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Ms. Lirenman has been busy this past week setting up the classroom for the 2016/2017 school year. She's super excited to meet everyone. In the meantime here is a quick sneak peek of the room. For those of you who were with Ms. Lirenman last year, how many differences can you spot?
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Thursday, 1 September 2016
It's Almost Go Time!
Posted by Ms. L and Division 15 at 21:17 0 comments
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Foresight Archives
2013 Conference Follow-Up: Illuminating Atomic Precision
Conference Follow-Up
January 11-13, 2013, Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto, California
Main Conference Web site
Conference Co-Chairs
Diamond Sponsor: The Thiel Foundation
Blending in-field conversation with cross-disciplinary stimulation
The 2013 Foresight Technical Conference – Illuminating Atomic Precision – was held on 11-13 January at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Cabana in Palo Alto. The conference was designed to bring together world leading researchers in five major areas of importance to developing atomically precise technologies, blending in-field conversation with cross-disciplinary stimulation. Over 35 invited speakers presented their latest results and perspectives on a wide variety of subjects relating to the development of atomic precision technologies. Their presentations revealed tremendous across the board progress over the past decade toward the processes, materials and devices first hinted at by Richard Feynman and explored in much greater detail by K. Eric Drexler. The conference had a palpable feeling of great excitement—of being just past an inflection point. And, by all accounts of the participants it was a huge success, stimulating not only imaginative extrapolation and some out of the box creatively but also numerous real world collaborations. (See participant's comments below.)
Pre-conference bios and abstracts are available on the conference website: www.foresight.org/conference/2013home/. Professor Neil R. Champness was quoted in the March 2013 issue of Nature Nanotechnology "Foresight technical conference 2013: Illuminating Feynman's vision" saying: "The candid nature of the conference, helped by a strict media policy, allowed free-flowing discussion of both unpublished science and exploitation of nanoscale devices in a commercial setting.". More information may be available directly from the individual speakers.
Selected Conference Videos
Videos have been posted of those presentations for which the speakers have consented. Other presentations contained confidential information and will not be posted.
In his introductory comments, Conference Co-Chair Larry S. Millstein stressed that the five sessions of the Conference were designed to bring together five research communities that have until now not had close contacts, in the hope that their interactions would accelerate progress. Similarly, the Conference's restrictive media policy was designed to accelerate progress by encouraging speakers to share with Conference participants unpublished research by assuring them that sharing these results would not interfere with their future publication. http://vimeo.com/62028032 video length 3:49.
In his introductory comments, Conference Co-Chair J. Fraser Stoddart observed that for a quarter of a century nanotechnology has been bringing together physicists, chemists, biologists, material scientists, engineers, and computational people under the banner of "nano". He referred to his own recent work as an example of the self-assembly of simple structures to produce emergent complex behavior, and expressed the desire that this assembly bringing together widely divergent scientific, technological and engineering perspectives would inspire new knowledge. http://vimeo.com/62028033 video length 7:36 bio
John Randall: "Atomically Precise Manufacturing" http://vimeo.com/62119582 video length 28:52 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Leonhard Grill: "Assembly and Manipulation of Molecules at the Atomic Scale:'Stiching and Switching'" Foresight Institute Feynman Prize winner, 2011 Experimental http://vimeo.com/62028034 video length 27:43 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Philip Moriarty: "Mechanical Atom Manipulation: Towards a Matter Compiler?" http://vimeo.com/62119583 video length 31:14 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Gerhard Klimeck: "Multi-Million Atom Simulations for Single Atom Transistor Structures" http://vimeo.com/62119885 video length 26:37 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Dean Astumian: "Microscopic Reversibility: The Organizing Principle for Molecular Machines" Foresight Institute Feynman Prize winner, 2011 Theoretical http://vimeo.com/63008846 video length 42:12 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
George Church: "Regenesis: Bionano" http://vimeo.com/63008845 video length 51:19 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Feynman Awards Banquet at Foresight Technical Conference 2013 http://vimeo.com/62119884 video length 17:58 https://www.foresight.org/conference/banquet/
Awards were presented to the winners of the 2011 Feynman Prizes Leonhard Grill of the Fritz Haber Institute, Germany, for the Experiment prize, and Raymond Astumian of the University of Maine, for the Theory prize. The winners of the 2012 Feynman Prizes were also presented: Leo Gross of IBM Research in Zurich, representing his teammates Gerhard Meyer and Jascha Repp, for the Experiment Prize, and David Soloveichik of the University of California, San Francisco, for the Theory prize. The 2012 Student Award was presented to David Walker of Northwestern University. In addition, a special appreciation prize was presented to Christine Peterson, Co-Founder and Past President of Foresight, for having been a "guiding light" and inspiration for Foresight for 26 years.
Joseph Puglisi: "Deciphering the Molecular Choreography of Translation" http://vimeo.com/62119883 video length 34:08 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
David Soloveichik: "Artificial Biochemistry with DNA" Foresight Institute Feynman Prize winner, 2012 Theoretical http://vimeo.com/62119584 video length 29:14 dna.caltech.edu/~davids/ Summary on Nanodot
Alex Wissner-Gross: "Bringing Computational Programmability to Nanostructured Surfaces" http://vimeo.com/62119585 video length 6:31 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Art Olson: "New Methods of Exploring, Analyzing, and Predicting Molecular Interactions" http://vimeo.com/63008844 video length 46:17 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
Gerhard Klimeck: "Mythbusting Knowledge Transfer Mechanisms through Science Gateways" http://vimeo.com/62119946 video length 40:28 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
William Goddard: "Nanoscale Materials, Devices, and Processing Predicted from First Principals" http://vimeo.com/62119945 video length 34:22 bio and abstract Summary on Nanodot
In his closing comments, Conference Co-Chair Larry S. Millstein noted in reference to Richard Feynman's famous 1959 talk "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" that the presentations in this Conference not only illuminated atomic precision, but showed that there is "Plenty of Room" in all directions from atomic precision: below there are sub-molecular structures like single electron gates, qubits, etc; above there is the challenge of coupling atomic phenomena to the macroscale; laterally there is communication among the different disciplines working with atomic precision. http://vimeo.com/62119886 video length 5:00
For the full conference schedule, and detailed information on sessions, speakers and talks, see the conference web site
Particpants' Comments
Quotations by permission from the evaluation forms filled out by conference participants
2014 Technical Conference
The next Foresight Conference was held February 7-9, 2014, at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto, CA USA. Additional information.
Library of Foresight Institute Conferences on Nanotechnology, 1989–2013
Library of Foresight Vision Weekends and Senior Associates Gatherings, 1992–2008
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Foresight Programs
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Web site developed by Stephan Spencer and Netconcepts; maintained by James B. Lewis Enterprises.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nov/Dec '16 #253.
Anyone else struck by the demographic difference pictured on page 47, '50s & '60s and like my memory of pix in earlier WB coverage of the Bahamian sloops, versus all the other pix in this article?
Jan/Feb '17 #254.
p.30. The paragraph that begins "A good thing about winter cruising . . . " and then the start of the next paragraph, "Cruising in Maine in winter brings out nice and helpful people." Reminds me of the winter I was tugboating and it seemed that every two week hitch on the tug had miserable weather and my two weeks off were so lovely that I ended up sailing rather than fixing the boat as planned.
Also Jan/Feb '17 #254.
Dr. Jagels comprehensively demolishes my long-held prejudices against linseed oil. Some days discovering that one has been wrong is more satisfying than being right.


