bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin blood flow responses to the iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside in man: possible mechanisms.
Authors: Morris S J , Shore A C
Published: December 2014

1. The mechanisms involved in the human skin blood flow responses to iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACH; delivered using an anodal charge) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP; administered with a cathodal charge) are unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate possible contributions of prostaglandin production to the increase in skin blood flow induced following the iontophoresis of ACh and to investigate possible contributions from local sensory nerves to the perfusion responses induced by ACh, SNP and their vehicles. 2. The contribution of prostaglandins to the ACh response was determined in a randomized double‐blind study of eight healthy subjects, who were studied on two occasions. Basal responses to ACh were measured before the oral administration of 600 mg soluble aspirin in diluted orange juice (1 occasion or orange juice (1 occasion) and again 30 min after the drink. The contribution of local sensory nerve activation to the responses to ACh and ACh vehicle (8 subjects) and to SNP and SNP vehicle (7 subjects) was assessed. EMLA (5%) (a eutectic mixture of lignocaine and prilocaine) and placebo cream were applied to two separate areas on the forearm in a double‐blind randomized manner 2 h before drug responses were measured. In all studies the skin microcirculation responses to iontophoretically applied drug vehicle (1 site) and drug (2 sites) were recorded by laser Doppler perfusion imaging. 3. The increase in forearm skin perfusion (P < 0.001) in response to the iontophoresis of ACh minus the response to ACh vehicle was not significantly different following placebo or aspirin administration. The increase in forearm skin red blood cell flux (P < 0.001) in response to the iontophoresis of ACh minus the response to ACh vehicle was not significantly different at the placebo‐compared with the EMLA‐treated site. THe small increase in perfusion (P < 0.001) in response to the iontophoresis of ACh vehicle was significantly inhibited at the EMLA‐compared with the placebo‐treated site (P < 0.05). The marked increase in perfusion (P < 0.001) in response to the iontophoresis of SNP vehicle was significantly inhibited at the EMLA‐compared with the placebo‐treated site (P < 0.01). 4. These data suggest that in healthy volunteers: (1) mechanisms other than prostaglandin production and local sensory nerve activation may be involved in the increase in skin perfusion observed following the iontophoretic application of ACh; and (2) stimulation of local sensory nerves may be responsible for the increase in tissue perfusion observed following the iontophoretic application of either ACh vehicle or SNP vehicle.
The role of nitric oxide synthesis in cardiovascular responses to acute hypoxia in the late gestation sheep fetus.
Authors: Green L R , Bennet L , Hanson M A
Published: December 2014

1. In fetal sheep (123‐129 days gestation) we investigated the effect of acute isocapnic hypoxia (Pa,O2, 12 +/‐ 0.6 mmHg) on the fetal heart rate (FHR), mean systemic arterial blood pressure (MAP), carotid blood flow (CBF), femoral blood flow (FBF), carotid vascular resistance (CVR) and femoral vascular resistance (FVR) with the infusion of either the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) or saline vehicle. 2. During normoxia, CBF was lower (P < 0.05) and MAP, FVR and CVR were higher with L‐NAME than with vehicle infusion (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). FHR fell 15 min after the onset of L‐NAME infusion (P < 0.05). During hypoxia in both groups, FHR showed an initial rapid fall (P < 0.05) and subsequent return to prehypoxic levels, and there was a fall in FBF (P < 0.01). MAP increased during hypoxia with vehicle (P < 0.05) but not L‐NAME infusion: thus MAP was similar during hypoxia in the two groups. The rebound tachycardia seen during recovery in the vehicle group (P < 0.01) was not evident in the L‐NAME group. The rise in CBF and fall in CVR during hypoxia with vehicle (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) was absent with L‐NAME infusion. FVR rose during hypoxia in both groups (P < 0.05). 3. Thus NOS inhibition alters basal systemic vascular tone in the late gestation fetus. The rise in CBF and fall in CVR during hypoxia is absent with NOS inhibition.
Analysis of current fluctuations during after‐hyperpolarization current in dentate granule neurones of the rat hippocampus.
Authors: Valiante T A , Abdul-Ghani M A , Carlen P L , Pennefather P
Published: December 2014

1. We have studied macroscopic current fluctuations associated with the after‐hyperpolarization current (IAHP) that follows a 200 ms voltage‐clamp step to 0 mV in dentate granule (DG) neurones of the rat hippocampus. This maximally effective stimulus produced a peak IAHP of 205 +/‐ 20 pA. Background noise was minimized by using the whole‐cell single‐electrode voltage‐clamp configuration. 2. Conventional current‐variance analysis was performed on IAHP to obtain estimates of the unitary AHP channel current (i) and the maximal attainable AHP current (Imax). A second approach, utilizing changes in the power spectrum of IAHP ‘noise’ during the decay of IAHP, was employed to yield an independent estimate of Imax as well as an estimate of the mean open‐state duration of AHP channels. 3. Changes in the power spectrum during IAHP decay revealed that the mean channel open time is fixed at 6.9 +/‐ 0.5 ms and that the decay is due to changes in channel closed‐state duration. The same analysis gave a value for Imax of 320 +/‐ 20 pA (n = 7). 4. Current‐variance analysis suggests that channels responsible for generation of IAHP have a unitary current of 0.29 +/‐ 0.08 pA at ‐45 mV in 5 mM extracellular potassium and an Imax of 400 +/‐ 180 (n = 7). Thus, both methods indicate that about 1200 channels are available to generate IAHP in DG neurones and that about 60% are open at the peak of a maximal IAHP. 5. Computer simulations of IAHP currents in a model neurone show that dendritic current sources will result in an underestimation of i while Imax is underestimated to a lesser extent. Estimates of Imax obtained from power‐spectrum analysis are more accurate and less affected by neuronal electrotonic structure than estimates of Imax based on current‐variance analysis.
Regulation of intracellular sodium in cultured rat hippocampal neurones.
Authors: Rose C R , Ransom B R
Published: December 2014

