The gender gap in the economic well-being of nonresident fathers and custodial mothers.

Using a unique sample of couples with children, we estimate the gender gap in economic well-being after marital separation, something that previous studies of individuals who divorce have not been able to do. The income-to-needs levels of formerly married mothers are only 56% those of their former husbands. The postseparation gender gap is reduced if the wife was employed full-time and was an above-average earner before marital disruption. The gap is also relatively small among the least economically independent wives, those who were not employed before separation. For the latter group, the husband's relatively low income tends to reduce the gender gap.

Emergency management of tracheal rupture.

We have described a patient in whom tracheal rupture occurred during prolonged mechanical ventilation. Appropriate intensive respiratory care management, including the use of the minimal leak technique, was used. Our patient unfortunately had nearly every known predisposing factor for tracheal damage.

Maintaining body temperature during anesthesia with a servo-controlled heated humidifier.

The Conchatherm III is a servo-controlled, easily assembled heated humidifier. We studied its effectiveness in preventing intraoperative fall in temperature in both pediatric and adult surgical patients. Despite operating room temperatures lower than 69.8 F (21 C), rectal temperature was well maintained at normal in both adults and children. Normal esophageal temperature was well maintained only in adults under these conditions. Skin temperatures showed no statistically or clinically significant difference among the four groups.