A survey of computer search service costs in the academic health sciences library

The Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, has recently completed an extensive survey of costs involved in the provision of computer search services beyond vendor charges for connect time and printing. In this survey costs for such items as terminal depreciation, repair contract, personnel time, and supplies are analyzed. Implications of this cost survey are discussed in relation to planning and price setting for computer search services.     

The application of health sciences library skills in other settings

Medical librarians have been urged to assume personal responsibility for seeking lifelong education and professional development opportunities, but it is not always clear which opportunities should be sought or which skills will be needed in the rapidly changing health sciences environment. To shed some light on these issues, the author interviewed former medical librarians from southern California and Arizona who are now employed in other settings, to determine the skills that aided their transition from the medical library arena to new jobs. In interviews, respondents highlighted the importance of presentation, training, management, reference, computer, and interpersonal skills. Although both technical and interpersonal skills aided successful transitions, strong interpersonal skills augmented technical abilities and may be essential to successful career change. In sum, medical librarians possess skills that transfer well to other settings. Individuals with clear career goals who are able to present themselves and their skills well can take advantage of career opportunities, in both new settings and in medical libraries.     

A comparison of for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals on the cost of mental health admissions

Our aim was to test the effect of hypotonicity and extracellular Ca2+ (Cao) on cell volume and membrane potential (VM) in barnacle muscle cells. Under isotonic conditions the resting VM of isolated cells mounted in the experimental chamber exposed to either Ca(2+)-free or Ca(2+)-containing (11 mM) solutions was -46.3 +/- 1.0 mV (n = 24) and -56.2 +/- 0.9 mV (n = 38), respectively. In the absence of Cao, the cells depolarized at a rate of 2.3 +/- 0.47 mV/hr; the presence of Cao reduced this rate of depolarization by 2.9-fold. Both in the absence or presence of Cao, the cells swelled in response to hypotonicity but underwent regulatory volume decrease (RVD) when Cao was present. Addition of the Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil (0.1 mM), inhibited the Cao-dependent RVD. The percentage of cells responding with RVD increased with larger hypotonic challenges. There was a Cao-independent direct relationship between cell swelling and membrane depolarization which can be explained by dilution of the concentration of intracellular K+ ([K+]i). RVD was accompanied by a small hyperpolarization (3.0 +/- 0.38 mV/2 hr) which may represent increases in [K+]i during cell shrinking and activation of a conductive pathway. The results indicate the following: (1) the presence of Cao stabilizes VM; (2) cell swelling produces a depolarization which can be explained by dilution of [K+]i; (3) cell swelling activates a verapamil-sensitive Ca2+ influx responsible for promoting RVD; and (4) RVD is accompanied by a hyperpolarization which may result from activation of a conductive pathway.     

The effects of electronic mail on communication in two health sciences institutions

A study was done during 1991-1992 to determine the perceived impact of electronic mail (E-mail) relative to other forms of communication in health sciences institutions. E-mail subscribers at two major health sciences institutions were sent 2919 surveys, and 823 (28%) completed survey instruments were returned. A significant positive impact of E-mail was found relative to other forms of communication (e.g., paper, phone) with regard to E-mail messaging, response rates, influence, value, formality, perceptions, errors in communication, cost-effectiveness, communication style, and other factors. Areas where no differences were found between communication mechanisms were also revealing. Technical problems, maintenance, and confidentiality of E-mail messaging were not found to be significant problems. Trends, value, and impact of E-mail use in health sciences institutions are also discussed.     

Improving the links between research and health policy in Pakistan

Autoptic specimens from tuberculosis patients operated on, delivered to the Laboratory of Pathomorphology, Institute of Tuberculosis, were used to examine quantitative changes, age-sex ratio, ethnicity, and admission of patients with pulmonary tuberculoma by climatic and geographical regions of Yakutia. The morphological types of tuberculomas, their numbers, size, activation, ratios by ethnicity were identified. Their clinical and morphological features were determined both by climatic and geographical conditions and the quality and nature of treatment, the distinguishing features of a contingent of patients. The pattern of the more severe process in the indigenous population calls for close attention and further study.     

