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Biomedical subjects

D Shinar

Publications and source records attributed to D Shinar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Duration estimates and users' preferences in human-computer interaction.

Two experiments assessed the effect of various static and dynamic computer 'wait' message displays on (1) subjective estimates of the duration of intervals during which a subject had to wait for the computer's response, and (2) subjective preferences among the different displays. All the static displays led to identical duration estimates. For dynamic displays a direct relation between the rate of changes and the estimate was found. Faster rates led in most cases to increased estimates of duration, and slow-changing graphic displays appeared to have the shortest duration. Subjects preferred epigrams to all other displays, and cumulative graphic displays to a blinking or static WAIT. The rate of change did not affect preference ratings for the graphic displays, whereas slower blink rates were preferred for the WAIT. The results demonstrate that the findings and models from earlier basic research on time estimation are relevant for predicting the subjective assessment of wait-periods. However, users' satisfaction with the displays depends not only on the apparent duration of the wait period, but also on other variables. These should be considered when choosing the display that is shown while users wait for the system to complete a task.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Drinking and driving of pub patrons in Israel.

A chance sample of people exiting pubs in Israel were interviewed and their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured with a portable breathalizer. Approximately 50% of the people intended to drive away themselves, while 50% were driven by others. People's decision whether or not to drive was unrelated to their BAC and to the number of drinks they reportedly had, and only marginally related to whether or not they felt drunk. Thirty percent of those who felt drunk still intended to drive. Although three-quarters of the respondents felt there is a driving and drinking problem in Israel, their knowledge about the effects of alcohol and the number of drinks they need to consume in order to get drunk reflected an alarming ignorance. The results demonstrate a dangerous trend in alcohol consumption that is not coupled with adequate specific knowledge about alcohol's effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Thoracoscopic upper thoracic sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis in children and adolescents.

After 20 years of experience with the "open" transaxillary approach, the authors are presently performing the thoracoscopic technique for upper thoracic sympathectomy in severe primary hyperhidrosis. During a period of 14 months, 23 operations were performed and 22 patients had immediate and permanent relief of palmar sweating. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. Hospitalization was short, and all patients returned to school and full activity 3 to 5 days after operation. These initial results compare favorably to the "open" method and, pending further experience, are actually better in terms of less pain, early discharge, quicker return to normal activity, and a smaller, less conspicuous scar.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Demographic and socioeconomic correlates of safety belt use.

This study analyzed the relationship between safety belt use rates--as measured by observational surveys at preselected sites--and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics--as reflected by the U.S. Census Bureau data for the sites. The results showed consistent and moderately high associations between observed safety belt use rates and socioeconomic status indicators, primarily home value. Once redundancies among variables were removed, other variables that contributed significantly to explaining differences between high- and low-belt use sites were the percentage of elderly people (55+ years old) and the mix of blue and white collar workers. Sites having high safety belt use rates had higher average home values, a higher percentage of elderly people, and a lower percentage of blue collar workers than sites having low use rates. Simple correlations with belt use rates were also obtained for race, marital status, presence of children in household, education, and income.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Impact of court monitoring on the adjudication of driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Court monitoring of driving while intoxicated (DWI) cases is a labor-intensive effort conducted by over 300 concerned citizen groups across the United States. The present study assessed the impact of court monitoring by analyzing the difference in court dispositions (guilty, not guilty, and dismissed) and case outcomes (jail, fine, and license suspension) between monitored cases and non-monitored cases. The data base for this study consisted of all 9,137 DWI arrests made in the state of Maine in one calendar year. The results demonstrated that court monitoring is an effective tool in affecting the adjudication process. In the presence of court monitors the conviction rates of DWI offenders were higher and their case dismissal rates were lower than those of drivers not court-monitored. Furthermore, once convicted, the likelihood of a jail sentence was higher and the length of the jail sentence was longer for court-monitored DWI drivers than for non-monitored drivers. Monitoring impact was most pronounced for first-time offenders with BAC levels of .10-.11, and those refusing the BAC test.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1992

Identification of a new member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily that is activated by a peroxisome proliferator and fatty acids.

We have identified a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily by cDNA cloning from a human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cell library. Sequence analysis predicts a protein of 441 amino acids, which includes the conserved amino acid residues characteristic of the DNA- and ligand-binding domains of nuclear receptors. Amino acid sequence alignment and transcriptional activation experiments revealed that the new protein is closely related to the mouse peroxisome proliferator activated receptor. The overall homology is 62%, and the highest similarity is seen in the DNA- and ligand-binding domains, 86% and 71%, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that in mature rats, the receptor is highly expressed in heart, kidney, and lung as a transcript of approximately 3500 nucleotides. In human cells, the size of the mRNA is approximately 4000 nucleotides. Transcription assays using hybrid receptors consisting of the ligand-binding domain of the new protein and the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor showed weak stimulation by the peroxisome proliferator activator WY14643, suggesting a relationship to that receptor. Similar stimulation was observed with arachidonic and oleic acid (100-250 microM).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The visual and driving performance of monocular and binocular heavy-duty truck drivers.

