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Nursing homes faced serious challenges with large COVID-19 resident infection rates and deaths during the pandemic. This descriptive case study examined the structure, operations, strategies, care outcomes, and owners of The Ensign Group Inc. the second largest U.S. for-profit chain, between 2007 and 2021. Ensign, as a holding company, has a complex organizational structure that uses more than 430 corporate entities to manage its 228 nursing homes and senior living facilities. With mostly Medicare and Medicaid revenues and favorable government COVID-19 relief, Ensign grew rapidly, even during the pandemic, to $2.5 billion (all amounts in U.S. Dollars) in revenues with a market capitalization of $4.5 billion and strong profits and financial metrics in 2020 to 2021. The company used real estate purchasing, debt financing, and spin-off companies, and tax arbitrage to optimize shareholder value. Before and during the pandemic, its 198 nursing homes had low registered nurse and total nurse staffing levels and regulatory violations with below-average ratings, and they had high COVID-19 infection rates during the pandemic. Ensign's small board, executives, and institutional investors protected and enhanced shareholder interests rather than ensuring that its nursing homes met professional standards and regulatory requirements.

The growth and development of Abelmuschus esculentus (okra) in gully eroded soil amended with different rates of cow dung manure was studied using the complete randomized design; morphormetric data such as leaf area, plant height, stem girth, numbers of nodes, number of leaves and percentage flowering was collected and analyzed. A 30 kg of gully eroded soil sample was put into a sac in triplicate and six treatments of cow dung was introduced into it (0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, 2.0 kg, 2.5 kg and 3.0 kg) respectively. The results of study showed that there is a significant difference in all the treatments compared to control. Highest petiole length (31.63±1.84) of Okra plant was obtained at week seven with 2.0 kg amended soil. The 2.5 kg treatment of manure at week 7 had the highest leave length with the mean of 30.36±2.47 while the least leave length occurred in the 2.5 kg treatment at week 1 with the mean value of 0.49±0.03. The 2.0 kg treatment of manure at week 7 had the highest leave length with the mean of 36.96±1.15 while the least leave length occurred in the 2.5 kg treatment at week 1 with the mean value of 0.44±0.03. The 1.0 kg treatment of manure at week 7 had the highest length of internode (23.16±3.55) while the least length of internode occurred in the control at week 2 (0.86±0.23). At week 1 for all treatments, no result was obtained for length of internodes. The 0.5 kg treatment of manure at week 7 had the highest number of leaves with the mean of 21.33±4.93 while the least number of leaves occurred in the 0.5 kg, 2.0 kg and 2.5 kg treatments respectively at week 1 and in the control sample at week 2. The result also revealed that the 1.0 kg treatment of manure at week 7 had the highest stem length (154.73±30.99) while the least stem length occurred in the 2.0 kg at week 1(0.46±0.03). The 3.0 kg treatment of manure at week 7 had the highest stem girth (9.33±0.51) while the least stem girth occurred in the 2.5 kg at week 1(0.31±0.02). The soil analysis result showed that nitrogen was highest in the soil at 2.0 kg treatment of cow dung (402±2.51) while the 1.5 kg treatment and control had the least nitrogen content (322±0.57) and (322±3.05) respectively. The highest phosphorus content was 1.0 kg treatment of cow dung (986±1.53), with the control having the lowest phosphorus content (280±2.00). On the potassium content, the 2.5 kg treatment had the highest (843±0.57) while the control had the least content of potassium (357±1.52). The overall result showed that the growth and development of okra was enhanced by application of cow dung which influenced soil nutrient status positively.

