31 research outputs found
Curing Cholera: Pathogens, Places and Poverty in South Asia
No full textIn this paper I will seek to provide a new understanding of endemicity of disease in India. Through a study of cholera research in the twentieth century I will argue that disease and its endemicity has to be understood in biological factors as well as within a wider social and economic context. I will discuss the medical efforts at locating the causality of cholera from the nineteenth century in Indian climate, water bodies and human anatomy to show that cholera is no more a biological phenomena than water is an ecological or environmental problem. Both are essentially political and economic questions
Towards Intercultural Documentary
No full text‘Towards Intercultural Documentary’ is a PhD by Published Work that is comprised of four documentary films, an exhibition catalogue essay and an academic book chapter to form a collective body of work in film and text focused on what Rughani proposes as ‘intercultural documentary practice’. This body of work configures ‘intercultural documentary practice’ as a space or arena in which people of radically different perspectives encounter the other.1 Intercultural documentary aspires to create pluralised spaces of exchange by engaging difference within and between communities. In this work, voices traditionally overlooked, excluded or edged to the cultural margins are re-framed to find a new centrality in a broader encounter, more accurately reflecting the diverse influences that comprise polyglot societies. In the United Kingdom (UK) context, three submitted films, broadcast to peak-time audiences on BBC 2 and Channel 4, stood in contradistinction to mainstream narratives that typically portrayed British experience as largely monocultural and homogeneous.
The contribution to knowledge of this thesis is in deepening and extending the dynamics of documentary practice to embrace intercultural communication and to weld this to the ethics of documentary making. In so doing, this body of work situates ethics as central to the documentary encounter and offers new practice-based insights into navigating tensions in the process of making such work and its methodologies.
‘Towards Intercultural Documentary’ presents a case for the coherence of the body of work that makes a contribution to knowledge at the inter-disciplinary confluence of: documentary studies and practice, ethics and intercultural communication. The submission comprises: Islam and the Temple of’ ‘Ilm’ (BBC 2, 1990); One of the Family (Channel 4, 2000); Playing Model Soldiers (Channel 4, 2000); Glass Houses (British Council, 2004); the exhibition catalogue essay British Homeland in Home (British Council, 2004) and the book chapter ‘Are You a Vulture? Reflecting on the ethics and aesthetics of coverage of atrocity and its aftermath, in Peace Journalism (Peter Lang, 2010)
From biogenesis to biomarkers: the role of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in cervical cancer and beyond
No full textAbstract Cervical cancer remains one of the most prevalent gynecological malignancies worldwide, primarily caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus. Despite advances in screening and vaccination, cervical cancer continues to be the second most common cancer among women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to limited access to affordable and effective diagnostic and preventive tools. In addition to human papillomavirus, genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations play a crucial role in the transformation of normal cervical cells into cancerous ones. Emerging evidence highlights the significance of chromatin remodeling factors, which rely on regulatory signals for target specificity. Among these, PIWI proteins and their associated PIWI-interacting RNAs have been identified as key players in gene regulation and epigenetic modulation. These molecules are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence. Furthermore, with the advent of liquid biopsy technologies, the demand for reliable and minimally invasive biomarkers has grown. PIWI proteins and piRNAs have shown promise as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers, capable of distinguishing between early and advanced stages of cervical cancer. This review highlights the functional relevance of the PIWI/piRNA pathway in cervical carcinogenesis and explores its potential application in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting of cervical cancer. In conclusion, piRNAs and PIWI proteins play significant roles in cervical cancer development, progression, and stemness. They show promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as novel therapeutic targets, but further research is required to translate these findings into clinical practice
Evaluation of the Association between Genetic Polymorphism of Interleukin-1 Beta (–511C/T and +3953C/T) and Cervical Cancer Susceptibility
