Background & Aims: Nocardia are gram-positive, aerobic, relative acid-fast, and opportunistic bacteria, and one of the causes of systematic infection around the world. The natural habitats of these bacteria are soil and dust. Hospitalized patients with immune deficiency are at high risk of transmission of opportunistic infection. Due to these facts and...

...................................................................................................................................i Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................iii List of Figures .....................................................................................................................

Substantial increases in retail concentration (particularly in Europe) raise concerns about the welfare implications for consumers. In a formal model, we argue that retailer market power reduces upstream firms incentives to introduce new products. On the basis of a survey of firms in German food manufacturing, the results of a negative binomial regression model supports the proposition of a det...

Part

In a Perspective, Jane Norman and Phillip Bennett argue that it is time to explore alternatives to progesterone for preventing preterm birth.

Analysis of data from the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth indicates that use of emergency contraception in the United States has increased after changes in its prescription status in 2006. However, clinicians continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that women have accurate information about emergency contraception.