Compulsory notification of cysticercosis in Ribeir?o Preto-SP, Brazil

Cysticercosis is a severe public health problem in several regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Epidemiologic studies based on the frequency of cases observed in specialized neurology, neurosurgery and computed tomography services, at autopsy and in seroepidemiologic studies do not permit the determination of the true prevalence of the disease in the population. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of cysticercosis by compulsory notification. The coefficient of prevalence was 54 cases/100,000 inhabitants in the municipality of Ribeir?o Preto. The results also indicated that cysticercosis is not under control in our region since 21% of cases presented the active form of the disease. Compulsory notification proved to be a valuable resource for the epidemiologic study of cysticercosis, also permitting the mapping of more affected areas for a better direction of prevention strategies.     

Performance as a function of increased minority hiring.

Examined the impact of increasing the percentage of hires (above the T. A. Cleary [1968] fair-hiring level) from minority groups with demonstrated lower average job performance. Increased minority hiring resulted in only a small performance loss, even when minority hiring exceeded the minority applicant representation. However, when minorities were hired at a rate equal to or greater than their applicant representation, the expected performance loss among the hired minorities was much greater than performance loss across all hires. More important, the discrepancy in performance between majority and minority hires increased as minority hiring increased. With minority hiring above the level of minority applicant representation, this discrepancy exceeded the population difference in performance between the 2 groups. These findings suggest additional considerations when raising minority hiring above minority applicant representation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prospective study of carotid endarterectomy and contralateral carotid occlusion

A total of 700 patients who had carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the UK and Ireland during a 6-month interval between March and August 1994 were studied prospectively. Some 108 patients (15.4 per cent) had a contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Previous reports have shown an associated stroke rate of about 10 per cent in these patients. This study assessed complications and outcome for patients undergoing CEA with contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion compared with those without. The indications for surgery were comparable between the two groups although the patients with occlusion had a slightly higher incidence of arrhythmia and stroke. Intraoperative shunts were used in a significantly higher proportion of those with occlusion (83.3 versus 64.7 per cent, P = 0.0001). The combined death and stroke rate for patients with occlusion was 5.6 per cent compared with 2.4 per cent for the remainder (P not significant). On the basis of the present data, CEA with a contralateral carotid artery occlusion carries only a slight increase in the rate of postoperative stroke and death. This increase was not statistically significant and is lower than that reported previously.     

RBS/channelling study of ion-implanted and proton-exchanged LiNbO3:Nd:MgO planar waveguides

We present a structural study of two Nd³⁺/MgO codoped LiNbO₃ waveguides fabricated by two different methods: ion-implantation and proton-exchange. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in combination with channelling was used to study the influence of the waveguide fabrication method on the possible modification of the LiNbO₃ crystal structure within the waveguiding layer. The results show that the ion-implanted waveguide mainly maintains the same properties as the virgin crystal, apart from a deterioration of a thin surface layer, whilst the proton-exchanged waveguide exhibits a quite different behaviour, although its surface is less damaged.     

Oculomotor paralysis. The perspective of a neuro-ophthalmology consultation

Ocular paresis is a usual diagnosis in neuro-ophthalmologic consultation, and its aetiology is indeed a challenge. The authors studied 3400 records concerning this consultation, between 1982 and the third quarter of 1993. During this period 221 cases with ocular paresis were selected. During this retrospective study we point out the following items: the cranial nerve affected; the neuro-ophthalmologic semiology; the aetiology and clinical evolution, according to the age groups. From 221 cases selected, 111 were paresis from the VIth pair (50.2%), 88 from the IIIrd pair (39.8%), 14 multiple paresis (6.4%) and 8 paresis from the IVth pair (3.6%). The most frequent complaint was diplopia (> 90%). As far as the aetiological diagnosis is concerned, this was easier to establish in patients > 50 years of age. In this age group the most usual aetiology was vascular and traumatic pathologies. In younger patients the most frequent pathologies were traumatic and tumoral. The prognostic was better in the vascular group, the paresis recovery being > 50% in all other pathologies, except the tumoral one.     

Optimal Locations of Groundwater Extractions in Coastal Aquifers

A regional water supply management model for coastal aquifers was developed. One of its outcomes is the definition of the optimized locations for groundwater withdrawal. Such a tool permits the analysis of alternative plans for groundwater extraction and the sustainable use of water resources in a coastal aquifer subject to saltwater intrusion. The principal components are the evolutionary optimization and the analytical/numerical simulation models. The optimization technique looks for the best well locations taking into consideration the economic results and the satisfaction of the societal water demand. However these two concerns are conditioned by trying to control the saltwater intrusion, i.e., preserving the environmental equilibrium. The simulation model uses the governing mathematical equations for groundwater movement to find the interface between freshwater and saltwater. Because of the non-linearity in the system and the possibility of a jumping interface, a security distance was defined. This is a controlling variable which can be set by the decision makers. The model was applied to a typical case with interesting results. For example, diagrams showing the relationship between the location of the wells and the security distance(s) are of importance to the managers. It was also crucial to have an understanding of the tradeoffs between groundwater withdrawals, positions of the wells from the coast line, and the security distance. The model was also applied to a real case in order to relate the extractions, distances and artificial recharge (not presented in this paper).     

A boost-type converter for DC-supply of fluorescent lamps

A boost type converter is described that is suitable for low-voltage DC-supply of fluorescent lamps. It has inherent lamp current limitation (ballast action) and provides the high voltage pulses and electrode heating that are required for igniting the lamp. The proposed circuit is applicable in automotive, emergency, and portable light sources.<>     

Personality traits are linked to crime among men and women: Evidence from a birth cohort.

Is there a relationship between personality and criminal behavior? We addressed this question in a representative birth cohort of 862 male and female 18-yr-olds. Personality was assessed with the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ). The MPQ measures 10 relatively independent personality traits and was not designed to identify offenders. Delinquency was assessed via 3 data sources: self-reports, informant reports, and official records. Variable-centered analyses revealed that MPQ scales indexing negative emotionality and behavioral constraint were consistent predictors of delinquency across the 3 data sources. Person-centered analyses revealed that youths abstaining from delinquency were uniquely characterized by low interpersonal potency. Youths involved in extensive delinquency were uniquely characterized by feelings of alienation, lack of social closeness and risk taking. Advances in understanding criminal behavior can be made through research that places the personality-delinquency link in a developmental context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)