Distinctive or Professionalised? Understanding the Postsecular in Faith-Based Responses to Trafficking, Forced Labour and Slavery in the UK

This article examines the intersection of religious faith and the ‘fight against modern slavery’ in the UK, as yet unexplored in sociological literature. Analysis of faith-based organisations’ activities in this area challenges understandings of a postsecular rapprochement between faith and secular actors – where postsecular is used by some scholars to refer to the re-emergence of faith in the public sphere, and where we understand rapprochement to mean the placing of equal value on faith-based and secular worldviews. Our research reveals that faith-based organisations in the anti-trafficking/modern slavery third sector operate on a ‘dual register’, secularising as they professionalise their public face, while retaining religious distinctiveness when engaging with co-religionists. We argue that, rather than evidence of a genuine two-way postsecular rapprochement, it seems that faith-based organisations in this sector are prioritising secular modalities, meaning the learning process is one-sided rather than complementary

Human Trafficking and Online Networks: Policy, Analysis, and Ignorance

Dominant anti-trafficking policy discourses represent trafficking as an issue of crime, “illegal” migration, victimhood and humanitarianism. Such a narrow focus is not an adequate response to the interplay between technology, trafficking and anti-trafficking. This article explores different levels of analysis and the interplay between human trafficking and technology. We argue for a shift from policy discourses with a very limited focus on crime and victimisation to more systemic understandings of trafficking and more robust micro-analyses of trafficking and everyday life. The article calls for an agnotological understanding of policy responses to trafficking and technology: these depend upon the production of ignorance. We critique limitations in policy understandings of trafficking-related aspects of online spaces, and argue for better engagement with online networks. We conclude that there is a need to move beyond a focus on “new” technology and exceptionalist claims about “modern slavery” towards greater attention to everyday exploitation within neoliberalism

Vena cava filter behavior and endovascular response:An experimental in vivo study

Purpose: To evaluate the behavior and endovascular response of a new nitinol permanent vena cava filter, the TrapEase. Methods: Percutaneous implantation of the filter was performed in six goats, with inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter close to that of man. Radiologic data concerning the IVC, filter diameter, patency and stability were collected. At 2, 4, 20 and 26 weeks post-implantation, histopathologic analysis of the IVC wall was performed at the site of filter distension, and distal and proximal to the filter. Results: All filters remained patent. There was no migration and no signs of biological incompatibility. Signs of neointimalization were seen at 2 weeks, with well-developed neointima at 4 weeks. No acute vessel wall perforation was detected by cavography at implantation. During follow-up histologic analysis at 26 weeks, perforation of some of the small fixation barbs was seen, causing minimal damage to the vessel wall and adjacent organ tissue without impairing organ function. These events were well tolerated, probably due to the gradual nature of the penetration of fixation barbs allowing reactive fibrous tissue development. At 26 weeks the parallel filter struts were well covered with neointima and did not perforate the vessel wall. There were no complications associated with the filter implantation. Conclusions: The TrapEase vena cava filter was well tolerated and is suitable for incorporation into the IVC wall of healthy animals without any apparent deleterious reaction due to biological incompatibility

Vessel wall reaction after vena cava filter placement

Purpose: To evaluate the interaction between the Cordis Keeper vena caval filter and vessel wall in a porcine model. Methods: Implantation of the filter was performed in five pigs. Radiologic data concerning inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and filter patency, filter leg span, and stability were collected. At 2 or 6 months post-implantation, histopathologic analysis of the IVC wall was performed. Results: All filters remained patent with no evidence of migration. However, at 6 months follow-up, two legs of one filter penetrated the vessel wall and were adherent to the liver. These preliminary results suggest that with the observed gradual increase in the filter span, the risk of caval wall penetration increases with time, especially in a relatively small IVC (average diameter 16 mm). Conclusion: The Cordis Keeper filter was well tolerated, but seems to be prone to caval wall penetration in the Icing term

Low-temperature heating overnight in tris-HCl buffer pH 9 is a good alternative for antigen retrieval in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue

Heat-induced retrieval of antigens masked by formalin fixation in paraffin-embedded tissue is widely used in routine surgical pathology. Microwave heating at high temperature for a relatively short period has been tested extensively. Although good results for commonly used antibodies are obtained by optimizing heating conditions and retrieval solutions, a standard protocol for all antibodies is not yet available. Other problems encountered are affected morphology and loss of tissue attachment to the slides. In this study we elaborated a previously described retrieval method applying conventional heating at a lower temperature for a prolonged time. We tested 16 routinely used antibodies on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, which were stained after overnight heating at 80 degrees C in retrieval solutions varying in pH value. The results were compared with standard microwave heating in a solution of Tris-HCl plus urea pH 9.5. Maximal retrieval was obtained with 14 out of 16 antibodies by overnight heating at 80 degrees C in Tris buffer pH 9. Tissue morphology was well preserved. The results were slightly superior to those obtained with microwave retrieval in pH 9.5 Tris+urea buffer. Tn conclusion, overnight heating at 80 degrees C in Tris buffer pH 9 is a good alternative for retrieval of antigens and is easy to perform