Real entire functions with real zeros and a conjecture of Wiman

If f is a real entire function and ff" has only real zeros then f belongs to the Laguerre-Polya class, the closure of the set of real polynomials with real zeros. This result completes a long line of development originating from a conjecture of Wiman in 1914.Comment: 17 pages, LaTe

Objective Reconstructions of the Late Wisconsinan Laurentide Ice Sheet and the Significance of Deformable Beds

A three dimensional steady state plastic ice model; the present surface topography (on a 50 km grid); a recent concensus of the Late Wisconsinan maximum margin (PREST, 1984); and a simple map of ice yield stress are used to model the Laurentide Ice Sheet. A multi-domed, asymmetric reconstruction is computed without prior assumptions about flow lines. The effects of possible deforming beds are modelled by using the very low yield stress values suggested by MATHEWS (1974). Because of low yield stress (deforming beds) the model generates thin ice on the Prairies, Great Lakes area and, in one case, over Hudson Bay. Introduction of low yield stress (deformabie) regions also produces low surface slopes and abrupt ice flow direction changes. In certain circumstances large ice streams are generated along the boundaries between normal yield stress (non-deformable beds) and low yield stress ice (deformabie beds). Computer models are discussed in reference to the geologically-based reconstructions of SHILTS (1980) and DYKE ef al. (1982).À partir d'un modèle théorique tridimensionnel de plasticité de la glace, de la topographie actuelle (sur un canevas de 50 km2), du nouveau consensus quant à la limite maximale de la marge glaciaire (PREST, 1984) et d'une carte des seuils de plasticité de la glace, les auteurs ont élaboré des modèles de la calotte glaciaire laurentidienne. On a donc reconstitué par ordinateur une calotte asymétrique à dômes multiples, sans idée préconçue quant aux directions de l'écoulement des glaces. On a évalué les conséquences de la présence éventuelle de lits non résistants en se fondant sur les très bas seuils de plasticité de la glace proposés par MATHEWS (1974). En raison des bas seuils de plasticité (lits non résistants), les modèles démontrent qu'une glace peu épaisse couvrait les Prairies et la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que la baie d'Hudson, dans un des deux cas. La prise en considération de régions à bas seuils de plasticité (lits non résistants) montre également la présence de pentes faibles et des changements brusques de direction de l'écoulement glaciaire. Dans certains cas, de grands courants glaciaires se manifestent le long des limites entre les endroits où les seuils de plasticité sont normaux (lits rigides) et les endroits où les seuils de plasticité sont bas (lits non résistants). Les modèles obtenus par ordinateur sont ensuite comparés aux reconstitutions de SHILTS (1980) et de DYKE et al. (1982), élaborées à partir des données géologiques.Ein dreidimensionales konstantes Modell der Eis-Plastizitat, die gegenwàrtige Oberflâchentopographie (auf einem Gitternetz von 50 km), ein neuer Konsensus ùber den maximalen glazialen Rand des spâten Wisconsin (PREST, 1984) und eine einfache Karte der Eis-Plastizitàts-Schwelle werden benutzt, um ein Modell der Laurentischen Eisdecke herzustellen. Eine vielfach gewôlbte, asymmetrische Rekonstruktion ist hergestellt worden, ohne vorgefapte Meinung ùber die Richtung des FlieBens. Die Wirkungen von môglicherweise vorhandenen nachgiebigen Betten werden mittels der sehr niedrigen Eisplastizitàtsschwelle, wie sie von MATHEWS (1974) vorgeschlagen wird, im Modell gestaltet. Wegen der niedrigen Plastizitâtsschwelle (nachgiebige Betten) zeigt das Modell dùnnes Eis in den Prairies, der Gegend der grofien Seen und in einem Fall ùber der Hudson Bay. Die Berùcksichtigung von Gebieten mit niedriger Plastizitàtsschwelle (nachgiebige Betten) fùhrt auch zu niedrigen Hàngen und abrupten Wechseln in der Richtung des EisflieBens. Unter gewissen Bedingungen bilden sich breite Eisstrôme entlang der Grenzèn zwischen Gegenden mit normaler Eisplastizitât (bestândige Betten) und geringer Eisplastizitàt (nachgiebige Betten). Durch Computer erstellte Modelle werden in Bezug auf die geologisch erarbeiteten Rekonstruktionen von SHILTS (1980) und DYKE et al. (1982) diskutiert

