Human factors in chemical containment laboratory design

A human factors engineering analysis of a chemical containment laboratory was performed to develop appropriate standards for future laboratory design. In order to perform this evaluation, a state-of-the-art facility was studied in depth. Measurements and observations were made of key operating areas. In addition, technicians were observed and interviewed as they performed various tasks. Compiled data were compared to existing ergonomic standards. The occupational implications of instituting ergonomically developed laboratory design standards are as follows: increased worker health, safety and productivity, improved work quality and reduced stress.     

The modified Evan's blue dye procedure fails to detect aspiration in the tracheostomized patient: Five case reports

The modified Evan's blue dye procedure (MEBD) is a method of performing tracheal suctioning of the patient through the tracheostomy tube after administration of color-contrasted food and liquid. The MEBD is done when radiographic or fiberoptic procedures are not available or practical. In 5 tracheostomized patients, the MEBD does not detect aspiration.     

The Veterans Affairs Learners' Perceptions Survey: the foundation for educational quality improvement.

PURPOSE: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supports 8,700 resident positions nationally to enhance quality of care for veterans and to educate physicians. This study sought to establish a yearly quality indicator to identify and follow strengths and opportunities for improvement in VA clinical training programs. METHOD: In March 2001, the VA Learners' Perceptions Survey, a validated 57-item questionnaire, was mailed to 3,338 residents registered at 130 VA facilities. They were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the VA clinical training experience and their satisfaction in four domains: faculty/preceptor, learning, working, and physical environments using a five-point Likert scale. Questionnaires were received from 1,775 residents (53.2%). A full analysis was conducted using 1,436 of these questionnaires, whose respondents were categorized in four training programs: medicine (n = 706), surgery (n = 291), subspecialty (n = 266), and psychiatry (n = 173). RESULTS: On a scale of 0 to 100, residents gave their clinical training experience an average score of 79. Eighty-four percent would have recommended VA training to peers, and 81% would have chosen VA training again. Overall, 87% were satisfied with their faculty/preceptors, 78% with the learning environment, and 67% with the working and physical environments. The survey was sensitive to differences in satisfaction among the trainee groups, with residents in internal medicine (IM) the least satisfied. CONCLUSION: The VA Learners' Perceptions Survey is the first validated survey to address comprehensive satisfaction issues in clinical training. The survey highlights strengths and opportunities for improvement in VA clinical training and is the first step toward improving education.     

The growth and development of Echinococcus granulosus of sheep origin in dogs and foxes in Britain

Four separate experiments were carried out by dosing dogs (Beagles and Border collies) and red foxes with protoscoleces obtained from hydatid cysts in sheep from mid-Wales. The dogs and foxes were killed at intervals over a period from 34-180 days after infection and the intestines were examined for Echinococcus granulosus. Border collie dogs were efficient hosts in that large numbers of worms developed, with gravid segments present by 55 days after infection; but Beagle dogs were poor hosts in that only small numbers of immature worms developed. Foxes were poor hosts in that few or no worms developed, but gravid segments were seen in three of 29 foxes. The worms showed morphological features similar to the 'sheep' rather than the 'horse' strain.     

Neurophysiological investigation of effects of the D-1 agonist SKF 38393 on tonic activity of substantia nigra dopamine neurons

The effects of the D-1 agonist SKF 38393 on tonic activity of rat substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons were studied using extracellular, single-unit recording techniques. Unlike nonselective D-1/D-2 dopamine agonists or the D-2 agonist quinpirole, SKF 38393 did not inhibit dopamine neuronal activity when applied iontophoretically or when administered intravenously in doses up to 20 mg/kg to chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats. Moreover, pretreatment with SKF 38393 did not alter the inhibitory response of these neurons to apomorphine or the D-2 agonist quinpirole. However, in locally anesthetized, gallamine-treated, artificially respired rats, dopamine cell activity was significantly altered by i.v. administration of SKF 38393; firing rate increases and decreases were observed. Administration of the inactive enantiomer of SKF 38393, S-SKF 38393, did not induce similar changes in parallel experiments. These results support the idea that unlike D-2 autoreceptor stimulation, D-1 receptor stimulation does not exert a direct local effect on dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and suggest that D-1 receptor stimulation at sites postsynaptic to the dopamine cells may indirectly affect the activity of some dopamine neurons through long-loop feedback mechanisms.