Skin hunger

Performed dusk till dawn, Friday 26 October 2007
"Skin Hunger is an improvised movement performance that invites the audience to engage directly with the performer. The performer is accompanied by a sign that invites the audience to 'touch me and see what happens'. He then uses the tactile information as a stimulus to generate movement and motivation for what he does. Small moments of relationship emerge from the initiations offered by the audience and the performer's ability to be responsive to the moment of touch.

The sign reads:

Touch me.
Touch me and see what happens.

Perhaps I will dance
Or I may do something else.

If you hit me I will bruise I do not enjoy physical pain.

Tenderness is rare.

Brush, scratch, rub, pat, prod, punch, bump, jiggle, stroke, push, nudge, tickle, hug, squeeze, caress, feel, grope, fondle, graze, tap, fiddle with, handle, slap, knead, cuff, spank, thump, shake, jerk, clout, graze, chafe, tap, poke, jab, dig, skim, shove, pet, cuddle, embrace, finger, maul, paw, manipulate, pump, support. "
cf. Melbourne International Arts Festival. Musicircus artists
(http://www.melbournefestival.com.au/musicircus_artists)

Dietary protein level interacts with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency to induce hypertension

Background : Dietary ω-3 fatty acid deficiency can lead to hypertension in later life; however, hypertension is affected by numerous other dietary factors. We examined the effect of altering the dietary protein level on blood pressure in animals deficient or sufficient in ω-3 fatty acids.

Methods : Female rats were placed on one of four experimental diets 1 week prior to mating. Diets were either deficient (10% safflower oil; DEF) or sufficient (7% safflower oil, 3% flaxseed oil; SUF) in ω-3 fatty acids and contained 20 or 30% casein (DEF20, SUF20, DEF30, SUF30). Offspring were maintained on the maternal diet for the duration of the experiment. At 12, 18, 24, and 30 weeks, blood pressure was assessed by tail cuff plethysmography.

Results : At both 12 and 18 weeks of age, no differences in blood pressure were observed based on diet, however, by 24 weeks hypertension was evident in DEF30 animals; there were no blood pressure differences between the other groups. This hypertension in DEF30 group was increased at 30 weeks, with systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure all elevated.

Conclusions : These results indicate that the hypertension previously attributed to ω-3 fatty acid deficiency is dependent on additional dietary factors, including protein content. Furthermore, this study is the first to plot the establishment of ω-3 fatty acid deficiency hypertension over time.

The 'filler-effect' in organic ionic plastic crystals : Enhanced conductivity by the addition of nano-sized TiO2

The addition of nano-sized ceramic particles to the plastic crystal ethyl-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)amide (P₁₂TFSA) has been investigated by means of DSC and conductivity. The thermal behaviour of the plastic crystal as a function of filler content suggests that the filler particles decrease the onset temperature of the melting slightly at high loadings, however they do not decrease the crystallinity of the material. Furthermore, the IV → III transition decreases in intensity, indicating that the addition of filler increases the possibility for the crystal to remain in metastable rotator phases also at lower temperatures. The conductivity shows a more than one order of magnitude increase with the addition of filler, with a filler concentration dependence that levels out above ~ 10 wt.% TiO₂.

Cation dynamics in dimethyl-pyrrolidinium-based solid-state ion conductors

Dimethyl-pyrrolidinum-based salts have been investigated by means of DSC, conductivity, NMR and Raman spectroscopy. The investigation aims to study the effect of the anion on the behaviour of the salt, in terms of plastic properties as well as rotational degrees of freedom of the cation. The materials range from the non-plastic iodide salt to the highly plastic BF₄ salt, which flows under its own weight at elevated temperatures. The different rotational and translational motions of the cations, and the difference between rotator and plastic phases are discussed.

Plastic crystal electrolyte materials : new perspectives on solid state ionics

Plastic crystal materials have long been known but have only relatively recently become of interest as solid–state ion conductors. Their properties are often associated with dynamic orientational disorder or rotator motions in the crystalline lattice. This paper describes recent work in the field including the range of organic ionic compounds that exhibit ion conduction at room temperature. Conductivity in some cases is high enough to render the compounds of interest as electrolyte materials in all solid state electrochemical devices. Doping of the plastic crystal phase with a small ion such as Li+ in some cases produces an even higher conductivity. In this case the plastic crystal acts as a solid state “solvent” for the doped ion and supports the conductive motion of the dopant via motions of the matrix ions. These doped materials are also described in detail.

