The VUV photochemistry of radicals: C3H3 and C2H5.

The VUV photochemistry of the radicals propargyl, C3H3, and ethyl, C2H5, is investigated using synchrotron radiation. The radicals are produced by flash pyrolysis from propargyl bromide and ethyl iodide, respectively. It is shown that dissociative photoionisation of propargyl is associated with loss of a H-atom, leading to formation of c-C3H2+. The process sets in between 12.5 and 13 eV, in agreement with computations. The alternative pathway, leading to C3H(+) + H2 is only tentatively observed at energies above 15.5 eV. The onset for dissociative photoionisation of ethyl according to C2H5 --> C2H3(+) + H2 is observed at 11.6 eV, roughly 1 eV higher than expected from ab initio calculations. In addition we monitor the hitherto unobserved three-body dissociative ionisation of the precursor molecules. The process C2HsI --> C2H3 + H2 + I sets in above 12.7 eV, the dissociative ionisation of C3H3Br --> C3H+ + H2 + Br above 15 eV.

Reducing hospital admissions from a skilled nursing home.

With good nursing care and the resources of a dedicated skilled nursing facility, many nursing home patients usually admitted to a hospital for various medical illnesses can be handled within the framework of the skilled nursing facility without necessarily incurring an increased nursing home death rate. The medical advantage to the patient and to the usually overburdened hospitals, as well as the economic advantage to the public in general, calls for a full evaluation and consideration of this alternative to the regular and ongoing practice of hospital admissions of the elderly nursing home patient. The experiences of Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, a skilled nursing facility, have shown that this alternate level of approach and care can be quite successful and beneficial to all involved, especially the nursing home patient.

Lowering triglyceride values in an occupational setting.

Within a multiphasic screening program it was possible to establish an effective industrial counseling program for individuals identified as potential cardiovascular risks by their serum triglyceride values. A significant reduction of serum triglyceride values was obtained even where minimal supervision was used to modify aspects of an employee's life style. A counseled group of 109 male employees, 40 years and older, with serum triglyceride levels of 200 mg. or higher per 100 ml., was matched by location and age with a control group of 135 noncounseled individuals with similarly elevated triglyceride levels. Individuals in both groups showing significant percentage reduction were those whose serum levels began above 250 mg. per 100 ml. The employees who lowered their triglyceride values most significantly were those that had dieted and were periodically counseled and checked by a physician.

The psychiatric patient at work.

Psychiatric consultations and job performance of 135 IBM employees were studied. Psychiatric referrals were made by management and the company medical department or were self-referred. The consulting psychiatrist conducted interviews, met with management, personnel representatives and other physicians to coordinate treatment with job requirements. Every effort was made to retain employees and improve performance. After a two-three year follow-up period, 82 employees (61.7 per cent) were with the company; ten were rated outstanding, 38 exceeded job requirements, 25 were meeting job requirements, and four were not. Performance data for five employees were not available. Forty-nine of 83 employees (59.0 per cent) rated unsatisfactory in job performance at the initial referral were performing satisfactorily at follow-up. The results support an optimistic attitude toward the working patient with psychiatric disease and highlight the value of a full-time medical department with consultation facilities leading to secondary and tertiary prevention.