bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTC) Impact on Specialist Registrar Training in Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty?
Authors: Clamp Jonathan A , Baiju Dean SR , Copas David P , Hutchinson James W , Rowles John M
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

The introduction of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) is likely to reduce specialist registrar (SpR) operative experience during higher surgical training (HST). A further negative impact on training by local Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTCs) could reduce experience, and thus competence, in primary joint arthroplasty at completion of higher surgical training.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective case note and radiograph analysis of patients receiving primary hip and knee arthroplasty in a teaching hospital, before and after the establishment of a local ISTC. Patients and operative details were recorded from the selected case notes. Corresponding radiographs were assessed and the severity of the disease process assessed.

RESULTS

Fewer primary hip and knee replacements were performed by SpRs in the time period after the establishment of an ISTC.

Conclusions

ISTCs may adversely affect SpR training in primary joint arthroplasty.
The ‘2-Week Wait’ Rule for Referrals for Suspected Urological Cancers – Urgent Need for Refinement of Criteria
Authors: Hawary Amr M , Warburton Hazel E , Brough Richard J , Collins Gerald N , Brown Stephen C , O'Reilly Patrick H , Adeyoju Adebanji AB
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

All NHS-suspected cancers should be seen within 2 weeks of referral and are referred under government guidelines (Health Service Circular 205; HSC 205). This policy will be subject to review in 2009. Review is vital to allow the appropriate detection of malignancy without overburdening the premium clinic slots with the healthy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 170 consecutive patients were referred from January–June 2005. Referral details, patient information, events and time to diagnosis were recorded.

RESULTS

Of these 170 patients, 143 were suitable for analysis. Forty-three patients (30%) were referred with frank haematuria, of whom 30% had bladder cancer. Nine percent of patients (n = 13) had microscopic haematuria none of whom had cancer. A quarter of the patients (n = 35) were referred with suspected testis cancer but none had cancer. Forty-one patients were referred with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevation; 18 cancers were detected in this group. Ten men had PSA values greater than 50 ng/ml. Only two cancers were suitable for radical prostatectomy. No cancer was found in patients less than 50 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

A high cancer incidence was found (27.9%), the majority of which was bladder cancer or advanced prostate cancer. Out of the 143 patients, no malignancy was diagnosed in any patient less than 50 years of age, no malignancy was diagnosed in any of the microscopic haematuria group and there was no cancer diagnosed in the group of patients referred with scrotal swellings. We suggest that some guidelines are leading to referral of patients with low cancer risk. When the HSC 205 is revised in 2009, we hope studies such as ours are taken into consideration in order to improve resource utilisation.
Workload and Resource Implications of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Centralisation in South East Wales
Authors: Morgan MA , Goodson M , Escofet X , Clark GWB , Lewis WG
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine whether one specialist unit could manage all patients diagnosed with oesophagogastric cancer in Gwent and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trusts over a 6-month period with regard to workload, resource and training opportunities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients diagnosed with oesophagogastric (OG) cancer in Gwent and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trusts and referred to the regional South East Wales Upper GI multidisciplinary team over the 6-month period from 1 July to 31 December 2005 were studied prospectively and compared with the previous 6-month caseload at Cardiff and Vale.

RESULTS

Out-patient workload increased from 160 new (33 OG cancers) and 533 follow-up patients (161 OG cancers) between 1 January and 30 June 2005, to 290 new (68 OG cancers, 106% increase) and 865 follow-up patients (230 OG cancers, 43% increase) between 1 July, and 31 December 2005. The number of patients undergoing radical surgery increased from 14 to 23 (D2 gastrectomy 8 versus 13; oesophagectomy 6 versus 10). Cancer-related workload in the latter period generated 118 intermediate equivalents (IEs) of operative work for two specialist surgeons and one SpR occupying 38% of the total time available on 104 scheduled operating lists, compared with 64 IEs in the previous 6 months, representing an 84% increase in cancer-related operative training opportunities.

CONCLUSIONS

Centralisation of oesophagogastric cancer surgery is feasible and desirable if national guidelines are to be satisfied, and this strategy has significant positive implications for surgical training and audit.
Clinical Audit of the Management of Stable Ankle Fractures
Authors: Jain Nitin , Symes Tom , Doorgakant Ashtin , Dawson Matt
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

Ankle fractures are common and ‘stable’ ankle fractures comprise 40–75% of this group. Studies show that these injuries can be managed successfully in a functional brace, with no need for further radiographs and minimal out-patient follow-up. We aimed to audit current practice and introduce change in order to improve treatment and produce financial savings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective 6-month audit was carried out to establish practice. Guidelines were then drawn up and widely distributed in the accident and emergency (A&E) and orthopaedic departments. These included criteria for diagnosis of stable ankle fractures, a management protocol for treatment of these injuries in a brace and also a follow-up algorithm in the out-patient clinic. A prospective 6-month audit was then carried out to assess the effectiveness of the guidelines.

