Kropp, handling och ritual: hur förstå religion och personer med grava funktionshinder?

Arbetet som omsorgspräst sedan 1990 har väckt många frågor samband med mötet med personer som har grava funktionshinder. Det har skett framför allt i skriftskolor och konfirmationsundervisning från år 1984 framåt. Men speciellt samarbetet med fysioterapeut Karin Isaksson fick betydelse. Vi inbjöd personer med svåra spänningar och lite aktivitet att delta i en grupp med avslappning och kontemplativ sång. Gruppen (1997-2001)som höll på en timme gav uppmuntrande resultat. Men det var lättare för Isaksson att tänka på det i termer av avslappning och fysiskt välbefinnande då det för mig ingick sådant som helig närvaro och tystnad i mötet med deltagarna. Det resulterade så småningom i ett forskningsprojekt som jag kallar för Aaa-gruppen efter de kontemplativa intonationsövningar som ingår i ritualen. (AÅOM). Sex par (deltagare och handledare) anmälde sig till forskningsprojektet. Materialet samlades in åren 2002-2003. Aaa-gruppens ritual består av kontemplativ gregoriansk sång(intonationsövningar + antifoner som Kyrie eleison, Hosanna Filio David, Sanctus, Non i solo pane - Människan skall icke leva av bröd allenast och Fader Vår bönen.) Samarbetet i Aaa-gruppen mellan deltagare och handledare omfattade taktil stimulans (beröring enligt strykningar och ”Keep in Touch”) Materialet samlades in som observationsprotokoll, frågeformulär och intervjuer. Materialet har jag använt för att reflektera över hur vi kan förstå Aaa-gruppen och verklighet. I avhandlingen utgår jag från tankar om kontextens betydelse för en förståelse. Jag uppfattar att tre sammanhang är av betydelse för förståelsen. Dem har jag kallat för omsorgssammanhang, religiöst sammanhang och forskarsammanhang. I avhandlingen användes tre perspektiv som jag kallar för dialogfilosofi, neurofilosofi och livsformsfilosofi för att reflektera materialet. Den nära relationen mellan deltagare och handledare i Aaa-gruppen kan förstås ur olika sammanhang. Resultatet av den religionsfilosofiska reflektionen är att sammanhangen liksom de olika filosofiska perspektiven kompletterar och ger en mångsidig förståelse för religion och personer med grava funktionshinder. Reflektionen berör grundläggande frågeställningar kring kropp och medvetande och frågan om språk (nonverbalt och verbalt) och verklighet. En dualistisk uppfattning om jaget, som delbart i kropp och medvetande, avisas till förmån för ett så kallat ”kroppsjag”. Religion i Aaa-gruppen kan förstås som ett möte i en nära relation. Ett möte som är nonverbalt men inbegriper en mänskligt förhållningssätt som inom dialogfilosofin kan beskrivas med ordparet Jag-Du.

Damage quantification and reaction of bean genotypes (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Meloidogyne incognita race 3 and M. javanica

The damage and the resistance levels of cultivars and accessions of common beans rescued in the South and mountain regions of Espírito Santo State, Brazil, to M. incognita race 3 and M. javanica parasitism were evaluated under a greenhouse. Four rescued bean genotypes ("FORT-10", "FORT-13", "FORT-16" and "FORT-19") and 2 commercial cultivars: "Pérola", and "Aporé", were tested. The cultivar "Rico-23" was included as standard of susceptibility to nematodes and non-inoculated plants constituted the control. Thus, the experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in 3 (treatments considering nematodes) x 7 (genotypes and bean cultivars) factorial arrangement, with 7 replicates. Data were measured at 50 days after plant inoculation. For damage quantification, the following variables were evaluated: plant height (PHE), number of nodes (NNO), number of trifoliate leaves (NRT), fresh matter weight (FWE) and dry matter weight (DWE) of shoots, root weight (RWE), number of root nodules (NRO) and final population (FPO) of nematodes per root system. There were no significant differences between the effects caused by M. incognita and M. javanica, but both species showed inferior values of PHE, NNO, NRT, RWE, FWE and DWE compared to controls. Concerning the levels of resistance of bean plants to M. incognita, the genotypes "FORT-10", "FORT-13", "Aporé" and "FORT-16" behaved as moderately resistant, the cultivars "Rico 23" and "Pérola" low resistant, and the genotype "FORT-19" as highly susceptible. When parasitized by M. javanica, the beans "FORT-19", "Rico-23", "FORT-16" and "FORT-13" were low resistant, "Pérola" and "Aporé" susceptible and "FORT-10" highly susceptible.

