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Biomedical subjects

B Gates

Publications and source records attributed to B Gates.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Template-assisted self-assembly: a practical route to complex aggregates of monodispersed colloids with well-defined sizes, shapes, and structures.

This paper describes a strategy that combines physical templating and capillary forces to assemble monodispersed spherical colloids into uniform aggregates with well-controlled sizes, shapes, and structures. When an aqueous dispersion of colloidal particles was allowed to dewet from a solid surface that had been patterned with appropriate relief structures, the particles were trapped by the recessed regions and assembled into aggregates whose structures were determined by the geometric confinement provided by the templates. We have demonstrated the capability and feasibility of this approach by assembling polystyrene beads and silica colloids (> or =150 nm in diameter) into complex aggregates that include polygonal or polyhedral clusters, linear or zigzag chains, and circular rings. We have also been able to generate hybrid aggregates in the shape of HF or H2O molecules that are composed of polymer beads having different diameters, polymer beads labeled with different organic dyes, and a combination of polymeric and inorganic beads. These colloidal aggregates can serve as a useful model system to investigate the hydrodynamic and optical scattering properties of colloidal particles having nonspherical morphologies. They should also find use as the building blocks to generate hierarchically self-assembled systems that may exhibit interesting properties highly valuable to areas ranging from photonics to condensed matter physics.

Journal Article↗

Behaviour modification and gentle teaching workshops: management of children with learning disabilities exhibiting challenging behaviour and implications for learning disability nursing.

BACKGROUND: Challenging behaviours (behaviour difficulties) represent a problem of considerable clinical significance for learning disability nurses, and a source of much human distress. Gentle teaching is a relatively new approach to dealing with behavioural difficulties, and has been received with enthusiasm by clinicians, but has so far received little empirical support. The current study attempted to compare gentle teaching with a well-established alternative (behaviour modification) and a control group. OBJECTIVES: To examine the comparative effectiveness of gentle teaching, behaviour modification and control interventions for challenging behaviour amongst children with learning disabilities. DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled trial. SETTING: Service users' homes in East Yorkshire. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-seven children who presented with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour (behaviour difficulties) and their parents. PROCEDURE: One-day workshops in were offered by recognized authorities in either behaviour modification or gentle teaching that were not otherwise involved with the research project. Forty-one participants were recruited to the gentle teaching condition; 36 to behaviour modification; 26 to the control group. Random allocation was not possible, because of the slow uptake by interested parents. Measures was preintervention, and at assessment points up until 12 months following intervention. ANALYSIS: Quantitative analysis of pre-post differences between the groups, using t-test. RESULTS: In general, no significant differences were found between the treatment groups and controls. Significant improvements were found for both gentle teachingand behaviour modification children over controls on the AAMR ABS XVII (social engagement) subscale. Controls had more contact with medical practitioner (GP) services than behaviour modification children and less than gentle teaching children. CONCLUSION: Although very few differences were found between the three groups, those that did exist generally favoured behaviour modification. Implications for service provision and learning disability nursing practice are described.

Adolescent↗

Issues of reliability and validity in the measurement of challenging behaviour (behavioural difficulties) in learning disability: a discussion of implications for nursing research and practice.

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on issues related to the reliability and validity of measurement of challenging behaviour (behavioural difficulties) in learning disability. A number of practical, theoretical and methodological issues are discussed that have significance for the nurse both as practitioner and/or researcher in learning disability. These issues are equally important to both provider and purchaser of health care in order that resources can be most effectively targeted. The term 'challenging behaviour' would appear to be used both in literature and research synonymously with behavioural difficulties, this has implications for nurses in both their clinical practice and/or research. The author concludes by identifying a need to replace the term challenging behaviour, with 'behavioural difficulties'. It is argued that such a term is much more explicit in meaning and amenable to operational definition, thus enabling empirical study. Such a proposal will not be accepted by all as justifiable; this is because some might argue that adopting the term behavioural difficulties may be a retrograde step that perpetuates negative imagery and inappropriate labelling of people with a learning disability.

Humans↗

The use of complementary and alternative therapies in health care: a selective review of the literature and discussion of the implications for nurse practitioners and health-care managers.

Much has been written concerning the use of complementary and alternative therapies in health care. It is the author's belief that much of the current debate exists within a context of little knowledge of the research concerning these therapies. Because of this lack of knowledge, nursing practice may not be informed and/or directed by research. Despite guidance from the UKCC (1992) nurses need to ensure that their position regarding these therapies is based upon a judicious review of the literature and carefully crafted and reasoned actions.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

Broken necks of the femur in a psychogeriatric hospital.