RESULTS

Of patients presenting in the second 6-month period, 91% were managed in a functional brace. The mean number of out-patient follow-up appointments, weeks until discharge and repeat radiographs all decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after the implementation of the guidelines. The cost of treating a patient with a stable ankle fracture dropped from £310.75 to £129.80.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous studies have shown that stable ankle fractures are more effectively treated in a functional brace than a plaster cast, do not displace and, therefore, do not need repeat radiographs. A previous audit demonstrated that 60% of patients with stable fractures could be treated in a brace. We have shown that, with effective and persistent education of colleagues, the vast majority (91%) of patients can be managed in this way and this results in a significant cost saving. We have also shown that an evidence-based treatment protocol can produce significant improvements in management for patients and savings for healthcare organisations.
The Value of Interhospital Transfer and Emergency MRI for Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome: A 2-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Crocker M , Fraser G , Boyd E , Wilson J , Chitnavis BP , Thomas NW
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

The timing of surgery in cauda equina syndrome due to prolapsed intervertebral disc remains controversial. Assessment of these patients requires magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is of limited availability outside normal working hours in the UK.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed radiological results in all patients undergoing emergency MRI within our unit for suspected cauda equina syndrome over a 2-year period, and all subjects undergoing emergency lumbar discectomy for cauda equina syndrome within the same period. Outcome measures were: proportion of positive findings in symptomatic patients and proportion of patients referred with diagnostic MRI scans undergoing emergency surgery. We also assessed outcomes of patients having surgery for cauda equina syndrome in terms of improvement of pain, sensory and sphincter disturbance.

RESULTS

A total of 76 patients were transferred for assessment and ‘on-call’ MRI; 27 were subsequently operated upon. Only 5 proceeded to emergency discectomy that night (prior to next scheduled list). This may be due to delays in timing – from referral to acceptance, to arrival in the department, to diagnostic scan and to theatre. With the second group of patients, 43 had emergency discectomy for cauda equina syndrome during the study period. Of these, 6 patients had an out-of-hours MRI at our hospital for assessment (one patient living locally). Most surgically treated patients experienced improvement in their pain syndrome, with approximately two-thirds experiencing improvement in sensory and sphincter disturbance.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support a policy of advising MRI scan for cauda equina syndrome at the earliest opportunity within the next 24 h in the referring hospital, rather than emergency transfer for diagnostic imaging which has a relatively low yield in terms of patients operated on as an emergency.
Identification and Treatment of Anaemia in Patients Awaiting Hip Replacement
Authors: Rogers BA , Cowie A , Alcock C , Rosson JW
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

The correction of anaemia prior to total hip arthroplasty reduces surgical risk, hospital stay and cost. This study considers the benefits of implementing a protocol of identifying and treating pre-operative anaemia whilst the patient is on the waiting list for surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From a prospective series of 322 patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA), patients identified as anaemic (haemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dl) when initially placed upon the waiting list were appropriately investigated and treated. Pre- and postoperative Hb levels, need for transfusion, and length of hospital stay were collated for the entire patient cohort.

RESULTS

Of the cohort, 8.8% of patients were anaemic when initially placed upon the waiting list for THA and had a higher transfusion rate (23% versus 3%; P < 0.05) and longer hospital stay (7.5 days versus 6.6 days; P < 0.05). Over 40% of these patients responded to investigation and treatment whilst on the waiting list, showing a significant improvement in Hb level (10.1 g/dl to 12.7 g/dl) and improved transfusion rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantifying the haemoglobin level of patients when initially placed on the waiting list helps highlight those at risk of requiring a postoperative blood transfusion. Further, the early identification of anaemia allows for the utilisation of the waiting-list time to investigate and treat these patients. For patients who respond to treatment, there is a significant reduction in the need for blood transfusion with its inherent hazards.
Pruritus Ani
Authors: Siddiqi S , Vijay V , Ward M , Mahendran R , Warren S
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

Pruritus ani is a common condition with many causes, predominately anorectal pathology. There are some new insights and therapies, but the most recommendations are based on low-level evidence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A literature search was carried out using Medline and the internet with the keywords ‘pruritus ani’ from 1950 to 2007.

RESULTS

A review of the evidence is presented and a management plan based on the elimination of irritants and scratching, general control measures and active treatment measures is offered.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of primary and secondary pruritus ani has a good prospect of regression of symptoms and skin changes.
Evolution in Practice: How has British Neurosurgery Changed in the Last 10 Years?
Authors: Tarnaris A , Arvin B , Ashkan K
Published: August 2008

INTRODUCTION

Neurosurgery is a fast-evolving surgical subspecialty driven by technological advances, socio-economic factors and patient expectations. In this study, we have compared the work-load volume in a single institution in the years of 1994 and 2004 and commented on the possible reasons for the changes and the impacts they may have for the future.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective, log-book review of all operations performed in the years 1994 and 2004 in a single, tertiary, neurosurgical centre was performed.

RESULTS

Neurosurgical practice has evolved over this period. Current practice has moved away from clipping of aneurysms and towards coil embolisation performed by interventional radiologists. Electrode stimulation of deep brain regions for movement disorders is the current practice, whereas 10 years ago the same disorders were dealt with by lesioning of the relevant regions. In spinal neurosurgery, instrumentation is increasingly favoured currently. In the field of neuro-oncology, current practice favours minimal access to the target area by the use of stereotactic localisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes were most pronounced in the subspecialties of vascular, functional and spinal neurosurgery within this 10-year period. Knowledge of such dynamics is valuable in health resource management as well as planning for neurosurgical training programmes.
Current Status of Salivary Hormone Analysis
Authors: Gröschl Michael
Published: August 2008

Background: Saliva, which offers a noninvasive and stress-free alternative to plasma and serum, is a widely accepted sample source for analysis of steroids and also of certain amines and peptides. In recent years, numerous publications have described the use of salivary hormone analysis in many fields of clinical and basic research.

