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Aldous Huxley's work The Doors of Perception introduced the phrase 'Mind at Large' to the lexicon of psychedelic experience in 1954. I argue that its original presentation requires re-evaluation. I present evidence that Huxley manipulates the construction of the discourse he uses to present this phrase as a philosophically legitimate term. His choice of a pivotal quotation implies support from the conclusions of philosophers C. D. Broad and Henri Bergson. A hermeneutic analysis of this discourse highlights problems with this implication and shows that a reinterpretation of Huxley's methods and intentions is warranted. An increase in references to Mind at Large and related terms in studies of the effects of psychedelics motivates this re-evaluation of its implied philosophical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

George Thomas, the first naval hydrographic surveyor continuously employed in the nineteenth century, was highly regarded by the three Admiralty hydrographers under whom he served until 1846. An earlier account of his humble origins and youthful adventures, based on the recollections of his clerk, is supported only in part by contemporary records. This recent investigation shows how his considerable ability came to be recognized at the Admiralty, and, until 1814, illustrates his sometimes demanding relationships with his crew, with the Hydrographer, Captain Thomas Hurd, and with the Admiralty and Navy Boards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpretations of German post-war history and politics range from those which put their emphasis on the degree to which there was a fresh start and those which stress the underlying [...]

The Hydrographic Office is commonly known for its navigational charts. However, there is plenty of evidence to show how although chart production and supply was its main objective, there were also many other areas of activity in which it was involved. The head of this department was the Hydrographer to the Admiralty Board, a man well versed in hydrographic surveying and navigation, but also many other aspects of the wider field of nautical science. Individuals approached the Hydrographer for advice on a range of nautical matters. He, in return, acted as a consultant, providing free advice on areas of his expertise; advice that was given to civilians and military personnel. The office of Hydrographer to the Admiralty Board soon became recognised as the Admiralty's and Royal Navy's expert in all matters relating to navigation, charting and nautical science. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There can be no doubt that in Understanding Contemporary Germany, (London/New York: Routledge, 1997; pp. xxvii+247. 45 £; pb. 13.99 £), Stuart Parkes succeeds in his objective of helping us [...]

[i] Surface ö13NPON increased 3.92 ± 0.48%over the course of 20 days following additions of iron (Fe) to an eddy in close proximity to the Antarctic Polar Front in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. The change in ö13NPON was associated with an increase in the >20 μm size fraction, leading to a maximal difference of 6.23% between the >20 μm and <20 /tm size fractions. Surface δ13Cpoc increased 1.18 ± 0.3l%o over the same period. After a decrease in particulate organic matter in the surface layer, a second phytoplankton community developed that accumulated less biomass, had a slower growth rate and was characterized by an offset of 1.56% in ö13CPOC relative to the first community. During growth of the second community, surface δ13C μc further increased 0.83 ± 0.l3%. Here we speculate on ways that carboxylation, nitrogen assimilation, substrate pool enrichment and community composition may have contributed to the gradual increase in δ3CPOC associated with phytoplankton biomass accumulation, as well as the systematic offset in δs13CPOC between the two phytoplankton communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welsh policy-makers have rejected customer-driven market approaches to the delivery of public services. Instead they espouse a model of delivery rooted in collaboration and citizen engagement. Empirical evidence from two recent wide-ranging reviews of public services in Wales suggests that this approach could offer a viable alternative to user choice and competition but, for it to be fully effective, central and local government need to embrace other drivers of improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationship between the National Assembly for Wales and the government of Great Britain after decentralization. Creation of regional power centers within Great Britain; Extent of the acceptance of devolution in Wales; Projected response of Assembly leaders to central control; Direction of intergovernmental relationships.

Coordination is a perennial problem for public services — most especially the human and social services. British policy towards community care and de-hospitalisation is examined as a case study of governmental attempts to improve inter-organisation relations. Three questions are addressed: do the theoretical approaches within the public policy literatures offer policy makers a coherent guide to action; have successive government policies been influenced by these theoretical approaches; has British empirical research on joint planning offered additional insights of help to policy makers? The need to link theories of trust — and the micro dynamics of inter-organisational relations — to the public policy tradition is emphasized, as is the need for a reflexive governmental concern for problems of implementation and governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the contention that the conventions of public expenditure accounting conceal rather than reveal the real nature and implications of resource trends. Constant level of service output; Trends in expenditure inputs and service outputs.

Universities have had to respond to the Government's requirement for greater accountability and efficiency in the use of public resources. This has resulted in a movement to more commercial or executive styles of management, and with this the introduction of systematic staff appraisal. Funded by the Department of Education and Science (DES), the authors are conducting an evaluation of university staff appraisal schemes as they begin to operate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a perspective on the social policy programs of opposition parties in the 1987 general election in Great Britain. Banner goal of the Labour party; Opportunities given by the British government to the opposition parties to develop positive and appealing programs; Review on the social security policy.

The article differentiates social services from other formal organizations. The author contends that the general upsurge in the public discussion of governmental machinery has had its repercussions in the field of social service administration and increasing attention is now being concentrated on the administration of social welfare policies. Service organizations are defined as those where the client group is the prime beneficiary. Service organizations are compared with that of the commonweal organizations. Three types of research has been suggested by the basic typology such as: (1) the safeguarding of clients' interests; (2) client-service interaction; and (3) the organization and management of services.

Objective: Although psychiatrists in the United States have used lithium for nearly 30 years, toxicity still occurs frequently. The authors report an attempt to reduce the incidence of lithium toxicity in hospitalized psychiatric patients and to identify factors associated with toxicity. Methods: Serum lithium levels were monitored by the drug use evaluation committee at a psychiatric hospital between 1990 and 1996. Each laboratory result showing a serum lithium level of 1.5 mmol/L or more was promptly investigated, and the results were reported quarterly to the hospital staff association. Results: The study found that in 6.8 percent of the 2,210 admissions during which lithium was administered, patients had serum levels of 1.5 mmol/L or higher. The number of excessive serum lithium levels decreased over the course of the study period. Only 27.8 percent of patients with excessive levels had signs and symptoms of toxicity. Of the excessive serum lithium levels that were investigated, 43.3 percent were detected in blood samples drawn at the time of admission. Women and elderly persons were significantly more likely to have excessive serum levels. Psychiatric diagnosis was not significantly associated with excessive serum levels. Conclusions: Education by the drug use evaluation committee may have helped to reduce the number of patients who experienced excessive lithium levels while hospitalized. Vigilance should be emphasized for women and elderly persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]