Biomedical subjects

J S Bloom

Publications and source records attributed to J S Bloom.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

An infrared flash contemporaneous with the gamma-rays of GRB 041219a.

The explosion that results in a cosmic gamma-ray burst (GRB) is thought to produce emission from two physical processes: the central engine gives rise to the high-energy emission of the burst through internal shocking, and the subsequent interaction of the flow with the external environment produces long-wavelength afterglows. Although observations of afterglows continue to refine our understanding of GRB progenitors and relativistic shocks, gamma-ray observations alone have not yielded a clear picture of the origin of the prompt emission nor details of the central engine. Only one concurrent visible-light transient has been found and it was associated with emission from an external shock. Here we report the discovery of infrared emission contemporaneous with a GRB, beginning 7.2 minutes after the onset of GRB 041219a (ref. 8). We acquired 21 images during the active phase of the burst, yielding early multi-colour observations. Our analysis of the initial infrared pulse suggests an origin consistent with internal shocks.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Detecting elder abuse: a guide for physicians.

Abuse and neglect of the elderly is not a new phenomenom, however, it recently has become recognized as a social problem throughout the United States. Much like child abuse, detection of elder abuse is contingent upon physicians' awareness of this problem and an understanding of the risk factors that often appear before a crisis occurs. Understanding elder abuse detection and risk factors will enable the practicing physician to identify and treat abuse. The purpose of this article is to provide physicians with detection and intervention strategies, with the hope that physicians will utilize their unique relationship with their patients to further the investigation of this growing social problem.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Increased utilization of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in an elderly hospitalized population.

This study compared three interventions designed to increase acceptance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines among elderly hospitalized patients. All individuals 65 and older able to give informed consent (73 patients) who were admitted to one medical floor of an acute care hospital were randomized to one of three groups. All groups received informational pamphlets explaining influenza and pneumococcal disease, their respective vaccines, and indications for their use. The first group received pamphlets only, the second received nursing follow-up, and the third received trained volunteer follow-up. Patients on another medical floor served as controls. The results showed a significant improvement in vaccine acceptance in all three study groups compared to controls for both influenza (78% vs 0%) and pneumococcal (75% vs 0%) vaccines. The differences among the three groups were not significant. No significant differences were found among patients accepting or refusing vaccination with regard to diagnosis, age, length of stay, sex, or having a private physician. We conclude that a simple educational program followed by offering vaccination before hospital discharge can be easily implemented, and dramatically increase immunization rates in this high risk group.

Aged↗