Human Skin Temperature and Biological Clocks: A Laboratory Exercise for Physiology Students

A simple laboratory experiment is described, consisting of taking the mean temperature between two fingers of human subjects. The results from comparing male and female students is presented. The change in skin temperature over four hours is documented, to demonstrate the importance of doing standardized experiments at the same time of day

Factors influencing students in choosing to study pharmacy in Great Britain

Aim - To produce empirical evidence on the commitment to study pharmacy in terms of what motivates and influences students in their choice of subject and university. Design - Self-completion survey. Quantitative analysis by SPSS. Subjects and setting - Year 1 and year 4 undergraduates in schools of pharmacy in Great Britain. Results - The response rate was 35.2%. Students registered a high desire to study pharmacy; 73% of year 1 and 71% of year 4 placed it first priority at the time of application. Of those for whom it was not first choice, medicine was the preferred option. The two most important factors in choice were reputation of the school of pharmacy and reputation of the university. Conclusion - This study confirms that most applicants to study pharmacy were strongly committed to the subject. In addition, this study has allowed us to put an empirical figure to the proportion of students who at the time of applying for pharmacy would rather study medicine

Developing the public health function of locum pharmacists under the auspices of the new pharmacy contract

Focal Point - There are reduced opportunities for locum pharmacists to access training and education that meets their needs and enables them to play a full role under the new pharmacy contract - Eighty-six per cent of locums consider themselves to be more health professional than business person, compared to just 48% of pharmacy owners - Forty per cent of locums believe that a lack of access to training is a major barrier to the development of their public health function - While locum pharmacists are arguably more likely to embrace 'professionalising', patient-care-based roles, they are also the group least likely to be able to access the necessary training to fulfill such roles Introduction It has been suggested that locum pharmacists do not want the business-based responsibilities (e.g. staff management, meeting targets, etc) that come with pharmacy management.1 Research also suggests that locums derive great satisfaction from the health-professional aspects of the pharmacists’ role (e.g. patient contact, the provision of advice, etc).1 However, upon the introduction of the new pharmacy contract (April 2005), concerns were expressed that it was becoming increasingly difficult for locum pharmacists to access training and education that would meet their needs and enable them to play a full role under the new framework.2,3 Method After piloting, in August 2006 a self-completion postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of practising community pharmacists, stratified for country and sex, within Great Britain (n = 1998), with a follow-up to non-responders 4 weeks later. Data were analysed using SPSS (v12.0). A final response rate of 51% (n = 1023/1998) was achieved. Respondents were asked ‘indicate how you view yourself as a pharmacist’ – in terms of their relative focus on the health-professional and business aspects of their role. Respondents were also asked ‘do you consider a lack of training opportunities to be a barrier to the development of the public health role of community pharmacists?’. Results Locums were significantly more likely than owners or employees to consider each factor a major barrier. Discussion Four in 10 locums consider a lack of training opportunities to constitute a major barrier to the development of their public health function. Pharmacy may not be able to provide the services required of it by the policy agenda if pharmacists are unable to be involved in extended role activities through a lack of training opportunities. Therefore, the paradox that needs to be addressed is that while locum pharmacists are arguably more likely to embrace ‘professionalising’, patient-care-based roles, they are also the group least likely to be able to access training to fulfil such roles. The training needs of this large subset of the pharmacist population need to be assessed and met if the whole community pharmacy workforce is going to maximise its contribution to public health under the new contractual framework. References 1 Shann P, Hassell K. An exploration of the diversity and complexity of the pharmacy locum workforce. London: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; 2004. 2 Almond M. Locums – key players in workforce – cast adrift as contract launched. Pharm J 2005;274:420. 3 Bishop DH. A lack of appreciation of what really happens. Pharm J 2005;274:451

Community pharmacy in a commissioning-led NHS:can pharmacy compete effectively?

