The decline of infant mortality, 1871-1911: a medical conundrum ; the case of Nuneaton (Warwickshire) in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

This study forms part of a larger research project investigating the causes for the decline in infant mortality in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in localised areas of England. The work of this study looks at Nuneaton in Warwickshire, a small town greatly dependent upon the ribbon weaving industry in the early nineteenth century, the decline of which affected the development of an improved standard of living in the town. The later growth of the East Warwickshire coal field, and other industries, resulted in the rapid expansion of the town in the last years of the century. Data gathered from the Vaccination Registers and the Return of Infant Deaths enabled an investigation to be made into the families experiencing multiple infant deaths during the period 1881 to 1891. Details from local studies, Board of Health Minutes and two major reports to the Board allowed the effects of the families’ environment to be taken into consideration when assessing the causes of the infant mortality in the Nuneaton Union. These findings were related to the views of the Medical Officer of Health who considered the parents to be responsible for the infant deaths. This study showed that while no one factor could be seen to have caused the decline in infant mortality, improvements in water supplies, sewage disposal, and a gradual improvement in the standard of housing combined with a decrease in fertility were the major factors in the decline in infant mortality in Nuneaton at this period

An exploratory randomised controlled trial comparing telephone and hospital follow-up after treatment for colorectal cancer

Aim:  Following treatment for colorectal cancer it is common practice for patients to attend hospital clinics at regular intervals for routine monitoring, although debate persists on the benefits of this approach. Nurse-led telephone follow-up is effective in meeting information and psycho-social needs in other patient groups. We explored the potential benefits of nurse-led telephone follow-up for colorectal cancer patients. Method:  Sixty-five patients were randomised to either telephone or hospital follow-up in an exploratory randomised trial. Results:  The telephone intervention was deliverable in clinical practice and acceptable to patients and health professionals. Seventy-five percent of eligible patients agreed to randomization. High levels of satisfaction were evident in both study groups. Appointments in the hospital group were shorter (median 14.0 minutes) than appointments in the telephone group (median 28.9 minutes). Patients in the telephone arm were more likely to raise concerns during consultations. Conclusion:  Historical approaches to follow-up unsupported by evidence of effectiveness and efficiency are not sustainable. Telephone follow-up by specialist nurses may be a feasible option. A main trial comparing hospital and telephone follow-up is justified although consideration needs to be given to trial design and practical issues related to the availability of specialist nurses at study locations

Healthcare technologies and professional vision

This paper presents some details from an observational evaluation of a computer assisted detection tool in mammography. The use of the tool, its strengths and weaknesses, are documented and its impact on reader's 'professional vision' (Goodwin 1994) considered. The paper suggests issues for the design, use and, importantly, evaluation of new technologies in everyday medical work, pointing to general issues concerning trust – users’ perception of the dependability of the evidence generated by such tools and suggesting that evaluations require an emphasis on the complex issue of what technologies afford their users in everyday work

Recent Advances in the Chemistry of SmI2–H2O

Recent work from our laboratories has shown SmI2–H2O to be a versatile, readily-accessible and non-toxic reductant that is more powerful than SmI2. This review describes the reduction of functional groups that were previously thought to lie beyond the reach of SmI2 and complexity-generating cyclisations and cyclisation cascades triggered by the reduction of the ester carbonyl group with SmI2–H2O

Abstractions, accounts and grid usability

The vision of the Grid is one of seamless, virtual and constantly changing resources where users need not concern themselves about details, such as exactly where an application is running or where their data is being stored. However, seamless and virtual often imply a lack of control that users may be wary of, or even opposed to. Drawing upon our studies of HCI and of collaborative work, this paper examines whether the Grid development community should be taking this vision literally and argues for the need for accountability of systems ‘in interaction’. We give examples of an alternative approach that seeks to provide ways in which administrators, technical support and user communities can make sense of the behaviour of the complex socio-technical ensembles that are the reality of Grids

Occurrence of and attempts to eradicate grape phylloxera (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae) in British Columbia

oai:jesbc.journals.sfu.ca:article/1817The chronological occurrence, survey methods, and eradication programs of the grape phylloxera, Phyiloxera vitifoliae (Fitch), in British Columbia are described. The insect was first found in the Okanagan Valley in 1961. Though an eradication program at that time was apparently successful, the insect reappeared in 1971. It is now well established in the area. The pest was accidentally introduced on imported vines