754 research outputs found
Robert Buchanan 1841-1901: an assessment of his career.
No full textPhDRobert Buchanan was widely regarded during his
lifetime as a poet of distinction, a capable and powerful
novelist, and a critic of some perception, yet his name is
now associated only with one regrettable episode, while
those of lesser men and women continue to be remembered for
work inferior to his. A man possessing large reserves of
energy, and pressed to write for a living at an early age,
he produced much work that deserves the oblivion it has
found; but his early verse, expressing his profound compassion
for the sufferings of the unfortunate in the simplest
language, some of his ballads, and not a little of his
later more vatic verse, is still worthy of study. As a
novelist his work is provocative and readable, but too
often descends to the level of the sentimental melodrama
which earned him, for a while, a very good income from the
stage. As a critic he was not profound, but was quick to
detect and praise expression of his own sympathy for humanity
that came to represent for him art's highest aspiration;
Dickens, Browning and Whitman were his heroes, and for the
last two he did sterling work in helping them to gain widespread
recognition. As a polemist he rushed into several
arenas, for some of which his talents were not especially
suited; but he publicly supported C. S. Parnell and Oscar
Wilde when few found the courage to do so. An interesting
man of impressive variety and undoubted talent has found an
undeserved neglect, and a full-scale critical biography of
Robert Buchanan is long overdue
The detection and role of human endogenous retroviruses in multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Master of PhilosophyHuman endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are estimated to form approximately 5% of the human genome. While the majority of sequences are defective, containing premature stop mutations and frameshift mutations, a number encode fully functional proteins. HERVs have been proposed as aetiological agents for a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis (MS), and have been detected in a variety of tumours. The study aims to develop tools to detect and investigate human endogenous retroviruses in order to establish their roles in MS and anaplastic astrocytomas. A method of detecting and quantifying levels of HERV-W env messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and MSRV gag by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain (RT-PCR) reaction in a variety of cell lines was developed, with PCR products detected in all cell lines tested, and in particular, high levels of transcription occurring in the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line. In the astrocytoma cell lines, those with P53 mutation had higher levels of HERV-W env. MSRV gag variants were also detected in these cell lines, but stimulation with interferon-γ, a proinflammatory cytokine, did not alter expression significantly. An antibody against an epitope of MSRV gag has been successfully developed, purified and tested to determine the expression of a predicted linear epitope. This epitope was recognised in all cell lines tested, but unusually for a HERV showed nuclear expression. Further analysis is needed to confirm the identity of the protein detected. Finally a number of retroviral peptides with homology to putative antigens were predicted using a novel bioinformatics approach, of which two, HERV-W env 412 and MSAV gag 274, were tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of plasma samples from MS patients, patients with other neurological diseases and normal healthy donors. No significant differences in antibody titres were found between the sample groups for either peptide
Projektiv identifikation mellem mennesker - roden til både godt og skidt
No full textThis master’s thesis is a theoretical project that examines the concept of projective identification and group dynamics together with their interaction in a working group from a psychodynamically informed point of view. The project also examines what a consultant should be aware of in relation to these concepts. The project is based in the author’s personal experience of the psychological organi-zation theories sometimes seeming to be superficial in order to clarify what is go-ing on between people in working groups. Focusing on the concept of projective identification, the author hopes to find more in-depth explanation on this subject. The research question reads as follows: How can you consider the concept of projective identification as both being a destructive and a productive force among individuals in a working group and what impact do projective identification have on the dynamics of the working group? What should the consultant be aware of in relation to projective identification and the dynamics of the working group and what options does this awareness offer to the consultant? As already said, the re-search question is examined in a psychodynamic perspective, and supplemented by important notes from psychoanalysis. The main theoretical aspect of the pro-ject is based in the works of, the recognized danish psychologist and professor of group- and organizational psychology, Steen Visholm. More specifically his works of 1993 (Overflade og dybde; om projektiv identifikation og det modernes psykologi) and 1995 (Projektiv identifikation; teorihistorier og perspektiver). This perspective is supplemented by W. F. Bion’s works on group dynamics and J. S Scharff’s psychoanalytically perspective on projective identification. To deliver concrete examples of the relatively abstract theoretical statements two real life cases are included. These cases are analyzed continuously throughout the project. In the end it can be concluded that the destructive and constructive aspects of projective identification depends on the specific situation. Projective identification influences the distribution of roles in the group and thus its dynam-ics. The dynamics of the working group also affect the nature of projective iden-tification in the group. The psychoanalytically informed organizational consult-ant's attention to projective identification and dynamics of the working group can give the consultant the opportunity to obtain important information about the working group. This information can provide the consultant with alternative courses of action. The author also considers that it would be fruitful to study what alternative courses of action the psychoanalytically informed organizational consultant is having during practice