Content: This review provides an overview of the current applications of salivary hormone analysis. A description of the different modes of hormone entry into saliva is followed by a detailed description of analytical methods and approaches for reliable collection of saliva, including several interesting applications in diverse fields including psychiatry, stress research, clinical endocrinology, sports medicine, and veterinary medicine.

Summary: Although saliva has not yet become a mainstream sample source for hormone analysis, it has proven to be reliable and, in some cases, even superior to other body fluids. Nevertheless much effort will be required for this approach to receive acceptance over the long term, especially by clinicians. Such effort includes the development of specific and standardized analytical tools, the establishment of defined reference intervals, and implementation of round-robin trials. One major problem, the lack of compliance sometimes seen in outpatient saliva donors, requires strict standardization of both collection and analysis methods to achieve better comparability and assessment of published salivary hormone data.
The Condition of “East Asia” Discourse. Theory and Practice of De-homogenization
Authors: Park Sangjin
Published: September 2008

Any attempt to establish East Asia's own history and tradition must cope with the heritage of the Western imperial desire for East Asia and its self-reflection. We need to de-construct the narrative of the origin of East Asia and re-construct its new identity. A new discourse of East Asia needs to be located outside the dichotomy of Western empire and Eastern colony, and within a critical analysis of the internal and external competitions in which East Asian countries have engaged in the process of constructing the modern nation-state. – What are the conditions for an appropriate East-Asia discourse? Charting a path toward global co-existence, it should avoid state-centered discourses, and constructions of an exclusive community promoted by the West. A truly universal concept of East-Asian identity must be inclusive, both inside and outside the East-Asian states. The new East Asia should be constituted by nation-states, groups, regions, and individuals that are permeated with its very idea. The identity of East Asia is the process itself in which the whole and the parts incessantly intermingle, change and generate each other: open, dynamic, and contextualized.
First Nations Identity, Contemporary Interpretive Communities, and Nomadic Legacies
Authors: Darnell Regna
Published: September 2008

The concept of interpretive community provides a bridge between literary studies and the social sciences. As an anthropologist and ethnographer, I consider First Nations [e.g. Aboriginal Canadian] identity in light of an historical tradition of nomadic subsistence refracted in contemporary decision-making procedures about such resources as employment, education, and social services. The structures of First Nations imagination are cultural, and must be approached through the standpoint of contemporary First Nations persons and communities.
Conditions of Identity in Writing or: about a Genocide
Authors: Stockhammer Robert
Published: September 2008

Modern concepts of identity proceed from paradoxical assumptions: on the one hand, they presuppose the indivisibility and self-identity of individuals; on the other hand, singular human beings are defined by their affiliation with certain groups and/or by sharing attributes with others, i.e. by their identity as … Current discussions tend to avoid this paradox by referring to a ‘free play of identities,’ above all with regard to ‘ethnic’ affiliations. However, this liberal conception ignores administrative procedures that unequivocally assign individuals to particular collectives. Identity cards that contain a category on ethnic affiliation with pre-defined choices constitute a characteristic device for these procedures. Identity cards like these were one of the most important prerequisites for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Literary and other efforts to come to terms with the genocide are confronted with the paradox that they need to maintain ethnic categories in their description of the genocide, yet they have to challenge them lest they perpetuate the conditions of the genocide. This article discusses the relations between identification procedures and literary texts about the Rwandan genocide.
Detecting semiotically-expressed humor in diasporic TV productions
Authors: Balirano Giuseppe , Corduas Marcella
Published: September 2008

In this article, we suggest a semiotic approach to the study of visual humorous texts. Our method is based on the multimodal script analysis, which is a useful tool for examining not only verbal texts but also more complex texts, which combine the presence of images and sounds with verbally expressed humor. The resulting framework highlights how some visual comic mechanisms may enhance a different perception of semiotically expressed humor. Moreover, we present a statistical model in order to detect and measure how the resolution of some incongruities may also be determined by specific variables, which help to establish the existence and the strength with which the appreciation of humor varies according to the ethnic group of origin. In particular, the study analyzes the clip ‘Jodhpur Station, 1947’ from a very popular British Asian sketch-show, Goodness Gracious Me (GGM). The sketch shares some similar features with the narrative strategies typical of joke-tellers and is characterized by a complex humorous apparatus depending on different levels of understanding relating to encyclopedic, cross-cultural, and even diasporic knowledge of the world.
Send in the clowns: The role of the joker in three New Zealand IT companies
Authors: Plester Barbara , Orams Mark
Published: September 2008

Since mediaeval times the joker, jester, fool, or clown has been a privileged individual able to comment upon social structure, and parody rules, and authority while remaining immune from repercussions. Similar functions are fulfilled by their modern counterparts, and a study of workplace humor functions revealed the existence of jokers who created and instigated many of the humor ‘events’ in the studied companies. The joker expresses alternative possibilities and can question authority without subverting it. Although not officially appointed to the role, the modern organizational joker negotiates within his workgroup in order to assume this social position. The role evolves through the joker's involvement and participation in a community of practice using shared history and practices. The jokers were considered to be important organizational members by both their peers and managers, and their joking skills were highly valued.

