Introduction: Knowledge in the Making: Drawing and Writing as Research Techniques

Drawing and writing number among the most widespread scientific practices of representation. Neither photography, graphic recording apparatuses, typewriters, nor digital word- and image-processing ever completely replaced drawing and writing by hand. The interaction of hand, paper, and pen indeed involves much more than simply recording or visualizing what was previously thought, observed, or imagined. Both writing and drawing have the power to translate concepts and observations into two-dimensional, manageable, reproducible objects. They help to develop research questions and they open up an interaction between the gathering of phenomena and the formation of theses. Related to the manifold studies of representational activities in the sciences and the humanities, this topical issue tries to refine our understanding of the capacities of drawing and writing as research techniques; i.e. as productive epistemic practices. In particular the contributions address three aspects: the material conditions and configurations of the "scene of drawing and writing,” the involved procedures of production, and the languages of inscriptio

Der Faktor Erinnerung : Innerlandwirtschaftliche Perspektiven auf das Verschwinden von multispecies contact zones im Schweinestall

The article is based on qualitative interviews with conventional farmers who work in the field of intensive livestock farming. It examines intra-occupational experiences and interpretations using the example of the historical development of slatted floor systems for pig rearing. This includes the physical effects on both humans as well as non-human actors. The interviewees’ narratives, reveal the great significance of intraprofessional memory cultures as well as tensions between subjective practical knowledge and animal welfare positions. This is especially visible when contrasted with the experiences of farmers who have shifted to straw bedding. The system in question has developed from stables as multispecies contact zones to an ideal of a hygienic non-contact zone that is as sterile and labor efficient as possible. The focus on the physical aspects within this system reveals one-sided perspectives and rehearsed defensive arguments of a professional group that has felt stigmatized by society for decades. At the same time, it becomes obvious that a deeper scientific examination of the daily work demands of intensive livestock farmers is necessary, that would go beyond the black-and-white divisions often found in discourses on agricultural developments

Evaluation und Qualitätskontrolle bibliothekarischer Auskunft oder: „Bitte recherchieren Sie selbst im Google“

Der vorliegende Bericht ist das Ergebnis einer Projektarbeit von Studierenden am Institut für Informationswissenschaft der Fachhochschule Köln im Studiengang Bibliothekswesen. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit untersuchten sieben Studierende während des Sommersemesters 2011 die bibliothekarische Auskunft anhand eines zu diesem Zwecke erstellten Kriterienkatalogs. Die sieben Studierenden testeten die Bibliotheken über vier verschiedene Auskunftskanäle (Chat, Persönliche Auskunft, Telefonische Auskunft und Webformular/E-Mail-Auskunft). Zuerst werden der Kriterienkatalog und dessen Anforderungen sowie der Bewertungsbogen für die Tests vorgestellt. Im folgenden Kapitel steht die Erarbeitung der Testfragen, die zur Bewertung des Auskunftsprozesses gestellt wurden, im Fokus. Es wird eine quantitative Übersicht aller Fragen pro Auskunftskanal und Bibliothekstyp gegeben. Anschließend werden die gestellten Testfragen aufgelistet und erläutert. Zudem werden die Erfahrungen des Pretests sowie die Testphase erläutert. Im nächsten Kapitel erfolgt die Auswertung der gesamten Untersuchung. Die Analysen und Ergebnisse werden jeweils durch Torten- oder Säulendiagramme visualisiert. Fazit und Ausblick runden die Ergebnispräsentation ab. Im Anhang befinden sich eine Auflistung der Auskunftstypen und Bibliothekstypen, das zu Grunde liegende Notenschema, die Auswertungsbögen sowie zwei Erfahrungsberichte der Auskunft jeder Studierenden

Consecutive use of the 52 mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: variations in bleeding patterns

