Dog Days Research Articles

FarAway Home

Far Away Home, a play for children, is the latest play of eight years work by PRIMUSTheatre; it is the fifthoriginal play created and performed by Donald Kitt, Tannis Kowalchuk, Stephen Lawson, Karin Randoja and Ker Wells under the direction of PRIMUS’S founder and director Richard Fowler. This play like other plays and works by PRIMUS (Dog Day, Scarabesque, Alkoremmi and The Night Room) is alternative theatre which has established the group as "Winnipeg’s leading alternative theatre" (Toronto Star, October 1991).With Far Away Home PRIMUS must be recognized as English Canada’s leading alternative theatre company.

A Garden in Kentucky (review)

Gentry, Jane. A Garden in Kentucky. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1995. 74 pages. Hardcover $17.95. Paperback $9.95. A reader who knows when dog days come, who loves summer music of cicadas, who knows what a brown study is, will delight in Jane Gentry's A Garden in Kentucky. The mountain culture of Kentucky inspires her poems , and Gentry's ear for the music of language will make any reader stop to recite verses and whole poems. Gentry's works are rooted in the soil, and yet her worldview harks back to the ideas of classical culture. Gentry's poems are poignant because, even as she details the satisfactions and sustenance of an agrarian life, she records how it is being encroached upon by our modern way of living for convenience and acquisition . The title poem is set in a Kroger's, a supermarket chain, where "under a fluorescent sun ... it is always southern California" and "hard avocados rot as they ripen from the center out." The image of putrefaction suggests the falseness of modern life, which violates geography and season. An orchard and farmhouse stand next to the store's parking lot. Here a man and woman live close to the earth: "When thaw comes, the man turns up/ the sod and, on its underside, ciphers / roots and worms." These people have commerce with nature, and they know what natural signs mean. Gentry echoes the false sun in the Kroger with an image of the literal sun transformed by metaphor: The sun like an angel beats its wings above their grubbing. Evenings on the viny porch they rock, discussing clouds, the chance of rain. Husks in the dark dirt fatten and burst. The figure of the angel suggests benediction, which stands in contrast to the sterile "fluorescent sun." The rhetorical movement from the angel, to the man and woman rocking in evening, to the final image offertility ofthe seed is significant. Gentry moves from the spiritual to the physical and locates both of these realms, finally, in the soil. The soil is a central, recurring image, symbolizing the past and the sacred in such fine poems as "Your Vacation" and "Janus." Classical literature and ideas influence Gentry's central themes, including , for instance, her idea ofan afterlife. In "Thinking of Charlie B. on July 4," she creates this image: 67 his grave open to all earth's weathers, his atoms dancing out into the summer night to the rhythm of cicadas singing, "Body, Body, Body," .... The dancing atoms convey the idea of materialism, as expressed by the Roman Lucretius in De rerum natura. Like the Greek materialists before him, he denied the existence of soul, believing that when the body dies, its constituent atoms return to the ever changing flux of physical, universal processes. Gentry, however, does not embrace oblivion. The speaker hears at last in the cicadas' music, "That old drum of darkness, / 'Body, Body, Body,' which marches us all into that new city." The new city represents some place of habitation after death. Though she does not explain it precisely, Gentry makes clear that it is not an orthodox conception of bliss in "Maugie's Heaven." Here Gentry subtly creates the idea of universal flux by beginning each of the poem's two stanzas with robins singing in June, the first image in memory, the second in the present. The speaker imagines Maugie, her deceased grandmother, this way: Lying deep in spring lapped in hymns of dirt beneath the teeth of grass, she dreams that robins sing their lust above her empty house, the bed she made, among hallelujahs of new leaves. While the poet makes use ofChristian imagery, she conceives an afterlife that is Lucretian. Maugie's heaven is not with angels and saints. She has been subsumed into the elements and has her rebirth, not in the resurrection , but in the spring. An American poet could only learn this subde, ironic undercutting of orthodox symbolism from Emily Dickinson, but Gentry is far from Dickinson's impish detachment. The exuberance of "hallelujahs of new leaves" comes from her own fresh voice. Such affirming joy is a risk for contemporary poets, steeped in the...

