Note and Comment

The Federal Courts and Local Law in Porto Rico; The Investigation of Corporate Monopolies; Compelling the Production of Corporation Books and Papers; Goods Damages by Act of God Because of a Carrier\u27s Negligent Delay; The Effect of Dogmatic Changes Upon the Legal Status of a Church; Bays and Gulfs as Territory of the Adjoining Nation

Gender and language in sub-Saharan African contexts: Issues and challenges

In this paper, we examine a range of issues associated with the study of gender and language in sub-Saharan African contexts. These include whether (and in what sense) such contexts may constitute a ‘special case’, the relevance of feminism, and what might be encompassed by ‘context’, ‘African contexts’ and ‘African topics’ – and a substantial amount of what we write is relevant to Applied Linguistics in Africa more broadly (see Makoni and Meinhof 2004 for a discussion). We argue that while all the gender issues are of interest and importance to language and gender study in general, it is possible to see some of these issues as ‘characteristic’ of African contexts (albeit with ‘echoes’ elsewhere). It will be evident from this first paper (and those which follow) that along with taking on board commonalities in terms of the theoretical notions used in our field in African and non-African contexts, there is also a need to recognise a range of situated understandings of gender identities, gender relations, understandings of gender more broadly, and feminism

Smoke Point in Co-flow Experiment

The Smoke Point In Co-flow Experiment (SPICE) determines the point at which gas-jet flames (similar to a butane-lighter flame) begin to emit soot (dark carbonaceous particulate formed inside the flame) in microgravity. Studying a soot emitting flame is important in understanding the ability of fires to spread and in control of soot in practical combustion systems space. Previous experiments show that soot dominates the heat emitted from flames in normal gravity and microgravity fires. Control of this heat emission is critical for prevention of the spread of fires on Earth and in space for the design of efficient combustion systems (jet engines and power generation boilers). The onset of soot emission from small gas jet flames (similar to a butane-lighter flame) will be studied to provide a database that can be used to assess the interaction between fuel chemistry and flow conditions on soot formation. These results will be used to support combustion theories and to assess fire behavior in microgravity. The Smoke Point In Co-flow Experiment (SPICE) will lead to a o improved design of practical combustors through improved control of soot formation; o improved understanding of and ability to predict heat release, soot production and emission in microgravity fires; o improved flammability criteria for selection of materials for use in the next generation of spacecraft. The Smoke Point In Co-flow Experiment (SPICE) will continue the study of fundamental phenomena related to understanding the mechanisms controlling the stability and extinction of jet diffusion flames begun with the Laminar Soot Processes (LSP) on STS-94. SPICE will stabilize an enclosed laminar flame in a co-flowing oxidizer, measure the overall flame shape to validate the theoretical and numerical predictions, measure the flame stabilization heights, and measure the temperature field to verify flame structure predictions. SPICE will determine the laminar smoke point properties of non-buoyant jet diffusion flames (i.e., the properties of the largest laminar jet diffusion flames that do not emit soot) for several fuels under different nozzle diameter/co-flow velocity configurations. Luminous flame shape measurements would also be made to verify models of the flame shapes under co-flow conditions. The smoke point is a simple measurement that has been found useful to study the influence of flow and fuel properties on the sooting propensity of flames. This information would help support current understanding of soot processes in laminar flames and by analogy in turbulent flames of practical interest

Note and Comment

Is a Divorce Granted Where One Only of the Parties is domiciled Entitled to Full Faith and Credit?; Laibiltiy of Water Companies for Fire Losses; Diversion of Subterranean Percolating Waters; Women as Notaries Public

A Data-Driven Design Evaluation Tool for Handheld Device Soft Keyboards

Thumb interaction is a primary technique used to operate small handheld devices such as smartphones. Despite the different techniques involved in operating a handheld device compared to a personal computer, the keyboard layouts for both devices are similar. A handheld device keyboard that considers the physical capabilities of the thumb may improve user experience. We developed and applied a design evaluation tool for different geometries of the QWERTY keyboard using a performance evaluation model. The model utilizes previously collected data on thumb motor performance and posture for different tap locations and thumb movement directions. We calculated a performance index (PITOT, 0 is worst and 2 is best) for 663 designs consisting in different combinations of three variables: the keyboard's radius of curvature (R) (mm), orientation (O) (°), and vertical location on the screen (L). The current standard keyboard performed poorly (PITOT = 0.28) compared to other designs considered. Keyboard location (L) contributed to the greatest variability in performance out of the three design variables, suggesting that designers should modify this variable first. Performance was greatest for designs in the middle keyboard location. In addition, having a slightly upward curve (R = −20 mm) and orientated perpendicular to the thumb's long axis (O = −20°) improved performance to PITOT = 1.97. Poorest performances were associated with placement of the keyboard's spacebar in the bottom right corner of the screen (e.g., the worst was for R = 20 mm, O = 40°, L = Bottom (PITOT = 0.09)). While this evaluation tool can be used in the design process as an ergonomic reference to promote user motor performance, other design variables such as visual access and usability still remain unexplored