1. We studied regulation of intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in cultured rat hippocampal neurones using fluorescence ratio imaging of the Na+ indicator dye SBFI (sodium‐binding benzofuran isophthalate). 2. In standard CO2/HCO3(‐)‐buffered saline with 3 mM K+, neurones had a baseline [Na+]i of 8.9 +/‐ 3.8 mM (mean +/‐ S.D.). Spontaneous, transient [Na+]i increases of 5 mM were observed in neurones on 27% of the coverslips studied. These [Na+]i increases were often synchronized among nearby neurones and were blocked reversibly by 1 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX) or by saline containing 10 mM Mg2+, suggesting that they were caused by periodic bursting activity of synaptically coupled cells. Opening of voltage‐gated Na+ channels by application of 50 microM veratridine caused a TTX‐sensitive [Na+]i increase of 25 mM. 3. Removing extracellular Na+ caused an exponential decline in [Na+]i to values close to zero within 10 min. Inhibition of Na+,K(+)‐ATPase by removal of extracellular K+ or ouabain application evoked a [Na+]i increase of 5 mM min‐1. Baseline [Na+]i was similar in the presence or absence of CO2/HCO3‐; switching from CO2/HCO3(‐)‐free to CO2/HCO3(‐)‐buffered saline, however, increased [Na+]i transiently by 3 mM, indicating activation of Na(+)‐dependent Cl(‐)‐HCO3‐ exchange. Inhibition of Na(+)‐K(+)‐2Cl‐ cotransport by bumetanide had no effect on [Na+]i. 4. Brief, small changes in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) influenced neuronal [Na+]i only weakly. Virtually no change in [Na+]i was observed with elevation or reduction of [K+]o by 1 mM. Only 30% of cells reacted to 3 min [K+]o elevations of up to 5 mM. In contrast, long [K+]o alterations (> or = 10 min) to 6 mM or greater slowly changed steady‐state [Na+]i in the majority of cells. 5. Our results indicate several differences between [Na+]i regulation in cultured hippocampal neurones and astrocytes. Baseline [Na+]i is lower in neurones compared with astrocytes and is mainly determined by Na+,K(+)‐ATPase, whereas Na(+)‐dependent Cl(‐)‐HCO3‐ exchange, Na(+)‐HCO3‐ cotransport or Na(+)‐K(+)‐2Cl‐ cotransport do not play a significant role. In contrast to glial cells, [Na+]i of neurones changes only weakly with small alterations in bath [K+]o, suggesting that activity‐induced [K+]o changes in the brain might not significantly influence neuronal Na+,K(+)‐ATPase activity.
Synapse‐selective impairment of NMDA receptor functions in mice lacking NMDA receptor epsilon 1 or epsilon 2 subunit.
Authors: Ito I , Futai K , Katagiri H , Watanabe M , Sakimura K , Mishina M , Sugiyama H
Published: December 2014

1. We have explored the effects of targeted disruption of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor epsilon 1 or epsilon 2 subunit gene on NMDA receptor‐mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (NMDA EPSCs) and long‐term potentiations (LTPs) at the two types of synapse in mouse hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons: those formed by the commissural/associational (C/A) and fimbrial (Fim) inputs. 2. Electrophysiological experiments were performed in hippocampal slices prepared from both wild‐type and epsilon 1‐ or epsilon 2‐disrupted mice using extracellular and whole‐cell patch recording techniques. To assess the epsilon 1, epsilon 2 and zeta 1 subunit expression at cellular levels, we performed non‐isotopic in situ hybridization with digoxigenin‐labelled cRNA probes. 3. We could record EPSCs in response to the stimulations to either of the C/A and Fim afferents from a single CA3 pyramidal neuron. The epsilon 1, epsilon 2 and zeta 1 subunits were expressed together in individual CA3 neurons. 4. The epsilon 1 subunit disruption selectively reduced NMDA EPSCs and LTP in the C/A‐CA3 synapse without significantly affecting those in the Fim‐CA3 synapse, whereas the epsilon 2 subunit mutation diminished NMDA EPSCs and LTP in the Fim‐CA3 synapse with no appreciable functional modifications in the C/A‐CA3 synapse. 5. These results suggest that NMDA receptors with different subunit compositions function within a single CA3 pyramidal cell in a synapse‐selective manner.
GABAB receptor‐mediated inhibition of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents in rat midbrain culture.
Authors: Rohrbacher J , Jarolimek W , Lewen A , Misgeld U
Published: December 2014