Antihypertensive effects of repeated oral administration of cilnidipine, a novel calcium antagonist, in 2K1C renal hypertensive dogs

Antihypertensive effects of repeated oral administration of cilnidipine in 2K1C renal hypertensive dogs were compared with those of nicardipine. On the first day, oral administration of cilnidipine (3 mg/kg) or nicardipine (3 mg/kg) markedly lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure 1 hr after administration. The hypotensive effects of cilnidipine were longer compared with those of nicardipine. Both drugs elevated the heart rate and plasma renin activity. On the 8th and 15th days, similar responses were obtained by repeated administrations of cilnidipine and nicardipine. After withdrawal of these drugs, no rebound phenomena in blood pressure were observed. The changes in mean blood pressure were correlated with plasma cilnidipine or nicardipine concentrations that were obtained at each time of blood pressure measurement (r = -0.598; P < 0.001 and r = -0.594; P < 0.001, respectively). These results suggest that stable and long-acting antihypertensive effects of cilnidipine for 15 consecutive days in renal hypertensive dogs are related to the change in plasma drug concentrations.

Star-hopping: your visa to viewing the universe

Introduction Preface Acknowledgements 1. How to use this book and what you are going to see 2. How the sky works, determining your field of view, observing tips and how to navigate in the night sky 3. January - Taurus and Orion: the bull and hunter 4. February - Canis Minor, Canis Major, and Puppis: dog days in February and Jason's Argo 5. March - Cancer, Leo, and Corvus: a crab, the king of the beasts, and a crow 6. April - Ursa Major: a dipper round tripper 7. May - Coma Berenices and Virgo: the sparkling hair of Berenice and the wheat maiden and her bushel of galaxies 8. June - Libra and Lupus: the balance scales and the wolf 9. July - Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Scutum: the scorpion, archer, and shield of John Sobieski 10. August - Draco: following the trail of the dragon 11. September - Cygnus, Lyra, Vulpecula, and Sagitta: the swan, lyre, fox, and arrow 12. October - Andromeda and Perseus: the chained lady and her rescuer 13. November - Cepheus and Cassiopeia: the king and queen of Joppa 14. December - Pisces, Triangulum, and Aries: of fishes, a triangle, and a ram 15. Messier Marathon, a sundown to sunup hop across the skies Appendix A: Classification tables Appendix B: The constellations Appendix C: The Greek alphabet Appendix D: Decimalization of the day Glossary Bibliography Index.

Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma in 25 dogs: a retrospective study.

Hemangiosarcomas confined to the skin and underlying muscle were surgically excised in 25 dogs. Tumors were staged based on their histological location (ie, dermal, hypodermal, and deep). Dermal (stage I) hemangiosarcomas were small, most commonly ventral-abdominal or prepucial in location, and were associated with prolonged survival times (median survival, 780 days). Tumors with hypodermal (stage II) and underlying muscular involvement (stage III) were grouped together because of their larger size, bruise-like appearance, lack of anatomic predilection, biological behavior, and shorter survival times (median survival of 172 and 307 days for dogs with stages II and III, respectively). We conclude that dermal hemangiosarcomas may be effectively treated with surgery alone, whereas hemangiosarcomas located within the hypodermal tissues bear a poor prognosis and warrant wide surgical excision with adjuvant chemotherapy.

