to address the zipcodes with high registrants. This project is part of …

Anatomical Variations Of The Lumbar Plexus: A Descriptive Anatomy Study With Proposed Clinical Implications.Pdf, Philip A. Anloague

Philip A. Anloague

Trajectories Of Ptsd And Substance Use Disorders In A Longitudinal Study Of Personality Disorders, Meghan E. Mcdevitt-Murphy, Gilbert R. Parra, M. Tracie Shea, Shirley Yen, Carlos M. Grilo, Charles A. Sanislow, Thomas H. Mcglashan, John G. Gunderson, Andrew E. Skodol, John C. Markowitz

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

Detection And Molecular Characterization Of Giardia Isolated From Recreational Lake Water In Malaysia, Yvonne Lim Ai Lian

Yvonne Lim Ai Lian

Nine 50-l surface water samples from a Malaysian recreational lake were examined microscopically using an immunomagnetisable separation-immunofluorescent method. No Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected, but 77.8% of samples contained low numbers of Giardia cysts (range, 0.17-1.1 cysts/l), which were genetically characterised by SSU rRNA gene sequencing. Genotype analyses indicated the presence of Giardia duodenalis assemblage A suggesting potential risk to public health. The present study represents the first contribution to our knowledge of G. duodenalis assemblages in Malaysian recreational water.

Health Bills: What's At The Core, Robert B. Leflar

Robert B Leflar

Column 2 (of 5) on the health reform debate: explanation of the legislation.

Family Sources Of Educational Gender Inequality In Rural China: A Critical Assessment, Emily C. Hannum, Peggy A. Kong, Yuping Zhang

Emily C. Hannum

In this paper, we investigate the gender gap in education in rural northwest China. We first discuss parental perceptions of abilities and appropriate roles for girls and boys; parental concerns about old-age support; and parental perceptions of different labor market outcomes for girls' and boys' education. We then investigate gender disparities in investments in children, children's performance at school, and children's subsequent attainment. We analyze a survey of nine to twelve year-old children and their families conducted in rural Gansu Province in the year 2000, along with follow-up information about subsequent educational attainment collected seven years later. We complement our …

Reliability Of Measuring Abductor Hallucis Muscle Parameters Using Two Different Diagnostic Ultrasound Machines, Wayne A. Hing, Keith Rome, Alyse F. M. Cameron

Wayne Hing

Background: Diagnostic ultrasound provides a method of analysing soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system effectively and reliably. The aim of this study was to evaluate within and between session reliability of measuring muscle dorso-plantar thickness, medio-lateral length and cross-sectional area, of the abductor hallucis muscle using two different ultrasound machines, a higher end Philips HD11 Ultrasound machine and clinically orientated Chison 8300 Deluxe Digital Portable Ultrasound System.

Methods: The abductor hallucis muscle of both the left and right feet of thirty asymptomatic participants was imaged and then measured using both ultrasound machines. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence …

Health Care: Yellow Lights, Red Flags, Robert B. Leflar

Robert B Leflar

Column 1 (of 5) on the health reform debate

Organ Donation: An Integrated Approach To Saving Lives, Christopher Michetti

Christopher P. Michetti, M.D., F.A.C.S.

No abstract provided.

Biomechanical Basis Of Oscillometric Blood Pressure Measuring Technique, H. Lan, A. Al-Jumaily, W. Hing, A. Lowe

Wayne Hing

Non-invasive blood pressure (BP) measurement has been used clinically for over a century to diagnose hypertension. Compared with the auscultatory technique, the oscillometric technique requires less professional training and is widely used in automatic BP measurement devices. Currently, most of these devices measure and record amplitude of cuff pressure oscillation, and then calculate diastolic and systolic pressure using characteristic ratios and designed algorithms. A finite element (FE) model is developed to study the biomechanical basis of this technique. The model identifies that errors were caused by mechanical factors of the soft tissue and the shape of the arm. By personalizing …

Emerging Trends In Parenteral Nutrition: An Evidence-Based Approach, Jane Gervasio

Jane M. Gervasio

No abstract provided.

