Nerve injury during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

This report presents a case of injury to the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Both this nerve and the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve are at risk during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Pertinent anatomy is reviewed and suggestions made to prevent this injury. This case does not appear to be an isolated event, and hopefully this report will bring attention to this potential complication.     

Mismatch negativity in the neurophysiologic/behavioral evaluation of auditory processing deficits: a case study

The subject of this case report is an 18-year-old woman with grossly abnormal auditory brain stem response (ABR), normal peripheral hearing, and specific behavioral auditory processing deficits. Auditory middle latency responses (MLRs) and cortical potentials N1, P2, and P300 were intact. The mismatch negativity (MMN) was normal in response to certain synthesized speech stimuli and impaired to others--consistent with her behavioral discrimination of these stimuli. Behavioral tests of auditory processing were consistent with auditory brain stem dysfunction. A neuropsychological evaluation revealed normal intellectual and academic performance. The subject was in her first year of college at the time of the evaluation. This case study is important because: (1) Although there have been several reports of absent/abnormal ABR with preserved peripheral hearing and deficits in auditory processing, little is known about the specific nature of the auditory deficits experienced by these individuals. Such information may be valuable to the clinical management of patients with this constellation of findings. (2) Of interest is the information that the mismatch negativity (MMN) cortical event-related potential can bring to the evaluation of patients with auditory processing deficits. The MMN reflects central auditory processing of small acoustic differences and may provide an objective measure of auditory discrimination. (3) From a theorectical standpoint, a patient with neural deficits affecting specific components of the auditory pathway provides insight into the relationship between evoked potentials and physiological mechanisms of auditory processing. How do various components of the auditory pathway contribute to speech discrimination? How might evoked potentials reflect the processes underlying the neural coding of specific features of speech stimuli such as timing and spectral cues?     

Monitoring of cellular signalling and metabolism with modular sensor-technique: the PhysioControl-Microsystem (PCM)

This cohort study of 725 women examined the health, occupational, and social factors that contribute to quitting work in two transnational electronics maquiladoras (assembly plants) in Tijuana, Mexico. The estimated cumulative probabilities of quitting were 68% and 81% by 1 and 2 years of employment. After adjusting for other factors, women who had a history of smoking or surgery and those who returned to work after a paid leave due to illness were more likely to quit. In contrast, women with a history of chronic illness had lower quitting rates. The nationality of the company and the work shift also significantly influenced quitting rates, but demographic characteristics and health care visits did not have a significant effect. Women selectively leave maquiladora employment, often due to health-related events. The healthy worker effect is difficult to measure in a mobile population with high turnover.     

Structural effects on equilibria and rates of metal extraction

The correlations by linear free energy relationships (LFER) of published equilibrium and rate data on metal extraction by organic compounds are discussed. The extraction equilibria concerning one metal and a series of structurally related extractants can be successfully correlated by the Hammett or Taft equations. For rate data, the correlation with partition coefficients of the extractants between organic phase and water, estimated from structural fragments, seems to be possible. The requirements on the quality of rate data are discussed. The approach is promising with respect to the prediction of extractant performance.     

A large electro-magnetic pump for high temperature LMFBR applications

A 14 500 gal/min (3300 m³/hr) electro-magnetic (EM) axial annular linear induction pump with center return (ALIP-CR), was designed to satisfy the requirements of Section III and Code Case 1592 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. One of the important features of this EM pump is that there are no moving parts. Every significant loading condition was considered in the stress analysis of this pump for a liquid metal (Na) fast breeder reactor (LMFBR) application. An axisymmetric overall stress model (finite element) was first set up to analyze the stress state within the pump duct which has a pressure boundary with the conventional pressure vessel features. Axisymmetric loading such as pressure and thermal loads as well as non-axisymmetric loading such as seismic and vibration loads were taken into account. Local analyses were then performed for specific critical areas to supplement the overall model and to substantiate the adequacy of the design. Analytical results show that the EM pump is an acceptable and an attractive design for high temperature LMFBR applications.     

Preparation of substituted carbonyl compounds by catalytic dehydrogenation of substituted alcohols

Possibilities for the preparation of substituted ketones by catalytic dehydrogenation of corresponding secondary alcohols were explored using a ZnO–Cr₂O₃ catalyst at 370–400°C. It was found that addition of about 1 wt% of sodium to the catalyst increases the yield of the ketone because the competitive dehydration of the alcohol is suppressed. Further improvement of the process was achieved by adding 20 wt% of water to the alcohol feed, which inhibited catalyst deactivation. Preparative experiments were conducted and 1-methoxy-2-propanone, 1-methoxy-2-butanone, 1-phenoxy-2-propanone and 2-methoxy-1-cyclohexanone were obtained.     

Alcohol use, driver, and crash characteristics among injured motorcycle drivers

BACKGROUND: Motorcycle drivers have the highest frequency of alcohol use among all road users. This study examines alcohol use among a large sample of injured motorcycle drivers and examines how crash characteristics differ with the use of alcohol. METHODS: Over 3000 motorcycle drivers who crashed between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992, were studied. All fatally injured drivers in 11 California counties and a sample of nonfatally injured drivers treated in 28 hospitals were included in the study if a crash report and medical record were available. RESULTS: Among drivers tested for alcohol use, 42% tested positive for the presence of alcohol. Drinking drivers were more likely to be speeding and less likely to wear a helmet, and more frequently had single motorcycle crashes than nondrinking drivers. Crash characteristics, but not alcohol use, were predictive of increased injury severity. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use remains a significant factor in motorcycle crashes and is an important area for injury prevention efforts.