Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Utilization
Kinds of Utilization Terms modified by Utilization Selected AbstractsALCOHOL AND IN-PATIENT UTILIZATION: WHAT IS THE SHAPE OF THE RELATIONSHIP?ADDICTION, Issue 1 2005MARY ANNE ARMSTRONG No abstract is available for this article. [source] THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION AMONG MEN IN JAPAN: A REPLY TO THE COMMENTARIESADDICTION, Issue 1 2005YUKIKO ANZAI No abstract is available for this article. [source] EXPLAINING THE UTILIZATION OF RELATIVE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A MULTI-THEORETICAL STUDY USING DATA FROM SWEDENFINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2009Tobias Johansson One of the more lasting imprints that New Public Management (NPM) has made in the public sector is an increase in the popularity of performance measurement. In Sweden, performance measurement has gained popularity in the public sector, not least at the local government level with the use of relative performance evaluation (RPE). Because utilization of RPE is a decentralized and optional mode of governance, a somewhat heterogeneous practice has evolved. The aim of this paper is to examine the causes of this differentiated practice. We jointly examine economic, political and institutional/cultural explanations in order to account for the utilization of RPE. The empirical material consists of archival data and a questionnaire sent to all Swedish municipalities in late 2005. We show that RPE adoption and use partly has different antecedents and that the institutional/cultural perspective appears to have greater explanatory power than economic and political, not least as a consequence of the potential to explain decoupling and the importance of change facilitating capabilities. The investigation contributes specifically to the literature on the utilization of RPE in local governments and more generally to the literature on why and to what extent management accounting practices are utilized. [source] UTILIZATION OF APRICOT KERNEL FLOUR AS FAT REPLACER IN COOKIESJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 1 2010I.T. SEKER ABSTRACT In this study, shortening content in a wire-cut cookie formulation was reduced at 10, 20, 30 and 40% and replaced with apricot kernel flour (AKF). The effects of increased concentrations of AKF on the properties of cookies were investigated. Protein, fat and total dietary fiber (TDF) contents of the apricot kernels were determined as 21.8%, 40.2% and 35.8%, respectively, which confirmed that the apricot kernel is an important source of dietary protein as well as oil and fiber. Addition of AKF decreased the spread ratio and increased the hardness of the cookies (P , 0.01). However, sensory evaluation revealed that the cookies containing AKF were acceptable to the panelists at all concentrations (P , 0.01). TDF contents of the cookies increased significantly (P , 0.01) as the AKF supplemention increased. AKF is a suitable replacer of shortening in cookies at 10 and 20%. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Province of Malatya (Turkey) is one of the major apricot and apricot kernel producing regions in the world. Apricot kernels are generally exported and the importing countries use it especially in the production of oil, benzaldehyde, cosmetics, active carbon and aroma. Apricot kernels are also utilized in retail bakeries and consumed as appetizers. Cookies are one of the most popular bakery products and textural characteristics of cookies are highly influenced by their fat content. Health specialists recommend that daily fat consumption should not exceed 30% of the total calories in a diet. In this study, the preparation of apricot kernel flour (AKF), which does not require much processing and has the advantage of including other nutrients, was achieved. With the production of high-fiber and low-fat cookies by the usage of AKF, an exciting new potential as a food ingredient, especially in cereal products, is offered. [source] THE INFLUENCE OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY ON HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION IN A HEALTH-MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONJOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 3 2000David D. Law Research has shown that people reduce their use of health care after individual psychotherapy. However, little research has been done to learn if marital and family therapy has a similar effect. Subjects (n = 292) from a health-maintenance organization were randomly selected according to the type of therapy they had received. Subjects' medical records were examined for 6 months before, during, and after therapy. Those who received marital and family therapy significantly reduced their use of health care services by 21.5%. These results show an "offset effect" for marriage and family therapy. [source] PHOTOSYNTHETIC UTILIZATION OF INORGANIC CARBON IN THE ECONOMIC BROWN ALGA, HIZIKIA FUSIFORME (SARGASSACEAE) FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA,JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 6 2003Dinghui Zou The mechanism of inorganic carbon (Ci) acquisition