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The monks of San Millán: Investigating the transition between pre-monastic and monastic diet using carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in incremental dentine
Get PDFYesFrom the early Medieval period, Christian monasteries were wealthy and powerful, and played a central role in both religious and political life. Those who entered the monasteries did so at the age of 7-8 years and were drawn from a wide range of social strata. From that point, they were subject to the dietary rules imposed by the rules of each monastic order. In order to assess the origins and diet of 10 monks who lived in the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla Yuso (La Rioja, Spain) during the 17th – 18th century, collagen from small sections of human dentine (representing the childhood diet) and from ribs (an average of the last 5 - 10 years of adult diet) was measured to establish lifetime variations in the isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N). Bulk collagen δ13C (overall mean= -18.2‰ +/-0.4) and δ15N (overall mean= 12.6‰ +/-0.8) values from the ribs suggest 2 adult cohorts: one with a diet based on C3 plants and a high intake of protein from meat or dairy products and some marine resources and a second cohort with some C4 plant consumption alongside meat and dairy. Data from the dentine sections revealed different dietary patterns during the period of tooth formation among the monks, suggesting that 4 of them entered the monastery after consuming lower status diets during childhood.This paper was written with the support of a PhD grant (BES-2015-075176) from the project CoChange (HAR2014-51830-P) lead by Prof. Pablo Arias
Playing at the school table: systematic literature review of board, tabletop, and other analogue game-based learning approaches
Get PDFYesThe unique characteristics of games have led scientific research to increasingly focus on their potential role in learning processes. Currently, their effectiveness in fostering experiential learning and skill acquisition in several areas is already supported by the existing evidence, mainly about the potential of digital games. Paradoxically, the current post-digital era seems to have led to a growing popularity of analogue games. The present Systematic Literature Review aimed to map the existing literature on the potential of board, tabletop, or other analogue games in learning processes. It intended to systematize the contemporary state of the art (2012-2022) around the pedagogical role of these games, their effectiveness, the promoted learning outcomes, the methodological aspects of the interventions, the used games – including mechanics and other characteristics – and the current discussions around inclusion and accessibility in analogue game-based learning. Adopting the PRISMA methodology, we searched ACM Digital Library, EBSCO, ERIC, Scopus - Elsevier, and Web of Science databases, as well as other peer-reviewed “grey literature” sources. The search resulted in an initial sample of 2741 articles that was then screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria previously defined according to the research objectives. We obtained a final sample of 45 articles. To formulate the mapping of existing research, these studies were analyzed using a combination of statistical, content, and critical analysis procedures. The obtained results support the role of board, tabletop, and other analogue games in educational contexts – based on their educational potential – with a broad range of knowledge, cognitive, and psychological outcomes. The study also emphasized the relevance of these games in the promotion of soft skills and other aspects typically associated with meaningful learning, such as engagement, satisfaction, flexibility, and freedom of experimentation. However, important limitations were found in a fair amount of the pedagogical approaches studied, which can be mostly attributed to the low prevalence of modern board games that relate what is intended to be learned to aspects of game design and have little to no consideration of accessibility and inclusion aspects in these studies.The present work was developed in the scope of the Project Training the Educators to Facilitate the Teaching and Assessment of Abstract Syllabus by the Use of Serious Games – TEGA (2020-1- UK01-KA203-079248), funded by the European Commission on the scope of Erasmus+ Programme. The research team also acknowledges the funding by Fundação para a Ciência e para a Tecnologia (FCT) provided to CICANT R&D Unit (UIDB/05260/2020), on the scope of Verão com Ciência initiative, which allowed the inclusion of a research initiation grant holder as co-author of the present work
SUMO complex expression in cancer cells