The ability to situate individuals within social categories provides an important social function, allowing people to navigate problems of survival and reproduction within highly complex social structures. This categorization of people with apparently shared characteristics is facilitated by various cues, one of the most important being facial information. There has been a wealth of literature that reports on perceptions of characteristics informed by faciometrics (or the measurement of facial features and associated ratios), but little considers the impact of aging on these social heuristics. This study therefore considers the impact of age and sex on the perception of four characteristics, these being physical power, social power, intelligence, and warmth from a sample of 120 participants recruited online. Participants were asked to rate images for one of the four characteristics in 20 men and 20 women representing each of three age groups - young adults, adults in middle age and older adults. Analyses indicated that physical power is perceived to diminish in men (but not women), social power is perceived to increase in women (but not men), and intelligence is perceived to increase in both sexes, though whilst men are perceived to be significantly more intelligent than women in middle age, in old age women are perceived to be significantly more intelligent than men. Age was not shown to impact perceptions of warmth. Perhaps surprisingly, whilst ‘macro factors’ (age and sex) supported this social decision making, faciometrics, almost comprehensively, did not. It is suggested, then, that social heuristics rely on simple, quick and efficient stereotyped decision making through broad brush categorizations e.g. young, middle aged or old, male or female.

Male reproductive maladaptive responses are becoming a global health concern and also a social issue. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a member of halogenated aromatic environmental pollutants with diverse environmental matrices. This study was conducted to explore the mechanisms of PCBs-induced testicular maladaptive responses and the potential reversal effects of d-ribose- l-cysteine (DRLC) on testicular injury induced by administration of PCBs (2 mg/kg) for 30 days. DRLC (50 mg/kg) was administered orally for 15 days starting from Days 16 to 30 after the initial 15 days of treatment with PCB. All assays were carried out using established protocols. Administration of DRLC at 50 mg/kg after treatment with PCBs enhances body and testicular weights, gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone), testosterone and poor sperm quality. DRLC also reduced testicular injury score, improved spermatogenesis scoring, reduced oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde), as well as restored the reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and decreases pro-inflammatory response (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and NO). More so, DRLC treatment abrogates testicular DNA fragmentation and downregulated p53 and caspase 3 activities and upregulated the concentration of autophagy-related protein (mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR] and Atg7). DRLC abates testicular deficit induced by PCBs intoxicated rats via activation of the mTOR signaling pathway mediating inhibition of apoptosis, Inflammation and oxidative flux.

The study investigated the effects of quercetin and putative mechanisms involved against endosulfan-testicular impairments in rats. Rats were allotted into five treatment groups (n = 5). Groups 1-2 had normal saline and maize oil (vehicle) (10 mL/kg), group 3 received quercetin (20 mg/kg), 4-5 had endosulfan (5 mg/kg, p.o) orally for 28 days. However, from days 14-28, group 4 received an additional dose of vehicle (10 mL/kg, p.o./day), while group 5 received quercetin (20 mg/kg, p.o./day). Thereafter, blood samples and testes were harvested for markers of cholinergic, hormonal and testicular oxido-nitrergic, inflammatory, apoptosis and proton pump ATPase activities. Also, testicular histopathological changes were also evaluated alongside with germ cell count, testicular injury and spermatogenesis score. Quercetin increased testicular/body weights and spermatogenesis, androgenic hormones (follicle stimulating hormones, FSH; luteinizing hormone, LH; testosterone), acetylcholinesterase levels and attenuated altered membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation, increased caspases-3 levels in rats exposed to endosulfan. Moreover, quercetin increased testicular B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x-protein (Bax) and proton pump adenosine trisphosphate (ATPase) and sialic acid levels. Of note, quercetin reversed endosulfan-mediated increased malondialdehyde, nitrite, peroxynitrite formation, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and lowered antioxidant enzymes in the testes. The increased levels of testicular myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) by endosulfan were also reduced by quercetin administration. Additionally, quercetin attenuate endosulfan-induced testicular histopathological changes of rats. Our findings showed that quercetin significantly inhibited endosulfan-induced testicular damage and altered spermatogenesis through inhibition of oxido-nitrergic pathway, inflammatory mediators, apoptosis, acetylcholinesterase activity and enhancement of testicular hormones and improvement in testicular ATPase activity.

