The Egyptian Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ECTS - E-Journal)
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Deformation of a young salt giant: regional topography of the Red Sea Miocene evaporites
No full textThe deformational behaviour of ‘salt giants’ during and shortly after their deposition is difficult to decipher in ocean margin settings where the original evaporites have been deeply buried and strongly mobilized. Here, we examine seismic reflection data from the Red Sea, where evaporites deposited until the end of the Miocene (~5.3 Ma), are generally covered by only 200–300 m of low-density sediments and where the presence of an axial spreading centre allows us to observe how they have responded to a varied configuration of underlying basement. The regional morphology of the S-reflection, representing the evaporite surface, is mapped out from seismic data from 13 cruises. The S-reflection is locally rugged and commonly angular. It is either underlain by layered reflectivity, suggestive of layered evaporite beds, or by more transparent seismic character, suggestive of massive halite. On average, the depth of the reflection on the flanks of the axial rift systematically declines from 700 to 1100 m below sea level (mbsl) going northwards from 16 to 23°N. In the central Red Sea, the S-reflection has 100- to 200-m-deep depressions, extending towards the coasts in places. In the southern Red Sea, the S-reflection forms a surface at 300–800 mbsl that appears less disrupted. We suggest that the evaporites originally had a flat, horizontal surface at the end of the Miocene and have subsequently been distorted by isostatic effects and axial rifting, which in turn promoted evaporite flowage. Off-axis evaporite depressions correspond with flows identified with multibeam sonar. Furthermore, across-rift lows in Bouguer gravity anomalies represent valleys in the underlying basement. The off-axis evaporite depressions overlie those valleys, as would be expected if halokinetic movements were greatest where the evaporites are locally thick, leading to deflation of the evaporite surface. The thickness of post-Miocene sediment, also mapped out as part of this procedure, confirms the generally pelagic nature of this interval and increases on average from ~250 to 300 m from the central to the southern Red Sea, mimicking the variation in pelagic productivity observed in the present water column
The effectiveness of affective literacy interventions for adolescents: a review of the literature.
No full textIt is important to consider instructional and affective needs of adolescent readers as both correlate with proficiency. Given the dearth of research into how affective factors within interventions promote reading development, the authors undertook a systematic literature review of adolescent literacy interventions, which measured outcomes relating to motivation and/or engagement. Six studies met criteria, the majority of which were of high quality. Five aimed to improve both performance and motivation and four were within universal provision. Findings suggest that including motivational components within technical reading intervention promotes reading motivation, although it is not clear whether this is mediated by improved reading proficiency. Interventions were generally cognisant of Ho and Guthrie’s (2013) affirming motivations for reading, although the dimension of peer value-devalue was overlooked. Future research could consider the socio-cultural context for adolescent reading; and explore further the impact of adolescent reading interventions that target engagement and motivational factors
Militant partnership: a radical pluralist analysis of workforce dialectics
No full textThe sociological understandings of both cooperation and resistance at work are complex. This article contributes to knowledge about dialectic tensions concerning both collaborative and conflictual workforce orientations in the context of a ‘pre-arranged’ union-management partnership agreement. It reports unofficial workforce militancy in opposition to both management and union policy regarding a socially constructed cooperative work regime. The article advances a ‘radical pluralist’ analysis to understand the formation of worker interests and attendant workforce orientations within capitalism
Accountability and Narrative Disclosure by Muslim Charity Organisations in the UK
No full textPurposeThis paper explores narrative disclosure by Muslim charity organisations (MCOs) in the UK.DesignUsing content analysis, we assess disclosure in MCOs’ trustee annual reports against the Statement of Recommended Reporting Practices (SORP) for charities using perspectives from accountability including the Islamic concept of accountability.FindingsThe findings suggest disclosure to be limited in demonstrating how transactions and activities comply with the mandatory reporting requirements. Hence, MCOs need to increase their awareness of regulatory and sector challenges as well as self-scrutiny of their current narrative reporting practices especially in demonstrating their mandatory reporting and hence religious accountability.OriginalityThe paper provides important empirical data on the status quo of reporting practice by this important sub-sector. The paper provides a systematic analysis of the way trustee annual reports [TARs] are presented by MCOs and provides a comprehensive framework for a better understanding of the minimum accountability requirements incumbent upon all charity organisations.<br/
