Vitreous humor magnesium in alcoholics

Postmortem vitreous humor magnesium concentrations were determined in 27 alcoholics and in 27 nonalcoholics who died of various causes. No significant differences in magnesium values were present between these two groups. The concentrations in those dying with alcohol withdrawal syndrome or in those with postmortem findings limited to hepatic fatty change did not differ significantly from those in the nonalcoholic group or from those of the alcoholics dying of other causes. There was no correlation between vitreous humor magnesium concentrations and postmortem interval in any group. We conclude that vitreous humor magnesium determination is not helpful in the postmortem evaluation of suspected alcohol-related deaths or in determining postmortem interval.     

A Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Two Court‐Connected Programs for High‐Conflict Families

Parents who experience great amounts of legal conflict as they dissolve their relationship and arrive at their parenting arrangements require an outsize proportion of courts’ time and resources. Additionally, there is overwhelming evidence that conflict has a deleterious effect on their children. We partnered with the family court to conduct a study comparing the effectiveness of two programs for families deemed by their judge to be high conflict and thereby mandated to a program. Both involved one 3‐hour session; the existing program, Parent Conflict Resolution (PCR), used exhortational lecture and video; the newly designed experimental program, Family Transitions Guide (FTG), based on motivational interviewing, employed exercises attempting to get parents to decide for themselves what they needed to do for the sake of their children. Parents were assigned at random to one of the two programs (the literature often terms this a randomized clinical trial) and were interviewed just before it began and 9 months later, as was a child. Results showed that child's report of their own well‐being was significantly improved by FTG as compared to PCR and that these effects were mediated by children feeling less caught in the middle. On several variables, parent report showed that parents in PCR as compared to FTG felt decreased problems in co‐parenting and less interparental conflict, although the effects were not consistent across mother and father report. There was also evidence of diminished legal conflict over 9 months in FTG as compared to PCR.     

中国共产党与中国特色社会主义事业总体布局

摘要：中国特色社会主义事业总体布局大体经历了四个发展阶段：前期探索阶段、初步形成阶段、完善与充实阶段和重大推进阶段。这是中国共产党在领导人民建设中国特色社会主义的探索实践中不断深化认识的结果,反映出我们党是一个实事求是、与时俱进、开拓创新的马克思主义政党,这必将坚定我们在其领导下实现中华民族伟大复兴的信心。     

Anxious Moments: Openings in Negotiation

Even experienced negotiators often feel anxiety about beginning a new negotiation. Subjects in this study described these opening moments with vivid imagery and metaphors, among them: lurking wolves, alligators, tightropes, and rushing trains. People's deep-seated worries can be triggered by several factors: doubts about personal competence, fear about the attitudes and behavior of other parties, and the inevitable uncertainty about what path negotiation will take. The author compares openings in other contexts, notably in the arts, to illustrate how the impact of anxiety need not be entirely negative. These feelings can also spark creativity and support constructive relationships.     

A survey of micro-enterprise in urban West Africa: drivers shaping the sector

This article identifies some key factors shaping the micro-enterprise sector in urban French West Africa. Drawing on interviews with micro-entrepreneurs and micro-finance practitioners in Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo, the study explores the needs, characteristics, motivations, and success factors for micro-entrepreneurship in the region, together with some of the impediments to the growth and success of micro-enterprise ventures. It was found that those operating micro-enterprises in the informal economy are entrepreneurs principally by necessity, and that their most basic needs tend to drive their business activities and behaviours. It was also observed that their success was constrained by a number of barriers, including poor access to capital, poor training, and general aversion to risk. As a result, the development of the micro-enterprise sector in urban French West Africa has been sub-optimal, and the authors conclude that this situation may persist unless broader economic and social barriers are addressed.