Karol Szymanowski's first violin concerto, OP. 35

Thesis (D.M.A.)--Boston UniversityIn the absence of a thriving Polish music scene in the latter half of the 19th century, Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) sought inspiration in other traditions. Consequently, his music is a cosmopolitan blend of Romantic, impressionistic, and nationalistic styles. Changes in Szymanowski's compositional style over the course of his career can thus be read as musical responses to outside stimuli; first to German, then French and fmally, eastern European folk trends. The first violin concerto, as the epitome of his "impressionistic" period, displays imaginative lyricism and a sensuous and colorful sound world.^1 Szymanowski was evidently pleased with the result. After finishing the piece in August 1916, he wrote, "I must say I am very happy with the whole thing-again a new, different music, but at the same time, a bit of return to the old. The whole thing is terribly fantastical and unexpected."^2 Written in close collaboration with Kochanski, the concerto, together with Myths (1915), exemplifies a "new mode of expression"^3 which highlighted Kochanski's strengths: an irresistibly sweet lyrical tone and left-hand facility. It was this marriage of affinities, a blending of lyricism with innovative coloristic sound effects, which came to signify Szymanowski's violin idiom. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide the following: a thorough examination of the background, history and style of the first violin concerto, a detailed analysis of the work as a whole, and a discussion of performance considerations. Chapter One will provide background history and context, including composer biography, description of his compositional style during his middle period, features of his violin idiom, developed in collaboration with his friend Pawel Kochanski as well as the immediate circumstances of the concerto's composition, with information on its history, premieres, and reception. Chapter Two will be a detailed analysis of the piece, addressing questions of form, harmony, motive, and genre; these fmdings will contribute to a hermeneutic investigation of the piece. Finally, Chapter Three discusses how tools like John Rink's "performer's analysis," historical recordings, genre analysis and narrative analysis can be used to create a more carefully considered interpretation of the piece. 1 Alistair Wightman, Karol Szymanowski: His Life and Work (Brookfield, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company, 1999), 177. 2 Ibid. 3 Alistair Wightman, "Szymanowski, Bartok and the Violin," The Musical Times 12211657 (March 1981), 159

Epigenetic silencing of SOCS3 expression contributes to fibrosis in Crohn’s disease

Identified risk polymorphisms affecting the Jak-STAT3 pathway in patients with Crohn’s disease could affect TGF-β1 and collagen I expression and in the pathway’s negative regulator, SOCS3. Genetic factors, however, account for only ~25% of disease. Epigenetic events also shape gene expression. Recent experiments showed that autocrine IL-6 production in mesenchymal cells, subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMF) and muscle cells, of patients with fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease causes sustained Jak-STAT3 activity, excess TGF-β1 and Collagen I production and fibrosis. SOCS3 paradoxically decreased in these cells. We now identify epigenetic mechanisms that silence SOCS3 expression in SEMF of patients with fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease. In a previous experiment, using isolated SEMF of normal ileum and affected ileum from patients with each Crohn’s phenotype, inflammatory (Montreal B1), fibrostenotic (B2) and penetrating (B3), we confirmed decreased SOCS3 protein levels were unique to B2 patients. Expression of miR-19b increased in SEMF of affected ileum. SOCS3 transcriptional activity decreased after transfection of miR-19b mimic and increased when antagomiR-19b was expressed. Epigenetic silencing of SOCS3 in ileal SEMF of patients with fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease occurs by increased miR-19b mediated inhibition of SOCS3

Wang, Xiying. Gender, Dating, and Violence in Urban China. New York: Routledge, 2017.

Book review

Haomin Gong & Xin Yang, Reconfiguring Class, Gender, Ethnicity and Ethics in Chinese Internet Culture. New York: Routledge, 2017.

Book review

Cornet, C. and Blumenfield, T. (Eds.). Doing Fieldwork in China… with Kids! Singapore: Nias Press, 2016

Book review

Effect modification of the association between meteorological variables and mortality by urban climatic conditions in the tropical city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan

A deeper understanding of extreme hot weather are needed in cities sensitive to heat effects, an investigation was done in the tropical town of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. Its 11 districts were divided into three climatic classes varying from high urban heat, low levels of green space and lack of proximity to water bodies to low urban heat, adequate green space and proximity to water bodies. Daily data on natural mortality, meteorological variables, and pollutants from May-October 1999-2008 were analysed using generalised additive models for the time-series data. Subgroup analyses were conducted, stratifying decedents according to the level of planning activity required in order to mitigate adverse heat effects in their residential areas, classifying districts as “level 1” for those requiring a high level of mitigation action; “level 2” for those requiring some action; and “level 3” for those that need only preserve existing conditions. Stratified analyses showed that mortality increases per 1 °C rise on average, either on the same day or in the previous 4 days (lags 0-4), were associated with 2.8%, 2.3% and -1.3% for level 1, 2 and 3 districts, respectively. The slope describing the association between temperature and mortality was higher above 29.0 °C resulting in corresponding increases of 4.2%, 5.0% and 0.3% per per 1 °C rise in temperature, respectively. Other meteorological variables were not significantly associated with mortality. It is concluded that hot season mortality in Kaohsiung is only sensitive to heat effects in districts classified as having unfavourably climatic conditions and requiring mitigation efforts in city planning. Urban planning measures designed to improve climatic conditions could reduce excess mortality resulting from extreme hot weathe