No full textCervical cancer (CC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, primarily caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially in developing countries. A proinflammatory cytokine, emerging as a major facilitator of carcinogenesis, is termed interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), which characterizes host-environment interactions. Numerous epidemiological studies have revealed that IL-1β gene polymorphisms have been associated with numerous malignancies, but in the context of CC, results of these studies were inconclusive. Thus, our study aimed to explore the relationship between IL-1β polymorphisms (-511C/T and +3953C/T) and CC susceptibility. Genotyping was conducted on 192 CC patients and 200 healthy controls through polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism. HPV analysis was done through real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the serum concentration of IL-1β was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Women with CT and TT genotypes of IL-1β -511C/T had a threefold increased risk of CC (odds ratio [OR], 3.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.132-6.063; p < 0.001 vs. OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.952-5.713; p < 0.001) compared to controls. Women with the T allele of IL-1β -511C/T polymorphism were associated with increased CC susceptibility (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.51-2.66; p = 0.0001) compared to controls. No significant difference was found between patients and controls in the genotype or allele frequencies of IL-1β +3953C/T polymorphism (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.56-1.55; p = 0.86 vs. OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.72-1.26; p = 0.74). There was no significant association found between IL-1β -511C/T promoter (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 0.46-12.76; p = 0.28 vs. OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.13-21.10; p = 0.7) and +3953C/T (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 0.44-31.82; p = 0.19 vs. OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.01-3.92; p = 0.25) polymorphisms in tobacco chewers and smokers compared to controls. The level of serum concentration of IL-1β was significantly higher in cases compared to controls. Our results conclude that IL-1β -511C/T polymorphism is associated with CC susceptibility
Molecular tools for bathing water assessment in Europe : balancing social science research with a rapidly developing environmental science evidence-base
No full textThe Working Group and associated workshop series were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council as part of the Delivering Healthy Water project (NE/I022191/1). LF received funding in part by the European Regional Development Fund Programme and the European Social Fund Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of ScillyThe use of molecular tools, principally qPCR, versus traditional culture-based methods for quantifying microbial parameters (e.g., Fecal Indicator Organisms) in bathing waters generates considerable ongoing debate at the science–policy interface. Advances in science have allowed the development and application of molecular biological methods for rapid (~2 h) quantification of microbial pollution in bathing and recreational waters. In contrast, culture-based methods can take between 18 and 96 h for sample processing. Thus, molecular tools offer an opportunity to provide a more meaningful statement of microbial risk to water-users by providing near-real-time information enabling potentially more informed decision-making with regard to water-based activities. However, complementary studies concerning the potential costs and benefits of adopting rapid methods as a regulatory tool are in short supply. We report on findings from an international Working Group that examined the breadth of social impacts, challenges, and research opportunities associated with the application of molecular tools to bathing water regulations.Peer reviewe
Modes of association and differentiation in Mauritius : an account of identity in a situation of socio-cultural heterogeneity
No full textThis Thesis details the anthropological investigation of socio-cultural heterogeneity in Mauritius, a small island republic in the Indian Ocean. I introduce the island, its population, climate and other salient features in the Introduction, where I also reveal something of the author's intentions, interests and ideology.
Although Mauritius has been relatively infrequently written about by anthropologists or other social scientists, when Mauritian social diversity has been discussed it has been conducted on the presumption that difference is synonymous with division. Consequently, in Chapter 1, I develop a critique of this assumption, which has found its way into the texts and discourses of both sociologists and state bureaucrats. I collapse these two categories' products into one, by drawing upon Foucault's notion of 'governmentality', and critique widespread views of Multiculturalism as being founded on the alleged coevalness of difference and division. I also introduce my three main analytical tools: intersubjectivity, transcendence and creolization.
Chapter 2 portrays individuals' identity, agreeing that at times those Mauritians that I met did draw divisions between one another, but that this was far from predictable, nor universally practised. Chapter 3 continues this project, by focusing on specific forms of the expression of division, but again I highlight the unanticipated nature of division and difference. Chapter 4 further clouds the picture by noting that even where individuals might be thought to be unproblematically employing ethnic - or caste - based strategies in, for example, the workplace, the use of such tools was again unforseeable, and not always successful. Even where they were successful in securing advantage, there are wider costs not previously noted in the ethnographic record.
