Northampton Community College

About: Northampton Community College is a education organization based out in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 3410 authors who have published 4582 publications receiving 130398 citations. The organization is also known as: Northampton County Area Community College.

Buprenorphine, benzodiazepines and respiratory depression

Abstract: We assessed the high incidence of pain after injection of methohexitone while conducting recent studies in out-patients using methohexitone and alfentanil. We tried a combination of two methods of solution of mcthohexitone alter reports that the use of normal saline rather than water reduced thc incidence of pain from 42\"; to 16\",,,' and that pretreatment with lignocaine 10 mg rcduced the incidence from 64\": to 16\",.' Fifty successive unpremedicated patients for outpatient gynaecological surgery received either methohexitone dissolved in normal saline or water on a double blind random basis through a 23G Butterfly (Abbott) in the back of the hand. Spontancous expressions of pain. withdrawal of the hand or wincing werc classified as a painful response. Thirteen ( 5 2 9 3 of those receiving the aqueous solution complained of pain and 16 (64\"J of those in the saline group. The next 100 successive patients also received either methohexitone in saline or water. bul were all pretreated with lignocaine 10 mg. Twcnty-four percent of the aqueous group and 28'; of the saline group complained of pain. The incidence of pain following injection of methohexitone has hccn reported from between 60i,and lO\"<' and is higher in unpremedicated, vasoconstricted patients receiving the injection into a small vein. Numerous methods to reduce thc incidence have been advocated. none with any convincing success. We havc failed to show any significant improvement when dissolving methohexitone in saline, and despite a lower overall significant improvement when pretreating with lignocaine, the final incidence is still higher. This means that more than one in four patients will experience moderate to severe pain after injection of the methohexitone. There is no clear alternative to methohexitone at present, because of its safety record and short duration of action. We suggest that the only method definitely to reduce the incidence of pain is to site the intravenous needle in a large vein in the foream.

Ideology and its paradoxes: Dimensions of fantasy and enjoyment

Abstract: Building on the innovative work of Laclau and Mouffe, and their conception of ideology as the illusion of an extra‐discursive closure, this paper constructively engages their position from the perspective of psychoanalytic theory. A main contention is that in focusing exclusively on discourse, Laclau and Mouffe have tended to overlook the crucial psychoanalytic dimensions of fantasy and enjoyment which remain, in a certain sense, both before and beyond discourse. This paper attempts to re‐contextualize the operation of ideological closure in connection with these dimensions. Two broad points are made. First, a central paradox of ideology is that it can only attempt closure through simultaneously producing the ‘threat’ to that closure. Second, this ‘threat’ is intimately bound up with fantasies about the loss and recovery of enjoyment. On these grounds, it is argued that notions of otherness and antagonism need to be re‐formulated in respect to the Lacanian Real. Finally, using various examples fr...

A history of surface acoustic wave devices

Abstract: This paper gives a historical account of the development of Rayleigh-wave, or surface-acoustic-wave (SAW), devices for applications in electronics. The subject was spurred on initially by the requirements of pulse compression radar, and became a practical reality with the planar interdigital transducer, dating from 1965. The accessibility of the propagation path gave rise to substantial versatility, and a huge variety of devices were developed. Passive SAW devices are now ubiquitous, with applications ranging from professional radar and communications systems to consumer areas such as TV, pagers and mobile phones. The paper describes the extensive work, particularly in the 1970s, to investigate SAW propagation in crystalline media, including piezoelectric coupling, diffraction and temperature effects. This led to identification of many suitable materials. Concurrently, many devices began development, including pulse compression filters, bandpass filters, resonators, oscillators, convolvers and matched filters for spread spectrum communications. In the 1970s, many of these became established in professional systems, and the SAW bandpass filter became a standard component for domestic TV. In the 1980s and 90s, SAW responded to the new call for low-loss filters, particularly for mobile phones. With losses as low as 2 dB required (and subsequently achieved) at RF frequencies around 900 MHz, a raft of new technologies was developed. Additionaly, for IF filters special techniques were evolved to reduce the physical size needed for narrow bandwidths. Such devices are now manufactured in very large quantities. In order to satisfy these needs, new types of surface wave, particularly transverse leaky waves, were investigated, and materials using such waves now have their place alongside more traditional materials.

De-escalation: A survey of clinical staff in a secure mental health inpatient service

Abstract: De-escalation is an important tool for preventing aggression in inpatient settings but definitions vary and there is no clear practice guideline. We aimed to identify how clinical staff define and conceptualize de-escalation, which de-escalation interventions they would use in aggressive scenarios, and their beliefs about the efficacy of de-escalation interventions. A questionnaire survey (n = 72) was conducted using open and closed questions; additionally, clinical vignettes describing conflict events were presented for participants to describe their likely clinical response. Qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis. The major themes that de-escalation encompassed were communication, tactics, de-escalator qualities, assessment and risk, getting help, and containment measures. Different types of aggression were met with different interventions. Half of participants erroneously identified p.r.n. medication as a de-escalation intervention, and 15% wrongly stated that seclusion, restraint, and emergency i.m. medication could be de-escalation interventions. Those interventions seen as most effective were the most commonly used. Clinical staff's views about de-escalation, and their de-escalation practice, may differ from optimal practice. Use of containment measures and p.r.n. medication where de-escalation is more appropriate could have a negative impact; work is needed to promote understanding and use of appropriate de-escalation interventions based on a clear guideline.