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Despite the need to map research careers, the empirical evidence on career patterns of researchers is limited. We also do not know whether career patterns of researchers can be considered conventional in terms of steady progress or international mobility, nor do we know if career patterns differ between men and women in research as is commonly assumed. We use sequence analysis to identify career patterns of researchers across positions and institutions, based on full career histories of applicants to the European Research Council frontier research grant schemes. We distinguish five career patterns for early and established men and women researchers. With multinomial logit analyses, we estimate the relative likelihood of researchers with certain characteristics in each pattern. We find grantees among all patterns, and limited evidence of gender differences. Our findings on career patterns in research inform further studies and policy making on career development, research funding, and gender equality.

© 2021 Public Library of Science. All rights reserved.There is an error in the order of author affiliations. The publisher apologizes for the error. The correct order is: Claartje J. Vinkenburg2, Sara Connolly3 , Stefan Fuchs1 , Channah Herschberg4 , Brigitte Schels1,5 1 Institute for Employment Research, IAB, Nuremberg, Germany, 2 Independent expert, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, affiliated with VU Amsterdam, 3 Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, 4 Institute for Management Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, 5 Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen- Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany Corresponding author is principal investigator, all other authors appear in alphabetical order, and made equal contributions to data collection, data analysis, and writing.

This study compared the effectiveness of a 12-day stress-prevention program (SGS) supplemented by individualized, structured, four-session telephone-coaching to that of an SGS without telephone-coaching in entrepreneurs from the green professions presenting with increased stress levels. All participants went through the SGS before being randomized either to the telephone-coaching group (TC) or to the control group without telephone-coaching (noTC). SGS included four key therapeutic elements: stress-management intervention, relaxation, physical exercise, and balneotherapy. The primary outcome was the current degree of subjectively experienced stress assessed with the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) at a 9-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included burnout symptoms, well-being, health status, sleep disorders, expectation of self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, ability to work, pain, and days of sick leave. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 12 days (end of program), and 1 (start telephone-coaching), 3, 6 (end of telephone-coaching), and 9 months. Data from 103 adults (TC = 51, noTC = 52), mostly fulltime farmers, were available for analysis (mean age: 55.3, 49.1% female). Participants experienced significant immediate improvement in all outcome measurements, which declined somewhat during the first three months after the end of SGS and then remained stable for at least another six months. While within-group changes from baseline to 9 months showed significant improvements at medium to large effect sizes for all target variables (PSQ-total, TC: &minus, 13.38 (&plusmn, 14.98), 95%-CI: (&minus, 17.68, &minus, 9.07), noTC: &minus, 11.09 (&plusmn, 14.15), 15.11, 7.07)), no statistically significant differences were found between the groups at any time and for any target variable (between-group ANCOVA for PSQ-total at 9 months, parameter estimator for the group: &minus, 1.58, 7.29, 4.13)). The stress-prevention program SGS is a feasible, effective, and practical way to reduce perceived stress and improve participants&rsquo, resources. Four subsequent telephone-coaching sessions do not seem to contribute to a further improvement in the results.

One way to tackle brain computer interfaces is to consider event related potentials in electroencephalography, like the well established P300 phenomenon. In this paper a multiple classifier approach to discover these events in the bioelectrical signal and with them whether or not a subject has recognized a particular pattern, is employed. Dealing with noisy data as well as heavily imbalanced target class distributions are among the difficulties encountered. Our approach utilizes partitions of electrodes to create robust and meaningful individual classifiers, which are then subsequently combined using decision fusion. Furthermore, a classifier selection approach using genetic algorithms is evaluated and used for optimization. The proposed approach utilizing information fusion shows promising results (over 0.8 area under the ROC curve).