Background Interventions designed to support children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) can be time consuming, needing involvement of outside experts. Social Stories™ are a highly personalised intervention aiming to give children with ASC social information or describing an otherwise difficult situation or skill. This can be delivered daily by staff in education settings. Studies examining Social Story™ use have yielded mostly positive results but have largely been single case studies with a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Despite this numerous schools are utilising Social Stories™, and a fully powered RCT is timely. Methods A multi-site pragmatic cluster RCT comparing care as usual with Social Stories™ and care as usual. This study will recruit 278 participants (aged 4–11) with a clinical diagnosis of ASC, currently attending primary school in the North of England. Approximately 278 school based staff will be recruited to provide school based information about participating children with approximately 140 recruited to deliver the intervention. The study will be cluster randomised by school. Potential participants will be screened for eligibility prior to giving informed consent. Follow up data will be collected at 6 weeks and 6 months post randomisation and will assess changes in participants’ social responsiveness, goal based outcomes, social and emotional health. The primary outcome measure is the Social Responsiveness Scale Second Edition (SRS-2) completed by school based staff at 6 months. Approvals have been obtained from the University of York’s Research Governance Committee, Research Ethics Committee and the Health Research Authority. Study results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to participating families, educational staff, local authority representatives, community groups and Patient and Participant Involvement representatives. Suggestions will be made to NICE about treatment evidence dependent on findings. Discussion This study addresses a much used but currently under researched intervention and results will inform school based support for primary school children with a diagnosis of ASC. Trial registration The trial is registered on the ISRCTN registry (registration number: ISRCTN11634810). The trial was retrospectively registered on 23rd April 2019.

Though male homosexuality appears to be evolutionarily paradoxical, phenotypic feminization has been offered as a route for three current models positing a genetic basis for male homosexuality. We tested whether facial feminization is observable in gay men in two studies. In Study 1, using two composite images of gay and of heterosexual men, naive participants (N = 308) rated the ‘gay’ face more highly on stereotypically feminine traits and actual femininity and the ‘heterosexual’ face more highly on stereotypically masculine traits and actual masculinity. In Study 2, faciometrics of 428 internet images of gay (N = 219) and heterosexual men were analyzed along six, sexually dimorphic ratios. The faciometrics of gay men were more feminine, both in gestalt terms, and for five of the six individual traits. The studies offer objective support for a more feminized facial phenotype in gay males that is difficult to explain through cultural or behavioral cues.

The following plan restores Social Security to long-range actuarial balance by providing additional funding while making that funding somewhat progressive, as the benefit structure already is. It also is a response to the upward redistribution of income and wealth over the last few decades, which is projected to continue. The progressivity of the funding mechanism would result from a universal $20,000 exemption applied to first-dollar earnings, coupled with application of a principle that already has been applied to Medicare funding: taxing the full amount of wages with no cap. Thus, the higher the wages, the closer one would be to paying the current level of 6.2 percent, although no one would actually pay quite that much. This would not undermine the principle of earned benefits, since very few beneficiaries would have average wages below $20,000, and even for those, there still would be a requirement of the requisite number of credits in covered employment.

As a fundamental element of any psychology degree, the teaching and learning of research methods is repeatedly brought into sharp focus, and it is often regarded as a real challenge by undergraduate students. The reasons for this are complex, but frequently attributed to an aversion of maths. To gain a more detailed understanding of students’ relationship with psychological research methods, the current study used small, semi–structured focus groups to explore the experience of undergraduate students at the end of their first year of study. Following a detailed thematic analysis of the interview texts, five overarching themes emerged: prior knowledge of research methods; personal engagement with the module; enabling access to learning; supportive learning content; and personal development. Insights gained from the findings are discussed, including possible helpful interventions, but overall the results suggest a more positive outlook than may have been expected.

Institutional racism often results in events such as an unjustifiable death of an African American citizen at the hands of the police. These events induce the leaders of the dominant white society to call for “a conversation about racism,” which results in no meaningful change. This article suggests that a meaningful conversation could be had about the influence of social science on U.S. criminal justice policy—especially juvenile justice. The focus of that conversation should be on neoconservative social science, which has had a major impact on the criminal justice system as it exists today. The author briefly highlights the leading neoconservatives of the last half of the twentieth century. The demise of the Achievement Place/Teaching-Family model—a rehabilitative, nonpunitive, community-based treatment program for youthful offenders—is discussed as an example of neoconservative utilization of inadequate science in their claim that “nothing works” in rehabilitation programs. It is argued that perceived inherent deficiencies in African Americans—as a “race”—were a fixation of leading neoconservative scholars.

