Compacted doctrines: Empson and the meanings of words.

This chapter describes the account of word meaning advanced by William Empson in 'The Structure of Complex Words' (1951). Exposition is supported by detailed historical analysis of the word wit, chosen to illustrate the possibilities, as well as difficulties, of the framework Empson devised to investigate meaning ‘equations’ that his selected words are capable of entering into. Noting the apparent likeness between 'Complex Words' and Raymond Williams’s slightly later 'Keywords' (1976/1983), including use by both authors of the term ‘keyword’, the chapter examines important differences of approach between the two authors (differences revealed especially in a review Empson published of Williams’s 'Keywords', discussed in the chapter). In conclusion, it is suggested that despite differences between them some similar implications regarding meaning follow from the work of both authors. These include the idea that, rather than merely describing distinct word meanings, or even meanings attributed to words by individual speakers, historical analyses of meaning should focus on social practices that accompany language use, including practices which find their existence and articulation in institutions. In this more social view of meaning, it is suggested, meaning and social identity are kinds of effect, or produced relation, rather than stable elements outside language with which to begin an analysis

Index to Selected Essays on Robert Burns, by G. Ross Roy

A full index to the poems, songs, books, people, and places referenced in Selected Essays on Robert Burns, by G. Ross Roy (Columbia, SC: South Carolina Scottish Literature Series, 2018)

Dear Burns : Editing the Other Side of Burns\u27s Correspondence

This paper provides an overview of the history, sources, and editorial approach for the first-ever collected edition of the letters written to the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796). Originally conceived by the late Prof. G. Ross Roy of the University of South Carolina over fifty years ago, and more recently planned as a joint venture with the late Kenneth Simpson of the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow, it is now in progress under new editors at South Carolina, as a distinct preliminary stage in work on the correspondence volumes for the new AHRC-funded Clarendon edition of the collected works of Robert Burns, based at the University of Glasgow. A preliminary edition of Letters Addressed to Robert Burns, 1779-1796, will be separately published in both print and digital formats to provide access while the fuller Correspondence is in progress

GABA-B receptor function in healthy volunteers, a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of two doses of baclofen compared to placebo

AIMS AND HYPOTHESIS To assess the subjective and objective effects of baclofen on brain function in healthy volunteers. BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests baclofen, a γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA-B) receptor agonist, reduces alcohol consumption and craving and promotes abstinence in alcoholics. However, characterisation of the GABA-B receptor system in clinical addiction is limited, and it is unclear why some patients require, or tolerate, higher doses to treat alcoholism. This study assesses the effects of baclofen on brain function in healthy volunteers to inform future studies investigating the sensitivity of GABA-B receptors in alcohol addiction. METHODS Eight healthy male volunteers completed a double blind randomised 3-way cross over study, receiving oral placebo (vitamin C 100mg), 10mg and 60mg baclofen. Subjective and objective measurements were taken at baseline (before medication) and at +30mins, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hours after dosing. Objective measures included blood plasma samples, heart rate and blood pressure. Subjective measures included; the Subjective High Assessment Questionnaire (SHAS), visual analogue scales for sleepy, relaxed, tense and alert and a motor coordination task (zig-zag task). Pharmacokinetic data was obtained using liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC-MS) to measure plasma baclofen concentrations. RESULTS 60mg Baclofen showed changes in subjective measures peaking at 2 hours post dosing compared with placebo, including a significant increase (p<0.05) in total SHAS scores with individual items, including feeling ‘drunk or intoxicated’, effects of alcohol and ‘muddled or confused’ particular affected.. Systolic blood pressure was significantly increased (p<0.05) at the 2 hours post 60mg dose. For both 10mg and 60mg baclofen, peak plasma concentration was achieved 60 minutes post dose. Pharmacokinetic data will be presented. There were no significant changes in these measures between 10mg Baclofen and placebo. CONCLUSIONS The objective and subjective measures used in this study are able to differentiate between placebo and 60mg baclofen. These findings will inform further research investigating the sensitivity of GABA-B receptors in alcohol addiction