Zusammenfassung Anhand klinischer Erhebungen bei 112 Kuhen und Kalbinnen, bei deren Geburt Komplikationen auftraten (Schwergeburten per vias naturales und geburtshilfliche Laparotomien), wird der Verlauf der ersten drei Wochen des Puerperiums geschildert und mit einschlagigen Befunden aus der Literatur verglichen. Von diesen Muttertieren wurden des weiteren Tupferproben aus dem Corpus uteri in der Zeit zwischen dem 3. und 20. Tag des Puerperiums fur die bakteriologische Untersuchung entnommen und die daraus resultierenden Ergebnisse mit denen von 34 Kontrollkuhen, deren Geburt ohne Storungen ablief, in Beziehung gesetzt. Es zeigte sich, das die Haufigkeit der Keimnachweise vom Geburtsverlauf abhing. Nach komplizierten Geburten und dementsprechend gestortem Puerperium waren vor allem prozentual mehr Escherichia coli-Keime (46,9 % bei ungestorter Geburt gegenuber 79,3 % bei Schwergeburten), Proteus vulgaris (8,8 % zu 18,7 %), Staphylococcus aureus (5,8 % zu 8,9 %), nicht hamolys. Streptokokken (11,7 % zu 19,6 %) und Corynebacterium pyogenes (2,9 % zu 8,9 %) zu finden als nach physiologischer Geburt mit normalem Puerperium. Ein vorwiegend anaerober Keimgehalt konnte in keinem Fall nachgewiesen werden. Die aus dem Uterussekret von Muttertieren nach komplizierter Geburt isolierten gramnegativen und grampositiven Keime wiesen nach unterschiedlicher Behandlungsdauer teilweise erhebliche Resistenzen gegenuber den bei lokaler Uterusversorgung am haufigsten verwendeten Antibiotika Penicillin, Streptomycin, Tetracyclin und Chloramphenicol auf. Aus diesem Grunde ware mehr als bisher die Anwendung von Resistenz prufungen keimbesiedelten Uterussekretes nach mehrfacher Behandlung in den Fallen zu empfehlen, in denen klinisch keine wesentliche Besserung des Puerperalgeschehens innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitabschnittes zu erreichen ist. Insgesamt ist aus den Ergebnissen der bakteriologischen Uberprufung des Uterussekretes von Kuhen nach gestorten Geburten in verschiedenen Abschnitten der ersten 3 Wochen des Puerperiums zu erkennen, das es trotz wiederholter Behandlung nur in einer geringen Anzahl von Fallen gelingt, eine dauernde Keimfreiheit in der Gebarmutter innerhalb kurzer Frist zu erzielen. Summary Clinical and bacteriological findings in the genital tract of cattle after difficult parturition in the first three weeks of the puerperium On the basis of clinical studies on 112 cows and heifers in which parturition was complicated (difficult birth by natural route and obstetric laparotomies) the course of events in the first 3 weeks of the puerperium was followed and comparisons were made with findings recorded in the literature. Swabs were taken from the corpus uteri between the 3rd and 20th days of the puerperium for bacteriological examination and the findings compared with swabs from 34 control cows with normal births. The frequency with which bacteria were isolated depended on the course of the parturition. After complications at birth and a disturbed puerperium a higher percentage of E. coli (46.9 % in normal births, 79.3 % in dystokia), Proteus vulgaris (8.8 % compared with 18.7 %), Staphylococcus aureus (5.8 % compared with 8.9 %), non-haemolytic streptococci (11.7 % compared with 19.6 %) and Corynebacterium pyogenes (2.9 % compared with 8.9 %) were found than after normal undisturbed parturition. In no case was a predominant flora of anaerobic organisms found. The Gram negative and Gram positive organisms isolated from the uterine secretion of cows after a complicated birth showed after varying lengths of treatment, a considerable partial resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics — penicillin, tetracyclines and chloramphenicol. For this reason it is suggested that tests of resistance should be undertaken more often on infected uterine secretions where repeated medication has failed to restore normal conditions in the puerperium. The results show that bacteriological examination of the uterine secretion of cows after disturbed births indicates that only in a small number of cases, despite repeated treatment, can freedom from infection be achieved permanently in the uterus within a short time after birth. Resume Resultats cliniques et bacteriologiques sur les organes genitaux de bovins apres des naissances difficiles durant les trois premieres semaines suivant