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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to implement real-time transthoracic ultrasound in a thoracic surgery and lung transplant practice. Description: Ultrasound units that are light, small, robust, and portable are now available. Obstacles to use include demarcation issues between specialties, training, and a perception that basic ultrasound may be difficult to use. The experience of implementing this is described. Evaluation: After a training period, 62 studies were performed in 4 months. Patients and clinicians gave positive feedback. The learning time was short, and with ultrasonic guidance, all interventional procedures were successful at the first attempt, without any complications. Conclusions: Basic transthoracic ultrasound was found to be easy to learn and use by thoracic surgeons, fellows, and specialist nurses. Patients were appreciative. Real-time use may have genuine advantages to patient care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is rare to find studies that focus on the multiple reacculturation of travelers who regularly alternate residences between their homeland and a host foreign country. These travelers are best described as intercultural transients. It is difficult to exactly say how many transients exist today because of the lack of accurate data. What is clear, however, is that the number is increasing because of improved global transportation and the large economic gaps between nations (World Telecommunications Development Report, Author, 1994). In an effort to extend general knowledge as well as consequences of intercultural adjustment, this conceptual-theoretic study facilitates understanding of the complex experience of these individuals who live on cultural borders negotiating both frequent cultural transitions and their cultural identities (Cultural Studies, Routledge, New York, 1992, pp. 96–116; Communication and Identity Across Cultures, Sage, Newbury Park, CA, 1998, pp. 34–55).Within this essay, first, we review the acculturation and reacculturation literature within the discipline of communication and note what is missing in this literature. Then, we present a new concept called “cyclical curves” to explain multiple reentry. Additionally, we offer one example of a typical intercultural transient''s experience followed by a proposed taxonomy of intercultural transients. Also, we review several theoretical notions that help us understand the process of identity negotiation experienced by intercultural transients, while identifying coping strategies that may facilitate identity negotiation. Finally, we re-introduce a theory that has only recently emerged in intercultural communication studies—cultural contracts theory (African American Communication: Exploring Identity and Culture, 2nd Edition, Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ, 2002; Communities, Creations, and Contradictions: New Approaches to Rhetoric for the Twenty-first Century, Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, MI, in press-a; Commun. Quarterly, 50(4) (2002); Howard J. Commun. 12(4) (2002) 43–57; J. Rural Commun. Psychol. E4(1). [Online Journal]. http://www.marshall.edu/JRCP/)—to conceptually frame the ontological nature and problems confronted by transients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To identify factors influencing the use of birth pools. Online discussion groups and semi-structured interviews, analysed thematically. United Kingdom. 85 women and 21 midwives took part in online discussion groups; 14 medical staff participated in interviews. Factors influencing the use of birth pools were grouped into three overarching categories: resources, unit culture and guidelines, and staff endorsement. Resources encompassed pool availability, efficiency of pool use and availability of waterproof cardiotocograph equipment. Unit culture and guidelines related to eligibility criteria for pool use, medicalisation of birth and differences between midwifery-led and obstetric-led care. Staff endorsement encompassed attitudes towards pool use. Accessibility of birth pools was often limited by eligibility criteria. While midwifery-led units were generally supportive of pool use, obstetric-led units were described as an over-medicalised environment in which pool use was restricted and relied on maternal request. Midwives can improve women's access to birth pools by providing information antenatally and proactively offering this as an option in labour. Maternity units should work to implement evidence-based guidelines on pool use, increase pool availability (even where there appears to be low demand), and enhance awareness amongst medical staff of the benefits of water immersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the fatty-acid-and retinol-binding (FAR) protein family of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Ce). Interference of the proteins with intercellular lipid signaling to manipulate the defense reactions of the host; Production of a characteristic shift in peak fluorescence emission of DAUDA; Analysis of Ce-FAR proteins by circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry.