261 research outputs found
The Powell-Cotton Dioramas and the Re-interpretation of an Idyll
No full textThis research examines the natural habitat dioramas created by Major P.H.G. Powell-Cotton, in doing so
it affects a remembering of a sense of place where a diorama reflects in Mieke Bal's view a three-dimensionality
that draws on architectural space; it then considers the three dimensional representation of
the landscape within the diorama itself; the two-dimensional illusion of a trompe l'oeil landscape
painting; and the exterior space occupied by the viewer. The Powell-Cotton natural habitat dioramas exist
behind large glass screens their purpose follows an aesthetic relationship with the emergence of the
natural habitat diorama and the ability to transfix perception through the re-interpretation of an idyll. The
potential for this practice-based research was to explore the possibility of developing an aesthetic for
sculpture and architectural space. However in focussing on the Powell-Cotton dioramas the notion of
aesthetic attitude would lose ground due to their idiosyncratic, artificial, and extraordinary nature, it then
prepared the basis of interpretation in establishing 'theatres of landscape' as an open concept. With
landscape, a sense of place anticipates various positions and numerous delays; it recollects the cognitive
knowledge brought to the prospect that involves aspects in, of and about landscape. Regarding the
studio-based project, the diorama was placed between the real and the unreal, challenging Bal's rationale
of the cognitive relationship of a diorama to the concept of a discursive space. Where both artist and
viewer 'activates' this space with their presence, they bring their own recollection of landscape and by
assigning landscape with memory the potentiality is where cognition becomes accentuated. Whereas the
unknown and uncharted can refute reality, memory is dependent on what is known both formally and
informally, it places the natural habitat diorama in a visual system that is both constructive and
destructive. Therefore the research methodology examines the historical context of the diorama through a
doctoral thesis by Karen Wonders and an analysis of Louis Daguerre's diorama by Richard Altick.
Following Bal's analysis of the diorama, this created a dilemma - in what ways are the perceptions of the
observer determined, and how are they undermined? Jonathan Crary and Giuliana Bruno considered the
diorama's position in relation to film and film archaeology, which ultimately the diorama and natural
habitat diorama could not compete with. In asking what has Powell-Cotton's museum to offer in the 21st
century, this thesis examines the concept of a diorama, its objectives and correspondingly its failings. As
the dioramas in the Powell-Cotton Museum were undocumented, these dioramas and their written, visual
and architectural relationship to Louis Daguerre offer a contribution to knowledge concurrent with the
relationship of this practice based research project. Whereupon the research diary forms the basis of a
contribution to new knowledge in the construction of small and large-scale dioramas, sculpture and
installations. By challenging Bal's analysis this research practice would investigate natural and projected
light and the visual language of transparency, translucency and opacity in the representation of landscape
and landscape as motif, and progressing to the structural implications of 2D and 3D work
Pre- and postnatal nutritional histories influence reproductive maturation and ovarian function in the rat
No full textBackgroundWhile prepubertal nutritional influences appear to play a role in sexual maturation, there is a need to clarify the potential contributions of maternal and childhood influences in setting the tempo of reproductive maturation. In the present study we employed an established model of nutritional programming to evaluate the relative influences of prenatal and postnatal nutrition on growth and ovarian function in female offspring.MethodsPregnant Wistar rats were fed either a calorie-restricted diet, a high fat diet, or a control diet during pregnancy and/or lactation. Offspring then were fed either a control or a high fat diet from the time of weaning to adulthood. Pubertal age was monitored and blood samples collected in adulthood for endocrine analyses.ResultsWe report that in the female rat, pubertal timing and subsequent ovarian function is influenced by the animal's nutritional status in utero, with both maternal caloric restriction and maternal high fat nutrition resulting in early pubertal onset. Depending on the offspring's nutritional history during the prenatal and lactational periods, subsequent nutrition and body weight gain did not further influence offspring reproductive tempo, which was dominated by the effect of prenatal nutrition. Whereas maternal calorie restriction leads to early pubertal onset, it also leads to a reduction in adult progesterone levels later in life. In contrast, we found that maternal high fat feeding which also induces early maturation in offspring was associated with elevated progesterone concentrations.ConclusionsThese observations are suggestive of two distinct developmental pathways leading to the acceleration of pubertal timing but with different consequences for ovarian function. We suggest different adaptive explanations for these pathways and for their relationship to altered metabolic homeostasis