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I am a reader and book evangelist. For many years I have kept a reading journal with little descriptions of the books I read and dates I read them. Kind of a trail of book bread crumbs that chart my interests over a given course of time. This blog gives me a way to continue my journal and share my reading interests with others. My latest adventures in creating, dining, and traveling can be found at my website LindasOtherLife.com
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
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37 comments
That fur collar is so beautiful. I like the colors of her look.
The cold weather is soon coming and then it is time for furs.Maybe she is trying to attract attention-who knows?
what a mess and how beautiful! i like the way the fur hangs, that masculine approach, her messy hair. lovely indeed.
i think she looks scary… with the dark eyes and all…
I agree.
I'm not sure what I feel about this photo, but I must say her eyes are hauntingly beautiful!
I like the shoes (a lot), but the rest of this does nothing for me. She looks very sloppy and disheveled.
I love this. It's so simple and depends so much on how the clothes are arranged. And the androgeny of the look–it's got that faint touch of womanly glamour but also a richness that is masculine, and of course the shirt and pants are rather neutral. Actually, this outfit would look awfully good, in a faintly-transgressive way, on the right guy (probably different shoes, though). And her scowl!
Speaking as someone of ridiculously Swedish descent, I enjoy seeing all these very obviously Swedish people–I grew up in a heavily Italian area and always felt a little freakish. The man with glasses in the plaid shirt, for example, looks tremendously like my grandfather–also a wearer of plaid shirts and very good-looking his whole life.
I find this photo alarming.
Wearing fur for warmth/necessity is one thing (think Mukluks or living in Siberia). But this is rather flagrant. Also her make-up is a bit corpse-y.
I find this to be the opposite of fashion or trendy or appealing.
she definitely has her own style, but she's looking a bit "chucky doll" to me. The ghostly eyes and the randomness of the fur stole if seen in person would make me think she may just be a little crazy, not at all fashion forward. But in the context of this site, well, that always changes things.
Still, not my fave by a long shot.
with the way she does her eyes, my first thought was 'Thriller'
very Peter Lindbergh looking girl – even though i'm not overly keen on fur, it's a great combo with the rest of the outfit.
She definitely brings the phrase "beautiful mess" to mind.
I don't think she looks sloppy and disheveled at all. She looks totally cool, artfully arranged. I like her. She looks as if she has a mind of her own.
love the effect, love the look, love the shoes. the fur, irl is creepy, but the style, the idea, is great.
wow, what an amazing look. The photo is great. Really great.
i love her eyes! like someone else said, so hauntingly beautiful.
This is horror film chic! A daintier shoe – but not too much so – would have been even more perfect.
fresh idea, unfresh presentation
Zombie chic? Perhaps. Self-expression. Definitly. Her look is half-Goodwill bag, half-middle finger to the world. This young lady has something to say, but it's being overpowered by her aggressive attitude and teenager angst.
I love it. This is style, as opposed to fashion.
That said, I'd love it more with pants that weren't pegged at the ankles.
Intriguing combo. All these simple elements topped with the fox fur. And those eyes. And that hair.
Winter in the summer. Dark in the light.
Someone to know.
Someone to know of.
– desertwind
I love this. I think it's stunning. So unfussed and yet oddly composed. A little like a painting. Or a mood.
i can't say i care for her look.. even aside from the ghoulish complexion.
She is the cutest girl in town! And her eyes looks much darker made up in the pic than in reality…
she is sooo Edward Goreyly fantastic!
Her expression certainly won't win many friends, but she is exhibiting individualism. The one thing I can't get over is her nylons. They don't match her skin, and they don't look good with the shoes.
chic and decadent at the same time, it´s hard to get an outfit like that
What a murderous look. I love it. Especially with the open shoes & tights.
she looks like she would wear that!
She looks a little like Robert Smith from The Cure
The chic fur & heels contradict vastly with the messy hair, heroin chic make-up and messy blouse.
I can't decide if this is an accident or she's just brilliant.
This is wonderful.
this seems to be a very modern approach to fur that designers should think about in this time of uncertain clinate change
You let people talk about her "ghoulish complexion" ? That's just mean – on your part as much as theirs.
You wouldn't have dared post so many negative comments if this woman was an editor or associated with French Vogue. Really troubled by your obvious and constant favoritism.
for anon 3:50pm
I think she was going for "pale drama" so I'm not sure ghoulish is a negative, I think she is a new view Goth – I think it is great she is not afraid to show a different type of beauty
I think she is prepared for the reactions she probably gets and I have even more respect for willingness to do so.
So yes maybe i do show favoritism to those willing to dare
No me gusta nada, sobre todo los ojos, parece que este bebida, en general no me va.
Looks like some animal crawled out of her armpit and around her neck and then died. Not a good thing.


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"What can we say? This is one of the greatest soul soundtracks ever! In a market that was dominated by the big-selling Shaft and Superfly albums, Roy slipped in this masterful blend of jazzy vibes and wah wah funk that's easily one of the best-composed records of the blacksploitation genre! The album's much more unified than your average funky soundtrack - and each track moves between styles that you'd hear on any of Roy's great albums from the time. There's heavy funk on the track "Brawling Broads", cool vibes and electric piano on "Aragon", off-beat jazz on "Coffy Sauna", and great soul on cuts like "Coffy Is The Color" and "Coffy Baby". Wonderful all the way through - and another jewel in the already-big crown of the great Roy Ayers!" -Dusty Groove
item # 38140


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Welcome to our small Birmingham hotel - perfectly situated for South Birmingham, Solihull, and the wider West Midlands area.
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With our excellent road transport links - we are located within easy reach of Birmingham city centre, Solihull, the NEC centre and Birmingham International Airport - Elmdon Lodge is an ideal base for work or for play.How to find us >


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Right now, I have pumpkin pie and harvest menus on the brain, plus the excitement of the Halloween weekend is just days away! My kids have finally settled on their costumes (a black cat and Stormtrooper) and we've even made our plans and travel arrangements for Thanksgiving.
But I have a confession to make. It's absolutely true that I have already fondled and nearly purchased admired a few sparkling Christmas baubles on display at local retailers, and I may or may not have made the decision to deck my halls with mostly blues with mixed metallics this year. Yes, it's true, I was quietly humming a holiday tune earlier today. So it goes without saying, I'm definitely looking forward to my copy of 'Holiday with Matthew Mead', which will be mailed to my doorstep next week!
"Holiday with Matthew Mead is a book-azine that encompasses all that I love about the holiday season: the traditions, celebrations and magic that is the holiday season. The pages of 'Holiday with Matthew Mead' are filled with fresh, easy ideas that can be achieved in two or three steps. It's a novel approach to almost everything holiday, and I hope you take a chance to pick it up and see how these updated ideas might inspire you.
With 144 pages of holiday inspiration – featuring well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch stories – and printed on beautiful paper (while not drowning in ads!), we consider 'Holiday with Matthew Mead' part book/part magazine – a publication that you will keep from year to year and add to your collection of holiday decorating, crafting and cooking magazines and books."
~ Matthew Mead, author and stylist
Matthew Mead is a expert stylist and regular contributor to Better Homes & Gardens (I always look for his table settings and seasonal vignettes!). He is also a co-editor of Flea Market Style.
Want to win yourself a copy of the book-azine 'Holiday with Matthew Mead'?
Well I have two copies to giveaway!
All you need to do is leave a comment answering this question:
What is your most prized holiday decoration? Is it your inherited vintage ornaments, your nativity, or your novelty Santa doll that shakes his booty to the tune of "Jingle Bell Rock" ? (Our family has one of those.)
Eligibility to win one of two free copies of Holiday with Matthew Mead:
1) Leave a comment naming your most prized holiday decoration.
2) Want a second chance to win? Either tweet or post about this giveaway on Facebook, then leave a second comment telling where you linked (FB or Twitter).
Giveaway ends Thursday October 28th at 8 p.m. PST (so the winners can be included in the first mailing). If you simply can't bear to wait, you can purchase a copy here and it will be in the mail to you next week!
Tomorrow, I shall return to my autumn state of mind.
See you then!