le puerperium Sur la base d'observations cliniques faites chez 112 vaches parturiantes dont l'accouchement fut complique (complications per vias naturales et laparatomies), on a decrit le cours des trois premieres semaines du puerperium et on a compare les donnees avec celles de la litterature. On a egalement preleve des tampons a partir du Corpus uteri entre le 3e et le 20e jour du puerperium pour des analyses bacteriologiques dont les resultats furent compares a ceux de 34 vaches de controle dont la mise-bas fut normale. La frequence de l'isolement de germes dependait du deroulement de l'accouchement. On a isole un pourcentage plus eleve d'E. coli (46,9 % lors d'un velage normal contre 79,3 % lors d'une complication), de Proteus vulgaris (8,8 % contre 18,7 %), de Staphylococcus aureus (5,8 % contre 8,9 %), de streptocoques non hemolytiques (11,7 % contre 19,6 %) et de Corynebacterium pyogenes (2,9 % contre 8,9 %) apres des naissances et des puerperiums compliques qu'apres un velage et un puerperium normal. Un taux dominant de germes anaerobies n'a ete constate dans aucun cas. Les germes gram negatifs et positifs isoles a partir de la secretion uterine apres un velage complique montrerent des resistances en partie augmentees apres une duree de traitement variable vis-a-vis des antibiotiques les plus frequemment utilises en application locale tels que penicilline, streptomycine, tetracycline et chloramphenicol. Il semble sur cette base qu'il serait plus souvent necessaire de proceder a des tests de resistance pour les germes isoles a partir de secretion uterine dans les cas ou aucune nette amelioration clinique du puerperium n'est remarquee durant un certain laps de temps. Les resultats bacteriologiques des examens de la secretion uterine de vaches ayant vele difficilement et pris a differentes reprises durant les trois premieres semaines du puerperium ont montre qu'une sterilite de la matrice n'avait pu etre obtenue dans un bref delai que dans un faible nombre de cas et ceci malgre un traitement repete. Resumen Hallazgos clinicos y bacteriologicos en el tracto genital de vacas tras partos distocicos en las tres primeras semanas del puerperio Con ayuda de exploraciones clinicas en 112 vacas y primiparas, en cuyos partos habian surgido complicaciones (partos distocicos por vias naturales y laparotomias ginecologicas), se describe el curso de las tres primeras semanas del puerperio y se compara con los hallazgos respectivos conocidos de la bibliografia. De estas vacas madres se recogieron ademas muestras con torundas del cuerpo uterino en el tiempo comprendido entre los dias 3 y 20 del puerperio para el examen bacteriologico correspondiente, relacionando los resultados obtenidos asi con los de 34 vacas testigo, cuyos partos transcurrieron sin dificultad alguna. Se aprecio que la frecuencia de identificacion de germenes dependia del curso del parto. Tras partos complicados y el puerperio alterado correspondiente se hallaban porcentualmente mas germenes Escherichia coli (46,9 % en parto sin alteracion frente a 79,3 % en partos complicados), Proteus vulgaris (8,8 % por 18,7 %), Staphylococcus aureus (5,8 % por 8,9 %), estreptococos no hemoliticos (11,7 % por 19,6 %) y Corynebacterium pyogenes (2,9 % por 8,9 %) que tras parto fisiologico con puerperio normal. En ningun caso se pudo identificar un contenido en germenes anaerobios predominante. Los germenes gramnegativos y grampositivos aislados de la secrecion uterina de las vacas tras parto complicado evidenciaron tras duracion diferente resistencias considerables en parte frente a los antibioticos empleados con mayor frecuencia en el abastecimiento uterino local (penicilina, estreptomicina, tetraciclina y cloramfenicol). Por esta razon se recomienda el empleo mas usual que hasta la fecha de examenes de resistencia de secreciones uterinas pobladas de germenes tras tratamientos reiterados en aquellos casos en que no se consigue una mejoria esencial del acontecimiento puerperal en un plazo determinado de tiempo. Se reconoce en conjunto de los resultados del control bacteriologico de la secrecion uterina de las vacas tras partos complicados en diversos tramos de las 3 semanas primeras del puerperio que a pesar de tratamientos repetidos se logra solo en casos muy contados una libertad permanente de germenes en la matriz dentro de un plazo breve de tiempo.