Although instances of humor are often multifunctional, the jokers use humor to fulfill some key functions in their workplaces. Four key functions of the jokers were identified and discussed and form the focus of this paper: challenging management; pushing the boundaries; developing the culture; and providing relief. The functions are explored using the community of practice framework (Wenger 1998) and also drawing on both organizational and humor literature.
Alienation: A laughing matter
Authors: Mauldin R. Kirk
Published: September 2008

A previously ignored method of assessing relative levels of alienation is the content analysis of work jokes exchanged in different venues. This study uses quantitative content analysis to code 1,085 joke-texts collected from ten job-sites and from the Internet. Using past measurements of powerlessness, meaninglessness, social isolation, and self-estrangement, the author develops a content protocol that is consistent with popular alienation indexes. Past methods for assessing both the functions of humor and the concept of alienation are criticized as tautologies, and null-categories for the social-psychological aspects of alienation (empowerment, understanding, social integration, and self-actualization) are introduced and critically examined. Research expectations are developed, and evaluations of predictions are made by comparing the proportion of jokes between the data sets within each of the conceptual categories. Jokes posted to the Internet are found to have more expressions of alienation in each of the social-psychological aspects except meaninglessness, which was slightly higher for entry-level service workers. The study concludes that the content analysis of jokes may prove to be a more direct way of accessing group sentiment than the study of either individual sentiment or the social structure of work.
Expectations and perceived humor
Authors: Wimer David J. , Beins Bernard C.
Published: September 2008

Without an objective metric for identifying how funny humorous material “really” is, a person may rely on external information in evaluating the humor of a particular humorous joke. In two experiments, we examined the effect of expectations on participants' ratings of jokes. When participants received a message that jokes had previously been rated as either funny or unfunny, they rated the jokes accordingly. In addition, participants who were told less plausible messages about the jokes (“hysterically funny” or “horribly unfunny”) tended to discount the messages and give ratings comparable to the control group. In a second experiment, we examined the effect of testing participants individually or in groups. As predicted from previous research, group effects, which may be social and emotional, did not influence participants' ratings of jokes. We discuss the findings in terms of the role of information in cognitive evaluation versus affective appreciation of humor.
Who is responsible? Participant roles in legal interpreting cases
Authors: Leung Ester S. M. , Gibbons John
Published: September 2008

Goffman (1981) provides the framework for the analysis of the different & ‘participant’ roles played by speakers in conversation. They are: the role of the ‘animator’, the sounding box from which utterances comes; the ‘author’, the agent who puts together, composes, or scripts the lines that are uttered; and that of the ‘principal’, the party to whose position, stand, and belief the words attest. Legal interpreters often face various dilemmas with regard to the participant roles they play in the courtroom. Whether interpreters should allow their personal belief and ideology to influence their interpreting, taking on the role of ‘principal’, and whether they can and should interpret only what makes sense to them, and so playing the role of the ‘author’. This is the core issue that is examined in this paper.
‘So let's talk. Let's chat. Let's start a dialog’: An analysis of the conversation metaphor employed in Clinton's and Obama's YouTube campaign clips
Authors: Duman Steve , Locher Miriam A.
Published: September 2008

This paper examines how two American presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, make use of a Video exchange is conversation metaphor on YouTube, a channel of communication that allows the exchange of video clips on the Internet. It is argued that the politicians exploit the metaphor for its connotations of creating involvement and closeness and its potential as a persuasive strategy. They are, however, also restricted by the Video exchange is conversation metaphor: since the metaphor entails alternating speaker roles, the willingness of the addressee to engage in the exchange and to personally bond, the candidates have to construct a viewer identity and a candidate identity that matches the framework of the metaphor. In addition, the influence of the medium YouTube on the linguistic presentation is discussed in a close reading of the video clips, its main restrictions being currency (topicality and coherence), as well as asynchronicity, which results in a pseudo-dialogic character of the exchange.
On the pragmatics of concessive constructions in Italian and English business letter discourse
Authors: Vergaro Carla
Published: September 2008

This paper presents an analysis of the pragmatic use of concessive constructions in business letter discourse. In linguistics concession has been analyzed primarily within concessive clauses which have been widely studied, either alone or compared with other syntactic categories such as adversative, causal or conditional clauses. The term ‘concessive’ itself belongs to the terminology developed within traditional grammar to classify adverbials and adverbial clauses. Heretofore, less attention has been paid to the pragmatic use of concession, i.e. the way in which concessive constructions strategically function within a specific context. The context under analysis in this paper is that of the ‘business letter’ genre. Just as different cultures structure discourse in different ways, recent research has shown that this also holds true for discourse genres traditionally considered as highly standardized in their rituals and formulas, written business communication being a case in point. Analysis of a corpus of Italian and English business letters shows that concessive constructions are used in this genre both for propositional (or ideational) and procedural (or interpersonal) reasons. This paper considers only the second to be truly pragmatic. Preference for the first or second strategy depends on the text types belonging to the genre. When procedural reasons prevail, concession is mostly introduced for politeness reasons. Finally, consistent with the rhetorical preferences of the texts in the two languages, some differences in the ‘polite’ use of concession in Italian and English emerge.
Testing the hypothesis that priming is a motivation for change
Authors: Traugott Elizabeth Closs
Published: September 2008

Some questions are posed concerning issues to investigate when testing the hypothesis that semantic priming contributes to change, especially unidirectionality in change. They include extent of prior context, similarity of semantic primes, and univerbation effects. Ways in which priming could be used to test hypotheses about grammaticalization are suggested in connection with the development of auxiliaries, and the obligatorification of subject markers. Finally, the necessity of distinguishing motivations and mechanisms is outlined.
Blicke auf das Schlachtfeld. Wahrnehmung und Schilderung der Walstatt in mittelalterlichen Quellen
Authors: Prietzel Malte
Published: September 2008

Berichte über Schlachten wurden bislang fast immer mit der Absicht betrachtet, aus ihnen das tatsächliche Geschehen zu rekonstruieren. In diesem Aufsatz geht es hingegen um die Frage, wie mittelalterliche Menschen selbst das Kampfgeschehen deuteten und beschrieben, und vor allem darum zu ermitteln, welche Rolle dabei den topographischen Eigenarten des Schlachtfeldes zukam.

Es zeigt sich, dass die Verfasser der Quellen keineswegs den Ablauf des Kampfes nüchtern protokollieren wollten, sondern stets ihre spezifische Erzählabsicht verfolgten. Insbesondere versuchten sie, jene Partei, der sie selbst anhingen, möglichst günstig darzustellen. Dieser Erzählabsicht ordneten sie die Erwähnung topographischer Details klar unter. Außerdem flossen in die Schilderung auch scheinbar banaler topographischer Einzelheiten häufig Motive und Erzählmuster ein, die den Autoren und den zeitgenössischen Lesern schon bekannt waren und die daher Wahrnehmung, Erinnerung und Darstellung prägten.

Aus dieser Analyse folgt, dass Rückschlüsse auf die örtlichen Gegebenheiten und den tatsächlichen Ablauf des Kampfes den Worten der Chronisten allenfalls mit größter Vorsicht zu entnehmen sind. Zugleich erweist sich, dass die sprachlichen Visualisierungsstrategien aufschlussreiche Erkenntnisse darüber bieten, wie die Autoren kriegerische Handlungen wahrnahmen.
Flore und Blanscheflur im bilde. Bild-Erzeugung und Bild-Übertragung in Konrad Flecks Floreroman
Authors: Wedell Moritz
Published: September 2008

Der Artikel untersucht, ausgehend von der Bedeutung des Bildgebens und -nehmens für die Handlung des Romans, das Bild (bilde) als produktions- und rezeptionsästhetische Kategorie. Dafür werden die unterschiedlichen Modalitäten des Bild-Seins, der Bild-Erzeugung und der Bild-Übertragung, die Fleck nebeneinanderstellt, entlang der Handlung analysiert. Die Ergebnisse werden in einer Interpretation zusammengeführt, die die immanente Bildpoetik des Romans mit den Bilddiskursen in Verbindung bringt, die in den Text eingegangen sind. Abschließend wird die Frage formuliert, inwieweit das Wort bilde in seiner textsemantischen Konfiguration bei Fleck als poetologischer Ausdruck aufgefasst werden kann.
Nouveau Roman im Mittelalter? Generistische Betrachtungen zum ekphrastischen Roman
Authors: Ernst Ulrich
Published: September 2008

