Occurrences of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) on human cadavers in Switzerland, and their importance as forensic indicators.

From 1993 to 2008, criminal investigations were conducted in the western part of Switzerland with special attention to blowfly and flesh fly species in order to estimate the post-mortem interval when requested by the police authorities. Flesh flies were found in only 33 cases out of 160. Five species of the genus Sarcophaga were identified (S. africa, S. argyrostoma, S. caerulescens, S. similis and S. sp.). The main species found on corpses (larval stage) was S. argyrostoma. The thermal constant (K) calculated for this species in Switzerland is 380.6 ± 16.3 (mean ± S.D.) degree-days. With the exception of S. caerulescens, found three times in the larval stage on corpses, the three other species are of minor forensic importance. S. argyrostoma is found during summer and indoors. This species colonises dead bodies, usually the same day as blowfly species, and it could be used to estimate the post-mortem interval. Other species are discussed in the light of current knowledge on their biology and ecology. It is recommended that voucher material be deposited in a museum, allowing further studies by relevant specialists, thereby helping investigators and avoiding misidentifications.

Female plumage spottiness and parasite resistance in the barn owl (Tyto alba)

The hypothesis that extravagant ornaments signal parasite resistance has received support in several species for ornamented males but more rarely for ornamented females. However, recent theories have proposed that females should often be under sexual selection, and therefore females may signal the heritable capacity to resist parasites. We investigated this hypothesis in the socially monogamous barn owl, Tyto alba, in which females exhibit on average more and larger black spots on the plumage than males, and in which males were suggested to choose a mate with respect to female plumage spottiness. We hypothesized that the proportion of the plumage surface covered by black spots signals parasite resistance. In line with this hypothesis, we found that the ectoparasitic fly, Carnus hemapterus, was less abundant on young raised by more heavily spotted females and those flies were less fecund. In an experiment, where entire clutches were cross-fostered between nests, we found that the fecundity of the flies collected on nestlings was negatively correlated with the genetic mother's plumage spottiness. These results suggest that the ability to resist parasites covaries with the extent of female plumage spottiness. Among females collected dead along roads, those with a lot of black spots had a small bursa of Fabricius. Given that parasites bigger the development of this immune organ, this observation further suggests that more spotted females are usually less parasitized. The same analyses performed on male plumage spottiness all provided non-significant results. To our knowledge, this study is the first one showing that a heritable secondary sexual characteristics displayed by females reflects parasite resistance.