An increasing body of research focusing on gender-related traits has utilized faciometrics in order to consider sexual dimorphism: Aspects as diverse as social heuristics, facial attractiveness, sexual orientation, aggression, and trustworthiness have all been investigated. However, the majority of these studies have tended to focus on White or Caucasian student populations and have paid little regard to either older populations or racial background. The current study therefore investigated sexual dimorphism in 450 participants (225 women) from a Black population across four age groups (20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s). In line with much previous research using White or Caucasian faces, the expected sexual dimorphism was seen in the younger age-group in three of the four indices (cheekbone prominence, facial width to lower facial height, and lower face height to full face height). However, consistent with more recent literature, the facial width to height ratio (fWHR) was not found to be significantly different between men and women in this age-group. Contrary to previous research, when considering broader age groups, the three established measures of facial sexual dimorphism, when looked at independently, remained static over time, but this was not true for fWHR. It is concluded that facial structure does not follow the same aging trajectory in all populations and care should be taken in choice of facial metric, depending on the nature of the sample under investigation.

This study documents the widespread belief among the public, “pundits,“ and policymakers that health care inflation in the United States is heavily influenced by longevity. It demonstrates the error of that belief. It points out that health care experts recognize that, although health care costs for the elderly are high, the aging of the population is an insignificant factor in health care cost inflation. Nevertheless, existing literature tends to ignore important influences on cost, such as poverty, lack of access, lifestyle issues, and matters of social justice. It also ignores the differences among numerous subgroups of patients. Ignoring these factors and concentrating on an aging society as a major cause of health care inflation distracts policymakers' attention from the true causes and leads to unjustified calls for benefit reductions in Medicare. As part of this study, the author includes analyses of hospital discharge data that have not been published previously.

The challenge of teaching Research Methods to frequently unwilling undergraduate psychologists has long been recognised. Whilst a number of studies have sought to investigate and address the barriers to its effective teaching, few have taken a quantitative approach and fewer still a longitudinal design in order to examine the efficacy of specified interventions. This study employed such a design, the sample consisting of three cohorts of first–year psychology students (N=286) over three consecutive years who were undertaking Research Methods as a compulsory module. Changes were implemented in both the delivery and assessment regime to facilitate a more engaging delivery of the material and greater consolidation of basic principles though iterative classroom techniques and the use of formative and summative assessments. A significant improvement in student marks, despite an increase in the difficulty of the assessments, was found with overall marks increasing by a whole grade band. Further analysis of the different assessed elements of the yearlong module also demonstrated improved performance in each of the constituent parts. This study, therefore, extends the growing body of evidence–based literature on the use of effective teaching techniques and assessment regimes in a challenging area.

Faciometrics have widely been used in contemporary studies on gender-related behavioral traits, for example, perceived and actual aggression, co-operation and trustworthiness, prejudicial beliefs, unethical behavior, and achievement drive, as well as, but to a lesser degree, in nonhuman primates. For the large part, these studies have focused primarily on “student-aged” populations with little empirical scrutiny regarding the efficacy of applying these measures with older participants. This study therefore investigated sexual dimorphism across four age-groups (20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s) in 444 participants (225 men). The expected sexual dimorphism was seen in the youngest age group in three of the four indices. The facial width to height ratio, however, although most commonly used empirically, was not found to be significantly different between men and women, consistent with more recent literature. Importantly, as age increased, sexual dimorphism decreased, but this was not consistent across all measures of it. Rather, it is evident that differing measures of sexual dimorphism follow distinct developmental trajectories. The only single marker which remained significantly different across all age-groups was cheekbone prominence. Sexual dimorphic faciometrics are therefore dynamic, declining, and differentiated through adulthood. Consequently, it is concluded that care should be taken in using faciometrics in studies involving older populations and that more research is needed to understand the impact of these distinct faciometric trajectories in gender- and masculinity-related studies.

