A series of measures used in a number of dyslexia screening tests was administered to groups of 7-8-year old English monolinguals and Sylheti/English bilinguals. Within these groups a subgroup of children was distinguished by poor spelling and reading in the absence of general ability, sensory, emotional or behavioural problems, i.e. specific literacy difficulties (SpLD). General ability (assessed by Raven's matrices), chronological age, male/female ratio and mono/bilingualism were controlled between SpLD and control groups. Screening measures assessed phonological skills, rapid naming, the ability to recite or repeat sequences of verbal and non-verbal stimuli, and visual and motor skills. Sample sizes were small owing to the selection criteria used and the small number of bilingual SpLD children identified. However, the results were encouraging in differentiating SpLD bilinguals from their peers, with the phonological measures in particular presenting consistent findings across bilingual and monolingual groupings. Those differences found between bilinguals and monolinguals are discussed in terms of a bilingual influence on the skills assessed or the reduced reliability of the measure.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nurse midwives' attitudes toward abortion performance and related procedures.

In 1990 a symposium was held by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the National Abortion Federation to address the national shortage of physician abortion providers. One symposium recommendation was that nurse-midwives be trained to perform first-trimester legal abortions under physician supervision. A national mail survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of nurse-midwives toward performing abortion and related procedures. One-half of the nurse-midwives who were members of the American College of Nurse-Midwives as of October 1991 were polled, and 1,208 questionnaires (71.1%) were returned, resulting in a sample representative of the general membership and students. Seventy-nine percent of respondents would not support federal and state efforts to limit access to abortion, 52% would or possibly would vote in a secret ballot to permit the performance of abortion by certified nurse-midwives; 24% would, or possibly would, incorporate abortion procedures into their practice; and 19% would, or possibly would, perform abortions in an abortion clinic. The lowest level of support to permit the certified nurse-midwife practice of abortion came from the midwest (31%) and southeast (41%) and the greatest from the west coast (65%). Supporters for the nurse-midwife performance of abortion were more likely to have practiced well-woman gynecology and provided abortion-related services such as abortion referrals, pre- and postabortion workups and the treatment of abortion-related complications. They were more likely to have inserted intrauterine contraceptive devices and laminaria, and to have performed circumcision. Opinions about the performance of abortion were not related to age, education, or student status. The majority of nurse-midwives (91%) would be willing to refer a woman to another provider for an abortion, prescribe RU 486 (57%), and perform dilation and curettage for spontaneous abortion (56%). The American College of Nurse-Midwives membership reported many different reasons for support of and opposition to professional involvement with abortion. Further research suggestions for institutional policy and individual practice are offered.

Abortion, Legal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact evaluation of the "not me, not now" abstinence-oriented, adolescent pregnancy prevention communications program, Monroe County, New York.

"Not Me, Not Now" is an abstinence oriented, adolescent pregnancy prevention integrated communications program developed by Monroe County, NY. The evaluation utilized a cross-sectional time series approach in the analysis of items from several waves of youth surveys administered to two different age groups: (1) a survey of 7th and 8th graders on awareness, attitudes and intended behavior, and (2) the Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered to 9th through 12th graders. The trends found in the surveys demonstrated high levels of awareness of the program, changing attitudes and intended behaviors consistent with the program's messages. Analysis of pregnancy rates for 15-17 year-olds in the county were compared to reductions found in similar geographic areas. Pregnancy rates in Monroe County declined faster than in comparison areas. The authors conclude that there is a strong likelihood that the program had independent effect on the outcome of pregnancies in the population exposed to the program.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reproduction of radiologic images on plain paper.

Skyrocketing health care costs and pressures from managed care have combined to promote cost-cutting strategies in radiology and radiation oncology departments. A study was conducted to evaluate the use of a high-resolution laser printer for printing plain-paper images as substitutes for both original and duplicate radiologic film images. A variety of radiologic images were used to evaluate the image reproduction capabilities of the printer in terms of linearity, detail, and contrast. In many cases, printed images had a quality comparable to that of the original images. Six computed tomographic (CT) scans and six radiation therapy simulator radiographs were compared with printed reproductions by each of seven board-certified radiation oncologists, who rated the reproductions as acceptable for documentation, acceptable for diagnostic purposes (CT scans only), or unacceptable. Ninety-five percent of printed CT images and 90% of printed simulation images were rated acceptable for documentation. The quality of printed images of radiation therapy port films was not quantitatively measured but was improved by adjusting image contrast and brightness and using various image enhancement techniques. The use of printed images is less expensive than that of processed film and eliminates the environmental, time, storage, and delivery problems associated with film. Technologic advances in imaging, networking, and printing have made possible the inexpensive duplication of medical images.

Copying Processes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Preparing for unionization efforts.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Hospital Administrators↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Standardization of a device to measure unsupported arm exercise endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare respiratory responses with moderate and slow rates of unsupported arm exercise (UAE) with a newly developed electromechanical device. Twenty-one patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were studied. Exercise endurance limits, metabolic, ventilatory and sensation outcomes were determined at rest prior to exercise and at end-exercise endurance limits. Increases from baseline rest for both exercise rates were observed in: oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, inspiratory flow, minute ventilation, respiratory rate, dyspnea, respiratory effort, and arm fatigue. Endurance limits were similar for both rates of UAE. These data provide standards against which UAE in COPD can be evaluated.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The chromosome complement of an Aotus hybrid.

Two divergent haploid chromosome sets were encountered in the chromosome complement of laboratory-born Aotus. Comparison of G-banded chromosomes of this individual with seven other established G-banded Aotus karyotypes revealed that this monkey is a hybrid offspring of two allopatric chromosome races (Brazilian Aotus X Colombian Aotus).

Animals↗