PizzaExpress, Richmond – Mass Market Interior Design

This project, and an earlier one for Little Chef (2008), proposed high-quality design for mass-market contexts. Both clients were willing to test the thesis that higher investment in imaginative design for a commercial enterprise could attract more customers and help retain good staff. Rogers researched the problems the restaurants were having, and the reasons for the greater success of some of their competitors. He did precedent studies on the history of traditional English eating-places, such as eel-and-pie shops and roadside butchers, to investigate what had made certain eateries popular, and see what could be transferred to a contemporary context. The brief for PizzaExpress was to bring a British eatery into the 21st century by overhauling everything from interior design to graphics, menu, signage and packaging. Rogers had used this integrated approach in the designs for reconceiving Little Chef, another opportunity to bring innovative design to the mass market. The brief for PizzaExpress was to create a ‘new generation’ pizzeria by designing an acoustically controlled environment that customers could fine-tune at their own tables: lighting domes – created in collaboration with acoustician Sergio Luzzi – help create localised sound pockets around each table where customers can play music from their iPods on built-in speakers, dim their own lights, and press a ‘light-up’ button for the bill. The first PizzaExpress restaurant was a ‘living lab’ where Rogers tried out these new concepts, monitored public response, and pushed the conventions of what a mass-market restaurant offers. The design has since been rolled out in two other PizzaExpress restaurants. Hence, the work makes a significant contribution to commercial design practice by treating the mass-market as seriously as the high-end one. Rogers’s project was featured Hospitality Style (2011), de architect interieur (2011), Design Week (online, 2011), ArchDaily (online, 2011) and ICON (online, 2010)

A Day in the Life of Ernesto Bones

Using the Surrealist ‘exquisite corpse’ method, and with a photograph of a household object from the Stanley Picker House (Kingston University) by John Short as inspiration, Rogers asked 24 contributors, among them chef Heston Blumenthal, fashion designer Shelley Fox, and Design Museum Director Deyan Sudjic, each to write the story of a single hour in the life of the fictional Ernesto Bones. To construct the story, the last two sentences of each contributor’s text were sent on to form the starting point for the next person in the chain. Rogers interpreted these stories to create a surrealist installation of designed objects. The creation of narratives is central to Rogers’s research and professional practice, and often forms the starting point for his firm’s work. The process starts with an idea, which is expressed through drawings, and then developed by a search for appropriate references, culminating in a narrative of images and text, often in the form of a private book for the office and the client. This narrative influences both the design and the client, often encouraging the latter to go further than anticipated in their design ideas. In this project, Rogers wanted, not merely to develop a narrative about the design for the project, but also to make the narrative the design itself by removing the client. The poetic aspect of narrative could then be fully explored through the ‘exquisite corpse’ method and a large collection of creative multidisciplinary collaborators. This collaborative project was made possible through the Stanley Picker Fellowship, awarded to Rogers by Kingston University in 2009. The original exhibition at Kingston University travelled to Beijing for the Beijing Design Week. It was published as A Day in the Life of Ernesto Bones (2011) and featured in Beijing Design Week (2011)

‘Science News Now’, Antenna Gallery, Science Museum – Exhibition design London, UK

This exhibition design for the Science Museum, London had an unusual design method: the cross-fertilisation between museum exhibition design techniques and commercial design ones. Rogers had taken a similar approach to his 2009 ‘Prove It!’ design, also at the Science Museum. Rogers used design to engage diverse audiences through the development of active visual and haptic environments. He also drew on previous high-profile work in engaging the public at Tate Modern: the 2006 redevelopment of Level 3 and 5 Concourses. The ‘Science News Now’ brief was to create a permanent gallery to occupy the ground floor of the Wellcome Wing. Rogers decided the challenge was to design a dynamic digital exhibition space that would visualise environmental data streams, and provide a strong physical environment for displaying ephemeral and constantly changing content. ‘Prove It!’ was similarly concerned with communicating environmental data in accessible ways. Opened before the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, the exhibition explored the scientific evidence behind climate change using the minimum of physical materials. Both exhibition designs were underpinned by research into digital visualisation and interactive precedents in other world-class museums such as Cité des Sciences, Paris, which deals with a similar high-volume, heavy-use audience. The ‘Science News Now’ exhibition targets young adults, but has been observed by museum staff to attract all age groups. The exhibition is located within the busy central hub of the Museum, supporting the needs of the visitors while allowing them, as in Rogers’s restaurant designs, to define their own use of the spaces. Dr Tim Molloy, Head of Creative Direction at the Museum, remarked on the success of the project: ‘the audience respond in such a demonstrably positive way’. Rogers’s designs contributed to Antenna Science News, being shortlisted for the 2011 Innovations Award by the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence

‘Screen Worlds: The Story of Film, Television & Digital Culture’, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) – Exhibition design

The brief for this project was to ‘revolutionise’ the public offering at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne by re-designing the venue’s façade and public spaces, and developing a new permanent exhibition on moving-image culture. Tony Sweeney, Director of ACMI, noted that, ‘The Screen Worlds project was more than just an exhibition – for ACMI it represented the centrepiece in the repositioning of the organisation’. Rogers brought to bear the fruits of his research-by-design in his 2008 Little Chef project to address the ‘rebranding’ of ACMI. In addition to weekly packages of design development, a series of workshops were held in both Melbourne and Rogers’s studio, which allowed for collaborative development of 1:1 display prototypes, and the exploration of different means of experiencing them. In the production process for ‘Screen Worlds’, content development and design took place simultaneously, enabled by Rogers’s use of the same narrative methods he uses in his commercial work: an idea is expressed through drawings, and then developed through a search for appropriate references, culminating in a narrative of images and text. Through this process, Rogers developed exhibition ideas with the museum client to co-create a story about the exhibits. The challenge was to take a two-dimensional medium (film) and devise new three-dimensional ways of engaging and communicating with museum visitors, using precedents such as amusement arcades and fun fairs. The ACMI statistics indicate the success of the design in engaging its audience: 91% rated the design of the exhibition as good/very good. The interactivity was a key strength of the exhibition, with 20% saying it was the main thing they liked and, overall, 31% saying it added to their enjoyment. ‘Screen Worlds’ was nominated in the Culture category of Condé Nast Traveller’s fourth Innovation & Design Awards in 2009

Externally validated model predicting gait independence after stroke showed fair performance and improved after updating

ObjectiveTo externally validate recent prognostic models that predict independent gait following stroke.Study design and settingA systematic search identified recent models (ResultsThree prognostic models met our criteria, all with high Risk of Bias. Validation data was only available for the Australian model. This model used National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and age to predict independent gait, using Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) walking item. For validation, Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) was a proxy for NIHSS, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) locomotion item was a proxy for MAS. The Area Under the Curve was 0.77 (0.74-0.80) and had good calibration in the validation dataset. Adjustment of the intercept and regression coefficients slightly improved discrimination. By adding paretic leg strength, the model further improved (AUC 0.82).ConclusionExternal validation of the Australian model with proxies showed fair discrimination and good calibration. Updating the model by adding paretic leg strength further improved model performance

Neutrophils from Both Susceptible and Resistant Mice Efficiently Kill Opsonized \u3cem\u3eListeria monocytogenes\u3c/em\u3e

Inbred mouse strains differ in their susceptibility to infection with the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, largely due to delayed or deficient innate immune responses. Previous antibody depletion studies suggested that neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMN]) were particularly important for clearance in the liver, but the ability of PMN from susceptible and resistant mice to directly kill L. monocytogenes has not been examined. In this study, we showed that PMN infiltrated the livers of BALB/c/By/J (BALB/c) and C57BL/6 (B6) mice in similar numbers and that both cell types readily migrated toward leukotriene B4 in an in vitro chemotaxis assay. However, CFU burdens in the liver were significantly higher in BALB/c mice than in other strains, suggesting that PMN in the BALB/c liver might not be able to clear L. monocytogenes as efficiently as B6 PMN. Unprimed PMN harvested from either BALB/c or B6 bone marrow killed L. monocytogenes directly ex vivo, and pretreatment with autologous serum significantly enhanced killing efficiency for both. L. monocytogenes were internalized within 10 min and rapidly triggered intracellular production of reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. However, PMN from gp91phox-deficient mice also readily killed L. monocytogenes, which suggested that nonoxidative killing mechanisms may be sufficient for bacterial clearance. Together, these results indicate that there is not an intrinsic defect in the ability of PMN from susceptible BALB/c mice to kill L. monocytogenes and further suggest that if PMN function is impaired in BALB/c mice, it is likely due to locally produced modulating factors present in the liver during infection