An Ethnographic Focus on Family Dynamics in Ghana, West Africa versus the United States
No full textThe purpose of this study to explore and describe the family dynamics in Ghana, West Africa in comparison to those of African Americans in the United States of America. Analyzing these culture sharing patterns is especially important in the context of the historically black institution of higher learning, where African and American cultures intersect. Both groups, Africans in Africa and African-Americans in the U.S., will benefit from this research because this will bridge gaps in knowledge, making us a citizen of the world. I was able to travel to Ghana and immerse myself into their culture and for that short period of time, I was able to observe the differences in family dynamics in America versus those in Ghana. My research explores family dynamics in three sectors: Daily life, education, marriage/childbearing. Many components make these three overarching sectors. Both Ghana and America are countries going through changes with a diverse population that provides different perspectives and opportunities for the exchange of new ideas that can stimulate innovation and creativity (VanAlstine, Cox, & Roden, 2015). Research has been conducted to investigate the educational system in both America and Ghana and the different levels in which one can obtain a degree/certificate. Studies also explore the extent to which families in both Ghana and America value education. Marriage practices also differ in Ghana versus the United States and have changed many times over centuries. This study is important in that it explores these differences based on the lived experiences of the participants who are a part of each culture. In order to collect data, three focus groups were conducted among college students in both Ghana and the United States. Students who attended The University of Ghana, The University of Cape Coast, and students of the Atlanta University Center shared their lived experiences and their family dynamics. There were a total of 13 interview questions in order to explore daily life, education, roles/hierarchy, occupation, and marriage. All questions asked were open-ended, allowing the participants to discuss their experiences in detail. For example, Describe the roles of men and women in your family is a question that received extensive responses due to the fact that is was more subjective than objective. Atlas Ti revealed the following themes that arose from the analysis 'meals, leisure activities, the value of education, attitudes toward premarital childbearing, and family roles among others. Validation strategies used are rich thick descriptions, reflexivity, and member checking. Understanding the daily lives and contexts of individuals in Ghana and in the U.S. has not been conducted systematically to date, and such an exploration is expected to help build a bridge of understanding and respect between the related cultures in addition to using best practices that will benefit the cultures mutually
Genetic association study of QT interval highlights role for calcium signaling pathways in myocardial repolarization.
No full textThe QT interval, an electrocardiographic measure reflecting myocardial repolarization, is a heritable trait. QT prolongation is a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) and could indicate the presence of the potentially lethal mendelian long-QT syndrome (LQTS). Using a genome-wide association and replication study in up to 100,000 individuals, we identified 35 common variant loci associated with QT interval that collectively explain ∼8-10% of QT-interval variation and highlight the importance of calcium regulation in myocardial repolarization. Rare variant analysis of 6 new QT interval-associated loci in 298 unrelated probands with LQTS identified coding variants not found in controls but of uncertain causality and therefore requiring validation. Several newly identified loci encode proteins that physically interact with other recognized repolarization proteins. Our integration of common variant association, expression and orthogonal protein-protein interaction screens provides new insights into cardiac electrophysiology and identifies new candidate genes for ventricular arrhythmias, LQTS and SCD
The effectiveness of origami on overall hand function after injury: A pilot controlled trial
No full textThis pilot study measured the effectiveness of using origami to improve the overall hand function of outpatients attending an NHS hand injury unit. The initiative came from one of the authors who had used origami informally in the clinical setting and observed beneficial effects. These observed effects were tested experimentally. The design was a pilot non-randomised controlled trial with 13 participants. Allocation of the seven control group members was based on patient preference. The experimental group members attended a weekly hour of origami for six weeks, in addition to their conventional rehabilitation.
Hand function of all participants was measured using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test before and after the six-week period, and additional qualitative data were gathered in the form of written evaluations from patients. The quantitative data were analysed using the Mann Whitney U test or Fisher’s exact test. Themes were highlighted from the qualitative data.
