Defining the mesentery as a new organ and what this means for understanding its roles in digestive disorders

peer-reviewedCategorisation of structures into tissues, organs and systems is arbitrary but has considerable utility as it provides a structural hierarchy within which one can more easily investigate and better understand human biology and disease. Until recently, this process was greatly hampered by an erroneous anatomical appraisal of the mesentery. Advances in our understanding of the mesentery now present scientific and clinical communities with new opportunities. Based on these, it is suggested that the mesentery be re-designated as an organ.1 Herein we challenge this concept and explore whether there are clinical benefits to redesignation

A mediterranean diet model in Australia: strategies for translating the traditional mediterranean diet into a multicultural setting

peer-reviewedSubstantial evidence supports the effect of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) for managing chronic diseases, although trials have been primarily conducted in Mediterranean populations. The efficacy and feasibility of the Mediterranean dietary pattern for the management of chronic diseases has not been extensively evaluated in non-Mediterranean settings. This paper aims to describe the development of a MD model that complies with principles of the traditional MD applied in a multiethnic context. Optimal macronutrient and food-based composition was defined, and a two-week menu was devised incorporating traditional ingredients with evidence based on improvements in chronic disease management. Strategies were developed for the implementation of the diet model in a multiethnic population. Consistent with the principles of a traditional MD, the MD model was plant-based and high in dietary fat, predominantly monounsaturated fatty acids from extra virgin olive oil. Fruits, vegetables and wholegrains were a mainstay, and moderate amounts of nuts and seeds, fish, dairy and red wine were recommended. The diet encompassed key features of the MD including cuisine, biodiversity and sustainability. The MD model preserved traditional dietary components likely to elicit health benefits for individuals with chronic diseases, even with the adaptation to an Australian multiethnic population

Readily accessible shape-memory effect in a porous interpenetrated coordination network

peer-reviewedShape-memory effects are quite well-studied in general, but there is only one reported example in the context of porous materials. We report the second example of a porous coordination network that exhibits a sorbate-induced shape-memory effect and the first in whichmultiple sorbates, N2, CO2 and CO promote this effect. The material, a new threefold interpenetrated pcu network, [Zn2(4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate)2(1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene)]n (X-pcu-3-Zn-3i), exhibits three distinct phases: the as-synthesized a phase; a denser-activated b phase; and a shape-memory g phase, which is intermediate in density between thea and b phases. The g phase is kinetically stable overmultiple adsorption/ desorption cycles and only reverts to the b phase when heated at >400 K under vacuum. The a phase can be regenerated by soaking the g phase in N,N′-dimethylformamide. Single-crystal x-ray crystallography studies of all three phases provide insight into the shape-memory phenomenon by revealing the nature of interactions between interpenetrated networks. The b and g phases were further investigated by in situ coincidence powder x-ray diffraction, and their sorption isotherms were replicated by density functional theory calculations. Analysis of the structural information concerning the three phases of X-pcu-3-Zn-3i enabled us to understand structure-function relationships and propose crystal engineering principles for the design of more examples of shape-memory porous materials

The enduring legacy of GDR literature and culture: an introduction

peer-reviewedSince the tumultuous events of 1989/1990, writers, film-makers and academics have responded to, reconstructed and reflected upon the process and impact of German reunification. Each milestone anniversary has generated a wave of new publications, thereby demonstrating an ongoing fascination with, and evolving interpretations of, the literary and cultural legacies of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) within a united Germany. In the years which have elapsed since the fall of the Berlin Wall, certain broad narratives of events have been established within general discourse, while access to unpublished materials and personal accounts has increasingly allowed a rich cultural landscape to be explored, both on its own terms and as an important foundation to our deeper understanding of contemporary German society. As early as 1990, Günder de Bruyn had warned against making the type of sweeping statements which risk downplaying the extent of different experiences and thought processes; instead, he pleaded for a nuanced engagement with difference, for open discussion and space for contradictory reactions and emotions. Such calls have all too often been disregarded. Bringing together academic articles and interviews from a wide range of backgrounds and voices, this volume, therefore, seeks to enrich current literary and cultural debates in multiple ways: the different contributions enhance our understanding of artistic responses in different genres, inform our reading and re-reading of literary reconstructions of pre- and post-"Wende" events, and combine in-depth reflection on literary expressions and nuanced critique of, and engagement with, past and present cultural and societal developments. In so doing, the volume demonstrates the diverse ways in which GDR literary and cultural traditions continue to enrich German literature and culture.ACCEPTEDPeer reviewe

Women at work: reflections on social identity and the private self in 'Die Polizistin' (2000), 'Willenbrock' (2005) and 'Steigerlied' (2013)

peer-reviewedWhile commonly rejecting the label 'East German film director' , Andreas Dresen sets much of his work in the eastern half of Germany and engages frequently with the legacy of the GDR. In 2013, he participated in a television documentary project "16 x Deutschland" for the German TV channel ARD, which consisted of short films representing each of the German "Bundesländer". In focusing on Brandenburg in "Steigerlied", Dresen elected to follow Dani Kuboth during her working day at an open-cast mine in the Lausitz. Commenting on his choice, Dresen explained he felt working people were under-represented in the media and such mines remained a central feature of the Brandenburg landscape. What he omitted to say was that, for both ideological and economic reasons, women working in traditionally male domains were the norm within the GDR; Dani may seem unusual in 2013, but she is part of a reality stretching back over sixty years. Taking Dani as a starting point, this chapter explores representations of women at work within Dresen' s oeuvre, focusing on three films ("Die Polizistin", "Willenbrock" and "Steigerlied") in particular. It analyses how work is shown to provide a public identity for women and to afford them a private sense of self, and examines how this once normal experience is now challenged by the gaze of individual male characters and, ultimately, by Dresen himself.ACCEPTEDPeer reviewe

