AN ATTEMPT AT A PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MAECENAS

This article attempts a psychological analysis of Caius Maecenas, the patron of Horace and Vergil and right-hand man to Augustus in the sphere of security. The psychoanalytical approach to scholarship runs counter to the persuasions of modem literary theorists. It is conceded that such a study readily lends itself to hostile criticism, but at the same time there is little doubt that it can help elucidate the issues unresolved by the strict adherence to the "new criticism". It is with such an aim that the study is undertaken and it is hoped that it will provide an insight not only into Maecenas' political career, but also into his personal relationships and his literary output

Should science educators deal with the science/religion issue?

I begin by examining the natures of science and religion before looking at the ways in which they relate to one another. I then look at a number of case studies that centre on the relationships between science and religion, including attempts to find mechanisms for divine action in quantum theory and chaos theory, creationism, genetic engineering and the writings of Richard Dawkins. Finally, I consider some of the pedagogical issues that would need to be considered if the science/religion issue is to be addressed in the classroom. I conclude that there are increasing arguments in favour of science educators teaching about the science/religion issue. The principal reason for this is to help students better to learn science. However, such teaching makes greater demands on science educators than has generally been the case. Certain of these demands are identified and some specific suggestions are made as to how a science educator might deal with the science/religion issue. © 2008 Taylor & Francis

Postoperative complications after procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids (PPH) and stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) procedures

Procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH) and stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation (STARR) carry low postoperative pain, but may be followed by unusual and severe postoperative complications. This review deals with the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of adverse events that may occasionally be life threatening. PPH and STARR carry the expected morbidity following anorectal surgery, such as bleeding, strictures and fecal incontinence. Complications that are particular to these stapled procedures are rectovaginal fistula, chronic proctalgia, total rectal obliteration, rectal wall hematoma and perforation with pelvic sepsis often requiring a diverting stoma. A higher complication rate and worse results are expected after PPH for fourth-degree piles. Enterocele and anismus are contraindications to PPH and STARR and both operations should be used with caution in patients with weak sphincters. In conclusion, complications after PPH and STARR are not infrequent and may be difficult to manage. However, if performed in selected cases by skilled specialists aware of the risks and associated diseases, some complications may be prevented

Chemopreventive effects of NSAlDs against colorectal cancer, regulation of apoptosis and mitosis by COX-1 and COX-2

There is a wealth of evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can prevent colorectal cancer. In this article the role of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, the principle target of NSAIDs, in the development of colorectal cancer is reviewed. Cyclooxygenase is constituitevely expressed in normal colonic epithelium and surrounding stroma and could catalyse the generation of malondialdehyde which is a known mutagen and could initiate colorectal carcinogenesis. Mutation of APC which is an early genetic event leads to the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 which may prevents the appropriate apoptosis of mutant adenoma cells. Other proneoplastic effects of cyclooxygenase include changing the action of Transforming Growth Factor l3 from anti-proliferative to proproliferative, reducing adherence to extracellular matrix, promotes metastasis and angiogenesis. These properties of cyclooxygenases suggest that inhibition of both isoforms may have important protective effects against colorectal cancer

Compactação do solo na cultura do feijoeiro. I: efeitos nas propriedades físico-hídricas do solo Soil compaction in a bean crop. I: effects on soil physical and water properties

O problema de compactação do solo vem aparecendo sistematicamente na região do Cerrado, onde os sistemas convencionais de manejo do solo têm causado desagregação excessiva da camada arável, o encrostamento superficial e a formação de camadas coesas ou compactadas (pé-de-grade ou pé-de-arado). Como alternativa, os agricultores adotaram o Sistema Plantio Direto; entretanto, em várias situações vêm sendo relatadas ocorrências de aumento da densidade do solo e diminuição da macroporosidade, o que tem sido diagnosticado como compactação, fazendo com que o agricultor seja obrigado a movimentar o solo. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar como a compactação do solo afeta as suas propriedades físicas e de transmissão de água. Para isto, utilizaram-se colunas de solo compactadas artificialmente, para produzir densidades do solo de 1,0; 1,2; 1,4 e 1,6 kg dm-3. As propriedades de transmissão de água foram determinadas com infiltrômetros de tensão, para as cargas de pressão de -0,5; -2,0 e -6,0 cm de água. O aumento da densidade do solo aumentou sua resistência à penetração e reduziu linearmente a porosidade total e a macroporosidade. Houve ainda, redução no tamanho dos poros para o fluxo de água, reduzindo a condutividade hidráulica do solo. Esta redução foi mais acentuada na maior carga de pressão testada. Com a carga de pressão de -2,0 cm de água, a redução no tamanho dos poros foi parcialmente compensada com aumento do seu número. O método do infiltrômetro de tensão mostrou-se adequado em distinguir diferenças nas propriedades de transmissão de água de um solo submetido a diferentes níveis de compactação.<br>Soil compaction is a problem in the Savanna region, where conventional soil tillage systems have caused excessive disaggregation of the arable layer, superficial crusts, and compacted subsuperficial layers. As an alternative, the farmers have adopted the no-tillage system. However, in various situations, an increase of soil bulk density and a decrease of macroporosity has been observed. This process is diagnosed as soil compaction and requires from the farmers the turnover of the soil. This work has the objective to verify how soil compaction affects physical and water transmission properties of soil. Artificially compacted soil columns were used to provide soil bulk densities of 1.0; 1.2; 1.4; and 1.6 kg dm-3. Water transmission properties were determined with tension infiltrometers at pressure heads of -0.5; -2.0; and -6.0 cm of water column. Increasing soil bulk density increased soil resistance to penetration and reduced linearly soil porosity and macroporosity. The flow-weighted mean pore size was reduced too decreasing soil hydraulic conductivity. This reduction was more pronounced at higher pressure heads. The reduction in pore size was partially compensated with the increase in the number of pores, at a pressure head of -2.0 cm of water. The method of tension infiltrometer was adequate to distinguish differences in water transmission properties of a soil submitted to different levels of compaction