by the economic brown macroalga, Hizikia fusiforme (Harv.) Okamura (Sargassaceae), was investigated to characterize its photosynthetic physiology. Both intracellular and extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) were detected, with the external CA activity accounting for about 5% of the total. Hizikia fusiforme showed higher rates of photosynthetic oxygen evolution at alkaline pH than those theoretically derived from the rates of uncatalyzed CO2 production from bicarbonate and exhibited a high pH compensation point (pH 9.66). The external CA inhibitor, acetazolamide, significantly depressed the photosynthetic oxygen evolution, whereas the anion-exchanger inhibitor 4,4,-diisothiocyano-stilbene-2,2,-disulfonate had no inhibitory effect on it, implying the alga was capable of using HCO3, as a source of Ci for its photosynthesis via the mediation of the external CA. CO2 concentrations in the culture media affected its photosynthetic properties. A high level of CO2 (10,000 ppmv) resulted in a decrease in the external CA activity; however, a low CO2 level (20 ppmv) led to no changes in the external CA activity but raised the intracellular CA activity. Parallel to the reduction in the external CA activity at the high CO2 was a reduction in the photosynthetic CO2 affinity. Decreased activity of the external CA in the high CO2 grown samples led to reduced sensitiveness of photosynthesis to the addition of acetazolamide at alkaline pH. It was clearly indicated that H. fusiforme, which showed CO2 -limited photosynthesis with the half-saturating concentration of Ci exceeding that of seawater, did not operate active HCO3, uptake but used it via the extracellular CA for its photosynthetic carbon fixation. [source] THE PROFIT,INVESTMENT,UNEMPLOYMENT NEXUS AND CAPACITY UTILIZATION IN A STOCK-FLOW CONSISTENT MODELMETROECONOMICA, Issue 3 2010Jean-Bernard Chatelain ABSTRACT This paper studies under which conditions the share of profit in value-added, financial constraints on investment and capital shortage may foster unemployment and may limit the growth of capital and/or the growth of aggregate demand, in a stock-flow consistent model. The efficiency of demand-side versus supply-side economic policies (decrease of the real interest rate and/or of the real wage, increase of the leverage ceiling constraint) depends on capital shortage and credit rationing, which are not necessarily simultaneous due to the effects of investment on aggregate demand and supply. [source] Integrating Messy Genetic Algorithms and Simulation to Optimize Resource UtilizationCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009Tao-ming Cheng Various resource distribution modeling scenarios were tested in simulation to determine their system performances. MGA operations were then applied in the selection of the best resource utilization schemes based on those performances. A case study showed that this new modeling mechanism, along with the implemented computer program, could not only ease the process of developing optimal resource utilization, but could also improve the system performance of the simulation model. [source] Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Systolic as Compared With Diastolic Heart Failure in Urban AmericaCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 1 2005Peter A. McCullough MD We sought to describe a large heart failure (HF) population with respect to systolic and diastolic abnormalities in terms of demographics, echocardiographic parameters, and survival. Using data abstracted from the Resource Utilization Among Congestive Heart Failure (REACH) study, a targeted subpopulation of 3471 patients had electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical data taken from automated sources during the first year of diagnosis. Among the HF population, 1811 (52.2%) had diastolic HF. Prevalence of diastolic HF trended with age, from 46.4% in those less than 45 years to 58.7% in those 85 years or older (p=0.001 for trend). Patients with diastolic HF had a higher mean ejection fraction (55.7% vs. 28.0%), lower left ventricular end-systolic diameter (3.11 vs. 4.74 cm), and lower left atrium: aortic outlet ratio (1.28 vs. 1.38) (p=0.001 for each comparison). Annualized age, sex, and race-adjusted mortality were 11.2% and 13.0% for those with diastolic and systolic HF, respectively (p=0.001). In a large, racially mixed, urban HF population, those with diastolic HF predominate and enjoy better-adjusted survival than counterparts with systolic HF. [source] Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Reduction of Photoaging of the HandsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 8 2004FAACS, Neil Sadick MD Background. Nonablative laser resurfacing has been shown to improve the appearance photoaged skin. Clinical improvement has been associated with dermal collagen remodeling. Objective. The objective was to determine the efficacy of a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of photoaging hands. Methods. Seven patients with photoaged hands received six monthly treatments with a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser. Improvement in skin smoothness