Pathological classification of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy

Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN) is a highly prevalent and predominantly left‐sided, degenerative disorder of the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLn) of tall horses, that causes inspiratory stridor at exercise because of intrinsic laryngeal muscle paresis. The associated laryngeal dysfunction and exercise intolerance in athletic horses commonly leads to surgical intervention, retirement or euthanasia with associated financial and welfare implications. Despite speculation, there is a lack of consensus and conflicting evidence supporting the primary classification of RLN, as either a distal (“dying back”) axonopathy or as a primary myelinopathy and as either a (bilateral) mononeuropathy or a polyneuropathy; this uncertainty hinders etiological and pathophysiological research. In this review, we discuss the neuropathological changes and electrophysiological deficits reported in the RLn of affected horses, and the evidence for correct classification of the disorder. In so doing, we summarize and reveal the limitations of much historical research on RLN and propose future directions that might best help identify the etiology and pathophysiology of this enigmatic disorder

Transcendence and pragmatism : a study of Sherpa religion

Sherpa Buddhism can be divided analytically into three different components: mahayana (represented by the monastic establishment), shamanism (represented by a variety of shaman-curers and diviners) and vajrayana {represented by married, village-based, tantric lamas). Such a division suggests that there are important differences between components within Sherpa religion. Mahayana emphasises transcendental, other-worldly concerns. Shamanism on the other hand deals with pragmatic, this worldly concerns, while vajrayana encompasses both. Now the problem with such a division is that it tends to ignore the overlap and cooperation between components found in the day to day practice of religion. Monks can be very worldly, shamans can become lamas, laymen can become ascetics. Lamas and shamans prescribe each other's rituals and often work alongside each other. The central concern of this thesis then is to explore both the differences and the relations between components, to understand how and why different doctrines, practices and practitioners coexist and are reproduced over time. I conclude that Sherpa religion is essentially a unified system, that differences are contained within and necessary to the articulation of a cohesive yet everchanging whole. To demonstrate this I focus not so much on outer forms as on inner connections. In particular I identify an underlying relationship of interdependence between transcendental and pragmatic orientations or 'modalities'. Transformations of this relationship are to be found within components as well as between them. Central to the relationship is the mediating influence of vajrayana. This relationship continues to pervade Sherpa religion, despite the increasing alienation of the transcendental from the pragmatic as result of changes this century. This is not to say that the relationship is an equal one. The monastic establishment is clearly dominant at an ideological level. Yet the interdependence of modalities encourages a basic pragmatism in everyday life. Worldly activity is essential to the material support of the clergy but the reverse is also true - the knowledge that transcendental concerns are being looked after is integral to the continued worldly activity of the laity; Sherpa religion is shown to be at once spiritually satisfying and pragmatically efficacious

The relationship between international humanitarian law and human rights law from the perspective of a human rights treaty body

The debate about the simultaneous applicability of international humanitarian law and human rights law also affects human rights treaty bodies. The article first considers the difficulty for a human rights body in determining whether international humanitarian law is applicable; second, it examines the problems in practice in applying the lex specialis doctrine and the question of derogation in this particular context. The author finally outlines the impact of the debate as to the extent of extraterritorial applicability of human rights law

CRAF/Cassini (C/C)

The Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) is a mission to rendezvous with the comet Tempel 2 and to station-keep at the comet for a period of 2.6 years, including the comet perihelion. There is a flyby of the asteroid Mandeville prior to the arrival at Tempel 2. The Cassini is a mission to place a spacecraft in a highly elliptical orbit around the planet Saturn and deliver a probe to the surface of its satellite Titan. There is a flyby of the asteroid 1989 UR1 prior to arrival at Saturn. Coverage goals for the two missions are explained. Information is given in tabular form for frequency assignments, telemetry, command, navigation, and tracking support responsibility

Contribution of street food to dietary intake of habitual urban consumers: a cross-sectional study in Kampala city, Uganda

Background: Street food has continued to be a popular food source in the urban settings of developing countries and is proving to be a vital urban dietary source. However, its dietary contribution among urban populations is yet to be comprehensively understood. Aim: To assess how street food contributes to the dietary intake of habitual street food consumers. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among habitual street food consumers in Kampala city. We defined habitual intake as consumption of a serving of any street food for ≥2 days/week regardless of the food group and number of times it was consumed in a particular day. Questionnaires were used to capture quantitative data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometry, 24-hour diet intake and 2-month street food consumption frequency. The Nutritics® diet analysis software version 4.3 and STATA version 13.0 were used for nutrient and statistical analyses respectively. Results: Street food contributed considerably to the daily intake of fat (49.1%), sodium (38.4%) and calcium (36.5%) and least towards the daily intake of vitamin A (11.3%). The majority of consumers opted for street food at breakfast (50%) whereas lunch and snacks featured the least for overall street food inclusion (all 20%). Overall, men demonstrated more dietary intake and inclusion at meals from street food than women. Conclusions: This study indicates a significant contribution of street food for urban consumers but men derive more benefit than women in terms of nutrient intake and inclusion of street food in meals