Self-regulation and social and behavioral functioning following childhood traumatic brain injury.

This study examined the impact of childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) on self-regulation and social and behavioral functioning, and the role of self-regulation as a predictor of children's social and behavioral functioning. Participants included 65 children with moderate to severe TBI and 65 children without TBI, all between 6 and 11 years of age. Self-regulation and social and behavioral functioning were assessed 2 to 5 years following injury. Children with TBI displayed deficits in self-regulation and social and behavioral functioning, after controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), although the magnitude of the deficits was not related to injury severity. Self-regulation accounted for significant variance in children's social and behavioral functioning, after controlling for SES and group membership. Self-regulation may be an important determinant of children's social and behavioral functioning following TBI.     

Digital radiography of the chest

Digital radiography is an appropriate method for both bedside and in-department chest radiographs. Its major advantage in bedside chest radiography is its control of the displayed optical density of these radiographs. With dynamic range control processing, it improves the visibility of tubes and lines superimposed on the mediastinal tissues. When used for in-department chest radiography, it may offer slight advantages in the evaluation of disease in the mediastinum, but in general is equivalent to film-screen chest radiography. The main reasons for using digital chest radiography for in-department chest radiographs relate mainly to its use as a data entry point method of projection radiography for high-quality teleradiology or for its use in a picture archiving and communication system. Apart from these advantages, there is no reason to change from conventional to digital chest radiographs. Digital radiographs are, with certain systems, printed at smaller than life size. Because of this, there is a necessary period of learning as radiologists adjust to the new image size. The most important change in radiologists' work pattern appears to be the need to sit closer to the film. Findings of disease are smaller, but, with experience, just as easy to see.     

Iowa's High School High Tech Goes to College Program: Preparing Students with Mild Disabilities for Careers in Technology

This paper describes an innovative approach to preparing high school students with mild disabilities for challenging careers in high tech industries, called High School High Tech (HSHT). Iowa's HSHT Goes to College program has three central elements, each of which is discussed in this paper: High School Preparation—assisting students in identifying a suitable high tech career goal; Higher Education Preparation and Supports—assisting students in selecting college/training programs that match their career goal, and in successfully completing their postsecondary programs; Workforce Entry Assistance—linking students with employers and launching their high tech careers. The paper concludes with a presentation of outcomes to date and recommendations for program enhancements. The information presented here is intended to assist education and rehabilitation professionals interested in establishing similar efforts across the nation.     

Regression of lymphomatous skin deposits in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient treated with the Toll-like receptor-7/8 agonist, imiquimod.

The identification of clinically relevant, active immunomodulatory agents is important for developing immunotherapeutic approaches to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other B-cell lymphomas that are not curable with conventional chemotherapy. In this investigation, the imidazoquinoline Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7/8 agonist, imiquimod, was found to mediate the clearance of a lymphomatous skin lesion in a CLL patient. Imidazoquinolines also activated TLR-7/8 signaling pathways, resulting in increased expression of costimulatory molecules on circulating tumor cells. These observations extend the therapeutic spectrum of imiquimod to cutaneous B-cell lymphomas and suggest the use of TLR-7/8 agonists in CLL immunotherapy.     

Image processing in digital radiography

Image processing is a critical part of obtaining high-quality digital radiographs. Fortunately, the user of these systems does not need to understand image processing in detail, because the manufacturers provide good starting values. Because radiologists may have different preferences in image appearance, it is helpful to know that many aspects of image appearance can be changed by image processing, and a new preferred setting can be loaded into the computer and saved so that it can become the new standard processing method.Image processing allows one to change the overall optical density of an image and to change its contrast. Spatial frequency processing allows an image to be sharpened, improving its appearance. It also allows noise to be blurred so that it is less visible. Care is necessary to avoid the introduction of artifacts or the hiding of mediastinal tubes.     

Storage phosphor digital mammography

Digital mammography using storage phosphor CR is still in the investigational stage. It is the only digital mammography system that has been tested in preliminary clinical trials with promising early results. Further clinical studies are needed to assess the impact of the limited spatial resolution of storage phosphor technology on its application as a digital screening mammography system. Further studies also are needed to determine the optimum image processing parameters needed in digital mammography.