Extra Moments Research Articles

LEADERS: MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SPECIAL

AbstractThe author, a technology and nonprofit executive with a military background, knew Frances Hesselbein for a decade. When he first met her, in similarity to the circumstances of many other people, she had an immediate and profound effect: “I left feeling special and with an odd sense of empowerment that I could achieve whatever goals I had set.” He later became a professional mentor for “her mentoring and development program for teens, the Hesselbein Global Academy For Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Fifth Annual Leadership Summit at the University of Pittsburgh in July of 2013.” In drawing lessons from these experiences and encounters, the author writes: “We all meet dozens of people every day. We really have no idea what struggles and challenges they might be facing. If given the chance to talk or listen to them – take a few extra moments to help them feel special.”

Explore the Application Effect of Wireless Networks in Smart Clothing Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology

In the twenty-first century, every individual visualizes enough technological development on both the electrical and electronics sides. At the same time, they were studying artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and trying to implement them in software and hardware parts. Accuracy can be achieved by using sensors, with a combination of software and hardware. Most of the proposed concepts might respond when both clothing technology and AI are attached. While eliminating sensors from the technological concept, there would be a massive change while enhancing essential comfort and transformation. With the help of human commands, the work can be performed accurately as the machines lag in self-thinking ability. In this case, accuracy is one of the most important things to be noted. Having a shared understanding of such concepts as sensor management, cloth adjustment, and design selection will give extra time-saving moments to complete the work. In this research, a digital filter and a QRS (Quick Response System) detection algorithm were implemented to explore smart clothing through wireless networks and AI technologies. The results proved that the proposed algorithm works better than the existing algorithm by providing 2% increased accuracy.

Revisiting the minimal universal extra dimensions with mass-dimension-five operators

We examine a minimally modified version of the minimal universal extra dimension, using electric and magnetic dipole moments and Higgs portals operators to describe new interactions between fermionic dark matter and Standard Model particles. We assume the dark matter in the form of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP). This suggests that the four-dimensional D theory is naturally suppressed by the size of the extra dimension R, without adding new free parameters to the model. We show the LHC potential to discover the fermionic WIMP considering the mono-jet + channel, highlighting the existence of a viable mass range and compactification scale, , in this new scenario. Using ATLAS data for this channel, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of in the analysis, we found a lower bound for . We identify that for a compactification scale of , our fermionic particle is a viable candidate to a dark matter constituent which has been shown to be compatible with relic abundance measurements from the Planck Collaboration.

Effect of slab stiffness on the geotechnical performance of energy piled-raft foundation under thermo-mechanical loads

Several studies have examined the geotechnical behaviour of energy piles; however, the behaviour of piled-raft foundations containing thermal piles is not fully understood. Because piled-raft foundations are optimally designed to bear mechanical loading from the top structure, the energy piles induce extra stress and bending moments on the raft foundation (slab) from the thermal loads, which may cause structural failure. The present study evaluated the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the energy piled-raft foundations using 3D FEM to simulate the geometrical and mechanical parameters of the pile group with an emphasis on slab stiffness. The interaction between the adjacent piles in a group as well as the bending moment induced through the slab have been evaluated. The results showed that, under thermo-mechanical loads, the stiffness of the slab prevented the free expansion and contraction of the energy pile. Increasing in slab thickness from 0.2 to 0.5 m reduced the energy-pile displacement about 50%. It also was observed that a heating load induced more stress than a cooling load along the longer piles. Cooling mechanical loads caused negative skin friction in the longer piles. It was shown that the equivalent pier method is generally applicable for a group of energy piles.

Evaluation of hydroelastic responses of a 180k DWT large bulk carrier

The linear hydroelastic theory has been widely used in engineering applications in the past. However, the increasing demand for larger merchant ships makes it necessary to evaluate the influences of second-order nonlinear fluid forces on ship response in seas. In this study, the second-order nonlinear responses induced by sea waves are calculated using generalized second-order wave force theory in the frequency domain. The Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) method is presented first in this paper which is used for the assessment of ship response and loads, including both linear and second-order nonlinear methods in the frequency domain. Subsequently, the effects of linear forces on the wave-induced responses and loads for a 180k DWT large bulk carrier with and without forward speed are calculated using pulsating source Green's function and translating-pulsating source Green's function. The second-order nonlinear responses are predicted mainly based on pulsating source Green's function. The numerical results show that the ship responses change significantly at high speed, and there are extra vertical bending moments caused by second-order fluid forces acting on the ship in large-amplitude waves compared to linear results. It indicates that both the speed of the ship and the second-order nonlinear wave forces acting on the ship could amplify the wave-induced responses and vertical bending moments.

