bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What puzzles teachers in Rio de Janeiro, and what keeps them going?
Authors: Lyra Isolina , Fish Solange , Braga Walewska 
Published: May 2003

This paper focuses on the key mechanism of ‘puzzling’ in EP, and the crucial issue of sustainability (see Allwright, this issue, Sections IV.2 and V.2), in the context of volunteer teacher development work (Section VII.2). Having taken part, initially as participating teachers and now as ‘multipliers’, in Exploratory Practice (EP) meetings held in the city of Rio de Janeiro since 1997, we decided to investigate the puzzles presented by teachers from state and private schools as well as from language courses, in order to gain a general idea of their concerns and to better plan our future EP meetings. We grouped the puzzles into six emerging categories: motivation, anxiety, teaching, institutional lack of interest, discipline (or behaviour), and Exploratory Practice itself. This grouping gave us an interesting picture of the teachers’ concerns and led us to investigate further by interviewing nine of the teachers involved. We found that these interviews also gave us insight into the extent to which sustainability, one of the main principles of EP, is being achieved at present and how EP is related to teachers’ lives. The whole process of investigation and reflection led us to the understanding that EP is as important to those teachers as it is to ourselves, for it helped each one of us to sense considerable improvement in the quality of our lives.
Puzzling, and puzzling about puzzle development
Authors: Kuschnir Adriana Nóbrega , dos Santos Machado Beatriz 
Published: May 2003

This paper has two roles in this collection. First, it illustrates Exploratory Practice (EP) in action, with two classroom investigations. Secondly, it goes further, and throws light on the key mechanism of EP (see Allwright, this issue, Sections III.1(d) and IV.2) - puzzlement. It thus presents two different puzzling processes, the EP process as set out in the introductory paper to this issue, and a meta-process of puzzling about our own puzzlement processes. First, we carried out separate research studies as EP practitioners, with one of us investigating the puzzle, ‘does the dictionary really help our students to understand the text?’, and the other investigating the puzzle, ‘why do my students translate words even when they’ve already understood their meanings in English?’ Then we puzzled about the process of puzzle development itself. This further investigation contributed, we believe, to a better understanding about how intra and inter puzzlement processes can be integrated. Our emerging understandings led us to suggest that we mentally operate in a puzzlement zone while working with our puzzles. Drawing on a possible parallel with Vygotsky’s (1984) notion of ‘zone of proximal development’ (ZPD) and on the ZPD’s levels of development (actual development level and level of potential development), we hypothesize that we mentally act at similar levels - the actual understanding level and the level of potential understanding - while working with our puzzles in this puzzlement zone. We present our work together as one way of incorporating EP into research at Master’s level.
Exploring a world of paradoxes: an investigation of group work
Authors: Slimani-Rolls Assia 
Published: May 2003

This paper has a dual role to play here. First, it presents a classroom investigation conducted within the framework of Exploratory Practice (EP) set out in the introductory paper to this volume, and secondly it illustrates EP’s potential for developing a ‘research culture’ in a university institution. Perhaps it should be possible to take such a culture of inquiry for granted at university level, but recent decades in the United kingdom have seen the rise, and fall, of many university-based language teaching units whose members’ contracts did not entail research. Now that research has become a major source of funding, such staff are increasingly being urged to undertake research as well as to teach a language. EP, with its emphasis on integrating research into pedagogy (see Allwright, this issue), offers a research model that experienced language teachers might prefer to traditional academic research, and find more manageable. This paper illustrates how an investigation into group work arose from this interest in developing a culture of inquiry, and concludes with a note of caution concerning the pace of change.
Exploring second language communicative competence
Authors: Gunn Cindy L. 
Published: May 2003

Reporting a classroom investigation within the framework of Exploratory Practice (EP) as set out in the introductory paper to this issue, this paper illustrates first how EP offers a successful and coherent approach to doctoral research, and secondly how learner and teacher/researcher understanding can be developed together. EP principles were used to integrate teaching practices and research in an applied setting to aid both the students and myself, through a collegial process, to develop our own understandings of what happens in the language classroom. Data collected through the use of various classroom activities included both analysis of the students’ performances and the students’ reflections on their performances. The combination of the various forms of data permitted comprehensive discussion of communicative competence over time, by looking at what the students actually do, what the students say about what they do, as well as what others say about what the students do. With the data collected from a small number of students learning English at an International school in Thailand, two girls and two boys ranging in age from 11 to 13 representing four different nationalities, over a six-month period, I was able to see how their communicative competence developed over time. This information ultimately enabled me to better understand my puzzle area concerning the challenges of helping students develop communicative competence.
Exploring the written feedback dialogue: a research, learning and teaching practice
Authors: Perpignan Hadara 
Published: May 2003