Surviving Sepsis Campaign: international guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock: 2008.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an update to the original Surviving Sepsis Campaign clinical management guidelines, "Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines for Management of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock," published in 2004. DESIGN: Modified Delphi method with a consensus conference of 55 international experts, several subsequent meetings of subgroups and key individuals, teleconferences, and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee. This process was conducted independently of any industry funding. METHODS: We used the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence from high (A) to very low (D) and to determine the strength of recommendations. A strong recommendation (1) indicates that an intervention's desirable effects clearly outweigh its undesirable effects (risk, burden, cost) or clearly do not. Weak recommendations (2) indicate that the tradeoff between desirable and undesirable effects is less clear. The grade of strong or weak is considered of greater clinical importance than a difference in letter level of quality of evidence. In areas without complete agreement, a formal process of resolution was developed and applied. Recommendations are grouped into those directly targeting severe sepsis, recommendations targeting general care of the critically ill patient that are considered high priority in severe sepsis, and pediatric considerations. RESULTS: Key recommendations, listed by category, include early goal-directed resuscitation of the septic patient during the first 6 hrs after recognition (1C); blood cultures before antibiotic therapy (1C); imaging studies performed promptly to confirm potential source of infection (1C); administration of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy within 1 hr of diagnosis of septic shock (1B) and severe sepsis without septic shock (1D); reassessment of antibiotic therapy with microbiology and clinical data to narrow coverage, when appropriate (1C); a usual 7-10 days of antibiotic therapy guided by clinical response (1D); source control with attention to the balance of risks and benefits of the chosen method (1C); administration of either crystalloid or colloid fluid resuscitation (1B); fluid challenge to restore mean circulating filling pressure (1C); reduction in rate of fluid administration with rising filing pressures and no improvement in tissue perfusion (1D); vasopressor preference for norepinephrine or dopamine to maintain an initial target of mean arterial pressure > or = 65 mm Hg (1C); dobutamine inotropic therapy when cardiac output remains low despite fluid resuscitation and combined inotropic/vasopressor therapy (1C); stress-dose steroid therapy given only in septic shock after blood pressure is identified to be poorly responsive to fluid and vasopressor therapy (2C); recombinant activated protein C in patients with severe sepsis and clinical assessment of high risk for death (2B except 2C for postoperative patients). In the absence of tissue hypoperfusion, coronary artery disease, or acute hemorrhage, target a hemoglobin of 7-9 g/dL (1B); a low tidal volume (1B) and limitation of inspiratory plateau pressure strategy (1C) for acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); application of at least a minimal amount of positive end-expiratory pressure in acute lung injury (1C); head of bed elevation in mechanically ventilated patients unless contraindicated (1B); avoiding routine use of pulmonary artery catheters in ALI/ARDS (1A); to decrease days of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay, a conservative fluid strategy for patients with established ALI/ARDS who are not in shock (1C); protocols for weaning and sedation/analgesia (1B); using either intermittent bolus sedation or continuous infusion sedation with daily interruptions or lightening (1B); avoidance of neuromuscular blockers, if at all possible (1B); institution of glycemic control (1B), targeting a blood glucose < 150 mg/dL after initial stabilization (2C); equivalency of continuous veno-veno hemofiltration or intermittent hemodialysis (2B); prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis (1A); use of stress ulcer prophylaxis to prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding using H2 blockers (1A) or proton pump inhibitors (1B); and consideration of limitation of support where appropriate (1D). Recommendations specific to pediatric severe sepsis include greater use of physical examination therapeutic end points (2C); dopamine as the first drug of choice for hypotension (2C); steroids only in children with suspected or proven adrenal insufficiency (2C); and a recommendation against the use of recombinant activated protein C in children (1B). CONCLUSIONS: There was strong agreement among a large cohort of international experts regarding many level 1 recommendations for the best current care of patients with severe sepsis. Evidenced-based recommendations regarding the acute management of sepsis and septic shock are the first step toward improved outcomes for this important group of critically ill patients.

Comparison of two osteoporotic fracture management pathways: experience at 1 year

Introduction: Osteoporosis presenting as low-impact fractures to traumatology units is often undiagnosed and under-treated. Results from the Osteocare study in Lausanne (a nurse based intervention, passive pathway) showed that only 19% of patients received management for osteoporosis, and in the literature [1], the rate is between 10-25%. We have evaluated a different management concept, based on the systematic assessment of patients with osteoporotic fractures during and after hospitalization (active pathway). Methods: Inpatients admitted to the Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine for a fragility fracture were identified by a nurse according to a predefined questionnaire and were then clinically evaluated by a doctor. Based on the results, a management plan was proposed to the patients. Patients could choose between follow up either by their GP or by the Centre of Bone Disease of the CHUV. For patients who chose follow-up in our Centre, we assessed their adherence to medical follow-up 1 year inclusion. The results of patients who had been evaluated in our cohort between the 1 November 2008 and the 1 December 2009 were analysed. Results: 573 inpatients received specific management of their osteoporotic fracture over 18 months. The mean age was 77 y (31-99), 81% were women (203 hip fractures, 40 pelvis fractures, 101 arm fractures, 57 vertebral fractures, 63 ankle fractures, and 25 others sites). During the study period, 303 patients received a proposition of a specific treatment. 39 (13%) chose a follow up with the GP, 19 (6%) dead and 245 (81%) preferred a follow up in our Centre. After 1 year, 166 (67%) patients are under follow up in our outpatient clinic. Conclusion: With an active clinical pathway that starts during the hospitalization, consisting on a nursing evaluation followed by a medical consultation by an expert in osteoporosis, the adherence increased from 19% to 67% in terms of follow up. These results lead us to propose a consultation with a doctor experienced in osteoporosis after all osteoporotic fractures.

Pupal cocoons affect sanitary brood care and limit fungal infections in ant colonies.

