Journal Hosting Service | The University of Edinburgh
Not a member yet
5244 research outputs found
Sort by
Japanese Postmodernism, Infantile Capitalism and the Family Unit in Yoshimitsu Morita’s The Family Game (1983)
Get PDFStudy of Yoshimitsu Morita’s 1983 film The Family Game (家族ゲーム) has long focused on the film’s criticism of the middle-class nuclear family of 1980s Japan through searing satire. Marking the end of postwar politics and new economic heights, the 1980s brought with it the need to redefine and reify central concepts such as the family, and educational excellence became one of the lines of reference. Caught up in the educational rat race, the film’s Numata family make efforts to project the illusion of family without meaningful connection to one another. Building upon previous analyses of satire and the family in the film, this article applies postmodern theorist Akira Asada’s concept of infantile capitalism to analyse the intersection of the film’s economic context with the family structures it criticises. Asada’s theory of infantile capitalism outlines the economic mode of 1980s Japan as mimicking familial social structures in its attitude towards both work and social hierarchies. Through a close reading of The Family Game, this article argues that the criticisms levied by the film at the Japanese middle class family’s obsession with education is part of a larger conversation with the postmodern paradigm and the very definition of the family. The trends criticized by the film and theorists of the 1980s did not stop with the end of the decade but instead continued, highlighting this moment in time as pivotal to understanding the continued intersection between family and education in Japan
Investigating non-flint lithic resources management during the Upper Palaeolithic in the Aquitaine Basin using an integrated approach: A Late Solutrean case application (Landry, Dordogne, France)
Get PDFAs opposed to areas with a crystalline substratum, the Aquitaine Basin in southwestern France is a territory where flint and chert resources are abundant. The exploitation of those cryptocrystalline, silica materials prevailed in this region throughout prehistory, especially during the Upper Palaeolithic, but other rock types frequently account for a noticeable proportion of the archaeological record. In such context, the choice to rely partly on non-flint lithic materials cannot be seen as an alternative strategy to compensate for an absence of flint. However, poor documentation is currently available for discussing the economic role of these resources.
We take here the example of Landry, an open-air site in the Isle Valley showing a single occupation level providing mobile art and characteristic Late Solutrean (24-23 ka cal. BP) flint productions. This site yielded non-flint lithic remains in considerable number, some of which related to flake production or macro-lithic implements. The documentation of this component was considered essential, both to understand the site in a more comprehensive way and to provide first insights into the economic role of such resources in the Late Solutrean.
In order to explore several phases of the exploitation of non-flint lithic resources (thus leading to a comprehensive documentation of this component), we relied on a set of complementary methodologies classical for lithic analysis but adapted to the peculiarities of non-flint rocks according to recent developments of the field. Determination of raw material lithology and procurement areas was achieved through a petrographic analysis (macro and mesoscopic scales) coupled with a field survey. A technological analysis led to the identification of blank production methods and objectives. An observation of macroscopic use-wear traces coupled with an analysis of techno-functional units allowed a first approach of tool diversity, especially concerning non-manufactured tools. Edged tools were further investigated through a use-wear study (Low and High Power Analyses). Analysis of the planimetric distribution of non-flint lithic artefacts revealed the spatial organisation of related processes and activities.
At Landry, non-flint raw materials relate to a wide petrographic spectrum (quartz-quartzite, dolerite, ignimbrite, etc.) originating from local alluvial deposits. Edged tools result from short flaking production sequences (unmodified flakes) or partial shaping (worked pebbles), while non-manufactured blanks (pebbles, fragments) constitutes a multi-purpose toolkit (percussion, friction, work surfaces, etc.). Blank production or selection occurred on the spot, as the need arose. By comparing these results with available data on the flint component, this study reveals the complementarity between a highly mobile flint toolkit (anticipating future needs) and a local expedient but diversified toolkit (for immediate requirements). This dichotomy goes beyond the flint versus non-flint duality.
