Biomedical subjects

D M Neal

Publications and source records attributed to D M Neal.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Effective emergency management: reconsidering the bureaucratic approach.

The command and control approach is compared with the Emergent Human Resources Model (EHRM) approach to emergency management. Four decades of systematic research shows that a rigid, bureaucratic command and control approach to emergency management generally leads to an ineffective emergency response. Previous studies and our own research suggest that flexible, malleable, loosely coupled, organizational configurations can create a more effective disaster response.

Civil Defense↗

PubMed1994

Automated gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for tebufelone and a 13C,(18)O-labeled analog in plasma: applicabilityto absolute bioavailability determination.

An automated capillary gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) assay for the simultaneous quantitation of tebufelone (TE) and 13C, (18)O-labeled TE (TE-CO) in plasma was developed. This method permits the use of stable isotope coadministration (TE and TE-CO dosed concurrently via peroral and intravenous routes, respectively) for the determination of TE absolute bioavailability. The selectivity of MS/MS conducted on a triple-quadrupole instrument allowed minimal sample preparation and rapid analysis. Electron ionization produced molecular ions (M+) for TE, TE-CO, and the 3-methyl-TE internal standard which were selected in Q1 to undergo collisionally activated dissociation in Q2. Quantitation was achieved through monitoring product ions at m/z 248, 251 and 248, respectively, in Q3. A 2-1000 ng per sample (40 pg to 20 ng injected) quantitation range provided access to an effective 1-5000 p.p.b. plasma concentration range (0.2-2 g samples) for both TE and TE-CO. The assay showed no bias and less than 8% relative standard deviation over the entire range. The method was used to determine plasma levels of TE and TE-CO in four dogs receiving 2.5:2.5 mg/kg TE:TE-CO, intravenously. The pharmacokinetics of both isotopomers proved to be identical, indicating no isotope effect and verifying the chemical stability of the (18)O-carbonyl label under these dosing conditions. In addition, the applicability of this analytical approach to the determination of TE peroral bioavailability was initially tested in dogs.

Alkynes↗

PubMed1990

Long-term performance of a gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for tebufelone in plasma.

An automated gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) based method for the rapid determination of tebufelone (TE) in animal and human plasma has been routinely applied in our laboratory to more than 3000 samples over a 2-year period. The selectivity of MS/MS conducted on a triple quadrupole instrument, combined with the use of a stable-isotope-labeled internal standard, results in excellent analytical figures of merit, as well as minimal sample preparation, rapid analysis, and high assay reliability. The work described here goes beyond initial method development and validation studies by evaluating the long-term performance of quantitative GC/MS/MS. Electron ionization produces M.+ ions for TE and the [13C, 18O]TE internal standard, which are selected in Q1 and undergo collisionally activated dissociation in Q2. Quantitation is based on monitoring daughter ions at m/z 248 and 251, respectively, in Q3. A linear range of 1-3000 ng of TE/sample (20 pg to 60 ng injected) provides access to an effective concentration range of 0.5-30,000 ppb TE in plasma (0.1-2-g samples). The assay shows no bias and less than 10% relative standard deviation over this range. In the automated mode, less than 7 min elapse from injection to report printout and more than 70 plasma samples are routinely prepared and analyzed in a day. Such performance is consistently maintained throughout long-term application.

Alkynes↗

PubMed1976

A comparison of three health status indicators.

Interest in health status indicators has produced measures of widely varying applicability. We were interested in the use of such indices to establish mean recovery curves for groups of similar patients undergoing acute hospital treatment. A longitudinal study relating resource usage to these recovery curves had been intended but there were difficulties in finding suitable indicators. Firstly, two published indicators relying on patient interviews were tested for consistency. Poor correlations were found among those scorers unfamiliar with the patients and it seems unlikely that these indicators could be used in a routine system. Different parts of the indices presented difficulties to the different professions involved in scoring, and a multidisciplinary approach may be needed in assessing full health. The indicators tested included no assessment of prognosis. Those parts of the indices which had produced significant correlations were retained in subsequent work and were supplemented by further measures designed to overcome the earlier difficulties. A new trial of this indicator was undertaken where staff, familiar with the patients, scored data recorded by the Problem Oriented Medical Record system. This produced improved correlations but some problems remain.

Disability Evaluation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The local Red Cross in time of disaster: characteristics and conditions of organizational effectiveness during the Loma Prieta earthquake and central Texas floods.

This discussion demonstrates that three interrelated activities should improve volunteer organizations' disaster capabilities. These factors include improved disaster planning, learning from related experiences, and improving interorganizational networks. These three activities can dramatically improve the local chapter's emergency response. Networking ought to be the first priority. Through the development of both formal and informal contacts, planning and experience potential become enhances. Without the support and involvement of volunteer organizations, an effective community-wide disaster response would be difficult, if not impossible.

California↗