ACS meeting in nation's capital draws 13,500

Well run, smooth, interesting—but so much to take in, were comments heard over and over at last week's 208th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C. Even the weather cooperated, turning out much more pleasant than the usual muggy dog days of August. In most aspects, it was another in a growing string of megameetings, with about 13,500 attendees, almost 5,200 papers in about 560 technical sessions, and an exposition with 263 companies exhibiting in 405 booths. In addition, the meeting had no shortage of social events, award presentations, and governance activities. And the society's employment assistance program—the National Employment Clearing House—was busy throughout the meeting, with about 1,500 job candidates interviewed by 125 employer representatives, who were seeking to fill about 220 posted job positions (and about an equal number of unposted positions). The role of chemistry and the chemical industry in developing an environmentally sustainable economy was ...

Experimental regeneration in canine muscular dystrophy—2. Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms

The sequential expression of neonatal, fast and slow myosin heavy chain isoforms was examined during the regeneration of normal and dystrophic dog muscle from 1 to 56 days, following necrosis induced by the venom of Notechis scutatis, to assess the regenerative potential of dystrophic muscle. Regeneration was equally rapid in normal and dystrophic dogs but morphological and immunocytochemical abnormalities were more apparent in the dystrophic fibres. New myotubes were formed by 3 days, and by 4 days all myosin isoforms were expressed. Neonatal myosin persisted in normal dogs after morphological restoration of the muscle and after dystrophin and β-spectrin expression had returned to normal. Neonatal myosin was considerably reduced by 21 days in normal dogs, but persisted beyond 28 days in dystrophic dogs, suggesting a delay in maturation. At 42 and 56 days, dystrophic dogs showed a population of small fibres expressing neonatal myosin, which may represent a second cycle of degeneration and regeneration. The reciprocal pattern of fast and slow myosin was not fully restored in normal or dystrophic regenerating muscle, and co-expression persisted. Thus, dystrophic muscle retains its potential to regenerate, but maturation is slower than normal. The persistent co-expression of isoforms has implications for the long-term function of fibres formed after myoblast therapy, but the results imply that a stable state can be achieved if dystrophin expression is restored by gene or myoblast transfer therapy.

Effects of vena caval banding in experimentally induced multiple portosystemic shunts in dogs

Summary Effects of vena caval banding on portal venous and vena caval hemodynamics were examined in 6 control dogs and in 10 dogs that had undergone attenuation (banding) of the abdominal part of the caudal vena cava and had dimethylnitrosamine-induced multiple portosystemic shunts (pss). Additionally, indocyanine green (icg) extraction and clearance after infusion to steady state were used to calculate hepatic plasma flow in these dogs. Sixteen dogs were randomly assigned to 2 groups: control (n = 6) or diseased(n= 10). Diseased dogs were administered dimethylnitrosamine (2 mg/kg, po, twice weekly) until multiple pss developed, as assessed by results of clinical laboratory tests, ultrasonography, and hepatic scintigraphy. Shunts were confirmed visually at celiotomy and by contrast portography. Venous pressures (caudal vena caval, portal, and hepatic) were recorded before and after vena caval banding for up to 7 days in dogs from both groups. Peritoneal cavity pressures were recorded in all dogs after closure of the body wall. To determine icg extraction and clearance, a bolus injection of icg (0.5 mg/kg, iv) was administered, followed by steady-state infusion of 0.097 mg/min. Extractions and clearances of icg were measured, and from these, hepatic plasma flow rates were determined immediately before and after banding and at 6 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days after banding. The gradient (caudal vena caval pressure within 1 to 2 mm of Hg of portal pressure) between caudal vena cava and portal venous pressures established at banding was maintained after the first hour in both groups. Caudal vena cava pressures established at banding were maintained throughout the study, with the exception of the first hour in diseased dogs. Extraction ratios were higher in control dogs at all times, except at 48 hours. Clearance was higher in control dogs at all times. Hepatic plasma flow did not differ between groups, except immediately after banding, when flow was greater in diseased dogs, and differences were not found over time in either group. This study indicated that vena caval banding in this model of experimentally induced multiple pss increases and maintains caudal vena cava pressure, relative to portal venous pressure (after the first hour) for 7 days, and that calculated hepatic plasma flow is not persistently improved by vena caval banding.