No full textSUMOylation is a post-translational modification where a number of small ubiquitin-like modifier proteins (SUMO) are conjugated to lysine residues of the target proteins and contribute to various cellular functions essential for cancer cell survival and proliferation. The unique behaviours, phenotypic and molecular adaptations found in the naked-mole rat (NMR) suggest a high stability and effective functioning of the molecular machinery that counteracts damage accumulation in its genome. NMR can reach 32 years, shows no signs of ageing, and possesses a very efficient mechanism of resistance to cancer. This study aims to investigate the regulation of SUMOylation machinery between NMR tissues in comparison to human cancer cells, to find novel targets for cancer therapy. Gene expression of SUMO isoforms between NMR and humans, were investigated through qRT-PCR. The data suggests a significant low expression level for most SUMO machinery (except PIAS4) in NMR brain and intestine tissues compared to MCF-7, DLD-1, SH-SY5Y, and MCF-10A cells. Western blotting analysis also revealed high protein expression of PIAS4 in NMR compared to SENP1 and Ubc9. SUMO machinery expression levels from NMR are recapitulated in cancer cells either by silencing (hUBE2I: shRNA, hSENP1: shRNA) or overexpression (Myc/hPIAS4: Exp) to study functional effects. Cytotoxicity assays were analysed in relevance to Doxorubicin in MCF-7, 5-Fluorouracil in DLD-1 and Methotrexate in SH-SY5. Additionally, functional clonogenic and invasion assays were performed including apoptotic mechanisms (Bcl-2, and BID). In conclusion, the data revealed important differences in SUMOylation machinery between NMR and human cancer cells, which provides a future therapeutic path for cancer treatment
The experience of physiotherapists navigating the portfolio route to completion of the roadmap to practice
Get PDFYesBackground: The education of first contact practitioners (FCPs) working
in musculoskeletal practice in primary care is guided by an NHS England
framework: the Roadmap to Practice. This includes a portfolio route to
recognise the skills and capabilities of experienced physiotherapists. Aim:
To review the portfolio route for evidencing the capabilities expected of
the roadmap through the experience of practitioners. Method: An online
survey and interviews were conducted of FCPs and supervisors from
early-implementer sites. Results: While participants largely supported
the need for assurance of their capabilities, their personal perceptions
of completing the portfolio were strongly influenced by their career
stage, clinical experience and length of time in their FCP role. Individuals
often had limited planned time for portfolio development and competing
clinical priorities. Conclusion: The portfolio route was acknowledged as
a valuable way to evidence capability within practice. The volume of
evidence required and the limited guidance given were overwhelming for
many participants.Funding for this project was provided by Health Education England
Shrinkage restraint forces in oriented PET, PMMA and PET/PMMA blend: Contrasting effects on cooling
Get PDFYesWe have performed shrinkage restraint force measurements on three shape memory polymers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a blend of the two at a range of temperatures. Observations are made of the change in stress during temperature rise, hold and cooling. All materials show an increase in stress during rise and hold, but on cooling the three materials behave differently; the PET shows a drop in stress, the PMMA a rise and the blend a much smaller rise. This behaviour correlates with the reversible thermal dimensional change at below the shrinkage threshold temperature; the expansion coefficients are negative for PET, positive for PMMA and positive at a lower order of magnitude for the blend. We model the behaviour by supposing that the shrinkage forces are created by prestressed strains effective at long range within a matrix of shorter chains effective at short range. The total stress is the sum of the shrinkage stress and the thermal stress in the matrix. The drops in stress on cooling are modelled using an elastic analysis based on measured elastic moduli and thermal expansion coefficients. For the blend, downward jumps in temperature produce small transient increases in the total stress, leaving it effectively unchanged. This phenomenon and the results of the elastic model for the stress drops imply that the shrinkage stress from the long-range chain network is largely unaffected by the temperature change, and so is not entropic
Identity Politics, Indigene-Settler Dynamics and their Implications for Democracy in Jos, Nigeria
Get PDFThis thesis examines the politics of identity construction in contemporary Jos, Nigeria, over a 30-year period (1991-2021). It focuses on the narratives surrounding the Jos City conflict, which primarily revolve around identity issues. While previous literature mainly explores the conflict along ethnic, religious, and ethnoreligious lines, recent discussions have shifted towards the indigene-settler divide. In navigating resource distribution, groups strategically adopt identities to access influence, resulting in the construction and reconstruction of identities. The macro-level conflict involves the Hausa-Fulani against the Berom, Anaguta, and Afizere, while micro-level dynamics emerge among indigenous groups, centring on territory, government participation, and leadership.
Identity choices often exploit minority sentiments and target the scope of support and acceptability, drawing attention to discrimination in exclusionary indigeneity politics. Histories of internal migration significantly contribute to the Jos City conflict, with spillover effects in other parts of Nigeria, impacting democracy and democratization processes. To address the conflict's root causes, the government has established panels and commissions.
Through qualitative methods and case studies involving 63 participants, this study highlights historical narratives of migration, inheritance, place claims, and place naming. These claims fuel the prominence of identity politics in daily discourse. The thesis provides empirical contributions to our understanding of Jos' politics, filling a significant knowledge gap
Domestic Public Debt and Private Sector Credit in Nigeria: Does Sectoral Impact Matter?