was evaluated by objective and patient assessment using a 6-point improvement scale: 1=no improvement and 6=80% to 100% improvement. Results. Mild to moderate improvement was achieved as determined by both objective and patient assessment. Mean improvement by objective assessment was 2.4 points. Objective improvement was noted in four of seven patients, and these patients demonstrated a mean improvement score of 3.5 points. The mean improvement by patient assessment was 3.1 points. Conclusion. This case series demonstrates that the 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser with cryogen cooling can be effective for rejuvenation of photoaged hands. [source] Surge Capacity Associated with Restrictions on Nonurgent Hospital Utilization and Expected Admissions during an Influenza Pandemic: Lessons from the Toronto Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome OutbreakACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Michael J. Schull MD Background Current influenza pandemic models predict a surge in influenza-related hospitalizations in affected jurisdictions. One proposed strategy to increase hospital surge capacity is to restrict elective hospitalizations, yet the degree to which this measure would meet the anticipated is unknown. Objectives To compare the reduction in hospitalizations resulting from widespread nonurgent hospital admission restrictions during the Toronto severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak with the expected increase in admissions resulting from an influenza pandemic in Toronto. Methods The authors compared the expected influenza-related hospitalizations in the first eight weeks of a mild, moderate, or severe pandemic with the actual reduction in the number of hospital admissions in Toronto, Ontario, during the first eight weeks of the SARS-related restrictions. Results Influenza modeling for Toronto predicts that there will be 4,819, 8,032, or 11,245 influenza-related admissions in the first eight weeks of a mild, moderate, or severe pandemic, respectively. In the first eight weeks of SARS-related hospital admission restrictions, there were 3,654 fewer hospitalizations than expected in Toronto, representing a modest 12% decrease in the overall admission rate (a reduction of 1.40 admissions per 1,000 population). Therefore, influenza-related admissions could exceed the reduction in admissions resulting from restricted hospital utilization by 1,165 to 7,591 patient admissions, depending on pandemic severity, which corresponds to an excess of 0.44 to 2.91 influenza-related admissions per 1,000 population per eight weeks, and an increase of 4% to 25% in the overall number of admissions, when compared with nonpandemic conditions. Conclusions Pandemic modeling for Toronto suggests that influenza-related admissions would exceed the reduction in hospitalizations seen during SARS-related nonurgent hospital admission restrictions, even in a mild pandemic. Sufficient surge capacity in a pandemic will likely require the implementation of other measures, including possibly stricter implementation of hospital utilization restrictions. [source] Utility of a Bilayered Banner Transposition Flap in Reconstruction of the Lower Third of the PinnaDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2000Dania Tannir MD Background. Reconstruction of the entire ear lobule is challenging and complex. We present a case in which a banner transposition flap from the preauricular and mandibular area of the cheek resulted in an excellent cosmetic outcome. Objective. To demonstrate the utility of a bilayered banner transposition flap to reconstruct a full-thickness defect of the inferior one-third of the pinna. Methods., The technique employed in this reconstruction is described and previously reported techniques are reviewed. Results., A symmetrical earlobe with normal tissue consistency was created, as noted at 4 months postoperatively. Conclusion. Utilization of a banner transposition flap should be considered as an excellent method for reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the lower one-third of the ear. [source] Development Discourses and Peasant,Forest Relations: Natural Resource Utilization as Social ProcessDEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 1 2000Anja Nygren This article analyses the changing role of forests and the practices of peasants toward them in a Costa Rican rural community, drawing on an analytical perspective of political ecology, combined with cultural interpretations. The study underlines the complex articulation of local processes and global forces in tropical forest struggles. Deforestation is seen as a process of development and power involving multiple social actors, from politicians and development experts to a heterogeneous group of local peasants. The local people are not passive victims of global challenges, but are instead directly involved in the changes concerning their production systems and livelihood strategies. In the light of historical changes in natural resource utilization, the article underlines the multiplicity of the causes of tropical deforestation, and the intricate links between global