Canine lymphoid leukaemia and lymphoma with bone marrow involvement: A review of 24 cases

ABSTRACTEleven cases of canine lymphoid leukaemia (10 acute and one chronic) were compared with 13 cases of canine lymphoma with bone marrow abnormalities, with regard to presentation, treatment and survival. Breed, age, and sex were similar for the two groups of dogs, but there was a marked difference in presenting signs, haematological parameters and bone marrow analysis, with the leukaemic dogs showing more severe changes. The clinicopathological features of these cases are reported in this paper and discussed with regard to prognosis. The mean survival time was significantly lower (43 days) in dogs treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia than for dogs treated for lymphoma with bone marrow abnormalities (351 days).

My journey from dog days to now

My journey from dog days to now

Continuous measurement of the pressure-volume relationship in experimental heart failure produced by rapid ventricular pacing in conscious dogs.

The contractile function of the left ventricle has been defined within the framework of the pressure-volume relationship. We employed a conductance catheter, together with a high-fidelity micromanometer, to obtain accurate pressure and volume data continuously on a beat-to-beat basis in conscious dogs. Reproducibility of conductance volumetry was proven by repeated in situ measurements of left ventricular volume on separate days in the same dog. Heart failure, produced by rapid ventricular pacing, was characterized by impaired systolic shortening, depressed contractility indices and incomplete left ventricular relaxation. The magnitude of the cardiotonic effects of dobutamine was significantly attenuated after development of heart failure. Dobutamine improved left ventricular early relaxation but did not affect chamber distensibility. In heart failure, the load sensitivity of relaxation was enhanced and the force-frequency response attenuated. This may elucidate the mechanisms of early diastolic dysfunction and the deleterious effect of an increase in heart rate in the failing heart. Thus, the conductance catheter provided a reliable and simple method of obtaining left ventricular volume continuously in conscious dogs.

Dog day surgery visits

It isn’t only managers who can introduce their own pet reforms, Sister Susie explains

Sidney Lumet: film and literary vision

Since 1957 Sidney Lumet has deepened audiences' awareness of social, ethical, and feminist issues through such distinguished films as 12 Angry Men, The Verdict, Running on Empty, and Critical Care. Especially praised for his literary adaptations - including Long Day's Journey into Night and Murder on the Orient Express - Lumet has also directed such trenchant urban films as Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, and Network. In this new edition Frank Cunningham expands his analysis of Lumet's earlier films and examines his most recent work, from A Stranger Among Us (1992) to Gloria (1999).

Relation of fructosamine to serum protein, albumin, and glucose concentrations in healthy and diabetic dogs

Summary The relation of the glycated serum protein, fructosamine, to serum protein, albumin, and glucose concentrations was examined in healthy dogs, dogs with hypo- or hyperproteinemia, and diabetic dogs. Fructosamine was determined by use of an adaptation of an automated kit method. The reference range for fructosamine in a composite group of control dogs was found to be 1.7 to 3.38 mmol/L (mean ± sd, 2.54 ± 0.42 mmol/L). Fructosamine was not correlated to serum total protein, but was highly correlated to albumin in dogs with hypoalbuminemia. To normalize the data with respect to albumin, it is suggested that the lower limit of the reference range for albumin concentration (2.5 g/dl) be used for adjustment of fructosamine concentration and only in hypoalbuminemic dogs. In 6 hyperglycemic diabetic dogs, fructosamine concentration was well above the reference range. It is concluded that although fructosamine may be a potentially useful guide to assess the average blood glucose concentration over the preceding few days in dogs, further study is required to establish its value as a guide to glucose control in diabetic dogs.