Zusammenfassung Es wird uber eine Enzootie in einer Ratten-Versuchstierzucht berichtet, die durch das murine Parainfluenza 1-Virus (Sendai-Virus) ausgelost wurde. Die Einschleppung erfolgte wahrscheinlich uber den Menschen anlaslich eines Einbruches. Die Erkrankung war charakterisiert durch eine hohe Morbiditat und durch herdformige Pneumonien. Summary Occurrence of parainfluenza 1 virus (Sendai virus) infection in an experimental rat colony An enzootic caused by parainfluenza 1 virus is described in a rat colony. The introduction of the infection was probably through human personnel. The disease was characterized by high morbidity and focal areas of pneumonia.

Zusammenfassung Neugeborene Kalber wurden in den ersten 10 Lebenstagen mit einer aus hitzeinaktivierten E. coli-Bakterien bestehenden, mono- oder polyvalenten Vakzine oral immunisiert. Die Gesamtimpfdosis betrug 1011 inaktivierte Keime. Die Wirksamkeit pruften wir experimentell mit dem Darmligaturtest und in einem uber 31/2 Jahre laufenden Feldversuch. Bereits 1 Tag nach der letzten Impfung war eine gut belastbare lokale Darmimmunitat nachweisbar. In 38 Problembestanden mit 1500 Tieren lies sich mit der stallspezifischen Schluckimpfung die durchschnittliche Mortalitat von 24 Prozent auf unter 1 Prozent senken. Mit der polyvalenten Vakzine, die die O-Antigene 78, 86, 35, 8 und 117 enthielt, hatten wir nach Impfung von 1000 Tieren in 72 Prozent der Falle Erfolg. Der Schutz erstreckte sich stets nur auf die in der Vakzine enthaltenen Serotypen. Summary Oral active immunisation of new-born calves against E. coli: Efficiency test using intestinal ligature test and field trial Newborn calves were vaccinated orally during the first 10 days of life with a mono- or polyvalent vaccine consisting of heat-inactivated E. coli-antigens. The total vaccine-dose was 1011 inactivated organisms. Efficiency was tested by the intestinal ligature test and field trial over 31/2 years. Already 1 day after the last vaccination there was a well challengeable local intestinal immunity. In 38 “problem-herds” with a total of 1,500 animals the mortality rate of 24% was reduced to 1% after administering a herd-specific oral vaccine. The polyvalent vaccine, containing the O antigens 78, 86, 35, 8 and 117 was successful in 72% out of 1,000 animals vaccinated. Protection was effective only against the serotypes contained in the vaccine. Resume Immunisation orale active de veaux nouveau-nes contre E. coli: preuve de l'efficacite dans le test de ligature intestinale et dans le terrain Des veaux noveau-nes ont ete immunises dans les 10 premiers jours de vie avec un vaccin oral mono- ou polyvalent d'E. coli inactive a la chaleur. La dose vaccinale comportait 1011 germes inactives. On a teste l'efficacite experimentalement avec le test de ligature intestinale et dans un essai sur le terrain durant 31/2 ans. On a mis en evidence une bonne immunite intestinale locale 1 jour apres la derniere vaccination. Dans 38 explotations a problemes avec 1500 animaux, la vaccination orale specifique d'etable a reduit la mortalite moyenne de 24 a 1%. Apres une vaccination de 1000 animaux avec des vaccins polyvalents contenant les antigenes 078, 086, 036, 08 et 0117, on a obtenu un 72% de succes. La protection ne s'etendait qu'aux serotypes contenus dans le vaccin. Resumen Inmunizacion oral activa de terneros recien nacidos contra E. coli: contraste de la eficacia en la prueba de la ligadura intestinal y en el ensayo campal Se inmunizaron terneros recien nacidos por via oral con una vacuna mono o polivalente que consistia en bacterias E. coli termoinactivadas. La dosis total de vacunacion era del orden de 1011 germenes inactivados. Contrastamos la eficacia experimentalmente con la prueba de ligadura intestinal y en un ensayo campal de 3 anos y 1/2 de duracion. Al cabo de un dia nada mas despues de la vacunacion ultima se podia identificar una inmunidad intestinal local gravable buena. En 38 explotaciones problematicas con 1500 animales se logro reducir con la vacunacion bebible, especifica de establo, la mortalidad promedio de 24 a menos de 1%. Con la vacuna polivalente, la cual contenia los antigenos 0 78, 86, 35, 8 y 117, tuvimos exito en el 72% de los casos despues de haber vacunado 1000 animales. La proteccion solo era efectiva frente a los serotipos contenidos en la vacuna.