Note and Comment

Admiralty Rule of Care and Cure A Limit of Liability - One of the very ancient doctrines of the general maritime law is that a sailor injured in the service of the ship is entitled to care and cure at the expense of the ship, and to his wages, but nothing more in the nature of damages for negligence of the master or others of the ship\u27s company. In the sixth article of the Rooles d\u27Oleron, for example, it is said,--- But if by the master\u27s orders and commands any of the ship\u27s company be in the service of the ship, and thereby happen to be wounded or otherwise hurt, in that case they shall be cured and provided for at the costs and charges of the said ship. - ils doivent itre gueris et fians~s sur le cout de ladite izef. To the same effect in the older codes commonly spoken of as the Rhodian Sea Law, see Ashburner, sub-title Mariners and elaborate discussions in Reed v. Canfield, i Sumn., 195 and City of Alexandria, 17 Fed., 390. While this rule has been very firmly fixed in the admiralty courts, Osceola, i89 U. S., 158, there has been debate about its enforcement in courts of the common law. A sailor suing in the admiralty for negligence of his superior officers would fail if he had received care and cure, Bunker Hill, 198 Fed., 587, while at common law he might recover damages as in an ordinary action of tort. Thompson v. Hermann, 47 Wis., 6o2. See Kalleck v. Deering, 161 Mass., 469; Hedley v. S. S. Co. [i894], A. C. 22z

Cross-sectional survey of off-label and unlicensed prescribing for inpatients at a paediatric teaching hospital in Western Australia

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of off-label and unlicensed prescribing in inpatients at a major paediatric teaching hospital in Western Australia and to identify which drugs are commonly prescribed off-label or unlicensed, including factors influencing such prescribing. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in June, 2013. Patient and prescribing data were collected from 190 inpatient medication chart records which had been randomly selected from all admissions during the second week of February 2013. Drugs were catego-rised as licensed, off-label or unlicensed, according to their approved Australian registration product information (PI). All drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code. Results There were 120 male and 70 female inpatients. The average age was 6.0 years (± 4.7). The study included 1160 prescribed drugs suitable for analysis. The number of drugs prescribed per patient ranged from 1 to 25 with an average of 6.1 (± 4.3). More than half (54%) were prescribed off-label. Oxycodone, clonidine, parecoxib and midazolam were always prescribed off-label. The most common off-label drugs were ondansetron (18.5%), fentanyl (12.9%), oxycodone (8.8%) and paracetamol (6.1%). Many ATC classifications included high off-label proportions especially the genitourinary system and sex hormones, respiratory system drugs, systemic hormonal preparations and alimentary tract and metabolism drugs. Conclusions: This study highlights that prescribing of paediatric drugs needs to be better supported by existing and new evidence. Incentives should be established to foster the conduct of evidence-based studies in the paediatric population. The current level of off-label prescribing raises issues of unexpected toxicity and adverse drug effects in children that are in some cases severely ill

Note and Comment

Maritime Liens - Personality of Ship - In Coal Company v. Fisheries Company (Advanced Sheets, Nov. 15, ig2o), the Supreme Court denies a lien for supplies of coal furnished the owner of a fleet of vessels for use thereon and, incidentally, brings into stronger relief the admiralty doctrine of the personality of the ship as distinguished from that of the owner. At the time the arrangement was made, the shipowner was without money or credit and could not enter upon its operations without a supply of coal for its ships and factories. The Coal Company agreed to supply its requirements on the understanding that, while some of the fuel would be used on shore, the greater part would be consumed by the vessels and that it would have a maritime lien therefor. All deliveries were made at the shipowner\u27s factories and. the ships were fueled from its bins in quantities of which accurate accounts were kept. Towards the close of the season of navigation, the vessels were sold under a foreclosure of mortgage and the Coal Company asserted its lien by proceedings in rein against them. In affirming the decree of the Court of Appeals dismissing the libels, the Supreme Court points out that the maritime lien provided by the Act of June 23, 191O, rests upon a furnishing of supplies to the vessel and not to the owner for such appropriation to the vessel as h

Note and Comment

The Passing of State Control over Railway Rates; Constitutionality of the New York Workmen\u27s Compensation Act; Must a Passenger Go on the Same Train with His Baggage?; Implied Reservation of Easements; Extent of the City\u27s Right, Under the Power of Eminent Domain, to Exemption from Liability for Consequential Damages Under the Rule of Damnum Absque Injuria

They [do more than] Interrupt Us from Sadness: Exploring the impact of participatory music making on social determinants of health and wellbeing for refugees in Australia

This paper reports on the outcomes of an exploratory narrative study on the impact of participatory music making on social determinants of health (SDOH) and wellbeing for refugees in Brisbane, Australia. A key component of this exploratory research was to map health and wellbeing outcomes of music participation using an existing SDOH framework developed by researchers in the field of health promotion (Schulz & Northridge, 2004). This paper maps reported health and wellbeing outcomes for five refugee and asylum seeker members of a participatory Brisbane-based music initiative, the Scattered People, along an SDOH continuum ranging from individual level through to macro level fundamental determinants of health.While most themes emerging from this study corresponded to distinct categories in the Schulz and Northridge SDOH framework, three key aspects, which were critical to the achievement of wellbeing for participants, did not fit any of the pre-defined categories. These were: cultural expression, music making, and consolidation of personal and social identity. The importance of those themes to participants suggests that music and wellbeing studies involving culturally diverse groups and from a SDOH perspective may need to consider broader, more relevant concepts. The paper provides recommendations for future interdisciplinary research in this field.