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Special occasion when Trout, Harper intersect
WASHINGTON -- Mike Trout and Bryce Harper may be inextricably linked, now and for some time to come, as phenoms of the same generation. But they are distinctly different people.
The two players met in a regular-season game for the first time Monday night, an Interleague matchup with Trout's Angels defeating Harper's Nationals, 4-2, at Nationals Park.View Full Game Coverage
WASHINGTON -- Mike Trout and Bryce Harper may be inextricably linked, now and for some time to come, as phenoms of the same generation. But they are distinctly different people.
The two players met in a regular-season game for the first time Monday night, an Interleague matchup with Trout's Angels defeating Harper's Nationals, 4-2, at Nationals Park.View Full Game Coverage
This was, not unexpectedly, the primary pregame topic at Nationals Park, and comparisons between the two players were inevitable, even though very possibly misplaced.
"It's not like he's a pitcher. He's an outfielder, we can't really compete against each other," Trout said of Harper. "We're both trying to get hits. For my game, when I try to do too much, that's when I get in trouble."
On the topic of comparisons with Harper, Trout said: "I kind of figured it. Same age, same hype. We're always going to be compared. It's pretty cool getting compared to not just Harper and stuff, but to Hall of Fame guys."
When asked a similar question about comparisons with Trout, Harper replied: "I really don't care. I couldn't care less about opinions. If they like him, they like him. If they like me, they like me. If they like both of us, then they know the game. If they don't, they're crazy.
"This game's a lot of fun to play. We're both human. We're both going to make mistakes, make errors. That's part of the game, part of our lives. It's fun to go out there and play. People blow things up to bigger proportions. That's how this world is now. That's how it is."
Asked if he compared his statistics with those of Trout, Harper said: "Not at all, because I know I'm a damn good player. He is, too. We're going to roll through baseball for the next 20 years, hopefully, and make people turn their heads. He's going to do it, and hopefully I am, too."
Harper is 21. Trout is 22. Both were Rookie of the Year Award winners in 2012. It is not as though any differences they have can be explained by generational means. Harper is an edgier character than Trout. Trout is, as a public person at least, the more genial of the two.
These comparisons, of course, may be easier for Trout, because he has enjoyed the larger level of success. He is operating on a level seldom reached by any player.
The veteran Raul Ibanez, whose ninth-inning, pinch-hit three-run double made the difference for the Angels on Monday night, said: "Mike Trout is probably as good a player as the world has ever seen."
The contemporary player Trout is most often compared with is not Harper, but Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers.
The last two seasons have been filled with these comparisons. Advanced metrics have indicated that Trout is the best player in all of baseball. The Baseball Writers' Association of America has in both 2012 and '13, named Cabrera as the Most Valuable Player Award winner in the American League.
Harper and Trout praised each other repeatedly and with apparent sincerity on Monday. But the idea of comparing anybody, other than Cabrera, to Trout, is probably not a useful exercise. And this does not mean that Harper will not achieve his own kind of greatness.
"I don't think it's fair," Nats manager Matt Williams said of comparisons between Harper and Trout. "Everybody brings a different set of tools to the table. Bryce is one of our main guys. We rely on him. And the Angels rely on Mike.
"The comparison is natural, I think, because of all that's been written and all that's been documented, and all that. But it's probably a little unfair to compare them, because they're two very different players. They both have exceptional tools and exceptionally high ceilings. But to compare them, I don't think Bryce compares himself to Mike, or vice-versa. And we certainly don't do that."
Halos manager Mike Scioscia essentially voted no on the Trout vs. Harper storyline.
"This series is not Mike Trout vs. Bryce Harper," Scioscia said. "Those are two guys who are in a different class of player than you're going to see, and you get a chance to see them on the same field, but they're both going to do what they can do to help their team win. That's what it's about."
Scioscia was on the right track there. Neither Trout, who had two singles in five at-bats, nor Harper, who was 0-for-3 with a walk, was a dominant figure on this night. But with these two, the possibility of greatness is ever-present.
One way or another, when two players who represent the future of baseball have their paths intersect, there is bound to be considerable attention paid, and yes, comparisons made. They are different people, but Trout and Harper have the kind of ability and competitive fire that make this joint appearance a truly special occasion.
Mike Bauman is a national columnist for MLB.com.


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Latest News
Turned away, Mexican women giving birth outside hospitals
The pangs were quickening when Nancy Salazar Lopez arrived at a hospital in the remote city of Huajuapan de Leon in Oaxaca one recent Sunday. She felt her baby was coming.
But doctors did a cursory check and said she wasn't ready. They asked her to return in a few hours. She did, again and again. They kept turning her away, the last time after her water had already broken and blood dribbled down her legs.
"They said there weren't enough doctors," said Salazar's mother, Jesus Ofelia Lopez Cisneros, a 47-year-old ethnic Mazatec, one of 15 major indigenous groups that live in the southern Mexican state.
Her daughter gave birth that evening on the hospital's concrete steps, unable to gain entry. As the birth took place, a crowd gathered. The father swaddled the newborn in a cloth. A physician emerged after more than five minutes.
"They were shouting at him. They said he was an idiot, that he should help her," Lopez said. The physician asked for forceps to clip the umbilical cord. A second doctor emerged and helped lift the mother onto a gurney.
The birth of Salazar's child Jan. 26 on the periphery of the main state hospital here is far from unusual. Seven times since mid-2013, women have given birth on the lawns or steps of hospitals or health clinics in the states of Oaxaca and Puebla. The cases are known largely because bystanders snapped photos or took videos, and later posted images on the Internet.
The cases almost always involve darker-skinned women _ mostly indigenous, as Mexico's native groups are known _ and they've laid bare the discrimination that some patients say underlies Mexico's health care system. A cardboard sign taped to the wall outside the General Hospital here says, "Enough of racism!" But the cases also expose shortcomings in policies that have swamped hospitals with routine pregnancies that could be cared for in health clinics or even at home with the help of midwives.
Spooked by the national publicity given to the cases in Oaxaca, the third poorest of Mexico's 31 states, state Health Secretary German Tenorio Vasconcelos has said that he's fired four physicians and suspended two in cases where pregnant women have been denied entry to clinics or hospitals.
He cited a "mixture of carelessness and medical inexperience" and said he'd uphold a "zero tolerance" policy to ensure that doctors attended to all pregnant women in a timely fashion.
Independent experts on maternal care scoff at such assertions, saying that punishing doctors is the easy way out for health officials who don't want to confront the broader problems of an overburdened system they helped create.
"I've said it to the secretary's face: He is looking for scapegoats. These measures are totally oriented to the media," said Paola Sesia, a U.S.-educated medical anthropologist who works at the Oaxaca branch of the Center for Research and Advanced Studies in Social Anthropology.
After being turned away three times over a period of seven hours, a pregnant 16-year-old gave birth last week in a car outside the clinic in Salina Cruz, a Oaxacan port. The physician in charge was immediately suspended.
The case of another young Mazatec woman raced across the Internet in early October. When Irma Lopez Aurelio went to a state health clinic in the town of Jalapa de Diaz, personnel wouldn't admit her, saying no doctor was available.
Photos later showed a grimacing Lopez, wearing a maroon print dress, dropped on one knee, with her newborn son, Sabino, on the grass on clinic grounds.
Lopez's husband, Margarito Andres Velazquez, later complained of how long it took state health officials to acknowledge that they'd mistreated his wife, and that happened only after a team from one of Latin America's largest television networks showed up.
"The cameras from Univision arrived before the secretary" of health, he told reporters.
Cameras in cellphones have, indeed, highlighted the treatment of indigenous women at hospitals across Mexico, bringing to light conditions that were barely noticed before.
Maria del Carmen Oseguera, 21, gave birth on the waiting room floor of a women's hospital in Tehuacan, in Puebla state, on Sept. 7.
It took more than a month before a witness in the room uploaded a video of the scene to YouTube. In the video, one can hear Oseguera's husband, Ricardo Tehuintle Baez, complaining to hospital personnel. A receptionist responds: "There are few of us for so many people." The husband is then heard saying, "But I came here yesterday!"
The quasi-official human rights defender in Oaxaca state, Arturo Peimbert Calvo, said of such videos, "Technology has turned into an ally in providing testimony of violations of human rights."
While some activists chalk up such cases to racial discrimination, other experts say that more complex factors come into play, including attitudes of superiority by medical personnel toward poorer patients, especially women who speak an indigenous language.
"The women arrive and say, 'I'm about to give birth.' They say, 'No, you're not ready yet,' " said Maria Cristina Galante of Nueve Lunas, a nonprofit advocacy group for maternal health in the Oaxacan capital.
"The doctors speak to them in medical terms – 'Your cervix isn't fully dilated' – and the women don't understand," said Ana Maria Hernandez, a women's rights activist and the head of the nonprofit Consortium for Parliamentary Dialogue and Fairness in Oaxaca.
The state has seen dramatic changes in the way maternal health care is provided over the past three decades. In the 1980s, more than half of births took place at home, usually in rural areas, attended by midwives.
After a 1983 constitutional amendment gave every Mexican the legal right to health care, state governments began to react. By the early 2000s, eager to reduce maternal mortality rates that were nearly double the national average, Oaxaca mandated that all pregnant women should give birth in health clinics or hospitals.
Since then, clinics and hospitals have been flooded with pregnant women, without a corresponding increase in personnel.
At rural clinics, sometimes only a newly graduated physician completing mandatory public service is on call, and wary of mishandling patients.
"They are all afraid of the repercussions because if there is a maternal death, it's on their hands," Galante said.
So they often send women on to the state's 40 or so hospitals _ either under state or federal administration _ where doctors, if swamped, may take advantage of a quota that allows them to say cesareans are needed and pass them along to private hospitals, where many doctors also work on their off hours.
When pregnant women are referred to the private hospitals, the state reimburses doctors the equivalent of $1,750 for the caesarean, an incentive.
"Almost no one talks about this because it touches on the mafia that surrounds health policy," Galante said.
Still, many pregnant women find themselves pacing outside hospitals or sitting in waiting rooms, waiting for admission.
Angel Sanchez, a 27-year-old day laborer whose wife gave birth on the hospital steps in this city, said there were about three other pregnant women waiting for spots ahead of his wife when "she suddenly said, 'I can't take it anymore.' "
Sanchez said medical personnel had told all the women to pace the sidewalk to speed contractions.
"There are many women suffering outside because they don't want to see them inside," Sanchez said.


