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Ancient wisdom, modern warriors: The (re)invention of a Mesoamerican tradition in Xilam
Get PDFXilam is a modern Mexican martial art that is inspired by pre- Hispanic warrior cultures of ancient Mesoamerica, namely
the Aztecs (Mexica), Maya and Zapotec cultures. It provides a noteworthy case study of a Latin American fighting system that has been recently invented, but aspires to rescue, rediscover and relive the warrior philosophies that existed before the Spanish Conquest and subsequent movements beginning in 1521. Using the thought-provoking work of anthropologist Guillermo Bonfil Batalla, México Profundo, I aim to analyse the Xilam Martial Arts Association through the way that they represent themselves
in their three main media outlets: the official webpage, the Facebook group and the YouTube channel. Overall, the data suggests that certain elements of Mesoamerican civilisation may be transmitted to young Mexicans through a mind-body discipline, which in turn acts as a form of physical (re)education. Overall, xilam is both an invented tradition (in a technical sense) and a re-invented tradition (in a cultural sense) that provides lessons on the timeless issues of transformation, transmission and transcendence
Possible missed diagnosis of Ureaplasma spp infection in a case of fatal hyperammonemia after repeat renal transplantation
Get PDF•Ureaplasma spp are associated with complications among renal transplant patients.
•Ureaplasma spp may have been the cause of fatal hyperammonemia.
•Specific culture conditions or molecular methods are required to detect Ureaplasma.
•Appropriate antimicrobial therapy can resolve symptoms of hyperammonemi
A methodology for verified energy savings in manufacturing facilities through changes in operational behaviour
Get PDFThe manufacturing industry is increasingly accountable for the environmental impact resulting from its activities. Manufacturing operations design has shifted from a traditional strictly cost and quality approach to more recently including energy efficiency, zero waste and reduced carbon emissions. Whilst manufacturing companies have focused on reducing energy at a facilities level, research indicates that specific production processes generate a significant environmental impact through energy consumption, resource depletion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To understand the consumption of energy in a production environment it is important to relate the specific energy usage to the operating processes and production outputs. This allows the identification of auxiliary (non-value added) energy within production which is as the area with the greatest potential for savings through changes in operational behaviour. This paper outlines the monitoring at a factory and at machine level that can identify where and, more importantly, when waste energy occurs. The analysis of the cost of auxiliary energy is shown to be a motivational factor for company management to engage with energy efficiency measures and finally the paper discusses the eight dimensions necessary to engage employees and to drive cultural change in an organisation. The current state of practice in relation to energy in a case-study in the Precision Manufacturing Sector in Ireland was investigated and the proposed approach was applied and has been shown to successfully deliver verifiable savings with low implementation costs
Novel targets of antimicrobial therapies
No full textDuring the golden age of antibiotic discovery, from the 1930s through the 1960s, methods of antibiotic identification relied solely on scientific observation, and while chemical analogues such as amoxicillin, derived from penicillin, continued to be developed, they retained the same mechanisms of action and hence the same bacterial targets. Moreover, there are finite modifications that can ultimately be made to “old” classes of antibiotics. Consequently, only two new classes of antibiotics have been discovered in the past 40 years, and both entered the market early in the new millennium. The advent of the genomics revolution offered a new hope for the discovery of novel antimicrobial targets. Genomic strategies were utilized to identify potential antibacterial targets, namely those that, if inhibited, resulted in the death of the bacterium. Such targets were to be present in pathogenic strains of bacteria and absent from the human host; they could include metabolic pathways, receptor ligands, and virulence traits, to name a few. Despite the abundance of targets identified using this strategy, no new antibiotics have reached the marketplace as a result of the genomics approach. However, new antimicrobials with novel targets continue to be identified and contribute to the ongoing struggle against antimicrobial resistance that threatens to return humankind to a situation comparable to the preantibiotic era
Musicians’ perceptions and experiences of using simulation training to develop performance skills
Get PDFSimulation has been applied as a tool for learning and training in sports, psychology and medicine for
some time, but its current use and potential for training musicians is less well understood. The aim
of this study was to explore musicians’ perceptions and experiences of using simulated performance
environments. Nine conservatory students performed in two simulations, each with interactive
