The aim of this study was to assess differences in the behavior of fatigue‐related measures of neuromuscular function between younger (n = 10; 20–35 years) and older (n = 11; >65 years) healthy adults. Measures reflecting changes in voluntary activation, neuromuscular propagation, metabolite build‐up, and excitation‐contraction coupling processes were taken before, during, and after a sustained maximum elbow‐flexion fatigue task. We found a greater role for a failure in voluntary activation (central fatigue) in about half of the older subjects compared with none of the younger subjects to explain the decrease in force‐generating capacity with sustained activity. In contrast, similar behaviors in measures reflecting changes in peripheral mechanisms were noted for the two age groups. These results point to a potential shift in fatigue mechanisms with age, with a greater contribution of central fatigue in some older adults. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 98–106, 2001

Masonry is a compos ite non-homogeneous structural material, whose mechanical properties depend on the properties of and the interaction between the composite components-brick and mortar, their volume ratio, the properties of their bond, and any cracking in the masonry. The mechanical properties of masonry depend on the orientation of the bed joints and the stress state of the joints, and so the values of the shear modulus, as well as the stiffness of masonry structural elements can depend on various factors. An extensive testing programme in several countries addresses the problem of measurement of the stiffness properties of masonry. These testing programs have provided sufficient data to permit a review of the influence of different testing techniques (mono and bi-axial tests), the variations caused by distinct loading conditions (monotonic and cyclic), the impact of the mortar type, as well as influence of the reinforcement. This review considers the impact of the measurement devices used for determining the shear modulus and stiffness of walls on the results. The results clearly indicate a need to reassess the values stated in almost all national codes for the shear modulus of the masonry, especially for masonry made with lime mortar, where strong anisotropic behaviour is in the stiffness properties.

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This study assessed the effect of information related to the food irradiation process on consumers' willingness to purchase irradiated food products and the perceived consumer segment to which they belonged ("strong buyer," "interested," "doubter," or "rejector" of irradiated food). Two types of information were presented: the nature and benefits of food irradiation and information about two ways in which food can be irradiated. Positive shifts in the responses were observed in both the consumer segment to which they belonged and willingness to buy after the presentation of information about food irradiation technology.

This study examines consumers’ willingness to pay for irradiated beef products. About 58% of the respondents are willing to pay a premium for irradiated beef. An ordered probit with sample selection model was estimated. Standard errors of the marginal effects of the ordered probit model were estimated using the bootstrap method. Our findings suggest that females and those who think that improper handling contributes to food poisoning are more likely to pay a premium of 50 cents per pound for irradiated beef than others. Those who trust the irradiation technology are also more likely to pay a premium of between 5 and 25 cents per pound for irradiated beef. Supply chain implications are discussed.

Introduction:In patients who are immunocompromised, fever may indicate a life-threatening infection. Prompt time to antibiotic administration in febrile patients at risk for neutropenia has been identified by national and international panels as a key benchmark of quality care in emergent situations. A quality improvement initiative to improve health care provided in a pediatric emergency department (ED) is described.Methods:A clinical pathway was previously initiated in a pediatric ED with a goal of improving time to antibiotics for febrile neutropenia patients. An agreed upon pathway and order set being initiated. Improvements were seen but not to the desired level. This project involved an improvement cycle that focused on nonvalue added time in the workflow.Results:Percent of patients receiving antibiotics within the goal time of 1 hour increased from 40% to 80% with the intervention. Process measures including arrival to ED bed time, ED bed to antibiotic order time and antibiotic order time to delivery time were followed.Conclusion:Clinical guidelines, order sets and detailed understanding of the actual workflow at the point of care delivery can be instrumental in achieving the goals of reducing time to antibiotics.

Traditional methods used to estimate fishing effort that maximizes rent to an open access resource have almost universally assumed all costs are directly proportional to effort. When crews receive a fixed share of gross returns, labor costs are proportional to catch; hence, rent accrues to crews as well as vessel owners under limited entry. A model that allowed costs to be proportional to effort and catch was applied to the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. This study indicates that traditional analysis would result in management schemes that overtax vessels and ignore rent accruing to crews.

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