The effects of pre-treatment in osmotic salt solution followed by oven-drying on the moisture removal, and β-carotene content of yellow-fleshed sweet potato were investigated. Potato rings of 3 cm diameter and thicknesses of 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm were soaked in NaCl solutions of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% w/v, for varying time of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 minutes. The pre-treated slices were then oven-dried in a convective oven at 60oC. Moisture diffusivity was determined by the method of slopes, while β-carotene was measured by UV/VIS- spectrophotometer. Moisture diffusivity values during drying were between 3.648 × 10-7 m2/s and 1.459 × 10-6 m2/s, while losses in β-carotene ranged from 47 to 86%. The amount of water removed by pre–treatment with NaCl solution decreased significantly as the concentration and the time soaking increased, however, the water out flow was found to increase significantly with increase in thickness of the samples, where the 4 mm size had the highest (1.535 g H2O/g sample) and 2 mm the least (1.434 g H2O/g sample) Osmotic pre-treatment in salt solution had no effect on β-carotene, but subsequent oven-drying however degraded the β-carotene.Keywords: Sample thickness, sodium chloride solution, water out flow, moisture diffusivity, β-carotene.

Using verse choir increases students' confidence and helps them appreciate the joy of literature. (HOD)

Single-crystal colloidal SnSe nanosheets react with a trioctylphosphine–tellurium complex to transform into porous single-crystal SnTe nanosheets with oriented nanocube protrusions. This chemical transformation reaction, which provides chemical and crystallographic guidelines for designing secondary nanostructural features into single crystal colloidal nanosheets and also results in two-dimensional nanosheets of a three-dimensionally bonded material, proceeds via a diffusion-mediated anion exchange pathway. Intermediate nanosheets reveal that SnTe nucleates with crystallographic alignment on the surface of the SnSe nanosheet, which ultimately is consumed to produce the porous SnTe nanosheet product. The anion exchange reaction is general, successfully converting a library of metal selenides and sulfides to the corresponding tellurides.

Conventional wisdom suggests that the Teaching-Family Model (TFM) approach to treating youthful offenders is not effective in reducing post-treatment recidivism. This article reviews two major studies referenced in support of this widespread perception. Data presented in one widely referenced study are treated with a Cochran-Mantel-Haensel test, which, the author argues, is appropriate for data originally presented in two separate 2 X 2 tables (one for boys and one for girls). The construct and statistical conclusion validity of a major evaluation study presented to the NIMH is critically evaluated and discussed. A revised view of the leading TFM evaluations has implications for public policy regarding juvenile justice. The author suggests that a belief in the lack of post-treatment efficacy associated with community-based residential treatment has resulted in harsher treatment of juveniles and a higher incarceration rate.

Background Infants born very preterm (

A definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis cannot be made at presentation on patients with a clinically isolated syndrome of the optic nerve, spinal cord or brainstem suggestive of demyelination, as dissemination in time is not established. To determine the long-term risk of abnormalities on brain MRI for the development of multiple sclerosis and disability we performed a 10-year follow-up on 81 such patients who had T2-weighted brain MRI at presentation. Initial brain MRI was abnormal in 54 (67%). Follow up of those patients with an abnormal MRI revealed progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis in 45 out of 54 (83%), of whom 11 (20%) had relapsing/remitting disease (EDSS > 3), 13 (24%) secondary progressive and 21 (39%) benign (relapsing/remitting with EDSS < or = 3) disease. For those with a normal MRI progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis occurred in only three out of 27 (11%), all benign. There was a significant relationship between the number of lesions at presentation and both EDSS (r = 0.45, P < 0.001) and the type of disease at follow-up (P < 0.0001). Brain MRI at presentation with a clinically isolated syndrome is predictive of the long-term risk of subsequent development of multiple sclerosis, the type of disease and extent of disability.

The "dural tail" sign on gadolinium (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced MRI has been described in association with meningiomas. Various series with histopathological correlation have shown that in some cases there is tumour invasion into the dura mater, but in the majority of cases it represents a hypervascular, non-neoplastic reaction. While this sign was originally thought to be specific for meningioma, subsequent case reports have described the presence of a dural tail in other intra- and extra-axial lesions. We present a patient with a giant aneurysm arising from the P2 segment of the right posterior cerebral artery, adjacent to the tentorium, with a prominent dural tail on Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI. In this location, differentiation of an aneurysm from a meningioma was critical.