1. Tight‐seal, whole‐cell recording was used to study GABAB receptor‐mediated inhibition of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents in cultured rat midbrain neurones. 2. Spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were recorded in tetrodotoxin (TTX), Cd2+ and Ba2+. (R)‐(‐)‐baclofen reduced the frequency of mIPSCs through a presynaptic mechanism. The EC50 for this effect was 7 microM. It was antagonized by the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP55845A (0.5 microM). 3. In pertussis toxin (PTX)‐treated cultures, some GABAB receptor‐mediated reduction of the frequency of mIPSCs persisted. In contrast, PTX treatment totally abolished inhibition of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). 4. In PTX‐treated cultures, a saturating concentration of (R)‐(‐)‐baclofen inhibited action potential‐generated IPSCs but no EPSCs. 5. PTX treatment abolished the (R)‐(‐)‐baclofen‐mediated inhibition of high voltage‐activated somatic Ca2+ currents and of spontaneous IPSCs depending on presynaptic Ca2+ entry. 6. We conclude that cellular mechanisms underlying GABAB receptor‐mediated inhibition of mIPSCs contribute to auto‐inhibition of GABA release.
Enhancing Numerical Stability of a Two-Fluid Model by the Use of Interfacial Pressure Terms
Authors: Okawa Tomio
Published: December 2014

Analytical and numerical investigations were carried out to show that the characteristics and the numerical stability of the two-fluid model are improved by the use of the interfacial pressure terms that express the pressure difference between bubbles and continuous liquid phase in bubbly two-phase flow. In particular, it was demonstrated that the numerical stability is enhanced not only in the simulation of adiabatic two-phase flow but also in the simulation of subcooled flow boiling.
Mixing and Heat Transfer in Helical Capillary Flow Reactors With Alternating Bends
Authors: Gelhausen Marius G. , Kurt Safa Kutup , Kockmann Norbert
Published: December 2014

Capillary flow is often occurring in natural and technical systems. Due to small diameter channels, laminar flow is established, while heat transfer is high from large specific surface area. For chemical reactions, good mixing and a narrow residence time distribution are important for high selectivity and yield. To improve mixing and residence time distribution, several measures of bend flow, helical arrangements and curved capillaries are proposed in literature. This contribution describes the flow, residence time distribution, and its influence on chemical reactions in short helical, alternating reactor capillaries (SHARC). The influence of the number of bends between alternating coils on the residence time distribution is described for different capillary and coil diameter, coil length and flow rate in laminar regime. The residence time distribution is a good measure for axial mixing and dispersion, while the heat transfer is mainly affected by the flow rate. The SHARC device was built from polymer capillaries of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP, inner diameter of 0.38 and 0.75 mm) with high mechanical flexibility for bending and good chemical resistance. Despite of low heat conductivity of the wall material, volumetric heat transfer coefficients of more than 5 MW/m3K were measured in a water bath. A highly exothermic reaction with adiabatic temperature increase of more than 100 K could be operated without detecting reaction runaway.
CFD-Aided Simulation of Frost Growth Inside a Narrow Duct With Uniform Wall Temperature Variation
Authors: Darbandi Masoud , Asgari Ehsan , Hajikaram Morteza , Schneider Gerry E.
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we study the frost formation and growth at the walls of a duct with uniform wall temperature variation. The simulation is performed for laminar flow regime considering suitable semi-empirical models incorporated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The frost growth is considered to be normal to the duct surface. Since the duct aspect ratio is high, we perform our simulations in two-dimensional zones. To simulate the frost layer properly, we solve both the energy and mass balance equations implementing some semi-empirical correlations on the frost side. At this stage, we suitably predict the required heat flux value at the solid boundary and the heat transfer coefficient, which are required to be used in the CFD calculations in the next stage. So, next is to use the CFD tool to calculate the required heat transfer parameters at the air side. Since the frost growth is performed locally along the wall, the achieved frost growth rate can be applied at any specific location independently. We also investigate the effects of various environmental parameters on the frost growth rate. The current achieved results are verified by comparing them with previous available experimental data. After verification the numerical algorithm, we investigate the frost growth in a duct with uniform wall temperature variation. We assume that the variation of temperature would be gradually and uniform with time. We eventually present the effects of different parameters affecting the frost growth along the duct surface. One significant contribution of this work is to address the effects of inlet boundary location on the frost growth. In this regard, the inlet boundary is placed initially at real entrance and then at a location far upstream of the real entrance. We evaluate the effect of this boundary location on frost thickness. The use of CFD is unavoidable in this study because we need its capability to compute the required wall heat flux condition, which is an input to our semi-empirical analysis in this problem with an unsteady thermal boundary condition situation, in which the wall temperature continuously varies with time. It should be noted that, our chosen empirical method estimate the wall heat flux based on the Nusselt number value. Therefore, CFD largely helps to correct the actual heat flux at the airside. Another contribution of this work is to study frost formation in confined flow cases, in which the flow is developing both hydrodynamically and thermally. Evidently this is in contrast to the frost growth over a simple flat plate like geometry.
Using Identity Work Theory to Understand the De-Escalation of Fandom: A Study of Former Fans of National Hockey League Teams
Authors: Hyatt Craig G. , Foster William M.
Published: December 2014