Is Extended Volume Of External Beam Irradiation Beneficial In Post-Esophagectomy High Risk Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy?, E. Yu, A. R. Dar, R. Ash, G. Videtic, P. Truong, L. Stitt, A. Tomiak, M. Vincent, R. Malthaner, I. Craig, E. Brecevic, W. Kocha, R. Inculet, M. Lefcoe

Edward Yu

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of extended volume irradiation with anastomotic coverage in high risk resected esophageal cancer patients. METHOD: A retrospective study was undertaken at LRCC from 1989-1999 for high risk resected esophageal cancer patients. Adjuvant treatments consisted of 4 cycles of chemotherapy (epirubicin/fluorouracil/cisplatin or cisplatin/fluorouracil), and local regional irradiation with or without coverage of the anastomotic site. Radiation dose ranged from 45-60Gy at 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction given with initial anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior arrangement with either extended (with anastomotic coverage) or small (without anastomotic coverage) field followed by oblique fields for boost. RESULT: One hundred eighty-eight charts were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were …

Robot Assisted Ultrasound Imaged Guided Interstitial Lung Brachytherapy In A Porcine Model, Richard A. Malthaner, Edward Yu, Jerry J. Battista, Chris Blake, Donal Downey, Aaron Fenster

Edward Yu

We set out to see if permanent interstitial brachytherapy seeds could be safely and reproducibly inserted thoracoscopicaly with the ZEUS Robotic system and intraoperative ultrasound into in-vivo porcine lungs.

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Is Safe For High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Jawaid Younus, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, Pauline Truong, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Rashid Dar, Anna Tomiak, Mark Vincent, Walter Kocha, Brian Dingle, Richard Inculet

Edward Yu

Post-operative radiation therapy (RT) (1) and post-operative chemoradiation (2) have been used for esophageal cancer patients deemed high risk for recurrence after esophagectomy. Defining opitmal RT target volume after esophagectomy is difficult due to significant changes in patient anatomy and function. Some radiationon cologists advocated the inclusion of the anastomotic site within the irradiation volume due to concerns for potential increased relapse risk, while others did not subscribe to this practice due to concerns for increased treatment related toxicity. We have previously reported patient outcome benefit using extended volume RT In management with high risk esophageal cancer patients underwent esopagectomy(3). …

Extended Vs. Small Field Irradiation In High Risk Post Esophagectomy Patients Receiving Combined Chemoradiation Therapy: A Decade Experience In Treatment Of Esophageal Cancer, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Larry Stitt, Rashid A. Dar, Pauline Truong, Gregory M. Videtic, Richard Malthaner, Richard Inculet, Anna Tomiak, Jawaid Younus, Brian Dingle, Walter Kocha, Mark Vincent

Edward Yu

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of extended field irradiation with anastomotic coverage on local recurrence in high risk resected esophageal cancerpatients. METHODS: From 1989-1999, high risk resected esophageal cancer cases receiving post-resection chemoradiation were reviewed. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of four cycles of fluorouracil-based regimens. Loco-regional irradiation with or without coverage of anastomotic site had radiation a dose range from 45-60 Gyat 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction given with initial anterior-posterior/posterior-anterior arrangement with either extended (with anastomotic coverage), or small (without anastomotic coverage) field followed by oblique fields for boost. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight charts were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were eligible for post-resection chemoradiation. …

Evaluation Of Intra-And Inter-Fraction Motion In Breast Radiotherapy Using Electronic Portal Imaging Cine Loops, Chrison Lee, Edward Yu, Tomas Kron

Edward Yu

Parallel tangent breast irradiation is commonly used postbreast conservation surgery for early breast cancer patient without lymph node involvement to improve local disease control. Intra-fractional and inter-fractional variabilities are often presented in daily treatment setup. The present pilot study used Electronic Portal Imaging (EPI) to evaluate intra-and inter-fraction motion in patients undergoing simple breast tangent radiotherapy.