virtual elements and vivid environmental cues: a recital with a virtual audience and an audition
with virtual judges. Qualitative data were collected through a focus group interview and written
reflective commentaries. Thematic analysis highlighted the musicians’ experiences in terms of (1)
their anticipation of using the simulations, (2) the process of performing in the simulations, (3)
the usefulness of simulation as a tool for developing performance skills and (4) ways of improving
simulation training. The results show that while simulation was new to the musicians and individual
levels of immersion differed, the musicians saw benefits in the approach for developing, experimenting
with and enhancing their performance skills. Specifically, the musicians emphasised the importance
of framing the simulation experience with plausible procedures leading to and following on from
the performance, and they recognised the potential for combining simulation with complementary
training techniques
Nitrite-derived nitric oxide reduces hypoxia-inducible factor 1α-mediated extracellular vesicle production by endothelial cells
Get PDFIntroduction
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, spherical particles enclosed by a phospholipid bilayer (∼30–1000 nm) released from multiple cell types, and have been shown to have pathophysiological roles in a plethora of disease states. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) allows for adaptation of cellular physiology in hypoxia and may permit the enhanced release of EVs under such conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in vascular homeostasis, and can modulate the cellular response to hypoxia by preventing HIF-1 accumulation. We aimed to selectively target HIF-1 via sodium nitrite (NaNO2) addition, and examine the effect on endothelial EV, size, concentration and function, and delineate the role of HIF-1 in EV biogenesis.
Methods
Endothelial (HECV) cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions (1% O2, 24 h) and compared to endothelial cells exposed to normoxia (21% O2) with and without the presence of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) (30 μM). Allopurinol (100 μM), an inhibitor of xanthine oxidoreductase, was added both alone and in combination with NaNO2 to cells exposed to hypoxia. EV and cell preparations were quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis and confirmed by electron microscopy. Western blotting and siRNA were used to confirm the role of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in EV biogenesis. Flow cytometry and time-resolved fluorescence were used to assess the surface and intravesicular protein content.
Results
Endothelial (HECV) cells exposed to hypoxia (1% O2) produced higher levels of EVs compared to cells exposed to normoxia. This increase was confirmed using the hypoxia-mimetic agent desferrioxamine. Treatment of cells with sodium nitrite (NaNO2) reduced the hypoxic enhancement of EV production. Treatment of cells with the xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor allopurinol, in addition to NaNO2 attenuated the NaNO2-attributed suppression of hypoxia-mediated EV release. Transfection of cells with HIF-1α siRNA, but not HIF-2α siRNA, prior to hypoxic exposure prevented the enhancement of EV release.
Conclusion
These data provide evidence that hypoxia enhances the release of EVs in endothelial cells, and that this is mediated by HIF-1α, but not HIF-2α. Furthermore, the reduction of NO2− to NO via xanthine oxidoreductase during hypoxia appears to inhibit HIF-1α-mediated EV production
The psychological characteristics of performance under pressure in professional Rugby Union referees
Get PDFThis study used qualitative methods to explore the stressors, appraisal mechanism, emotional response, and effective/ineffective coping strategies experienced by elite rugby union referees during pressurized performances. Participants included seven male rugby union referees from the United Kingdom (Mage = 27.85, SD = 4.56) who had been officiating as full-time professionals for between 1 and 16 years (M = 4.85, SD = 5.42). Data revealed that the referees encountered a number of stressors, which were appraised initially as a ‘threat’, and elicited negatively-toned emotions. The referees were able to maintain performance standards under pressure by adopting proactive, problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies which managed effectively the stressors and their emotions. However, the use of avoidance-coping, reactive control, and informal impression management were perceived as ineffective coping strategies, and associated with poor performance and choking. Recommendations are offered to inform the psychological skills training of rugby union referees
A review of consumer food safety research to identify domestic risk factors associated with listeriosis
Get PDFIntroduction: Listeriosis is associated with the highest hospitalization and mortality rates of foodborne illnesses; listeriosis incidence has doubled in recent years in Europe. Consumer recommendations to reduce listeriosis risk factors include following ‘use-by’ dates on unopened ready-to-eat (RTE) food products, avoiding prolonged storage of opened RTE foods and ensuring safe refrigeration temperatures. Currently, data detailing consumer cognition and behaviour associated with listeriosis risk factors are lacking.