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Publications Tagged: exit strategy
- Added October 01, 2005
- Precedents, Variables, and Options in Planning a U.S. Military Disengagement Strategy from Iraq. Authored by Dr. W. Andrew Terrill, Dr. Conrad C. Crane.
- The questions of how to empower the Iraqis most effectively and then progressively withdraw non-Iraqi forces from that country is one of the most important policy problems currently facing the United States. The authors seek to present the U.S. situation in Iraq in all of its complexity and ambiguity, with policy recommendations for how that withdrawal strategy might be most effectively implemented.
- Added January 01, 2002
- The Intervention Debate: Towards a Posture of Principled Judgment. Authored by Dr. John Garofano.
- The 1990s showed the extremes of deciding when and how to use force, one of the central elements of strategy. Debate has raged over whether force is appropriate only in defense of the homeland and vital national interests or whether it should also be used to promote more expansive objectives. He concludes with a discussion of Army roles and requirements for future contingencies.


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Her fitness mantra is "do not start with a diet that has an expiration date, instead, focus on a healthy lifestyle that will last forever". Disti has completed post graduation in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also a certified Diabetes Educator.
She is keen on bringing together her acquired knowledge on nutrition and other health aspects with people's goals to achieve a healthy life. For her fitness is not being better than someone else; it's about being better than who we used to be. "We don't have to be great to start, but we have to start to be great". So give your best!
She can be reached at email@example.com for any consults.


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David Matthews
Composes in the great inherited forms of the past – symphony, string quartet, lately oratorio – and finds new ways of renewing them * Music Advisor to the English Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Deal Festival * Written five symphonies and ten string quartets; also four symphonic poems – two of which; In the Dark Time and Chaconne, have recently been recorded by the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the NMC label * Holds an Honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Nottingham * Numerous chamber works include commissions by the Schubert Ensemble, Nash Ensemble, Brodsky Quartet, Brindisi Quartet and many others; vocal music includes a dramatic scena, Cantiga, for soprano and orchestra, premiered at the 1988 Proms, and a large-scale Vespers for soloists, chorus and orchestra for the Huddersfield Choral Society * Recent large-scale work, Concerto in Azzurro is a cello concerto for Steven Isserlis and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and was premiered in October 2002 in Swansea with Richard Hickox
Works by David Matthews include:
September Music (1979) for small orchestra
Serenade (1982) for chamber orchestra
Duet Variations (1982) for flute and piano
David Matthews's early output is published by Boosey & Hawkes.
His later output is published by Faber Music Ltd.
Publications of music by David Matthews are available on sale from our online Music Shop.
Also visit the David Matthews website at www.david-matthews.co.uk


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Get your friends in pure arcade cooperative violence. You are a gang of merciless mercenaries hired to spread chaos and death across the colorful SugarLand. Pick up one the The Sugar KillerZ and start the hell: The Bad, The Mad, The Dumb and The Cool are absolutely nuts (literally). Be ready for a crazy wild action to be played with three mates or with advanced A.I. companions. Attention: this game can make you laugh to death. Features: - Pure coop gameplay with "Save me" mechanics - A.I. companions to assist the player with different play styles - Slow motion power for juicy blood baths - Wild and hilarious play style - Cute creatures to annihilate in intense raids - Addictive and fresh enemy mechanics - More than 1 hour of great music by Acid Rider - Hand made 2D Graphics - 30+ Locations tied together seamlessly - 300+ Frames of animations - 300+ Crazy sound effects - Compatible with every PC gamepad - It runs smoothly on low end PCs, even Netbooks
from the demo the game looks really neat! We made a similar game named Miner Warfare and when i saw this i feared the two concepts were the same, luckily set aside the similarity of subjects gameplay couldn't be more different :-D Great job by the devs!
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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has defended team-mate Danny Welbeck against accusations that he does not score enough goals.
After a slow start to the season, Rooney's rich vein of form continued against Fulham on Saturday, when he notched his 13th goal of the campaign to seal a 1-0 away win at Craven Cottage.
It means Rooney now has 10 goals in 10 games and, with Manchester City failing to beat Liverpool, the Reds now have a nine-point advantage at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.
Yet manager Sir Alex Ferguson has still found himself having to fend off criticism of certain players.
On Friday the Scot got notably irritable when he was questioned about the fact Welbeck has only netted once this term, pointing out a lack of goalscoring from centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in comparison.
Welbeck did finish 2012 as top England scorer with five goals, although Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has also indicated he needs to increase his output in order to reach his full potential.
But, with Robin van Persie enjoying such a superb debut campaign at Old Trafford, 22-year-old Welbeck has not had that many opportunities in his favoured central striking role.
And Rooney has now stated his backing for Welbeck, who will also be a team-mate for England's friendly against Brazil at Wembley on Wednesday, when - with Tottenham's Jermain Defoe injured and Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge unlikely to be fit either - the pair could be joined together in attack.
"Everyone labels him as a striker, which I have had at times when I have played in different positions," Rooney said.
"Then someone says I haven't scored for eight games when I hadn't played up front.
"Danny has been out wide a lot this season. He works hard and brings a lot of energy to the team.
"He is a great player and his time will come when he gets that run up front. Then I am sure then he will score goals."
What is your verdict on Welbeck's performance this season? Have your say.


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My grandmother would straight up have a heart attack if she saw so many animals in the house — it's entirely inappropriate because animals, especially farm animals, belong outside. Unless of course they're baby animals that behave as adorably as these do. Then they can not only be inside, but they can sleep in the bed, all in a big, fuzzy pile, like stuffed animals only with poop and personal responsibility.
via Buzzfeed


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mSurvey is a mobile data collection tool that collects information by SMS . They have captured insights ranging from comfort levels in matatus that ply South C,to the type of Nairobian that shows up at Nyayo Stadium to watch Harambee stars. They have even generated an interactive visualization that shows the migration patterns of people who have come in and out of Nairobi over the past 30 years!
"Our team is committed to the advancement of Kenya as a global economic player. We have a new constitution and a new government that is committed to fostering a knowledge-based economy. The mSurvey do it yourself tool is the first of many products we're offering as a sign of our dedication to our country's development goals", Says Louis Majanja, the Head of Product Development.
The mSurvey DIY platform promises to shake the research world from its comfort zone and bringing excitement to real-time data. By developing an SMS based data gathering tool, information seekers can get direct response from any of the country's 30 million mobile phone subscribers. The set up process is as easy as opening an email account and the creation of questions within minutes.