Die Vielfalt der mittelalterlichen Epik bietet ein fruchtbares Feld für gattungstheoretische Bestimmungen, das bislang in keiner Hinsicht ausgeschöpft ist. Da die mittelalterlichen Poetiken Gattungszuordnungen nicht zwingend festschreiben, bietet sich die Möglichkeit, auf der Basis einer induktiven Poetik mittelalterliche Werke in ihren generischen Verwandschaftsverhältnissen neu zu bestimmen. Entgegen dem Trend der älteren Forschung, Beschreibungspassagen in der mittelalterlichen Erzählliteratur eher negativ zu bewerten, soll in dem vorliegenden Beitrag die Bedeutung der Ekphrasis für Gattungsbestimmungen mittelalterlicher Erzähltexte herausgearbeitet und mit dem Begriff des ekphrastischen Romans ein neuer, auch die Antike und die Neuzeit umfassender Gattungstypus kreiert werden. Wer sich zünftig vorwiegend mit der modernen Literatur befasst, weiß um die gattungsbildende Funktion der Beschreibung im neoavantgardistischen Nouveau Roman, doch ist die generische Relevanz von ekphrastischen Passagen im mittelalterlichen Versroman noch weithin unerforscht und den Mediävisten unbekannt. Dass gerade der Beschreibung von Kunstwerken, auf die in letzter Zeit immer mehr der Begriff der Ekphrasis eingeschränkt wird, eine große poetische Relevanz zukommt, dokumentiert nicht nur ihre häufige Positionierung am Werkeingang oder ihre motivische Verknüpfung mit Passageriten des Protagonisten, sondern auch ihre besondere digressive Stellung im Erzählkontinuum mit komplexen Rahmen- und Binnenstrukturen, vor allem aber ihre für das ganze Werk repräsentative und quasi gattungsgenerierende Funktion als mise en abyme. Zudem sind die Beschreibungen von Kunstwerken in der Erzählliteratur des Hochmittelalters Zeichen einer neuen materiellen Sachkultur sowie symbolisch-diagrammatische Spiegelungen zeitgenössischer Weltbilder. Durch Partizipation an Formen der Visualität und Intermedialität sind die Ekphrasen auch mediengeschichtlich attraktiv und fungieren außerdem als Vehikel nicht nur einer werkimmanenten Poetik, sondern auch einer intrinsischen, Kunst wie auch Technik umgreifenden und universellen Ästhetik. Das hier rekonstruierte Genos des ekphrastischen Romans, das sich bis auf Homers ,Ilias' zurückverfolgen lässt, die mit der Beschreibung von Achills Schild einen Prototypen liefert, zeigt bei aller Kontinuität einen besonderen Schub im Hochmittelalter, der neben byzantinischen Einflüssen u. a. mit einer ausgebildeten Exkurstheorie sowie Innovationen in der Erzähltechnik zusammenhängt, wie man z. B. aus dem ,Erec' Hartmanns von Aue ersehen kann. Der ekphrastische Roman zielt nicht auf einen nur an Aktionen interessierten Leser ab, der im Extremfall Haltepunkte im Erzählfluss überspringt, sondern auf einen Rezipienten, der sich geduldig mit der Dekodierung imaginärer Bildwelten befasst und bereit ist, sich in poetologische und kunstästhetische Reflexionen zu vertiefen, die eine eigene Ebene der Werkdeutung konstituieren.
Dantes imaginativer Stil. Zur bildhaften Evidenz der ersten Verwandlung des XXV. Höllengesangs
Authors: Fajen Robert
Published: September 2008

In der langen Geschichte der Dante-Auslegung gab die Plastizität des ‚Inferno‘ immer wieder Anlass zur poetologischen Reflexion und zu stilkritischen Vergleichen mit anderen Werken der Weltliteratur. Giacomo Leopardi und Italo Calvino etwa begriffen Ovids ‚Metamorphosen‘ als ästhetischen Gegenpol zu Dantes Jenseitsdichtung und erklärten, der mannigfaltige und üppige Stil des antiken Textes ziele auf Effekte der Abstraktion und Leichtigkeit ab, während der knappe und konzise Stil des ‚Inferno‘ eine fest umrissene Bildhaftigkeit bewirke. Leopardis und Calvinos allgemein formulierte Beobachtungen lassen sich am Beispiel der ersten Metamorphose im XXV. Höllengesang genauer nachvollziehen. Dantes Schilderung der Vereinigung eines Verdammten und einer Schlange steht in engem intertextuellen Zusammenhang mit der Hermaphroditus-Episode im vierten Buch von Ovids ‚Metamorphosen‘. Die Analyse der rhetorischen und narrativen Verfahren in diesen beiden Passagen zeigt, in welchem Maße der gegensätzliche Stil der beiden Autoren Ausdruck unterschiedlicher Denkformen ist: Ovids Gestaltung des Themas spiegelt die unendliche Vielfalt der Möglichkeiten wider, mit denen sich die Erscheinungen der Welt verknüpfen lassen; in Dantes Darstellung hingegen soll noch das kleinste sprachliche Detail die Absolutheit der göttlichen Ordnung abbilden, die sich überall  auch in der Verwandlung  als sinnvoll und gerecht offenbart.
Dantes Täfelchen, Cenninis Zeichenkiste. Ritratto, disegno und fantasia als Instrumente der Bilderzeugung im Trecento
Authors: Löhr Wolf-Dietrich
Published: September 2008

Der Zeichnung kommt im Trecento nicht allein in der Praxis, sondern auch als theoretisches Fundament einer wissenschaftlich akzeptierbaren ars eine zentrale Rolle zu. Sie ist Medium der Bewahrung und Erneuerung, zudem auch unverzichtbares Kommunikationsmittel in den verschiedenen öffentlichen Bau- und Ausstattungsprogrammen zwischen Mailand, Florenz und Siena. An Cennino Cenninis umfassendem Praxishandbuch, dem ‚Libro dell′arte‘, sowie an einigen Beispielen der Zeichenkunst um 1400, lässt sich ablesen, dass disegno nicht allein die lernende Nachahmung und den Naturabzug, sondern auch den Auszug aus den gespeicherten Sinneseindrücken meinen kann. Vor allem aber wird durch Cenninis Rede vom Zeichen in deinem Kopf der graphische Akt zur Metapher der Neugestaltung der memorierten Bilddaten durch die vis imaginativa der Fantasie. Die Spuren dieser dem Werkstattgespräch entnommenen bildkünstlerischen Fachterminologie reichen allerdings weit zurück und lassen sich über Francesco Petrarca, die Dante-Kommentatoren und Dante selbst bis in die Zeit um 1300 verfolgen. Bereits in der ‚Vita Nuova‘ kann Dante mit dem terminus technicus disegnare in komplexer allegorischer Rede die Fantasie als kreative Arbeit mit dem Gedächtnis hervorheben und mit einer solchen intermedialen Brechung wirkungsvoll vom verdeutlichenden Hervorbringen eines deutenden inneren Bildes durch die ekphrastisch gesteigerte literarische Repräsentation sprechen.
Generation of mice derived from embryonic stem cells using blastocysts of different developmental ages
Authors: Ohta Hiroshi , Sakaide Yuko , Wakayama Teruhiko
Published: August 2008