Cranial MRI was obtained in 13 of a group of 57 children receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, who were being investigated for hypermanganasaemia. Increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images has been reported in adult patients on long-term parenteral nutrition and with encephalopathy following chronic manganese exposure in are welding. It has been postulated that these changes are due to deposition of the paramagnetic trace element manganese. In excess manganese is hepato- and neurotoxic and we present the correlation of whole blood manganese levels with imaging findings. The age range of our patients was 6 months to 10 years, and the duration of therapy 3 months to 10 years. In 7 children we found characteristic increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images, with no abnormality on T2-weighted images. All patients had elevated whole blood manganese levels, suggesting that the basis for this abnormality is indeed deposition of manganese within the tissues.

OBJECTIVES: Since Devic's original description of neuromyelitis optica in 1894 there has been much debate regarding its aetiology. A specific cause has been identified in a minority of cases but in most the question has arisen whether or not Devic's neuromyelitis optica is a variant of multiple sclerosis. This study was undertaken to help clarify this issue. METHODS: Neuromyelitis optica was defined as (1) a severe transverse myelitis; (2) an acute unilateral or bilateral optic neuropathy; (3) no clinical involvement beyond the spinal cord or optic nerves, and (4) a monophasic or multiphasic illness. The clinical and autoantibody status was documented. Patients underwent CSF examination and MRI of brain and spinal cord. RESULTS: Twelve patients, with a mean age of presentation of 35.1 years, were seen. Eleven were women; vision was reduced to counting fingers or worse in 10 patients and seven became confined to a wheelchair. Examination of CSF showed local synthesis of oligoclonal bands in only two patients and a neutrophil pleocytosis in two. A possible aetiology was identified in five: a specific connective tissue disorder (two), pulmonary tuberculosis (one), and possible acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (two). Six had non-specific increases in various autoantibodies. Eleven patients underwent MRI of the brain and spinal cord. In 10 there were diffuse abnormalities involving cervical and thoracic cords with extensive swelling in the acute phase. Brain MRI was normal in five; in five there were multiple deep white matter lesions, and one patient had minor age related changes. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that Devic's neuromyelitis optica is a distinctive disorder with some clinical, CSF, and MRI features different from those found in classic multiple sclerosis. In most cases a specific aetiology is not identified, but an immunological mechanism of tissue damage seems likely.

Energy demand load analysis of the 2001 Cafeteria complex, at the University of Lagos, with the audit of a feasible supply of biogas from a bio-degradable food waste using a downdraft bio-digester, is conducted. A walk-through energy audit of all the appliances that are installed or operated within the complex and its building envelope for maintaining the thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and cooking and lighting equipment is considered. The design and optimization of the process of collection, storage and management of the food waste from about twenty vendors operating inside the complex is proposed. Using a standardized performance index for a conventional downdraft biodigester, the energy-saving advantage of developing and integrating a biogas production system with the 2001 Cafeteria is presented. The results of this study are desirable for the estimation of the economical and environmental impact assessment of a proposed development of a compact solar bioreactor for independent generation and storage of hydrogen.

A 5-year follow-up study was performed on 89 patients who had undergone brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at presentation with an acute clinically isolated syndrome of the optic nerves, brainstem or spinal cord of a type suggestive of multiple sclerosis. At presentation, MRI was abnormal, revealing one or more asymptomatic cerebral white matter lesions in 57 (64%), and was normal in 32 (36%). At follow-up, progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis had occurred in 37 out of 57 (65%) with an abnormal MRI and one out of 32 (3%) with normal MRI. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) typing was performed in 70 patients and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined at presentation in 36. The presence of HLA-DR2 antigen or cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal IgG bands were both associated with a significantly increased risk of progression to multiple sclerosis, but MRI was much more powerful in predicting outcome. The presence of four or more MRI lesions at presentation was associated with a higher rate of progression to multiple sclerosis, more frequent development of moderate or severe disabilities and a greater number of new MRI lesions at follow-up. The results indicate that brain MRI at presentation with a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis is a powerful predictor of the clinical course over the next 5 years. This observation, combined with an ability to detect other sometimes treatable disorders which can also cause such syndromes, suggests that MRI is the investigation of choice in evaluating this group of patients.

