The effects of captopril (Cap) and verapamil (Ver)alone and in combination on intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) of rabbits was evaluated by a direct measurement of ...The effects of captopril (Cap) and verapamil (Ver)alone and in combination on intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) of rabbits was evaluated by a direct measurement of [Na+]i with fluorescent dye sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) combined with digital image. [Na+]i in resting cells was found to be 11.9 ± 0. 7 mmol/L. Angiotensin II (Ang-II, 0.1-10μmol/L) induced an increase of [Na+]i in concentration-dependent manner. Ver (0.1-10μmol/L) inhibited Ang-II (1 μmol/L)-induced increase in [Na+]i, while Cap enhanced Ang-II-induced increase in [Na+]i at 10μmol/L but not at 0.1-1μmol/L. Ver (0.1-1μmol/L)abolished enhancement of Ang-II-induced increase in [Na+]i by Cap. Thus, the inhibition of Capenhanced [Na+]i by Ver may provide a new hypothesis for the underlying molecular mechanism of synergistic effect of the combination of Ca2+ antagonists and angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors in controlling blood pressure.展开更多
There seems to be a renewed interest in the last couple decades in studying and writing about consciousness. Consciousness may be the most difficult question humans are trying to resolve. Yet eliciting transcendence, ...There seems to be a renewed interest in the last couple decades in studying and writing about consciousness. Consciousness may be the most difficult question humans are trying to resolve. Yet eliciting transcendence, a phenomenon that rises above, or goes beyond, normal limits of consciousness, has been an identified goal for many artists in the past, possibly even in cave art. Drawing on works shown in the 2006 Art Gallery of Hamilton exposition called Sublime Embrace： Experiencing Consciousness in Contemporary Art and in the 2002 Houston Contemporary Art Museum 2002 show called THE INWARD EYE： Transcendence in Contemporary Art, the author will explore the biological, psychological, cultural, and spiritual facets of transcendence. Perhaps, with the renewed symbiotic relationship between the sciences and art, the convergence of digital media, and the emergence of global communication networks, we are at the verge of art that will create a change, an alteration in our consciousness, and an altercendent state. What this change will be is yet a mystery.展开更多
In this paper I describe the ways in which the communication discipline can make a hidden crisis transparent. For this purpose I examine the concept of crisis entrepreneurship from a communication point of view. Using...In this paper I describe the ways in which the communication discipline can make a hidden crisis transparent. For this purpose I examine the concept of crisis entrepreneurship from a communication point of view. Using discourse analysis, I analyse the discursive practices of crisis entrepreneurs in the domain of education in the Netherlands. This paper is part of my Ph.D. project in which I examine the dilemmas encountered by crisis entrepreneurs and the interactional solutions they choose in addressing a crisis. In my Ph.D. project I have analysed how crisis entrepreneurs use discursive practices： （1） to show thefactuality of the problem. For example, the way the problem is presented is too theoretical and is not a problem in reality; （2） to present the credibility of the messenger as an authentic, legitimate spokesman. Crisis entrepreneurs may be accused of wanting to attract attention to their own cause; （3） to create the accountability for the problem and the solution. For example, crisis entrepreneurs can be accused of nursing personal grievances or of drawing attention to the issue without actively attempting to solve it. The conclusion is that a communication professional is able to recognize a problem raised by crisis entrepreneurs. Knowledge of interactional dilemmas helps communication professionals understand the potential of crisis entrepreneurs. A communication professional can therefore contribute to the recognition of crises by acknowledging that a crisis entrepreneur is someone who can have a strong hand in the public agenda, i.e., public affairs that are important to the authorities.展开更多
Literary characters possess a genealogy. Indeed, stock characters like the evil genius or super villain boast family trees that readers can trace not only through time--in this case, starting in the late 19th century-...Literary characters possess a genealogy. Indeed, stock characters like the evil genius or super villain boast family trees that readers can trace not only through time--in this case, starting in the late 19th century--but also across borders. This study traces the genealogical roots of the modern super villain by examining, in turn, Ian Fleming＇s characters Ernst Blofeld and Dr. Julius No, Sax Rohmer＇s Dr. Fu Manchu, and Guy Boothby＇s Dr. Antonio Nikola. In ＂Orientalism＂, the author contends that the modern super villain is the embodiment of these writers＇ orientalist fantasies and fears. Finally, in ＂Mad Science＂, the argument is made that the evil geniuses of Fleming, Rohmer, and Boothby may very well be the offspring of an earlier stock character, the mad scientist, who trades monomania for megalomania.展开更多
