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In a prospective study 568 patients admitted to a mixed medical and surgical intensive therapy unit (ITU) were assessed using the Apache II severity of illness score to predict outcome. Their outcome was also predicted subjectively by a doctor and nurse on admission. There were 260 deaths in the group. The subjective predictions were compared with the Apache II predictions using logistic regression analysis and receiver-operating-characteristic curve measurement. The subjective assessments were found to be a more powerful predictor of outcome in this group of patients than the Apache II scores and predicted risk of death. Although the predictions could be successfully applied to the population as a whole, none of the tests were suitable for predicting outcome on an individual patient.

Movements of individual fourth instar Coccinella septempunctata L. larvae on pot-grown broad bean plants in England were recorded continually to assess plant recognition and the effects of prey captura, Prey capture was also studied in a 25X25 cm artificial arena. Approximately 80% of the total distance moved by larvae on plants was along leaf edges and mid-veins. Typical search speeds were 0-38-0-51 cm s" 1 . An average of only 3-2% of larval search time on plants was spent on leaf laminae on which movement was considerably slower, about 0-15 cm s -1 . Discovery of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) nymphs on plants induced intensive re-searching of the general area of discovery for periods of up to 12 min whereas in the arena the intensive search following prey capture lasted only up to 72 s and was much more localised. Examination of larval search times on plants revealed that 64% and 36% of maximum search times were recorded for the first and for the second or third searches, respectively, in a sequence of searches of the same plant. Only after prey capture was a fourth or subsequent search the longest. Plants previously searched unsuccessfully were recognised by detection of a chemical marker, specific for each individual, secreted via the anal disc during searching. Since C. septempunctata larvae are unable to detect aphids by sight or smell, recognition of areas previously searched unsuccessfully minimises wasteful energy expenditure. IntroductionAlthough the Coccinellidae are an important family of aphidophagous insects, only a few studies of predator behaviour on plants have been published (Fleschner, 1950;Banks, 1957;Dixon, 1959). During a study of predation by Coccinella septempunctata L. on the aphid species Aphis fabae Scop, and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) on small bean plants, Vicia faba (Marks, 1970;Murdoch & Marks, 1973), it was noticed that sequential introductions of a larva to the same plant frequently resulted in reduced search times if the larva was unsuccessful in obtaining food. This paper presents results of experiments done in England with C. septempunctata larvae in which behaviour on plants and in an artificial arena were compared and the possibility examined that larvae could recognise areas of plants which they had previously searched.

SUMMARY Isoelectric focusing on thin layers of polyacrylamide gel was used to separate proteins from the potato cyst‐nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida. General protein patterns could be used to identify the two species, even from. single cysts. Staining for the enzyme phosphoglucomutase (PGM) also produced species specific patterns and the presence of PGM variation among G. pallida populations was revealed. The potential of isolectric focusing as a routine research and advisory tool in nematology is discussed.

Substance use is common among young people and can escalate into significant problems for affected individuals and their families. Family responses can influence the course of youth substance use and its consequences for family members, including parents and siblings. Family-level interventions developed to date have neglected the important role that siblings can play. This article describes a pilot test of an intervention designed to assist parents and siblings affected by youth substance use and related problems. The BEST Plus intervention consisting of professionally-led, multifamily groups sequenced over eight sessions is described with reference to the intended therapeutic processes. Professionally observed and self-reported changes for family participants including siblings suggested that the program had a beneficial therapeutic impact. This evaluation of early impacts suggests the BEST Plus program offers a promising means of assisting families to respond to substance use problems in young people.