Relationship between physical exercise and health of the elderly people in a rural community

The significance of life style and regular physical exercise for health of elderly people in a rural community was evaluated by questionnaires. The subjects studied were a group who had been playing gate ball (such as croquet) for more than three years (N = 86) and a group who had not (N = 255). Significantly more males in the group playing gate ball (GB group) than in the group not playing gate ball (n-GB group) reported feeling healthier than three years before. The average overall score for life style which indicates a healthier life style was analyzed. The score for life style of males was significantly lower in the GB group than in the n-GB group. Significantly more males in the GB group did not take snacks or smoke than those in the n-GB group. Regarding regular physical exercise, significantly fewer females in the GB group went for a daily walk than those in the n-GB group. The average score for integrated regular physical exercise was significantly higher in the GB group than in the n-GB group. The scores for regular physical exercise of females in the GB group, even in spite of disability or hypertension, were significantly higher than those in the n-GB group. From this survey it appears that regular physical exercise including gate ball may be beneficial for health of elderly people in a rural community.     

Observer performance comparison of digital radiograph systems for stereotactic breast needle biopsy

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Two digital radiograph systems for stereotactic mammography, one using a lens to couple a Lanex Regular screen to a back-illuminated charge-coupled device (CCD) and one using a fiber-optic taper to couple a Min-R Regular-type screen to a front-illuminated CCD, were evaluated with respect to observer performance. METHODS: A contrast-detail phantom was imaged in a variety of equivalent exposure conditions on both systems. Six observers viewed images on a video monitor and recorded which objects were detected. RESULTS: Performance (percent correct detections) with the lens-coupled system using the Lanex Regular screen was significantly higher than with the fiber-optic-coupled system using the Min-R Regular-type screen. CONCLUSION: Differences in absorption efficiencies of phosphors used, as well as differences in design of the two cameras, can explain differences in observer detection performance.     

The Virtual Hospital: experiences in creating and sustaining a digital library

The advances in medical technology during the last four decades has provided evidence for an underlying neurological basis for autism. The etiology for the variations of neurofunctional anomalies found in the autistic spectrum behaviors appears inconclusive as of this date but growing evidence supports the proposal that chronic exposure to toxic agents, i.e., xenobiotic agents, to a developing central nervous system may be the best model for defining the physiological and behavioral data found in these populations. A total of 20 subjects (15 males and 5 females) who received a formal diagnosis of autism by a developmental pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, or licensed psychologist were included. The mean age for the sample was 6.35 yrs offnge = 3-12 years). This study employed several measures that collectively would provide evidence of burden levels of xenobiotic agents and abnormal liver detoxication processes. These included: (1) Glucaric Acid Analysis, (2) blood analyses for identification of specific xenobiotic agents, and (3) Comprehensive Liver Detoxification Evaluation. Kolmogorov-Smirnov testing for a chi-square and Normal distribution of the Glucaric Acid finding indicates that each of these distributions is significantly different from expected distributions (p < .01). It is most noteworthy that of the 20 cases examined for this study, 100% of the cases showed liver detoxication profiles outside of normal. An examination of 18 autistic children in blood analyses that were available showed that 16 of these children showed evidence of levels of toxic chemicals exceeding adult maximum tolerance. In the two cases where toxic chemical levels were not found, there was abnormal D-glucaric acid findings suggesting abnormal xenobiotic influences on liver detoxication processes. A proposed mechanism for the interaction of xenobiotic toxins with immune system dysfunction and continuous and/or progressive endogenous toxicity is presented as it relates to the development of behaviors found in the autistic spectrum.     

高校数字图书馆的建设及作用

数字图书馆是高校图书馆建设的发展方向,建设高校数字图书馆是高等教育发展的必然趋势。从分析数字图书馆与传统图书馆的区别入手,着重介绍数字图书馆的概念及建设高校数字图书馆的条件、高校数字图书馆的重要作用。     

Space analysis: a comparison between sonic digitization (DigiGraph Workstation) and the digital caliper