Personal, Relational and Intimate Geographies of Austerity: Ethical and Empirical Considerations
No full textThe impacts of austerity have permeated many aspects of everyday life in the UK, making this an important context in which to carry out social research. In this paper I consider some of the challenges that austerity poses to how we carry out research into everyday austerities and the ethical implications of researching in austere conditions. Drawing on debates from feminist and moral geographies on ethics, care and responsibility, and on first-hand experiences of researching families in the current economic climate, I argue that the everyday mechanics of research – such as recompensing participants, and the place of the researcher – acquire particular resonance in austerity. In doing so, I also reflect on the significance of social proximity and personal biography, and the ways in which researchers may become enveloped in participants' personal narratives in addition to providing support and care. In the conclusion I identify contributions made to understandings of care and responsibility in fieldwork, the ethics of researching in and about austerity, and the relational space of the field.<br/
The attitudes of pregnant women and midwives towards raised Body Mass Index (BMI):A discussion of two repertory grid studies
No full textObjectives: Weight-related stereotypes may have a detrimental impact on interactions between midwives and pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) outside the recommended range of 18–30 kg/m2. This paper explores the reciprocal construal of midwives and pregnant women with a raised BMI and considers the clinical implications of these constructs.Participants: Ten pregnant women with a BMI≥30 kg/m2 and 11 midwives and from an inner city maternity service were recruited.Intervention: Participants provided information that allowed for the creation of a repertory grid; generating psychological constructs (perceptions or attitudes) identifying similarities and differences between pregnant women and midwives across a BMI range.Findings: Midwives were extremely conscious of being perceived as judgemental. They construed all pregnant women as anxious and vulnerable, but attributed characteristics such as “less health-conscious” and “complacent” to those with a raised BMI. The ideal pregnant woman and ideal midwife were typically construed as more likely to have a BMI of 18–30 kg/m2. Pregnant women with a BMI≤18 kg/m2 were construed as lacking warmth. While midwives differentiated between the elements based on role, the pregnant women construed the elements according to their BMI. Similarly, they construed those with a BMI≤18 kg/m2 as having an undesirable personality, and acknowledged weight-related stereotypes for those with a raised BMI.Clinical Implications: It is possible these constructs impact on the way midwives care for and interact with women. Midwives may be supported through reflective clinical supervision and communication skills training to reduce the perceptions of stigma experienced by women with a raised BMI. It may be beneficial to involve pregnant women with a raised BMI in service development to ensure services meet their needs
Early changes in extracellular matrix in Alzheimer's disease.
No full textAIMS: Although changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold have been reported previously in AD compared to normal ageing, it is not known how alterations in the numerous components of the perivascular ECM might occur at different stages of AD. This study therefore investigates potential changes in basement membrane-associated ECM molecules in relation to increasing Braak stages. METHODS: Thirty patients were divided into three groups (control subject, subclinical AD and AD patients). ECM levels of collagen IV, perlecan and fibronectin as well as human platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (hPECAM) were quantified by immunohistochemistry. Von Willebrand factor staining was measured to assess vessel density. Expression levels were correlated with the presence of amyloid plaques. RESULTS: Collagen IV, perlecan and fibronectin expression was increased in subclinical AD and AD patients when compared to controls, in frontal and temporal cortex, whilst no further increase was detected between subclinical AD and AD. These changes were not associated with an increase in vessel density, which was instead decreased in the temporal cortex of AD patients. In contrast, hPECAM levels remained unchanged. Finally, we found similar pattern in levels of amyloid deposition between the different Braak stages and showed that changes in ECM components correlated with amyloid deposition. CONCLUSION: Present data support the hypothesis that significant ECM changes occur during the early stages of AD. ECM changes affecting brain microvascular functions could therefore drive disease progression and provide potential new early investigational biomarkers in AD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved