The Modified McGoon Index does not Predict Mortality in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Background: Infants diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) continue to have a high mortality despite medical advances such as inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), high frequency ventilation (HFV) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The mortality in some studies exceeds 80%. The modified McGoon index (MMI), a ratio of pulmonary artery size to aortic size has been reported to predict survivability in these infants: infants with a MMI ≤ 1.3 have an 85% mortality: (Pediatr 2000;105:1106). Objective: To evaluate the utility of MMI in predicting mortality in our population. Design/Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all infants with CDH admitted to the University of New Mexico NICU between January 2000 and November 2002. All available echocardiograms were reviewed by a single pediatric cardiologist blinded to the outcome of the infants, and the MMI was calculated (LPA + RPA/ Ao). The following information was also recorded from each infants record: gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the delivery room, length of hospital stay, days of ventilation, use of high frequency ventilation, use of iNO, use of ECMO and survival to discharge. Results: Eighteen infants with CDH were admitted; echocardiograms were available for 15. MMI ranged from .06 to 2.37 in the 15 infants. Seven infants died and 8 survived to discharge. There was no significant difference in birth weight between groups (lived (L): 3151 ± 203; died (D): 2735 ± 186 grams, mean ± SE), gestational age (L: 38.3 ± .4; D: 38.3 ± 1.1), CPR in delivery room (L: 1/8; D: 3/7). Infants who died had lower 5-minute Apgar scores (L: 7.1± .5; D: 4.8 ± .7, p\u3c 0.05). A greater number of infants who died received ECMO. There were no differences between groups in the number of infants on HFV or iNO. An MMI of ≤ 1.3 did not predict death in our patient population: mortality in patients with an MMI ≤ 1.3 was 46% (6 of 13 infants), while mortality in patients with MMI 65 1.3 was 50% (1 of 2 infants). Conclusion: MMI ≤ 1.3 did not predict mortality in our population.\u2

Promoting Diversity to Add Value to the LIS Profession

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss the impact the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s (UNCG) Library and Information Studies Academic and Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Scholars Program has had on promoting diversity and adding value to the library and information studies profession.Design/methodology/approachThis article is presented as a case study in which three iterations of the ACE Scholars Program are discussed, including program design and suggested impact the program has had on educating and engaging diverse individuals for careers in the library and information studies professions.FindingsNearly 50 ACE Scholars program participants, representing ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, have graduated from UNCG with their MLIS degrees since 2011. In the five years since the first ACE cohort graduated, Scholar alums continue to impact the LIS profession through their professional roles as well as through their community engagement, professional association memberships and leadership roles, professional presentations, and numerous publications.Originality/valueThis article presents a model that has helped to promote diversity in the LIS field in way that can be adapted by other graduate programs that are preparing individuals for successful and engaged careers as library and information studies professionals

Fueling the Profession with Diversity

The authors discuss the North Carolina Library Association's (NCLA) efforts to promote and support diversity. They mention the NCLA's 2014-2016 strategic plan for diversity which includes opportunities for minorities, and encouraging diverse leadership. The authors attribute the success of diversity programs to the collaboration of the University Libraries (UL), and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Department of Library and Information Studies

Mock Interviews for ACE Scholars: Preparing for the Professional Job Search

The article discusses the mock interviews conducted among student members of the Academic Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Scholars cohort at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG). The interviews are divided into two phases, the first of which consisted of simulated telephone interviews and the second consisted of a simulate search committee interview. Students were requested to submit a completed application package to allow review of cover letters and resumes they will submit to actual employers. According to the authors, the activity has provided a positive learning experience for librarians and students