Purpose: This study aimed to review consumer food safety studies to consolidate and cumulatively determine consumer cognitive and behavioural risk factors that may be associated with listeriosis in the home.
Methods: Consumer food safety research data (n=200) were reviewed and analysed using a content analysis approach. Findings were summarized according to assessment of knowledge, attitudes, self-reported practices, and/or actual behaviours of listeriosis risk factors.
Results: Overall, only 43% of studies assessed consumer cognitive or behavioural data associated with listeriosis risk factors; 27% assessed refrigeration practices, 23% determined storage length of opened RTE foods and 21% ascertain adherence of ‘use-by’ dates. Majority (71%) of studies utilized survey based data collection methods (questionnaires/interviews), consequently, the majority of findings were based on self-report (78%) and knowledge (59%). Observation (21%) and focus groups (8%) were less commonly used. Consequently findings of this study indicate that actual behaviours and attitudinal data relating to listeriosis risk factors are lacking. Although findings suggest consumers may deviate from recommended practices, a lack of observational data suggests a need to determine the actual behaviours of consumers in domestic kitchens in relation to listeriosis risk factors.
Significance: This review reveals a need for in-depth research to determine food safety attitudes and actual behaviours of consumers in conjunction with self-reported practices and knowledge of listeriosis risk factors. Such data combined with review findings would inform development of targeted food safety education to reduce risks associated with listeriosis in the home
Chemical characterisation and the anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antibacterial properties of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
Get PDFEthnopharmacological relevance: Date fruit, Phoenix dactylifera L. has traditionally been used as a medicine in many cultures for the treatment of a range of ailments such as stomach and intestinal disorders, fever, oedema, bronchitis and wound healing.
Aim of the review: The present review aims to summarise the traditional use and application of Phoenix dactylifera date fruit in different ethnomedical systems, additionally the botany and phytochemistry are identified. Critical evaluation of in vitro and in vitro studies examining date fruit in relation to anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antimicrobial activities are outlined.
Key Findings: The ethnomedical use of Phoenix dactylifera in the treatment of inflammatory disease has been previously identified and reported. Furthermore, date fruit and date fruit co-products such as date syrup are rich sources of polyphenols, anthocyanins, sterols and carotenoids. In vitro studies have demonstrated that date fruit exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity. The recent interest in the identification of the numerous health benefits of dates using in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that date fruit and date syrup have beneficial health effects that can be attributed to the presence of natural bioactive compounds.
Conclusions: Date fruit and date syrup have therapeutic properties, which have the potential to be beneficial to health. However, more investigations are needed to quantify and validate these effects
Aligning the planets: The role of nurses in the care of patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
Get PDFBackground
Studies have shown variation in care for patients with non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), including in the roles of specialist and advanced practice nurses in diagnosis, treatment and coordination of care.
Aim
The aim of this study was to describe the roles and responsibilities of specialist and advanced practice nurses in providing care for patients with NSTEMI.
Methods
Secondary analysis of observational field notes and interviews from an ethnographic study of variation in care for NSTEMI patients in 10 UK hospitals conducted 2011–2012. Data were thematically analysed to identify key concepts and themes related to the roles of specialist nurses.
Results
Seven of 10 hospitals had roles for specialist nurses in NSTEMI care. The major theme related to high demand and the complexity of patients and organizations (‘Aligning the planets’). In this theme, nurses contributed to improving services or compensating for deficiencies (‘Making the system work versus making up for the system’). Data collection for audit could take precedence over time with patients (‘Paying worship to the paper’). Nurses expressed a sense of ownership of cardiovascular patients that drove their desire to provide quality of care (‘They are our patients’)