Mixed incontinence: a new nursing diagnosis?

Consistent efforts to identify and clinically validate new nursing diagnosis within recognized categories are essential to taxonomy development. Mixed incontinence is a clinical condition resulting in leakage of urine associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure (stress) and inability to delay voiding (urge). The presence of mixed incontinence was clinically validated in two populations (n = 9, n = 40) of community-dwelling women and initial defining characteristics were identified. Research findings from both studies support the addition of a proposed sixth nursing diagnosis, mixed incontinence, to the diagnostic category, alteration in urinary elimination.     

Mixing in processing of thermoplastics by extrusion

Translated from Khimicheskoe i Neftyanoe Mashinostroenie, No. 8, pp. 9–11, August, 1993.     

How far is it to the nearest hospital? Calculating distances using the Statistics Canada Postal Code Conversion File

This report demonstrates how to calculate distances between points described in terms of latitude and longitude, using the Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) and other files available from the Geography Division of Statistics Canada. Examples based on hospital data show how the results can be summarized in the form of tables, figures, or maps. Aerial distance to the nearest hospital is a crude but objective indicator of geographic accessibility to hospital services. Distances were calculated between enumeration area centroids for the population and blockface or enumeration area centroids for the hospitals. The median aerial distance to the nearest hospital facility in Canada was less than 3 km, while the mean distance was about 6 km. For teaching hospitals, the median aerial distance was a little less than 30 km, while the mean distance was a little more than 90 km. As most health files for administrative and research purposes contain postal codes, these techniques have potentially wide application.     

Polymerase chain reaction versus culture for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in the urogenital tract of adults and the respiratory tract of newborns

The efficiency of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared with that of culture for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in 726 clinical specimens comprising 189 gynecological samples, 362 urological samples, and 175 samples from newborn infants. The sensitivity of PCR versus culture was 95% for both organisms, while the sensitivity of culture versus PCR was 91% for Ureaplasma urealyticum and 84% for Mycoplasma hominis. Furthermore, PCR tests were faster than culture tests, allowing the time to diagnosis to be reduced from two to five days to 24 h.     

Gentamicin treatment in peripheral vestibular disorders other than Ménière''s disease

Two cases of congenital trabecular hypoplasia of the right ventricle are reported. In the first, the neonatal diagnosis was missed and the child did well until the 13th month of life when a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was done because of increasing cyanosis. Outcome was good until the 4th year of life when symptomatic atrioventricular block was detected in an emergency situation. A bidirectional Glenn anastomosis and pacemaker implantation were successfully carried out after clinical establization and the child is doing well up to now. The second case presents the disease with its worst features: severe cyanosis and acidosis in the first day of life. A modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed and death occurred soon after the operation.     

Mechanism of secondary gel-particle formation in viscose

Conclusions Experimental and calculated data have been given which support the mechanism for formation of secondary gel particles in viscose.According to this mechanism, the formation of gel particles takes place in the case where the time for diffusion exchange between the main stream and an immobile wall layer is greater than the time for coagulation.VNIIPV, Mytishchi. Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 2, pp. 22–24, March–April, 1992.     

In-field comparison among polarization-mode-dispersion measurementtechniques

We report polarization mode dispersion measurements on a 168 km long undersea optical cable, performed with two techniques. From experimental results, statistical behavior of polarization parameters and their time fluctuations have been extracted. An average differential group delay of about 13 ps shows that dispersion-shifted fibers can be affected by a polarization dispersion significantly larger than standard step-index fibers. The correlation length of the polarization-coupling perturbation in the tested fibers is not negligible with respect to the link length     

Cortical implants for the blind

Arrays of stimulating electrodes can be placed in the brain itself, in the visual cortex, to bring vision to the profoundly blind. However, when designing such devices one needs to take into consideration the fact that the visual pathway maps images onto cortical structures in a complex and unpredictable way     

Direct algorithms for data analysis in the location of sources of radiation from measured differences in distance: Model experiment

Results are presented from a model (numerical) experiment performed to check the efficiency of three groups of direct data-analysis algorithms to be used in satellite location of ground or ocean sources of radiation. The methodology behind the experiment is also explained. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 12, pp. 40–44, December, 1996.     

Evaluation of a Conical Mill for Screening of Direct Compression Formulations

Suitability of a Quadro Comil^TM for screening of direct compression tablet masses was evaluated with respect to alteration of particle size distribution and blending efficiency. Air jet sieving was qualijied for determination of a particle size of spraydried lactose and microcrystalline cellulose. Using a full 3¹ × 2³ factorial design not only effects of single processing parameters (output screen size, impeller shape, velocity of the mill, and type of powder), but also their respective combinations were investigated in terms of impact on particle size and flow properties (angle of repose, bulk and tapped densities). Particle sizes before and after passing the Comil were found to be normally distributed. The results indicate that the process does not allow any of the powder characteristics studied beyond normal batch-to batch variability. This refers in particular to the proportion of fines. For evaluation of the deagglomeration effectiveness, a 2³ design was implemented with iron oxide as a model drug. Homogeneity of the blends was determined optically, and after screening twice it was found to be acceptable even with this substance, which has a particularly high agglomeration tendency, high density, and small particle size. The Quadro Comil is therefore regarded as fully suitable for deagglomeration of powders in a gentle and effective manner