Subchronic oral and intravenous (iv) safety evaluation and pharmacokinetics in rats and dogs of ipazilide fumarate (Win 54,177-4), an antiarrhythmic agent

Ipazilide fumarate (Win 54,177-4) is a chemically novel antiarrhythmic agent that prolongs ventricular refractoriness and possesses antiectopic activity. Subchronic (29 days) nonclinical safety evaluation of ipazilide was conducted following oral and iv administration in Sprague-Dawley rats (20–320 mg/kg oral and 1.25 – 10 mg/kg iv) and 14 and 28 days in beagle dogs (3–30 mg/kg oral and 2.5–20 mg/kg iv). The pharmacokinetic parameters of ipazilide indicate that ipazilide is absorbed ( t max ≤ 1 hr) in fasted rats and dogs following single and repeated oral administrations. The apparent elimination half-life in the two species is approximately 1 hr (except in rats at a dosage of 320 mg/kg), suggesting rapid clearance. Increases in liver weights (rats 320 mg/kg) accompanied by the observation of centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes were considered an expression of an adaptive metabolic response of the liver to ipazilide and may be associated with the induction of microsomal enzymes. Duodenal villous atrophy and epithelial hyperplasia (rats, 80 and 320 mg/kg) were interpreted to represent an irritant response to the drug. Local irritation was also observed at the injection site in rats and dogs. Dogs tolerated the oral and the iv administration of ipazilide at dosages of up to 30 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Despite emesis (oral dogs), which was reduced in frequency following repeated treatment over several weeks, plasma levels in treated dogs (i.e., C max 4–5 μg/ml) were approximately twice that required to convert spontaneous arrhythmias in the conscious dog model 24 hr after myocardial infarction. Moreover, plasma levels ( C max 6–7 μg/ml) of iv-treated dogs were approximately three times higher than the efficacious levels in the dog model and did not cause adverse effects except emesis. Electrocardiographic changes (i.e., increased P wave and QRS durations, and T wave alterations) in dogs were transient and represented an extension of the pharmacological effects of ipazilide. In summary, since ipazilide, at multiple therapeutic dosages, was well tolerated in rats and dogs, it may be considered an appropriate drug for clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy in humans as a potential antiarrhythmic agent. The safety profile of ipazilide in clinical trials is currently ongoing.

Experimental regeneration in canine muscular dystrophy—1. Immunocytochemical evaluation of dystrophin and β-spectrin expression

The expression of dystrophin and β-spectrin was examined from 1 to 56 days in regenerating muscle fibres in normal and dystrophic dogs, following necrosis induced by the venom of Notechis scutatis. Normal and dystrophic dog muscle regenerated at an equal rate and new myotubes were present in both at the periphery of necrotic fibres by 3 days. In normal dogs dystrophin was detected in the sarcoplasm of the regenerating fibres by 3 days and was localized to the plasma membrane by 4 days. The localization of dystrophin is independent of β-spectrin and was detected before β-spectrin, which was not observed until 5–6 days. Normal peripheral labelling of both was restored by 14 days in normal dogs. Normal β-spectrin labelling of regenerating dystrophic fibres was also restored by 14 days and is not dependent on the presence of dystrophin in dystrophic dogs. A proportion of regenerating fibres in normal and dystrophic dogs showed weak immunolabelling of β-spectrin prior to 14 days. This is a feature of immature muscle fibres. Antibodies to different domains of dystrophin bound to the periphery and sarcoplasm of regenerating fibres in dystrophic dogs, particularly during the first 7 days of regeneration, but the fluoresence was less intense than in normal dogs. Weak labelling with antibodies corresponding to the C-terminus of the rod domain of dystrophin persisted on dystrophic regenerating fibres up to 21 days. This may relate to developmental isoforms of dystrophin.