Extra up-spin magnetic moments and extraordinary high saturation magnetization of Ni2+ doped barium ferrite in 4f2 site

It is vital important to explore excellent magnetic property other than outstanding dielectric property in multiferroic barium ferrite. Herein, BaFe12−xNixO19(x = 0 ∼ 1.0) ceramics are prepared successfully by sol-gel method. The effects of Ni2+ doping on the formation, magnetic properties of BaFe12−xNixO19 ceramics are investigated. Results show that Ni2+ ions substitute Fe3+ in 4f2 site, making neighbor Fe3+ to be transformed into Fe2+. Effective up-spin magnetic moments per molecule, which determine the magnetization of the ferrites, are increased theoretically from 20 μ B to 28 μ B. With Ni2+ doping, grain size is promoted to be large enough to neglect approximately restriction of grain boundary on reaching theoretical saturation magnetization (Ms) of ferrites. Relatively low anisotropic field of ∼14 kOe and coercivity of ∼306 Oe, and extremely high Ms of ∼100.9 emu g−1 are exhibited in BaFe11.2Ni0.8O19 ceramics. The Ms of ∼100.9 emu g−1 is ∼40% higher than theoretically optimal Ms of undoped ferrites, providing it larger possibility to increase magnetization and broadening its applications in electronic devices.

Drawing patients closer: five ladies.

As an intern at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, I began sketching patients and noting snippets of our conversations. I did this as a way to spend a few extra moments with patients and to focus more closely on their expressions. These drawings bring back the essence of an encounter, a

Orthogonal Matched Wavelets with Vanishing Moments: A Sparsity Design Approach

This paper presents a novel approach to design orthogonal wavelets matched to a signal with compact support and vanishing moments. It provides a systematic and versatile framework for matching an orthogonal wavelet to a specific signal or application. The central idea is to select a wavelet by optimizing a criterion which promotes sparsity of the wavelet representation of a prototype signal. Optimization is performed over the space of orthogonal wavelet functions with compact support, coming from filter banks with a given order. Parametrizations of this space are accompanied by explicit conditions for extra vanishing moments, to be used for constrained optimization. The approach is developed first for critically sampled wavelet transforms, then for undecimated wavelet transforms. Two different optimization criteria are presented: to achieve sparsity by L^1-minimization or by L^4-norm maximization. Masking can be employed by introducing weighting factors. Examples are given to demonstrate and evaluate the approach.

Characterization of railroad crosstie movements by numerical modeling and field investigation

Crossties are critical components of the railroad track to facilitate load distribution to track substructure. Recent instrumentation at Kingston, Rhode Island indicated that a crosstie could have translations as well as rotations under train load repetitions. However, previous laboratory experiments on crossties did not fully take the crosstie rotations into consideration. In this paper, actual movements of railroad crossties under moving train loads were first characterized by numerical modeling and field investigation, and then the effect of tie rotations on track ballast performance was evaluated by discrete element modeling (DEM). A vehicle dynamics model coupled with a three-dimensional finite element track model were utilized to simulate the crosstie movements. To obtain the crosstie movements under train passage, field measurements were conducted on an Amtrak high-speed passenger line and a freight railroad short line. The measuring units were mounted on top of crossties to record the accelerations in vertical, lateral, and longitudinal directions and the Euler angles in roll, pitch and yaw. The translations of crossties were obtained by the double integration of accelerations and the rotations were represented in terms of the Euler angles. Both modeling results and field measurements indicate that crossties have not only translations but also rotations under moving trains. In addition, angular velocity and angular acceleration measured in the field tests indicate that the rotations could cause extra moments up to 5000 N-m on top of the ballast layer. The extra moments may not cause significant track failure, but may accelerate the deterioration of track components. Further, a DEM program was used to evaluate the effect of the crosstie rotations on track ballast. The results of DEM show that the crosstie rotations would increase the acceleration of individual ballast particles and contact forces between ballast particles.