Analysis of immune-related loci identifies 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis
No full textUsing the ImmunoChip custom genotyping array, we analyzed 14,498 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 24,091 healthy controls for 161,311 autosomal variants and identified 135 potentially associated regions (P < 1.0 × 10−4). In a replication phase, we combined these data with previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from an independent 14,802 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 26,703 healthy controls. In these 80,094 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 48 new susceptibility variants (P < 5.0 × 10−8), 3 of which we found after conditioning on previously identified variants. Thus, there are now 110 established multiple sclerosis risk variants at 103 discrete loci outside of the major histocompatibility complex. With high-resolution Bayesian fine mapping, we identified five regions where one variant accounted for more than 50% of the posterior probability of association. This study enhances the catalog of multiple sclerosis risk variants and illustrates the value of fine mapping in the resolution of GWAS signals
An ovine model to evaluate the biologic properties of impacted morselized bone graft substitutes
No full textThe objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate a bone-defect model to study the biologic behavior of biomaterials being considered for impaction grafting in revision hip arthroplasty. A miniature impactor was designed to produce pellets of aggregates at a standard compactive effort. In Phase 1, 22 sheep underwent implantation of pellets into six metaphyseal defects in both rear limbs. In Phase 2, eight sheep underwent surgical implantation of four pellets in metaphyseal defects. Defects were sealed with polymethylmethacrylate in both phases. Healing of the defects was evaluated at 7 weeks (Phase 1, n = 11) and 14 weeks (n =19) with computed tomography, histology, and histomorphometry. Complications in Phase 1 included four femoral fractures and migration of cement seals (18/102 defects). No complications occurred in Phase 2. Whereas no difference was found between left and right limbs, osteogenesis and incorporation of biomaterials varied among implantation sites. For comparison of grafting materials, treatment site allocations were randomized according to a Latin square design. This model allows evaluation of several impacted aggregates (including large particles) in the same animal. It is particularly suitable for analyzing the biologic properties of grafting materials prior to evaluation under loading condition
Early dissolution of a morsellised impacted silicate‐free bioactive glass in metaphyseal defects
No full textThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological properties of idealized, morsellised impacted Corglaes®, a soluble silicate-free glass. Twenty-two sheep underwent implantation of pellets in six metaphyseal defects in both rear limbs. Particle size distribution of all aggregates (except the autograft) approached the ideal logarithmic grading line and all implants were impacted to a standard compactive effort. Treatment groups consisted of (1) empty defect (negative control), (2) autograft (positive control), (3) allograft (clinical control), (4) allograft idealized with Corglaes®, (5) 50/50 allograft/Corglaes® and (6) Corglaes®. Defects were sealed with polymethylmethacrylate. Healing of the defects was evaluated at 7 weeks (n=6) and 14 weeks (n=16) with computed tomography, histology, and histomorphometry. Remnants of Corglaes® were found within one of the defects 7 weeks after implantation. Defects filled with mixtures containing 50% or 100% Corglaes® were less dense, contained less bone and more fibrous tissue than defects with allograft, autograft, or allograft idealized with Corglaes®. Allograft idealized with Corglaes®may be considered for impaction grafting in revision hip arthroplasty, as well as local delivery of antibiotics. However, further studies and potential revision of the agent are required before mixtures containing concentrations of Corglaes® equal to or higher than 50% can be recommended
Heroes of the disability arena
No full text[Revised].; "Produced by: Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, Office of Communications"--Page 4 of cover.; "c2008 ... Catalog #G-6 December 2012, Revised June 2013"--Page 4 of cover.Ludwig van Beethoven -- Alexander Graham Bell -- Josh Blue -- Chris Burke -- Ray Charles -- Tony Coelho -- Justin Dart, Jr. -- Bob Dole -- Thomas A. Edison -- Albert Einstein -- Michael J. Fox -- Vincent van Gogh -- Stephen Hawking -- Judy E. Heumann -- Helen Keller -- Jim Langevin -- Howie Mandel -- Wilma Mankiller -- Casey Martin -- Marlee Matlin -- Ronnie Milsap -- Itzhak Perlman -- Christopher Reeve -- Ed Roberts -- Franklin D. Roosevelt -- Annie Sullivan -- Leonardo da Vinci -- Montel Williams
