Significance of functional and nutritive pulmonary circulation for vital reactions in the form of embolisms

The functional and nutritive circulation in the lungs is connected by anastomoses between the pulmonary and bronchial arteries. The anastomoses have the structure of blocked arteries from which arteriovenous anastomoses proceed to the peribronchial plexus. The pulmonary artery is provided with a flow impulse by the anastomoses, and oxygen-containing blood is admixed with the venous blood, thus forming an "aortalization" in the lungs. By diverting the bloodstream, venous blood can reach the bronchial artery. The peculiarities of the lung circulation are important for vital reactions in the form of macro- and microembolisms. Macroembolisms prove the functionality of the system if branches of the pulmonary artery are closed before the arteries are blocked. A hemorrhagic infarction either arises or does not arise, and the hemorrhagic infarction cannot exceed a certain limit. A microembolism is over and above the anastomoses. If the microembolism is greater, pressure in the arteria pulmonaris can cause blood from the pulmonary artery to overflow into the bronchial artery. Because arteriovenous anastomoses arise from the blocked arteries, microemboli can now reach the systemic circulation. Thus, the system described can explain the passage of microemboli into the systemic circulation, avoiding the capillaries of the lungs; on the other hand, larger microembolisms can prove the functionality of the system.     

Assessment of competency for execution? A guide for mental health professionals

Assessment of competency for execution presents two compelling ethical questions for mental health professionals: whether clinicians can ethically provide such assessment, and if so, how it should be done in order to maximize quality and minimize ethical conflict. In this article we address the issue of whether to participate and, if so, how. The question of whether to participate is discussed by summarizing the arguments for and against participation and offering guidelines for making a decision. The question of how to proceed is discussed in two contexts: preadjudication (before a formal decision about competency) and postadjudication (following a determination of "incompetent" and transfer of the offender to another facility for treatment and further assessment). Finally, recommendations are made regarding research that would improve the quality of execution competency assessments.     

Cyprus: Federation Under International Safeguards

Constitutional engineering to overcome ethnoregional cleavagesis being put to a severe test on Cyprus, where Greek and Turkishcommunities haltingly endeavor to salvage a divided state Threeyears after independence in 1960, the attempt to govern throughfunctional federalism ended in civil war. Intervention by Greeceand Turkey in 1974 resulted in a de facto partitioning of therepublic into two ethnically homogeneous areas. Under UnitedNations auspices, communal elites bargain for a consociationalsettlement, balancing national autonomy and individual rights.The solution requires international safeguards guaranteeinga new constitution and providing for "free cities" under a bicommunaladministration. Failure of the international community to actwill lead to a partitionist solution as manifested by a growingacceptance of Turkish Cypriot statehood.     

Facing the powers that be

Lobbyists, entrenched forces in congress and self-interested friends will try to stymie Clinton's efforts. A look at four key arenas of combat.     

Historical geography of the population of Michoacan. Eighteenth century

The author incorporates geographic variables into this study of population dynamics in Michoacan, Mexico, during the eighteenth century.