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A well-characterized amygdala–dorsomedial prefrontal circuit is thought to be crucial for threat vigilance during anxiety. However, engagement of this circuitry within relatively naturalistic paradigms remains unresolved.

UK's life insurance industry has proprietary and mutual offices functioning in the same environment such that competing businesses providing the same products have different forms of ownership. A comparison of the proprietary and mutual segments in terms of average payouts on endowment policies for 1970-92, average cost ratios for 1983-90 and average growth rates between 1981 and 1990 has been done. The results indicate that the mutuals have outperformed the proprietary group during the aforementioned periods.

Millions of patients take prescription medications each year for common urological conditions. Generic and brand-name drugs have widely divergent pricing despite similar therapeutic benefit and side effect profiles. We examined prescribing patterns across provider types for generic and brand-name drugs used to treat 3 common urological conditions, and estimated economic implications for Medicare Part D spending.

Though healthcare intelligence firm WorldOne is 12 years old, co-founder and CEO Peter Kirk feels like the company is 'just getting started.' The acquisition of Sermo in July bolstered WorldOne [...]

Recent calls for increased palliative care education of physicians and a need to improve the effectiveness of palliative care delivery in rural areas are the stimuli for this study. The needs assessment evaluated educational needs and preferences of physicians practicing in three Regional Health Authorities in southern Manitoba in 2000, as well as semi-structured interviews with health care workers in seven rural communities. Physicians report their knowledge of symptom management issues as adequate, although for other issues in palliative care such as bereavement, psychosocial aspects of dying, and professional issues, they have less confidence. Physicians prefer learning through case studies, lectures, and self-directed learning, in settings close to their community, on the weekend. Qualitative analysis from the semi-structured interviews revealed themes related to the role of physicians in rural palliative care: i) a need for physician education, ii) physician participation within the palliative care team, and iii) physician involvement in patient-centered care.

Three components of environmental tobacco smoke, namely, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and nicotine were monitored over 30 minute intervals in travel, work, home and leisure situations. Around 3,000 sets of measurements were made with approximately equal numbers in smoking and non-smoking environments. Mean concentrations of these components were calculated for the total study as well as for different regions, situations and locations. Although some slight regional variations were evident, most differences were associated with the type of location sampled. Carbon monoxide levels were not significantly different between non-smoking and smoking environments for each of the four types of situation, whereas particulate matter and nicotine were higher where smoking occurred.

Removal of phosphorus by chemically assisted primary sedimentation was assessed and its effects on anaerobic digestion and Aercon consolidation were examined. Phosphorus removals in excess of 96 and 99% were evident with the addition of aluminium sulphate and ferric chloride coagulants respectively. Further improvement of phosphorus removal was minimal with the application of a polymeric flocculation aid in combination with ferric chloride only. No adverse effects on amenability to anaerobic digestion were observed for coagulant sludges. Subsequently, 'Aercon' treatment was able to thicken ferric chloride and aluminium sulphate sludges satisfactorily thereby proving 'Aercon' applicable in such situations.

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Chemical addition was undertaken at a full scale sewage treatment works in the United Kingdom, and the associated benefits of phosphorus removal by pre-precipitation were contrasted with normal primary sedimentation undertaken in parallel on the same mixed domestic/industrial sewage. Phosphorus removals of up to 89% were produced when aluminium sulphate and an anionic electrolyte were added in combination, whereas removal by conventional units was <1%. Sludges produced were examined for their basic characteristics such as solids, metals and also for their consolidation properties and thickenability.

The article discusses an incidence of a chlorine gas diffusion which affected the two employees who were involved in the chemical transfer in a public pool in Laramie, Wyoming. It explores the emergency response of the Laramie Fire Department as well as their preparedness for handling the situation. Fire department officer Jim Hoflund relates how they dealt with it with their hazmat suits for safety reasons. Their priority of ensuring practicality and safety issues are also mentioned.

The article focuses on examining level A hazmat suits, which are built for gas and chemical protection. It mentions that the exhaust valves of the suits should be examined to understand suit air pressure dynamics. It states that people should look for the hazmat suit manufacturer and closed construction to verify that it has not been tampered with. It also adds that routine pressure testing should be conducted to ensure its readiness for use.

Two letters to the editor are presented in response to the article "The European Un-union," in the March 5, 1994 issue.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to topics discussed in previous issues, including a European monetary union, sustainable growth, and the recognition of Macedonia as an independent state.