Miniaturized Shear Testing: In-Plane and Through-Thickness Characterization of Plywood.

This study addresses the challenges associated with conventional plywood shear testing by introducing a novel miniaturized shear test method. This approach utilizes a controlled router toolpath for precise sample fabrication, enabling efficient material use and data acquisition. Miniaturized samples, designed with double shear zones, were tested for τ, τ, and τ configurations using a universal testing machine.

Standardized sign-out reduces intern perception of medical errors on the general internal medicine ward.

Background: Prior research on reducing variation in housestaff handoff procedures have depended on proprietary checkout software. Use of low-technology standardization techniques has not been widely studied.

Purpose: We wished to determine if standardizing the process of intern sign-out using low-technology sign-out tools could reduce perception of errors and missing handoff data.

Pulmonary blastomycosis diagnosed in Hawai'i.

Blastomycosis, a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, was once thought to be endemic only to the Central and Great Lakes regions of the United States of America. We present the first reported case series of patients documenting the diagnosis of blastomycosis in the Pacific region. In both cases, exposure to endemic areas was retrospectively identified.

Ciguatera fish poisoning: impact for the military health care provider.

Ciguatera toxin is a marine neurotoxin produced by microorganisms that becomes concentrated in predatory fish. Toxicity in humans results from the ingestion of contaminated fish harvested in tropical waters. Clinical manifestations of illness include the rapid onset of gastrointestinal symptoms and neurological abnormalities.