A survey across four European countries to determine rheumatology health professionals’ awareness of physical activity measures in people with inflammatory joint diseases

peer-reviewedObjectives The objectives of this study were to determine rheumatology health professionals' (HPs)' awareness of and confidence in using physical activity (PA) measures in people with inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs), their own self-reported PA levels and to identify HP-related educational needs. Methods Rheumatology HPs in Denmark, Sweden, Ireland and Belgium participated in an on-line survey. Descriptive statistics and latent class analysis (LCA) were undertaken SPSS (v21and SASv9.4) to describe data aggregates and range and to identify subclasses of groups with respect to use of PA measures. Results 322 (n=322, 75.5% women) HPs responded from Denmark (n=50, 15.5%), Sweden (n=66, 20.5%), Ireland (n=28, 8.7%) and Belgium (n=178, 55.3%) and the majority of respondents (n=286, 91.7%) reported it was important to measure PA in people with IJDs. Only 28.2% of HPs used simple body worn sensors to measure PA levels in their patients. The majority were interested in on-line education on measuring PA (82.9%). LCA, used to generate classes of PA measures employed by HPs, revealed three distinct classes reflecting differences in self-reported PA levels, awareness of PA measures, further education requirements and professional background. Conclusions The majority of respondents reported that they considered measuring PA as important in people with IJDs; however, the majority lacked confidence in how to measure it. There was strong interest in further education around measuring PA. Three distinct respondent classes were identified to inform targeted education on how to measure PA

Mung bean proteins and peptides: nutritional, functional and bioactive properties

peer-reviewedTo date, no extensive literature review exists regarding potential uses of mung bean proteins and peptides. As mung bean has long been widely used as a food source, early studies evaluated mung bean nutritional value against the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/the World Health Organization (WHO) amino acids dietary recommendations. The comparison demonstrated mung bean to be a good protein source, except for deficiencies in sulphur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine. Methionine and cysteine residues have been introduced into the 8S globulin through protein engineering technology. Subsequently, purified mung bean proteins and peptides have facilitated the study of their structural and functional properties. Two main types of extraction methods have been reported for isolation of proteins and peptides from mung bean flours, permitting sequencing of major proteins present in mung bean, including albumins and globulins (notably 8S globulin). However, the sequence for albumin deposited in the UniProt database differs from other sequences reported in the literature. Meanwhile, a limited number of reports have revealed other useful bioactivities for proteins and hydrolysed peptides, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity, anti-fungal activity and trypsin inhibitory activity. Consequently, several mung bean hydrolysed peptides have served as effective food additives to prevent proteolysis during storage. Ultimately, further research will reveal other nutritional, functional and bioactive properties of mung bean for uses in diverse applications

Time domain note average energy based music onset detection

peer-reviewedA novel time domain strategy is proposed for the detection of the onset of musical notes based on the changing energy level. By calculating the note average energy (NAE), the proposed method is insensitive to both the dynamic range of the energy levels in a piece and whether or notthe piece is monophonic or polyphonic. More importantly, the new strategy tackles the thorny ‘threshold’ problem that is always being avoided unsuccessfully. The detection performance of the new method is illustrated by its performance over a range of music pieces played on different instrumentsACCEPTEDpeer-reviewe

Remote laboratories as a means to widen participation in STEM education

peer-reviewedIn this paper, a discussion is presented into how remote laboratories can be utilized in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in order to provide and promote access to laboratory experiments via the Internet. This provision can be considered from a range of viewpoints in how to use Internet-based technologies to allow remote access to physical laboratory experiments whilst taking into account the needs and wishes of the individual. In recent years, countries around the world have placed an increased emphasis on promoting access to education for traditionally underrepresented groups and also to improve the quality of STEM education. Despite this, gaining access to laboratory facilities and experiments for many people can still be a problem. Remote laboratories can, however, be designed, developed, and deployed to support access to STEM education by providing remote access to facilities that would not otherwise be accessible to an individual. Recently, a range of solutions have been developed and successfully deployed which can be used to both provide access to and improve the quality of an educational offering. This paper will consider how the remote laboratory can be developed and used. It can also be considered as an assistive technology which could be used to provide access to individuals with specific needs, such as disability. The paper will consider what a remote laboratory is and how it can be developed with accessibility in mind

Ultrarapid multimode microwave synthesis of nano/submicron β-SiC

peer-reviewedThis paper presents the design, development and realization of a fast and novel process for the synthesis of 3C silicon carbide (β -SiC) nanorods and submicron powder. Using SiO2 (or Si) and activated carbon (AC), this process allows β-SiC to be synthesized with almost 100% purity in timeframes of seconds or minutes using multimode microwave rotary tube reactors under open-air conditions. The synthesis temperature used was 1460 ± 50 °C for Si + AC and 1660 ±50 °C for SiO2 + AC. The shortest β -SiC synthesis time achieved was about 20 s for Si + AC and 100 s for SiO2 + AC. This novel synthesis method allows for scaled-up flow processes in the rapid industrial-scale production of β-SiC, having advantages of time/energy saving and carbon dioxide emission reduction over comparable modern processes