Diagnosis In General Practice: Using Probabilistic Reasoning, Jenny Doust

Jenny Doust

Diagnostic tests—whether clinical signs, imaging, or laboratory tests—are imperfect: there is always a possibility that test results are inaccurate and our diagnosis is wrong. However, we need to make decisions about whether to treat or not to treat patients, and so we need to feel confident that our diagnosis is above a certain threshold before we decide to treat a patient and below a certain threshold if we decide to withhold treatment. The threshold depends on the disease and the potential harms and benefits of treating or not treating patients. Unless we have clear strategies to cope with the uncertainties …

Plantar Cutaneous Sensory Stimulation Improves Single-Limb Support Time, And Emg Activation Patterns Among Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, M. Jenkins, Q. Almeida, S. Spaulding, R. Van Oostveen, J. Holmes, Andrew Johnson, S. Perry

Andrew M. Johnson

Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disorder that results in gait and posture impairment. There is increasing evidence that these motor impairments may be partially due to deficits within the sensory system. In this study, the effects of a facilitatory insole that provides increased plantar sensory stimulation, was evaluated during gait, in a group of individuals with Parkinson's disease in comparison with healthy age-matched controls. Spatial-temporal parameters of gait were evaluated using an instrumented carpet, and muscle activation patterns were evaluated using surface EMG. All participants were tested with both a facilitatory (ribbed) insole and a conventional (flat) insole while …

Effects Of Different Denture Cleansers On The Tensile Bond Strength Of Denture Liners, Selda Keskin

The effect of two denture cleansers (Polident1 and Protefix1) on the tensile bond strength between four soft liner materials (Molloplast B1, Permaflex1, Sofreliner Tough Medium1, and GC Reline Soft1) and a conventional denture base resin was investigated. For each of the liner materials 35 test specimens were prepared according to test the requirements and assigned into seven groups (n¼5). Before tensile testing, five of the liner specimens were kept in water or soaked in two cleansing solutions during 2 and 7 d. Five other samples served as a control group subjected directly to tensile testing. The bond strength values were …

Tensile Bond Strength Of A Highly Cross-Linked Denture Tooth To The, Selda Keskin

This study compared tensile bond strengths between conventional compressionmolded heat (HC)-, auto (AP)-, and microwave-polymerized (MC) poly(methyl methacrylate)-based denture resins and a relatively new injection-molded, microwave-polymerized polyurethane based resin (MI) bonded to a highly cross-linked denture tooth. In the first part of the experiments, denture teeth were used as received. In the second part, they were treated with dichloromethane to see its effect on bonding of conventional denture bases (HCS and APS). Bond strength was tested in tension according to ADA specification No.15. The results showed that the HC group failed cohesively because of higher interface bonding (49.95 MPa) compared …

Operation Outreach: An Ongoing Leadership Project, Lisa Forrest

Lisa A Forrest

No abstract provided.

Itraconazole-Induced Torsade De Pointes In A Patient Receiving Methadone Substitution Therapy, Noorzurani Robson Associate Prof. Dr., B. Vicknasingam, S. Narayanan

Associate Prof. Dr. Noorzurani Robson

Issues. Methadone, a pharmacological agent used to treat heroin dependence is relatively safe, but may cause cardiac arrhythmias in the concurrent presence of other risk factors. Approach and Key Findings. This case report highlights the risk of Torsade de Pointes, a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, in a heroin-dependent patient receiving methadone substitution therapy who was prescribed itraconazole for vaginal thrush. The patient presented to the accident and emergency department for chest discomfort and an episode of syncope following two doses of itraconazole (200 mg). Electrocardiogram monitoring at the accident and emergency department showed prolonged rate-corrected QT interval leading to Torsade de …

Ppar Agonists Down-Regulate The Expression Of Atp10c Mrna During Adipogenesis, A Peretich, Maria Cekanova Ms, Rndr, Phd, S Hurst, Sj Baek, Madhu Dahr

Maria Cekanova MS, RNDr, PhD

No abstract provided.

Are There Differences In The Smoking Identities Of Adolescents Boys And Girls?, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Iris Torchalla, Pamela A. Ratner, Joy L. Johnson

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Purpose:

To assess sex-disaggregated differences in youth characterizations of their own smoking behaviour

Background:

•Smoking identities represent psychosocial constructions of how adolescents who smoke perceive themselves in relation to their smoking behaviour (e.g, ex-smoker, social smoker, occasional smoker, e.t.c.)

•These smoking identities converge (or diverge) with established taxonomies used to describe youth smoking behaviour

•Few quantitative studies have examined differences in smoking identity between boys and girls