Vibration-Based Approach to Measure Rail Stress: Modeling and First Field Test.

This paper describes a non-invasive inspection technique for the estimation of longitudinal stress in continuous welded rails (CWR) to infer the rail neutral temperature (RNT), i.e., the temperature at which the net longitudinal force in the rail is zero.

Three Weeks Daily Intake of Matcha Green Tea Powder Affects Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Exercise in Females.

Artificial green tea extracts may enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation. Natural Matcha green tea consumption involves the ingestion of the powdered green tea leaves. We examined the effects of three weeks daily intake of Matcha green tea powder on substrate oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise in females.

Using an Evidence-Based Approach for Assessing and Identifying Delirium Among Medical-Surgical Patients in the Acute Care Setting.

The scholarship of the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) is crucial in the use of evidence-based practice to address clinical gaps in practice. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a literature supported tool for the assessment of delirium. Registered nurses (RNs) were educated on the application of the CAM for their patients.

Identifying methadone maintenance clients at risk for poor treatment response: pretreatment and early progress indicators.

Exhaustive searches have uncovered few demographic or other pretreatment factors that reliably predict performance in substance abuse treatments. In this study we evaluate whether early treatment response offers improved prediction of treatment response 6 and 9 months later. New admissions to methadone maintenance treatment (n = 59) were dichotomized into outcome groups based on treatment retention and ongoing drug use as revealed by urinalysis results 6 and 9 months after admission.

Characterizing "nonresponsive" methadone patients.

A review of records at a large urban methadone clinic revealed a substantial group of patients with treatment tenures of at least 6 months whose urinalysis results indicated continued regular use of opiates. In an attempt to characterize these "nonresponsive" patients and to identify their specific treatment needs, we compared them to a group of patients with comparable treatment tenures but whose urinalysis results indicated little or no recent illicit opiate use. Contrary to expectations, opiate use itself was virtually the only feature that clearly distinguished the two groups.

MMPI profiles of opiate addicts: predicting response to treatment.

Although many studies document the use of the MMPI to classify opiate users, the predictive validity of the resulting subgroups is rarely reported. In this study, we used cluster analysis to identify MMPI profile types that predicted differential response to methadone maintenance treatment. Participants (N = 151) completed MMPIs shortly after entry into treatment.

A comparison of three methods of measuring the type and quantity of services provided during substance abuse treatment.

This study examined three data collection methods of quantifying and categorizing treatment services provided in a publicly funded methadone program. All three approaches were research technician implemented: (1) bi-weekly patient interview with the Treatment Services Review (TSR); (2) weekly counselor interview by the Counselor Services Interview (CSI); and (3) data abstraction from clinical patient records (REC). Fifty patients were followed over 28 days using each method to assess the services received/provided within the program.

Assessing the helping alliance and its impact in the treatment of opiate dependence.

This study assesses the relationship between the patient-counselor helping alliance (HA) and progress in methadone maintenance treatment. Questionnaire measures of HA were administered to 57 patients 1 and 3 months after admission. Three-month HA measures (especially counselors' ratings) predicted reductions in drug use as measured by weekly urinalysis results and 6-month self-report data.

Natural classes of treatment response.

This study examines an approach to identifying patterns of treatment response over time. Treatment response profiles are identified by cluster analyzing a repeated measure of patient performance collected at intervals during treatment. The procedure is demonstrated in Study 1 using monthly urinalysis results of 103 patients entering methadone maintenance treatment.

Reinforcing operants other than abstinence in drug abuse treatment: an effective alternative for reducing drug use.

This study examines the effectiveness of using vouchers to reinforce either the provision of urine samples testing negative for illicit drugs (UA group) or the completion of objective, individually defined, treatment-plan-related tasks (TP group). A third group was assigned to the clinic's standard treatment (STD group). Participants were randomly assigned to groups after a 6-week baseline-stabilization period.

Stages and processes of change as predictors of drug use among methadone maintenance patients.

In this study the authors evaluated the predictive validity of stages-of-change and processes-of- change measures among methadone maintenance patients. One month after treatment entry, participants completed questionnaires providing stage and process scale scores regarding readiness to discontinue polydrug use. Participants also completed an algorithm assigning them to a stage category on the basis of their stated intentions regarding quitting.

Coping strategies and continued drug use among methadone maintenance patients.

Drug addiction has been conceived as a maladaptive means of coping utilized by individuals unable or unwilling to deal with stresses in more adaptive ways. Although a growing body of evidence supports the link between alcohol abuse and maladaptive coping styles, there is relatively little empirical support for the connection between maladaptive coping and other kinds of drug use. The present study employed a cross-sectional design to assess coping and drug use in a sample of 276 methadone maintenance patients.

Stages and processes of change among polydrug users in methadone maintenance treatment.

We applied the stages-of-change model of Prochaska and DiClemente to the problem of drug use among methadone maintenance patients to examine correlates of different stages of treatment readiness. The 276 subjects were divided into stage categories based on self-reported drug use and questionnaire responses regarding plans to discontinue unauthorized drug use in the future. Confirmatory factor analytic procedures validated four process scales derived from a 60-item questionnaire.

Effect of sodium polyanetholesulfonate on antimicrobial systems in blood.

Sodium polyanetholesulfonate (SPS), an anticoagulant which inhibits the antimicrobial systems of blood, is used widely in blood culture media. The addition of SPS to experimental blood cultures inoculated with small numbers of a variety of organisms caused a striking increase in recovery of these organisms. Sodium fluoride also increased the incidence of positive blood cultures with some organisms.

Peroxidase-mediated virucidal systems.

Peroxidase (myeloperoxidase or lactoperoxidase), hydrogen peroxide, and a halide such as iodide, bromide, or chloride form a potent virucidal system that is effective against polio and vaccinia viruis, particularly at a low pH. The peroxidase-halide-hydrogen peroxide system may contribute to the host defense against certain viral infections.