Legendary Conductors of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (review)

Legendary Conductors of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 5 vols. DVD. Disc 1: Charles Munch. Maurice Ravel, Ma Mere l'Oye (Suite), (February, 1958); Claude Debussy, Iberia (October, 1961), La Mer (October, 1958). Disc 2: Erich Leinsdorf. Franz Schubert, Symphony No. 9 in C Major (March, 1963); Robert Schumann, Symphony No. 4 in D minor (November, 1962); Richard Wagner, Parsifal - Good Friday Music ( January, 1964). Disc 3: Erich Leinsdorf. Ludwig van Beethoven, Egmont Overture (April, 1969); Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5 in E minor (April, 1969); Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Serenade No. 9 in D major ( January, 1963). Disc 4: William Steinberg. Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 8 in C minor ( January, 1962). Disc 5: William Steinberg. Franz Joseph Haydn, Symphony No. 55 in E flat major (October, 1969); Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 in A major (October, 1970) and Symphony No. 8 in F major ( January, 1962). [London]: ICA Classics, 2013 ICAB 5115. $99.99.This five DVD set focuses on the three conductors of the Boston Symphony Or - che stras during the 1960's - Charles Munch (1949-1962), Erich Leinsdorf (1962-1969), and William Steinberg (1969-1972, although two selections from a concert he guest conducted in 1962 are included). These broadcasts are important not only in that they allow comparison of the styles of three very different conductors, but also because of the pioneering work of WGBH in the field of televised concerts.These groundbreaking tapes were a part of the semi-regular broadcasts of the BSO that began in 1955 and continued through the 1970's at the rate of about one every other month. ICA has begun a program of bringing out a significant number of these from the pre-Seiji Ozawa years (during which the shows were called Evening at Symphony) featuring the regular conductors as well as guests such as Pierre Mon - teux and Claus Tennstedt. To those who are historically inclined, the opportunity of seeing some of the legendary but somewhat forgotten players of that era is reason enough to own this set. Just among the winds, clarinetists Gino Cioffiand Manny Valerio, trumpeter Roger Voisin, horn player James Stagliano and English horn player Louis Speyer (whose career stretched back to the premiere of Le Sacre du Printemps in 1913) were joined by the next generation including Ralph Gomberg on oboe, bassoonist Sherm Walt and flautist Doriot Anthony Dwyer. Dwyer's case is particularly interesting - as the first woman to occupy a first chair in a major American symphony, she represents a major change in the culture in the industry, although it is curious to see that there were other women performing on these broadcasts on cello and horn - one wonders who they were and how they came to be engaged as substitutes.The first of these concerts in 1955 was televised from the Kresge Auditorium at M.I.T., but by the time of these performances recording had moved to Harvard's Sanders Theatre where it remained until 1963 when Symphony Hall was finally equipped with permanent broadcast facilities. The technical evolution of these concerts from the earliest to the latest in this set is remarkable, although perhaps the biggest surprise is that the quality of the direction and camera work was so high to begin with. Tapes of sports events from this period, for example, are extremely primitive looking today with their inflexible and distant camera work not to mention the lack of continuity. These broadcasts were directed beautifully, with closeups, section features and panning shots that demonstrate true knowledge of the music on the part of the directors (David M. Davis in the earlier years and William Cosel later). Even the lack of color in all but the last selections does not detract from the highly polished appearance. Occasionally some extra musical moments intrude - the fire engine passing by between movements of Debussy's Iberia, the re-tuning between movements of the Schubert Symphony no. 9, etc.The three conductors profiled in this collection all came to the BSO with different agendas and personalities and each was fairly conservative in his programming. …

Buckling of double-T construction elements for bridges in case of complicated loading

This paper analyzes the stability of double-T elements with complicated loading under bending moment and extra torsional moment. In case of simple bending, long elements and elements of small cross-section are under bending and torsion moments. Here, an extra torsional moment is also evaluated that can occur in constructions under external effects: unsymmetrical loads, wind and temperature. Classical solutions are analyzed in various papers and studies, and engineering solutions given in standards present no examples of such a complicated loading. Therefore, this paper suggests energy method to calculate critical bending forces and extra torsional moment values. Obtained analytical equations are tested by experiment and present to be acceptable.

Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities by Jeff Mapes

baseball ? of interest, and for thatmatter comprehensible, largely to union members and those familiarwith the shipping industry. All readersmust approach thebook with the understanding that they will get only theper spective of ILWU loyalists from its contents. That said, thisbook is awelcome addition to the labor history of the West. Craig Wollner Portland State University PEDALING REVOLUTION: HOW CYCLISTSARECHANGINGAMERICAN CITIES byJeff Mapes Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, 2009. Photographs, bibliography, index. 288 pages. $19.95 paper. Jeff Mapes, a political reporter for theOrego nian, has written a timelybook about urban bicycle transportation and the cultural shifts occurring incities thatactivelysupport cycling. Mapes isan unapologetic supporter of bicycle transportation,and thebook reflects his enthu siasm. Rather than weaken his arguments, how ever, Mapes's personal experiences as a bicyclist helps personalize the statistics and acronyms that can oftenweigh down a transportation centric narrative. Mapes also includes color ful figures from the bicycle literati, such as Portland, Oregon's Phil Sano. Sano, who has gone byReverend Phil since receiving amail order ordainment, serves asMapes's bicycle Renaissance man, whose bicycle exploits go far beyond transportation. From developing "bike porn"movies toorganizing thematicallyeccen tricbicycle rides throughout thecountry,Sano epitomizes thehip, urban cyclists that Mapes sees at the forefront of thepedaling revolution (p. 109). Interestingly, Mapes compares Port land,Oregon's bicycle culture to the Southern California car "cultists"of the 1960s,explaining that the car cultists "were experimental artists celebrating a vehicle thatwas remaking just about all ofAmerican life" (p. 142).Are Port landers, such as Phil Sano, celebrating a vehicle thatis in theprocess of reshapingAmerican life, or are we witnessing another boom-and-bust era forthebicycle, similar to those in the 1890s, 1930s, and 1970s?As Mapes tells readers early in thebook, "Bicycling has had more ups and downs than the stockmarket" (p. 31). While Pedaling Revolution isnot a histori cal account, Mapes does an admirable job of exploring thepast to strengthenthefoundation ofhis arguments. Students ofurban historycan benefit fromMapes's opening chapter when they seek tobetterunderstand the internecine battles that have transformed federal trans portation policies since the late 1980s.Mapes also introduces the developments thatmade Portland, Oregon, and Davis, California, the two bicyclingMeccas ofNorth America. For students of urban history, Mapes's book will serve only as a firsttaste,but Pedaling Revolu tion still functions as a fine introduction to some of bicycling'smost significantdevelop ments over the past half century. For an exhaus tivelook at thebicycle's history, David Herlihy's 2004 tome,Bicycle,chronicles thetwo-wheelers' development inEurope and theUnited States since the seventeenth century. Mapes's primary goal inPedaling Revolution is tomake the case fora rhetoricalquestion he poses in the introduction: "Do you reallyneed more than a ton of steel to move your rear end twomiles?" (p. 22).Mapes does not think so, of course, but thatbegs thequestion: Why do Americans drive somuch? Is itbecause of decades of auto-centric urban planning and infrastructure? Can we blame thecarmanufac turersand theirlobbyingandmarketing efforts? Could itbe thatour busy livesdo not allow us to spare those fewprecious extra moments to walk or bike instead of drive?Pedaling Revolution is not too concerned with layingblame.Mapes is more focused in illuminating the sea change he believes is rightaround the corner. 640 OHQ vol. no, no. 4 According toPedaling Revolution, the cul tural shifts,unorthodox political leadership, infrastructure upheaval, dedicated bureau cracy, and tenacious citizenry necessary for a true transportation revolution are taking shape. By the end of thebook, itisobvious that Mapes is arguing for much more than simply bicycles. Rather, Pedaling Revolution calls for a transformation in how we develop and move around our urban spaces. Although he is ostensibly speaking for"cycling advocates," Mapes clearlyagreeswith theirviewpointwhen he writes, "many cycling advocates gradually get to the point where theywant to revamp the entire road system,not justfigureout how to integratecyclists in the currentone" (p. 23). Of course, it would not be a revolutionwith out a fundamental shift in the current order, and revamping the entire road systemwould undoubtedly serve as a revolutionary act. As someone who promotes bicycling,walk ing,transit,and ridesharing fora living, Ifind the book's vision is compelling. To temper Mapes's enthusiasm about the current growth inbicycling,however, itis...

Configuration of the uncompensated moments at the FM/AFM interface with a NM spacer

The pinned uncompensated moments are believed to play the key role in forming the exchange bias at the FM/AFM interface. However, most of the uncompensated moments are reversible under the dragging torque from the FM layer. We produced a ruined AFM surface by inserting and doping Pt at the FM/FeMn interface and found that the ruined AFM surface is a source of extra uncompensated moments. The configuration of the uncompensated moments changes considerably with the distance between the Pt/FeMn interface and the FM surface. The whole amount and pinned fraction of the uncompensated moments in the samples with the proper spacer thickness are simultaneously enriched.