discourses on environment and development and local forest relations. [source] Co-morbidity and the utilization of health care for Australian veterans with diabetesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Y. Zhang Diabet. Med. 27, 65,71 (2010) Abstract Objective, To examine the impact of co-morbidity on health service utilization by Australian veterans with diabetes. Methods, A retrospective cohort study was undertaken including veterans aged , 65 years dispensed medicines for diabetes in 2006. Data were sourced from the Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs health claims database. Utilization of preventive health services for diabetes was assessed, including claims for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test, microabuminuria, podiatry services, diabetes care plans, medication reviews, case conferences, general practitioner (GP) management plans and ophthalmology/optometry services. Results, Among the 17 095 veterans dispensed medicines for diabetes, more than 80% had four or more co-morbid conditions. Those with a higher number of co-morbidities were more likely to have had claims for optometry/ophthalmology services and podiatry services, but not for other services. Veterans with at least one diabetes-related hospital admission had no more claims for diabetes health services than those who had no diabetics-related hospital admission, except for endocrinology services (relative risk = 1.26, 95% confidence intervals 1.15,1.37). Veterans with dementia were less likely to have had claims for diabetes health services while patients with renal failure were more likely to have had claims for the services. Conclusions, Low utilization of preventive diabetes care services is apparent in all co-morbidity groups. Patients with renal failure or dementia used more and less health services resources, respectively. Given the high mean age of this population, there may be valid reasons for the low use, such as competing health demands and patients' preferences. [source] Utilization of ancillary studies in thyroid fine needle aspirates: A synopsis of the National Cancer Institute Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration State of the Science Conference,,DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Armando C. Filie M.D. Abstract The National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored the NCI Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) State of the Science Conference on October 22,23, 2007 in Bethesda, MD. The 2-day meeting was accompanied by a permanent informational website and several on-line discussion periods between May 1 and December 15, 2007 (http://thyroidfna.cancer.gov). This document summarizes matters regarding the utilization of ancillary studies in thyroid FNA (http://thyroidfna.cancer.gov/pages/info/agenda/). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:438,441. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Emergency Nurses' Utilization of Ultrasound Guidance for Placement of Peripheral Intravenous Lines in Difficult-access PatientsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2004Larry Brannam MD Objectives: Emergency nurses (ENs) typically place peripheral intravenous (IV) lines, but if repeated attempts fail, emergency physicians have to obtain peripheral or central access. The authors describe the patient population for which ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral IVs are used and evaluate the success rates for such lines by ENs. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of ENs in a Level I trauma center with a census of 75,000, performing US-guided IV line placement on difficult-to-stick patients (repeated blind IV placement failure or established history). ENs were trained on an inanimate model after a 45-minute lecture. Surveys were filled out after each US-guided IV attempt on a patient. ENs could decline to fill out surveys, which recorded the reason for use of US, type of patient, and success. Successful cannulation was confirmed by drawing blood and flushing fluids. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluated data. Results: A total of 321 surveys were collected in a five-month period no ENs declined to participate. There were 280 (87%) successful attempts. Twelve (29%) of the 41 failure patients required central lines, 9 (22%) received external jugular IVs, and 20 (49%) had peripheral IV access placed under US guidance by another nurse or physician. Twenty-eight percent (90) of all patients were obese, 18% (57) had sickle cell anemia, 10% (31) were renal dialysis patients, 12% (40) were IV drug abusers, and 19% (61) had unspecified chronic illness. The remainder had no reason for difficult access given. There were four arterial punctures. Conclusions: ENs had a high success rate and few complications with use of US guidance for vascular access in a variety of difficult-access patients. [source] Cyclical Productivity in Europe and the United States: Evaluating the Evidence on Returns to Scale and Input UtilizationECONOMICA, Issue 296 2007ROBERT INKLAAR This paper studies procyclical productivity growth at the industry level in the United States and