The final paper of this Special Issue on Exploratory Practice (EP) is another illustration of the potential of EP for doctoral research. More importantly, like the preceding paper by Gunn it emphasizes learner as well as teacher understanding, and, most importantly, it also explores ‘quality’ in interpersonal relationships. This paper reports on research, conducted in an EFL Academic Writing context, about a written dialogue between a teacher and her learners. This dialogue consists of the learners’ written text, the teacher’s written feedback and the ongoing responses that ensue from this initial exchange. Most past research into teachers’ written comments on student-writers’ work has examined quantitatively either the teachers’ or the learners’ perspective, and has emphasized the outcomes of the learners’ revision process. A comprehensive analysis of the intentions and interpretations of the exchange from both the teacher’s and the learners’ perspective, as well as of the dynamic nature of the dialogue within its full pedagogical context, has not yet been done. It was hoped that such an analysis could lead to some generalizations which, in turn, could lead to recommendations for improving pedagogical practice. However, what began as a quest for a theory that could inspire guidelines for teacher effectiveness became a quest for an understanding of the conditions under which effectiveness could best be achieved. In EP terms, these conditions represent life in the classroom and the quest illustrates the aim of teacher research: to strive toward improving the quality of the life that will enable more effective use of the feedback dialogue as a crucial element in the writing process. The paper begins by inserting the current research into the context of qualitative research literature, leading directly to EP principles. Reporting on the research itself, it shows how some of the principles were manifested in the research practices. The findings reveal that it is precisely through dialogue (the written exchange as a social enterprise) between the participants in the learning-teaching situation (in a spirit of collegiality), that an understanding of the feedback dialogue can best be reached. Herein lies the promise of an improvement in the quality of life, quality of education and ultimately quality of learning (Allwright, this issue).
Psychiatric disorder in veterans of the Persian Gulf War of 1991
Authors: Stimpson Nicola J. , Thomas Hollie V. , Weightman Alison L. , Dunstan Frank , Lewis Glyn 
Published: May 2003

BackgroundVeterans of the Persian Gulf War of 1991 have reported symptoms attributed to their military service.AimsTo review all studies comparing the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Gulf War veterans and in a comparison group of service personnel not deployed to the Gulf War.MethodStudies of military personnel deployed to the Gulf published between 1990 and 2001 were identified from electronic databases. Reference lists and websites were searched and key researchers were contacted for information. Atotal of 2296 abstracts and 409 complete articles were reviewed and data were extracted independently by two members of the research team.ResultsThe prevalence of psychiatric disorder in 20 studies of Gulf War veterans was compared with the prevalence in the comparison group. Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and common mental disorder were higher in the Gulf War veterans. Heterogeneity between studies was significant, but all reported this increased prevalence.ConclusionsVeterans of the Persian Gulf War reported an increased prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorder compared with other active service personnel not deployed to the Gulf. These findings are attributable to the increase in psychologically traumatic events in wartime.
Status of neurosurgery for mental disorder in Scotland
Authors: Matthews Keith , Eljamel Muftah S. 
Published: May 2003

BackgroundDespite the application of ablative neurosurgical treatments for intractable mental disorder throughout most of the past century, unequivocal evidence for efficacy has not been provided.AimsTo review the status of ablative neurosurgery for mental disorder and to describe the activities of the Scottish national service.MethodRelevant literature is reviewed alongside a description of recent clinical activity.ResultsNeurosurgical treatment is offered to a small number of patients severely disabled by otherwise intractable mental disorder. Thereareinequalitiesin the strength of evidence to support the use of some of these procedures. The frequency and severity of adverse effects remains unclear. We are collecting data that should inform future practice.ConclusionsModern neurosurgery can offer clinically meaningful symptom relief and improved function for ‘untreatable’ patients with chronic, severe depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, follow-up studies of greater rigour are required. The potential role of non-ablative alternatives remains unclear.
Depersonalisation disorder: clinical features of 204 cases
Authors: Baker Dawn , Hunter Elaine , Lawrence Emma , Medford Nicholas , Patel Maxine , Senior Carl , Sierra Mauricio , Lambert Michelle V. , Phillips Mary L. , David Anthony S. 
Published: May 2003

BackgroundDepersonalisation disorder is a poorly understood and underresearched syndrome.AimsTo carry out a large and comprehensive clinical and psychopathological survey of a series of patients who made contact with a research clinic.MethodA total of 204 consecutive eligible referrals were included: 124 had a full psychiatric examination using items of the Present State Examination to define depersonalisation/derealisation and 80 had either a telephone interview (n=22) or filled out a number of self-report questionnaires. Cases assessed were diagnosed according to DSM–IV criteria.ResultsThe mean age of onset was 22.8 years; early onset was associated with greater severity There was a slight male preponderance. The disorder tended to be chronic and persistent. Seventy-one per cent met DSM–IV criteria for primary depersonalisation disorder. Depersonalisation symptom scores correlated with both anxiety and depression and a past history of these disorders was commonly reported. ‘Dissociative amnesia’ was not prominent.ConclusionsDepersonalisation disorder is a recognisable clinical entity but appears to have significant comorbidity with anxiety and depression. Research into its aetiology and treatment is warranted.
Seasonality, negative life events and social support in a community sample
Authors: Michalak Erin E. , Wilkinson Clare , Hood Kerenza , Dowrick Chris , Wilkinson Greg 
Published: May 2003