This study compared the performance of 40 monocular and 40 binocular tractor-trailer drivers on measures of both visual and driving performance. On the visual measures, the mononuclear drivers were significantly deficient in contrast sensitivity, visual acuity under low illumination and glare, and binocular depth perception. They were not significantly deficient in static or dynamic visual acuity, visual field of individual eyes, or glare recovery. Driving measures of visual search, lane keeping, clearance judgment, gap judgment, hazard detection, and information recognition showed no differences between monocular and binocular drivers. Monocular drives were poorer than binocular drivers only in sign reading distance in both daytime and nighttime driving. This decrement correlated significantly with the binocular depth perception measure. There were large individual differences within each group for most of the visual and driving performance measures. It was concluded that monocular drivers have some significant reductions in selected visual capabilities and in certain driving functions dependent on these abilities, compared with binocular drivers. However, monocular drivers are not significantly worse than binocular drivers in the safety of most day-to-day driving functions. Implications of these findings and the large individual differences within each group are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Visual requirements for safety and mobility of older drivers.

Efforts to assess visual deterioration with increasing age, coupled with new mechanisms proposed to limit the exposure of visually impaired drivers to driving risks, have emerged in response to the increase in older drivers. Visual functions discussed in this context include static acuity (photopic, mesopic, and in the presence of glare), dynamic visual acuity, visual field, contrast sensitivity, and motion perception. Exposure control mechanisms discussed include alternative periodic vision testing strategies, visual training, and environmental and vehicular modifications to accommodate the older driver. Finally, relevant research needs are addressed.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Different pattern of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and osteocalcin expression in developing rat bone visualized by in situ hybridization.

Alkaline phosphatase (AP), osteopontin (OP), and osteocalcin (OC) are expressed during osteoblastic differentiation. However, previous studies suggested differences in the timing and possibly the site of their expression. In this study we used in situ hybridization to follow the distribution of these osteoblastic markers during bone development. Frozen sections of neonatal rat long bones and calvariae were hybridized with 35S-labeled RNA probes complementary to the AP, OP, and OC mRNAs. Controls included sections hybridized with the sense (mRNA) probes or pretreated with RNase. Positive cells were identified in all areas of bone formation of the long bones and calvariae. Based on quantitative silver grain distribution and density, high levels of OP expression were present only in osteoblasts in close proximity to bone (one to two cell layers). OC expression, apparently at lower levels than OP, was also localized to osteoblasts in contact with bone. In contrast AP, which was expressed at lower levels than OP, was present in a large number of cells, including preosteoblasts that were many layers removed from the bone-forming surface. These findings are consistent with the asynchronous expression of phenotypically related genes and suggest that AP is an earlier differentiation marker than OP and OC during the formation of endochondral and membranous bone.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

Regulated expression of muscle-specific genes introduced into mouse embryonal stem cells: inverse correlation with DNA methylation.

Pluripotent embryonal stem cell lines (ES) were isolated from cultured normal mouse blastocysts. These cells retained their capacity to differentiate into a great variety of cell types in cell cultures or in tumors formed after subcutaneous injection of the cells into nude mice. A chimeric actin/globin gene containing about two-thirds of the rat skeletal muscle actin gene and 730 bp of its 5' flanking region fused to the 3' end of the human embryonic epsilon-globin gene, was inserted into a plasmid containing a neomycin resistance gene (neor) whose transcription is regulated by the SV40 early control elements. The prokaryotic vector DNA sequences of this plasmid (pAG-Neo) were deleted and the two linked genes were introduced into the ES cells by electroporation. G418-resistant clones were isolated, amplified and injected subcutaneously into nude mice. From the teratocarcinoma-like tumors which developed we isolated myogenic as well as nonmyogenic cell lines. In cell lines derived from three independent transfected ES clones, expression of the actin/globin gene was developmentally regulated in myogenic cells. In contrast, in a number of experiments in which the actin/globin gene or other muscle-specific genes were introduced into the ES cells without the removal of the pBR sequences, no expression could be detected at any stage. Moreover, in the differentiated lines derived from these clones, G418 resistance was lost, and no neor transcripts could be detected. Southern-blot analysis of MSPI- or HpaII-digested DNA revealed extensive methylation in the clones that did not express the foreign DNA, whereas no significant methylation of the inserted DNA was observed in clones which expressed the transfected genes. Examination of the DNA extracted from transgenic mice carrying the same actin/globin gene revealed an inverse correlation between methylation of the exogenous gene and its potential to be expressed in the transgenic strain. However, no tissue-specific differences in methylation, related to the tissue specificity of expression of the exogenous gene, could be detected in these experiments. These results suggest that the process of methylation reported here is causally related to constitutive inactivation of the exogenous genes.

Actins↗
PubMed1987

Interobserver reliability in the interpretation of computed tomographic scans of stroke patients.