three European countries (France, Germany and the Netherlands). Industry-specific demand-side instruments are used to examine the prevalence of non-constant returns to scale and unmeasured input utilization. For the aggregate US economy, unmeasured input utilization seems to explain procyclical productivity. However, this correction still leaves one in three US industries with procyclical productivity. This failure of the model can also be seen in Europe and is mostly concentrated in services industries. [source] Increasing Returns, Labour Utilization and Externalities: Procyclical Productivity in the United States and JapanECONOMICA, Issue 266 2000Michela Vecchi This paper investigates procyclical productivity and attempts to discriminate among several competing explanations. The study focuses on the United States and Japan, since the different industrial relations in these two economies serve to cast a sharper light on the procyclical productivity debate. Labour hoarding, evaluated through the introduction of a labour utilization proxy, proves to be an important influence. The interpretation of the role of external economies remains an open issue. [source] Utilization of a Copper Solid Amalgam Electrode for the Analytical Determination of AtrazineELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 22 2005Djenaine De, Souza Abstract A copper solid amalgam electrode was prepared and used for the voltammetric determination of atrazine in natural water samples by square wave voltammetry. This electrode is a convenient substitute for the hanging mercury electrode since it is selective, sensitive, reliable and inexpensive and presents low toxicity characteristic. The detection limit of atrazine obtained in pure water (laboratory samples) was shown to be lower than the maximum limit of residue established for natural water by the Brazilian Environmental Agency. The relative standard deviation for 10 different measurements was found to be only 3.98% in solutions containing 8.16×10,6,mol L,1 of atrazine. In polluted stream water samples, the recovery measurements were approximately 70.00%, sustaining the applicability of the proposed methodology to the analysis of atrazine in such matrices. [source] System peaks in micellar electrophoresis: I. Utilization of system peaks for determination of critical micelle concentrationELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 5 2008Jana Lokajová Abstract A new way to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) based on the mobilities of system peaks is presented. A general approach for the CMC determination is based on the change of the slope or on finding the inflection point in the plot of a physical property of solution as a function of surfactant concentration. The determination of CMC by system peaks in CE utilizes a "jump" instead of a continuous change in the measured quantity. This phenomenon was predicted by the program PeakMaster, which was modified for simulation of micellar systems. The simulation of the steep change in mobilities of the anionic system peaks showing the CMC value was verified experimentally in a set of measurements, where the concentration of the surfactant was varied while the ionic strength was kept constant. The experimental work fully proved our model. A comparative electric current measurement was carried out. The proposed method seems to offer easier CMC determination as compared to the standard methods. [source] Utilization of tannery solid waste for protease production by Synergistes sp. in solid-state fermentation and partial protease characterizationENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2009Arumugam Ganesh Kumar Abstract Synergistes sp. DQ560074 produced a protease in submerged fermentation (SmF) at 400,420,U/mL and in solid-state fermentation (SSF) at 745,755,U/g. The protease, which belongs to the aspartic protease class, was active over a wide range of pH (5,7) and at high temperatures (25,45°C). The protease is stable and active in various polar protic solvents (50%,v/v) like ethanol, isopropanol, n,butanol, in polar aprotic solvents (50%,v/v) like acetonitrile, and in non-polar solvents (50%,v/v) such as ethylacetate and toluene, but not in hydrophilic organic solvents (methyl alcohol and acetone). As far as we know, this is the first contribution to the production of a mesophilic protease with solvent stability in SSF using a proteinaceous solid waste. [source] A Contingent Model of Network Utilization in Early Financing of Technology VenturesENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2008Jing Zhang Most of the entrepreneurship literature has addressed the benefits and necessity of using social network ties as opposed to market methods in early venture finance, but it has largely understated the potential limitations and costs of doing so. Specifically, very sparse research has examined the factors that influence entrepreneurs' choice between using networks versus market methods. In this study, we propose a contingent model of network utilization when approaching initial investors, based on the dimensions of human capital of the entrepreneurs. We test this model with primary field