Modeling and simulation of muscle forces of trans-tibial amputee to study effect of prosthetic alignment

The muscle forces tend to change when any musculoskeletal system is damaged. It is necessary to predict and explain the patterns of muscle forces in the stump of a left trans-tibial amputee during walking, and to study the effects of the prosthetic alignment. Musculoskeletal modeling and computer simulation were combined to calculate muscle forces in the trans-tibial lower limb during walking. The prosthesis was aligned to be in optimal position for the subject and then changed into +6 degrees and -6 degrees in the sagittal plane relatively. Kinematic data of the stump wearing a prosthesis and ground reaction forces were simultaneously recorded by a gait analysis system and a force platform, respectively. The data were input into a model of the lower trans-tibial extremity with three-dimensional geometry and the corresponding seven muscle forces were predicted by a static optimization. Muscles performed much more actively in stance than in swing phase. Most muscles appeared very active around both heel-strike and toe-off. Muscle forces predicted were similar to that in temporal distribution at all three alignment conditions but the major muscles such as gluteus maximus, hamstrings, vasti and rectus femoris generated remarkable greater forces in -6 degrees and +6 degrees alignments than the normal condition. The above results showed the muscle forces increasing at the mal-alignment. Because the incorrect alignment could break the relative position of the socket and foot, and that would generate the extra joint moments. As a result, muscle forces increased, and the long-duration fatigue occurs more easily. The finding suggests that the proper prosthetic alignment is very important for the stump muscles normal activities.

Enhancing Efficiency of the Medical Director

Enhancing Efficiency of the Medical Director

Zero-point entropy in stuffed spin-ice

The third law of thermodynamics dictates that the entropy of a system in thermal equilibrium goes to zero as its temperature approaches absolute zero. In ice, however, a ‘zero point’ or residual entropy can be measured—attributable to a high degeneracy in the energetically preferred positions of hydrogen ions associated with the so-called ‘ice rules’1,2. Remarkably, the spins in certain magnetic materials with the pyrochlore structure of corner-sharing tetrahedra, called ‘spin ice’, have an equivalent degeneracy of energetically preferred states, and also have a zero-point entropy3,4,5,6,7. Here, we chemically alter Ho2Ti2O7 spin ice by ‘stuffing’ extra Ho magnetic moments into otherwise non-magnetic Ti sites surrounding the Ho tetrahedra. The resulting series, Ho2(Ti2−xHox)O7−x/2, provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of increased connectivity between spins on a frustrated lattice. Surprisingly, the zero-point entropy per spin measured appears unchanged by these excess spins. The results suggest a chemical approach for studying ice-like frustration and other properties of the broad family of geometrically frustrated magnets based on the pyrochlore structure.

Those extra moments.

In the move to managed health care, the interaction between the occupational health physician and employee/ patient has mimicked somewhat the brevity of the medical visit experienced external to the worksite. Whereas, in former days, there was no sharply predetermined time to be devoted to the individual seeking care, today’s hurried schedules usually allow 15 min or less per visit. Such sharp temporal demarcation allows the ailing person to declare his or her health concerns, a hasty examination by the care provider, the issue of appropriate prescriptions for medication and some counsel concerning the clinical findings, with, possibly, allusion to the patient’s inappropriate health-affecting life style. In industry, there may be additional precautions offered concerning the performance of certain job functions in light of the presenting disorder. While such a visit will meet the physical needs of the patient, rarely are basic emotional, behavioral, family or interpersonal difficulties explored. Yet, it is the underlying problem that is most bothersome to the client and which has had no inquiry. The employee leaves, still burdened by the unresolved dilemma that he or she may not even connect to the presenting ailment. An invaluable opportunity to be of true assistance to the patient is passed, often not just because of time or schedule constraints, but because of discomfiture felt by the practitioner in the exploration and guidance required by these problems whose etiology may be completely outside the workplace. It has been the practice of the writer, on completion of the worker’s visit, to utilize some extra moments to inquire ‘How are things at home?’ or ‘How are things going on the job?’ There is a brief period of silence, followed by a low-pitched ‘Oh, that son of mine’, or ‘Things are not so hot at home.’ The door is open, thereafter, to exploration of the true problem troubling the individual and to professional guidance for the rectification of the current dysfunction at home or at the workplace. An employee was shown his X-ray films as part of a survey of personnel exposed to asbestos, past or present. The findings were explained and reassurance was given as to the minimal changes encountered. On completion of the clinical aspects of the visit, the query was placed regarding conditions at home and the response of ‘Oh, my daughter . . .’ was given. Further questioning revealed that the late teenager had not spoken to her family for many months. It was arranged that she visit the occupational health service for an interview. It was anticipated that the young woman would be an angry, mute, non-communicative person, with whom interaction would be difficult. To the contrary, on entry, the daughter was bubbling with smiles and energy, talked freely, and welcomed any expressed concerns by her parents. She played guitar, composed music, was highly articulate and willing to have the family situation rectified. Counseling was initiated and communication reinstalled within the family. On another occasion, on completion of the clinical aspects of the visit, the same question was put to the employee concerning events other than those at the work setting. An extremely concerned response was given regarding a 15-year-old daughter who had a presumably uncontrollable, spasmodic, persistent, non-productive cough (48 coughs per min) and who communicated solely by written notes. She had been studied by 14 specialists at a variety of hospitals without change in the condition. Following the obtainment of records, appropriate referral was made to a university medical center and with indicated clinical tests and psychotherapy, all difficulties cleared. Subsequently, the young woman became a physician. In all comparable instances the employed parent(s) were extremely grateful for the directive care given and for the lifting of the heavy emotional burdens occasioned by difficult situations away from work. These examples are offered to lend credence to the belief that a few moments of concern about the real problems perplexing workers can be totally rewarding to the