Liminality informatics : an information perspective on ritual activity

Abstrakti

Derby Day race card for british charities i Finland

14 x 21 cm

Vibration analysis for Bearing outer race condition diagnostics

This paper investigates defect detection methodologies for rolling element bearings through vibration analysis. Specifically, the utility of a new signal processing scheme combining the High Frequency Resonance Technique (HFRT) and Adaptive Line Enhancer (ALE) is investigated. The accelerometer is used to acquire data for this analysis, and experimental results have been obtained for outer race defects. Results show the potential effectiveness of the signal processing technique to determine both the severity and location of a defect. The HFRT utilizes the fact that much of the energy resulting from a defect impact manifests itself in the higher resonant frequencies of a system. Demodulation of these frequency bands through use of the envelope technique is then employed to gain further insight into the nature of the defect while further increasing the signal to noise ratio. If periodic, the defect frequency is then present in the spectra of the enveloped signal. The ALE is used to enhance the envelope spectrum by reducing the broadband noise. It provides an enhanced envelope spectrum with clear peaks at the harmonics of a characteristic defect frequency. It is implemented by using a delayed version of the signal and the signal itself to decorrelate the wideband noise. This noise is then rejected by the adaptive filter that is based upon the periodic information in the signal. Results have been obtained for outer race defects. They show the effectiveness of the methodology to determine both the severity and location of a defect. In two instances, a linear relationship between signal characteristics and defect size is indicated.

A espetacularidade da performance ritual no Reisado do Mulungu (Chapada Diamantina - Bahia)

O ritual de visita do Reisado, prática religiosa do catolicismo rural, se baseia nas relações de troca material/espiritual entre o grupo de devotos e as pessoas visitadas. Os Santos de devoção abençoam as casas através da visita anual do Reisado. Este artigo sobre a dimensão espetacular do corpo nesse ritual focaliza os processos de montagem da performance analisando as interações entre devotos/santos/donos das casas. O ponto de partida é o estudo do Reisado na comunidade negra rural Mulungu (Município de Boninal - Chapada Diamantina/Bahia) desenvolvido através de pesquisa etnográfica e das conexões entre teatro/ritual, traçadas por Jerzy Grotowski no campo da Antropologia Teatral.

La meditación en la Luz Sai Baba como performance ritual: acceso corpóreo-experimental a dios

Este artigo descreve e analisa uma prática característica de grupos argentina devotos de Sai Baba, também conhecida como Meditação na Luz. Caracterizamos-a como uma performance ritual onde, também, encontramos representações simbólicas em torno á corporalidade que chamamos geografia corporal. Examinamos como se constrói a eficácia ritual em dita pratica, e se argumenta que esta performance é eficaz porque contribui para modificar a pessoa á lograr seu objetivo espiritual fundamental (a fusão com Deus). Neste ponto, contrastamos este tipo de meditação com as clássicas meditações metafísicas cartesianas. Finalmente, destaca se a relevância da inclusão da dimensão corporal performática na analise dos fenômenos religiosos.

La estructuración ritual del cuerpo, la experiencia y la intersubjetividad en la práctica del budismo zen argentino

Neste artigo, analisamos o aspecto fenomenológico do ritual zen na Argentina, especificamente nas práticas e representações relacionadas ao corpo, ao sofrimento e à intersubjetividade. Em primeiro lugar, enfocamos o modo como os praticantes da meditação experimentam e significam a dor e o sofrimento. Em seguida, analisamos o propiciamento de um habitus psicofísico social e construído culturalmente por meio da participação nos centros budistas daquele país, em que as modalidades somáticas da atenção representam um papel de grande importância. Concluindo, questionamos o âmbito da intersubjetividade e da intercorporalidade das comunidades zen, uma vez que é no marco da interrelação em determinado contexto pautado ritualmente que se produz o habitus religioso mencionado anteriormente.

Identidades religiosas e fronteiras étnicas: um estudo do ritual da oração na comunidade muçulmana do rio de janeiro

Este artigo focaliza o papel que o ritual da oração coletiva de sexta-feira, praticado pelos muçulmanos sunitas do Rio de Janeiro, tem na construção de suas identidades religiosas. Considerando que a ideia de obtenção de conhecimento religioso (textos doutrinais e práticas rituais) da tradição sunita é central nos discursos dos membros dessa comunidade, as várias formas através das quais esse conhecimento é posto em circulação, apropriado e mobilizado via ritual da oração criam distinções cumulativas, que estabelecem diferentes fronteiras, poderes e identidades para os membros da comunidade sunita do Rio de Janeiro, de acordo com suas etnicidades e inserções no Islã (nascidos muçulmanos ou convertidos).

Is the Thoroughbred race-horse under chronic stress?

Thoroughbred fillies were divided into three groups according to age: group 1, 7 fillies aged 1 to 2 years (G1) starting the training program; group 2, 9 fillies aged 2 to 3 years (G2) in a full training program; group 3, 8 older fillies 3 to 4 years of age (G3) training and racing. Blood samples were collected weekly from July to December. Cortisol was quantified using a solid phase DPC kit. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 12.5% and 15.65% and sensitivity was 1.9 ± 0.2 nmol/l. The semester average of cortisol levels varied between groups: G1 = 148.8 ± 6.7, G2 = 125.7 ± 5.8, G3 = 101.1 ± 5.4 nmol/l, with G3 differing statistically from the other groups. The lower cortisol levels observed in the older fillies lead us to propose that the stress stimulus, when maintained over a long period of time, may become chronic and result in a reduction of hypophyseal corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors. The secretion of endogenous opioids may also lead to low serum cortisol levels.

