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.

Failure strengths of suture versus biodegradable arrow for meniscal repair: an in vitro study

Abstract: Advances in our understanding of meniscal function and consequences of menisectomy have spawned meniscal repair techniques that yield success rates approaching 90% in properly selected patients. Biodegradable implants have been fashioned for meniscal fixation to simplify the technique and minimize neurovascular complications. We performed the current study to determine the in vitro biomechanical behavior of the BIOFIX Meniscal Arrow, a polylactic acid tack developed for meniscal repair. Eight pairs of menisci were harvested from cadaveric knees kept frozen before testing. Peripheral vertical tears were created in the posterior horn of all menisci, and each was subsequently repaired using a vertical loop suture of 2-0 Ethibond and a Meniscal arrow. Ultimate load to failure of each method was determined on a Hounsfield H25KM Universal Testing machine. The mean failure load for the suture group was 58.3 N compared with the Arrow group mean of 29.6 N (P < .001). All sutures failed by rupture at the knot but did not pull through the meniscus. All but one of the arrows failed by pulling out of the meniscus. The Arrows also permitted gapping at the repair site at considerably lesser loads than the sutures subject to strain. The concept of a biodegradable tack is appealing. Vertical loop sutures should be the standard by which their biomechanical performance is judged. We suggest modifications to the Arrow design that could enhance the fixation strength of this implant.

Structure-Activity Relationships in the Hydrophobic Interactions of Polyphenols with Cellulose and Collagen

Abstract: Polyphenol interactions with both cellulose and collagen in the solid state have been studied by using chromatography on cellulose and by evaluating the hydrothermal stability of the polyphenol treated sheepskin collagen. Twenty-four polyphenolic compounds were studied, including seven glucose-based gallotannins, five polyalcohol-based gallotannins, and twelve ellagitannins. In the cellulose-polyphenols systems, the polyphenol's affinity to cellulose is positively correlated with their molecular masses, the number of galloyl groups, and their hydrophobicity (logP). The polyphenol treatment increased the hydrothermal stability of collagen samples, and such effects are also positively correlated with the molecular masses, total number of galloyl groups and the hydrophobicity of polyphenols. Ellagitannins showed much weaker interactions with both biopolymers than gallotannins having similar molecular mass, the same number of galloyl groups, and the same number of phenolic hydroxyl groups. It is concluded that, for the polyphenol interactions with both cellulose and collagen, (1) the galloyl group of polyphenols is the functional group; (2) the strength of interactions are positively correlated with molecular size, the number of galloyl groups and the hydrophobicity of polyphenols; (3) the hydrophobic interactions are of great significance; and (4) the interactions are strongly dependent on the flexibility of galloyl groups.

Team roles and team performance: Is there ‘really’ a link?

Abstract: Belbin's (1981, 1993) team role theories are evaluated in terms of the claim that high team performance is associated with teams which are balanced in terms of the team roles represented amongst team members. Eleven teams from a mixture of private and public organizations were surveyed to test the proposition that a balanced team will be a high performing team and vice versa. Issues of measurement of team balance and team performance are addressed. The research is believed to be unique in including a number of criteria for team role balance rather than the single, simplistic measure frequently used. An innovative measure of team performance is used. The results of the investigation give some support to the link Belbin makes between team role balance and team performance. These are discussed in the light of the paucity of rigorous research in this area to date.

Amniotomy for shortening spontaneous labour

Abstract: Background Intentional artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes during labour, sometimes called amniotomy or 'breaking of the waters', is one of the most commonly performed procedures in modern obstetric and midwifery practice. The primary aim of amniotomy is to speed up contractions and, therefore, shorten the length of labour. However, there are concerns regarding unintended adverse effects on the woman and baby. Objectives To determine the effectiveness and safety of amniotomy alone for routinely shortening all labours that start spontaneously. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 April 2013). Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials comparing amniotomy alone versus intention to preserve the membranes. We excluded quasi-randomised trials. Data collection and analysis Two review authors assessed identified studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Primary analysis was by intention-to-treat. Main results We have included 15 studies in this updated review, involving 5583 women. Amniotomy alone versus intention to preserve the membranes (no amniotomy) for spontaneous labour There was no clear statistically significant difference between women in the amniotomy and control groups in length of the first stage of labour (mean difference (MD) -20.43 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) -95.93 to 55.06), caesarean section (risk ratio (RR) 1.27, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.63), maternal satisfaction with childbirth experience (MD -1.10, 95% CI -7.15 to 4.95) or Apgar score less than seven at five minutes (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.00). There was no consistency between trials regarding the timing of amniotomy during labour in terms of cervical dilatation. Amniotomy alone versus intention to preserve the membranes (no amniotomy) for spontaneous labours that have become prolonged There was no clear statistically significant difference between women in the amniotomy and control group in caesarean section (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.15 to 6.08), maternal satisfaction with childbirth experience (MD 22.00, 95% CI 2.74 to 41.26) or Apgar score less than seven at five minutes (RR 2.86, 95% CI 0.12 to 66.11). Authors' conclusions On the basis of the findings of this review, we cannot recommend that amniotomy should be introduced routinely as part of standard labour management and care. We recommend that the evidence presented in this review should be made available to women offered an amniotomy and may be useful as a foundation for discussion and any resulting decisions made between women and their caregivers.

Experiences of addiction and recovery: the case for subjective accounts

Abstract: In this paper we argue that psychology must address issues of subjective experience in accounting for addictive behaviour problems, and further, that self and identity are integral to such experiences. While the importance of self and identity issues is often recognised implicitly at the level of therapeutic practice, the extent of their involvement, and the nature of their relationship with other factors, is not yet fully understood at the level of theory and research. We offer a case for addressing this problem through the collection and analysis of subjective accounts. This is because we think that any understanding of the relationship between addiction, self and identity should be informed by participants' own accounts of their experiences of addictive behaviour problems. This argument is supported here by an account of observational data collected at a residential addictions treatment centre. The data were analysed using the IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) approach. This represents a n...