survey data from 226 new high-tech ventures in Singapore and Beijing. The results show that high occupational status and relevant industrial work experience are positively associated with the entrepreneurs' propensity to utilize existing networks by enhancing the resourcefulness of their network ties (social capital); however, such influences are alleviated by entrepreneurs' marketing or managerial experience, which increases the entrepreneurs' ability to interact with strangers (an aspect of social competence). [source] Effects of Human Capital and Long-Term Human Resources Development and Utilization on Employment Growth of Small-Scale Businesses: A Causal Analysis1ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 6 2005Andreas Rauch The purpose of this study was to explore how three different human resource variables affect employment growth of small-scale enterprises: human capital of business owners, human capital of employees, and human resource development and utilization. The literature suggests different models of how these human resource variables affect business outcomes. Longitudinal data from 119 German business owners provided support for a main effect model indicating that owners' human capital as well as employee human resource development and utilization affect employment growth. Moreover, human resources development and utilization was most effective when the human capital of employees was high. We conclude that human resources are important factors predicting growth of small-scale enterprises. [source] Utilization of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy: Comparative patterns in 38 countries based on data from the EURAP registryEPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2009The EURAP Study Group Summary We assessed the utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 1999,2005, in 4,798 prospective epilepsy pregnancies from 38 countries participating in EURAP, an international AED and pregnancy registry. Prominent differences in utilization patterns were observed across the various countries. Exposure to second-generation AEDs ranged from 3.5% in India and 7.3% in Italy to 75% in Denmark. Even wider variation was recorded in exposure to individual AEDs. The utilization of second-generation AEDs increased over time (for lamotrigine, from 9.9% of all pregnancies before 2001 to 29.6% after 2003). The differences in use of individual AEDs across countries probably reflect lack of evidence concerning the optimal treatment of epilepsy in women of childbearing age, as well as variation in country-specific traditions, medication costs, and drug promotion. Our observations underscore the need for comparative studies to investigate the factors influencing the prescription of AEDs during pregnancy, as well as their influence on pregnancy outcome. [source] Utilization of the Ottawa Ankle Rules by Nurses in a Pediatric Emergency DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002Anna Karpas MD Objectives: To determine the ability of pediatric emergency department (ED) nurses to accurately apply the Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) and to evaluate whether the rate of negative ankle radiographs can be reduced by incorporating the OAR into an existing collaborative practice protocol (CPP). Methods: The authors' ED currently uses a CPP in which patients with ankle pain, swelling, deformity, or decreased range of motion on primary nursing assessment undergo radiography prior to physician evaluation. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and November 2000. Patients aged 5-19 years with an ankle injury who met at least one of the CPP criteria were eligible for enrollment. The OAR were applied by the primary nurse after initial assessment. Ankle radiographs were ordered for all enrolled patients. The interobserver variability between nurses was evaluated on a random sample. Results: One hundred ninety subjects were enrolled in the study. The OAR were correctly interpreted by nurses in 98.4% of subjects. Agreement on the interobserver reliability sample was 100%. Of the 185 subjects, 31 (16.8%) had positive radiographs. Positive OAR results were noted in 30 of 31 subjects with positive radiographs. The sensitivity of the OAR was 97% (95% CI = 0.82 to 0.99) with a specificity of 25% (95% CI = 0.18 to 032). Use of the OAR would have reduced the radiography rate by 21%. Conclusions: Trained nurses can accurately apply and interpret the OAR. The incorporation of the OAR into the nursing assessment of children with acute ankle injuries may reduce the number of radiographs ordered. [source] Utilization of the Versatility of Sulfur in C,C Bond Formation and Cleavage: Synthesis of ABC Taxoid SkeletonsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 20 2007Subhash P. Chavan Abstract A practical and convenient five-step protocol is described to access the ABC ring system of Taxol by utilizing the versatility of the sulfur atom in its various oxidation states viz., condensation/Pummerer cyclization/coupling/annulation/fragmentation. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source] Emergency Department Utilization by Noninstitutionalized EldersACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2001Manish N. Shah MD Abstract. Objectives: To the best of the authors knowledge, no nationally representative, population-based study has characterized the proportion of elders using the emergency department (ED) and factors associated with ED use by elders. This article describes the proportion of elder Medicare beneficiaries using the ED and identifies attributes associated with elder ED users as compared with nonusers. Methods: The 1993 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey was used, a national, population-based, cross-sectional survey of Medicare beneficiaries linked with Medicare claims data. The study population was limited to 9,784 noninstitutionalized individuals aged 66 years or older. The Andersen model of health service utilization was used, which explains variation in ED use through a combination of predisposing (demographic and social), enabling (access to care), and need (comorbidity and health status) characteristics. Results: Eighteen percent of the sample used the ED at least once during 1993. Univariate analysis showed ED users were older; were less educated and lived alone; had lower income and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores; and were less satisfied with their ability to access care than nonusers (p < 0.01, chi-square). Logistic regression identified older age, less education, living alone, higher comorbidity scores, worse reported health, and increased difficulties with activities of daily living as factors associated with ED use (p < 0.05). Need characteristics predicted ED use with the greatest accuracy. Conclusions: The proportion of elder ED users is slightly higher than previously reported among Medicare beneficiaries. Need (comorbidity and health status) characteristics predict ED utilization with the greatest accuracy. [source] Personal Care Services Utilization by Individuals With Developmental DisabilitiesFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2010Charlene Harrington This study examined factors associated with the use of personal care services (PCS) and the amount of authorized hours in California in 2004,2005. Of those Medicaid-eligible individuals with developmental disabilities living at home, 31% received PCS. When we controlled for client need, gender, and age, individuals who were Asian/Pacific Islanders, African Americans, Hispanics, and other races had higher odds of receiving PCS than Whites but were authorized between 16 and 39 hours fewer than Whites. [source] Utilization of mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by bacteria isolated from contaminated sedimentFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Deborah Dean-Ross Abstract The ability of sediment bacteria to utilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when present as components of mixtures was investigated. One strain, identified as Mycobacterium flavescens, could utilize fluoranthene in the presence of pyrene, although utilization of pyrene was slower in the presence of fluoranthene than in its absence. The second strain, a Rhodococcus species, could utilize fluoranthene in the presence of anthracene, although the presence of fluoranthene slowed the rate of utilization of anthracene. Cometabolism of fluoranthene in these strains was confirmed by the isolation of metabolites of fluoranthene and by kinetic analysis of the rate of utilization of the growth substrate in the presence of fluoranthene. In both strains, metabolism of fluoranthene occurred on the fused ring of the fluoranthene molecule, producing 9-fluorenone-1-carboxylic acid. In the Rhodococcus sp., a second metabolite, a-(carboxymethylene)fluorene-1-carboxylic acid, was identified, indicating that this strain has the capacity to metabolize fluoranthene via ortho as well as meta cleavage. The presence of PAHs in a mixture produces interactive effects which can either increase or decrease the rate of utilization of individual PAHs, results which need to be taken into account when estimating rates of degradation in contaminated environments. [source] Facile Fabrication of Monolithic 3D Porous Silica Microstructures and a Microfluidic System Embedded with the MicrostructureADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 9 2010ZuoYi Xiao Abstract Monolithic 3D porous silica structures are fabricated into a multilayer framework with a bimodal pore size distribution in the micrometer and sub-micrometer range. The fabrication , which involves directed assembly of colloidal spheres, transfer printing, and removal of a sacrificial template , yields robust and mechanically stable structures over a large area. The structure becomes monolithic upon pyrolyzing the stacked layers, which induces necking of the particles. The monolithic microstructures can easily be embedded in microchannels with the aid of photolithography, leading to the formation of a microfluidic system with a built-in microstructure in a site- and shape-controlled manner. Utilization of the system results in a fourfold increase in the mixing efficiency in the microchannel. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||