Assessing referrals to urology outreach in cases of acute urinary retention

INTRODUCTION: Acute Urinary Retention (AUR) is the sudden and often painful inability to pass urine characterised by a palpable or percussible bladder. It constitutes 45% of all lower urinary tract consultations and is encountered in different medical specialties. A local guideline was set up to delineate the management of acute urinary retention (AUR) in July 2018. It describes the clinical features, investigations and treatment required according to the severity of the episode. The aim of this audit is to assess the demographics of patients making use of the Urology Outreach Unit (cases of AUR), and trends in investigations done, treatment chosen and outcomes on such patients.METHOD: All patients older than 16 years of age who presented with AUR between March 2018 and September 2018 were included. Data was obtained from Urology TWOC forms and corroborated with the hospital online system.RESULTS: 89 (37.6%) of the referrals were done from Accident and Emergency Department (A&E), and 86 (36.3%) were referred from Urology firms. Urinalysis and Microscopy was sent in 45.1% of cases. Renal profile (serum) was taken in 70.5% of cases. The most commonly used catheter type used was silicone (89.6%). Catheter size of 16F was used in 83.8% of the cases. The average days spent with the catheter in situ was 11.7 days. The average attempts at TWOC was 1.1 times (max of 3). 83.5% of patients were then advised to continue their medical therapy with appropriate follow up following a successful TWOC. The rest were scheduled for a repeat TWOC (13.1%), fitted with a long-term catheter (1.69%), advised regarding self-intermittent catheterisation (1.27%), or referred for TURP (0.42%).CONCLUSION: This audit shows variable compliance to clinical guidelines. An active role of the clinician in the management and treatment of AUR might improve treatment and reduce the risk of further episodes of AUR.peer-reviewe

Ways to Demonstrate the Value of DEI Programs

In recent years, academic libraries have focused increasing attention on the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion that is evident among library staff as well as the populations they serve, including both the faculty and students. In order to combat this problem, organizations such as the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) have focused on equity and inclusion by instituting programs and initiatives that would address these issues. One prominent instance is the yearlong EDI Discussion Series launched by then ACRL president Lauren Pressley.

Planning a library diversity residency program: Strategies for diversity coordinators to build support for their programs

The essence of most Library Diversity Residency programs is to foster an early career librarians’ professional growth while investing in the libraries’ commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Recruiting and retaining librarians for future positions in various types of libraries is both critical and challenging in today’s environment. It is imperative that we recognize the demographic and cultural changes in the communities that we serve, and promote diversity by recruiting, mentoring, and providing professional opportunities to diverse early career librarians

Modeling conflict : research methods, quantitative modeling, and lessons learned.

This study investigates the factors that lead countries into conflict. Specifically, political, social and economic factors may offer insight as to how prone a country (or set of countries) may be for inter-country or intra-country conflict. Largely methodological in scope, this study examines the literature for quantitative models that address or attempt to model conflict both in the past, and for future insight. The analysis concentrates specifically on the system dynamics paradigm, not the political science mainstream approaches of econometrics and game theory. The application of this paradigm builds upon the most sophisticated attempt at modeling conflict as a result of system level interactions. This study presents the modeling efforts built on limited data and working literature paradigms, and recommendations for future attempts at modeling conflict

Mapping the residency program landscape

When properly structured, library residencies introduce recently graduated Master of Library and/or Information Science (MLIS) professionals to librarianship, allow recent graduates to apply the knowledge and skills learned during their MLIS studies, and infuse host institutions with new, innovative ideas, including the latest technology and theory being taught in library and information science (LIS) programs. Unfortunately, rather than realizing their potential, residencies are often hampered by miscommunication and a lack of organization that cause real harm to the new resident and the current employees by creating a tense, sometimes even hostile, work environment. This can negate the potential benefits of a residency program, leaving the resident unhappy and disillusioned by the library profession. Understanding the current landscape of residency programs is a necessary first step toward evaluating the efficacy of this form of early career employment in retaining an innovative and engaged next generation of library professionals. Using survey research, this study answered the questions: What are the characteristics of residency programs? How is success measured in residency programs? What are some specific best practices that residency programs are currently implementing? The findings from this survey indicate that there is no one-size-fits-all residency program structure, from the mission and goals of the programs to how a program measures its ultimate success, responses were varied. While there are positive trends, like residencies lasting for at least two years, there is still much work to be done. Notably, most programs still only have one resident per cohort and residency cohorts do not overlap leading residents to feel isolated. While we concede there are likely many concerns (including budgetary) that may make two or more residents per cohort or overlapping cohorts unfeasible, it is an issue that should be addressed because many residents themselves have asked for this change. We also detail several suggestions for building and maintaining buy-in among stakeholders in the residency program, a necessary step toward ensuring each resident feels welcome in an institution and is ultimately successful. It is our hope that this research provides residency program coordinators with a roadmap to follow when planning or re-evaluating their residencies