Mice lacking NF-κB1 exhibit marked DNA damage responses and more severe gastric pathology in response to intraperitoneal tamoxifen administration

Tamoxifen (TAM) has recently been shown to cause acute gastric atrophy and metaplasia in mice. We have previously demonstrated that the outcome of Helicobacter felis infection, which induces similar gastric lesions in mice, is altered by deletion of specific NF-κB subunits. Nfkb1-/- mice developed more severe gastric atrophy than wild-type (WT) mice 6 weeks after H. felis infection. In contrast, Nfkb2-/- mice were protected from this pathology. We therefore hypothesized that gastric lesions induced by TAM may be similarly regulated by signaling via NF-κB subunits. Groups of five female C57BL/6 (WT), Nfkb1-/-, Nfkb2-/- and c-Rel-/- mice were administered 150 mg/kg TAM by IP injection. Seventy-two hours later, gastric corpus tissues were taken for quantitative histological assessment. In addition, groups of six female WT and Nfkb1-/- mice were exposed to 12 Gy γ-irradiation. Gastric epithelial apoptosis was quantified 6 and 48 h after irradiation. TAM induced gastric epithelial lesions in all strains of mice, but this was more severe in Nfkb1-/- mice than in WT mice. Nfkb1-/- mice exhibited more severe parietal cell loss than WT mice, had increased gastric epithelial expression of Ki67 and had an exaggerated gastric epithelial DNA damage response as quantified by γH2AX. To investigate whether the difference in gastric epithelial DNA damage response of Nfkb1-/- mice was unique to TAM-induced DNA damage or a generic consequence of DNA damage, we also assessed gastric epithelial apoptosis following γ-irradiation. Six hours after γ-irradiation, gastric epithelial apoptosis was increased in the gastric corpus and antrum of Nfkb1-/- mice. NF-κB1-mediated signaling regulates the development of gastric mucosal pathology following TAM administration. This is associated with an exaggerated gastric epithelial DNA damage response. This aberrant response appears to reflect a more generic sensitization of the gastric mucosa of Nfkb1-/- mice to DNA damage

Mitochondrial glycolysis in a major lineage of eukaryotes

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is freely available from OUP via the DOI in this recordThe establishment of the mitochondrion is seen as a transformational step in the origin of eukaryotes. With the mitochondrion came bioenergetic freedom to explore novel evolutionary space leading to the eukaryotic radiation known today. The tight integration of the bacterial endosymbiont with its archaeal host was accompanied by a massive endosymbiotic gene transfer resulting in a small mitochondrial genome which is just a ghost of the original incoming bacterial genome. This endosymbiotic gene transfer resulted in the loss of many genes, both from the bacterial symbiont as well the archaeal host. Loss of genes encoding redundant functions resulted in a replacement of the bulk of the host's metabolism for those originating from the endosymbiont. Glycolysis is one such metabolic pathway in which the original archaeal enzymes have been replaced by the bacterial enzymes from the endosymbiont. Glycolysis is a major catabolic pathway that provides cellular energy from the breakdown of glucose. The glycolytic pathway of eukaryotes appears to be bacterial in origin, and in well-studied model eukaryotes it takes place in the cytosol. In contrast, here we demonstrate that the latter stages of glycolysis take place in the mitochondria of stramenopiles, a diverse and ecologically important lineage of eukaryotes. Although our work is based on a limited sample of stramenopiles, it leaves open the possibility that the mitochondrial targeting of glycolytic enzymes in stramenopiles might represent the ancestral state for eukaryotes.TAW is supported by a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and NERC grant NE/P00251X/1. Work in the lab of MvdG was supported by Wellcome Trust grant 078566/A/05/Z. PGK wishes to acknowledge support by the German Research Foundation (DFG, grant KR 1661/6-1) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation GBMF 4966 (grant DiaEdit)

