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Both in the United States and the United Kingdom there has been a recent resurgence of interest and support for "new localism" in response to the need to provide local solutions to national complex problems. In this paper, the authors begin by exploring the contextual framework in the U.S. and the UK, explaining recent policy reform and development in the two countries. The authors then provide a framework based upon the UK experience for bringing localism together as a coherent strategy for education reform. (Contains 2 figures, 3 tables and 3 notes.)

Background: A multicenter clinical trial conducted from 2005 to 2008 of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) resulted in Food and Drug Administration approval for bridge to transplantation. The purpose of this analysis was to determine changes in posttrial outcomes in widespread commercial use since the clinical trial. Methods: We compared outcomes of 486 patients who received a continuous flow LVAD as a bridge to transplantation at 36 centers during the clinical trial (March 2005 to April 2008) with outcomes of 1,496 posttrial patients who received a continuous flow LVAD at 83 centers (April 2008 to September 2010 as reported to the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support). Results: Baseline data were comparable between groups. Cumulative follow-up was 511 and 1,082 patient-years for trial and posttrial patients, respectively, and average support duration was 12.6 ± 14.0 and 8.7 ± 7.1 months. Kaplan-Meier survival improved at 1 year from 76% (trial) to 85% (posttrial). The percentage of patients undergoing transplantation in the first year decreased from 48% in the trial period to 39% in the posttrial period. Quality of life metrics improved by 3 months in both groups. Conclusions: The survival rate of a large group of continuous flow LVAD patients in a real-world setting after Food and Drug Administration market approval for bridge to transplantation has improved since the clinical trial. These data show that excellent outcomes have been maintained with dissemination of new LVAD technology from a clinical trial phase to more broad based use in the period after market approval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the issues on economic principles or rules applicable in identifying the royalty base and rate in concrete situations in the U.S., particularly for software products. It highlights the complexities of the information technology (IT) products wherein the incorporation of several components are held by several number of third parties. It also suggests that the entire market value rule should be applied with flexibility, which will serve as basis for the entire product demand.