BACKGROUND: The brood of ants and other social insects is highly susceptible to pathogens, particularly those that penetrate the soft larval and pupal cuticle. We here test whether the presence of a pupal cocoon, which occurs in some ant species but not in others, affects the sanitary brood care and fungal infection patterns after exposure to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum. We use a) a comparative approach analysing four species with either naked or cocooned pupae and b) a within-species analysis of a single ant species, in which both pupal types co-exist in the same colony. RESULTS: We found that the presence of a cocoon did not compromise fungal pathogen detection by the ants and that species with cocooned pupae increased brood grooming after pathogen exposure. All tested ant species further removed brood from their nests, which was predominantly expressed towards larvae and naked pupae treated with the live fungal pathogen. In contrast, cocooned pupae exposed to live fungus were not removed at higher rates than cocooned pupae exposed to dead fungus or a sham control. Consistent with this, exposure to the live fungus caused high numbers of infections and fungal outgrowth in larvae and naked pupae, but not in cocooned pupae. Moreover, the ants consistently removed the brood prior to fungal outgrowth, ensuring a clean brood chamber. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the pupal cocoon has a protective effect against fungal infection, causing an adaptive change in sanitary behaviours by the ants. It further demonstrates that brood removal-originally described for honeybees as "hygienic behaviour"-is a widespread sanitary behaviour in ants, which likely has important implications on disease dynamics in social insect colonies.

Identification of three Sorex species with microsatellite markers

Three sibling species of shrews, the common shrew (Sorex araneus), the Valais shrew (S. antinorii) and the Jersey shrew (S. coronatus) are morphologically similar. Different techniques based on karyorypes, morphology, biochemistry and genetic markers have been developed to identify individuals from these taxa. In this paper, we have used multiple microsatellite markers (L13, L14 and L99) to identify 55 dead animals coming from the Tarentaise Valley in France. As some individuals showed an unclear pattern with loci previously thought to be diagnostic (Lugon-Moulin et al. 2000), we have used morphologic measurements (Hausser et al. 1991) to confirm the status of these animals. This analysis clearly showed the limitations of the use of genetic diagnostic markers that have been designed in local populations and then applied to a wider scale. Even if these markers have great advantages over other techniques (i.e. simple to use and do not require samples from living animals), they should always be used with caution. There is always a risk of a locus not being diagnostic in the sampling region or in finding individuals with hybrid genotypes. Additional genetic markers should then be used, simultaneously with other identification techniques, to be sure of the status of the individuals.

RNA-based gene duplication: mechanistic and evolutionary insights.

Gene copies that stem from the mRNAs of parental source genes have long been viewed as evolutionary dead-ends with little biological relevance. Here we review a range of recent studies that have unveiled a significant number of functional retroposed gene copies in both mammalian and some non-mammalian genomes. These studies have not only revealed previously unknown mechanisms for the emergence of new genes and their functions but have also provided fascinating general insights into molecular and evolutionary processes that have shaped genomes. For example, analyses of chromosomal gene movement patterns via RNA-based gene duplication have shed fresh light on the evolutionary origin and biology of our sex chromosomes.

Absence of residual Hodgkin's disease demonstrated by PET/CT in a deceased organ donor.

With the current limited availability of organs for transplantation, it is important to consider marginal donor candidates, including survivors of potentially curable malignancies such as lymphoma. The absence of refractory/recurrent residual disease at the time of brain death can be difficult to establish. Therefore, it is critical to have objective data to decide whether to proceed or not with organ procurement and transplantation. We report a unique situation in which (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) was used to rule out Hodgkin's lymphoma recurrence in a 33-year-old, heart-beating, brain-dead, potential donor with a past history of Hodgkin's disease and a persistent mediastinal mass. PET showed no significant uptake in the mass, allowing organ donation and transplantation to occur. We present a new means of evaluating potential brain-dead donors with a past history of some lymphoma, whereby PET may help transplant physicians by optimizing donation safety while rationalizing the inclusion of marginal donors.

TLR3 and Rig-like receptor on myeloid dendritic cells and Rig-like receptor on human NK cells are both mandatory for production of IFN-gamma in response to double-stranded RNA.

Cross-talk between NK cells and dendritic cells (DCs) is critical for the potent therapeutic response to dsRNA, but the receptors involved remained controversial. We show in this paper that two dsRNAs, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], similarly engaged human TLR3, whereas only poly(I:C) triggered human RIG-I and MDA5. Both dsRNA enhanced NK cell activation within PBMCs but only poly(I:C) induced IFN-gamma. Although myeloid DCs (mDCs) were required for NK cell activation, induction of cytolytic potential and IFN-gamma production did not require contact with mDCs but was dependent on type I IFN and IL-12, respectively. Poly(I:C) but not polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid synergized with mDC-derived IL-12 for IFN-gamma production by acting directly on NK cells. Finally, the requirement of both TLR3 and Rig-like receptor (RLR) on mDCs and RLRs but not TLR3 on NK cells for IFN-gamma production was demonstrated using TLR3- and Cardif-deficient mice and human RIG-I-specific activator. Thus, we report the requirement of cotriggering TLR3 and RLR on mDCs and RLRs on NK cells for a pathogen product to induce potent innate cell activation.