Structural studies of ambient temperature plastic crystal ion conductors

A number of novel organic ionic compounds based on the pyrrolidinium cation are described which have been found to be ion conductors in their solid states around room temperature. The properties of the compounds are consistent with their exhibiting plastic crystal phases. In order to understand some of the molecular origins of the plastic crystal behaviour and the ion conductivity that it promotes, a number of related compounds based on the imidazolium and ammonium cations are also described which have structural elements in common with the pyrrolidinium cation, but which do not show the plastic behaviour. It is found therefore that the nature of the cation is quite critical to the development of this behaviour. The alkyl methyl pyrrolidinium cation is found to produce plastic crystal phases when the alkyl chains are short, thereby preserving the ability of the cation to rotate with minimal steric hindrance. The ammonium and imidazolium cations of comparable size and structure are less able to produce these plastic phases, in many cases because the low temperature phase proceeds to melt rather than forming a stable rotator phase.

The influence of different nanoparticles on a range of organic ionic plastic crystals

The addition of nanoparticles to an organic ionic plastic crystal can result in orders of magnitude increases in ionic conductivity, which makes these materials of interest as solid state electrolytes. However, this effect is not universal and depends on both the nature of the organic ionic plastic crystal and on the type of nanoparticle used. The effect of addition of TiO₂, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ nanoparticles to a range of ionic materials with varying plasticity and rotator phase behaviour has been studied by thermal analysis and conductivity and the effect on the different materials is compared.

Forearm blood flow in individuals with CHF and age-matched healthy volunteers : a study and historical review

This study examined forearm blood flow (FBF) in individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF) at rest, moderate exercise, and following limb occlusion. FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in CHF patients (n = 43) and healthy age-matched volunteers (n = 8) at rest and during exercise consisting of intermittent isometric hand squeezing at 15, 30, and 45% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Peak vasodilatory capacity was also determined following the release of an occluding arm cuff. FBF was lower in CHF patients during exercise and during peak reactive hyperemia (PRH) compared to healthy volunteers, but there was no significant difference between groups at rest. Peak vasodilatory capacity was significantly higher in healthy volunteers than the CHF group ((30.6 ± 8.6 ml±100 mL^-1±min^-1 and 18.3 ± 6.9 ml±100 mL^-1±min^-1, respectively). Local blood flow stimulation in response to exercise or limb occlusion is reduced in individuals with CHF, however, there was no difference in resting flows between the two groups, suggesting vasodilatory medication may restore resting blood flow to healthy values.

A high performance position sensorless surface permanent magnet synchronous motor drive based on flux angle

A position sensorless Surface Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (SPMSM) drive based on flux angle is presented in this paper. The motor equations are written in rotor fixed d-q reference frame. A PID controller is used to process the speed error to generate the reference torque current keeping the magnetizing current fixed. The estimated stator flux using Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is used to find out the rotor position. The flux angle and the reference current phasor angle are used in vector rotator to generate the reference phase currents. Hysteresis current controller block controls the switching of the 3-phase inverter to apply voltage to the motor stator. Simulation studies on different operating conditions indicate the acceptability of the drive system. The drive system only requires a speed transducer and is free from position sensor requirement. The proposed control scheme is robust under load torque disturbances and motor parameter variations. It is also simple and low cost to implement in a practical environment.

Vector control of a position sensorless SPMSM drive with RNN based stator flux estimator

A position sensorless Surface Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (SPMSM) drive based on single layer Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is presented in this paper. The motor equations are written in rotor fixed d-q reference frame. A PID controller is used to process the speed error to generate the reference torque current keeping the magnetizing current fixed. The RNN estimator is used to estimate flux components along the stator fixed stationary axes. The flux angle and the reference current phasor angle are used in vector rotator to generate the reference phase currents. Hysteresis current controller block controls the switching of the three phase inverter to apply voltage to the motor stator. Simulation studies on different operating conditions indicate the acceptability of the drive system. The proposed estimator can be used to accurately measure the motor fluxes and rotor angle over a wide speed range. The proposed control scheme is robust under load torque disturbances and motor parameter variations. It is also simple and low cost to implememnt in a practical environment