The United States has used economic sanctions targeting the energy sector that is so vital to Iran's economy with varying degrees of intensity since the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979. By and large, the sanctions did not have their intended effect. By 2010, Iran was the foremost state-sponsor of terrorism and was on the brink of acquiring the capability to develop nuclear weapons--a phenomenon that could have cataclysmic repercussions for American interests in the Middle East and beyond. In July 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 201 O, in an effort to use the most drastic sanctions measures yet to finally change the course of Iran's behavior. This Comment begins by tracing the history of United States petroleum-related sanctions against Iran through various inflection points since 1979. This Comment then discusses the political context, content, and preliminary implementation of the latest round of sanctions against Iran. Thereafter, this Comment critically analyzes the legal bases, political challenges, and inherent policy difficulties surrounding the new sanctions law. Finally, this Comment proposes a number of policy recommendations for the President and Congress in light of the changing policy landscape. In sum, this Comment concludes that a far-reaching, robustly applied, multilateral sanctions policy remains the last, best hope of peacefully preventing Iran from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are associated with excellent outcomes in patients with end-stage heart failure, there are conflicting reports on posttransplant survival in these patients. Furthermore, prior studies with pulsatile LVADs have shown that transplantation, either early (<6 weeks) or late (>6 months) after LVAD implantation, adversely affected post–cardiac transplant survival. We sought to determine factors related to posttransplant survival in patients supported with continuous-flow LVADs. Methods: The HeartMate II LVAD (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, Calif) was implanted in 468 patients as a bridge to transplant at 36 centers in a multicenter trial. Patients who underwent transplantation after support were stratified by demographics: gender, age, etiology, body mass index, duration of device support, and by adverse events during support. The median age was 54 years (range 18–73 years); 43% had ischemic etiology, and 18% were women. Survival was determined at the specific intervals of 30 days and 1 year after transplantation. Results: Of 468 patients, 250 (53%) underwent cardiac transplant after a median duration of LVAD support of 151 days (longest: 3.2 years), 106 (23%) died, 12 (2.6%) recovered ventricular function and the device was removed, and 100 (21%) were still receiving LVAD support. The overall 30-day and 1-year posttransplant survivals were 97% and 87%. There were no significant differences in survival based on demographic factors or LVAD duration of less than 30 days, 30 to 90 days, 90 to 180 days, and more than 180 days. Patients requiring more than 2 units of packed red blood cells in 24 hours during LVAD support had a statistically significant decreased 1-year survival (82% vs 94%) when compared with patients who did not require more than 2 units of packed red blood cells in 24 hours during LVAD support (P = .03). There was a trend for slightly lower survival at 1 year in patients with percutaneous lead infections during LVAD support versus no infection (75% vs 89%; P = .07). Conclusions: Post–cardiac transplant survival in patients supported with continuous-flow devices such as the HeartMate II LVAD is equivalent to that with conventional transplantation. Furthermore, posttransplant survival is not influenced by the duration of LVAD support. The improved durability and reduced short- and long-term morbidity associated with the HeartMate II LVAD has reduced the need for urgent cardiac transplantation, which may have adversely influenced survival in the pulsatile LVAD era. This information may have significant implications for changing the current United Network for Organ Sharing criteria regarding listing of heart transplant candidates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Olopatadine is a tricyclic compound with antihistaminic, mast cell-stabilizing, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the United States olopatadine is approved as a b.i.d. ophthalmic solution, Patanol (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) to treat all signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and as a q.d. formulation, Pataday (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.), to treat itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. A nasal spray, Patanase (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.), was approved in 2008 for treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The available data on olopatadine was assessed with regard to future uses through a comprehensive literature review and a Roundtable Discussion held at the 2009 meeting of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. The unique mechanisms of action of olopatadine still under study include mast cell stabilization, potent H1-anthistaminic activity, and anti-inflammatory effects. Data support consideration of nasal olopatadine for as-needed use for episodic symptoms of allergic rhinitis, for treatment of nonallergic rhinitis, and for use in combination with topical steroids for patients with moderate-to-severe allergy symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the support on the new localism that is used as a logical strategy for education reform in Great Britain and U.S. It cites the educational system in Great Britain as well as leadership issues in the revitalization of localism for advancement of schools. It states that the localism in each nation is a concept that still needs specific directions in practice and multiple explanations. It notes the invigorated effort of each nation only in the framework of centralized control for the development of the quality of education in the community. The approach of the local government on the retention and recruitment challenges and the problems that the government should focus more are cited.

Discusses the findings of a population-based telephone survey addressing farm-work-related (FWR) injuries among California farm operators. Frequency of the occurrence of multiple injury events in the same individual; Factors associated with FWR injury.

Presents an update related to the activities of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) sections in the U.S. as of June 2003. Preparations made by the Saint Petersburg section for the 21st international AES conference in Saint Petersburg; Participation of the Boston section at the Digital Bear Entertainment studio on March 11 for the second Annual Show and Tell; Meeting held by the New York section which focused on analog audio compression and expansion and limiting technology.

Compares sexuality and body change stress among women receiving modified radical mastectomy and breast-conserving therapy with and without breast reconstruction in the United States. Evidence of low rates of activity and sexual responsiveness among women with reconstructive surgery; Levels of traumatic stress and situational distress of breast cancer changes.

Discusses the libel actions involving news councils in the U.S. Introduction of proposals to establish state-wide news councils in Minnesota; Efforts of journalistic groups to establish press review boards or news councils; Exploration on the effect of news councils on the frequency of libel suits.

The article discusses the American influence on the movement for a national system of elementary education in England and Wales during 1830-1870. In 1826 it was enacted in Massachusetts that the school committee shall never direct to be purchased or used, in any of the town schools, any school books which are calculated to favour the tenets of any particular sect of Christians. It was legally permissible until 1855 for there to be no religious teaching whatever and this freedom was very similar to that permitted to Board schools under the Cowper-Temple clause of the Elementary Education Act of 1870. However, until a Board of Education was established in Massachusetts in 1837 there were serious defects in the common school system arising from the lack of any supervising Board. Until 1867 political controversy centred about the extension of the franchise, and when a Liberal government came into power with a large majority in November 1868 the main task confronting the government was the pacification of Ireland. The question of national education did not come to the front of the political stage until the autumn of 1867.