Pneumanaut: Demonstration and Proclamation Through Abstract, Metaphor and Sculpture

The theology of academia lacks appropriate metaphors and abstracts to demonstrate, embody, and announce the kingdom of God. A solution is the creation of new metaphors and abstracts to add insight and definition. The purpose of this project, then, is to interpret and create some new metaphors for theological themes commonly used in academic circles. Because of prior knowledge readers bring with them when they engage with theology, their positions and starting points sometimes limit their understanding of the sensus plenior or fuller meaning, of the original text. By providing new metaphors for these theological themes, readers will enter into the conversations with new starting points enlisting an audience that perhaps otherwise would be disengaged. In some instances the language of academics loses broader relevance to popular culture. Because of this, a prior understanding and critical interaction with numerous texts becomes a prerequisite and often times understanding the surrounding theological polemics is a mandatory prerequisite to adequately wrestle with texts. Within popular culture, the academics become unappreciated, and as result their material lacks distribution. Therefore, there needs to be a relationship between the proclamations of the academic theologians and a demonstration of what it is they are communicating. A solution is new metaphors and abstracts to add insight and definition because of cultural perceptions commonly associated with the chosen themes. There is room for an artistic exposition to solidify the link between proclamation and demonstration. The medium of physical art is an appropriate context in which to address this. Each piece of metal used in the sculptures is unique in that it was created for another purpose. An alternator pulley, a Lions Club International road sign, and a 1940 Ford Spindle all are unique in their own contexts and have their own stories behind them. By linking them together in the fusion of art, their stories become something greater and assist in shaping a new metaphoric reinterpretation of their collected story. These sculptures are being created to re-language metaphors used in Christian dialogue and to hopefully add applicability to a wider audience. x Utilizing the medium of metal sculpture, a series of sculptures will be placed within the boundaries of a meditation garden. The viewers of this project will be permitted time to contemplate each piece\u27s meaning. When given a chance to read a short statement on each piece. they will see the reasons and justifications behind the intent. If engaged, the viewer can then access further descriptors of each piece on the project website where they will be pointed to additional resources, and written works for each piece\u27s theme. The intent of this artwork is to re-language metaphors needed to engage popular culture in the biblical story

Development of a Fused Deposition Modeling System for Low Melting Temperature Metal Alloys

This research focused on extending the applications of fused deposition modeling (FDM) by extrusion and deposition of low melting temperature metal alloys to create threedimensional metal structures and single-layer contacts which may prove useful for electronic interconnects. Six commercially available low melting temperature solder alloys (Bi36Pb32Sn31Ag1, Bi58Sn42, Sn63Pb37, Sn50Pb50, Sn60Bi40, Sn96.5Ag3.5) were tested for the creation of a fused deposition modeling for metals (FDMm) system with special attention given to Sn-Bi solders. An existing FDM 3000 was used and two alloys were successfully extruded through the system's extrusion head. Deposition was achieved through specific modifications to system toolpath commands and a comparison of solders with eutectic and non-eutectic compositions is discussed. The modifications demonstrate the ability to extrude simple single-layer solder lines with varying thicknesses, including sharp 90 deg angles and smooth curved lines and showing the possibility of using this system for printed circuit board applications in which various connections need to be processed. Deposition parameters altered for extrusion and the deposition results of low melting temperature metal alloys are introduced

The Grizzly, December 1, 2005

Memorial for Professor McLennan • Fate of The Egg • Jazz Legend Performs at Ursinus • Myrin Renovations • Murderball is Coming to Ursinus • Hot Discounts Warm up the Ski Season • Am I Pregnant? • What\u27s Hot and What\u27s Not This Gift-Giving Season • Wanted: Greek Presidents • Opinions: The Bigger Headache with PA Liquor Laws; How to Avoid Disastrous Holiday Parties; Addicted to Games, Are We? • Bears Ground Flying Dutchmen • Bears Fall Short of NCAA Titlehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1701/thumbnail.jp

Assessing and Responding to Palliative Care Needs in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Results from a Model Intervention and Situation Analysis in Malawi