Prenatal Corticosteroids for Reducing Morbidity and mortality after Preterm Birth
No full textAnnotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam. First published by the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL, 2005.©The Trustee of the Wellcome Trust, London, 2005.All volumes are freely available online at: www.history.qmul.ac.uk/research/modbiomed/wellcome_witnesses/Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 15 June 2004. Introduction by Barbara Stocking, Oxfam.In 1959 the New Zealand obstetrician Graham (Mont) Liggins began investigating mechanisms that triggered premature labour. Supported by the Wellcome Trust, he examined the effects of hormones on labour in sheep, and demonstrated coincidentally that in utero corticosteroids accelerated fetal lung maturation. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of prenatal corticosteroids in humans by Liggins and pediatrician Ross Howie, showed a reduction of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm babies. This Witness Seminar, chaired by the late Dr Edmund Hey, discussed the influence of Liggins' and Howie's 1972 paper announcing these results, and subsequent work by Avery and Kotas on induction of pulmonary surfactant in lambs. Other subjects included Crowley's 1981 systematic review of four RCTs; the low uptake of corticosteroids in practice until the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists issued usage guidelines in 1992; trials to determine optimum drug, dose and number of courses; potential adverse effects; and cost-benefit analysis. Participants included the late Dr Mel Avery, Sir Iain Chalmers, Dr Patricia Crowley, the late Professor Harold Gamsu, Professor Jane Harding, Professor Richard Lilford, Professor Miranda Mugford, Professor Ann Oakley, Professor Dafydd Walters and Mr John Williams. Appendices from Liggins and Howie; Liggins' Wellcome Trust grant; and the protocol of the 1975 UK trial of betamethasone, complete the volume. Reynolds L A, Tansey E M. (eds) (2005) Prenatal corticosteroids for reducing morbidity and mortality after preterm birth, Wellcome Witnesses to Twentieth Century Medicine, volume 25. London: The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL.The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL is funded by the Wellcome Trust, which is a registered charity, no. 210183
Between the waves: currents in contemporary feminist thought
No full textWith a continuing focus on liberal feminism, Marxist feminism and essentialism, one would be forgiven for
thinking that feminist theory is unable to break free from the ‘second wave’. This is not the case. This article reviews three books which take on these feminist issues and offer new readings on the questions at the heart of feminism. Each provides clear links to feminism of the past but also connects to present debate and makes
suggestions for future directions for feminism. There is plenty of literature which bemoans the end of feminism and some which triumphantly hails our era as post-feminist: no longer in need of feminist theory. Contrary to such claims, each book tackles the problem of women’s oppression from a different perspective, each presents different solutions and in so doing they demonstrate that feminism is alive and well
Modern Greek for Classicists at Edinburgh
No full textThe second-named author reports on a course devised by his co-author and himself specially for Honours students of Classical Greek. The course represents a productive compromise between the different approaches of a Greek-speaker trained in English and Applied Linguistics and a British Classicist. Some theoretical and practical considerations are explored, including those raised by the simultaneous teaching of related languages
Genome-wide association study identifies a variant in HDAC9 associated with large vessel ischemic stroke
No full textGenetic factors have been implicated in stroke risk, but few replicated associations have been reported. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for ischemic stroke and its subtypes in 3,548 affected individuals and 5,972 controls, all of European ancestry. Replication of potential signals was performed in 5,859 affected individuals and 6,281 controls. We replicated previous associations for cardioembolic stroke near PITX2 and ZFHX3 and for large vessel stroke at a 9p21 locus. We identified a new association for large vessel stroke within HDAC9 (encoding histone deacetylase 9) on chromosome 7p21.1 (including further replication in an additional 735 affected individuals and 28,583 controls) (rs11984041; combined P = 1.87 × 10<sup>−11</sup>; odds ratio (OR) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28–1.57). All four loci exhibited evidence for heterogeneity of effect across the stroke subtypes, with some and possibly all affecting risk for only one subtype. This suggests distinct genetic architectures for different stroke subtypes
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