Bromocriptine-associated ototoxicity

Three patients treated with bromocriptine for chronic hepatic encephalopathy showed audiometric evidence of bilateral sensori-neural hearing-loss. Audiometrically, the hearing improved in all three patients when the bromocriptine dosage was reduced, thus suggesting that this drug may produce a reversible ototoxicity

An Examination of Social Adaptation Processes of Vietnamese Adolescents

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that affect the ways in which Vietnamese youth feel about themselves and their place in society. More specifically, the purpose was to determine the relationship between sociocultural factors (L e. language proficiency, length of residence, socioeconomic class, ethnic identity, and cultural continuity) and such person-oriented variables as depression and alienation. Thrity-one college and fifteen high school students responded to a series of questions about themselves, family, relationships, personality, and achievement motivation. It was found that perceived problems with one\u27s ethnic group, cultural continuity, and parental attitudes toward schooling significantly predicted depression. Degree of attachment to one\u27s ethnic community, English speaking and writing abilities, and outlets for derpession tended to predict future outlook or feelings of hope versus alienation. Several variables were highly predictive of acculturation. Some of those variables are native language ability, English speaking and writing ability, outlets for depression, and perceived problems with one\u27s ethnic group. Implications of the findings for Vietnamese youth and future directions are discussed

Theory of coupled resonator optical waveguides exhibiting high-order exceptional points of degeneracy

We present an approach and a theoretical framework for generating high-order exceptional points of degeneracy (EPDs) in photonic structures based on periodic coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROWs). Such EPDs involve the coalescence of Floquet-Bloch eigenwaves in CROWs, without the presence of gain and loss, which contrasts with the parity-time symmetry required to develop exceptional points based on gain and loss balance. The EPDs arise here by introducing symmetry breaking in a conventional chain of coupled resonators through periodic coupling to an adjacent uniform optical waveguide, which leads to unique modal characteristics that cannot be realized in conventional CROWs. Such remarkable characteristics include high quality factors (Q factors) and strong field enhancement, even without any mirrors at the two ends of a cavity. We show for the first time the capability of CROWs to exhibit EPDs of various orders, including the degenerate band edge (DBE) and the stationary inflection point. The proposed CROW of finite length shows an enhanced quality factor when operating near the DBE, and the Q factor exhibits an unconventional scaling with the CROW's length. We develop the theory of EPDs in such unconventional CROW using coupled-wave equations, and we derive an analytical expression for the dispersion relation. The proposed unconventional CROW concepts have various potential applications including Q switching, nonlinear devices, lasers, and extremely sensitive sensors

THE EFFECT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MONETARY CHANGES ON THE NAMIBIAN ECONOMY: CASE STUDY ON BEEF INDUSTRY

The aim of this study is to measure the long and short term dynamics of trade with South Africa, impact of Common Monetary Area (CMA) on the Namibian beef price. More specifically, it examines the relationship between monetary change by South African Central Bank Governor (i.e. taking exchange rate and interest rate as explanatory variables) and the beef industry a case study to the Namibian economy. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was applied by using beef price a dependent variable, with a mentioned set of explanatory variables. As the study hypothesized the study has found a significant linkage between monetary shock occurred in South Africa simultaneously affect the beef industry (or the Namibian agriculture sector in general), and also bears the burden of adjustment in the economy, that could increases farmers financial vulnerability. The dynamic relationships of trading between Namibia and South Africa, more specifically the volatile nature of rand and interest rate have influenced consumers to absorb short-run price change. This change could be substantially affecting the poor households. The result has found that Namibian consumers have to absorb the short run price overshooting, which in turn impacts on the ability to manage their cash flow. For example, the result finding shows one percent change in South Africa money supply or appreciation (depreciation) of rand leads to double change in beef price in Namibia. Due to the linkages between monetary policy variables and relative agricultural prices, it is recommended that agricultural policy makers and monetary authorities in CMA need to work closely in designing and implementing monetary policy. This is important because monetary policies meant to stabilize the economy may have less desirable impacts on farmers and consumers, especially in the short run.leader, professional environment, evolution process, evolution climate, approaching pattern.