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Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
On-line version ISSN 2224-9435
Print version ISSN 1019-9128
J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc. vol.83 n.1 Pretoria Jan. 2012
The effects of adding epinephrine or xylazine to lidocaine solution for lumbosacral epidural analgesia in fat-tailed sheep
Maryam Rostami; Nasser Vesal
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Shiraz University, Iran
This blinded, randomised experimental study was designed to compare the analgesic effects of lumbosacral epidural administration of lidocaine-epinephrine or lidocaine-xylazine combinations in fat-tailed sheep. Nine healthy fat-tailed male lambs (mean ± s.d. age, 4.6 ± 0.4 months; weight, 24.6 kg ± 2.5 kg) were randomly allocated into four groups of six sheep: lidocaine 2% (LID), lidocaine-epinephrine 5 mg/mL (LIDEP), lidocaine-xylazine 0.05 mg/kg (LIDXY) or bupivacaine 0.5% (BUP). The onset and duration of flank, perineum and hindlimb anaesthesia and the onset and duration of hindlimb paralysis were recorded. Epidural administration of LID, LIDEP, LIDXY or BUP produced anaesthesia within 6.6 min, 7.6 min, 3.4 min and 8.4 min, respectively. The mean onset of anaesthesia in the LIDXY group was significantly shorter compared with the BUP group (p = 0.02). The mean duration of anaesthesia was 107.9 min, 190.4 min, 147.6 min and 169.7 min for LID, LIDEP, LIDXY and BUP, respectively. The onset of hindlimb paralysis was faster in the LIDXY group than in the BUP group; however, the duration of hindlimb paralysis was shorter in LIDXY compared with LIDEP. Epidural administration of LIDEP or LIDXY provides a comparable duration of local anaesthesia without any adverse effects in fat-tailed sheep. Epidural LIDXY did not appear to be advantageous over epidural LIDEP.
Surgical procedures in ruminants are usually performed under local or regional anaesthesia. Lumbosacral (L6-S1) epidural anaesthesia is the most common epidural technique used in sheep, goats and calves for all procedures caudal to the umbilicus.1,2 Lidocaine is the most frequently used local anaesthetic solution for epidural or subarachnoid anaesthesia in small ruminants, which causes a blockage of the sensory, sympathetic and motor fibres, producing hypotension and ataxia.3 Longer lasting local anaesthetics, for example, bupivacaine, can be used epidurally to provide postoperative analgesia as well.4,5,6,7 Bupivacaine is approximately four times as potent as lidocaine and provides a longer duration of anaesthesia with a slower onset of action.3
Two major groups of drugs are used to increase the depth or duration of local anaesthetics for epidural block: vasoconstrictors (mainly epinephrine) and alpha2-adrenergic agonists. Xylazine is an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist that is used as a sedative in veterinary practice. It appears to exhibit direct local anaesthetic sensory and motor nerve blocking actions in addition to its spinal cord alpha2-adrenoceptor-mediated analgesic effects.2 The alpha2-agonists can be absorbed from the epidural space and have systemic effects (sedation and cardiopulmonary depression) that are most obvious in the ruminants because of their increased sensitivity to this group of drugs.8 Xylazine alone, or in combination with lidocaine, has been used for epidural or subarachnoid anaesthesia in a variety of species and it has been demonstrated that their combination induces a more prolonged analgesia than that observed with the use of either drug alone.9,10,11,12,13,14,15 In these studies, a lidocaine-xylazine combination has been compared with lidocaine alone.
To our knowledge, a direct comparison of the effect of epinephrine or xylazine addition on the anaesthetic properties of lidocaine after epidural administration has not been reported previously. Therefore, the objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of lidocaine-epinephrine or lidocaine-xylazine combinations following lumbosacral epidural administration in fat-tailed sheep. Lidocaine and bupivacaine groups have been included for comparison.
Materials and methods
Nine healthy, 4-5-month-old (mean ± s.d., 4.6 ± 0.4 months; range 4.3-5.3 months), fat-tailed Mehraban male lambs, with a body condition score of 3.3 ± 0.3 (range 3-3.5; on a scale of 0-5 units16) and with a mean (± s.d.) weight of 24.6 ± 2.5 kg (range 21 kg - 27 kg) were used in the present study. Six sheep were used on three occasions and three sheep were used twice.
The sheep were confined to indoor pens and were given alfalfa, concentrate (grain mix) and water ad libitum and were allowed an acclimation period of 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the study. Their health status was established on the basis of a thorough physical examination and normal complete blood count and total protein. A faecal sample examination revealed no parasite infestation. Sheep were randomly assigned to one of four groups (six sheep per group) and received either 2% lidocaine hydrochloride (LID) (Caspian Tamin Pharmaceutical Co., Rasht, Iran), 2% lidocaine hydrochloride with 5 mg/mL epinephrine (LIDEP) (Darou Pakhsh Co., Tehran, Iran), 2% lidocaine hydrochloride with 0.05 mg/kg xylazine (LIDXY) (Alfasan, Woerden, the Netherlands) or 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride (BUP) (Merk Company, Lyon Cedex, France), with at least a 7-day interval between experiments. Lidocaine-epinephrine and lidocaine-xylazine solutions were freshly prepared by adding epinephrine (1:1000) or xylazine (2%) to 2% lidocaine, immediately before use. The pH of the anaesthetic solutions was measured using a pH meter (Crison, Basic 20+).
Animals were fasted for 12 h before the experiment, but water was available for them at all times. Skin overlaying the lumbosacral area was prepared aseptically before placement of an epidural needle. After locating the lumbosacral intervertebral space, 1 mL of local anaesthetic solution was injected using a 22-gauge needle to desensitise the skin and subcutaneous tissue. A 3 cm 16-gauge needle was used as a cannula, minimising skin resistance during the insertion of a 9 cm 19-gauge Tuohy needle (IMS, Tokyo, Japan) through a dorsal midline approach. When the needle tip reached the ligamentum flavum, the stylet was removed and a glass syringe was attached to the hub of the needle. The needle was then inserted slowly into the epidural space with the bevel directed cranially. Entrance into the epidural space was identified by means of the loss of resistance to air injection. After aspiration of the needle to confirm that there was no blood or CSF present, the anaesthetic solution was administered. All drugs were administered slowly over approximately 30 s in each sheep.
The anaesthetic solution consisted of 5 mL of LID, LIDEP, LIDXY or BUP for each epidural block; therefore, all sheep received a fixed total volume of 5 mL of anaesthetic solution. The distance from the skin to the epidural space was determined by measuring the length of the needle (distance between the needle hub and tip of the needle) and subtracting the distance between the skin and needle hub. Following the administration of the anaesthetic solution, the needle was removed and the sheep was placed in a canvas sling in a standing position.
Both the time to the onset and the duration of complete anaesthesia in the flank, perineum and hindlimb was recorded, based on the complete absence of response to painful stimuli including superficial and deep pin pricks with a 25-gauge needle and the pinching of skin with haemostats closed to the first ratchet. The onset and duration of hindlimb paralysis were also determined by flexing the hindlimbs manually to evaluate muscle tone and the animal's ability to support its own weight. In order to determine the time to onset, analgesic testing was performed every 30 s after the completion of the epidural injection. Anaesthesia was evaluated every 10 min until a response was observed. To avoid any bias or potential manipulation of data, the same investigator assessed the anaesthesia in all cases and was unaware of the treatment given.
The arterial haemoglobin-oxygen saturation (SaO2) was measured through a pulse oximetry sensor (Pulse Oximeter, Oxicap 425, Soor Afarinesh Bartar Co., Tehran, Iran) attached to the ear, which was previously shaved. Heart rate (HR) was measured by counting the heart beats over the cardiac area using a stethoscope. The electrocardiogram was monitored using a bas-apex lead with paper speed and sensitivity of 25 mm/sec and 10 mm/mV, respectively (Kenz ECG 110, Suzuken Co. LTD, Nagoya, Japan). Respiratory rate (RR) was measured by counting chest movements per minute and rectal temperature (RT) was measured with a digital thermometer. HR, RR and RT were measured before epidural drug administration (time 0) and at 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min, 60 min and 75 min after the drug injection and, thereafter, every 15 min until the end of anaesthesia.
All data are presented as mean ± s.d. for each treatment group. HR, RR and RT values were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated-measures, with time and group as factors, followed by Duncan's test. A one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's test was used to compare the onset and duration of anaesthesia, as well as the distance from the skin to the epidural space. Statistical analysis was undertaken using SPSS Version 10 for Windows (SPSS, MicroMaster, Richboro, PA, USA) and p < 0.05 was considered significant.
Ethical considerations
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved the protocol for this project.
There were no significant differences in body weight between the four groups of sheep (Table 1). No difficulty was encountered in locating the proper site for injection of the local anaesthetic. The procedure for each sheep was completed within 5 min and was well tolerated by all experimental animals. The mean distance from the skin to the epidural space was 3.4 ± 0.3 cm (range 3.0 cm - 3.9 cm). The doses of lidocaine in the LID, LIDEP and LIDXY groups were 5.0 ± 0.6 mg/kg, 5.1 ± 0.5 mg/kg and 4.8 ± 0.4 mg/kg, respectively. The mean dose of bupivacaine in BUP group was 1.2 ± 0.1 mg/kg.
Significant difference was not detected between groups in time to the onset of anaesthesia for the flank and perineum, but the onset of hindlimb anaesthesia for both LID and LIDXY treatments was significantly faster (p < 0.05) than that for BUP (Table 1). The onset of hindlimb anaesthesia was also faster following LIDXY treatment compared to that of LIDEP. Ataxia and hindlimb paralysis were observed in all groups and sheep became recumbent within 15 min. The onset of hindlimb paralysis was significantly longer in the BUP group compared with that of LIDXY. The duration of anaesthesia for the flank was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in the LIDEP and BUP groups compared with that of LID (Figure 1). The mean duration of anaesthesia in the perineum, flank and hindlimb after epidural administration of LIDEP, LIDXY and BUP were 190.4 min ± 51.1 min, 147.6 min ± 24.3 min and 169.7 min ± 57.2 min, respectively. The mean duration of anaesthesia in the LID group (107.9 min ± 39.0 min) was significantly shorter than that of LIDEP (p < 0.05). The onset of hindlimb paralysis was faster in sheep in the LIDXY group (3.5 min ± 2.1 min) than in sheep in the BUP group (10.5 min ± 5.0 min) (Table 1); however, the duration of hindlimb paralysis was shorter in LIDXY (91.5 min ± 25.6 min) compared to LIDEP (146.2 min ± 48.9 min) (Figure 1).
No change in HR was observed in the LID, LIDXY and BUP groups; however, overall HR was lower with the LIDXY treatment. HR decreased to 55 beats/min and sporadic ventricular premature beats were observed in one sheep receiving LIDXY. In the LIDEP group, a significant increase in HR occurred 15 min after epidural administration (Figure 2). A slight reduction in RR and RT in all four groups was deemed insignificant (Figures 3 and 4). Arterial haemoglobin-oxygen saturation was within clinically acceptable limits and was not different between groups. Mild sedation (drowsiness and a slight drooping of the head) and frequent urination were observed in the LIDXY group. The pH of LID, LIDEP, LIDXY and BUP was 6.28, 6.27, 6.26 and 5.56, respectively. No toxic or adverse neurological reactions associated with epidural administration of any of the solutions or obvious signs of systemic toxicity (extensor rigidity, muscle twitching and convulsions) were encountered after performing the epidural block in any of the sheep in this study.
Local anaesthetics have the ability to block the sensation of pain completely and have been used clinically as adjuncts to light general anaesthesia in both small and large animals.3 They decrease general anaesthetic requirements, improve the quality of recovery and prevent central sensitisation of the nociceptive pathway after painful surgical procedures, reducing the requirements for postoperative analgesia.17 Local and regional anaesthetic techniques may be used before, during, or after surgery to provide intra-operative and postoperative analgesia.
Lumbosacral epidural administration of anaesthetic agents is a classic technique used in small ruminants and swine for procedures including, (1) caesarean section, (2) laparotomy, (3) rumenotomy, (4) repair of rectal, uterine, or vaginal prolapse, (5) repair of abdominal, inguinal, or scrotal hernias and (6) surgery of the prepuce, penis, or hindlimbs.2 The advantages of epidural anaesthesia as compared with line or inverted L infiltration anaesthesia include the use of a single injection of a small quantity of anaesthetic, lower potential risk of systemic local anaesthetic toxicity, and uniform analgesia and relaxation of the skin, musculature and parietal peritoneum.
Local anaesthetics have been combined with alpha2-adrenergic agonist drugs in epidural or subarachnoid applications to obtain a long-lasting analgesia in sheep18, goats11,12,19 or calves9,20. Epidural lidocaine or xylazine has been used in combination with total intravenous anaesthesia in fat-tailed sheep undergoing hindlimb orthopaedic surgery.21 Epidural xylazine produces profound analgesia by activation of alpha2-receptors in the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and inhibits the release of norepinephrine and substance P.22 However, comparable analgesia of the perineum and flank has been observed in cattle following epidural or intramuscular administration of detomidine, a more selective alpha2-agonist, suggesting the contribution of supraspinal analgesia following systemic drug absorption.23
In epidural anaesthesia, the extent of the anaesthetised area depends on the total dose (volume x concentration) of the anaesthetic administered. The volume of drug(s) used in the present study approximated 0.21 mL/kg (range, 0.19 mL/kg - 0.24 mL/kg). The recommended volume of lidocaine for anterior epidural anaesthesia in sheep and goats is about 0.20 mL/kg - 0.22 mL/kg (1.0 mL per 4.5 kg - 5.0 kg of body weight).2 With this volume, anaesthesia can be expected to extend up to the umbilicus; however, repair of umbilical hernias may require the injection of a higher volume of local anaesthetic because the cranial aspect of the umbilicus is innervated by the 9th to 13th thoracic nerves.13,20 Higher volumes of anaesthetic solutions injected into the epidural space produce a higher cranial migration of analgesics and improve the cranial spread of sensory blockade.24 There is a tendency for a greater cranial spread of local anaesthetic solution within the epidural space in pregnant (owing to engorgement of epidural veins), obese (because of increased deposits of fat in epidural space) and geriatric (due to occlusion of intervertebral foramina and decreasing leakage of local anaesthetic solution) patients.2 In the present study, the total volume injected epidurally was 5.0 mL in all sheep, regardless of body weight; therefore, the doses of lidocaine in the LID, LIDEP and LIDXY groups were 4.5 mg/kg, 4.2 mg/kg and 3.9 mg/kg, respectively. Sheep in the BUP group received 1.0 mg/kg bupivacaine. These doses are considerably lower than the toxic doses of lidocaine and bupivacaine in sheep.25,26 Studies of the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine and bupivacaine and the effects of epinephrine or xylazine addition on the plasma concentration of local anaesthetics in sheep could provide useful information on systemic toxicity following epidural administration of local anaesthetics.
Gravity may also affect the spread of local anaesthetic solution within the epidural space in a patient in lateral recumbency or in a head-up or head-down position.2 In the current study, sheep were maintained in the standing position following epidural injection and throughout the study period to promote bilateral anaesthesia.