A de-escalation of team fandom model was created based on identity work theory. To both test the model and understand how once highly identified fans of sports teams could eventually become non-fans, 23 former fans of National Hockey League (NHL) teams were interviewed. The reasons given for their de-escalation in fandom can be categorized into seven themes: sport in general, the sport of hockey, the league, the team, individual players, media, and life. For those fans who remain fans of the sport, watching national teams play in international competition has been a common practice in the years since the bond with their former favorite NHL team was severed. While only a minority of participants believes it realistically possible they could ever become NHL team fans again in the future, some suggested their children or grandchildren might pull them back into fandom.
Deployed communication between the Role 3 and Role 1
Authors: Parsons Iain T
Published: December 2014

Introduction

The discharge summary is the most common method for documenting a patient's diagnostic findings, hospital management and arrangements for post-discharge follow up. After being discharged from hospital, patients are routinely reviewed without a discharge summary being available. A recent review revealed that a significant proportion of patients discharged from the Role 3 had no evidence of their admission on their permanent medical record. The aim of this audit was to assess the transition of discharge summaries from Role 3 to Role 1 during Op HERRICK 18. The intention was to review where errors in the transfer of discharge information between Role 3 and Role 1 might be occurring with a view to implementing improvements.

Methods

Two audits assessed the delivery of discharge information. A re-audit was performed 1 month after a system was implemented.

Results

The transfer of discharge information was poor with only 1/40 (2.5%) summaries arriving from R3 to R1. Following implementation of a system the transfer of discharge information improved to 24/30 (80%).

Conclusions

The adoption of a system to transit discharge information from R3 to R1 resulted in a drastic improvement. Ideally, a future electronic patient record system used by all facets of Defence Medical Services would limit the potential for future adverse events due to communication failure. Regular audits assessing the transfer of discharge information should form part of standard audit cycles in future contingency operations.
COMPARISON OF CYTOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL VALIDATION ON FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION OF SUPERFICIAL MASSES
Authors: Wang Shang-Lin , Lee Jih-Jong , Liao Albert Taiching
Published: December 2014

In this study, we compared the accuracy of using cytological and histopathological methods to diagnose superficial masses, examining the discrepancies between these methods to clarify the clinical usefulness of cytology. Complete agreement (CA) was demonstrated in 62.62% of the masses, partial agreement (PA) in 15.10% of the masses, and disagreement (DA) in 22.28% of the masses. The accuracy in identifying cell origin was 70.05%. When diagnosing neoplasia, cytology exhibited 68.62% sensitivity and 77.22% specificity; its positive predictive value was 92.53% and negative predictive value was 37.42%. The overall agreement in diagnosing malignancy was 70.3%. We accurately diagnosed certain neoplasms based on specific cytological characteristics. Even when handling uncertain samples, cytological examination yielded high sensitivity and positive predictive values for diagnosing malignancy; this should be sufficient for veterinary clinicians to schedule further treatments.
Coordinated changes in hepatic amino acid metabolism and endocrine signals support hepatic glucose production during fetal hypoglycemia
Authors: Houin Satya S. , Rozance Paul J. , Brown Laura D. , Hay William W. , Wilkening Randall B. , Thorn Stephanie R.
Published: December 2014

Reduced fetal glucose supply, induced experimentally or as a result of placental insufficiency, produces an early activation of fetal glucose production. The mechanisms and substrates used to fuel this increased glucose production rate remain unknown. We hypothesized that in response to hypoglycemia, induced experimentally with maternal insulin infusion, the fetal liver would increase uptake of lactate and amino acids (AA), which would combine with hormonal signals to support hepatic glucose production. To test this hypothesis, metabolic studies were done in six late gestation fetal sheep to measure hepatic glucose and substrate flux before (basal) and after [days (d)1 and 4] the start of hypoglycemia. Maternal and fetal glucose concentrations decreased by 50% on d1 and d4 ( P < 0.05). The liver transitioned from net glucose uptake (basal, 5.1 ± 1.5 μmol/min) to output by d4 (2.8 ± 1.4 μmol/min; P < 0.05 vs. basal). The [U-13C]glucose tracer molar percent excess ratio across the liver decreased over the same period (basal: 0.98 ± 0.01, vs. d4: 0.89 ± 0.01, P < 0.05). Total hepatic AA uptake, but not lactate or pyruvate uptake, increased by threefold on d1 ( P < 0.05) and remained elevated throughout the study. This AA uptake was driven largely by decreased glutamate output and increased glycine uptake. Fetal plasma concentrations of insulin were 50% lower, while cortisol and glucagon concentrations increased 56 and 86% during hypoglycemia ( P < 0.05 for basal vs. d4). Thus increased hepatic AA uptake, rather than pyruvate or lactate uptake, and decreased fetal plasma insulin and increased cortisol and glucagon concentrations occur simultaneously with increased fetal hepatic glucose output in response to fetal hypoglycemia.
Release Kinetics of Inflammatory Biomarkers in a Clinical Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Liebetrau Christoph , Hoffmann Jedrzej , Dörr Oliver , Gaede Luise , Blumenstein Johannes , Biermann Hannes , Pyttel Lukas , Thiele Peter , Troidl Christian , Berkowitsch Alexander , Rolf Andreas , Voss Sandra , Hamm Christian W. , Nef Holger , Möllmann Helge
Published: December 2014

Rationale:

Inflammation in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been linked to risk stratification; however, the release kinetics of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with acute MI has been difficult to establish.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the kinetics of changes in the levels of several biomarkers specifically linked to inflammation after transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy, a procedure that mimics acute MI.

