Effects of anxiety on sedation among pediatric patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

We investigated whether the severity of anxiety among children undergoing endoscopy could affect sedation. We prospectively recruited patients under 18 years of age who were scheduled to undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Baseline anxiety was evaluated using the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS). Our analysis considered the type and dose of sedative drugs, degree of sedation, and complications associated with sedation according to the scale score. The mean total SCAS T-scores and each subscale score were significantly higher in the 6-12-year age group. The mean T-score among patients who exhibited irritability during EGD was higher than that among other patients, with significant differences in the Total, Obsessive Disorder, Panic Agoraphobia and General Anxiety subscales. The midazolam doses of children exhibiting irritability were more likely to need higher (p = 0.006). Other sedation-related complications were not associated with the T-scores in each subscale. Total sleep time was not associated with any T-score subscales. Anxiety levels were significantly higher among 6-12-year-olds and children exhibiting irritability. Anxiety was often associated with irritability, difficulties achieving adequate sedation during EGD, and additional sedative drug administration. We recommend higher doses or more potent drugs to facilitate endoscopy for children with high anxiety levels.

The Multinational New Ventures on Corporate Performance Under the Work Environment and Innovation Behavior.

To cope with economic globalization and improve the competitiveness of transnational start-ups, the impact of the work environment and innovation behavior on corporate performance of multinational new ventures is analyzed. First, a model of the interaction among environment, innovation behavior, and enterprise performance is proposed. Then, 296 transnational start-ups in coastal areas are surveyed, and the model results are analyzed. Finally, a series of results are obtained. The results show that from the perspective of psychology, work dynamic organizational learning environment has a positive impact on enterprise performance (standardized path coefficient 0.436, p < 0.01), and resource environment has a significant positive impact on enterprise performance (standardized path coefficient 0.425, p < 0.01). Strategic environment also positively affects enterprise performance (standardized path coefficient 0.474, p < 0.01). Therefore, the working environment of multinational new ventures has a positive impact on firm performance, and the mediating function between the working environment and firm performance is firm innovation behavior. With the research to achieve enterprise innovation of multinational new ventures by improving their response to the dynamic environment, the corporate performance has been greatly promoted, and finally, the new ventures would participate in the international market competition.

Angle dependent focal spot size of a conical X-ray target.

Misaligned phantoms may severely affect the focal spot calculations. A method is proposed to determine the geometry of the X-ray target and the position of the image radiograph around the X-ray target to get a relatively smaller focal spot size. Results reveal that the focal spot size is not always isotropic around the target but it decreases as the point of observation shifts radially away from the center line of the conical X-ray target. This research will help in producing high quality X-ray images in multi-directions by properly aligning the phantoms and the radiograph tallies.

Acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis: comparison of findings derived from MR imaging and conventional radiography.

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between routine radiography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the analysis of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis (OA). MR imaging studies of the shoulder in 50 patients performed over a 1-year period at a single institution with corresponding conventional radiographic examinations performed within 1 month of the MR imaging study were restrospectively evaluated by the consensus of two musculoskeletal radiologists with special attention to the AC joint. As conclusion, information provided by conventional radiography in the analysis of AC joint OA does not correlate with that provided by MR imaging. AC joint OA is more frequently detected with MR imaging than with radiography. MR imaging provides better assessment of the full extent of AC joint OA and its effect on the underlying RC.