Subchronic Oral and Intravenous (iv) Safety Evaluation and Pharmacokinetics in Rats and Dogs of Ipazilide Fumarate (Win 54, 177-4), an Antiarrhythmic Agent

Ipazilide fumarate (Win 54,177-4) is a chemically novel antiarrhythmic agent that prolongs ventricular refractoriness and possesses antiectopic activity. Subchronic (29 days) nonclinical safety evaluation of ipazilide was conducted following oral and iv administration in Sprague-Dawley rats (20–320 mg/kg oral and 1.25–10 mg/kg iv) and 14 and 28 days in beagle dogs (3–30 mg/kg oral and 2.5–20 mg/kg iv). The pharmacokinetic parameters of ipazilide indicate that ipazilide is absorbed (tmax ≤1 hr) in fasted rats and dogs following single and repeated oral administrations. The apparent elimination half-life in the two species is approximately 1 hr (except in rats at a dosage of 320 mg/kg), suggesting rapid clearance. Increases in liver weights (rats 320 mg/kg) accompanied by the observation of centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes were considered an expression of an adaptive metabolic response of the liver to ipazilide and may be associated with the induction of microsomal enzymes. Duodenal villous atrophy and epithelial hyperplasia (rats, 80 and 320 mg/kg) were interpreted to represent an irritant response to the drug. Local irritation was also observed at the injection site in rats and dogs. Dogs tolerated the oral and the iv administration of ipazilide at dosages of up to 30 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Despite emesis (oral dogs), which was reduced in frequency following repeated treatment over several weeks, plasma levels in treated dogs (i.e., Cmax 4–5 μg/ml) were approximately twice that required to convert spontaneous arrhythmias in the con scious dog model 24 hr after myocardial infarction. Moreover, plasma levels (Cmax 6–7 μg/ml) of iv-treated dogs were approximately three times higher than the efficacious levels in the dog model and did not cause adverse effects except emesis. Electrocardiographic changes (i.e., increased P wave and QRS durations, and T wave alterations) in dogs were transient and represented an extension of the pharmacological effects of ipazilide. In summary, since ipazilide, at multiple therapeutic dosages, was well tolerated in rats and dogs, it may be considered an appropriate drug for clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy in humans as a potential antiarrhythmic agent. The safety profile of ipazilide in clinical trials is currently ongoing.

Biventricular Bypass: Alternative to Univentricular Bypass and Total Artificial Heart–Bridge

Left ventricular and biventricular bypasses (LVBs, BVBs) were performed in 102 experiments in sheep, goats, and donkeys. Biventricular bypass was performed in the assisted circulation mode or in the paracorporeal artificial heart bridge (PCAHB) mode when the natural heart fibrillates. During implantation of artificial ventricles instead of a heart-lung bypass, counterpulsation was used. Several types of connective conduits were developed and tested in experiments. The conduits included bifurcational connective pipes that permit "intake" of blood into artificial ventricles from atria and ventricles of the natural heart simultaneously and consequently provide effective blood flow through shunts not depending on the state of the natural heart (acute cardiac weakness or asystole). Monitoring gas content (PO2, PCO2, and pH) in the myocardium of both ventricles suggested development of right ventricular failure under conditions of LVB before hemodynamic changes occurred and confirmed the preferability of BVB over other methods of assisted circulation, as it is most effective and capable of normalizing short-term cardiac disturbances in the course of the 1st 2 days. Survival time of experimental animals (2-3 days for dogs, 5-12 days for sheep, goats, and donkeys) is sufficient to overcome acute cardiac insufficiency. This suggests that BVB in the assisted circulation mode or PCAHB mode can serve as a bridge for cardiac transplantation for the time of search for the available organ.