We previously showed that increasing the cell number of host tetraploid (4n) embryos by aggregating multiple 4n embryos at two to four-cell stages can improve the birthrate of mice from embryonic stem cells (ES mice). In the present study, we assessed whether in vitro aged blastocysts (e.g., E4.5 or E5.5), where their cell number also increased with development, can be used as hosts for generating ES mice. As expected, the cell number of in vitro aged 4n blastocysts increased with development, i.e., 26.5±2.4, 49.6±8.4, and 84.9±20.9 cells for E3.5, E4.5, and E5.5 respectively. Three independent ES cell lines were injected into 4n aged blastocysts, and their developmental ability was compared with that of E3.5 4n blastocysts commonly used for this procedure. We found that the birthrate of ES mice derived from E4.5 blastocysts were comparable with those of mice generated from E3.5 blastocysts. On the other hand, the birthrates decreased when E5.5 blastocysts were used. These results suggest that not only the cell number but also developmental age is important for producing ES mice. We also discuss a comparison of the present findings with those of our previous study, where ES mice were generated using an aggregation method employing the same ES cell lines.
A SUMO-Like Domain Protein, Esc2, Is Required for Genome Integrity and Sister Chromatid Cohesion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ohya Tomoko , Arai Hirokazu , Kubota Yoshino , Shinagawa Hideo , Hishida Takashi
Published: September 2008

The ESC2 gene encodes a protein with two tandem C-terminal SUMO-like domains and is conserved from yeasts to humans. Previous studies have implicated Esc2 in gene silencing. Here, we explore the functional significance of SUMO-like domains and describe a novel role for Esc2 in promoting genome integrity during DNA replication. This study shows that esc2Δ cells are modestly sensitive to hydroxyurea (HU) and defective in sister chromatid cohesion and have a reduced life span, and these effects are enhanced by deletion of the RRM3 gene that is a Pif1-like DNA helicase. esc2Δ rrm3Δ cells also have a severe growth defect and accumulate DNA damage in late S/G2. In contrast, esc2Δ does not enhance the HU sensitivity or sister chromatid cohesion defect in mrc1Δ cells, but rather partially suppresses both phenotypes. We also show that deletion of both Esc2 SUMO-like domains destabilizes Esc2 protein and functionally inactivates Esc2, but this phenotype is suppressed by an Esc2 variant with an authentic SUMO domain. These results suggest that Esc2 is functionally equivalent to a stable SUMO fusion protein and plays important roles in facilitating DNA replication fork progression and sister chromatid cohesion that would otherwise impede the replication fork in rrm3Δ cells.
A Microsatellite-Based Genetic Linkage Map of the Cichlid Fish,Astatotilapia burtoni(Teleostei): A Comparison of Genomic Architectures Among Rapidly Speciating Cichlids
Authors: Sanetra Matthias , Henning Frederico , Fukamachi Shoji , Meyer Axel
Published: September 2008

Cichlid fishes compose an astonishingly large number of species and formed species flocks in record-breaking time. To facilitate efficient genome scans and comparisons of cichlid genomes, we constructed a medium-density genetic linkage map of microsatellite markers of Astatotilapia burtoni. The mapping cross was derived from two inbred laboratory lines to obtain F2 progeny by intercrossing. The map revealed 25 linkage groups spanning 1249.3 cM of the genome (size ∼950 Mb) with an average marker spacing of 6.12 cM. The seven Hox clusters, ParaHox C1, and two paralogs of Pdgfrβ were mapped to different linkage groups, thus supporting the hypothesis of a teleost-specific genome duplication. The A. burtoni linkage map was compared to the other two available maps for cichlids using shared markers that showed conservation and synteny among East African cichlid genomes. Interesting candidate genes for cichlid speciation were mapped using SNP markers.
The Phenomics and Expression Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping of Brain Transcriptomes Regulating Adaptive Divergence in Lake Whitefish Species Pairs (Coregonus sp.)
Authors: Whiteley Andrew R , Derome Nicolas , Rogers Sean M , St-Cyr Jérôme , Laroche Jérôme , Labbe Aurélie , Nolte Arne , Renaut Sébastien , Jeukens Julie , Bernatchez Louis
Published: September 2008