Exploring the Efficacy of the Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic’s Transition to Telehealth During COVID-19

This research qualitatively explores the impacts of the Helen B. Landgarten Art therapy Clinic’s transition to art therapy telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research was to explore the efficacy of interventions and the clinical themes that emerged as a result of telehealth art therapy services delivered to marginalized communities through the Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic. Data that was collected includes anonymous surveys from administrators, teachers, and caregivers of those receiving services and facilitators of services, semi-structured interviews with administrators, teachers, and caregivers of those receiving services, as well as a focus group with facilitators of services. Through the analysis of data several findings suggest that art therapy telehealth can provide a safe space for engagement in mental health and be more accessible to marginalized communities. These findings potentially open new doors for further inquiry into art therapy telehealth

What elements of a systems approach to bereavement are most effective in times of mass bereavement?:A narrative systematic review with lessons for COVID-19

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has left health and social care systems facing the challenge of supporting large numbers of bereaved people in difficult and unprecedented social conditions. Previous reviews have not comprehensively synthesised the evidence on the response of health and social care systems to mass bereavement events. Aim: To synthesise the evidence regarding system-level responses to mass bereavement events, including natural and human-made disasters as well as pandemics, to inform service provision and policy during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Design: A rapid systematic review was conducted, with narrative synthesis. The review protocol was registered prospectively (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, CRD 42020180723). Data sources: MEDLINE, Global Health, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2020. Reference lists were screened for further relevant publications, and citation tracking was performed. Results: Six studies were included reporting on system responses to mass bereavement following human-made and natural disasters, involving a range of individual and group-based support initiatives. Positive impacts were reported, but study quality was generally low and reliant on data from retrospective evaluation designs. Key features of service delivery were identified: a proactive outreach approach, centrally organised but locally delivered interventions, event-specific professional competencies and an emphasis on psycho-educational content. Conclusion: Despite the limitations in the quantity and quality of the evidence base, consistent messages are identified for bereavement support provision during the pandemic. High quality primary studies are needed to ensure service improvement in the current crisis and to guide future disaster response efforts

Student Pharmacists’ Response to a Pandemic: Service-Learning through Contact Tracing

In March 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted education nationwide. To safely deliver in-person classes, Purdue University contracted One-to-One Health, creating the Protect Purdue Health Center (PPHC). The PPHC was a central location for information, testing, and case management for Purdue students, staff, faculty and their dependents. Contact tracing is a proven public health measure that has been utilized to control the spread of infectious diseases by identifying and isolating potential active cases. The communicative nature of contact tracing, along with its need for clinical decision-making skills makes the student pharmacist an ideal candidate for aiding in this pandemic response. In an effort to support the PPHC in navigating the necessary protocols to keep Purdue open, operating, and safe, the College of Pharmacy formed Experiences in Public Health, a service-learning course which enrolled ten student pharmacists. The students served as contact tracers, participated in group discussions surrounding emerging COVID-19 health information, and reflected on their experiences as members of the community. As contact tracers, they aimed to decrease secondary spread of COVID-19 by identifying and following-up with close contacts of lab-confirmed cases, educating on quarantine/isolation protocols, and scheduling tests for those with symptoms or exposure history. Active participation in a pandemic response is a meaningful opportunity for professional growth in patient-centered care and communication. Students actively improved upon skills taught in the Doctor of Pharmacy program such as motivational interviewing, active listening, and open communication to fulfill their role as contact tracers. Additionally, the students gained proficiency in patient education and clinical decision-making, and through class discussions, enhanced their abilities to answer COVID-19-related questions with scientific resources. Through volunteering at the PPHC and engagement in peer-led topic discussions, the Experiences In Public Health service-learning course allowed student pharmacists to apply professional skills to become an active force in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. This service-learning opportunity provided several key takeaways. Student pharmacists who participated in this initiative attest that they are more comfortable providing patient care, better able to handle a rapidly developing clinical situation, and further prepared for their future careers in various fields of pharmacy practice

Yeast homotypic vacuole fusion requires the Ccz1–Mon1 complex during the tethering/docking stage

The function of the yeast lysosome/vacuole is critically linked with the morphology of the organelle. Accordingly, highly regulated processes control vacuolar fission and fusion events. Analysis of homotypic vacuole fusion demonstrated that vacuoles from strains defective in the CCZ1 and MON1 genes could not fuse. Morphological evidence suggested that these mutant vacuoles could not proceed to the tethering/docking stage. Ccz1 and Mon1 form a stable protein complex that binds the vacuole membrane. In the absence of the Ccz1–Mon1 complex, the integrity of vacuole SNARE pairing and the unpaired SNARE class C Vps/HOPS complex interaction were both impaired. The Ccz1–Mon1 complex colocalized with other fusion components on the vacuole as part of the cis-SNARE complex, and the association of the Ccz1–Mon1 complex with the vacuole appeared to be regulated by the class C Vps/HOPS complex proteins. Accordingly, we propose that the Ccz1–Mon1 complex is critical for the Ypt7-dependent tethering/docking stage leading to the formation of a trans-SNARE complex and subsequent vacuole fusion