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Due to financial and time constraints, it is often necessary in fisheries studies to divide large samples of fish and estimate total catch from the subsample. The subsampling procedure may involve potential human biases or may be difficult to perform in rough conditions. We present a prototype gravity-fed splitter apparatus for dividing large samples of small fish (30-100 mm TL). The apparatus features a tapered hopper with a sliding and removable shutter. The apparatus provides a comparatively stable platform for objectively obtaining subsamples, and it can be modified to accommodate different sizes of fish and different sample volumes. The apparatus is easy to build, inexpensive, and convenient to use in the field. To illustrate the performance of the apparatus, we divided three samples (total N = 2,000 fish) composed of four fish species. Our results indicated no significant bias in estimating either the number or proportion of each species from the subsample. Use of this apparatus or a similar apparatus can help to standardize subsampling procedures in large surveys of fish. The apparatus could be used for other applications that require dividing a large amount of material into one or more smaller subsamples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously considered unavoidable complications of hospital care (reflecting an "entitlement" mental model), health care-associated infections are now considered as medical errors and cause significant preventable morbidity and mortality in neonates. Prevention of such infections, particularly central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), should be an important patient safety priority for all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). An important first step is to promote a mental model of CLABSIs as preventable complications of care. Other general strategies are (1) promoting an organizational culture of safety and empowerment of staff; (2) hand hygiene; (3) avoiding overcrowding and understaffing; (4) using breast milk for enteral feedings; and (5) involving families in infection prevention efforts. Specific strategies to prevent CLABSI are (1) insertion practices: insertion of all central vascular catheters under strict sterile conditions with the aid of a checklist; (2) maintenance practices: ensuring that entries into the lumen of the vascular catheter always occur under aseptic conditions, minimizing catheter disconnections, and replacement of intravenous infusion sets at recommended intervals; (3) removal of all central lines as soon as possible. Participation in national or statewide quality improvement collaboratives is an emerging trend in neonatology that can enhance CLABSI prevention efforts by NICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers tips and suggestions for incorporating non-traditional physical education activities into high school curricula. One popular activity to incorporate is Adventure Education where outdoor activities can be brought into the classroom to create more student interest. Many school administrators, however, are more resistant to non-traditional programs because they would rather invest less time and money into physical education. Teachers must overcome administrations that do not offer programs support and approval to change. They must be motivated and creative to make curriculum changes appeal to both students and school administrators.

Discusses the mortality and amputation rates from acute arterial occlusion. Statistical information on the rates; Suggestions by data from thrombolysis or peripheral arterial surgery; Details on the study.

Examines the authors' experience with patients having cerebral revascularization (CVR) or femoral revascularization (FR) surgical intervention. Study conducted to prove the use of clinical pathways does not impair quality of care; Materials and methods used in the study; Increased number of expenditures developing with 1990 health care reform; Results and analysis of study.

Focuses on subclavian artery stenosis as a possible cause of recurrent angina. Advantage of internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts over saphenous vein grafts (SVG); Experimental procedure and patient characteristics; Prevention of IMA malfunction; Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) as alternative.

This article focuses on the movement for the reorganization of state administration. This movement has commanded widespread attention and interest. Various conflicting claims have been made regarding its accomplishment. It is not the purpose of this paper to praise or condemn the movement but to present a summary of what has been done in the first fifteen states to be reorganized. The basic principle of reorganization in these states is to centralize administrative control in the governor by consolidating many agencies into a few large functional departments, each headed by an individual appointed by the governor. Because of legal requirements that the governor appoint department heads and subordinate employees, and because of his opportunity to dictate the appointment of employees generally, one authority on public administration has stated that the reason political parties have supported the codes is that it permits the rapid allocation of spoils while retaining the fiction of efficiency and civil service.

This article focuses on the gathering of public administration efficiency experts in the United States. At the last annual convention of the American Political Science Association, a group of authorities on public efficiency gathered about a round table to discuss those affairs of state which came within their peculiar domain of competence. The group numbered among its members high-salaries efficiency experts, including the head of a Chicago, Illinois firm of efficiency men; and representatives of the Institute for Government Research, the Bureau of Public Personnel Administration, the National Institute of Public Administration, the National Municipal League and the New York Bureau of Municipal Research. These craftsmen surveyed with discernment the niceties of personnel management, budget procedure, and departmental structure. Their mystery of administrative detail is indisputable and their efforts have led to extensive reforms in public administration -- federal, state and municipal. But with all their worthy improvements in administrative technique, it may still be said that they have fallen short of their promises of official competence. This failure, one suspects, is owing to their minimizing the importance of the form of the selective process in determining the ability of administrators.