We report a prospective study of the results of treatment of fractures of the neck of the femur in 102 patients in a psychogeriatric hospital. The results show that early operation may reduce complications but the aftercare should be in the familiar surroundings of the mental hospital. The costs of this policy are also considered.

Adult↗

Anaesthesia for caesarean section in a pre-eclamptic patient with Ebstein's anomaly.

Anaesthetic management for Caesarean section in a pre-eclamptic patient with Ebstein's anomaly and a right to left intracardiac shunt was accomplished under general anaesthesia. Air bubbles in the venous line were meticulously eliminated to prevent paradoxical air emboli. A rapid sequence induction using standard doses of thiopentone and succinylcholine did not result in loss of consciousness and muscle relaxation was inadequate for endotracheal intubation. This problem must be anticipated in patients with extremely enlarged right atria and the dose of induction agents should be increased. Carefully controlled epidural anaesthesia may be used if the cardiac reserve is adequate.

Adult↗

Home parenteral nutrition in infants.

The effects of prolonged home total parenteral nutrition on growth and psychomotor development were studied in eight infants during a two-year period. Each patient was begun on HTPN in the first 60 days of life, using a Broviac silastic catheter for venous access. Normalization of somatic growth has been observed in all patients during the study period. Six of eight patients have normal psychomotor development following discharge from the hospital into the home environment. Catheter-related complications in this group have been infrequent; one episode of sepsis was documented during 121 patient-months. The major metabolic complication observed was the development of rickets despite provision of recommended doses of vitamin D. HTPN appears to be useful in providing nutritional support for selected infants during the first two years of life.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗

Inhibition of leukocyte adherence in a rabbit model of major thermal injury.

Leukocytes and the process of leukocyte adherence have been implicated in the pathogenesis of organ dysfunction after ischemic injury and inflammation. We asked the question: Will inhibition of leukocyte adherence by administration of a monoclonal antibody to intercellular adhesion molecule alter the systemic response to major thermal injury? New Zealand white rabbits instrumented to measure mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, urine output, and arterial oxygenation were deeply anesthetized, and 30% total body surface area full-thickness burn was created by applying brass probes heated to 100 degrees C to the animals' backs for 15 seconds. The animals were continuously monitored, resuscitated, and given analgesic for 24 hours. There were three experimental groups: I-controls (n = 7), anesthetized and monitored; II-30% burn (n = 7) given 30% total body surface area + vehicle (saline solution 1.0 ml/kg every 8 hours); III-30% burn + R6.5 (n = 6) animals given a monoclonal antibody (R6.5, 2.0 mg/kg every 8 hours) directed against the intercellular adhesion molecule beginning 30 minutes after burn. This model of a 30% total body surface area burn injury resulted in hypotension and hypoxemia in the burn group. The animals given the antibody R6.5 maintained higher mean arterial pressure and arterial oxygenation at several points. These results suggest that leukocytes and leukocyte adherence may be involved in the pathogenesis of the systemic sequellae of major thermal injury.

Animals↗

Challenging behaviour in children with learning disabilities.

This article outlines the initial stages of an ongoing experiment to evaluate the comparative efficacy of two different therapeutic interventions--behaviour modification and gentle teaching--in the management of challenging behaviour in children who have learning disabilities. Using a workshop approach, parents are taught the principles and practice of one of these two interventions to enable better management of their child's challenging behaviour. A range of intervention outcomes are then compared with those of a control group. Preliminary analysis of data has been conducted on information gathered from those parents (n = 24) who attended the gentle teaching workshop only. The results indicate that brief intervention training in gentle teaching can have a positive impact upon the challenging behaviour of the child.

Adolescent↗

Self-injurious behaviour: reviewing evidence for best practice.

This article brings together some of the research literature from the last 15 years concerning self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in people with learning disabilities. There is a focus on medical, biological and psychological research literature because of the important contribution these disciplines have made to the understanding of such behaviours. The article also explores contemporary evidence for the management of people with learning disabilities who present with SIB. The care and management of this group of people presents learning disability nurses with distinctively distressing challenges. Within the article definition, prevalence, topography, causation and evidence for best practice are outlined. The article concludes with a brief exploration of the role of the learning disability nurse in contributing to the health and wellbeing of this group of people.

Causality↗

The challenge of evidence-based practice for learning disabilities.

There is an ever-increasing pressure on professionals within both health and social care settings to demonstrate evidence-based practice. The main aim of this article is to consider as problematic the challenge of evidence-based practice for both health and social care professionals, with particular reference to those working in the field of learning disabilities. The article addresses a number of issues, including the nature of evidence, the different types of evidence that professionals have at their disposal, and issues of reliability and validity concerning the kinds of approaches used to obtain such evidence. The challenges of implementing evidence into practice are also discussed in relation to ideology, organizational implications, and educational issues.

Bias↗