Sistema de aquisição do ciclo pressão-volume cardíaco por métodos não-invasivos

A aquisição do ciclo pressão-volume é de grande importância para diagnóstico de cardiopatias e principalmente para o acompanhamento de intervenções terapêuticas, porém os métodos hoje utilizados são caros e agressivos ao paciente, reduzindo por estes motivos sua aplicação. Este estudo pretende obter, por métodos não-invasivos, o ciclo pressão-volume do ventrículo esquerdo de pacientes humanos. Isto consiste na aquisição dos sinais P(t) e V(t) simultaneamente e a apresentação de um gráfico P(V). Para tanto, após a revisão bibliográfica, decidiu-se utilizar a ecocardiografia com detecção automática de bordos, para obtenção do volume ventricular e a medição da onda de pressão transmitida através da artéria braquial para um manguito inflado com ar, conectado a um transdutor piezo-resistivo em ponte. A aquisição da pressão pelo método não-invasivo é comparada a dados resultantes da aquisição invasiva da pressão arterial por catéter intra-aórtico que é considerado padrãoouro. Os sinais são condicionados e digitalizados em uma placa de aquisição com conversor A/D de 8 bits e micro controlador 80c196. Os dados digitalizados são então enviados serialmente para um computador onde são gerados os gráficos. Obteve-se de cinco pacientes nove aquisições simultâneas da pressão invasiva através de catéter intra-aórtico e do protótipo desenvolvido resultando concordância segundo o método de Bland e Altman (1986) (r=0,989; d + 2s= 6,52; d - 2s =-6,07), comprovando a eficiência do método de aquisição. Obteve-se resultado satisfatório também quanto à operação sistema desenvolvido pois foram realizadas dez aquisições em cinco pacientes, registrando-se gráficos bastante similares aos apresentados na literatura disponível.

Uma intervenção educativa para profissionais de saúde na prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica

Quasi-experimental study, prospective with quantitative approach, performed at the Hospital do Coração in Natal, aimed at verified the existence of difference between the care given by health professionals to the patients under mechanical ventilation (MV) in the Intensive Care Unit, before and after an educative intervention. The population was of 31 professionals, with data collected between november 05 of 2007 to march 27 of 2008. The results show a yong population, female gender, middle level of education, nursing technique, working between 05 and 09 years on nursing profession, and 01 to 04 years on Intensive Care Unit; almost all, never had an kind of training over prevent pneumonia associated to mechanical ventilation; from those that had training, occur on the work place with duration from 12 to 24 hours. About endotracheal intubation, the cuff was tested with a sterilized syringe had a positive change after a educative intervention, increased from 75,0% to 100,0%; the sterile guide was used on 75,0% before and 100,0% after an educative intervention. Regarding endotracheal suction procedure, was not informed to the patient on 72,7% before, however was informed on 56,7% after; the hands was not previously washed 68,5% before, however was 63,3% after the procedure; mask was used on 74,2 % opportunities before and 76,7% after; the aspiration catheter had adequated size on 98,9% observation before and 100,0% after; the gaze was sterilized on 95,7% before and 100,0% after; the ventilator was connected to the patient during the aspiration intervals on 94,4% observation before and 100,0% after; the ambu bag was clean and protected on 76,1% before and 85,7% after; the aspiration catheter was discarded after be used on 98,9% before and 100,0% after; FIO2 was turned to the begging value on 32,9% observation before and 12,0% after; before the procedure 71,9% professions washed their hands and 73,3% after; before, notes of aspiration results were performed on 70,8% observation and 86,7% after. Regarding devices used on respiratory tract, aspirator flasks were not swapped on 84,6% observations before and 71,0% after; daily látex extention change was not performed on 93,6% observation before and 87,1% after; the ambu bag change was not performed on 50,0% observation before even if was duty or unprotected and on 75,8% opportunities was changed, after; nebulization was not prepared with sterile fluids or manipulated aseptically on 65,2% observation before, perhaps was on 71,7% after; before nebulizers were not changed on 65,2% observations, perhaps were on 60,9% after. Concerning ventilator breathing circuits, condense fluids cumulated on circuits were removed on 55,0% opportunities before, and 64,0% after; moisturizer was not filled with sterile water when already had small amount of liquid inside on 78,4% observations before, and 90,2% after; MV circuits were changed on 97,0% observations on presence of visible duty or when presents some kind of failure, before and 98,4% after. About body position, on 51,3% observations the decubitus position change were done before and 78,2% after; fowler position was maitened on 95,5% observations before and 98,2% after; Regarding respiratory physiotherapy, enteral diet was not interrupted before respiratory physiotherapy on 94,9% before and 90,0% after; respiratory physiotherapy devices were not disinfected or sterile on 69,6% observations before but they re on 60,0% after; before the cateter was not tested before introduction enteral diet or medications on 100,0% but after was done on 15,2%. About enteral feeding, intestine motility and measure of stomach contents were not done on 100,0% observations before, but was 15,2% after. We conclude that 05 of 07 valuated procedures in relation to MV, had a significant improvement on quality of care given after educative intervention, when compared before intervention