Methods and Results:

We analyzed release kinetics of C-reactive protein, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, soluble CD40 ligand, and peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in patients (n=21) undergoing transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy. Blood samples were collected before transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy and at various times after transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy. Serum levels of C-reactive protein were increased at 24 hours (1.0 mg/dL [interquartile range [IQR], 0.7–1.75] versus 0.2 mg/dL [IQR, 0.1–1.05] at baseline [BL];
P
<0.001), whereas high-sensitivity C-reactive protein increased as early as 8 hours (2.68 mg/L [IQR, 1.23–11.80] versus 2.17 mg/L [IQR, 1.15–5.06] at BL;
P
=0.002). Interleukin-6 was significantly increased at 45 minutes (2.59 pg/mL [IQR, 1.69–5.0] versus 1.5 pg/mL [IQR, 1.5–2.21] at BL;
P
=0.002), and soluble CD40 ligand was significantly decreased at 60 minutes (801.6 pg/mL [IQR, 675.0–1653.5] versus 1750.0 pg/mL [IQR, 1151.0–2783.0] at BL;
P
=0.016). Elevated counts of polymorphonuclear neutrophils were detectable at 15 minutes, with a significant increase at 2 hours (6415 cells/μL [IQR, 5288–7827] versus 4697 cells/μL [IQR, 2892–5620] at BL;
P
=0.004). Significant monocytosis was observed at 24 hours (729 cells/μL [IQR, 584–1344] versus 523 cells/μL [IQR, 369–701] at BL;
P
=0.015).

Conclusions:

Interleukin-6 and neutrophil granulocytes showed a continuous rise at all prespecified time points after induction of MI. Our results provide valuable additional evidence of the diagnostic value of inflammatory biomarkers in the setting of early acute MI.
Disrupting “Asian Religious Studies”: Knowledge (Re)production and the Co-construction of Religion in Singapore
Authors: Kong Lily
Published: December 2014

In this article, I begin with the position that knowledge production and reproduction is partial and situated. Through an examination of academic research on and teaching of religion in Singapore, I demonstrate how scholarly interventions at once re-present and conceal religion as experienced and lived. I posit that the partiality of such interventions is due to the influential official narrative about religion in Singapore, so that what is studied and taught reflects certain dimensions of religious life and religious-secular relations that dominate official discourse. In particular, through academic writing (and to a lesser extent, teaching), religion in Singapore is constructed as a particular mosaic of social, cultural, and political life, socially relevant, culturally rich, spatially manifested, transnationally linked, politically delicate, and historically steeped. Drawing from this reflection on Singapore, I emphasize the need to recognize the geography, sociology, and politics of knowledge (re)production, and to decenter the notion that there is an emerging “Asian religious studies.”
Aristotle’S Doctrine of the Instrumental Body of the Soul
Authors: P. Bos Abraham
Published: December 2014

Hippolytus of Rome on Aristotle’s definition of the soul. His work Concerning the Soul is obscure. For in the entire three books [where he treats of his subject] it is not possible to say clearly what is Aristotle’s opinion concerning the soul. For, as regards the definition which he furnishes of soul, it is easy [enough] to declare this; but what it is that is signified by the definition is difficult to discover. For soul, he says, is an entelecheia of a sôma physikon organikon; [but to explain] what this is at all, would require a very great number of arguments, and a lengthened investigation.
Hendrik van Riessen in Memoriam
Authors: Vlot Ad , Griffioen Sander
Published: December 2014

�Omdat ik nogal ijdel ben, al camoufleer ik het goed, moet ik dus niet aan memoires beginnen.�� Zo opent Henk van Riessen zijn Herinneringen die hij schreef voor zijn kleinkinderen (1990). Opa Van Riessen geeft hierin recht voor z�n raap en eerlijk een beeld van zijn drukke leven. Henk werd geboren op 17 augustus 1911 in Bloemendaal. Zijn vader had er een tuinderij, een boerderij met koeien en varkens, en een groentezaak. Zijn ouders waren met de Doleantie meegegaan. Henk hielp zoals alle negen kinderen zo nu en dan mee in het bedrijf, maar zijn kracht lag in zijn verstand. Maar hij had een matig geheugen, en hij moest het daarom zijn leven lang vooral hebben van zijn creativiteit. Ondanks de financi�le situatie van zijn ouders � die slechts omdat zij in Godsvertrouwen leefden niet zorgelijk genoemd kon worden � mocht hij de Mulo, de MTS, de HBS en tenslotte de Technische Hogeschool in Delft doorlopen. Zoals meer Van Riessens was hij gevat, eigenwijs en trots, maar leefde hij dicht bij de Here. Markant aan hem was zijn onafscheidelijke pijp.
The Apprentice
Authors: Bastian Kevin C. , Henry Gary T.
Published: December 2014

