Simultaneous equations in ordered discrete responses with regressor-dependent thresholds

Summary The parameters of ordered discrete response (ODR) models are identified only up to a positive scale. In this paper, we examine the identification issue for simultaneous equations with ODR, where the well-known identification problem in simultaneous equations of recovering structural-form parameters from reduced-form parameters is compounded with the ODR identification problem. We allow the thresholds in ODR to be regressor dependent as well as constant; the former is particularly challenging because threshold parameters get mixed with regression parameters, adding one more dimension to the identification problem. We also explore a cross-equation restriction on threshold differences, under which the structural form parameters are fully identified as if the dependent variables are continuously distributed. An empirical example with farm–household joint labour supply is provided to illustrate the identification issues, to show how our proposals work and to apply tests devised for the threshold constancy and cross-equation restrictions.     

Transferability of Medication Administration Simulation Training to Clinical Settings

The study examines the impact of one-on-one simulation for medication administration (MA) on prelicensure student preparedness for and performance of MA in the clinical setting.We used a prospective quasi-experimental interventional study applying Kirkpatrick's model to the simulation experience addressing MA.Simulation increased student preparedness. Students' critical thinking and approach during the MA process were significantly higher in the clinical setting.One-on-one MA simulation is an effective educational method for improving student learning and performance in practice.     

Glycopeptides from Surface Membranes of Neuroblastoma Cells

Sequential removal of surface glycopeptides was achieved by subjection of mouse neuroblastoma cells to a two-step trypsin treatment under different conditions. The glycopetides released by each trypsinization step were digested by Pronase and examined on columns of Sephadex G-50. Different chromatographic patterns were found for the two digests. Thus, several groups of glycopeptides can be distinguished by the trypsinization procedure. One group is readily removed and appears to be at a more accessible location on the cell surface. Among the four neuroblastoma clones examined, the glycopeptide patterns from axon-forming cells differed from those of axon-minus cells.     

Maturation of neuroblastoma cells in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide.

Addition of dimethylsulfoxide at concentrations of 1% and 2% (vol/vol) to cells of mouse neuroblastoma clone NIE-115 in the confluent phase of growth resulted in the production of morphologically differentiated cultures with extensive process formation. Cell maintained in 2% dimethylsulfoxide remained in a stable nondividing condition for periods of up to 4 weeks. A high degree of electrical excitability was found in these cells, but there was no clear correlation of this property with the level of induction of either acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine hydrolase; EC 3.1.1.7) or tyrosine hydroxylase [L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine:oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating); EC 1.14.16.2]. In addition, intracellular levels of cyclic 3':5'-AMP were not elevated in fully morphologically and electrically differentiated cells. While cell division was markedly inhibited by 2% or higher concentrations of dimethylsulfoxide, at 1% growth continued at a somewhat slowed rate and such cultures exhibited enhanced process formation and electrical activity for a relatively short period. High concentrations (3% or 4%) of dimethylsulfoxide totally suppressed process formation and did not result in increased excitability, but cells maintained high resting potentials. The results suggest that the development of the excitable membrane in neuroblastoma cells may be expressed independently of neurospecific enzyme induction, and does not require a sustained elevation of cyclic 3':5'-AMP levels.     

Is selectivity for serotonin uptake associated with a reduced emergence of manic episodes in depressed patients?

To determine whether selectivity for serotonin reuptake plays a role in antidepressant-associated mania (AAM), we evaluated the frequency of treatment-emergent mania in patients with unipolar depression who received either citalopram, a highly selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, or the adrenergic tetracyclic antidepressants (TTCAs) maproriline and mianserin, or placebo. Data were collected from post-marketing reports of adverse events, three placebo-controlled trials and four double-blind comparative trials. Of the total 4,004 depressed patients treated with citalopram (2482 from postmarketing data, 840 from placebo-controlled studies and 682 from TTCAs comparative studies), 25 (0.62%) had manic episodes. The rate of AAM in the comparative trials was significantly lower in the citalopram-treated patients (1/682, 0.15%) than in the TTCA-treated patients (5/389, 1.29%) (P = 0.03). In the placebo-controlled studies, no manic episodes were reported in the patients given placebo, but one manic episode occurred in a citalopram-treated patient (1/840, 0.12%). The citalopram-treated patients in whom AAM developed were significantly older than those in whom it did not (about 10 years, P < 0.001); gender distribution was similar. In conclusion, despite its limitations, our study apparently indicates that citalopram, a highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is associated with a significantly lower rate of treatment-emergent manic episodes than TTCAs, which have noradrenergic activity, but a similar rate to that reported for less selective SSRIs.     

Auditory Brain Stem Responses in Schizophrenic Patients

Auditory brain stem responses (ABR) were recorded from 20 schizophrenic patients, of whom ten were medicated and ten were unmedicated. A matched control group consisted of ten normal subjects. A statistically significant difference in the latencies of N3 and N5 recordings was found among the three groups. The results suggest that unmedicated schizophrenics have a delayed latency for peaks N3 and N5, and that medication (with neuroleptic drugs) shortens these delayed latencies back to the normal range.     

Survey of patient satisfaction in adult psychiatric outpatient clinics.

A client satisfaction survey was undertaken in two adult psychiatric outpatient clinics. The anonymous self-report questionnaire covering demographic, setting and satisfaction with service variables was endorsed by 203 participants. The mean age of the subjects was 42.5 +/- 19 years, with a small majority (58.6%) of females. Overall satisfaction with psychiatric care was high (79.8%). None of the demographic or setting variables correlated significantly with satisfaction. Psychoeducation was significantly correlated with level of satisfaction with services. These findings further emphasize the importance of psychoeducation by service providers in mental health.     

Proximal and distal determinants of community resilience under threats of terror

Community resilience (CR) is a positive trajectory of adaptation of a commune after a disturbance, stress, or adversity. Previous studies have successfully predicted CR in times of stress by distal factors, such as demographic characteristics of the community members and by their psychological attributes. We submit that since all these variables are distal predictors, which are not directly related to the actual stressful condition, CR would be predicted more readily by proximal factors, which portray people's responses to the investigated adversity (i.e., trust in the community emergency team). A sample of 1,515 adults, living in terror‐stricken border communities in northern Israel has been examined. Their perceived CR has been predicted concurrently by distal and by proximal factors. Results have supported the research hypotheses, indicating the importance of proximal variables in determining and promoting CR.