High laryngeal mask airway pressures resulting from nitrous oxide do not increase pharyngeal mucosal injury in dogs

Purpose: During general anesthesia, nitrous oxide (N2O) diffuses rapidly into the air-filled laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff, increasing intracuff pressure. There is no clear correlation between LMA intracuff pressure and pressure on the pharynx. We have studied the effects of high LMA intracuff pressures secondary to N2O on the pharyngeal mucosa of dogs.Methods: Sixteen mongrel dogs were randomly allocated to two groups: G1 (intracuff volume, 30 mL; n = 8) breathed a mixture of O-2 (1 L.min(-1)) and air (1 L.min(-1)) and G2 (intracuff volume, 30 mL; n=8) a mixture of O-2 (1 L.min(-1)) and N2O (1 L.min(-1)). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with pentobarbitone. LMA cuff pressure was measured at zero (control), 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after #4 LMA insertion. The dogs were sacrificed, and biopsy specimens from seven predetermined areas of the pharynx in contact with the LMA cuff were collected for light (LM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination by a blinded observer.Results: LMA intracuff pressure decreased with time in G1 (P < 0.001) and increased in G2 (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). In both groups, the LM study showed a normal epithelium covering the pharyngeal mucosa and mild congestion in the subepithelial layer There were no differences between the groups (P > 0.10) or among the areas sampled (P > 0.05). In both groups, the SEM study showed a normal pharyngeal mucosa with mild superficial desquamation. Few specimens in G1 and G2 showed more intense epithelial desquamation.Conclusion: High LMA intracuff pressures produced by N2O do not increase pharyngeal mucosal injury in dogs.

Effects of subcutaneous methadone, morphine, buprenorphine or saline on thermal and pressure thresholds in cats

This study compared pressure and thermal thresholds after administration of three opioids in eight cats. Pressure stimulation was performed via a bracelet taped around the forearm. Three ball-bearings were advanced against the forearm by inflation of a modified blood pressure bladder. Pressure in the cuff was recorded at the end point (leg shake and head turn). Thermal threshold was tested as previously reported using a heated probe held against the thorax [Dixon et al. (2002) Research in Veterinary Science, 72, 205]. After baseline recordings, each cat received subcutaneous methadone 0.2 mg/kg, morphine 0.2 mg/kg, buprenorphine 0.02 mg/kg or saline 0.3 mL in a four period cross-over study. Measurements were made at 15, 30, 45 min and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after the injection. Data were analysed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in thresholds after saline. Thermal threshold increased at 45 min after buprenorphine (maximum 2.8 +/- 3 degrees C), 1-3 h after methadone (maximum 3.4 +/- 1.9 degrees C) and 45 min to 1 h (maximum 3.4 +/- 2 degrees C) after morphine. Pressure threshold increased 30-45 min (maximum 238 +/- 206 mmHg) after buprenorphine, 45-60 min after methadone (maximum 255 +/- 232 mmHg) and 45-60 min and 3-6 h (maximum 255 +/- 232 mmHg) after morphine. Morphine provided the best analgesia, and methadone appears a promising alternative. Buprenorphines limited effect was probably related to the subcutaneous route of administration. Previously, buprenorphine has produced much greater effects when given by other routes.

Efeitos de baixas pressões no balonete da máscara laríngea na mucosa faringolaríngea do cão

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)