Despite some limitations, the approach presented in this paper gives a global and integrated vision of the processes related to non-flint lithic resources exploitation at the site, allowing comparison and combination with other available data (e.g., flint production) and preparing additional analyses
Exploring the production of lithic instruments at Mahal Teglinos (Eastern Sudan): An experimental approach for the characterisation of residues, macro and micro traces derived from the knapping on anvil technique of quartz, quartzite and chert pebbles and cobbles
Get PDFDespite the existence of intense research focused on the characterisation of macro traces derived from the use of the knapping on anvil technique, little attention has been dedicated to the detection of micro technical traces and residues on blanks and cores produced by means of this knapping technique. Macro technical traces derived from the knapping on anvil technique were detected on stone artefacts from the Gash Group’s lithic assemblage (middle III - early II millennium BCE) at Mahal Teglinos (K1), located in the modern region of Kassala in Eastern Sudan. An experimental programme, was developed to localise macro and micro manufacturing traces and residues from this knapping technique, using pebbles and small cobbles of quartz, quartzite and chert to create a reference collection for the interpretation of archaeological material. The methodology, adopted for this study, involved the combined use of several microscopes for traceological and residue analyses. Stereo and 3D digital microscopes have been utilised to characterise macro technical traces and locate possible residues. The elemental chemical composition of the residues has been characterised trough scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) and element maps. The association of macro and micro traces (evidence of polishing and striations) identified on the experimental materials enabled the comparison and detection of similar technical traces on some archaeological material, as there are cases in which similar macro traces may result from direct percussion knapping. Our experiment demonstrated that macro traces are present on nearly all stone artefact replicas, while residues develop more easily on stone artefacts with specific characteristics of the butt and counter-butt of flakes and striking and resting platform of cores. Micro-technical traces confirm that blanks and cores were produced using the knapping on anvil technique when macro traces characteristics of this knapping technique are present on stone artefacts within a lithic assemblage, while residues indicate the lithology of the used hammerstone and anvil
The changing political significance of social class in Scotland
No full textThe meaning of social class in Scotland has been shifting because of two large economic changes, and because of the expansion of higher education. Numerically the more important is a new class of graduates who work in the service sector of the economy. Alongside that segment is a smaller but growing group who feel economically insecure – sometimes described by class theorists as the ‘precariat’. These trends are seen in many economically developed societies, including in the rest of the UK. But the meaning of the changes is distinctive in Scotland because they interact with the political question of how Scotland is governed. Unlike in other nations, including England, liberal graduates are increasingly in favour of national independence. Also, unlike elsewhere, the precariat are increasingly not conservative while favouring the liberal project of independence. Class remains a useful general concept for understanding social change, but its meaning has to take account of each country’s specific political circumstances
Six Conversations We’re Scared to Have
No full textMy initial impression was that “Six Conversations We’re Scared to Have” is yet another selfhelp book in world that already feels saturated with endless advice on how to improve yourself. When I saw that it was written by Deborah Frances-White, the author of the Guilty Feminist podcast, I was intrigued. As a casual listener of the Guilty Feminist podcast, I have enjoyed how it manages to reflect with humour and compassion on the contradictions and complexity of trying to live a feminist life while being conditioned by and existing in a patriarchal society. 
Calcitonin receptors in GtoPdb v.2025.3
Get PDFThis receptor family comprises a group of receptors for the calcitonin/CGRP family of peptides. The calcitonin (CT), amylin (AMY), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and adrenomedullin (AM) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on CGRP, AM, AMY, and CT receptors [134, 76, 73]) are generated by the genes CALCR (which codes for the calcitonin receptor, CTR) and CALCRL (which codes for the calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CLR, previously known as CRLR). Their function and pharmacology are altered in the presence of RAMPs (receptor activity-modifying proteins), which are single TM domain proteins of ca. 150 amino acids, identified as a family of three members; RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3. There are splice variants of the CTR; these in turn produce variants of amylin receptors [134], some of which can be potently activated by CGRP. The endogenous agonists are the peptides calcitonin, α-CGRP (formerly known as CGRP-I), β-CGRP (formerly