Evaluation of serum cortisol in the postmortem diagnosis of acute adrenal insufficiency

Normal adrenocortical activity is necessary for electrolyte regulation and the maintenance of cardiovascular function. Although chronic adrenal insufficiency generally presents with the gradual onset of a set of characteristic symptoms and signs, the more sudden loss of adrenal activity can present with acute, rapidly progressive cardiovascular dysfunction that can be fatal if not recognized and treated promptly. We herein describe a patient who had most of his adrenal tissue removed during resection of metastatic renal carcinoma, conventional clear cell type, with much of the remaining adrenal tissue undergoing necrosis during or shortly after surgery. Although the patient appeared to be stable and progressing adequately well, he died suddenly 2 days postoperatively. When the gross autopsy findings suggested the possibility of adrenal insufficiency, clinical laboratory assessment of adrenocortical activity was sought. Analysis of stored antemortem serum samples and of blood obtained at autopsy demonstrated a progressive decrease in cortisol levels which, in this stressed postsurgical patient, proved fatal. The use of both antemortem and postmortem blood in the demonstration of acute adrenal insufficiency at autopsy is discussed.     

Classification and individualization of black ballpoint pen inks using principal component analysis of UV-vis absorption spectra

The technique of principal component analysis has been applied to the UV-vis spectra of inks obtained from a wide range of black ballpoint pens available in the UK market. Both the pen ink and material extracted from the ink line on paper have been examined. Here, principal component analysis characterised each spectrum within a group through the numerical loadings attached to the first few principal components. Analysis of the spectra from multiple measurements on the same brand of pen showed excellent reproducibility and clear discrimination between inks that was supported by statistical analysis. Indeed it was possible to discriminate between the pen ink and the ink line from all brands examined in this way, suggesting that the solvent extraction process may have an influence on these results. For the complete set of 25 pens, interpretation of the loadings for the first few principal components showed that both the pen inks and the extracted ink lines may be classified in an objective manner and in agreement with the results of parallel thin layer chromatography studies. Within each class almost all inks could be individualised. Further work has shown that principal component analysis may be used to identify a particular ink from a database of reference UV-vis spectra and a strategy for developing this approach is suggested.     

With the One Coin for Fee: A.E. Houseman's Law

Any abstract would ruin the poetic economy ofthis text. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Opprobre,discours clivants et sociolectes induits par Boko Haram au Cameroun

RÉSUMÉ

Le phénomène Boko Haram au Cameroun est générateur de représentations discriminatoires. Il vient renforcer des clivages et produit de nombreux sociolectes. Des qualificatifs discriminants et négateurs jettent l’opprobre sur autrui, accusé d’être de connivence avec les insurgés. La secte a été considérée comme un complot des gens du Nord, une rébellion armée visant à renverser le pouvoir central de Yaoundé. Le problème a investi la sphère publique. Les prises de paroles montrent bien que le Nord du pays s’est dressé contre le Sud. La situation a ensuite pris les allures d’un conflit interconfessionnel, intraconfessionnel, opposant des musulmans contre des chrétiens. Le renforcement des clivages fait en sorte que les ressortissants du Nord et les populations musulmanes rentrent plus facilement dans la catégorie des usual suspects. Le fait de mettre la “rouelle” au cou du voisin, du compatriote ou du coreligionnaire impacte fatalement sur le vivre-ensemble.     

Role call: sex,gender roles,and intimate partner violence

ABSTRACT

Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to be viewed in gendered and heteronormative ways. Stanziani, Cox, and Coffey (2018, Adding insult to injury: Sex, sexual orientation, and juror decision-making in a case of intimate partner violence. Journal of Homosexuality, 65(10), 1325–1350) presented participants with a case of alleged IPV while manipulating the sex and sexual orientation of the aggressor/victim dyad. Results suggested participants view violence perpetrated by a man against a woman most abhorrently. The current study replicated and expanded that study, exploring how gender role beliefs influence participant decision-making. Female participants held more adverse attitudes towards IPV when a male assaulted a female. Further, participant gender role beliefs influenced decision-making. Specifically, males who endorsed higher levels of hegemonic masculinity perceived the crime to be less serious, while females who endorsed the same beliefs perceived the defendant as less likely to benefit from treatment. Overall, results suggest individual beliefs regarding gender roles and masculinity may influence their perceptions of IPV, regardless of the gender and sexual orientation of the aggressor and victim.     

High time for high tech? China’s program for an indigenous high technology capability

Chinese policymakers have increasingly turned their attention to developing high technology. The state has, through a number of central directives, attempted to promote the production and commercialization of high tech products. Yet, the level of Chinese high technology products remains fairly low. This article argues that the state, especially in trying to recrease Silicon Valley in China, has learned the wrong lessons from the West’s experience. In order to promote the development of high tech, the state needs to build up a more adequate science and technology infrastructure and to define and protect property rights.     

Winter in Xi’an

正The weather in Xi'an is dominated by mercilessly hot summers and bonechilling winters. Their length makes them seem unending and so overpowering that, sandwiched between these two opposing giants, the other seasons feel inconsequential. This distorted climate cycle leaves me simultaneously eager for change, yet caught unaware when that change finally comes. While I will always prefer the languid heat of