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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Early diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) is critical in obtaining evidence-based interventions when plasticity is greatest. In 2017, international guidelines for early detection of CP were published on the basis of a systematic review of evidence. Our study aim was to reduce the age at CP diagnosis throughout a network of 5 diverse US high-risk infant follow-up programs through consistent implementation of these guidelines. METHODS: The study leveraged plan-do-study-act and Lean methodologies. The primary outcome was age at CP diagnosis. Data were acquired during the corresponding 9-month baseline and quarterly throughout study. Balancing measures were clinic no-show rates and parent perception of the diagnosis visit. Clinic teams conducted strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analyses, process flow evaluations, standardized assessments training, and parent questionnaires. Performance of a 3- to 4-month clinic visit was a critical process step because it included a Hammersmith Infant Neurologic Examination, a General Movements Assessment, and standardized assessments of motor function. RESULTS: The age at CP diagnosis decreased from a weighted average of 19.5 (95% confidence interval 16.2 to 22.8) to 9.5 months (95% confidence interval 4.5 to 14.6), with P = .008; 3- to 4-month visits per site increased from the median (interquartile range) 14 (5.2-73.7) to 54 (34.5-152.0), with P < .001; and no-show rates were not different. Parent questionnaires revealed positive provider perception with improvement opportunities for information content and understandability. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale implementation of international guidelines for early detection of CP is feasible in diverse high-risk infant follow-up clinics. The initiative was received positively by families and without adversely affecting clinic operational flow. Additional parent support and education are necessary.

This qualitative study aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected South Asians in Hong Kong. A total of 34 South Asian adults completed the interview. Data were analysed thematically and three broad themes emerged: the impact of the pandemic on daily life, discrimination experienced, coping with challenges. The impacts of COVID-19 have spanned across from individual, family, community, to societal domains. Future research using a longitudinal approach and the inclusion of those with quarantine or infection experiences would yield a more comprehensive understanding of the experiences of South Asian communities in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The virologic test results of 415 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were examined. The peak detection rate for SARS-associated coronavirus occurred at week 2 after illness onset for respiratory specimens, at weeks 2 to 3 for stool or rectal swab specimens, and at week 4 for urine specimens. The latest stool sample that was positive by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was collected on day 75 while the patient was receiving intensive care. Tracheal aspirate and stool samples had a higher diagnostic yield (RT-PCR average positive rate for first 2 weeks: 66.7% and 56.5%, respectively). Pooled throat and nasal swabs, rectal swab, nasal swab, throat swab, and nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens provided a moderate yield (29.7%-40.0%), whereas throat washing and urine specimens showed a lower yield (17.3% and 4.5%). The collection procedures for stool and pooled nasal and throat swab specimens were the least likely to transmit infection, and the combination gave the highest yield for coronavirus detection by RT-PCR. Positive virologic test results in patient groups were associated with mechanical ventilation or death (p < 0.001), suggesting a correlation between viral load and disease severity.

We evaluated an indirect immunofluorescence assay based on virus-infected cells for detecting anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody. All confirmed SARS cases demonstrated seroconversion or fourfold rise in IgG antibody titer; no control was positive. Sensitivity and specificity of this assay were both 100%. Immunofluorescence assay can ascertain the status of SARS-CoV infection.

This study compared stress and coping among 243 migrant and 750 local-born Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Findings showed that compared to their local-born counterparts, migrants showed no difference in perceived stress, whereas they were less likely to use withdrawal coping and showed higher self-esteem and less delinquent behavior. Adjustment of migrant adolescents was related to the father's education level and years of residence in Hong Kong. Research and policy implications were discussed.

This study addresses the timing and pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions of ophiolite obduction, one of the proposed causes of the ca. 470 Ma Grampian orogeny of Scotland and Ireland. This event gave rise to the main structural and metamorphic characteristics of the Grampian terrane--the type area for Barrovian metamorphism, the cause of which remains enigmatic despite a century of research. Zircons from the Highland Border ophiolite, Scotland, define a 499 [+ or -] 8 Ma U-Pb concordia age, which is interpreted as dating magmatism. Its metamorphism is dated by a 490 [+ or -] 4 Ma [sup.40][Ar.sup.-39]Ar hornblende age, and a 488 [+ or -] 1 Ma [sup.40][Ar.sup.-39]Ar muscovite age from a metasedimentary xenolith within it, from which P-T estimates of 5.3 kbar and 580[degrees]C relate to ophiolite obduction. Metamorphism of the Deerpark complex ophiolitic melange (Irish correlative of the Highland Border ophiolite) is constrained by a 514 [+ or -] 3 Ma [sup.40][Ar.sup.-39]Ar hornblende age, while mica schist slivers within it yield detrital zircon U-Pb ages consistent with Laurentian provenance and Rb-Sr and [sup.40][Ar.sup.-39]Ar muscovite ages of ca. 482 Ma. P-T values of 3.3 kbar and 580[degrees]C for the mica schist constrain the conditions of ophiolite obduction. Metamorphic mineral ages from the Grampian terrane (Dalradian Supergroup) are substantially younger (ca. 475-465 Ma) than those from the ophiolites. If conductive heating in overthickened crust was the cause of Barrovian metamorphism, then collisional thickening must have started soon after ophiolite obduction at ca. 490 Ma in order to generate the ca. 470 Ma metamorphic peak in the Grampian terrane. doi: 10.1130/B30139.1

Abstract: We describe the inductively heated electrothermal vaporization of 8-hydroxyquinolne complexes of Cd, Pb, and Zn adsorbed onto [C.sub.18]-bonded silica gel with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic detection. The [...]

This study contributes to the debate on applying parenting style typologies to the Chinese population by using structured observational methods in examining parenting behaviors and styles in parent-child interactions in problem-solving situations. Participants were 81 parent-child dyads in Hong Kong. The four parenting groups identified through cluster analysis were authoritative, authoritarian, disengaged, and task-oriented. This clustering was compared internally on parenting attributes and child's school-related outcomes, as well as externally with the Parent Behavior Report typology assessed through the child-report method. Discussion was based on the conceptual and theoretical implications of this new clustering using observational methods. KEYWORDS. Chinese parents, observational methods, parenting style, problem-solving situations

This article describes the results of a survey investigating use of alcohol and illicit drugs by radiologic technologists. Overall, survey results suggest that few radiologic technologists have a problem with the abuse of alcohol and drugs. However, the survey indicates that approximately 3% to 4% of radiologic technologists may suffer from some type of substance abuse problem, with alcohol abuse more common than drug abuse. These findings correlate with studies that reveal similar rates of substance abuse among physicians, nurses and pharmacists. Because the abuse of alcohol and drugs affects the quality of patient care, the authors recommend that professional organizations identify and assist radiologic technologists who suffer from substance abuse and that they promote greater awareness of the problem through education. The authors also recommend that an awareness of the effects of substance abuse be included in the professional curriculum., Until the last decade, research using scientific inquiry methodology was not a priority for the radiologic science profession. The transition of educational programs to higher education institutions has spurred some [...]

This article describes the results of a survey on the prevalence of chemical substance use by radiologic science professionals. The sample population was a random selcetion of of registered radiographers, [...]

We report the median cDNA viral load of norovirus genogroup II is [greater than or equal to] 100-fold higher than that of genogroup I in the fecal specimens of patients [...]

To the Editor: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging infectious disease worldwide and is increasingly reported in Asia (1). We describe a community case of invasive MRSA infection, [...]