Breviarium Strigoniense.

Cf. notice du ms. par Leroquais, Bréviaires, III, 182-185 n° 591 et pl. XCIX; P. Radó, Libri liturgici manuscripti bibliothecarum Hungariae et limitropharum regionum, Budapest, 1973. Un bréviaire d'Esztergom a été imprimé en 1524 à Venise. F. 2-8v Calendrier à l'usage d'Esztergom, avec un grand nombre de saints d'origines diverses (2-7v); cf. Leroquais, op. cit., 182. À noter les saints non mentionnés dans les Acta sanctorum, ou du moins pas pour la date correspondante; ne sont pas relevés les saints hongrois considérés comme classiques par Radó, op. cit., passim : 4 févr., «Victoris m.»; 8 févr., «Juliani m.»; 13 févr., «Adalberti m.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 96 d'après ms. Budapest, B. N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 395; 15févr., «Faustiani m.»; 21 févr., «Septuaginta mm.», non signalé sous cette forme pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit.; 15 mars, «Hilarii conf. et pont.», non signalé sous cette forme pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit.; 17 mars, «Bernardi conf.»; 26mars, «Eustachii abb.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 96 d'après ms. Budapest, B.N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 395; 28 mars, «Gastuli m.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 3 juill., «Bonifacii ep.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 5 juill., «Dominici m.»; 4 août, «Gaudentii ep. et conf.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 329 d'après ms. Budapest, B. N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 408; 8 août, «Adventus sanguinis D. N. J. C.»; 31 août, «Pauli ep. et m.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 12 oct., «Quatuor milium mm.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit., à rapprocher de quatuor mille octingenti septuaginta mm., cf. Radó, op. cit., 167 d'après ms. Esztergom, B. metropolitana Strigoniensis I. 20; 14 oct., «Cerbonii conf.»; 27 oct., «Vedasti m.»; 15 nov., «Martini conf.», non signalé pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit; 20 nov., «Aniani ep. [Aurelianensis] et conf.». Pour plusieurs saints du calendrier on ne trouve pas d'office dans le sanctoral, et vice versa. — «Sequitur tabula impositionis historiarum...» (8-8v). F. 11-76 Psautier férial (11-72). — Office des défunts à l'usage d'Esztergom (72v-76); cf. K. Ottosen, The responsories and versicles of the latin office of the dead, Aarhus 1993, 127 (description des ff.74v-75v = «BN8879B») et 180 (description des ff.72v-74v = «BN8879A»). F. 77-528v Temporal : «Incipit breviarium secundum chorum alme ecclesie Strigoniensis. Dominica prima in adventu Domini...» (77-282v). Sanctoral : «Incipit secunda pars breviarii scilicet de festivitatibus. De s. Silvestro...» (286-486). À noter : office de l'Immaculée Conception composé par Léonard Nogarolo (480v). Commun des saints : «Incipit commune de sanctis et primo in vigilia unius apostoli...» (486v-513v). — «Sequitur de b. Virgine sabbatis diebus per estatem. Ad vesperas...» (513v-516v). «In quotidianis horis b. Virginis...» (516v-525). — «Sequuntur preces in quadragesima...» (525-526v). — «Sequuntur suffragia sabbatis diebus per estatem...» (526v-528), dont suffrages des ss. [Stephani regis Hungariae; Emerici ducis] (527), [Ladislai regis Hungariae; Adalberti ep. Pragensis et m.] (527v). — «Absolutio excommunicati...» (528-528v). 106 hymnes mentionnées dans la table des incipit, dont une non répertoriée dans Chevalier, Repert. hymn. ni dans les A. H., pour les confesseurs : «Christe lucis splendor vere fabrice mundi semper nobis parcens miserere confessorum precibus//...» (506v); cf. P. Radó, Répertoire hymnologique des mss. liturgiques dans les bibliothèques publiques de Hongrie, Budapest 1945, n° 111, relevée une fois dans le ms. Budapest, Bibl. nat. Hung. c. l. m. ae. 132, ms. décrit par Radó, Libri liturgici..., op. cit., 395-400.

Breviarium Strigoniense.

Cf. notice du ms. par Leroquais, Bréviaires, III, 182-185 n° 591 et pl. XCIX; P. Radó, Libri liturgici manuscripti bibliothecarum Hungariae et limitropharum regionum, Budapest, 1973. Un bréviaire d'Esztergom a été imprimé en 1524 à Venise. F. 2-8v Calendrier à l'usage d'Esztergom, avec un grand nombre de saints d'origines diverses (2-7v); cf. Leroquais, op. cit., 182. À noter les saints non mentionnés dans les Acta sanctorum, ou du moins pas pour la date correspondante; ne sont pas relevés les saints hongrois considérés comme classiques par Radó, op. cit., passim : 4 févr., «Victoris m.»; 8 févr., «Juliani m.»; 13 févr., «Adalberti m.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 96 d'après ms. Budapest, B. N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 395; 15févr., «Faustiani m.»; 21 févr., «Septuaginta mm.», non signalé sous cette forme pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit.; 15 mars, «Hilarii conf. et pont.», non signalé sous cette forme pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit.; 17 mars, «Bernardi conf.»; 26mars, «Eustachii abb.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 96 d'après ms. Budapest, B.N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 395; 28 mars, «Gastuli m.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 3 juill., «Bonifacii ep.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 5 juill., «Dominici m.»; 4 août, «Gaudentii ep. et conf.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 329 d'après ms. Budapest, B. N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 408; 8 août, «Adventus sanguinis D. N. J. C.»; 31 août, «Pauli ep. et m.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 12 oct., «Quatuor milium mm.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit., à rapprocher de quatuor mille octingenti septuaginta mm., cf. Radó, op. cit., 167 d'après ms. Esztergom, B. metropolitana Strigoniensis I. 20; 14 oct., «Cerbonii conf.»; 27 oct., «Vedasti m.»; 15 nov., «Martini conf.», non signalé pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit; 20 nov., «Aniani ep. [Aurelianensis] et conf.». Pour plusieurs saints du calendrier on ne trouve pas d'office dans le sanctoral, et vice versa. — «Sequitur tabula impositionis historiarum...» (8-8v). F. 11-76 Psautier férial (11-72). — Office des défunts à l'usage d'Esztergom (72v-76); cf. K. Ottosen, The responsories and versicles of the latin office of the dead, Aarhus 1993, 127 (description des ff.74v-75v = «BN8879B») et 180 (description des ff.72v-74v = «BN8879A»). F. 77-528v Temporal : «Incipit breviarium secundum chorum alme ecclesie Strigoniensis. Dominica prima in adventu Domini...» (77-282v). Sanctoral : «Incipit secunda pars breviarii scilicet de festivitatibus. De s. Silvestro...» (286-486). À noter : office de l'Immaculée Conception composé par Léonard Nogarolo (480v). Commun des saints : «Incipit commune de sanctis et primo in vigilia unius apostoli...» (486v-513v). — «Sequitur de b. Virgine sabbatis diebus per estatem. Ad vesperas...» (513v-516v). «In quotidianis horis b. Virginis...» (516v-525). — «Sequuntur preces in quadragesima...» (525-526v). — «Sequuntur suffragia sabbatis diebus per estatem...» (526v-528), dont suffrages des ss. [Stephani regis Hungariae; Emerici ducis] (527), [Ladislai regis Hungariae; Adalberti ep. Pragensis et m.] (527v). — «Absolutio excommunicati...» (528-528v). 106 hymnes mentionnées dans la table des incipit, dont une non répertoriée dans Chevalier, Repert. hymn. ni dans les A. H., pour les confesseurs : «Christe lucis splendor vere fabrice mundi semper nobis parcens miserere confessorum precibus//...» (506v); cf. P. Radó, Répertoire hymnologique des mss. liturgiques dans les bibliothèques publiques de Hongrie, Budapest 1945, n° 111, relevée une fois dans le ms. Budapest, Bibl. nat. Hung. c. l. m. ae. 132, ms. décrit par Radó, Libri liturgici..., op. cit., 395-400.

