The role of small bowel follow-through examination in the diagnosis of coeliac disease

A retrospective study of 105 barium follow-through examinations on 102 patients suspected of having malabsorption syndrome has been carried out to assess the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Comparison with histological and biochemical data has been made. Of the 34 examinations on 31 patients with a proven diagnosis of coeliac disease, 30 examinations showed both abnormal X-ray and biopsy findings, two examinations showed normal X-ray appearance but abnormal jejunal biopsy and two showed normal jejunal histology but abnormal X-ray findings. There were two cases with sensitivity, non-invasive nature, ease and cheapness of the technique, barium follow-through examination is suggested as the initial investigation in patients suspected of coeliac disease.     

A note on the stability of CSDT methods for solving parabolic equations

In this note we study the stability aspects of CSDT methods for solving parabolic partial differential equations. We define two types of stability and discuss the stability of various CSDT methods.     

The Significance of multicomponent diffusional interactions in the process of condensation in the presence of a non condensable gas

Recent developments in the understanding of multicomponent heat and mass transfer have indicated that the so called “diffusional interaction effects” might be important in Engineering Design under certain conditions. It is shown that the significance of these multicomponent effects may be readily diagnosed in a given situation. By considering mixtures of various alkanes with nitrogen and hydrogen, it is shown that large “diffusional interaction ettects” are unlikely in condensation of two vapours in the presence of a non condcnsable gas.     

The Imbrication Model for the integration of social services in a community

An innovative model for organising social services in a community, the Imbrication Model, is contrasted with two traditional models, the Entrepreneurial and the Umbrella Agency. The structural characteristics and dynamics of the three models are illustrated with actual case histories. Imbrication Model calls for the interlocking of personnel from several agencies, with the purpose of redirecting the dysfunctional interagency rivalry prevalent in the traditional models. Imbrications at all organisational levels--Board of Directors, Administrators and Staff--facilitate adoption of the superordinate goal of providing clients with the best services available, regardless of which particular agency delivers the service. Few observers of the current social service scene would challenge the statement that needs for service are unlimited and resources limited. In the USA the imbalance between needs and resources persists despite a decade of massive governmental programmes intended to alleviate social ills. Recent substantial cutbacks in federal funds, moreover are not likely to improve the situation. The resource shortage involves more than a limitation of funds. Deliverers of service and competent programme administrators are also on critically short supply. These shortages are more often than not exacerbated by a chronic spirit of competition among agencies and programmes at the local level. Three organizational models for the delivery and administration of social services, two conventional and one of more recent date, are examined in this article. The innovative model, which has been named the Imbrication Model, explicitly calls for redirecting interagency rivalry and competition. Its ambitious goal is to integrate the efforts of those attempting to meet a community's social service needs.     

Effect of normal stress on yield asymmetry in high purity tantalum crystals

Resolved yield stresses were determined in tension and compression for ultra high vacuum degassed tantalum crystals as a function of orientation at 77 K and 197 K. The yield stress at 77K was a minimum for specimens oriented to slip on the (112) [111] system, and a maxi-mum for specimens oriented to slip on the (–112) [1–11] system. The yield stress in tension was less than the yield stress in compression for all orientations. However, at 197 K, the yield stress in tension was found to be greater than in compression for specimens oriented to slip on the (121) [111] system in agreement with the results of Lachenmann and Schultz,1 who also found that, for specimens oriented to slip on the (•112) [1–11] system, the yield stress in compression was higher than the yield stress in tension, as occurs at 77 K. This behavior may be explained by the influence of a normal stress on a lattice expansion which occurs when the leading 112 stacking fault of a dissociated core dislocation as described by Dues-beryet al ² begins to move. Formerly Graduate Student in Metallurgy and Materials Science at Case Western Reserve University     

Very low birth weight children at school age: comparison of neonatal management methods

The outcome of 293 infants born to a geographically defined community and weighing 501-1500 g was investigated. Medical intervention in the newborn period had been avoided. Morbidity was assessed at school age. Of the infants, 236 had been live born in the labour ward of this hospital; of these, 117 (49.6%) died in the neonatal period, one (0.4%) died in the first year, four (1.7%) were untraced, 13 (5.5%) had major handicap, 29 (12.3%) had minor handicap, and 72 (30.5%) were considered to be normal. In terms of survival, handicap, and intellectual with that of infants born over the same period (1963-71) in areas where intensive methods of perinatal care were used. These results imply that postnatal survival and potential of infants of very low birth weight are by no means prejudiced when only experienced nursing care is available.     

Breast-feeding protects against respiratory syncytial virus infections

Eight out of 115 infants admitted to hospital with respiratory syncytial (RS) virus infection had been breast-fed compared with 46 out of 167 controls; this difference was statistically significant. Twenty-one specimens of human colostrum were examined, and all contained RS virus neutralising activity. Specific IgA and IgG were detected in 18 specimens, whereas IgM was detected in none. The titre of IgA antibody was usually higher and correlated more closely to the titre of neutralising activity than that of IgG. Infants inhale milk feeds and regurgitate them through the nose, and the IgA collecting in the respiratory tract might protect against severe respiratory infection. Alternatively, if severe RS virus illness is a sign of hypersensitivity to the virus breast-feeding might protect the infant from an early sensitising infection.     

Licensed Psychologists on the Increase, 1974-1979.

Tracking the licensed psychologists in 10 target states revealed a 12% increase from 1974 to 1976 and a further 27% increase in the next three years, or a 42% growth over this five-year (1974-1979) period. Given an unduplicated count of 25,510 licensed psychologists nationally in 1976, these trends suggest a national projection, as of 1980, of 35,100 licensed psychologists residing in the United States, of whom 24,300 are clinically active doctoral-level, health service providers. Policy implications and variations among the states are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)