The Grizzly, March 23, 1979

Decision is not up to Students: Council Mailroom Recommendations Disregarded • Meistersingers Return From Spring Tour • College Dismisses 2 For Theft • The Pervasive Power of ETS • Campus Consumerism • Letters to the Editor: WRUC replies (again); Grizzly applauded • Roving Reporter: Greek life beneficial? • Scotland Calls • Ursinus News In Brief: U.C. grad to attend Olympic academy; Pi Nu Epsilon holds Spring induction; Origin of life forum; Williams wins business award • Summer evening school offerings • Regional Rhythm • Twelfth Night • The Deer Hunter • Bob Welch: Three Hearts A Winner • Muds Capture \u2779 Intramural Title • Tennis Team Hoping to Ace Foeshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1016/thumbnail.jp

Risperidone versus placebo for aggression following traumatic brain injury: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Objectives: To conduct a feasibility randomised controlled trial of risperidone for the treatment of aggression in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Multicentre, parallel design, placebo controlled (1:1 ratio) double-blind feasibility trial with an embedded process evaluation. No statistical comparison was performed between the two study groups. Setting: Four neuropsychiatric and neurology outpatient clinics in London and Kent, UK. Participants: Our aim was to recruit 50 patients with TBI over 18 months. Follow-up participants at 12 weeks using a battery of assessment scales to measure changes in aggressive behaviour and irritability (Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)-primary outcome, Irritability Questionnaire) as well as global functioning (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended, Clinical Global impression) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, SF-12), mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and medication adverse effects (Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser). Results: Six participants were randomised to the active arm of the trial and eight to the placebo arm over a 10-month period (28% of our target). Two participants withdrew because of adverse events. Twelve out of 14 (85.7%) patients completed a follow-up assessment at 12 weeks. At follow-up, the scores of all outcome measures improved in both groups. Placebo group showed numerically better score change according to the primary outcome MOAS. No severe adverse events were reported. The overall rate of adverse events remained low. Data from the process evaluation suggest that existence of specialised TBI follow-up clinics, availability of a dedicated database of TBI patients’ clinical details, simple study procedures and regular support to participants would enhance recruitment and retention in the trial. Feedback from participants showed that once in the study, they did not find the trial procedure onerous. Conclusions: It was not feasible to conduct a successful randomised trial of risperidone versus placebo for post-TBI aggression using the methods we deployed in this study. It is not possible to draw any definitive conclusion about risperidone’s efficacy from such a small trial. Trial registration number: ISRCTN3019143

The Grizzly, October 6, 1978

News briefs: SAC debates funding; Bloodmobile at Ursinus • Hobson attracts more than partiers • ProTheatre to open: Curtains to rise • What\u27s happening at the Union? • Rolling stone • Freedom, responsibility and the campus media • World record coming again! • Guido\u27s Foot: In your ear • History-making event tonight • Keith Jarrett: My song • Phillies in five • Cross country rips opposition • Volleyball gets spiked • Varsity hockey in slump • LAX noteshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1001/thumbnail.jp

Evaluation of Ammonia Co-fuelling in Modern Four Stroke Engines

Ammonia (NH3) is emerging as a promising alternative fuel for longer range decarbonised heavy transport, particularly in the marine sector due to highly favourable characteristics as an effective hydrogen carrier. This is despite generally unfavourable combustion and toxicity attributes, restricting end use to applications where robust health and safety protocols can be upheld. In the currently reported work, a spark ignited thermodynamic single cylinder research engine equipped with gasoline direct injection was upgraded to include gaseous ammonia port injection fuelling, with the aim of understanding maximum viable ammonia substitution ratios across the speed-load operating map. The work was conducted under overall stoichiometric conditions with the spark timing re-optimised for maximum brake torque at all stable logged sites. The experiments included industry standard measurements of combustion, performance and engine-out emissions (including NH3 “slip”). With a geometric compression ratio of 12.4:1, it was possible to run the engine on pure ammonia at low engine speeds (1000-1800rpm) at low-to-moderate engine loads in a fully warmed up state. When progressively dropping down below a threshold load limit, an increasing amount of gasoline co-firing was required to avoid engine misfire. Due to the favourable anti-knock characteristics, pure ammonia operation was up to 5% more efficient than pure gasoline operation under stable operating regions. A maximum net indicated thermal efficiency of 40% was achieved, with efficiency tending to increase with speed and load. For the co-fuelling of gasoline and ammonia in a pure ammonia attainable operating region, it was found that addition of gasoline improved the combustion, but these improvements were not sufficient to translate into improved thermal efficiency. Emissions of NH3 slip reduced with increased gasoline co-fuelling, albeit with increased NOx. However, the reduction in NH3 slip was nearly 10 times the increase in NOx emissions. Comparing pure NH3 and pure gasoline operation, NOx reduced by ~60% when switching from pure gasoline to pure NH3 (as the latter is associated with longer and cooler combustion). Results were finally compared to those obtained a modern multi-cylinder Volvo “D8” turbo-diesel engine modified for dual fuel operation with ammonia port fuel injection, with the focus of the comparison being NH3 slip and NOx emissions