Effects of fencing on forage biomass and quality through livestock exclusion from a protected area in the southern Kalahari

The substitution of wild herbivores by livestock has led to substantial degradation of many southern African grazing systems. As a result, bush and shrub encroachment has led to a reduction of grasslands, invasion of thorn shrubs, reduced carrying capacity of range land, and desertification. These changes often raise socio-economic challenges for rural communities in arid and semi-arid regions, as previously profitable areas may become no longer economically viable. This study aims to compare biomass and key chemical characteristics of grassy vegetation between sites experiencing low vs. high grazing pressures. Furthermore, we estimate the recovery time needed for pasture in heavily grazed areas to reach properties of similar sites under low grazing pressure. In heavily grazed areas, grass was of higher quality than in areas with low grazing pressure, as the remaining or re-growing grass contains higher percentages of protein and lower concentrations of fiber. However, as heavy grazing led to reduced grass biomass, the absolute amount of protein available per unit area was lower in areas with high compared to areas with low grazing pressure. Furthermore, at the heavily grazed area we recorded a high proportion of unpalatable plant species. The exclusion of livestock through fencing resulted in a rapid increase of grass biomass and therefore higher amounts of fibre, protein and hemicellulose contents per unit area after one wet season, whereas the chemical concentrations of plant compounds changed remarkably little after elimination of livestock grazing pressure. In areas where cattle substitute wild-ranging herbivores we recommend livestock managers consider transitioning to sustainable grazing systems through grazing rotation, diversification of herbivore species, and reduction in stocking rates. This would secure sustainable livestock-based livelihoods while avoiding permanent rangeland degradation due to bush encroachment and desertification

Long-term X-ray changes in the emission from the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+61

We present results obtained from X-ray observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 4U 0142+61 taken between 2000-2007 using XMM-Newton, Chandra and Swift. In observations taken before 2006, the pulse profile is observed to become more sinusoidal and the pulsed fraction increased with time. These results confirm those derived using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and expand the observed evolution to energies below 2 keV. The XMM-Newton total flux in the 0.5-10 keV band is observed to be nearly constant in observations taken before 2006, while an increase of ~10% is seen afterwards and coincides with the burst activity detected from the source in 2006-2007. After these bursts, the evolution towards more sinusoidal pulse profiles ceased while the pulsed fraction showed a further increase. No evidence for large-scale, long-term changes in the emission as a result of the bursts is seen. The data also suggest a correlation between the flux and hardness of the spectrum, with brighter observations on average having a harder spectrum. As pointed out by other authors, we find that the standard blackbody plus power-law model does not provide the best spectral fit to the emission from 4U 0142+61. We also report on observations taken with the Gemini telescope after two bursts. These observations show source magnitudes consistent with previous measurements. Our results demonstrate the wide range of X-ray variability characteristics seen in AXPs and we discuss them in light of current emission models for these sources.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, in emulateapj style. Submitted to Ap

Plant Community Changes Over 54 Years Within the Great Basin Experimental Range, Manti-La Sal National Forest

Plant community changes and natural succession over time impact forage values, watershed quality, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem dynamics. Comparisons were made between a vegetation map of community types completed in 1937 by the U.S. Forest Service, and vegetation maps compiled in 1990 of the same areas by satellite imagery, and through 1991 areal photo interpretation combined with ground truthing. The study area includes nearly all of the drainage in Ephraim Canyon located in central Utah which consists of 6,027 acres (2,439 ha). Elevation ranges from 6,600 to 10,400 feet (2,040 to 3,210 m). Vegetation types ranged from pinyon-juniper woodland through oakbrush, mountain shrub, aspen, conifer and subalpine herbland. The comparison showed significant plant community changes and successional trends over the 54 year period

Coccidiosis in chickens and other birds

Cover title."Revision of Bulletin 411.

Further investigations of the transmission of fowl paralysis (Neurolymphomotosis) by direct transfusion

Publication authorized August 24 1945.Digitized 2007 AES.Includes bibliographical references (page 18)

Common internal and external parasites of poultry

Cover title