Background: Nascent empirical research demonstrates the sizable impacts of principals on student achievement. More research is needed on the pathways to the principalship and how principals’ characteristics and training experiences influence their performance. Purpose: (1) To describe the characteristics of first-time principals and the schools that hire them and (2) to assess the extent to which the characteristics of early-career principals and the environments in which they previously worked are associated with changes in student achievement in the schools they lead. Setting: North Carolina public schools. Sample: All first-time principals (981 in total) from 2006-2007 through 2009-2010 and the students attending the schools where they serve. Data: Administrative data on students, school personnel (teachers, assistant principals, principals), and schools provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Research Methods: Covariate adjustment and fixed effects value-added models. Findings: We find that first-time principals are “homegrown”—hired from within the district. On average, first-time principals wait 5.12 years between completing formal principal preparation and assuming school leadership and spend 4.15 years as assistant principals in North Carolina public schools. Several principal characteristics, including holding a doctorate from an in-state private or out-of-state institution (negative) and serving as an assistant principal in a high–value-added school (positive), are significantly associated with student achievement gains. Conclusions: This study suggests that the effectiveness of early-career principals may be affected by the environment where they served as assistant principals. Further analyses are needed to better understand the attributes of meaningful assistant principal experiences.
Microscopic haematuria: A rare presentation of typhoid fever
Authors: Nisahan Balasingam , Thirunavukarasu Kumanan , Selvaratnam Gowry
Published: December 2014

Typhoid fever can cause a number of renal manifestations heretofore dubbed ‘nephrotyphoid’. Haematuria in the absence of renal impairment is extremely rare among typhoid patients. We report a case of an adult who presented with a prolonged febrile illness and microscopic haematuria. Blood culture confirmed the diagnosis of typhoid and the patient was treated successfully with ceftriaxone.
A Reconceptualized Model of Self-Control and Crime
Authors: Pratt Travis C.
Published: December 2014

In this article an argument is developed that criminologists’ focus on individuals’ levels of self-control has caused us to miss another key component within this theoretical tradition: within-individual situational variability in self-control. Accordingly, in the present study, self-control variability is treated as an important theoretical construct that should explain criminal behavior independent of one’s level of self-control. This proposition is tested empirically on a sample of young adults, using measures of both self-control and situational self-control variability in a series of multivariate regression models. The results demonstrate that both self-control and self-control variability exert significant and independent effects on criminal behavior. These results reveal support for a reconceptualized model of self-control that incorporates both static and dynamic dimensions.
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity as a Moderator of Relationship Functioning After Sexual Assault
Authors: Gemberling Tess M. , Cramer Robert J. , Miller Rowland S. , Stroud Caroline H. , Noland Ramona M. , Graham James
Published: December 2014

Sexual assault is unfortunately common, especially among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Yet, the associations of such victimization have not yet been extensively established in the areas of sexual identity and romantic relationship functioning. Accordingly, the present study examined the associations between lifetime sexual assault, LGB identity, and romantic relationship functioning in a sample of 336 LGB individuals. A history of sexual assault was associated with attachment anxiety and several sexual identity components (i.e., higher levels of acceptance concerns, identity uncertainty, internalized homonegativity, and identity superiority). Furthermore, an association of sexual assault and attachment avoidance was moderated by internalized homonegativity. Finally, a more secure LGB identity was associated with healthier romantic relationship functioning. Collectively, these findings are applicable to services for LGB sexual assault victims, suggesting the incorporation of treatment that bolsters LGB identity and couple functioning. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
The Living Experience of Difficulty Telling the Truth
Authors: Baumann Steven L.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the living experience of difficulty telling the truth. Parse’s research method was used to answer the question: What is the structure of the living experience of difficulty telling the truth? The participants were 9 nurses and 1 physician. The central finding of the study is the structure: difficulty telling the truth is uncomfortable dialogues with knowing silences arise with anguishing deliberations anticipating potential adversity, while contemplating intentional withholding gives rise to calm acquiescence. The findings are discussed in relation to the humanbecoming school of thought and extant literature.
Toward a Taxonomy of Dark Personalities
Authors: Paulhus Delroy L.
Published: December 2014

The term dark personalities refers to a set of socially aversive traits in the subclinical range. Not extreme enough to invite clinical or forensic attention, they can get along (even flourish) in everyday work settings, scholastic settings, and the broader community. Along with my research group, I have studied a constellation of these personalities—Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and everyday sadism—under the label “Dark Tetrad.” We have argued that, because of their overlap, these four traits should be studied in concert. Recently developed inventories now facilitate identification of the unique contributions of each trait. The present review highlights key advances and controversies emerging from work on these malevolent, yet fascinating, characters.
An Application of Multi‐Attribute Value Theory to Patient‐Bed Assignment in Hospital Admission Management: an Empirical Study
Authors: Tsai Pei-Fang , Lin Fu-Man
Published: December 2014