文摘The effects of captopril (Cap) and verapamil (Ver)alone and in combination on intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) of rabbits was evaluated by a direct measurement of [Na+]i with fluorescent dye sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) combined with digital image. [Na+]i in resting cells was found to be 11.9 ± 0. 7 mmol/L. Angiotensin II (Ang-II, 0.1-10μmol/L) induced an increase of [Na+]i in concentration-dependent manner. Ver (0.1-10μmol/L) inhibited Ang-II (1 μmol/L)-induced increase in [Na+]i, while Cap enhanced Ang-II-induced increase in [Na+]i at 10μmol/L but not at 0.1-1μmol/L. Ver (0.1-1μmol/L)abolished enhancement of Ang-II-induced increase in [Na+]i by Cap. Thus, the inhibition of Capenhanced [Na+]i by Ver may provide a new hypothesis for the underlying molecular mechanism of synergistic effect of the combination of Ca2+ antagonists and angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors in controlling blood pressure.
文摘There seems to be a renewed interest in the last couple decades in studying and writing about consciousness. Consciousness may be the most difficult question humans are trying to resolve. Yet eliciting transcendence, a phenomenon that rises above, or goes beyond, normal limits of consciousness, has been an identified goal for many artists in the past, possibly even in cave art. Drawing on works shown in the 2006 Art Gallery of Hamilton exposition called Sublime Embrace： Experiencing Consciousness in Contemporary Art and in the 2002 Houston Contemporary Art Museum 2002 show called THE INWARD EYE： Transcendence in Contemporary Art, the author will explore the biological, psychological, cultural, and spiritual facets of transcendence. Perhaps, with the renewed symbiotic relationship between the sciences and art, the convergence of digital media, and the emergence of global communication networks, we are at the verge of art that will create a change, an alteration in our consciousness, and an altercendent state. What this change will be is yet a mystery.
文摘In this paper I describe the ways in which the communication discipline can make a hidden crisis transparent. For this purpose I examine the concept of crisis entrepreneurship from a communication point of view. Using discourse analysis, I analyse the discursive practices of crisis entrepreneurs in the domain of education in the Netherlands. This paper is part of my Ph.D. project in which I examine the dilemmas encountered by crisis entrepreneurs and the interactional solutions they choose in addressing a crisis. In my Ph.D. project I have analysed how crisis entrepreneurs use discursive practices： （1） to show thefactuality of the problem. For example, the way the problem is presented is too theoretical and is not a problem in reality; （2） to present the credibility of the messenger as an authentic, legitimate spokesman. Crisis entrepreneurs may be accused of wanting to attract attention to their own cause; （3） to create the accountability for the problem and the solution. For example, crisis entrepreneurs can be accused of nursing personal grievances or of drawing attention to the issue without actively attempting to solve it. The conclusion is that a communication professional is able to recognize a problem raised by crisis entrepreneurs. Knowledge of interactional dilemmas helps communication professionals understand the potential of crisis entrepreneurs. A communication professional can therefore contribute to the recognition of crises by acknowledging that a crisis entrepreneur is someone who can have a strong hand in the public agenda, i.e., public affairs that are important to the authorities.
文摘Literary characters possess a genealogy. Indeed, stock characters like the evil genius or super villain boast family trees that readers can trace not only through time--in this case, starting in the late 19th century--but also across borders. This study traces the genealogical roots of the modern super villain by examining, in turn, Ian Fleming＇s characters Ernst Blofeld and Dr. Julius No, Sax Rohmer＇s Dr. Fu Manchu, and Guy Boothby＇s Dr. Antonio Nikola. In ＂Orientalism＂, the author contends that the modern super villain is the embodiment of these writers＇ orientalist fantasies and fears. Finally, in ＂Mad Science＂, the argument is made that the evil geniuses of Fleming, Rohmer, and Boothby may very well be the offspring of an earlier stock character, the mad scientist, who trades monomania for megalomania.