Ten steps or climbing a mountain: A study of Australian health professionals' perceptions of implementing the baby friendly health initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding

Background: The Baby Friendly Hospital (Health) Initiative (BFHI) is a global initiative aimed at protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and is based on the ten steps to successful breastfeeding. Worldwide, over 20,000 health facilities have attained BFHI accreditation but only 77 Australian hospitals (approximately 23%) have received accreditation. Few studies have investigated the factors that facilitate or hinder implementation of BFHI but it is acknowledged this is a major undertaking requiring strategic planning and change management throughout an institution. This paper examines the perceptions of BFHI held by midwives and nurses working in one Area Health Service in NSW, Australia. Methods: The study used an interpretive, qualitative approach. A total of 132 health professionals, working across four maternity units, two neonatal intensive care units and related community services, participated in 10 focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘Belief and Commitment’; ‘Interpreting BFHI’ and ‘Climbing a Mountain’. Participants considered the BFHI implementation a high priority; an essential set of practices that would have positive benefits for babies and mothers both locally and globally as well as for health professionals. It was considered achievable but would take commitment and hard work to overcome the numerous challenges including a number of organisational constraints. There were, however, differing interpretations of what was required to attain BFHI accreditation with the potential that misinterpretation could hinder implementation. A model described by Greenhalgh and colleagues on adoption of innovation is drawn on to interpret the findings. Conclusion: Despite strong support for BFHI, the principles of this global strategy are interpreted differently by health professionals and further education and accurate information is required. It may be that the current processes used to disseminate and implement BFHI need to be reviewed. The findings suggest that there is a contradiction between the broad philosophical stance and best practice approach of this global strategy and the tendency for health professionals to focus on the ten steps as a set of tasks or a checklist to be accomplished. The perceived procedural approach to implementation may be contributing to lower rates of breastfeeding continuation

Population Genetics of Franciscana Dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei): Introducing a New Population from the Southern Edge of Their Distribution

Due to anthropogenic factors, the franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is the most threatened small cetacean on the Atlantic coast of South America. Four Franciscana Management Areas have been proposed: Espiritu Santo to Rio de Janeiro (FMA I), São Paulo to Santa Catarina (FMA II), Rio Grande do Sul to Uruguay (FMA III), and Argentina (FMA IV). Further genetic studies distinguished additional populations within these FMAs. We analyzed the population structure, phylogeography, and demographic history in the southernmost portion of the species range. From the analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences, 5 novel haplotypes were found, totalizing 60 haplotypes for the entire distribution range. The haplotype network did not show an apparent phylogeographical signal for the southern FMAs. Two populations were identified: Monte Hermoso (MH) and Necochea (NC)+Claromecó (CL)+Río Negro (RN). The low levels of genetic variability, the relative constant size over time, and the low levels of gene flow may indicate that MH has been colonized by a few maternal lineages and became isolated from geographically close populations. The apparent increase in NC+CL+RN size would be consistent with the higher genetic variability found, since genetic diversity is generally higher in older and expanding populations. Additionally, RN may have experienced a recent split from CL and NC; current high levels of gene flow may be occurring between the latter ones. FMA IV would comprise four franciscana dolphin populations: Samborombón West+Samborombón South, Cabo San Antonio+Buenos Aires East, NC+CL+Buenos Aires Southwest+RN and MH. Results achieved in this study need to be taken into account in order to ensure the long-term survival of the species.Fil: Gariboldi, María Constanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Tunez, Juan Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján; ArgentinaFil: Dejean, Cristina Beatriz. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Ciencias Antropológicas. Sección Antropología Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Failla, Mauricio. Fundación Cethus; ArgentinaFil: Vitullo, Alfredo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Negri, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: Cappozzo, Humberto Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; Argentin