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Biomedical subjects

J Ferron

Publications and source records attributed to J Ferron.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Using randomization tests with responsive single-case designs.

Randomization tests have been proposed as a statistical method for analyzing the data from single-case designs. A case is made for incorporating a responsive element into randomized designs. A partially responsive, partially randomized single-case design is presented, and an example is given to illustrate the design and the corresponding randomization test.

Humans

Poverty experiences of young children and the quality of their home environments.

This paper assesses the relative contribution of maternal, household, child, and poverty characteristics to the quality of the home environment. The sample consists of 1,887 children birth to 4 years old from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY). Ordinary least-squares regression is used to explore conceptually distinct aspects of children's poverty experiences. Poverty variables are found to have a statistically significant effect on the quality of the home environment, after controlling for the effects of other variables in the models. Statistically significant interactions among poverty variables are identified. A major finding is that improvements in family income have the strongest effects on the quality of the home environment for children who were born poor or lived much of their lives in poverty. The conclusion emphasizes implications for future research.

Child, Preschool

Nonoperative management of liver injuries following blunt abdominal trauma in children.

In a 4-year span, 12 patients with hepatic trauma were treated at our institution. After initial resuscitation, three underwent emergency celiotomy because of the severity of their injuries. This communication analyses the other nine. All of these had significant liver injuries and were managed nonoperatively. Hepatic injury was diagnosed and the severity defined by ultrasonography, radionuclide scintigraphy, or computed tomography (CT). These stable patients were initially admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and upon transfer to the ward, maintained on restricted activities. Seven of the nine children received blood transfusions. Although liver enzymes were initially elevated in each case, they returned to normal in 1 week. In-hospital and post-discharge imaging documented healing of the hepatic injuries in each case. Eight children are well at 3 months to 4 years follow-up. Only one of the nine nonoperatively managed patients died and this was secondary to severe head injuries. To date, there are no complications. Our nine children are added to the 23 nonoperatively treated pediatric hepatic injuries found in the literature.

Adolescent

Comparative ontogeny of behaviour in four species of squirrels (Sciuridae).

The development of behaviour in four species of Sciurid rodents, having terrestrial, arboreal and gliding way of life, is quantified and compared. The studied species are: Spermophilus columbianus, Spermophilus lateralis, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus and Glaucomys sabrinus. For each behaviour pattern the earliest and latest age of emergence is given along with a mean calculated for a series of young of each species. The development of locomotion, feeding, comfort, alertness, exploration, nest building and social behaviour and the principal events of physical development are analysed. The discussion shows that the specific differences in ontogenetic rate are controlled by a series of factors including predation pressure, hibernation and the specific complexity of locomotion.

Animals

Comfort behavior of the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

The various forms of comfort behavior of the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are described and compared with that of other Sciurids to understand their adaptative value for the red squirrel's arboreal way of life. The different comfort activities are: self-grooming, stretching, resting, sleeping, elimination and nose blowing. Observations were made both in nature and in two outdoor enclosures. The discussion shows that most adaptations are common to arboreal squirrels while others, found in several Sciurid species, are not in relation to the arboreal versus terrestrial way of life.

Adaptation, Biological