LinkWay S2 ™, the mesh IP satellite communication modem system for the U.S. Department of Defense, has proven itself over many years of fielded service to be the most flexible and capable mesh multi-frequency time-division multiple access (MF-TDMA) modem available for net-centric warfare. LinkWay S2 is currently used in the Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program, the Marine's Support Wide Area Network (SWAN) program and a number of other government programs. The latest development in the LinkWay S2 system take the IP network platform to a new level of performance, with improvements in efficiency, data handling capacity, and security, bringing even more capability to LinkWay S2 -based SATCOM terminals. This paper discusses the history of LinkWay and how development has led to the latest improvements to the LinkWay S2 system and their positive implications for the warfighter. These improvements include, for example, a new turbo coded TDMA waveform, doubling the TDMA maximum symbol rate to 10Msps; 8PSK modulation for even higher speed TDMA; pseudo-spread BPSK waveform for mobile and/or disadvantaged terminals, configurable modulation and coding on a per-link basis; embedded TRANSEC; integrated DVB-S2 receiver; increased IP packet processing capability; and enhanced IP QoS. In addition, the overall system architecture has been improved with a new network control server supporting automatic geographic redundancy. Also discussed are recent communications on-the-move (OTM) demonstrations and future enhancements including a further-developed communications on-the-move (OTM) capability through the implementation of a spread spectrum waveform, and even higher data rate handling with improved hardware.

Cette etude a ete menee pour evaluer les performances de trois especes d’escargots comestibles (Archachatina marginata – escargot geant, Archachatina fulica – fulica et Archachatina archachatina – petit escargot) dans des cages reproduisant les conditions de leur habitat naturel. Apres 24 semaines d’etude, les escargots fulica et les petits escargots se sont multiplies plus vite que l’escargot geant. Bien qu’aucune difference significative n’ait ete observee sur les poids vif du petit escargot de jardin et le fulica, ils etaient environ six fois plus eleves chez les escargots geants. La production d’oeufs etait plus elevee (15 a 25 oeufs/couvee a la ponte) chez le petit escargot de jardin comparee a l’escargot geant (8 a 12 oeufs/couvee a la ponte). Le taux d’eclosion d’oeufs s’est eleve a 100% pour l’escargot geant et un peu moins pour le petit escargot et le fulica (92,86%). La periode d’incubation a varie de 21 a 23 jours pour le petit escargot a entre 25 et 28 jours pour l’escargot geant. Le poids des nouveau-nes a ete le plus eleve (3,35 g) pour l’escargot geant et (1,07 g) pour le petit escargot et le fulica. Ces resultats montrent que l’elevage d’escargots en cage exige peu de travail et capitaux. This study was undertaken to investigate the performance of three edible snail species (Archachatina marginata-giant land snail, Archachatina fulica – “long mop” and Archachatina archachatina – garden snail) using cages with conditions that mimicked their natural habitats. After 24 weeks of study, Archachatina fulica and Archachatina archachatina multiplied faster than Archachatina marginata-giant land snail. Although no significant differences were observed with respect to the live-weights of garden snail and fulica, average live weights were about six-fold higher for Archachatina marginata. Egg production was highest with (15-25 eggs/clutch at lay) for garden snail and least with the giant land snail (8-12 eggs/clutch at lay). Percentage hatchability of eggs was 100% for the giant land snail and slightly less for both the garden snail and fulica (92.86 %). The incubation period varied from 21 - 23 days for garden snail to 25 - 28 days for the giant land snail. The weight of hatchlings were highest (3.35 g) for giant land snail and (1.07 g) for the garden snail and fulica. These results show that snail rearing using cage housing system requires little labour and capital investments (US$ 50), to produce (US$ 500, 350 and 250) for garden snail, giant land snail and fulica respectively on a year-round harvest.

With conventional CT scans, alterations of morphology on repeated examinations can only be appreciated if significant, because identical slice positions are impossible to achieve. The authors have developed a simple and accurate method of repositioning the head not requiring conventional stereotactic head fixation and suitable for the outpatient situation.