Changes in bleeding patterns could influence the decisions of healthcare professionals to change the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) before 7 years of use, the recommended period of extended use. We evaluated changes in the bleeding patterns of users of the 52 mg LNG-IUS at the end of use of the first (IUS-1) and during the second device (IUS-2) use. We performed an audit of the medical records of all women who used two consecutive LNG-IUSs at the Family Planning clinic. We evaluated the sociodemographic/gynecological variables, the length of use, and the bleeding patterns reported in the reference periods of 90 days before removal of the IUS-1 and at the last return in use of IUS-2. We used the McNemar test to compare bleeding patterns. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. We evaluated 301 women aged (mean ± SD) 32 (±6.1) years, with lengths of use of 68.9 (±16.8) and 20.3 (±16.7) months for the IUS-1 and IUS-2, respectively. No pregnancies were reported. Bleeding patterns varied significantly among women who used the IUS-2 for ≥ 7 months to 6 years when compared the bleeding patterns reported in IUS-1 use. Eighty-nine out of 221 (40%) women maintained amenorrhea and infrequent bleeding; 66 (30%) evolved to bleeding patterns with light flow, and 66 (30%) maintained or evolved to heavy flow patterns (p = 0.012). No differences were observed among the 80 women with ≤ 6 months of use. Changes in bleeding patterns occur during the use of LNG-IUS and should not be decisive for the early replacement of the device424194199Variações no padrão de sangramento podem afetar a decisão de troca do sistema intrauterino de levonorgestrel (SIU-LNG) antes do período de uso estendido recomendado de 7 anos. Nós avaliamos mudanças no padrão de sangramento de usuárias ao final do uso do primeiro SIU-LNG 52 mg (SIU-1) e durante o uso do segundo dispositivo (SIU-2). Revisamos os prontuários de todas as mulheres que inseriram consecutivamente o SIU-LNG no ambulatório de Planejamento Familiar. Foram avaliadas as variáveis sociodemográficas/ginecológicas, o tempo de uso, e os padrões de sangramento relatados nos períodos de referência de 90 dias antes da remoção do SIU-1 e no último retorno em uso do SIU-2. Usamos o teste de McNemar para comparar os padrões de sangramento. A significância estatística foi estabelecida em p < 0,05. Analisamos os dados de 301 mulheres com idade (média ± desvio padrão [DP]) de 32 (±6,1) anos e tempo de uso de 68,9 (±16,8) e 20,3 (±16,7) meses para o SIU-1 e SIU-2, respectivamente. Nenhuma gravidez foi relatada. Os padrões de sangramento variaram significativamente durante o uso do SIU-2 (≥ 7 meses a 6 anos) em relação ao padrão relatado no SIU-1. Oitenta e nove das 221 (40%) mulheres mantiveram amenorreia e sangramento infrequente; 66 (30%) evoluíram para padrões de sangramento com fluxo leve e 66 (30%) mantiveram ou evoluíram para padrões de fluxo intenso (p = 0,012). Não foram observadas diferenças entre as 80 mulheres que utilizavam o SIU-2 há ≤ 6 meses. Mudanças nos padrões de sangramento ocorrem durante o uso do LNG-IUS e não devem ser decisivas para a troca precoce do dispositiv

What Couples Say about Their Recovery of Sexual Intimacy after Prostatectomy: Toward the Development of a Conceptual Model of Couples' Sexual Recovery after Surgery for Prostate Cancer

IntroductionInterventions designed to help couples recover sexual intimacy after prostatectomy have not been guided by a comprehensive conceptual model.AimWe examined a proposed biopsychosocial conceptual model of couples' sexual recovery that included functional, psychological, and relational aspects of sexuality, surgery‐related sexual losses, and grief and mourning as recovery process.MethodsWe interviewed 20 couples preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. between 2010 and 2012. Interviews were analyzed with Analytic Induction qualitative methodology, using NVivo software. Paired t‐tests described functional assessment data. Study findings led to a revised conceptual model.Main Outcome MeasuresCouples' experiences were assessed through semi‐structured interviews; male participants' sexual function was assessed with the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and female participants' sexual function with the Female Sexual Function Index.ResultsPreoperatively, 30% of men had erectile dysfunction (ED) and 84% of partners were postmenopausal. All valued sexual recovery, but worried about cancer spread and surgery side effects. Faith in themselves and their surgeons led 90% of couples to overestimate erectile recovery. Postoperatively, most men had ED and lost confidence. Couples' sexual activity decreased. Couples reported feeling loss and grief: cancer diagnosis was the first loss, followed by surgery‐related sexual losses. Couples' engagement in intentional sex, patients' acceptance of erectile aids, and partners' interest in sex aided the recovery of couples' sexual intimacy recovery. Unselfconscious sex, not returning to erectile function baseline, was seen as the end point. Survey findings documented participants' sexual function losses, confirming qualitative findings.ConclusionsCouples' sexual recovery requires addressing sexual function, feelings about losses, and relationship simultaneously. Perioperative education should emphasize the roles of nerve damage in ED and grief and mourning in sexual recovery. Wittmann D, Carolan M, Given B, Skolarus TA, Crossley H, An L, Palapattu G, Clark P, and Montie JE. What couples say about their recovery of sexual intimacy after prostatectomy: Toward the development of a conceptual model of couples' sexual recovery after surgery for prostate cancer. J Sex Med 2015;12:494–504.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110610/1/jsm12732.pd

To Be Or Not to Be: the "Smoker's Paradox" - An in-Vitro Study

Background/Aims: Clinical studies have reported a better outcome of smokers after myocardial infarction compared to non-smokers. The data are controversial, as some clinical studies did not observe this effect. The cell biological processes involved, which might account for a 'Smoker's Paradox', have not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim was to elucidate the effect of cigarette smoke on the viability of cardiomyocytes in the context of hypoxia and reperfusion. Methods: HL-1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and subjected to hypoxia/reperfusion to further evaluate influence of CSE on viability of HL-1 cells using flow cytometry analyses, Western Blot and immunofluorescence staining. Results: Incubation with CSE led to a concentration-dependent reduction in HL-1 viability. Adding hypoxia as a stressor enhanced cell death. Caspase-independent apoptosis was the observed type of cell death partly induced by P53 and apoptosis-inducing-factor. Yet a significant increase in LDH release in cardiomyocytes incubated with 4%, 8% and 16% CSE suggests necrosis with rapid DNA depletion. Interestingly, after hypoxia a decreased LDH release under lower CSE concentrations was observed. Moreover, a concentration-dependent increase in proliferation and a trend for increased ATP availability under hypoxic conditions was shown. Conclusions: The trend for less LDH release in hypoxia after low-level CSE incubation might represent a switch from necrosis to apoptosis, which in combination with the increase in metabolic activity and ATP availability might account for the 'Smoker's Paradox'. These findings could partly explain inconsistent results of previous clinical studies as the data showed strong evidence for the crucial relevance of the amount of cigarettes smoked. We are in need of future studies distinguishing between different types of smokers to finally verify or falsify the 'Smoker's Paradox'

Anaesthesia-related complications and side-effects in TAVI: a retrospective study in Germany

Objectives This study was performed to analyse anaesthesia-related complications and side effects in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) under general anaesthesia. Design Retrospective study. Setting The study was performed as a single-centre study in a hospital of tertiary care in Germany. Participants All 853 patients, who underwent TAVI at the Universitatsklinikum Regensburg between January 2009 and July 2015, were included. 52.5% were female patients. Primary and secondary outcome measures We gathered information, such as recent illness, vital parameters and medication administered during the intervention and postoperatively for 12 hours. We analysed all anaesthesia-related complications and anaesthesia-related side effects that occurred during the intervention and entire hospital stay. Results We analysed all 853 TAVI procedures. The mean patient age was 79 +/- 6 years. In 99.5% of cases, we used volatile-based anaesthesia. 2.8% (n=24; transfemoral (TF): n=19 [3.8%]; transapical (TA): n=5 [1.4%]) of all cases suffered from anaesthesia-related complications. 819 (TF: n=447; TA: n=372) anaesthesia-related side effects occurred in 586 (68.7%, TF: n=325 [64.2%], TA: n=261 [75.2%]) patients. Neither the complications nor the side effects had any serious consequences. Intraoperative hypothermia in 44% of cases (TF: n=202 [39.9%]; TA: n=173 [49.9%]) and postoperative nausea and vomiting in 27% (n=232; TF: n=131 [25.9%], TA: n=101 [29.1%]) of cases were the most common anaesthesia-related side effects. Conclusion In this study, serious anaesthesia-related complications were rarely seen, and non-critical anaesthesia-related side effects could have been avoided through consistent prophylaxis and management. Therefore, despite their high anaesthetic risk, general anaesthesia is justifiable in patients who underwent TAVI

An Equine Model for Vaccination against a Hepacivirus: Insights into Host Responses to E2 Recombinant Protein Vaccination and Subsequent Equine Hepacivirus Inoculation

Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is the closest known genetic homologue of hepatitis C virus. An effective prophylactic vaccine is currently not available for either of these hepaciviruses. The equine as potential surrogate model for hepacivirus vaccine studies was investigated, while equine host responses following vaccination with EqHV E2 recombinant protein and subsequent EqHV inoculation were elucidated. Four ponies received prime and booster vaccinations (recombinant protein, adjuvant) four weeks apart (day −55 and −27). Two control ponies received adjuvant only. Ponies were inoculated with EqHV RNA-positive plasma on day 0. Blood samples and liver biopsies were collected over 26 weeks (day −70 to +112). Serum analyses included detection of EqHV RNA, isotypes of E2-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), nonstructural protein 3-specific IgG, haematology, serum biochemistry, and metabolomics. Liver tissue analyses included EqHV RNA detection, RNA sequencing, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Al-though vaccination did not result in complete protective immunity against experimental EqHV inoculation, the majority of vaccinated ponies cleared the serum EqHV RNA earlier than the control ponies. The majority of vaccinated ponies appeared to recover from the EqHV-associated liver insult earlier than the control ponies. The equine model shows promise as a surrogate model for future hepacivirus vaccine research

Giovanni Boccaccio. Italienisch-deutscher Kulturtransfer von der Frühen Neuzeit bis zur Gegenwart

Italien und Deutschland – kaum zwei andere Kulturen in Europa sind so stark miteinander verbunden wie diese beiden, sei es geschichtlich oder kulturell. Am wirkmächtigsten war sicherlich die Übernahme des Gedankenguts der italienischen Renaissance, in deren Folge Wissen aus gesellschaftlichen, wissenschaftlichen und kulturellen Bereichen den Weg nach Deutschland fand, darunter auch die Kenntnis von Giovanni Boccaccios Werken, die sich auf deutschsprachige Kontexte auswirkten. Der vorliegende Tagungsband versammelt die Beiträge zur gleichnamigen Tagung „Giovanni Boccaccio. Italienisch-deutscher Kulturtransfer von der Frühen Neuzeit bis zur Gegenwart“ (Bamberg, 21. bis 23. November 2013), die sich mit vielfältigen Aspekten der Boccaccio-Rezeption auseinandersetzen