Structured psychological support for people with personality disorder: feasibility randomised controlled trial of a low-intensity intervention

National guidance cautions against low-intensity interventions for people with personality disorder, but evidence from trials is lacking. To test the feasibility of conducting a randomised trial of a low-intensity intervention for people with personality disorder. Single-blind, feasibility trial (trial registration: ISRCTN14994755). We recruited people aged 18 or over with a clinical diagnosis of personality disorder from mental health services, excluding those with a coexisting organic or psychotic mental disorder. We randomly allocated participants via a remote system on a 1:1 ratio to six to ten sessions of Structured Psychological Support (SPS) or to treatment as usual. We assessed social functioning, mental health, health-related quality of life, satisfaction with care and resource use and costs at baseline and 24 weeks after randomisation. A total of 63 participants were randomly assigned to either SPS (n = 33) or treatment as usual (n = 30). Twenty-nine (88%) of those in the active arm of the trial received one or more session (median 7). Among 46 (73%) who were followed up at 24 weeks, social dysfunction was lower (-6.3, 95% CI -12.0 to -0.6, P = 0.03) and satisfaction with care was higher (6.5, 95% CI 2.5 to 10.4; P = 0.002) in those allocated to SPS. Statistically significant differences were not found in other outcomes. The cost of the intervention was low and total costs over 24 weeks were similar in both groups. SPS may provide an effective low-intensity intervention for people with personality disorder and should be tested in fully powered clinical trials

Effect of providing near glasses on productivity among rural Indian tea workers with presbyopia (PROSPER) a randomised trial

BACKGROUND: Presbyopia, age-related decline in near vision, is the most common cause of vision impairment globally, but no trials have assessed its workplace effects. We aimed to study the effect of near glasses on the productivity of tea workers with presbyopia.METHODS: This randomised trial was done in tea pickers aged 40 years or older in Assam, India, with unaided near visual acuity (NVA) lower than 6/12 in both eyes, correctable to 6/7·5 with near glasses; unaided distance vision 6/7·5 or greater; and no eye disease. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive free glasses optimising NVA at working distance (cost including delivery US$10·20 per person), either immediately (intervention group) or at closeout (control group). Participants were stratified by age, sex, and productivity. The primary outcome (investigator-masked) was the difference between groups in the change in mean daily weight of tea picked (productivity), between the 4-week baseline period (June, 2017) and the 11-week evaluation period (July 24, 2017, to Oct 7, 2017). Workers' income was tied to their productivity. Compliance with study glasses was assessed at seven unannounced visits. Results were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03228199.FINDINGS: Between July 3, 2017, and July 15, 2017, 1297 (48·1%) of 2699 permanent workers met the age criteria and consented for eye examinations. 751 (57·9%) fulfilled vision criteria and were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=376) or control (n=375) groups. Groups did not differ substantially in baseline characteristics. No participants owned glasses at baseline, 707 (94·1%) received the allocated intervention, and all were followed up and analysed. Between the baseline and evaluation periods, mean productivity in the intervention group increased from 25·0 kg per day to 34·8 kg per day (an increase of 9·84 kg per day), a significantly higher increase than in the control group (from 26·0 kg per day to 30·6 kg per day; an increase of 4·59 kg per day), corresponding to a between-group difference of 5·25 kg per day (95% CI 4·50-5·99; 21·7% relative productivity increase; effect size 1·01 [95% CI 0·86-1·16]; p&lt;0·0001). Intervention-group compliance with study glasses reached 84·5% by closeout. Regression model predictors of greater productivity increase included intervention group membership (5·25 kg per day [95% CI 4·60-5·91], p&lt;0·0001) and, among intervention participants, older age (p=0·039) and better compliance with the intervention (p&lt;0·0001).INTERPRETATION: A substantial productivity increase was achieved in this rural cohort by providing glasses to correct presbyopia, with little cost and high intervention uptake.FUNDING: Clearly.</p

The Grizzly, January 26, 1979

Campus Life Committee to Replace SFARC • Quad Fire Brought Quickly Under Control • The Fabulous Greaseband Presents...Rock \u27N\u27 Roll Revue Tonight • Christmas Thefts Hit Women\u27s Dorms • Four-One-Four Proposed • Integrated Dining: An Interesting Proposal • Low Attendance Attracts Attention • Letters to the Editor: No static at all?; Big-name concert • Roving Reporter: Alcohol policy • Ritter Gift • Class Skiing Trips: Coming Up • Billy Joel: Isn\u27t One Elton John Enough? • Grateful Dead Rocks Spectrum • Operatic Forum • Audio Corner: Receivers • Token Tolkien • Financial aid night to be held; Meistersingers on tour; New sports editor; Gift collection received; William J. Phillip prize endowed • USGA Elections Near • Bears Sink Below .500 • Cagers Capture Only One Of Six • Flying Fish • Grapplers Groping • Girl\u27s B-Ballhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1010/thumbnail.jp