Infrared transmission resonances in double-layered, complementary-structure metallic gratings.

A double-layered metallic grating (metal-dielectric-metal) with a complementary capacitive (isolated discs) / inductive (connected film with apertures) structure exhibits multiple infrared transmission resonances peaks with up to 70% at wavelength ranges corresponding to local modes for geometric dimensions less than a wavelength. The period, dielectric thickness, refractive index and unit cell size of the periodic structure modulate the local mode positions and amplitudes. The electromagnetic field distribution and energy flow in the structure explain the relation of transmission resonance, local modes, and distributed surface plasma wave modes.

Outcomes for a comprehensive school-based asthma management program.

This article describes the evaluation of a comprehensive school-based asthma management program in an inner-city, largely African-American school system. All 54 elementary schools (combined enrollment 13,247 students) from a single urban school system participated in this study. Schools were randomly divided between immediate and delayed intervention programs.

Validation of a multistage asthma case-detection procedure for elementary school children.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to validate a 3-stage asthma case-detection procedure for elementary school-aged children.

Methods: The study was performed in 10 elementary schools in 4 inner-city school systems, with a total enrollment of 3539 children. Results of the case-detection procedure were compared with the diagnosis of an asthma specialist study physician, to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the case-detection procedure.

A multi-stage asthma screening procedure for elementary school children.

This paper describes an asthma screening procedure developed to identify children with asthma for an intervention study. Students were classified into three categories based on questionnaire responses (previous asthma, suspected asthma, and no evidence of asthma). Those classified as suspected asthma by questionnaire underwent further testing, including spirometry and exercise challenge.

A simple "step-test" protocol for identifying suspected unrecognized exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in children.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that a simple submaximal "step-test" could be used as an exercise challenge to identify elementary school students with suspected but undiagnosed asthma. This article also describes a protocol for exercise testing that can be used in epidemiological evaluations. School age children grades 1-4 with suspected but undiagnosed asthma were identified by a 12-item questionnaire completed by a parent or guardian.

The fiduciary responsibilities of the hospital board of directors.

With the dynamic movement toward healthcare reform, increased attention is being focused on the duties and legal liabilities of hospital governing board members. Given the dual duties of loyalty and care and the legal and regulatory pressures to contain costs and assure quality, the role of the governing board is increasing in complexity and importance.

Comparative trial of cefprozil vs. amoxicillin clavulanate potassium in the treatment of children with acute otitis media with effusion.

A total of 137 children with acute otitis media with effusion were randomly allocated to treatment with cefprozil (30 mg/kg/day divided into two equal doses), an investigational cephalosporin or amoxicillin clavulanate potassium (40 mg/kg/day divided into three equal doses) for 10 days. The most common pathogens obtained from middle ear cavities by tympanocentesis were Streptococcus pneumoniae (33%), Haemophilus influenzae (19.6%) and Moraxella catarrhalis (8.

Double contrast examination of the colon.

Simplified and readily feasible techniques of double contrast examination of the colon, before and after surgery, are presented. The examination is easy to perform, well tolerated by patients, and has a high diagnostic yield. Methods, indications, and uses are discussed.