Zusammenfassung Mit Parainfluenza-3-Virus wurden uber 150 Passagen und mit Virusdiarrhoe-Virus uber 140 Passagen in Kalbernierenkulturen durchgefuhrt. Durch diese Dauerpassagen konnten beide Virusstamme soweit attenuiert werden, das sie nach subkutaner Applikation bei 8–14 Tage alten, gesunden Kalbern keine klinischen Krankheitssymptome mehr auslosten. In Instituts- und Feldversuchen wurde eine Kombinationsvakzine, bestehend aus einem vermehrungsfahigen, attenuierten PI-3-Virus und MD-VD-Virus und aus abgetoteten Pasteurella haemolytica-Keimen sowie eine monovalente MD-VD-Lebendvakzine auf Unschadlichkeit und Wirksamkeit gepruft. Die Vakzinen sind gleichermasen geeignet zur Immunisierung von Kalbern bzw. Jungrindern und zur Verhutung von Neuerkrankungen bei Mucosal Disease-Ausbruchen. Der Impferfolg ist abhangig vom Status der Kolostralimmunitat und damit vom Alter der Tiere. Da bei jungen Kalbern mit dem Vorhandensein von passiv ubertragenen, maternalen Antikorpern, welche die Wirksamkeit der Vakzine beeinflussen konnen, gerechnet werden mus, empfiehlt sich eine zweimalige Impfung im Abstand von 1–3 Monaten. Beide Vakzinen konnen auch ohne Gefahr als Notimpfung eingesetzt werden. Bei diagnostizierten Ausbruchen von Mucosal Disease wird als Notimpfung der Einsatz der monovalenten, reinen Mucosal Disease Vakzine empfohlen. Summary Development and testing of a combined vaccine against para-influenza 3, mucosal disease and Pasteurella haemolytica infection in cattle Para-influenza 3 virus was taken through more than 150 passages and virus diarrhoea virus more than 140 passages in calf kidney cultures. In this way both virus strains were attenuated to such an extent that no clinical symptoms resulted from their subcutaneous inoculation into 8–14-day-old healthy calves. Laboratory and field studies were carried out on (a) a combined vaccine comprising living attenuated PI-3 virus and MD-VD virus, killed Pasteurella haemolytica, and (b) on a monovalent MD-VD live vaccine, in respect of harmlessness and effectiveness. Both vaccines proved equally suitable for the immunisation of calves and young stock and for preventing new cases in outbreaks of mucosal disease. The effect depends on the status of the colostral immunity and is thus dependent on the age of the animals. Since young calves may possess passive maternal antibodies which can influence the effectiveness of the vaccine, it is advisable to give two injections at an interval of 1–3 months. Both vaccines can be used without ill effects as an emergency inoculation. In the presence of an outbreak of mucosal disease the monovalent pure mucosal disease vaccine is recommended as an emergency inoculation. Resume Developpement et experimentation d'un vaccin combine contre la parainfluenza-3, la maladie des muqueuses et une infection a Pasteurella hemolytica chez le boeuf On procede a plus de 150 passages avec du virus parainfluenza-3 et plus de 140 passages avec du virus de la virus-diarrhea en cultures de reins de veaux. Par ces passages continus, on est parvenu a attenuer les deux souches virales, jusqu'a ce qu'elles ne declenchent plus de symptomes cliniques de maladie chez des veaux sains âges de 8–14 jours, apres application souscutanee. Dans des experiences en institut et en pratique, on teste l'innocuite et l'efficacite d'un vaccin combine, compose du virus PI-3 attenue, vivant, du virus MM-VD et de germes de Pasteurella hemolytica tues, de meme que d'un vaccin vivant monovalent MM-VD. Les vaccins sont indiques tous les deux pour l'immunisation de veaux, resp. de genisses, et pour la prevention de nouvelles infections lors de l'apparition de la maladie des muqueuses. Le resultat de la vaccination depend de l'etat de l'immunite colostrale et par consequent de l'âge des animaux. Comme il faut compter chez les jeunes veaux sur la presence d'anticorps maternels transmis passivement, que peuvent influencer l'efficacite des vaccins, il est indique de vacciner en deux fois, dans l'intervalle de 1 a 3 mois. Les deux vaccins peuvent etre employes egalement sans danger pour une vaccination d'urgence. On recommende l'emploi du vaccin monovalent pur anti-maladie des muqueuses, lors de vaccination d'urgence dans des cas diagnostiques de maladie des muqueuses. Resumen Desarollo y contraste de una vacuna combinada contra las infecciones parainfluenza-3, de enfermedad mucosa y de Pasteurella haemolytica en reses bovinas Con el virus parainfluenza-3 se realizaron mas de 150 pases y con el virus de la diarrea virica mas de 140 pases por cultivos de rinones de ternero. Mediante estos pases permanentes se pudieron atenuar ambas estirpes de virus, de modo que tras la aplicacion subcutanea en terneros sanos de 8–14 dias de edad ya no desencadenaban mas sintomas clinicos de enfermedad. En ensayos de instituto y campales se examino una vacuna combinada, consistente en un virus PI-3 y otro MD-VD, atenuados, capaces de multiplicarse, y en germenes Pasteurella haemolytica muertos, asi como una vacuna viva monovalente MD-VD, en cuanto a su innocuidad y actividad. Las vacunas resultan apropiadas tanto para inmunizar terneros o becerros como para la profilaxis de neoafecciones en brotes de enfermedad mucosa. El exito vacunal depende del estado de inmunidad calostral y, con ello, de la edad de los animales. Puesto que en los terneros jovenes se tiene que contar con la presencia de anticuerpos maternos, transmitidos de forma pasiva, que pueden influir sobre la actividad de la vacuna, recomiendase la vacunacion doble en un espacio de 1–3 meses. Tambien se puede recurrir a ambas vacunas, sin peligro alguno, como vacunacion de urgencia. En los brotes diagnosticados de enfermedad mucosa se recomienda como vacunacion de urgencia emplear la vacuna pura, monovalente anti-enfermedad mucosa.