Effect of race, genetic population structure, and genetic models in two-locus association studies: clustering of functional renin-angiotensin system gene variants in hypertension association studies

Previous genetic association studies have overlooked the potential for biased results when analyzing different population structures in ethnically diverse populations. The purpose of the present study was to quantify this bias in two-locus association studies conducted on an admixtured urban population. We studied the genetic structure distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) and angiotensinogen methionine/threonine (M/T) polymorphisms in 382 subjects from three subgroups in a highly admixtured urban population. Group I included 150 white subjects; group II, 142 mulatto subjects, and group III, 90 black subjects. We conducted sample size simulation studies using these data in different genetic models of gene action and interaction and used genetic distance calculation algorithms to help determine the population structure for the studied loci. Our results showed a statistically different population structure distribution of both ACE I/D (P = 0.02, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.05-2.33 for the D allele, white versus black subgroup) and angiotensinogen M/T polymorphism (P = 0.007, OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.14-2.58 for the T allele, white versus black subgroup). Different sample sizes are predicted to be determinant of the power to detect a given genotypic association with a particular phenotype when conducting two-locus association studies in admixtured populations. In addition, the postulated genetic model is also a major determinant of the power to detect any association in a given sample size. The present simulation study helped to demonstrate the complex interrelation among ethnicity, power of the association, and the postulated genetic model of action of a particular allele in the context of clustering studies. This information is essential for the correct planning and interpretation of future association studies conducted on this population.

Association of acanthosis nigricans with race and metabolic disturbances in obese women

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) has been recognized as a marker of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. We have compared frequency of race and metabolic disturbances in obese women with several degrees of AN (AN group, N = 190) to a group without AN (non-AN group, N = 61) from a mixed racial population. The groups were similar regarding age and body mass index. All patients (except the diabetic patients) underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (75 g). The racial distribution of this population was 35.1% white, 37.8% mulatto and 27.1% black and the frequency of AN was 62.5, 82.1 and 83.8%, respectively, higher in black versus white (P = 0.003) and mulatto versus white (P = 0.002) women. The frequencies of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance were 5.8 and 12.6% in the AN group and 1.6 and 8.2% in the non-AN group, respectively (P>0.05). Fasting glucose, ß cell function determined by the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA), fasting insulin and insulin area under the curve were similar for the AN and non-AN groups. A higher HOMA insulin resistance was observed in the AN group compared to the non-AN group (P = 0.02) and in the subgroup of highest degree of AN compared to those with other degrees. The mean lipid levels and the frequency of dyslipidemia were similar for the two groups. AN was strongly associated with the black or mulatto rather than the white race, even after taking into account the effect of age, body mass index and HOMA insulin resistance.

Leukocytosis, muscle damage and increased lymphocyte proliferative response after an adventure sprint race

The effect of an adventure sprint race (ASR) on T-cell proliferation, leukocyte count and muscle damage was evaluated. Seven young male runners completed an ASR in the region of Serra do Espinhaço, Brazil. The race induced a strong leukocytosis (6.22±2.04×103 cells/mm3 beforevs 14.81±3.53×103 cells/mm3after the race), marked by a significant increase of neutrophils and monocytes (P<0.05), but not total lymphocytes, CD3+CD4+ or CD3+CD8+ cells. However, the T-cell proliferative response to mitogenic stimulation was increased (P=0.025) after the race, which contradicted our hypothesis that ASR, as a high-demand competition, would inhibit T-cell proliferation. A positive correlation (P=0.03, r=0.79) was observed between the proliferative response of lymphocytes after the race and the time to complete the race, suggesting that the proliferative response was dependent on exercise intensity. Muscle damage was evident after the race by increased serum levels of aspartate amino transferase (24.99±8.30 vs 50.61±15.76 U/L, P=0.003). The results suggest that humoral factors and substances released by damaged muscle may be responsible for lymphocyte activation, which may be involved in muscle recovery and repair.

Gender, race and socioeconomic influence on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Thyroid diseases are common, and use of levothyroxine is increasing worldwide. We investigated the influence of gender, race and socioeconomic status on the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders using data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of civil servants (35-74 years of age) from six Brazilian cities. Diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction was by thyrotropin (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) if TSH was altered, and the use of specific medications. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed using overt hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism and levothyroxine use as dependent variables and sociodemographic characteristics as independent variables. The frequencies of overt hyper- and hypothyroidism were 0.7 and 7.4%, respectively. Using whites as the reference ethnicity, brown, and black race were protective for overt hypothyroidism (OR=0.76, 95%CI=0.64-0.89, and OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.43-0.67, respectively, and black race was associated with overt hyperthyroidism (OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.06-3.11). Frequency of hypothyroidism treatment was higher in women, browns, highly educated participants and those with high net family incomes. After multivariate adjustment, levothyroxine use was associated with female gender (OR=6.06, 95%CI=3.19-11.49) and high net family income (OR=3.23, 95%CI=1.02-10.23). Frequency of hyperthyroidism treatment was higher in older than in younger individuals. Sociodemographic factors strongly influenced the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders, including the use of levothyroxine.