Chapter 5 is the culmination of my argument. Through a fine-grained portrayal of a number of ethnographic moments, I point up the unifying and shared practices which have hitherto been excerpted from ethnographic accounts of Mauritius (or other 'plural' societies). These unifying features are as relevant to my understanding of Mauritian society as divisions, I claim, and I reflect on the contrast between 'banal' unities and governmental notions of Multiculturalism.
The Conclusion draws together the threads of the Thesis and charts where it fits in terms of wider anthropological and political trends
Genetic Variants in Interleukin-10 Gene Association with Susceptibility and Cervical Cancer Development: A Case Control Study
No full textObjectives Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most destructive disease caused by persistent HPV infection which affects women worldwide, especially in developing countries. The genetic basis of host immune response especially cytokine function has been shown to influence CC susceptibility. Studies have demonstrated that IL-10 gene polymorphism have been associated with numerous malignancies, but in context to CC results were inconclusive. Though, aim of our study to investigate the association between IL-10 -1082A/G and -819C/T promoter polymorphism and CC susceptibility.
Material and Methods This study comprised 192 women with CC and 200 controls. HPV detection was done by RT-PCR and genotyping was assessed through PCR-RFLP method. Serum concentration of IL-10 measured by ELISA.
Results Women with AG and AG+GG genotypes of IL-10 -1082A/G had two-fold increased risk of CC [OR, 2.35 (95% CI, 1.54–3.58), p = 0.005], [OR, 2.03 (95% CI, 1.36–3.04), p = 0.0005] compared to controls. Women with G allele of -1082A/G polymorphism had linked with CC susceptibility [OR, 1.39 (95% CI, 1.02–1.88), p = 0.036] compared to controls. No significant difference was found between patients and controls in the genotype or allele frequencies of IL–10 -819C/T polymorphism [OR, 1.00 (95% CI, 0.63–1.58), p = 0.99]. The level of serum concentration of IL-10 was significantly higher in cases compared to controls.
Conclusion These findings help to understand that polymorphism of IL-10 -1082A/G gene is associated with increased risk of CC development and can serve as a marker of genetic susceptibility to CC
Numerical Simulation of Delft-Jet-in-Hot-Coflow (DJHC) Flames Using the Eddy Dissipation Concept Model for Turbulence–Chemistry Interaction
No full textIn this paper, we report results of a numerical investigation of turbulent natural gas combustion for a jet in a coflow of lean combustion products in the Delft-Jet-in-Hot-Coflow (DJHC) burner which emulates MILD (Moderate and Intense Low Oxygen Dilution) combustion behavior. The focus is on assessing the performance of the Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) model in combination with two-equation turbulence models and chemical kinetic schemes for about 20 species (Correa mechanism and DRM19 mechanism) by comparing predictions with experimental measurements.We study two different flame conditions corresponding to two different oxygen levels (7.6% and 10.9% by mass) in the hot coflow, and for two jet Reynolds number (Re = 4,100 and Re = 8,800). The mean velocity and turbulent kinetic energy predicted by different turbulence models are in good agreement with data without exhibiting large differences among the model predictions. The realizable k-? model exhibits better performance in the prediction of entrainment. The EDC combustion model predicts too early ignition leading to a peak in the radial mean temperature profile at too low axial distance. However the model correctly predicts the experimentally observed decreasing trend of lift-off height with jet Reynolds number. A detailed analysis of the mean reaction rate of the EDC model is made and as possible cause for the deviations between model predictions and experiments a low turbulent Reynolds number effect is identified. Using modified EDC model constants prediction of too early ignition can be avoided. The results are weakly sensitive to the sub-model for laminar viscosity and laminar diffusion fluxes.Multi-Scale PhysicsApplied Science
A lattice boltzmann/s n framework for coupled heat transfer and neutron transport problems