Introduction – The commissioning of services has been a core responsibility of English Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) since 2002. Primary care organisations (PCOs) in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also increased their commissioning activities but with, arguably, less fervour than their English counterparts. The commissioning function of English PCTs has been reinforced by the introduction of new contractual frameworks across primary care – for medical services, dentistry and pharmacy. The new pharmaceutical services contract for England and Wales introduced an “enhanced” category of services, the provision of which is dependent on the commissioning decisions of local PCTs. As the NHS, most pertinently in England, continues its transformation from a provider to a commissioner of healthcare, the ability of pharmacy to compete effectively for funding is likely to become increasingly important. Method - After piloting, in August 2006 a self-completion postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of practising community pharmacists, stratified for country and sex, within Great Britain (n=1998), with a follow-up to non-responders 4 weeks later. Data were analysed using SPSS (v12.0). A final response rate of 51% (n=1023/1998) was achieved. Within the section of the questionnaire relating to service provision, respondents were asked “do you believe that pharmacy will be able to compete effectively with other healthcare providers for access to additional funding to develop services that address a public health need identified by your local Primary Care Organisation (PCO), e.g. PCT/LHB etc.?”. Answers were recorded on a three-point scale; pharmacy “will”, “may”, or “will not” be able to compete effectively for funding. Results - The attitudes of pharmacists showed variation depending on the type of pharmacy they worked in (supermarket, multiple (outlets (n)=200), large chain (200>n>20), small chain (20=n>5), or independent (n=5)) (?2 test with p=0.001). Over a third of survey pharmacists working in small chains and independents (37% (n=21/57) and 33% (n=113/341) respectively) believed that pharmacy would not be able to compete effectively for funding compared to 23% (n=15/65) for supermarket pharmacists, 22% (n=21/97) for pharmacists employed by large chains and just 18% (n=62/353) for pharmacists employed most regularly in multiples. Furthermore, attitudes also varied between the countries of residence of respondents (?2 test with p<0.05). 27% (n=242/893) of pharmacists resident in England and Wales believed that pharmacy would not be able to compete compared to 16% (n=18/116) of pharmacists resident in Scotland. Conclusions – It would appear that community pharmacists believe that the larger pharmacy chains and supermarkets will occupy an advantageous position in terms of attracting finance to develop services. This could have notable implications for service provision across the sector. If corporate pharmacy chains were to monopolise commissioning monies then the proportion of funding available to independents will be diminished; arguably further hastening their demise, as well as stifling the professional development of pharmacists employed within the independent sector. These findings, when combined with the variation observed between UK pharmacists operating under different contractual frameworks, may be a reflection of the divergent policy in the different administrations with developments in England, including the new pharmacy contract, reflecting a market-based approach with Scotland taking a near opposite stance with service integration and a commitment to new public health. However, it should be acknowledged that the questionnaire did not allow for detection of ambiguities in, or misunderstandings of, the survey question and this should be considered as a limitation of the research

The Schwarzian derivative and the Wiman-Valiron property

Consider a transcendental meromorphic function in the plane with finitely many critical values, such that the multiple points have bounded multiplicities and the inverse function has finitely many transcendental singularities. Using the Wiman-Valiron method it is shown that if the Schwarzian derivative is transcendental then the function has infinitely many multiple points, the inverse function does not have a direct transcendental singularity over infinity, and infinity is not a Borel exceptional value. The first of these conclusions was proved by Nevanlinna and Elfving via a fundamentally different method