The introduction of the DigiGraph Workstation permits the use of sonic digitization to measure lateral cephalometric values, mesiodistal tooth size and arch perimeter discrepancy as a one-stop diagnostic record taking set-up. This study compared the reproducibility of mesiodistal total tooth widths and arch perimeter values, on plaster casts, given by the DigiGraph Workstation and by digital calipers. Forty-seven sets of plaster casts of Southern Chinese children (mean age 12.5 years) comprised the sample. Arch perimeter was measured using calipers in six segments from the distal of the first permanent molar to its antimere in each arch. The total mesiodistal widths of all teeth, excluding second and third molars, were also measured. The difference between the available arch perimeter and the total tooth widths was taken as the arch perimeter discrepancy. Sonic digitization of the study casts was completed according to instructions of the DigiGraph software. Paired t-tests and F-tests were used to compare the two methods. Compared with manual measurement, there was an over-estimation of the total tooth widths by 1 mm in the mandible and 0.5 mm in the maxilla, and an arch perimeter discrepancy of 1.6 mm in the mandible and 0.4 mm in the maxilla when using the sonic method. The sonic digitization was not as reproducible as the digital caliper and its clinical usefulness in evaluating the space problem of an individual malocclusion should be interpreted with caution.     

Relationship between memory and metamemory performance: A comparison of specific and general strategy knowledge.

Examines (1) age and skill-level differences in metamemory and memory performance; (2) differences in memory and metamemory as a function of type of task and instructional support; (3) whether task-specific metamemory predicts performance better than general metamemory; and (4) whether previous metamemory findings generalize to a variety of memory tasks. 62 average and 66 low-achieving children participated in 3 sessions. General metamemory was assessed for hypothetical performance, with task-specific metamemory assessed for actual performance. Memory performance was assessed across a variety of tasks. Memory improved with age and skill level. Age and skill-level differences were not consistent across metamemory tasks. Strategic metamemory revealed age and skill-level differences, whereas taxonomic metamemory revealed age differences in the average group only. Educational and theoretical relevance of the results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conducting polymers and the bioanalytical sciences: new tools for biomolecular communication. A review

This review covers the evolution of conducting polymers and their use in the bioanalytical sciences. It is the controlled dynamic behaviour of these unique materials that enables such diverse and high-level performance to be achieved. The construction and application of conducting polymers for use as biosensors are the particular emphasis of this paper. Biocompatibility is briefly discussed.     

Virgil: a database of rich links between GDB and GenBank

A mutant allele of a new white spotting locus in the Norway rat is described, which is designated as head spot (hs). The allele is inherited as a recessive to normal. The expression is regularly manifested and has the form of a white sport of variable size in the middle of the forehead just above the eyes. A probable reoccurrence of blue dilution coat color is also reported. Tests for genetic linkage for hs indicate that it is independent of the agouti, dilute, and hooded loci.     

Use of administrative personnel in hospitals: a three nation comparison

Differences in the costs of health care systems among industrialized countries has been the focus of several studies. Labor costs, specifically the amount of resources used for administration, are considered to contribute to differences in overall health care costs. To determine differences in the use of labor resources, especially administrative and managerial, among American, Austrian and German hospitals, we use a convenience sample of one Austrian, one German and two United States (US) tertiary care centers. In our analysis we used payroll data of the four hospitals. First, we categorized job titles and created job categories. Subsequently, we calculated full time equivalents (FTEs) per job category and compared them across countries. Adjustments were made for differences in health systems. The main outcome measures were FTEs per patient day and per discharge in each job category. In the US hospitals > 19% of FTEs were in administrative categories as compared with < 8% in the European hospitals. For administrative managers, US hospitals used > 11 times the labor per patient day of the European institutions. Among administrative areas, the largest absolute FTE difference was in financial operations. US hospitals used > 5 FTEs of personnel per 10,000 patient days versus < 1.0 FTE in the European hospitals. Given the kinds of administrative work done in US hospitals compared to Austria and Germany, differences in the organization and financing of these countries' health care systems may account for an important part of the higher number of US personnel.     

Relation of job stressors to affective, health, and performance outcomes: A comparison of multiple data sources.

It is widely accepted that job conditions are a causal factor in stress outcomes for employees. This conclusion, however, is based almost entirely on single data source, self-report studies, which demonstrate correlations between environmental perceptions and stress outcomes. This study collected stressor data from two sources, the job incumbent and her supervisor. Convergent and discriminant validities were found for four stressors (autonomy, workload, number of hours worked, and number of people worked for) but not for three others (role ambiguity, constraints, and interpersonal conflict). Correlations were found between perception of stressors and outcomes, the latter including both affective and symptoms. Smaller correlations were found between supervisor reports of stressors and outcomes, the latter including both affective and symptoms. Alternative causal models relevant to these results are discussed. The need for causal research including experimental designs, longitudinal designs, and multiple data sources are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)