Introduction: Palliative care is rarely accessible in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Partners In Health and the Malawi government established the Neno Palliative Care Program (NPCP) to provide palliative care in rural Neno district. We conducted a situation analysis to evaluate early NPCP outcomes and better understand palliative care needs, knowledge, and preferences. Methods: Employing rapid evaluation methodology, we collected data from 3 sources: 1) chart review of all adult patients from the NPCP’s first 9 months; 2) structured interviews with patients and caregivers; 3) semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Results: The NPCP enrolled 63 patients in its first 9 months. Frequent diagnoses were cancer (n = 50, 79%) and HIV/AIDS (n = 37 of 61, 61%). Nearly all (n = 31, 84%) patients with HIV/AIDS were on antiretroviral therapy. Providers registered 112 patient encounters, including 22 (20%) home visits. Most (n = 43, 68%) patients had documented pain at baseline, of whom 23 (53%) were treated with morphine. A majority (n = 35, 56%) had ≥1 follow-up encounter. Mean African Palliative Outcome Scale pain score decreased non-significantly between baseline and follow-up (3.0 vs. 2.7, p = 0.5) for patients with baseline pain and complete pain assessment documentation. Providers referred 48 (76%) patients for psychosocial services, including community health worker support, socioeconomic assistance, or both. We interviewed 36 patients referred to the NPCP after the chart review period. Most had cancer (n = 19, 53%) or HIV/AIDS (n = 10, 28%). Patients frequently reported needing income (n = 24, 67%) or food (n = 22, 61%). Stakeholders cited a need to make integrated palliative care widely available. Conclusions: We identified a high prevalence of pain and psychosocial needs among patients with serious chronic illnesses in rural Malawi. Early NPCP results suggest that comprehensive palliative care can be provided in rural Africa by integrating disease-modifying treatment and palliative care, linking hospital, clinic, and home-based services, and providing psychosocial support that includes socioeconomic assistance

Nailfold capillary abnormalities in erectile dysfunction of systemic sclerosis: a EUSTAR group analysis

Objective. The objective of this study was to analyse an association between nailfold capillary abnormalities and the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with SSc. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis of the prospective European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trial and Research database was performed. Men with SSc were included if they had undergone nailfold capillaroscopy and simultaneous ED assessment with the 5-item International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Results. Eighty-six men met the inclusion criteria. Eight men (9.3%) had not had sexual intercourse and could not be assigned an IIEF-5 score. Sixty-nine of the 78 men (88.5%) with an IIEF-5 score had nailfold capillary abnormalities, of whom 54 (78.3%) suffered from ED. Nine men (11.5%) had no nailfold capillary abnormalities, of whom six (66.7%) had ED (P = 0.44). ED was more frequent in older men (P = 0.002) and in men with diffuse disease (P = 0.06). Men with abnormal capillaroscopy had a higher median EULAR disease activity than men without (P = 0.02), a lower diffusing capacity of the lung (P = 0.001) and a higher modified Rodnan skin score (P = 0.04), but mean IIEF-5 scores did not differ [15.7 (s.d. 6.2) vs 15.7 (s.d. 6.3)]. IIEF-5 scores did not differ between men with early (n = 12), active (n = 27) or late (n = 27) patterns (IIEF-5 scores of 17.9, 16.3 and 14.7, respectively). There were no differences in the prevalence of early, active and late capillaroscopy patterns between men with or without ED. Conclusion. Neither the presence or absence of abnormal capillaroscopy findings nor the subdivision into early, active and late patterns is associated with coexistent ED in SS

Hepatitis C virus cell-cell transmission and resistance to direct-acting antiviral agents

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted between hepatocytes via classical cell entry but also uses direct cell-cell transfer to infect neighboring hepatocytes. Viral cell-cell transmission has been shown to play an important role in viral persistence allowing evasion from neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, the role of HCV cell-cell transmission for antiviral resistance is unknown. Aiming to address this question we investigated the phenotype of HCV strains exhibiting resistance to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in state-of-the-art model systems for cell-cell transmission and spread. Using HCV genotype 2 as a model virus, we show that cell-cell transmission is the main route of viral spread of DAA-resistant HCV. Cell-cell transmission of DAA-resistant viruses results in viral persistence and thus hampers viral eradication. We also show that blocking cell-cell transmission using host-targeting entry inhibitors (HTEIs) was highly effective in inhibiting viral dissemination of resistant genotype 2 viruses. Combining HTEIs with DAAs prevented antiviral resistance and led to rapid elimination of the virus in cell culture model. In conclusion, our work provides evidence that cell-cell transmission plays an important role in dissemination and maintenance of resistant variants in cell culture models. Blocking virus cell-cell transmission prevents emergence of drug resistance in persistent viral infection including resistance to HCV DAAs

The Grizzly, October 6, 2005

UC Tuition Series Part Two: AFAC • Thinking Man\u27s Comic Brings Biting Wit to Campus • Director of Physical Facilities Retires after 26 Years of Service • Crossing Woes • Long-term Campus Development Plans • Environmentalist Speaks on Climate Change • Program Spotlight: America Reads • Jordanian Visitor Discusses Education • New Attendance Policy • Battle of the Websites: The Facebook vs. MySpace • Let\u27s Talk About Sex • Staff Profile: Campus Safety Director Kim Taylor • Can You Climb the Wall? • Let\u27s Party: The Unspoken Rules of Ursinus Nightlife • Opinions: The Black Spotlight, Or Why White People Like Me; Stress Can Affect Your Academic Performance; Down the Path; Another Glance at UC Fringe • Bears Terrorize McDaniel in OT • Bears Make Bullets Shoot Blanks • Rally Falls Short as McDaniel Beats Ursinus • Soccer Struggles Continuehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1695/thumbnail.jp