High voltage pulse generator

Generator has an improved circuit for generating a controllable, high voltage spark having a constant known energy output. It can be used for testing the flash and ignition characteristics of nonmetallic materials in a controlled gas environment

High voltage pulse generator Patent

High voltage pulse generator for testing flash and ignition limits of nonmetallic materials in controlled atmosphere

Determination of impact sensitivity of materials at high pressures

Compact device is used to determine impact sensitivity of material in static, high pressure, gaseous environment. It can also be instrumented to monitor and record pressure, temperature, and striker impact force. Device is used in conjunction with commercially available liquid oxygen impact tester which provides impact energy

Screening of selected Zingiberaceae extracts for dengue-2 virus protease inhibitory activities

The crude extracts and the methanol and hexane partitioned fractions from the rhizomes of six Zingiberaceae comprising five Curcumas and one Zingiber were screened for dengue-2 (Den2) virus NS2B?NS3 protease inhibition. The percentage inhibition of Den2 virus NS2B?NS3 protease cleavage of the substrate showed linear dose-dependent increment for all the samples tested. The crude extracts were less potent than the best of the partitioned fractions. For all three concentrations studied, the methanol fractions of the extracts of Curcuma longa (L.) (CL), Zingiber zerumbet Smith (ZZ) and Curcuma rubescen Roxb. (CR) were much more inhibiting than the corresponding hexane fractions but the converse was true for Curcuma aeroginosa Roxb. (CA). However, the inhibiting activities of the two partitioned fractions of the extracts of Curcuma mangga Roxb. (CM) and Curcuma xanthorhiza Roxb. (CX) were found to be similar. The CL methanol fraction exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity (91.3±3.1%, 300 ppm), followed closely by methanol fraction of ZZ (89.0±1.7%, 300 ppm). The results show that the methanol fractions of CL and ZZ, and both the methanol and hexane fractions of CM were most potent against Den2 virus NS2B?NS3 protease activity and may provide potential leads towards the development of anti-viral agents

Reducing the No-show Rate at a Community Mental Health Organization

Relative to other outpatient healthcare specialties, appointment nonattendance (no-shows) is most prevalent in psychiatric settings. Upon meeting with a community-based mental health organization in Louisville, KY (LCMHO), referral no-shows for intake appointments were identified as a significant issue. LCMHO’s intake appointment no-show rate, estimated at 25 – 40%, exceeded nonattendance trends in the literature. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to develop and implement a referral engagement reminder intervention for improving intake appointment attendance. A systematic approach guided by the Model for Improvement was applied to foster this evidence-supported practice change. The project’s findings included a 16% reduction of LCMHO’s baseline no-show rate during the project implementation period. Age was the most predictive variable of no-shows, as older client referrals were more likely to miss their appointments compared to younger individuals

Cannabis sativa L.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/20084/thumbnail.jp

The Effects of Botulinum Toxin Injections on Function in Patients with Spasticity

Spasticity can be one of the most challenging problems for patients with neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, etc. It can lead to a wide variety of problems including decreased mobility, decreased quality of movement, interference with normal postural reactions, interference with functional activities, and pressure sores. Therefore, the medical community has focused on effective treatments for spasticity which do not produce overwhelming weakness, spasticity, paralysis, fatigue, and/or muscle atrophy. Since the late 1970\u27s, the use of botulinum toxin (BTX-A) injections to decrease spasticity has been investigated. The purpose of this paper is to review research studies involving the use of BTX-A injections for the management of spasticity arising from central nervous system dysfunction. This review will focus specifically on: (1) the effectiveness of BTX-A in decreasing spasticity, and (2) improvements in functional performance and quality of life due to this decrease in spasticity (including increased mobility, increased quality of movement, and increased independence in activities of daily living). In the majority of studies reviewed, significant decreases in spasticity upon injection of BTX-A were reported. These decreases in spasticity caused subsequent increases in active and passive range of motion, and decreases in pain and uncontrolled movements. Improvements in ambulation, transfer skills, hygiene skills, positioning ease, and overall function were less frequently examined, but reported in approximately half of the studies reviewed. Few studies mentioned the changes in quality of life or the increased ability in carrying out role functions in daily life following BTX-A injections. Additional research studies are needed to quantify the effects of BTX-A injections on functional limitations and on quality of life. If research shows that patients obtain improved function following BTXA injections, physical therapy may be paramount in helping clients recognize their newly found skills. The role of physical therapy following BTX-A injections is an area that warrants additional research

Everyday Heroes: Making a Case for Compassionate Behavior toward Strangers

Helping and supportive behavior that reduced the suffering of others laid the foundation for the interconnected society we live in today, so why does it currently feel disconnected and chaotic? One need not look further than the news in 2020 to see that we have unprecedented awareness of human incivility and violence. Small but significant acts of compassion toward strangers are necessary to move our world past the unprecedented pain in which it is currently suffering. Compassion makes us aware of suffering in others, but also brings forth the best in us: our kindness, our willingness to help, our connection to humanity. This wellspring of goodness is studied within and amplified by positive psychology, or the study of what is good in an individual, family or organizational system. Amplification of individual resources is necessary so that individuals have the resources to achieve greater resilience and enact more pro-social behaviors in the face of the challenges we see in our modern society