No full textThis study investigates the importance of sectoral effects in the domestic public debt-private sector credit nexus in Nigeria from 1981-2020 and finds that sectoral effects are essential for domestic public debt and private sector credit in Nigeria. Aggregated credit to the private sector and disaggregated credit to the manufacturing, agriculture, mining and quarry, real estate and construction, trade and general commerce, and services sectors responds heterogeneously to changes in domestic public debt, with the credit channel as the transmission channel at both levels. Domestic public debt crowds out aggregated credit to the private sector and in all sub-sectors at the disaggregated level except the agriculture and mining and quarry sectors, where there are crowding in and an uncertain effect. Also, domestic public debt has a threshold effect on aggregated credit to the private sector and credit to the trade and general commerce sector, with higher level of domestic public debt-to-GDP ratio having detrimental effects on credit. The study, therefore, shows that a healthy and robust banks’ balance sheet is important for increased lending to the private sector in Nigeria and recommends that the government should imbibe policies that promote investment friendly environment to mitigate incidences of loan defaults, thereby making the private sector less risky for domestic bank lending. Also, a framework for mobilising and properly channeling the under-utilised funds of the household sector should be developed and encouraged for increased private sector lending, while ensuring that domestic public debt stock growth does not surpass its optimal GDP threshold
A qualitative study with perspectives from African-Caribbean, Irish and white- British families
No full textIn the UK, it is estimated, by the year 2025, 50,000 people from minority ethnic communities will be living with dementia. Focusing on people with dementia who have immigrated to the UK from Ireland and the Caribbean, the aim of this thesis was to explore how these families perceived and coped with dementia, to find out whether there were specific cultural influences that required distinctive support.
Two systematic literature reviews were conducted; one explored how people from Irish and African Caribbean backgrounds cope with chronic illnesses. The second, considered how interventions can be successfully adapted for different cultural groups. Twenty-four families (eight Irish, eight African Caribbean, and eight white British) were involved in this study. Families, including the person with dementia where possible, took part in interviews. Using an analytic template based on the self-regulatory model of illness, relevant interview material was collated under ten themes: dementia identity, cure, personal control, treatment control, timeline, emotions, causes, coherence, consequences, and coping.
Minority ethnic groups distrusted formal services, often due to past discrimination. They experienced care home environments as culturally alien and community stigma discouraged them from using mainstream services. There was a high level of familism and trust between family members, and families looked to their own communities for support. These communities were not always dementia aware and there were high levels of stigma. Based on these finding and preliminary co-design work, future work should consider developing interventions to address stigma in communities and raise awareness in health care professionals.Alzheimer’s societ
Exploring the role for Pharmacists in Perioperative Anticoagulation Management
No full textIntroduction: There are currently no national guidelines on the perioperative management of anticoagulants. The perioperative management of anticoagulants by pharmacists has not been explored.
Aim: This study aims to explore the role of a pharmacist providing perioperative anticoagulation management advice.
Method: A small-scale, first-wave study was performed in a large, UK teaching hospital. Data was obtained from three years of pharmacist delivered perioperative anticoagulation optimisation clinics. The intervention included provision by a pharmacist of a personalised perioperative anticoagulation management plan.
Results: Perioperative anticoagulation management advice was provided to 312 patients, 116 patients were provided with a perioperative anticoagulation management plan and 86 patients completed the study. The control group consisted of 144 patients. In the intervention group, the provision of the perioperative anticoagulation management plan resulted in a higher incidence of a preoperative INR check with 77% completion versus 61% in the control group (p<0.01). The number of days with subtherapeutic anticoagulation postoperatively was reduced by five days in the intervention group (p<0.01). There were also fewer postoperative INR checks performed, 3 checks (median) in the control group compared to 2 checks in the study intervention group (p<0.01). The study intervention group required significantly (p<0.01) fewer postoperative warfarin booster doses than the control group, 9% versus 76% respectively.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the perioperative management of anticoagulants by a specialist pharmacist improved patient outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study using a larger scale trial with randomisation
Developing Archaeomagnetic Dating in Britain in the First Millennium AD
No full textArchaeomagnetic dating involves the measurement of the remanent magnetisation in archaeological materials acquired through thermoremanent or depositional remanent magnetisation; and comparison with a record of changes in the Earth’s magnetic field through time, known as a secular variation curve. The current British curve has been constructed from a dataset consisting of 908 magnetic directions which have been collated from over 60 years of archaeomagnetic studies.
Inspection of the current British directional dataset has indicated an uneven distribution of directions through time and geographical location. Whilst there is good representation of directions spanning the Roman period of the first millennium AD; the Early Medieval period has a significant paucity of directions in the range from AD400 to AD700. This research has focused on the acquisition of new directional data relating to the first millennium AD acquired from a programme of fieldwork and desk based study.
The research has identified 50 new directions which could be incorporated with the 908 directions in the current dataset and could potentially be used in a revision of the British secular variation curve