Hospital beds are considered economically scarce and hospitalists strive to balance between utilizing beds more efficiently and complying with preference of physicians and patients when pairing patients to beds. This research is to develop preference‐based decision rules for patient‐bed assignment in a dynamic environment. A multi‐attribute value theory (MAVT) model with additive value function is proposed to quantitatively deploy hospital policies in bed management. To elicit scaling factors and value functions for attributes, a linear programming model is constructed for all preference conditions. An empirical study was conducted with real data collected from two branches of a medical center. The simulated results using value function showed greater benefits when the patient‐bed ratio was high and more flexible ward assignment was allowed. Further, a detailed analysis showed that this MAVT model was better in preference matching for both physicians/nurses and patients. At least 79 percent of patients were given beds in designated wards in accordance with their attending physicians′ subspecialty, and more than 48 percent of patients′ room preferences were matched in the simulated assignment for one branch.
O CONHECIMENTO DIDÁCTICO EM ESTATÍSTICA: UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO COM PROFESSORES DE MATEMÁTICA DO ENSINO SECUNDÁRIO
Authors: Quintas Sandra Maria Oliveira , Oliveira Hélia Margarida Aparício Pintão de , Ferreira Rosa Antónia de Oliveira Figueiredo Tomás
Published: December 2014

Este estudo tem como objectivo analisar o conhecimento didáctico do professor que ensina Estatística, no ensino secundário, centrando-se principalmente no conhecimento estatístico e nas suas percepções das dificuldades dos alunos neste domínio. Os dados foram recolhidos através de um questionário a professores de Matemática, enviado às 145 escolas com ensino secundário pertencentes à Direcção Regional de Educação do Norte, em Portugal. Obtiveram-se 120 questionários validados. As conclusões do estudo sugerem a necessidade de se apostar na formação continuada dos professores de Matemática, no âmbito da Estatística. Parece existir, em particular, necessidade de os professores ampliarem os seus conhecimentos didácticos em Estatística de modo a poderem ajudar os alunos a aprender conceitos e processos estatísticos com significado.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v18i19.346
FUNDEB: MAIS DO MESMO?
Authors: Militão Sílvio Cesar Nunes
Published: December 2014

O FUNDEB foi implantado em todo o território nacional a partir do início de 2007, em substituição ao agora extinto FUNDEF, reiteradamente criticado pela maioria dos estudiosos da temática do financiamento da educação pública. Este artigo procura discutir as principais características dessa nova sistemática de financiamento da educação básica, cotejando-a com o funcionamento do Fundo anterior. A partir da análise dos textos legais e da produção acadêmica acerca do tema em questão, demonstra que o FUNDEB, apesar de alguns importantes avanços em relação à situação anterior, prolonga a lógica do Fundo precedente e não supera algumas das suas principais limitações.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v18i19.351
POTENCIALIDADES E LIMITAÇÕES DA DISCUSSÃO DE CONTROVÉRSIAS SOCIOCIENTÍFICAS ATRAVÉS DA REPRESENTAÇÃO DE PAPÉIS: UM ESTUDO DE CASO
Authors: Hilário Teresa , Reis Pedro Rocha dos
Published: December 2014

A investigação descrita neste artigo – de índole essencialmente qualitativa e baseada num estudo de caso – pretendeu estudar as potencialidades da discussão de controvérsias sociocientíficas, através da representação de papéis, na apropriação de conhecimentos e no desenvolvimento de competências necessárias ao exercício de uma cidadania crítica e participativa. Vinte e cinco alunos de uma turma de Biologia de 12.º ano participaram em duas actividades de representação de papéis centradas, respectivamente, nos temas Procriação Medicamente Assistida e Manipulação da Informação Genética Humana. Como metodologia de recolha de dados recorreu-se à observação das actividades, à aplicação de um inquérito aos participantes, à análise de conteúdo de documentos onde os alunos apresentaram a base da argumentação utilizada na fundamentação de cada um dos papéis representados e à realização de entrevistas semi-estruturadas a alguns dos alunos participantes. Os documentos elaborados pelos alunos, as respostas ao questionário, os registos de observação e as transcrições das entrevistas foram submetidas a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados permitem afirmar que as actividades realizadas neste estudo contribuíram para o desenvolvimento de capacidades e para a apropriação de conhecimentos relevantes para a vida e indispensáveis à compreensão e discussão de controvérsias sociocientíficas e ao exercício de uma cidadania responsável.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v19i20.982
O MANUAL DIDÁTICO DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA NA RELAÇÃO EDUCATIVA: UMA ABORDAGEM CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: Neves Maria Lucia Paniago Lordelo
Published: December 2014

Este artigo apresenta a temática sobre o manual didático, tendo como objetivo discutir questões relativas à mediação feita por esse instrumento de trabalho na relação professor/aluno, com foco na disciplina de Educação Física. Neste trabalho realizamos uma discussão a respeito da concepção do manual didático, abordando-o histórica e teoricamente como instrumento de mediação na relação educativa. Buscamos compreender a educação na sociedade em que vivemos, por meio da discussão acerca dos fundamentos do trabalho didático, para encontrar elementos que nos permitam identificar o papel histórico do manual didático no processo educativo. A partir da investigação literária a respeito do tema pudemos constatar que, mesmo com a escassez no âmbito da pesquisa e a quase inexistente produção do manual didático de Educação Física, disponível no mercado, esse debate é pertinente na medida em que, como mercadoria que é e como possibilidade para ampliação do capital, tal instrumento de trabalho torna-se um nicho de lucro para a indústria editorial. Entendendo-o, na perspectiva comeniana, como elemento que simplifica e objetiva o conhecimento socialmente construído, faz-se necessária a busca por outro/outros instrumentos didáticos que, sem vulgarizar ou sonegar tais conhecimentos, possibilite o aprofundamento e a investigação que extrapolem os seus limites didáticos.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v19i20.986
Investigation of bamboo pulp fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites
Authors: Qiu Renhui , Liu Wendi , Li Kaichang
Published: December 2014

