Survey of suspension systems on pickup trucks used to carry slide-in campers. Volume V. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Brazil: the pressure points in labor legislation

Brazil’s experience shows that the economic and political history of a country is a critical determinant of which labor laws influence wages and employment, and which are not binding. Long periods of high inflation, illiteracy of the workforce, and biases in the design and enforcement of labor legislation bred by the country’s socioeconomic history are all important in determining the reach of labor laws. Defying conventional wisdom, these factors are shown to affect labor market outcomes even in the sector of employment regarded as unregulated. Following accepted practice in Brazil, we distinguish regulated from unregulated employment by determining whether or not the contract has been ratified by the Ministry of Labor, viz., groups of workers with and without signed work booklet. We then examine the degree of adherence to labor laws in the formal and informal sectors, and finds “pressure points” – viz., evidence of the law on minimum wage, work-hours, and payment timing being binding on outcomes – in both the formal and informal sectors of the Brazilian labor market. The findings of the paper imply that in terms of the design of legislation, informality in Brazil is mainly a fiscal, and not a legal phenomenon. But the manner in which these laws have been enforced is also critical determinant of informality in Brazil: poor record-keeping has strengthened the incentives to stay informal that are already built into the design of the main social security programs, and ambiguities in the design of labor legislation combined with slanted enforcement by labor courts have led to workers effectively being accorded the same labor rights whether or not they have ratified contracts. The incentives to stay informal are naturally higher for workers who are assured of protection under labor legislation regardless of the nature of their contract, which only alters their financial relationship with the government. The paper concludes that informality in Brazil will remain high as long as labor laws remain ambiguous and enforced with a clear pro-labor bias, and social security programs lack tight benefitcontribution linkages and strong enforcement mechanisms.

Effects of subcutaneous methadone, morphine, buprenorphine or saline on thermal and pressure thresholds in cats

This study compared pressure and thermal thresholds after administration of three opioids in eight cats. Pressure stimulation was performed via a bracelet taped around the forearm. Three ball-bearings were advanced against the forearm by inflation of a modified blood pressure bladder. Pressure in the cuff was recorded at the end point (leg shake and head turn). Thermal threshold was tested as previously reported using a heated probe held against the thorax [Dixon et al. (2002) Research in Veterinary Science, 72, 205]. After baseline recordings, each cat received subcutaneous methadone 0.2 mg/kg, morphine 0.2 mg/kg, buprenorphine 0.02 mg/kg or saline 0.3 mL in a four period cross-over study. Measurements were made at 15, 30, 45 min and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after the injection. Data were analysed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in thresholds after saline. Thermal threshold increased at 45 min after buprenorphine (maximum 2.8 +/- 3 degrees C), 1-3 h after methadone (maximum 3.4 +/- 1.9 degrees C) and 45 min to 1 h (maximum 3.4 +/- 2 degrees C) after morphine. Pressure threshold increased 30-45 min (maximum 238 +/- 206 mmHg) after buprenorphine, 45-60 min after methadone (maximum 255 +/- 232 mmHg) and 45-60 min and 3-6 h (maximum 255 +/- 232 mmHg) after morphine. Morphine provided the best analgesia, and methadone appears a promising alternative. Buprenorphines limited effect was probably related to the subcutaneous route of administration. Previously, buprenorphine has produced much greater effects when given by other routes.

Endotracheal tube cuff pressure: need for precise measurement

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of a pressure nociceptive threshold testing device for evaluation of analgesics in cats

A pressure analgesiometric device was developed for unrestrained cats. Eleven cats were studied. Stimulation was via three rounded pins within a bracelet on the forearm. The pins were advanced by manual bladder inflation. Bladder pressure was measured using a strain gauge pressure transducer. The threshold was recorded at the behavioural end point. Thresholds were measured at 5 and 15 min intervals for 2-4 h, after removal/replacement of the cuff, for 120 min after SC butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg), and with mild skin inflammation at the testing site. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Pressure thresholds in untreated cats were around 150 mmHg. The minimum interval for testing was established as 15 min. Data were reproducible over 4 h and beyond 24 h. Thresholds in 5 cats increased (P < 0.05) above baseline for 45 min after butorphanol with a maximum increase of 270 +/- 182 mmHg at 10 min. Thresholds decreased with inflammation. The method appears suitable for feline analgesia investigations. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of high laryngeal mask airway intracuff pressure on the laryngopharyngeal mucosa of dogs

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of increased of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) intracuff pressures on the laryngopharyngeal mucosa. Study Design: Animal model. Methods: Sixteen mixed-breed dogs were randomly allocated to two groups, G1 (intracuff volume, 30 mL; n = 8) and G2 (intracuff volume, 54 mt; n = 8), to produce, respectively, high or very high intracuff pressures. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with pentobarbital. Intracuff pressures were measured immediately after insertion and inflation of a No. 4 laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes thereafter. The dogs were euthanized, and biopsy specimens from eight predetermined areas of the laryngopharynx in contact with LMA cuff were collected for light microscopic (LM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination. Results: Initial LMA cuff inflation in G1 and G2 resulted in intracuff pressures of 119 mm Hg +/- 4 mm Hg and 235 mm Hg +/- 13 mm Hg, respectively. Over a 2-hour period, the intracuff pressure decreased significantly in G1 (P < .001) and G2 (P < .01), and there was a significant difference between the groups over time (P < .001). The LM study of laryngopharyngeal mucosa in both groups showed mild congestion in the subepithelial layer. There were no differences between the groups (P > .10) or among the areas sampled (P > .10). In some areas of G2, the SEM study showed epithelial desquamation that was more intense than that in GI. Conclusions: the increase in LMA intracuff pressure caused only mild alterations in the laryngopharyngeal mucosa of the dog.