Interobserver reliability in interpretation of computed tomographic images was studied by six senior neurologists who independently evaluated on a standardized Stroke Data Bank form the brain lesions of 17 patients. The results analyzed with kappa statistics yielded moderate to substantial agreement on most items of interest including the stroke pathology and anatomy. In general, the levels of agreement were as high as previously reported for the diagnosis of the mechanism of the stroke, and much higher than on many stroke history items and items of neurologic examination. Excellent agreement was obtained for the detection of infarcts and intracerebral hemorrhage, and substantial agreement was obtained on whether the computed tomographic images were normal or indicative of small deep infarcts, superficial and deep infarcts, and aneurysms. The level of agreement on anatomy of the lesions was best for the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, putamen, cerebellum, and subarachnoid space. Implications for clinical research and diagnosis are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Reliability of the activities of daily living scale and its use in telephone interview.

Activities of daily living (ADL), a popular outcome assessment tool for studies of disabled populations, was evaluated for use in multicentered studies. The interobserver reliability of a modified Barthel Index of the ADL was evaluated on 18 stroke patients. Reliabilities between administrators of the ADL and between observers of the ADL administrations were r = .99 for total scores and r greater than .90 for most of the individual component items. The validity of ADL evaluation based on telephone interviews was demonstrated relative to ADL scores obtained on 72 patients in a direct test of their performance capabilities. The correlations between the performance-based ADL and the interview-based ADL were r greater than .97 for the total score and r greater than .85 for most of the individual items. The modified Barthel Index of the ADL is a reliable measure for assessing stable stroke patients, supporting its use in multicenter studies. In addition, the high validity observed in the telephone interview supports its use in longitudinal studies and large surveys where direct performance evaluation is not feasible or too costly.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1986

Interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of stroke type.

Interobserver agreement is essential to the reliability of clinical data from cooperative studies and provides the foundation for applying research results to clinical practice. In the Stroke Data Bank, a large cooperative study of stroke, we sought to establish the reliability of a key aspect of stroke diagnosis: the mechanism of stroke. Seventeen patients were evaluated by six neurologists. Interobserver agreement was measured when diagnosis was based on patient history and neurologic examination only, as well as when it was based on results of a completed workup, including a computed tomographic scan. Initial clinical impressions, based solely on history and one neurologic examination, were fairly reliable in establishing the mechanism of stroke (ie, distinguishing among infarcts, subarachnoid hemorrhages, and parenchymatous hemorrhages). Classification into one of nine stroke subtypes was substantially reliable when diagnoses were based on a completed workup. Compared with previous findings for the same physicians and patients, the diagnosis of stroke type was generally more reliable than individual signs and symptoms. These results suggest that multicentered studies can rely on the independent diagnostic choices of several physicians when common definitions are employed and data from a completed workup are available. Furthermore, reliability may be less for individual measurements such as signs or symptoms than for more-complex judgments such as diagnoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Interobserver variability in the assessment of neurologic history and examination in the Stroke Data Bank.

Interobserver reliability in obtaining neurologic histories and examinations was investigated among neurologists collaborating in the Stroke Data Bank (SDB). Seventeen in-hospital stroke patients were examined by six neurologists experienced in stroke over the course of three days. Patients were examined twice a day for two successive days, with each patient seen by four different neurologists. Data were recorded on SDB forms, according to definitions and procedures established for the SDB. Percent agreement and kappa coefficients were calculated to assess the levels of agreement for each item. Important differences in levels of agreement were found among items on both neurologic history and examination. Agreement among neurologists was higher for neurologic examination than for history. Patterns of agreement for items with low prevalence or with numerous unknown ratings are discussed. Improvement in interobserver agreement due to data editing for intra-observer consistency was shown.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Symmetrical distribution and rapid transbilayer movement of cholesterol in Mycoplasma gallisepticum membranes.

The exchange of cholesterol between [14C]cholesterol-labeled Mycoplasma gallisepticum cells and an excess of sonicated egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol vesicles (molar ratio of 0.9) was measured. More than 90% of the radioactive cholesterol underwent transfer from intact cells to the vesicles. The kinetics of the transfer was biphasic. About 50% of the radioactive cholesterol was exchanged with a half-time of about 4 h. The residual was exchanged at a slower rate with a half-time of about 9 h at 37 degrees C. Bovine serum albumin had a pronounced effect in enhancing both the fast and slow rates of cholesterol exchange, but did not affect the pool sizes significantly. The half-time for equilibration of the two pools in the presence of 2% albumin, calculated using a reversible two-pool method of analysis, was 6.2 h. The effect of albumin was also obtained with isolated membrane preparations and with cells treated with growth inhibitors, suggesting that this effect is independent of albumin preservation of cell viability. The rate enhancement of albumin was concentration dependent with maximal effects observed with greater than or equal to 2%, where the rates of exchange of both the rapidly and slowly exchanging pools were twice as fast. The mechanism by which albumin may affect the exchange rates is discussed.

Cell Membrane↗