Mechanical pulp fibers (MPFs) and chemical pulp fibers (CPFs) from moso bamboo have been characterized in terms of their length and width distributions, and their reinforcing effects in unsaturated polyester (UPE) composites have also been investigated. CPF-UPE composites had much higher tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus than MPF-UPE composites. CPF-UPE composites also absorbed less water than MPF-UPE composites. Treatments of the fibers with a combination of 1,6-diisocyanatohexane (DIH) and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) significantly increased the tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and water resistance of the resulting composites. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated that DIH-HEA was bound onto bamboo fibers (BFs) via carbamate linkages. The scanning electron microscopy images of the tensile-fractured surfaces of the composites revealed that the DIH-HEA treatments for BFs greatly improved the interfacial adhesion between the fibers and UPE resins.
Employing Blended Interaction to Blend the Qualities of Digital and Physical Books / Anwendung von Blended Interaction zur Vermischung der Eigenschaften digitaler und physischer Bücher
Authors: Gebhardt Christoph , Rädle Roman , Reiterer Harald
Published: December 2014

This paper presents Integrative Workplace, a system which blends the qualities of digital and physical sources by augmenting physical books with properties of digital books and vice versa. On the base of Blended Interaction, we designed a system which helps users to interact with the new and unfamiliar functionality of digitally augmented books. In a user study, law students employed Integrative Workplace to work on a legal case. The positive feedback of participants indicated that we managed to design a system which is usable in a professional context. Furthermore, the study revealed evidence that digitally well-established concepts are a part of users’ reality and need to be considered in the design of new user interfaces. The results of this user study encourage us to continue to use Blended Interaction in the design process of novel user interfaces with an unfamiliar functionality.
The augment of vowel-initial roots and vṛddhi–derivation in the Indo–Iranian languages
Authors: Ittzés Máté
Published: December 2014

The augment of vowel-initial roots in Old Indo-Aryan consists in the vṛddhi grade of the initial vowel of the verbal stem. Although the origin of this feature can basically be explained in phonological terms, as described by Lubotsky (1995) and others, it is pointed out that the analogy of verb stems with full or lengthened grade root might have played a role as well. On the other hand, in absence of relevant forms in Avestan and Old Persian, the parallelism between the augment and vṛddhi‑derivation has to be taken into account if we want to describe the augment of vowel-initial roots in the Old Iranian languages. It is argued that the vṛddhi‑derivation in Old Persian was similar to the situation in Avestan, i. e. simple vowels were replaced by short diphthongs (not by long ones, as in Old Indo-Aryan) and this has to be assumed for the Old Persian augment of vowelinitial roots as well.
O micropoder no processo de trabalho dentro da estrutura hospitalar: vivenciando uma história
Authors: Nietsche Elisabeta Albertina
Published: December 2014

Este artigo procura retratar, através de uma história, as relações de micropoderes que perpassam pelo processo de trabalho de alguns profissionais dentro dos serviços de um hospital. A base teórica que sustenta a interpretação da história está nos estudos de Foucault e autores que interpretam seus escritos. São trabalhados os seguintes micropoderes: da Instituição-Estrutura Hospitalar, da Informação e sobre o Corpo.
A Evolução Histórica das Ferramentas Disponíveis para a Cronotanagnose Inicial
Authors: Talita Zerbini  , Paulo Hilario Nascimento Saldiva
Published: December 2014

A estimativa do intervalo postmortem é fundamental em casos de investigação criminal, pois tal estimativa pode inocentar ou culpar algum suspeito. Entretanto, apesar das técnicas utilizadas atualmente, ainda não se pode estabelecer com exatidão a hora do fato, mas sim uma aproximação em faixa de tempo segura. Diante desse cenário, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo descrever a evolução histórica dos métodos utilizados na estimativa do intervalo postmortem inicial.
Uma Ferramenta Computacional Forense para Verificação de Autenticidade de Assinaturas Manuscritas Através de Processamento Digital de Imagens e Redes Neurais Artificiais
Authors: Deivison Pinheiro Franco  , Nágila Magalhães Cardoso
Published: December 2014

Este artigo tem como objetivo propor uma ferramenta computacional forense capaz de verificar a autenticidade de assinaturas manuscritas de forma automatizada, a fim de auxiliar e otimizar esse processo e funcionar como um instrumento de apoio à decisão. A metodologia desta proposta baseou-se na utilização de técnicas de processamento digital de imagens e de redes neurais através do algoritmo de aprendizagem de backpropagation com as abordagens 500 e 901. Os resultados demonstraram um percentual médio de erro de 20% na primeira e de 5,83% na segunda, sendo que o desempenho de um profissional treinado para verificar autenticidade de assinaturas apresenta, em média, 6,67% de erro. Dessa forma, pôde-se observar a eficiência da ferramenta proposta, bem como a diferença e evolução das abordagens através da relevância dos resultados.