The Nature of Fiction (review)

Reviews349 reading of diese films through an allegorical operation whereby each film is "decoded" as an expression ofa "collective" or "political unconscious": the most convincing of his allegorical readings here are of Stanley Kubrick's TL· Shining and Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon. While clearly not Jameson's most important book, Signatures of tL· Visihh is well worth the reader's time, especially as a testing ground for the interpretive procedures set forth in earlier works. Though there are few surprises in this study, Jameson apdy demonstrates why he remains among the most significant literary tiieorists of the late twentieth century. University of California, RiversideChristopher Wise The Nature of Fiction, by Gregory Currie; xii & 222 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990, $39.50. Currie's book is clear and interesting. He places his discussion within the widercontextofthe philosophy oflanguage, with its concern for the connections between meaning, reference, and truth. At each stage he reviews the major alternatives to his own views. Fiction is characterized as the product of fictive intent and, if true, as at most accidentally true. The "fictive intent" is that we make-believe the constituent propositions of the text and do so by recognizing that we are intended to do so. What is true in fiction (for example, that Holmes is a smoker) is a matter of what the story's teller believes. The strategies for working out what is true in a fiction are make-believe equivalents of the strategies by which we infer others' beliefs. The teller of the story is a fictional construct, a fictional author rather than the actual author. (If the story has a narrator, the fictional author is not always its narrator.) Reliable inference to the fictional author's beliefs requires knowledge not only ofwhat is given in the text, but also of the relevant facts about the community in which the work was written. (This community usually will be that to which the real author belongs.) Because individuals may hold inconsistent (and even contradictory) beliefs, fictions may contain conflicting truths. Different, equally reasonable interpretations of the same text are possible. Though, sometimes, there may be no rational choice to be made between different interpretations, rational choice between interpretations often is possible. Fictional names (such as "Holmes") are discussed at length. On Currie's view, fictional names do not function semantically as proper names. Within the fiction, 350Philosophy and Literature "Holmes" functions as a bound variable—as the particular someone the fictional author has in mind. In metafictive utterances (where, for example, the reader talks of Holmes's exploits), "Holmes" functions as an abbreviated description. In transfictive contexts (where, for example, Holmes is compared to Poirot), "Holmes" refers to a role. Emotional responses to fictional characters are responses in which the cognitive function standardly performed by belief is performed, instead, by makebelief , and the role standardly filled by desire is taken, instead, by make-desire. The appropriate response to a fiction is not always the same as the appropriate response to an actual situation—death can be an occasion for humor. Appropriateness is a matter of the congruence between the reader's response and die emotion expressed in the work; which is to say, the emotion experienced by the fictional author. The virtue of Currie's theory, as he sees it, is that it avoids positing the existence of fictional worlds and fictional characters, that it preserves the rationality of emotional responses to fictions, and that it does these things while relying on a standard (Gricean) account of communication and on the familiar notion of make-believe. One's agreement in this will depend largely on one's assessment of two matters—whether the notion of a fictional author can carry the burden placed on it, and whether Currie's analysis offictional names survives scrutiny. At times Currie moves from talk of the fictional author to talk of the actual author—for instance, in discussing both the intentional fallacy and textual identity. Such moves may be legitimate; there is bound to be a connection between the actual author's intentions and the belief-systems of the fictional author. I feel, though, that the relationship between the two might have received...

Assessment of the potential toxicity of a poison for rabbits, pindone (2-pivalyl 1, 3 indandione), to domestic animals

The toxicity of pindone, a rabbit poison, to horses, cattle, goats, chickens, dogs and cats was investigated, using extension of prothrombin time (PT) as an index of poisoning. The daily dose of pindone, administered for 5 days, ranged from 0.3 mg/kg for dogs to 2.5 mg/kg for chickens. This range of dose rates was considered to be indicative of the worst possible case that could arise following a campaign of baiting for rabbits. Although significant elevations in PT (more than double baseline values) were noted in all species other than horses, clinical signs of anticoagulant poisoning were not observed in any of the species tested. From the observed PT, cattle and cats appeared to be the most susceptible, and horses the least susceptible, to pindone toxicity. The half-lives of the elevated PT were calculated as 3.1 days for cattle, 2.8 days for goats and chickens, 1.9 days for horses and dogs and less than one day for cats. It is proposed that these half-lives can be used as a guide for determining the duration of treatment of pindone-affected animals.