We used microarrays and a previously established linkage map to localize the genetic determinants of brain gene expression for a backcross family of lake whitefish species pairs (Coregonus sp.). Our goals were to elucidate the genomic distribution and sex specificity of brain expression QTL (eQTL) and to determine the extent to which genes controlling transcriptional variation may underlie adaptive divergence in the recently evolved dwarf (limnetic) and normal (benthic) whitefish. We observed a sex bias in transcriptional genetic architecture, with more eQTL observed in males, as well as divergence in genome location of eQTL between the sexes. Hotspots of nonrandom aggregations of up to 32 eQTL in one location were observed. We identified candidate genes for species pair divergence involved with energetic metabolism, protein synthesis, and neural development on the basis of colocalization of eQTL for these genes with eight previously identified adaptive phenotypic QTL and four previously identified outlier loci from a genome scan in natural populations. Eighty-eight percent of eQTL-phenotypic QTL colocalization involved growth rate and condition factor QTL, two traits central to adaptive divergence between whitefish species pairs. Hotspots colocalized with phenotypic QTL in several cases, revealing possible locations where master regulatory genes, such as a zinc-finger protein in one case, control gene expression directly related to adaptive phenotypic divergence. We observed little evidence of colocalization of brain eQTL with behavioral QTL, which provides insight into the genes identified by behavioral QTL studies. These results extend to the transcriptome level previous work illustrating that selection has shaped recent parallel divergence between dwarf and normal lake whitefish species pairs and that metabolic, more than morphological, differences appear to play a key role in this divergence.
Sex Change by Gene Conversion in a Caenorhabditis elegans fog-2 Mutant
Authors: Katju Vaishali , LaBeau Elisa M , Lipinski Kendra J , Bergthorsson Ulfar
Published: September 2008

Caenorhabditis elegans primarily reproduces as a hermaphrodite. Independent gene conversion events in mutant obligately outcrossing populations of C. elegans [fog-2(lf)] spontaneously repaired the loss-of-function mutation in the fog-2 locus, thereby reestablishing hermaphroditism as the primary means of reproduction for the populations.
Perils of Parsimony: Properties of Reduced-Rank Estimates of Genetic Covariance Matrices
Authors: Meyer Karin , Kirkpatrick Mark
Published: September 2008

Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of covariance matrices are important statistics for multivariate problems in many applications, including quantitative genetics. Estimates of these quantities are subject to different types of bias. This article reviews and extends the existing theory on these biases, considering a balanced one-way classification and restricted maximum-likelihood estimation. Biases are due to the spread of sample roots and arise from ignoring selected principal components when imposing constraints on the parameter space, to ensure positive semidefinite estimates or to estimate covariance matrices of chosen, reduced rank. In addition, it is shown that reduced-rank estimators that consider only the leading eigenvalues and -vectors of the “between-group” covariance matrix may be biased due to selecting the wrong subset of principal components. In a genetic context, with groups representing families, this bias is inverse proportional to the degree of genetic relationship among family members, but is independent of sample size. Theoretical results are supplemented by a simulation study, demonstrating close agreement between predicted and observed bias for large samples. It is emphasized that the rank of the genetic covariance matrix should be chosen sufficiently large to accommodate all important genetic principal components, even though, paradoxically, this may require including a number of components with negligible eigenvalues. A strategy for rank selection in practical analyses is outlined.
A Role for Acp29AB, a Predicted Seminal Fluid Lectin, in Female Sperm Storage inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Wong Alex , Albright Shannon N , Giebel Jonathan D , Ram K Ravi , Ji Shuqing , Fiumera Anthony C , Wolfner Mariana F
Published: September 2008

Females of many animal species store sperm for taxon-specific periods of time, ranging from a few hours to years. Female sperm storage has important reproductive and evolutionary consequences, yet relatively little is known of its molecular basis. Here, we report the isolation of a loss-of-function mutation of the Drosophila melanogaster Acp29AB gene, which encodes a seminal fluid protein that is transferred from males to females during mating. Using this mutant, we show that Acp29AB is required for the normal maintenance of sperm in storage. Consistent with this role, Acp29AB localizes to female sperm storage organs following mating, although it does not appear to associate tightly with sperm. Acp29AB is a predicted lectin, suggesting that sugar–protein interactions may be important for D. melanogaster sperm storage, much as they are in many mammals. Previous association studies have found an effect of Acp29AB genotype on a male's sperm competitive ability; our findings suggest that effects on sperm storage may underlie these differences in sperm competition. Moreover, Acp29AB's effects on sperm storage and sperm competition may explain previously documented evidence for positive selection on the Acp29AB locus.
Drosophila Nemo Promotes Eye Specification Directed by the Retinal Determination Gene Network
Authors: Braid Lorena R , Verheyen Esther M
Published: September 2008

Drosophila nemo (nmo) is the founding member of the Nemo-like kinase (Nlk) family of serine–threonine kinases. Previous work has characterized nmo's role in planar cell polarity during ommatidial patterning. Here we examine an earlier role for nmo in eye formation through interactions with the retinal determination gene network (RDGN). nmo is dynamically expressed in second and third instar eye imaginal discs, suggesting additional roles in patterning of the eyes, ocelli, and antennae. We utilized genetic approaches to investigate Nmo's role in determining eye fate. nmo genetically interacts with the retinal determination factors Eyeless (Ey), Eyes Absent (Eya), and Dachshund (Dac). Loss of nmo rescues ey and eya mutant phenotypes, and heterozygosity for eya modifies the nmo eye phenotype. Reducing nmo also rescues small-eye defects induced by misexpression of ey and eya in early eye development. nmo can potentiate RDGN-mediated eye formation in ectopic eye induction assays. Moreover, elevated Nmo alone can respecify presumptive head cells to an eye fate by inducing ectopic expression of dac and eya. Together, our genetic analyses reveal that nmo promotes normal and ectopic eye development directed by the RDGN.