Showing papers by "Wolfgang Wagner published in 1995"

How the sperm dominates the ovum — objectification by metaphor in the social representation of conception

Abstract: This investigation is about the use of metaphors in the everyday understanding of conception. It is argued that the analysis of the relationship between source and target domain in a metaphor used as an objectification device can help explain how social representations are acquired collectively and individually. We expect that in popular knowledge of conception the central metaphors and images relate to the subjects' everyday experience as social actors and sexual beings because social and sexual experience is pervasive and well-understood. In an experimental questionnaire study involving 169 subjects, it is shown as hypothesized that subjects prefer to compare the process of fertilization, i.e. the role and behaviour of sperms and ovum, with sexual and sex-role behaviour where the role of men is projected upon sperms and the role of women upon the ovum. This implies that sperms are seen not only as more active, but also as harder, stronger, and more dominant than the ovum. These effects are stronger, the more subjects personally subscribe to a more conservative sex-role orientation. In the discussion it is suggested that it is necessary to analyse the two intricately linked levels of objectification, the cognitive process of selecting specific images and the social process of the diffusion of popular knowledge, if we want to understand how common sense works.

A new, accurate single-sinker densitometer for temperatures from 233 to 523 K at pressures up to 30 MPa

Abstract: A new apparatus for density measurements of fluids in the entire range from gas to liquid densities is presented. The instrument is a single-sinker buoyancy densitometer designed in a completely new way. The buoyancy force exerted by the sample fluid on an immersed sinker (buoy) is transferred by a new type of magnetic suspension coupling to an analytical balance. In order to reduce drastically the linearity error of the (commercial) balance. a special basic load compensation is applied which also avoids any buoyancy ellect of the laboratory air on the balance. The new single-sinker densitometer covers a density range from 10 to 200(1 kg - m ' at temperatures from 233 to 523 K and pressures up to 30 MPa. A special compact version of such a single-sinker densitometer can even he used at temperatures from 80 to 523 K at pressures up to 100 MPa. Test measurements on densities of carbon dioxide at 233, 360, and 523 K at pressures up to 30 MPa show that the estimated total uncertainty of ±0.02% to ±0.03% in density is clearly met.

Social representations, group affiliation, and projection: Knowing the limits of validity

Abstract: It is argued that social representations and similar constructs can only be conceived of as mental structures containing meta-information about the group, within which the representation was formed and where it is part of social identity. The most important information will be to know the limits of its validity, that is, to know to which social group a representation pertains. Experiments on social projection have shown that people tend to project their opinions onto others, if they are perceived as being similar in background values. Such projection cannot be expected with idiosyncratic attitudes and beliefs. Consequently it is hypothesized that idiosyncratic and private attitudes, opinions, etc., are not attributed to specific social groups, whereas knowledge pertaining to social representations the subject subscribes to is projected onto the ingroup and less on the outgroup. This effect is expected to be independent of the relative number of people holding this opinion. This is what was found in a quasi-experimental questionnaire study. Implications of the findings are discussed with regard to the definition and criteria of social representations and to the structure of the theory

Transcranial Doppler and cortical microcirculation at increased intracranial pressure and during the Cushing response: an experimental study on rabbits.

Abstract: The effect of increased intracranial pressure on the flow velocity of the basilar artery was measured with transcranial ultrasonic Doppler in New Zealand White rabbits under alpha-chloralose anesthesia and artificial respiration. Laser Doppler flowmetry served to study changes of the cortical microcirculation. The results confirm a high inverse correlation of the diastolic flow velocity, the pulsatility index, and the resistance index with the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). During acute intracranial hypertension, however, these parameters do not show a good correlation with the local cortical blood flow. The absence of a correlation was evident over a wide CPP range down to values of 35 mm Hg. Only at CPP values below this critical threshold is the microcirculation impaired. The threshold is reached at pulsatility index values of more than 2.0 and at resistance index values of more than 0.8. Therefore, transcranial Doppler indices permit the detection of critical reductions of microcirculatory blood flow. The Cushing reaction occurred with a constant time lag of 5.5 +/- 0.7 seconds after the loss of CPP. The Cushing reaction did not establish systolic blood flow, which remained below the functional threshold, as concluded from the temporary loss of somatosensory evoked potentials.

[Endoluminal HDR brachytherapy in the palliative treatment of patients with the recurrence of a non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma after prior radiotherapy].

Abstract: PURPOSE The preferred primary treatment in non-small cell lung cancer is surgical resection. In fact, only less than 25% of patients are resectable with curative intent. The remaining patients are primarily treated with radiation therapy or combined radiochemotherapy, achieving remission rates up to 60% but 5-year survival rates of only about 5%. Therefore an effective palliative treatment is important. The aim of our study was to show that using intraluminal HDR brachytherapy, tumor-induced bronchial obstruction and its symptoms can be relieved in the majority of cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixteen patients with recurrent previously irradiated non-small cell lung cancer were treated with intraluminal high dose rate iridium-192 afterloading irradiation at the Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology of the University of Munster between 1989 and 1993. There were 15 men and 1 woman with a median age of 61 years. As a primary treatment, 50 to 60 Gy had been delivered percutaneously. The recurrences were treated with HDR brachytherapy using 2 to 4 applications of 5 Gy to 6 Gy each to a tissue depth of 0.5 cm. RESULTS In 13 of 16 patients dyspnoea could be improved and in 15 of 16 patients atelectasis could be dissolved. Nine of 16 patients achieved a partial or complete remission evaluated by bronchoscopic criteria. The median period of remission was 4 months. The median survival time, measured from the start of therapy and analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method, was only 9 months. As side effects, 1 pneumothorax and 1 tracheomediastinal fistula occurred, the latter presumably related to tumor progression. CONCLUSION Our results show the importance of intraluminal HDR brachytherapy in the palliative treatment of patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.

[Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell bronchial carcinoma. Initial results of a prospective multicenter study].

Abstract: PURPOSE In the last years new encouraging methods in the therapy of bronchial carcinoma have been elaborated. The early stages of bronchial carcinoma are still a domain of operative treatment. The long-term results of surgical treatment for locally advanced disease are considered to be unfavourable. Multimodal treatment concepts with simultaneous or consecutive application of radio-chemotherapy followed by surgical resection seem to reveal improved possibilities of therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS General treatment consists of 2 blocks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin, ifosfamide and etoposide, followed by a third course, consisting of carboplatin and vindesine. Simultaneously with the third course a hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy with a single dose of 1.5 Gy 10 times per week is applied. The total dose is 45 Gy in 3 weeks, given at least to the 80% isodose. After restaging, tumor resection is carried out. Patients without tumor are randomized for prophylactic brain irradiation. RESULTS From January 1992 up to 1.10.1993 25 patients have been treated in accordance to the study. All tumors were locally advanced (stage IIIa and IIIb). Until 1.10.1993 4 patients died, 2 of them certainly related to the tumor. Thirteen patients have been resected after neoadjuvant treatment. In 11 of these cases a R0-, and in 2 cases a R1 resection has been carried out. Tumor cells have been found only in 5 histologies. The hematotoxic side effects under competing RTX/CTX seemed to be unproblematical (RTOG/grade II). Problems occurred with 4 cases of serious esophagitis (RTOG/grade III to IV) and 2 cases of pneumonitis with 1 case ending lethally. CONCLUSION Preliminary results of our study show the feasibility of multimodal treatment. A favourable 1-year survival rate after aggressive multimodal therapy and a high resection rate in previously unresectable patients could be demonstrated.

Approximation of the Boltzmann equation by discrete velocity models

Abstract: Two convergence results related to the approximation of the Boltzmann equation by discrete velocity models are presented. First we construct a sequence of deterministic discrete velocity models and prove convergence (as the number of discrete velocities tends to infinity) of their solutions to the solution of a spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation. Second we introduce a sequence of Markov jump processes (interpreted as random discrete velocity models) and prove convergence (as the intensity of jumps tends to infinity) of these processes to the solution of a deterministic discrete velocity model.

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical syringomyelia: correlation of preoperative versus postoperative findings with upper limb clinical somatosensory function.

Abstract: Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded in 30 patients with cervical syringomyelia before and after surgery. The different SEP components were compared with clinical somatosensory findings. The N13 potential (generated in the dorsal horn at C5-C6) was pathological in 85% of the upper extremities, or 90% of the patients, and correlated with pain/temperature as well as vibration/joint position sense; it was of higher sensitivity in syringomyelia than any other clinical symptom or SEP component. P14 (brain stem) and N20 (postcentral cortex) were less often affected and correlated with only vibration/joint position sense. Short-term postoperative clinical or SEP changes were most often seen after syringoendoscopy and less often after syringostomy, resection of cerebellar tonsils, or tumor extirpation. Alterations of SEPs after surgery occurred in more patients (60%) than did changes in clinical condition (approximately 27%); there was, however, no general correlation between these findings. We conclude that median nerve SEP testing with a proper recording technique identifying the different subcortical components is a valuable supplement in the pre- and postoperative diagnostic evaluation of syringomyelia and is of higher sensitivity than clinical somatosensory examination alone.

Intraoperative monitoring of median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical syringomyelia: analysis of 28 cases.

Abstract: Intraoperative median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were monitored in 28 patients undergoing surgery for cervical or cervicothoracic syringomyelia. Analysis was focused on SEP components N13 (spinal cord), P14 (brain stem), and N20 (cortex). N13 was lacking in nearly 87% of the patients (due to a combined effect of syringomyelia and general anesthesia) and never recovered. P14 showed a significant (> 10%) intraoperative latency increase in two patients; this was irreversible in one patient who had a postoperative worsening of sensory function. N20 showed no relevant alterations. Pure motor deficits after surgery were not predicted by SEP monitoring. In conclusion, intraoperative P14 recording helped to identify harm to the dorsal columns and probably prevented the cord from irreversible damage in one case, whereas N13 recording did not contribute to the monitoring of spinal cord function during surgery for syringomyelia.

Everyday Folk-Politics, Sensibleness and the Explanation of Action - An Answer to Cranach

Abstract: L'A. repond a Mario von Cranach. Il reonnait l'interet de sa demarche en matiere de representations sociales mais il en montre dans le meme temps les faiblesses. Il montre d'une part que l'on peut etudier les comportements sociaux aussi bien par le biais d'une analyse des comportements que par une analyse du langage et d'autre part que l'impredictibilite de certains comportements affirmee par von Cranach ne peut etre etablie qu'au moyen d'un critere qu'il juge impossible a decouvrir. Il reconnait avec von Cranach qu'il n'existe pas de concept permettant de distinguer representations et comportements sociaux

Die Entwicklung einer neuen Industrie-Formulation für die Zustandseigenschaften von Wasser und Wasserdampf

Abstract: The article gives an overview of the necessity, requirements and concept for the development of new, internationally valid state equations for the calculation of the thermodynamic state variables of water and steam for industrial applications (industry-formulation). The main requirements (especially short calculation times for the industrially most important variable combinations) and the concept for the new equation package were agreed within the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam (IAPWS). This new industry-formulation of the IAPWS will be developed in international cooperation and is to substitute the presently valid industry-equations, the IFC-67. Finally is reported on the present development stage and the schedule up to the expected acceptance of the the equation package.