BackgroundSeasonal affective disorder (SAD) is now a well-described form of depressive disorder. However, relatively little research has focused upon psychosocial factors and SAD.AimsTo determine the association between demographic/psychosocial factors and increased reported seasonal patterns of mood disorder (seasonality) and SAD in a community sample in the UK.MethodA total of 1250 people, aged between 18 and 64 years, randomly selected from a primary care database were screened for SAD. Those above cut-off underwent diagnostic interview and completed several self-report questionnaires. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine which variables were significantly associated with increased seasonality.ResultsFour factors (having experienced more numerous negative life events, having low levels of social support, being a woman and being non-native) were predictive of higher seasonality Being a woman was predictive of being diagnosed as a case of SAD.ConclusionsA new association has been identified between increased seasonality, negative life events and social support. Future research should assess the psychosocial causes or consequences of SAD while continuing to examine the biology of the condition.
The utility of EEG in psychiatry and aggression
Authors: Stone Jon , Moran Gregory 
Published: May 2003

Aims and MethodTo describe the outcomes of electroencephalography requested by general adult psychiatry over a 12-month period.Results187 electroencephalograms (EEGs) were performed. In 71%, the request was to look for evidence of epilepsy. In 22%, it was to determine whether there was organic brain dysfunction. In only one patient was unequivocal evidence of an epileptic focus found. A further 11 patients demonstrated a liability to epilepsy. In none of the 33 patients where aggression was mentioned on the request form were any diagnostic features found.Clinical ImplicationsThe yield of EEG in psychiatry is low. To diagnose epilepsy, clinicians should continue to rely on the clinical history of attacks and not the EEG. The presence of aggression is rarely associated with meaningful EEG changes.
Does having been on a ‘section’ reduce your chances of getting a job?
Authors: Fenton John , O'Hanlon Dee , Allen Danny 
Published: May 2003

Aims and MethodTo ascertain employers' attitudes to interviewing and hiring job applicants with a history of mental illness and, in particular, to assess the potential effect on job prospects for applicants with a history of admission under the Mental Health Act 1983. A postal tick-box questionnaire was sent to 174 companies; there was a 32% response rate.ResultsThe main factors influencing employers' hiring decisions were medical opinion regarding an applicant's fitness to work and their employment and sickness records. In about three-quarters of small companies and half of large companies, questions about mental illness are simply never asked.Clinical ImplicationsApproved social workers have no reason to caution people assessed under the Mental Health Act 1983 that being detained could harm their job prospects.
Increase of Estrogen Dose Deteriorates Mood during Progestin Phase in Sequential Hormonal Therapy
Authors: Björn Inger , Sundström-Poromaa Inger , Bixo Marie , Nyberg Sigrid , Bäckström Gunnel , Bäckström Torbjörn 
Published: May 2003

