Uncontrolled kochia plants that regrow after small-grain harvest can produce substantial numbers of seeds. An average of 4,100 seeds per plant were produced between harvest (late July to mid August) and the first killing frost (late September) at three locations in Montana. Field experiments were conducted to determine the optimal timing of postharvest herbicide applications to prevent kochia from producing viable seeds. Herbicide treatments were applied at three timings from late August to mid September. The most effective treatments were glyphosate (631 g/ha) and paraquat (701 g/ha) applied at the second application timing (late August to early September). These treatments reduced kochia seed production by 92% or greater at each site. Kochia regrowth by this time had sufficient leaf area for herbicide absorption, but few viable seed had been produced. Herbicide treatments at the first and third application timings were generally less effective and more variable in reducing kochia seed production. Sulfentrazone (157 g/ha) and 2,4-D (561 g/ha) were not as effective at reducing seed production as other herbicide treatments.

Twenty-four isolates of Aspergillus sojae, A. parasiticus, A. oryzae and A. flavus, including a number that have the capacity to produce aflatoxin, have been compared using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Based on analysis of 12 different primer combinations, 500 potentially polymorphic fragments have been identified. Analysis of the AFLP data consistently and clearly separates the A. sojae/A. parasiticus isolates from the A. oryzae/A. flavus isolates. Furthermore, there are markers that can be used to distinguish the A. sojae isolates from those of A. parasiticus, which form the basis for species-specific markers. However, whilst there were many polymorphisms between isolates within the A. oryzae/A. flavus subgroup, no markers could be identified that distinguish between the two species. Sequencing of the ribosomal DNA ITS (internal transcribed spacers) from selected isolates also separated the A. sojae/A. parasiticus subgroup from the A. oryzae/A. flavus subgroup, but was unable to distinguish between the A. sojae and A. parasiticus isolates. Some ITS variation was found between isolates within the A. oryzae/A. flavus subgroup, but did not correlate with the species classification, indicating that it is difficult to use molecular data to separate the two species. In addition, sequencing of ribosomal ITS regions and AFLP analysis suggested that some species annotations in public culture collections may be inaccurate.

Following consultation in 1994, changes were proposed to mental health legislation. In Scotland these included the limitation of Leave of Absence (LOA) to 12 months and the introduction of Community Care Orders (CCOs). All consultants in general psychiatry in Scotland were surveyed regarding their views on LOA and CCOs. The results of our survey showed that the majority of consultants use LOA and extended LOA, giving lack of insight and threat of stopping medication as the main reasons. Consultants reject both CCOs and the limitations on LOA. Those who have been consultants for more than 16 years are significantly more likely to agree with restriction of LOA than others.

Ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) are true liquids with a thermodynamically stable polar structure. Furthermore, in some systems excellent polar stereocontrol has been demonstrated (> 80% of the molecular dipole oriented along the polar axis with infinite “thermal stability”). These properties make FLCs an interesting candidate for second order NLO applications. However, until now the orientation of organic functional arrays with “large β”, typified by the disperse red 1 (DRI) chromophore, has not been demonstrated.

Herein we report the initial results of a study directed towards providing a solution to this problem. Specifically, a new FLC dopant wherein the DRI chromophore (p-nitro-p'-dialkyl-aminoazobenzene unit) is oriented along the polar axis in FLC mixtures up to 30% by weight is described. These results suggest that it will be possible to obtain FLCs with good stereocontrolled orientation of large β functional arrays. Given that hybrid VLSI silicon/FLC optical chips are under intense investigation as micro-displays, and manufacturing issues for this class of devices are being addressed in the display context, the materials presented here suggest VLSI/FLC chips may be useful as high speed electro-optic modulators as well.

Forty-four schizophrenic patients were followed up for five years after their first admission to hospital for a first episode of illness. Thirteen (30%) of 43 patients had not relapsed; 28 of the 30 patients who did relapse did so within the first 42 months. The relapses occurred despite antipsychotic drug therapy. Also, 24% of patients had at least one course of ECT. Only 19% of the patients at five years were in open employment; unemployment was strongly associated with relapse. Eighteen per cent had neither relapses nor schizophrenic symptoms at follow-up. Poor outcome at five years was associated with greater psychological distress among relatives at first admission. At five years 43% of relatives continued to show case level psychological stress.

This is the initial report of a prospective study by computerised tomography brain scan of first episode schizophrenia. Twenty-seven patients who met Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizophrenia were compared with volunteer controls on ventricular: brain ratio, sulcal: brain volume ratio, and the widths of third ventricle and Sylvian and interhemispheric fissures. The results provide evidence that sulcal enlargement, but not ventricular abnormalities, may be detected at first admission for schizophrenic illness, and are discussed in relation to findings from other studies.