The results show that there was a greater difference in the total score of the experimental group using the impaired hand between pre- and post-intervention of 11.8 seconds, compared with 4.3 seconds in the control group, but this was not statistically significant at the 5% level (p=0.06). Additionally, differences in the sub-test scores show a markedly larger improvement in the experimental group. Qualitative data indicate that the experimental group experienced the origami sessions as being enjoyable and beneficial. Further research with a larger sample and randomised group allocation is recommended to verify and expand these preliminary findings
Author Correction: Transcript expression-aware annotation improves rare variant interpretation
No full textIn this Article, author Marquis P. Vawter was missing from the Genome Aggregation Database Consortium list. They are associated with the affiliation: ‘Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA’, and contributed to the generation of the primary data incorporated into the gnomAD resource. The original Article has been corrected online
In: Abstracts from the World Federation of Neuro-Oncology Second Quadrennial Meeting and the Sixth Meeting of the European Association for Neuro-Oncology: May 5–8, 2005, Edinburgh, UK. No.174
No full textAbstracts from Neuro-Oncology are provided here courtesy of Society for Neuro-Oncology and Duke University Press.Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) belong to the family of transposable elements that make up 8% of the human genome. Unlike exogenous retrovirus (e.g., HIV and HTLV), HERVs are inherited in a Mendelian manner. More than 22 families of HERVs have been identified over the past two decades. Importantly, some HERVs have been found to possess large open reading frames and produce viral like particles. More latterly, these viruses have been linked with certain autoimmune diseases and cancers. Indeed, HERVs may contribute toward carcinogenesis through retrotransposition, promoter insertion, immunomodulation, disruption of normal HERV-related functions, recombination, or by the production of fusion proteins. Of importance, HERV-K, HERV-W, and HERV-H have the potential to be transcriptionally active in the brain. We have developed robust RT-PCR systems using primers/probes specific to HERV-K and HERV-W to assess mRNA expression in conjunction with the house keeping gene, histidyl tRNA synthetase. In employing a gel-documentation system, we are able to provide semiquantitative levels of HERV expression in cell lines. Pilot data shows markedly enhanced expression of HERV-K in the cell line U251-MG (derived from a glioblastoma multiforme; WHO grade IV astrocytoma) as compared to a control cell line SW480 (colon adenocarcinoma): RT-PCR values; 1.0 and 0.42, respectively. This observation raises an intriguing possibility that HERV-K expression may be elevated in malignant brain tumors. In addition, this approach provides a useful approach to optimize primers and probes prior to using real-time quantitative PCR
A panyological study of the impact of man on the landscape of central Southern England, with special reference to the chalklands
No full textThe sequence from Winchester provides evidence for the Boreal and Atlantic woodland of the chalk and exhibits an early Ulmus decline clearance. Open conditions appear to have prevailed in at least this area of the Hampshire Downs since the Early Neolithic. The Snelsmore data show that from the end of the UImus decline clearance, woodland was a more common feature of the local landscape.The peripheral sites in general exhibit phases of woodland clearance and regeneration similar to sites elsewhere in Britain. At several of these peripheral sites there is a good correlation between the chronology of episodes in the pollen diagrams and archaeological events on the chalklands, although the representation of pollen from vegetation on the chalk outcrop may have been low. The rapidly accumulating peat at Rimsmoor shows clearance episodes in considerable detail and at Kingswood a phase of Mesolithic disturbance may be recorded.It is proposed that certain areas of the chalk, such as that around Winchester, have been characterised by an essentially open landscape since the Early Neolithic. In other areas, however, as perhaps typified by the Snelsmore analysis, woodland was more common. Edaphlc and socio-economic reasons are advanced for these differences
The Detection and Role of Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HML-2) In Rheumatoid Arthritis
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of
Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyHuman endogenous retroviruses are the remnants of ancient retroviral infections present within our genome. These molecular fossils show similarities with present day exogenous retroviruses but act as typical Mendelian elements that are passed vertically between generations. Despite being repeatedly linked to a number of autoimmune diseases and disorders, no conclusive proof has been identified. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one such disease which has been associated with an increase in HERV expression, compared to controls. In order to elucidate a clear role for HERVs in RA pathogenesis, autoantigens implicated in disease pathogenesis were scanned for sequence homology to retroviral genes. Such epitopes would induce antibodies cross reactive with host proteins, resulting in disease. Short peptides mimicking these regions were synthesised and the prevalence of anti-HERV antibodies was determined in RA patients and disease controls. Additionally, a novel real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was developed to accurately quantify levels of HERV-K (HML-2) gag expression, relative to normalised levels of housekeeping gene expression. Both serological and molecular assays showed significant increases in HERV-K (HML-2) activity in RA patients compared to disease controls with CD4+ lymphocytes harbouring the highest activity. The real-time assay was also used to determine whether factors within the synovium could modulate HERVs, resulting in their upregulation. Exogenous viral protein expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines were shown to exert a significant modulatory effect over HERV-K (HML-2) transcription. From this data, it is clear that RA patients have increased levels of HERV-K (HML-2) gag activity compared to controls. Despite this it is likely that factors within the synovium such as exogenous viral expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines also influence HERV-K (HML-2) transcription possibly contributing to a role of bystander activation, i.e. being influenced by external factors, rather than actively contributing to disease processes. The exact role of HERVs in RA pathology remains elusive; however this research proposes several mechanisms by which HERV-K (HML-2) may contribute to disease
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