This article examines the connection between multiple deprivations and the subjective experience of social exclusion among young German state benefit recipients in 2005. Most studies equate deprivation with social exclusion. But current German concepts refer to an experienced constraint of inclusion and participation as well: multiply-deprived individuals are not excluded as long as they still feel as though they belong to society. The subjective experience of social exclusion is the response to a coping process that is mediated by family integration and social support. This article is based on the survey ‘Life Circumstances and Social Security 2005’ by the German Institute for Employment Research (IAB). A total of 1783 interviews with 18–24 year olds were conducted. Overall, a high proportion of the young state benefit recipients experience deprivation in several aspects of their living conditions but just a few of them feel socially excluded as well. The analyses show that the subjective experience of s...

Frequency analysis of the electrocardiogram with Fourier transform is a sensitive method of detecting late potentials. However, information about localization of late potentials is lost, frequency resolution is poor, and window functions have to be applied. We therefore analyzed multiple segments (25 msec long) of the surface electrocardiogram ("spectrotemporal mapping") with adaptive frequency determination (AFD), an autoregressive algorithm that is characterized by high-frequency resolution in very short segments without the use of window functions. Results were compared with those from Fourier transform and the Simson method. We studied 38 patients after myocardial infarction (MI) with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), 21 patients after MI without VT, and 18 healthy subjects. Frequency peaks could be clearly differentiated until a minimal interval of 6 Hz; with fast Fourier transform (Blackman Harris window) in a much longer segment (80 msec), the spectral peaks merged into one another at an interval of about 30 Hz. AFD revealed high-frequency components as narrow peaks in the range of 40-160 Hz in 28 of 38 patients (74%) after MI with VT. Because of the short segment size, exact localization of late potentials was possible; in most of the patients, the peaks occurred in segments inside the QRS complex and ended 20 +/- 10 msec after termination of the QRS complex. In patients after MI without VT, only four of 21 patients (19%) had spectral peaks in segments after the end of the QRS complex; however, 13 of 21 patients demonstrated microvolt potentials in segments within the QRS complex. These potentials did not extend beyond the end of normal ventricular activation. Only two of 18 healthy subjects showed abnormal AFD results. Patients with bundle branch block did not need to be excluded. AFD allowed good differentiation between late potentials and noise by a characteristic pattern of the spectral peaks. For the Simson method, patients with bundle branch block had to be excluded, and overall sensitivity was 42%. In five cases, the cause of failure of the Simson method could be identified as incorrect determination of the QRS limits due to noise. Thus, AFD is a promising method for detailed analysis of late potentials; it combines the advantages of frequency analysis (good differentiation between signal and noise and high-pass filters not necessary) and time domain analysis (localization of late potentials).

Late potentials in the terminal phase of the QRS-complex during sinus rhythm have been proposed to identify a subgroup of patients with myocardial infarction at risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Frequency analysis of the ECG with Fourier transform (FFT) has been applied for detection of these microvolt level signals, but is limited by poor frequency resolution of short data segments and spectral leakage. We therefore developed frequency analysis using the maximum entropy method (MEM) based on an autoregressive (AR) model. Orthogonal electrocardiograms were recorded from the body surface of patients with and without VT, and healthy persons after low noise, high-gain amplification. Multiple 40 ms segments (time intervals 2 ms, AR-parameters tapered) were analyzed (spectrotemporal mapping): low-frequency components were eliminated by building difference spectra with optimal high order and fixed low order. The MEM-spectra revealed high frequency components (40-200 Hz) in the terminal phase of the QRS-complex and in the ST-section in 26/38 patients with VT, but only in 2/20 without VT and in 1/20 healthy persons (p less than 0.05). Unlike FFT, MEM allowed localization of late potentials by the analysis of short data segments. Thus, MEM offers promise for noninvasive identification of patients with sustained VT after myocardial infarction and detailed analysis of late potentials.