Revisiting girlhood : defining a postmodern/popular feminist culture /

It has bee1l said that feminism is dead, but in fact feminism is alive in popular cultural fonlls that offer pleasure, style, fUll and advice, as well as political messages that are internalized alld continuously enacted in the lives of North American female youth. This thesis discusses popular feminism with respect to mainstream girls' cultural discourses in music alld magazine reading. Specifically this thesis examines the importance of Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and the Spice Girls, in addition to the numerous girl magazines available on the market today, such as Seventeen and YM. Focusing on the issue of the feminine versus feminist polarity and its importance to girls' culture, this thesis attempts to demonstrate how popular feminism can be used as a mode of empowerment and illustrates the mode of consumption of popular feminist texts that frames female selfimage, attitude, behaviour and speech. Through the employment of popular feminist theories and a discourse alld semiotic analysis of musical lyrics, performance and style, in addition to magazine reading and advertisements, this thesis highlights the use of active media reading and being by girls to gaill an understanding with regards to social positioning and postmodern political identity. More fundamentally, this thesis questions how popular feminism disables, questions and critiques popular ideologies ill a patriarchal society.

The surficial geology, sedimentology and geochemistry of the late glacial sediments and Paleozoic bedrock in the Campbellford area, Ontario, with special reference to the Dummer Complex /

The Dummer Complex extends 180 km along the Precambrian - Paleozoic contact from Tamworth to Lake Simcoe. It is composed of coarse, angular Paleozoic clasts in discontinuous, pitted, hummocky deposits. Deposits are usually separated by bare or boulder strewn bedrock, but have been found in the southern drumlinized till sheet. Dummer Complex deposits show rough alignment with ice-flow. Eskers cross-cut many of the deposits. Dummer sediment subfacies are defined on the basis of dominant coarse grain size and lithology, which relate directly to the underlying Paleozoic formation. Three subglacial tills are identified based on the degree of comminution and distance of transport; the immature facies of the Dummer Complex; the mature facies of the drumlinized till sheet and; the submature facies which is transitional. Carbonate geochemistry was used for till-bedrock correlation in various grain sizes. Of the 3 Paleozoic formations underlying the Dummer Complex, the Gull River Fm. is geochemically distinctive from the Bobcaygeon and Verulam Formations using Ca, Mg, Sr, Cu, Mn, Fe and Na. The Bobcaygeon Fm. and Verulam Fm. can be differentiated using Ca and the Sr/Ca ratio. The immature facies from 1.0 phi and finer is dominated by the non-carbonate, long distance transported component which decreases slightly downice. The submature till facies contains more long distance material than the immature facies. Sr and Mn can be used to correlate the Gull River immature till facies to the underlying bedrock the other subfacies could not be distinguished from each other or their respective source formation. This method proved to be ineffective for sediments with greater than 35% non-carbonate component, due to leaching of elements by the dissolving acid.The Dummer Complex is produced subglacially , as the compressional ice encounters the permeable Paleozoic carbonates. The increased shear strength of the ice and pore pressures in the carbonates results in the basal ice zones becoming debris ladden. Cleaner ice overrides the basal debris . laden dead ice which then acts as the glacier bed. During retreat, the Simcoe lobe stagnates as flow is cut-off by the Algonquin Highlands.

Emptying the bell jar: an exploration of adolescent responses to a women's literature unit /

This study examines adolescent student responses to a women's literature unit taught within a grade 12 Writer's Craft course. Current research (Gilligan, 1989, Pipher, 1994 & Slack, 1999) suggests that there is a great under-representation of female authors in the high school literature curriculum. The use of women's literature may draw attention to important literary figures who are historically overlooked within the curriculum. It gives voice to a marginalized group and presents students with alternative subjects and heroes. It encourages students to develop a critical perspective and reevaluate assumptions about institutions, ideologies, language and culture. It also allows me, as a teacher, to reflect on my own teaching practices and explore alternate feminist pedagogical principles and teaching styles encouraging multiplicity of voices, deconstruction of power relations, and alternative assessment tools within the classroom. As an educator, it is important for me to teach curriculum that is relevant and meaningful to students and help them become critical, self-reflective thinkers. It is also important for me to assist students in their exploration of self and encourage them to expand their awareness of historical, social and global issues. Sylvia Plath's (1963) The belljar is used as the primary text taught within this unit. In this novel, the bell jar is a central image that signifies entrapment and isolation. "To the person in the bell jar, blank and stopped as a dead body, the world itself is the bad dream"(p.l 54). As a metaphor, the bell jar resonates with young readers in a variety of ways.