Behavioural responses to painful stimuli are difficult to assess in sheep because of the animals' stoic nature. The use of a simple pain scoring system was chosen because, in most cases, muscle twitch was the only reliable response observed during noxious stimulation of the perineum and flank regions.
Lidocaine, the most commonly used local anaesthetic in clinical practice, has a rapid onset and moderate duration (60 min - 120 min) of action. The addition of epinephrine to lidocaine may slow the onset of action by decreasing the pH of anaesthetic solution and reducing the amount of non-ionised local anaesthetic.3 In the present study, the addition of epinephrine (5 mg/mL) to lidocaine only changed the pH from 6.28 to 6.27 and, although the onset of sensory blockade in the hindlimb was significantly faster with LID than LIDEP (5.2 min vs 8.7 min), there was no significant difference, with respect to the mean onset of sensory blockade in the perineum, flank and hindlimb, between plain lidocaine and lidocaine containing epinephrine (6.6 min vs 7.6 min). It should be mentioned that the pH of freshly prepared lidocaine-epinephrine solution was higher than the pH of commercially available preparations containing epinephrine (6.27 vs 4.24). Although the onset of anaesthesia following epidural bupivacaine tended to be longer (mean 8.4 min), this would not delay the start of any surgery. The longer onset of action for bupivacaine is attributed to its higher acid dissociation constant (pKa = 8.1) which decreases the percentage of the uncharged, non-ionised base form of local anaesthetic molecules.3
A delayed onset of analgesia following the epidural administration of xylazine has been reported in goats (mean onset of analgesia, 9.0 min - 9.5 min), buffalo calves (15.0 min), sheep (10.0 min) and cows (17.5 min).10,12,27,28,29 The time required for the drug to reach its site of action in the spinal cord may account for the slow onset of action for xylazine.22 The combination of LIDXY shortened the time to the onset of action because of the rapid onset of action for lidocaine.30 The results of this study suggested that by mixing lidocaine and xylazine, the onset of sensory blockade may be faster when compared with LIDEP and BUP.
Epidural administration of LIDEP, LIDXY and BUP induced comparable anaesthesia of the flank, perineum and hindlimb. Although the duration of anaesthesia was not significantly different between LIDEP and the LIDXY groups, sheep in the LIDEP group tended to have a longer duration of action compared with the LIDXY group. A similar duration of action has been reported following subarachnoid administration of LID and LIDXY in goats.
The duration of action for a local anaesthetic is proportional to the time that the drug remains bound to the sodium channels. The addition of epinephrine to a local anaesthetic agent produces vasoconstriction at the injection site, which, in turn, reduces the rate of systemic absorption and prolongs the duration of the local anaesthetic effect.3 It is interesting to note that epidural epinephrine, per se, has an antinociceptive effect, which is probably mediated by the activation of alpha2-adrenoreceptors in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord.31 Epinephrine is effective when added to an anaesthetic solution in a concentration of 5 mg/mL - 20 mg/mL.3 However, the optimal concentration of epinephrine for epidural anaesthesia is not known. The lowest recommended concentration of epinephrine (5 mg/mL) was used in the present study.
It has been shown that local anaesthetic combined with alpha2-agonist drugs increases the duration of anaesthesia following epidural or subarachnoid administration.15,18 The lack of significant difference in the duration of anaesthesia between LID and LIDXY groups in the present study may have been attributed to the small sample size of each group or low concentration of xylazine (0.05 mg/kg) added to lidocaine in this study. Following the epidural administration of LIDEP or BUP, anaesthesia can be expected to persist for up to 5 h, which provides an extended duration of surgical anaesthesia and pain management in the early postoperative period. Sheep in the LIDXY group received a full dose of lidocaine (5 mL, 2%) plus 0.05 mg/kg xylazine because it was of interest to compare the effects of the addition of xylazine or epinephrine to the lidocaine solution.
The duration of hindlimb paralysis was significantly shorter in the LIDXY group compared with the LIDEP group. Therefore, an epidural LIDXY block may offer advantages over LIDEP in patients undergoing caesarean section because recovery of motor function in the hindlimbs occurs faster, meaning that the dam would be able to stand and nurse the newborn soon after delivery. Immobility of the hindlimbs and relaxation of abdominal muscles is desirable during surgery because it facilitates restraint and positioning of the animal and prevents abdominal pressure, especially during surgical repair of abdominal hernias in sheep and goats.
A transient increase in HR was observed in sheep given epidural LIDEP, suggesting rapid systemic absorption of epinephrine from the epidural space following drug administration. The highly lipophilic nature of epinephrine allowed for rapid distribution of the drug out of the epidural space by way of the epidural vasculature.32 Bradycardia and respiratory depression are common side effects following xylazine administration in ruminants. The change in HR, RR and SaO2 levels was not significant in the LIDXY treatment; however, sheep in the LIDXY group had a lower HR compared with other groups. Similar results were obtained in sheep that received a subarachnoid combination of lidocaine and clonidine.18 However, a significant decrease in HR and RR has been reported after subarachnoid administration of LIDXY in goats.11 The possible reasons for this discrepancy are species differences (higher sensitivity of goats to xylazine) and/or the different route of drug administration (subarachnoid vs epidural).
Sedation and increased urination frequency are commonly observed following epidural administration of xylazine,11 indicating rapid systemic absorption of xylazine from the epidural space. The mechanism of increased urination frequency after epidural LIDXY administration may be associated with the inhibition of an antidiuretic hormone released from the pituitary gland and the osmotic diuretic effect of hyperglycemia induced by xylazine.33
Neurotoxicity is one of the most serious adverse effects of neuraxial administration of drugs. It has been speculated that the vasoconstrictive effects of alpha2-adrenergic agonists may reduce spinal blood flow, producing spinal ischaemia with neuronal damage. Lumbar epidural clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic agonist structurally related to xylazine, did not affect regional blood flow to the spinal cord in sheep.34 Although no histologic damage has been observed after epidural administration of xylazine in horses22,35 or clonidine in sheep36, epidural administration of xylazine has recently been incriminated in irreversible paralysis of three cows and near fatal apnoea in one calf.37 Although marked demyelinisation of the lumbar spinal cord was observed on necropsy, it is not clear whether the preservative or the drug itself is responsible for this reaction.
When appropriate doses are used, lumbosacral epidural anaesthesia with local anaesthetics produces minimal haemodynamic and respiratory changes in conscious animals,2 whilst epidural administration of alpha2-agonists alone, or in combination with local anaesthetics, has been associated with hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory acidosis, hypoxemia, ruminal hypomotility, salivation and increased urine production.10,19,29,38 Whilst these side effects are generally well-tolerated by young, healthy animals, significant morbidity and mortality may occur in patients having poor cardiopulmonary functions.29
The use of the LIDXY combination apparently offers no clinical advantages over LIDEP for the following reasons. Firstly, xylazine-induced cardiopulmonary depression may be detrimental in poor-risk patients.29 The cardiopulmonary compromises may become more critical if the animal is placed in dorsal recumbency during surgery.39,40 Secondly, systemic administration of alpha2-adrenergic antagonists may not completely reverse xylazine-induced cardiopulmonary depression and sedation.38 Thirdly, there is still uncertainty regarding neurotoxicity of xylazine or its preservative following neuraxial administration.37 Fourthly, if concomitant (simultaneous) sedation is necessary, it is best to consider using small doses of intramuscular or intravenous xylazine or other sedative drugs. With systemic administration, the dose of xylazine could be adjusted to the animal's condition and the surgical procedure. In addition, xylazine could be administered in advance to facilitate epidural drug injection in excited, stressed animals.
Lumbosacral epidural LIDEP, LIDXY and BUP provide prolonged anaesthesia that may contribute to pain relief in the immediate postoperative period in animals undergoing surgical procedures involving the flank, perineum and hindlimb. The clinical use of epidural LIDXY can be indicated when a concomitant mild sedation is desired. Further studies are required to establish the optimum concentration of epinephrine or xylazine added to local anaesthetic solution for epidural anaesthesia in sheep.
This research was supported by Grant No. 88-GR-VT-29 from the Research Council of the Shiraz University.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationship(s) which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this paper.
Authors' contributions
The authors made equal contributions to experimental project design and acquisition of data. N.V. (Shiraz University) was responsible for analysis of data and drafting the article.
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14. Mpanduji DG, Mgasa MN, Bittegeko SBP, Batamuzi EK. Comparison of xylazine and lidocaine effects for analgesia and cardiopulmonary functions following lumbosacral epidural injection in goats. J Vet Med A. 1999;46:605-611. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00250.x, PMid:10638298 [ Links ]
15. Singh P, Pratap K, Amarpal, Kinjavdekara P, Aithala HP, Singh GR. Effects of xylazine, lignocaine and their combination for lumbar epidural analgesia in water buffalo calves (Bubalus bubatis). Jl S Afr vet Ass. 2005;76:151-158. [ Links ]
16. Rankins Jr. DL, Ruffin DC, Pugh DG. Feeding and nutrition. In: Pugh DG, editor. Sheep and goat medicine. 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders, 2002; p. 19-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B0-72-169052-1/50004-1 [ Links ]
17. Hubbell JAE. Anesthesia, analgesia and immobilization of selected species and classes of animals: Horses. In: Tranquilli WJ, Thurmon JC, Grimm KA, editors. Lumb & Jones' veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. 4th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing, 2007; p. 717-729. [ Links ]
18. DeRossi R, Righetto FR, Almeida RG, Medeiros Jr U, Frazilio FO. Clinical evaluation of clonidine added to lidocaine solution for subarachnoid analgesia in sheep. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2006;29:113-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2885.2006.00722.x, PMid:16515665 [ Links ]
19. Kinjavdekar P, Aithal HP, Amarpal, Pawde AM, Pratap K, Singh GR. Potential effect of romifidine with lidocaine administration in goats. Small Rumin Res. 2006;64:293-304. [ Links ]
20. Meyer H, Starke A, Kehler W, Rehage J. High caudal epidural anaesthesia with local anaesthetics or a-agonists in calves. J Vet Med A. 2007;54:384-389. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00942.x, PMid:17718813 [ Links ]
21. Vesal N, Oloumi MM. A preliminary comparison of epidural lidocaine and xylazine during total intravenous anesthesia in Iranian fat-tailed sheep. J Vet Med A. 1998;45:155-167. [ Links ]
22. LeBlanc PH, Caron JP, Patterson JS, Brown M, Matta MA. Clinical use of epidural injection of xylazine for perineal analgesia in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1988;193:1405-1408. PMid:3209451 [ Links ]
23. Prado ME, Streeter RN, Mandsager RE, Shawley RV, Claypool PL. Pharmacologic effects of epidural versus intramuscular administration of detomidine in cattle. Am J Vet Res. 1999;60:1242-1247. PMid:10791937 [ Links ]
24. Johnson RA, Lopez MJ, Hendrickson DA, Kruse-Elliot KT. Cephalad distribution of three differing volumes of new methylene blue injected into the epidural space in adult goats. Vet Surg. 1996;25:448-451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.1996.tb01442.x, PMid:887911 [ Links ]
25. Morishima HO, Pedersen H, Finster M, et al. Toxicity of lidocaine in adult, newborn, and fetal sheep. Anesthesiology. 1981;55:57-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000542-198107000-00012, PMid:7247058 [ Links ]
26. Morishima HO, Pedersen H, Finster M, et al. Bupivacaine toxicity in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes. Anesthesiology. 1985;63:134-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000542-198508000-00003, PMid:4025863 [ Links ]
27. Aminkov BY, Dinev D, Pascalev M. The anti-nociceptive and cardiopulmonary effects of extradural fentanyl-xylazine in sheep. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2002;29:126-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2995.2002.00080.x [ Links ]
28. Singh V, Amarpal, Kinjavdekar P, Aithal HP. Effect of bupivacaine on epidural analgesia produced by xylazine or medetomidine in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2009;36:77-85. [ Links ]
29. St. Jean G, Skarda RT, Muir WW, Hoffsis GF. Caudal epidural analgesia induced by xylazine administration in cows. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51:1232-1236. PMid:2386320 [ Links ]
30. Grubb TL, Riebold TW, Huber MJ. Evaluation of lidocaine, xylazine, and a combination of lidocaine and xylazine for epidural anesthesia in the llamas. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993;10:1441-1444. [ Links ]
31. Curatolo M. Is epinephrine unfairly neglected for postoperative epidural mixtures? Anesth Analg. 2002;94:1381-1383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1213/00000539-200206000-00001 [ Links ]
32. Ramanathan S, Desai NS, Zakowski M. Systemic vascular uptake of epinephrine from the lumbar epidural space in parturients. Reg Anesth. 1995;20:199-205. PMid:7547655 [ Links ]
33. Plumb DC. Xylazine HCl. In: Plumb DC, editor. Veterinary drug handbook. Stockholm, IA: Pharma Vet Inc., 2008; p. 935-938. [ Links ]
34. Eisenach JC, Grice SC. Epidural clonidine does not decrease blood pressure or spinal blood flow in awake sheep. Anesthesiology. 1988;68:335-340. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000542-198803000-00003, PMid:3344989 [ Links ]
35. Fikes LW, Lin HC, Thurmon JC. A preliminary comparison of lidocaine and xylazine as epidural analgesics in ponies. Vet Surg. 1989;18:85-86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.1989.tb01046.x, PMid:2929142 [ Links ]
36. Eisenach JC, Dewan DM, Rose JC, Angelo JM. Epidural clonidine produces antinociception, but not hypotension, in sheep. Anesthesiology. 1987;66:496-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000542-198704000-00008, PMid:3565815 [ Links ]
37. George LW. Pain control in food animals. In: Steffey EP, editor. Recent advances in anesthetic management of large domestic animals [document on the Internet]. Ithaca, NY: International Veterinary Information Service. 2003 [cited n.d.]. Available from http://www.ivis.org/advances/Steffey_Anesthesia/george/IVIS.pdf [ Links ]
38. Skarda RT, St. Jean G, Muir WW. Influence of tolazoline on caudal epidural administration of xylazine in cattle. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51:556-560. PMid:2327614 [ Links ]
39. McDonell WN, Kerr CL. Respiratory system. In: Tranquilli WJ, Thurmon JC, Grimm KA, editors. Lumb & Jones' veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. 4th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing, 2007; p. 117-151. [ Links ]
40. Muir WW. Considerations for general anesthesia. In: Tranquilli WJ, Thurmon JC, Grimm KA, editors. Lumb & Jones' veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. 4th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing, 2007; p. 7-30. [ Links ]
Correspondence to:
Nasser Vesal
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Shiraz University
Shiraz 713451731, Iran
Received: 18 May 2011
Accepted: 12 Jan. 2012
Published: 02 Mar. 2012