Simplified Onsager theory for isotropic–nematic phase equilibria of length polydisperse hard rods

Polydispersity is believed to have important effects on the formation of liquid crystal phases in suspensions of rodlike particles. To understand such effects, we analyze the phase behavior of thin hard rods with length polydispersity. Our treatment is based on a simplified Onsager theory, obtained by truncating the series expansion of the angular dependence of the excluded volume. We describe the model and give the full phase equilibrium equations; these are then solved numerically using the moment free energy method which reduces the problem from one with an infinite number of conserved densities to one with a finite number of effective densities that are moments of the full density distribution. The method yields exactly the onset of nematic ordering. Beyond this, results are approximate but we show that they can be made essentially arbitrarily precise by adding adaptively chosen extra moments, while still avoiding the numerical complications of a direct solution of the full phase equilibrium conditions. We investigate in detail the phase behavior of systems with three different length distributions: a (unimodal) Schulz distribution, a bidisperse distribution, and a bimodal mixture of two Schulz distributions which interpolates between these two cases. A three-phase isotropic-nematic-nematic coexistence region is shown to exist for the bimodal and bidisperse length distributions if the ratio of long and short rod lengths is sufficiently large, but not for the unimodal one. We systematically explore the topology of the phase diagram as a function of the width of the length distribution and of the rod length ratio in the bidisperse and bimodal cases.

Male catheterization

The insertion of catheters into male emergency patients is fairly common practice and is associated with a worryingly high rate of infection. Everyday pressures within the department, along with the added stress of resuscitation can result in inappropriately trained or skilled staff undertaking this procedure. The issue of gender and whether female nurses should catheterize male patients may also affect this vulnerable group of patients. Acquiring the psychomotor skills of inserting aurethral catheter is only one part of preparation for practice. Emergency nurses must know when and when not to resort to catheterization. Choosing the type and size of catheter requires careful judgment. What will you do if insertion proves difficult? Prevention of infection is of paramount importance and there are an increasing number of evidence-based sources of information, which are crucial to formulating procedures and informing every day practice. In the pressured surroundings of A&E departments, it is easy to ignore the vulnerability of men requiring catheterization, both from a physical and psychological point of view. Making the effort to explain the procedure, listen to questions and concerns and record relevant details in the notes, will take only a few extra moments. There is no doubt that urinary catheterization is not without complications. It is associated with significant morbidity and occasionally, mortality.

Stomachaches and other complaints in children: Is it really bullying?

Children who are brought to the emergency department at frequent intervals by their parents are always a concern for ED nurses. Often, questions and concerns are raised: Is something being missed? Could it be constipation, early appendicitis, a urinary tract infection, an incarcerated hernia, or a migraine? Is there a psychological component? Triage nurses should maintain a high index of suspicion for another cause of physical signs and symptoms in the school-aged child: bullying. A simple screening may provide some surprising answers, so add another question to your triage assessment and take a few extra moments to ask the child, “Has anyone at school made you sad or afraid?”