Use of gastric balloon manometry for estimation of intra-abdominal pressure in horses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Performance of low/correct pressure radial ply tires

Extensive field testes were conducted using the UCD single wheel tester employing three large radial ply tractor tires in two different soils, four different soil conditions, two axle load levels, and three levels of tire inflation pressures in order to quantify the benefits of using low/correct inflation pressures. During these tests slip, net traction, gross traction, and dynamic axle load were recorded. Furthermore, soil moisture content, cone index, and dry bulk density data were obtained at test locations. The results of the analysis showed a significant increase in net traction and traction efficiency when low/correct inflation was used. Benefits of using low/correct pressure was higher in tilled soil conditions.

The competitive real exchange-rate regime, inflation and monetary policy

Includes bibliography

Non-invasive and non-occlusive blood pressure estimation via a chest sensor

The clinical demand for a device to monitor Blood Pressure (BP) in ambulatory scenarios with minimal use of inflation cuffs is increasing. Based on the so-called Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) principle, this paper introduces and evaluates a novel concept of BP monitor that can be fully integrated within a chest sensor. After a preliminary calibration, the sensor provides non-occlusive beat-by-beat estimations of Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) by measuring the Pulse Transit Time (PTT) of arterial pressure pulses travelling from the ascending aorta towards the subcutaneous vasculature of the chest. In a cohort of 15 healthy male subjects, a total of 462 simultaneous readings consisting of reference MAP and chest PTT were acquired. Each subject was recorded at three different days: D, D+3 and D+14. Overall, the implemented protocol induced MAP values to range from 80 ± 6 mmHg in baseline, to 107 ± 9 mmHg during isometric handgrip maneuvers. Agreement between reference and chest-sensor MAP values was tested by using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.78) and Bland-Altman analysis (mean error = 0.7 mmHg, standard deviation = 5.1 mmHg). The cumulative percentage of MAP values provided by the chest sensor falling within a range of ±5 mmHg compared to reference MAP readings was of 70%, within ±10 mmHg was of 91%, and within ±15mmHg was of 98%. These results point at the fact that the chest sensor complies with the British Hypertension Society (BHS) requirements of Grade A BP monitors, when applied to MAP readings. Grade A performance was maintained even two weeks after having performed the initial subject-dependent calibration. In conclusion, this paper introduces a sensor and a calibration strategy to perform MAP measurements at the chest. The encouraging performance of the presented technique paves the way towards an ambulatory-compliant, continuous and non-occlusive BP monitoring system.

Pressure, tilt, temperature and conductivity monitoring within the Immerged Santorini Caldera during Jul 2012 - Sep 2013

Bottom pressure, tilt and seawater physical-properties were monitored for a year using two instruments within the immerged Santorini caldera (Greece). Piggy-backed on the CALDERA2012 cruise, this geodetic experiment was designed to monitor evolution of the 2011-2012 Santorini unrest. Conducted during a quiescent period, it allowed us to study oceanographic and atmospheric signal in our data series. We observe periodic oceanographic signals associated with tides, and seiches that are likely linked to both the caldera and Cretan basin geometries. In winter, the caldera witnesses sudden cooling events that tilt an instrument towards the Southeast, indicating cold-water influx likely originating from the north-western passage between Thirasia and Oia. We do not obtain evidence of long-term vertical seafloor deformation from the pressure signal, although it may be masked by instrumental drift. However, tilt data suggests a local seafloor tilt event ~1 year after the end of the unrest period which could be consistent with inflation under or near Nea Kameni. Seafloor geodetic data recorded at the bottom of the Santorini caldera illustrates that the oceanographic signature is an important part of the signal, which needs to be considered for monitoring volcanic or geological seafloor deformation in shallow-water and/or nearshore areas.

Hotel Profit Implications from Rising Wages and Inflation in the U.S.

Macroeconomic models based on the Phillips Curve predict that as the unemployment rate declines toward the long-run, natural rate, the pace of wage and price growth accelerates and inflation rises.1 In this paper I analyze the profitability prospects for the U.S. hotel industry in today’s relatively volatile economic environment, keeping in mind the Phillips Curve’s general principle that inflation and employment have an inverse, but relatively stable short-term relationship. Although employment and economic growth in the U.S. have been uneven in recent months, the unemployment rate has declined to less than 5 percent, which many economists believe is close to the natural rate. Growth in wages and salaries, as measured by the Employment Cost Index, has concurrently been moving upward between 2.5 and 3.0 percent during the past 12 months. At the same time, general inflation remains below levels that might typically be expected this late in the cycle, although core inflation is bumping up against the Federal Reserve’s 2-percent target. If the inflation rate continues to move upward as predicted by Phillips Curve models (and encouraged by the Federal Reserve), rising labor costs and other expenses will exert downward pressure on U.S. business profits. Backward movement up the Phillips Curve (with greater inflation) coincides with an expanding economy. In that scenario, prices of goods and services also will rise in real terms if their supply cannot keep up with demand, and producers have the ability to raise prices (absent fixed-price contracts such as leases).