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You can find significant energy-saving opportunities through load balancing and load scheduling when using power logging test tools. Whether conducting an energy audit or troubleshooting to find energy losses, a typical power logging session should record several factors, including voltage, current, power trends, transients, and event logs.
Although analysis of each parameter is important in the overall scheme of reducing energy costs, the focus of this article will be on reducing your energy bill by balancing loads across a 3-phase distribution system and scheduling the operation of certain loads to reduce energy demand. Therefore, we'll concentrate on taking voltage and current unbalance readings to determine load balancing issues and on recording power and related events to identify load scheduling issues.
Load balancing
System designers and electricians usually try to balance loads across a 3-phase distribution system during installation. Loads are calculated in accordance with NEC Art. 220 based on their volt-amperes (VA) or kilovolt-amperes (kVA), rather than watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). This provides an accurate analysis of the ampere values that will flow in the circuit. Even though noninductive load ratings are expressed in watts or in kilowatts, these wattage ratings can be considered the equivalent of the same rating in volt-amperes or kilovolt-amperes. Understanding how loads are calculated and the associated units of measurement allows for proper power quality instrument setup, results interpretation, and corrective action decisions.
Electricians install equipment and usually divide kilovolt-amperes between phases such that each phase will carry an equal amount of load. This concept, however, holds true in theory only. In the practical world, the 3-phase system is rarely "perfectly" balanced. Load unbalance (imbalance) manifests as a voltage and current unbalance. Therefore, you must monitor and record both voltage and current to determine the extent of the load imbalance in a system.
You can use one of two methods to determine an unbalance situation. The first, which many refer to as the IEEE or NEMA method, uses a digital multimeter (DMM) to take spot voltage readings. To use this method, you measure the three phase-to-phase voltage readings (AB, AC, BC), sum their values, and then divide by three to obtain the average voltage. Any phase voltage reading that deviates by more than 1% from the average value warrants corrective action.
While this process should be one of your first steps when troubleshooting an identified unbalance problem, it will not provide for an accurate analysis over time as loads cycle on and off. This requires trending or power logging.
Some makes of power quality analyzers and power loggers use a mathematical tool called the "method of symmetrical components" to analyze unbalance. This method not only simplifies the voltage imbalance concept by providing a graphical representation of unbalance in vector format, but it also provides accurate and detailed information to be used for analysis. Basically, these instruments split each phase voltage and current into three separate components: the positive, negative, and zero sequences.
The positive sequence component represents the normal voltage or current in a balanced 3-phase system. The negative sequence voltage or current is created by an unbalance in the system and results in overheating in inductive loads such as motors and transformers. This component is also responsible for reducing motor torque and can affect speed. The zero sequence component represents the unbalanced current that flows in the neutral of the 3-phase, 4-wire system. This results in energy losses in the form of heat in conductors and transformers.
The EN50160 power quality standard, "Voltage Disturbances: Voltage Characteristics in Public Distribution Systems," (from the Leonardo Power Quality Initiative) sets the maximum unbalance at 2% at the point of common coupling (PCC), which is the ratio of the negative sequence component (Vneg) to the positive sequence component, or the zero sequence component (Vzero) to the positive sequence component. Neither value should exceed 2% (Figure on page 18). If these limits are exceeded, you should isolate and correct the source of the problem, or energy losses could become substantial. After a power logging session, download the data to a PC and analyze.
You must also consider the options available when setting a recorder instrument to log voltage unbalance parameters, including the following values:
Unbalance Vneg %
Unbalance Aneg %
Voltage (positive, negative, and zero sequence)
Amperes (positive, negative, and zero sequence)
The more data available to analyze, the more likely you are to come up with energy-saving ideas. However, do not be overwhelmed with data. You should select only the specific set of data you wish to analyze at one time. Armed with knowledge of what single-phase equipment was operating at what time — and with an up-to-date one-line diagram of the distribution system — you can now isolate loads and equalize them across all three phases to correct the unbalance problem.
Load scheduling
In addition to reducing energy costs through load balancing, you can also create immediate energy savings through load scheduling, which is the part of energy load management that minimizes demand.
Electric utilities charge large commercial and industrial customers a "peak demand penalty" in addition to the total usage of electricity over the billing period. "Maximum demand" is the maximum amount of electricity used by a customer at any point in time. The electric utility must be capable of supplying this load, must size its distribution equipment accordingly, and will therefore charge the customer to be able to meet this need.
This maximum electrical energy usage, or demand, is averaged over a 15-min. period (typical), and determines the rate schedule at which a customer will be charged. Peak demand is usually caused by a spike in power consumption, most often when multiple loads come on simultaneously. These additional penalties can be high and add significantly to the cost of electrical energy. It only makes sense to minimize the amount of peak power being used, if at all possible. Power logging provides this opportunity.
If you are attempting to more effectively schedule load operation, conduct power logging recording sessions to measure energy usage over time and identify large loads that operate concurrently. Use one-line diagrams to determine the energy demand of various loads and compare them to operating needs. Do not look for just one particular load as the culprit. Quite often, you must work with operations personnel and adjust a process by staggering cycling times, or complete certain processes during off-peak hours to reduce demand. You must also work together with operations management to review the electrical energy bill and compare it to collected power logging data to aid in making the best plant operations and energy cost savings decisions.
You should always begin monitoring at the service entrance to determine total energy usage. Set the averaging time in the power logger to 15 min. if that's the time used by your utility. (Consult with your utility to determine the actual averaging time, as 30 min. may also be used.) In addition, monitor power for an entire billing cycle of 30 days. This will provide the most comprehensive information. Consider repeating this on a seasonal basis, as power consumption requirements change.
Import the data to your PC upon completion of the logging session and search for periods where energy usage exceeds desired limits. Identify the equipment creating the peak demand charges by observing excessive uses of active power (kW). Finally, adjust plant operations and processes as necessary, to minimize demand charges.
You can play a large role in reducing plant energy costs by setting up a power quality instrument to record needed voltage and power values. By using software to analyze the recorded data, you can reap the benefits of significant energy savings through proper load balancing and load scheduling.
Barnett is training director for American Trainco, Engelwood, Colo., and technical author for Fluke Corp., Everett, Wash. He can be reached at [email protected].