known as CGRP-II), amylin (occasionally called islet-amyloid polypeptide, diabetes-associated polypeptide), adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin 2/intermedin. There are species differences in peptide sequences, particularly for the calcitonins. CTR-stimulating peptide (CRSP) is another member of the family with selectivity for the CTR but it is not expressed in humans [95]. CLR (calcitonin receptor-like receptor) by itself binds no known endogenous ligand, but in the presence of RAMPs it gives receptors for CGRP, adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin 2/intermedin. There are several approved drugs that target this receptor family, such as pramlintide, erenumab, and the "gepant" class of CGRP receptor antagonists. There are also species differences in agonist pharmacology; for example, CGRP displays potent activity at multiple rat and mouse receptors [60, 15]. The summary table only reflects human receptor pharmacology
Glucagon receptor family in GtoPdb v.2025.3
Get PDFThe glucagon family of receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on the Glucagon receptor family [170]) are activated by the endogenous peptide (27-44 aa) hormones glucagon, glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon-like peptide 2, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (also known as gastric inhibitory polypeptide), GHRH and secretin. One common precursor (GCG) generates glucagon, glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucagon-like peptide 2 peptides [126]. For a recent review on the current understanding of the structures of GLP-1 and GLP-1R, the molecular basis of their interaction, and the associated signaling events see de Graaf et al., 2016 [94]
Lysophospholipid (LPA) receptors in GtoPdb v.2025.3
Get PDFLysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Lysophospholipid Receptors [67, 27, 96, 151]) are activated by the endogenous phospholipid LPA. The first receptor, LPA1, was identified as ventricular zone gene-1 (vzg-1) [52], This discovery represented the beginning of the de-orphanisation of members of the endothelial differentiation gene (edg) family, as other LPA and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors were found. Five additional LPA receptors (LPA2,3,4,5,6) have since been identified [96] and their gene nomenclature codified for human LPAR1, LPAR2, etc. (HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, HGNC) and Lpar1, Lpar2, etc. for mice (Mouse Genome Informatics Database, MGI) to reflect species and receptor function of their corresponding proteins. The high-resolution structures of LPA1 [3, 20, 86, 4] and LPA6 [31, 135] determined by both X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, are solved and indicate that LPA accesses the extracellular binding pocket, consistent with its proposed delivery via autotaxin [20]. These studies have also implicated crosstalk with endocannabinoids via phosphorylated intermediates that can also activate these receptors. The binding affinities to LPA1 of unlabeled, natural LPA and anandamide phosphate (AEAp) were measured using backscattering interferometry (pKd = 9) [97, 121]. Utilization of this method indicated affinities that were 77-fold lower than when measured using radioactivity-based protocols [150]. Targeted deletion of LPA receptors has clarified signalling pathways and identified physiological and pathophysiological roles. admilparant (BMS-986278) [25], a selective LPA1 receptor antagonist, is currently in Phase III trials for pulmonary fibrosis. Other LPA1-targeting drugs such as BMS-986020 were discontinued due to hepatotoxicity [110], while preclinical candidates like PIPE 791 [119] are being explored for neurological and fibrotic diseases. Multiple groups have independently published validation of all six LPA receptors described in these tables, and further validation was achieved using a distinct read-out via a novel TGFα "shedding" assay [60]. Moreover, LPA has also been described as an agonist for the transient receptor potential (Trp) ion channels TRPV1 [101] and TRPA1 [70]. All of these proposed non-GPCR receptor identities require confirmation and are not currently recognized as bona fide LPA receptors
Neuropeptide FF/neuropeptide AF receptors in GtoPdb v.2025.3
Get PDFThe Neuropeptide FF receptor family contains two subtypes, NPFF1 and NPFF2 (provisional nomenclature [12]), which exhibit high affinities for neuropeptide FF (NPFF, O15130) and RFamide related peptides (RFRP: precursor gene symbol NPVF, Q9HCQ7). NPFF1 is broadly distributed in the central nervous system with the highest levels found in the limbic system and the hypothalamus. NPFF2 is present in high density in the superficial layers of the mammalian spinal cord where it is involved in nociception and modulation of opioid functions
Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors in GtoPdb v.2025.3
Get PDFThe hydroxycarboxylic acid family of receptors (ENSFM00500000271913, nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors [37, 12]) respond to organic acids, including the endogenous hydroxy carboxylic acids 3-hydroxy butyric acid and L-lactic acid, as well as the lipid lowering agents nicotinic acid (niacin), acipimox and acifran [55, 62, 67]. These receptors were provisionally described as nicotinic acid receptors, although nicotinic acid shows submicromolar potency at HCA2 receptors only and is unlikely to be the natural ligand [62, 67]