Belief, Acceptance, and What Happens in Groups: Some Methodological Considerations

This paper argues for a methodological point that bears on a relatively long-standing debate concerning collective beliefs in the sense elaborated by Margaret Gilbert: are they cases of belief or rather of acceptance? It is argued that epistemological accounts and distinctions developed in individual epistemology on the basis of considering the individual case are not necessarily applicable to the collective case or, more generally, uncritically to be adopted in collective epistemology

Joint Commitment: What It Is and Why It Matters

There is reason to think that a particular concept of joint commitment informs much human behavior. This paper introduces the concept in question and briefly develops one argument for its centrality in human life. This argument focuses on the inherence in many central social phenomena of a particular kind of right

Extracellular Enzyme Activity and Uptake of Carbon and Nitrogen Along an Estuarine Salinity and Nutrient Gradient

Amino acid oxidation (AAO) and peptide hydrolysis (PH) are processes affecting the recycling of organic material and nutrients. We compared extracellular AAO and PH rates to C and N uptake rates along estuarine gradients of salinity, nutrients and productivity in the Pocomoke River, a subestuary of the Chesapeake Bay. This estuary is seasonally depleted in inorganic N, and rich in dissolved organic material (DOM) throughout the year. AAO, PH, and N uptake rates measured in 1999 and 2000 were not limited to particular size fractions measured, or to auto- or heterotrophic groups of organisms. At a station near the turbidity maximum, where chlorophyll a biomass was highest, smaller (\u3c1.2 mum) size-fractions contributed \u3c20% of the AAO in May and up to 80% in August when AAO rates were similar to 10 times lower. Most PH was in the larger (\u3e1.2 mum) size-fraction, except at the least saline station in August of both years. Rates of AAO and PH were not linearly correlated with each other seasonally or spatially. Uptake of NH4+ dominated total N uptake (\u3e50%) at all but the freshwater station, although uptake of organic compounds was measurable at all sites. Rates of dissolved free amino acid uptake, measured using dually labeled compounds, were substantial (up to 11% of the total N uptake) and contributed both C and N for growth. Dual labels unambiguously demonstrated that uptake rates of amino acid C and N were uncoupled; amino acid N was taken up preferentially to amino acid C even when rates were corrected for N uptake from AAO. Conceptual models of DOM cycling should include the realization that enzymatic processes and uptake of DOM occur in both \u27microbial\u27 and larger size fractions. Thus, competition between bacteria and phytoplankton mixotrophs may be an important factor determining the relative uptake of C and N from amino acids and other organic substrates

Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol on Buttonhole Cannulation: A Technique to Reduce Arteriovenous Fistula Access Complications

ObjectivesThis multicenter, prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial will be undertaken to determine whether or not the buttonhole cannulation technique in new and established hemodialysis fistula reduces complications and prolongs access life compared to usual practice.MethodsA total of 70 subjects will be recruited for this study. Subjects randomized to the buttonhole group will have their fistula cannulated by the same staff member for 2-4 weeks at the same angle and direction with sharp needles. Once the tunnel is developed, blunt needles will be used. The control group will continue with usual practice (rope ladder rotation technique). Measurement of treatment effects will include: (1) quality of life; (2) pain assessment of cannulation; (3) lignocaine use; (4) intradialytic blood flow rate and venous and arterial pressures; (5) dialysis adequacy; (6) cannulation proficiency; and (7) hemostasis time.ConclusionThis study has been designed to provide evidence to help renal clinicians and their hemodialysis patients determine the optimal cannulation technique for prevention of fistula access complications