No full textNuclear reactors are complex, coupled, multi-physics and multi-scale systems. There are usually two approaches — loose coupling and tight coupling — to solve coupled mathematical equations describing a multi-physics system. The major advantage of loose coupling is to allow separately validated codes to perform specific calculations without modifying them. This may be the only approach available when users do not have access to the source codes. One of the disadvantages of loose coupling is data exchange between codes. On the other hand, tight coupling prevents the disadvantages due to data exchange in loose coupling. The goal of this dissertation is to study the coupling between neutron transport and heat conduction equations with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and temperature-dependent neutron cross sections. The neutron transport equation is solved using the discrete ordinates method (SN ); and the heat conduction equation is solved using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). In the SN method, the angle in the integro-differential form of the NTE is discretized. Similarly, the continuous velocity space is discretized in the LBM. Taking advantage of the similarities between the SN and the LBM approaches, a consistent framework to solve tightly coupled NTE using the SN method, and the heat conduction equation using the LBM is developed in this dissertation. A new “two-point interface scheme” is proposed for the heat conduction problems in the LBM to satisfy the continuities of temperature and heat flux at the interface for the multi-region problems. The integrated framework and the two-point interface scheme is applied to simple 1-D, Cartesian geometry, one and two-region heat conduction problems with temperature-independent and temperature-dependent thermal conductivities. Numerical results for the two-region heat conduction problems with temperature-dependent thermal conductivities studied in this dissertation and corresponding CPU times solved using the LBM with the two-point interface scheme are compared against those obtained using simple finite difference methods.
Two types of temperature dependence of neutron cross sections are studied in this dissertation. The first one assumes neutrons are in the thermal energy range (near-Maxwellian spectrum), and the fission and the absorption cross sections are inversely proportional to temperature. This type of temperature feedback assumes same correlations for the fission and the absorption cross sections, and is used for the one-way coupled criticality and two-way coupled problems. The second temperature feedback is only used in the two-way coupled problems, and it assumes that the capture cross section is proportional to temperature to mimic Doppler effect.
For the one-way coupled, fixed source problems with non-multiplying medium (fission cross section is zero) with the first type of temperature feedback, the magnitude of the minimum temperature-dependent absorption cross section (at the location of maximum temperature), Σa(T(k(T))), can be as much as 30 % lower than its counterpart evaluated at the effective temperature. In addition, the maximum neutron scalar flux is about 15 % higher with temperature dependent absorption cross section, Σa(T(k(T))). Moreover, the peak of the scalar flux moves toward higher temperature region due to the reduction of temperature-dependent absorption cross section at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the drop in absorption cross section at higher temperatures increases neutron diffusion, resulting in spatially more uniform scalar flux distribution.
For the one-way coupled, fixed source problems (fission cross section is zero), lower thermal conductivity due to fuel burnup leads to higher temperature. On the contrary, for the two-way coupled simulations (fission cross section is not zero) with the first type of temperature feedback for the fission and the absorption cross sections, a reduction in the thermal conductivity increases the fuel temperature, which is in turn reduced due to negative fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity. For the two-way coupled simulations with the second type of temperature feedback (Doppler effect), an increase in the temperature, due to negative fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity, increases capture cross section; and the scalar flux, power density and thus temperature, are decreased.
For the two-way coupled problems using the two types of temperature feedbacks studied in this dissertation, the system can stabilize after small perturbations in the reactor. In both temperature feedback mechanisms, an increase of the surface temperature decreases scalar flux and fission power, which in turn reduces temperature. Thus, the maximum fuel temperature decreases, and the fuel temperature profile becomes more uniform (flat).Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2022-05-01The student, Min-Tsung Kao, accepted the attached license on 2020-04-27 at 10:25.The student, Min-Tsung Kao, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2020-04-29 at 11:05.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2020-04-29 at 16:45.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #15077 on 2020-08-25 at 17:28:17Made available in DSpace on 2020-08-26T23:57:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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