Previous studies have indicated that the addition of progestins during sequential hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) causes negative mood and physical symptoms. History of premenstrual syndrome, type of progestin, and dose of progestin have thus far been shown to influence the progestin-induced adverse mood symptoms during HRT.
The aim of this study was to compare adverse mood effects of two different doses of estradiol, in combination with a progestin, during postmenopausal HRT. Twenty-eight perimenopausal women were included in this randomized, double-blind, crossover study comparing 2- or 3-mg continuous estradiol, with an addition of 10 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate on d 17–28 during each treatment cycle. The main outcome measures were mood and physical symptoms kept on a daily rating scale. Together with the progestin, the higher dose of estrogen caused significantly more negative mood symptoms than the lower dose. Tension, irritability, and depressed mood were all significantly augmented during the progestin phase of cycles with 3 mg estradiol (P &lt; 0.001). Physical symptoms also increased during the progestin phase of 3-mg estradiol cycles (P &lt; 0.001), whereas positive mood symptoms were less affected. The only positive mood that changed with estrogen dose was friendliness, which decreased during the progestin phase of high estradiol cycles compared with cycles with lower estradiol (P &lt; 0.05).
Our conclusion is that an increase of the estrogen dose accentuates negative mood and physical symptoms during the progestin phase of sequential hormonal therapy.
Antimicrobial activity of β-lactam antibiotics against clinical pathogens after molecular inclusion in several cyclodextrins. A novel approach to bacterial resistance
Authors: Athanassiou G , Michaleas S , Lada-Chitiroglou E , Tsitsa T , Antoniadou-Vyza E 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Recognition and uptake by specific cellular receptors and transport systems for cyclodextrins have been demonstrated. Based on this concept, natural and synthetically modified cyclodextrins were used as drug carriers. Several β-lactam antibiotics were selected and their inclusion complexes with different cyclodextrins were prepared (molar ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:3). The complex formation, in aqueous solution, was monitored and optimum complexation conditions were selected. The inclusion of the active molecules in the cyclodextrin cavity was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Specific HPLC methods for the quantitation of antibiotics in the presence of cyclodextrins were developed and their chemical stability under complexation conditions was confirmed. Antimicrobial activity of drug-cyclodextrin complexes, in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), were compared with the corresponding values of uncomplexed free molecules. A wide range of clinical pathogens and known β-lactamase-producing strains were tested. The activity of the cyclodextrin-included antibiotics was increased, particularly against Gram-negative clinical strains. The nature and degree of substitution on cyclodextrin macromolecules may be the predominant factor in the observed improvement in antimicrobial activity. We believe that the proposed methodology is a novel approach to the microbial resistance problem and will trigger research towards the development of new cyclodextrin derivatives bearing the ability to increase the uptake of included antimicrobial molecules through intensification of the corresponding molecular recognition phenomena.
Thiorphan enhances bradykinin-induced vascular relaxation in hypoxic/hyperkalaemic porcine coronary artery
Authors: Krassói Irén , Pataricza János , Papp Julius Gy 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Relaxation induced by bradykinin is diminished by hypoxia in epicardial coronary arteries. The bradykinin-degrading enzyme, neutral endopeptidase (NEP, EC.3.4.24.11), is a potential target for coronary artery vasodilators. In this study, we examined the effect of thiorphan, an inhibitor of NEP, on the tone of porcine isolated coronary artery under hypoxic conditions. Endothelium-intact porcine isolated coronary artery rings were isometrically contracted with a prostaglandin F2α analogue (U46619, 0.75 μM) and potassium chloride (KCl, 30 mM), and relaxed with bradykinin (1–1000 nM) under normoxic (partial pressure of oxygen, pO2 ˜ 90–100 mmHg) and moderately hypoxic (pO2 ˜ 50–60 mmHg) conditions. Experiments were performed to study the effects of 30 min pre-treatment with the NEP-inhibitor, thiorphan (10 μM), both at physiological and at low pO2s. Hypoxia inhibited the bradykinin-induced relaxation in porcine epicardial coronary arteries. In normoxia, thiorphan significantly enhanced the decrease of coronary tone produced by bradykinin (1–10 nM) when U46619 was used as contractile agent. Under hypoxic conditions, in U46619 contracture, thiorphan did not influence, but in KCl contracture it enhanced the magnitude of relaxations induced by bradykinin. In the absence of bradykinin, thiorphan had no significant effect on the basal, KCl- and U46619-elevated tones and on the hypoxia-induced decrease of coronary artery tone. Inhibition of NEP-enzyme activity may effectively improve the relaxing capacity of epicardial coronary arteries under hypoxic/hyperkalemic conditions. This effect could be potentially utilized when the endothelial function and relaxation of the coronary arteries are impaired under clinical conditions.
Influence of co-administered antibiotics on the pharmacokinetic fate in rats of paeoniflorin and its active metabolite paeonimetabolin-I from Shaoyao-Gancao-tang
Authors: He Ju-Xiu , Akao Teruaki , Tani Tadato 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
The effects of orally co-administered antibiotics on the pharmacokinetics of paeoniflorin (PF) and paeonimetabolin-I (PM-I), a bioactive metabolite derived from PF by intestinal bacteria, from the traditional Chinese formulation, Shaoyao-Gancao-tang (SGT), were investigated in rats to clarify the effect of administering SGT together with some synthetic drugs. Co-administration of the antibiotics amoxicillin and metronidazole (AMPC-MET) significantly increased the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) of PF, whereas it markedly decreased that of PM-I, to 2.6% of the normal AUC by administration of a single dose, and less than 1% by a 3-day pretreatment. Similar effects were observed using the combination of ofloxacin with SGT. The PF-metabolizing activity of intestinal bacteria was reduced to 16% and 33% of normal levels by treatment with AMPC-MET and ofloxacin, respectively, which caused alterations of that degree in the extent of absorption of PF and PM-I, but did not affect their rate of absorption or elimination. The present study suggests that it may not be appropriate to use SGT simultaneously with antibiotics such as AMPC-MET or ofloxacin, and also reveals the important role of intestinal bacteria in the pharmacokinetics of the active components of this traditional Chinese formulation.