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David Reviews
Up-and-coming filmmaker Bethan Seller has joined Sweet Media for representation in Ireland.
Director Matt Baron targets world domination as he joins the roster at Partizan.
The Assembly Rooms have made a double signing in the form of editors Adam Spivey and Nick Allix.
Expat director Nicolas Randall has bid farewell to Los Angeles and joined Feel Films in London.
i'd still rather be hippy than a twat in a white van.


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Educational Leadership in the Age of Greed: A Requiem for Res Publica
Paperback, 116 Pages
Price: $30.00
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We are living through the time when public education as we have known it in America will be forever transformed unless concerted action is undertaken to reverse the trends described in this book. If nothing is done to stop these trends there will be no going back. The great American dream for a common school which would serve all the children of all the people under the umbrella of fostering the common good will vanish forever. These were the schools in which I was educated and my mother and father worked as public school teachers. They were the schools my own children and grandchildren enjoyed. Our grand children may be the last generation to experience the fruits of Horace Mann's hard fought legacy when he said toward the end of his struggle for public education, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity" (Messerli, 1971, p. 549.) It is Mann's admonition that has prompted this book as my NCPEA Living Legend Award speech for 2013.
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Product Details
- Copyright
- NCPEA Publications (Standard Copyright License)
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Publisher
- NCPEA Publications
- Published
- February 23, 2017
- Language
- English
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- 116
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