Application of ultrasound for pregnancy diagnosis has been tested and evaluated in 15 Iranian camels ( Camelus dromedarius ), all of which ultimately calved. Transabdominal examinations were unsuccessful, while intrapelvic application resulted in the reception of sounds characteristic for foetal life, similar to those found in other domestic animals. Signals of foetal heart, pulse of umbilical vessels and uterine artery as well as foetal movement could be recognized as distinct sounds and have been recorded for further studies. An attempt was made to verify the findings of the ultrasonic diagnosis through rectal palpation. The ultrasonic technique resulted in 12 correct and three incorrect diagnoses.

A three-tiered survey was devised comprising a detailed questionnaire, a serological survey and a sentinel herd scheme for disease surveillance. The survey was carried out in the traditional farming sector in 7 districts of Zambia to obtain background information on cattle management and productivity, data on the prevalence of tick-borne and other disease problems in these areas and to monitor changes in individual herds. In the questionnaire survey, 288 farmers were interviewed. They owned a total of 15 360 head of cattle, representing approximately one percent of the national herd. Mean herd sizes ranged from 31 to 114 for each district. Mean calving percentages were 44–80%. Average national offtake from these herds was 10%. Calf mortality rates ranged from 4 to 32%, while adult yearly mortality rates ranged from 4 to 16%. Factors affecting the regional variation of these figures are discussed.

Surgical correction of corneal opacities in horses has rarely been documented in detail and is still reported to be in the experimental stage. For this reason, studies of lamellar keratoplasty were conducted on the equine eye using a modified trephine with an adjustable inside quard for grafting of identical discs from the donor and the recipient cornea. Fourteen transplantations, seven with homografts and seven with heterografts, 15 and 9 mm in diameter, were performed. Sharp-edged, vertical, and regular outlined wound margins of the graft and host are essential for good adaptation and healing without tension. The details of instruments used, preoperative preparation, surgical technique, and postoperative care are described. Results indicated that this method is a feasible tool for the repair of corneal defects in the horse and may be usefully employed in an intention to restore vision.

The anaesthetic properties of ketamine in sheep were evaluated and compared with the results of a combination of ketamine/xylazine and ketamine/xylazine/atropine. Premedication of xylazine/atropine followed by intravenous injection of ketamine hydrochloride appeared to result in satisfactory immobilisation and anaesthesia for surgical operations of short duration. This combination effectively reduced some of the undesirable effects of ketamine, such as muscle rigidity, insufficient suppression of reflexes and tachycardia. The action on haematological factors was studied and significant increases in blood glucose content were detected during anaesthesia.

One hundred and nine pure bred Holstein Friesians were injected intramuscularly with 0.125 mg of a synthetic Gn-RH analogue at the time of the first service to study the effect of Gn-RH on the fertility of inseminated cows. Sixty-four cows or 58.7 per cent were diagnosed as pregnant after one insemination compared to 54 animals or 49.5 per cent in the untreated control group. Total pregnancy rate of 81.65 per cent was 8.3 per cent higher than in the controls, while the services per conception rate improved from 1.49 to 1.39. Gn-RH administration at the time of oestrus could improve herd fertility through its including effect on follicular rupture and regulatory influence on ovarian function.

Parvaquone was used to treat 126 cattle with theileriosis. Theileria species schizonts were present in their lymph node biopsy smears and the majority of the animals had clinical signs of theileriosis. One hundred and fifteen treated and one untreated cattle survived the infection while 11 treated and 12 untreated animals died of the disease. Despite serological evidence of a parasite challenge during the subsequent rainy season, recovered cattle did not develop clinical signs of theileriosis but untreated cattle in the area continued to die from the disease. An intermittent low piroplasm parasitaemia (less than 1 per cent) was observed in recovered cattle for up to 14 months after detailed monitoring of cattle in the trial; this could be evidence for a carrier status for the Theileria species or strains involved.