Embedding Socially Engaged Pedagogies for The Future of Art and Design Practice

This paper describes the shifting approaches to student and teaching experience on the MA Art and Design programmes at the University of Salford, (North West of England), in the wake of the global covid19 pandemic. The paper offers a series of case studies from both staff and students, which seek to employ socially engaged approaches to their practice. Each case study focuses on how individuals navigated their way through delivering projects whilst physically separated from each other and the communities they wished to engage with. The projects discussed were delivered both during and in the wake of the pandemic in the UK – which has left an indelible mark on the discourse students want to raise through their work. Case studies cover themes such as the role of creative technology as a democratized learning tool, visual communication as a powerful enabler of access and inclusivity to culture, and projects at the intersection of art, environment and health. The paper addresses conflicts, creative solutions and any emerging ethics of practice involved as a result of these projects. Ultimately the paper seeks to champion and argue how embedding socially engaged approaches to higher education (HE) pedagogy is crucial, even more so since the pandemic, to support staff and students to create art and design work which is not simply for society but work which is made with society. The paper also questions where and how art and design can exist in the world today

Imperial nationalism : nationalism and the Empire in late nineteenth century Scotland and British Canada

The relationship between imperialism and nationalism has often been portrayed by theorists of nationalism and post colonial discourse theorists as antagonistic. Anti-democratic, aggressive empires impose their will on subject peoples who, in response, form nationalist movements in opposition to this imperialism. These movements, it is claimed, assert the nation’s right to self-determination and independence. Whilst this was undoubtedly the case in a number of anti-colonial movements, examples can be found that refute the apparently antagonistic relationship between nationalism and imperialism. Nationalism does not always advocate independence from states or empires. Imperialism can be a vehicle for a national mission or can strengthen minority nations. In certain contexts, these two anti-thetical concepts can be reconciled. The thesis investigates the reconciliation of nationalism and imperialism using the concept of imperial nationalism. This concept is used to denote a variety of nationalism that proposes reform of the state/imperial government for the benefit of the nation whilst simultaneously emphasising the benefits of the reform of the empire. An important element of the nationalist discourse will be the maintenance of the imperial connection as beneficial for the nation. A comparative historical analysis of nationalist groups in nineteenth century Scotland and Canada is used to highlight the relationship between nationalism and imperialism in the discourse of nationalist groups. Both Scotland and Canada held relatively privileged positions within the British Empire. Yet Scottish and British Canadian nationalist groups argued the existing systems for governing their respective nations were illegitimate. In Scotland, the Scottish Home Rule Association argued for a Scottish Parliament, focusing on the extent to which the United Kingdom state was unable to cope with the work created by the four home nations and the Empire. An important aspect of home rule for Scotland, however, was its extension to the other home nations and the opportunity it would present of reforming the Imperial Parliament for the benefit of the Empire, and by association Scotland. In Canada, the focus of Canada First and the Imperial Federation League in Canada was on reform of the system of Imperial governance. Canada had not been given control over relations with the United States under the British North America Act and British Canadian nationalists felt Canadian interests had not been taken into account in British dealings with the United States. The answer was to provide Canada with a voice in treaties in the short term and, in the longer term, to reform Imperial government in order to provide Canada with a voice in the affairs of the Empire as whole. The thesis investigates the extent to which these movements were nationalist, imperialist and, finally, how these two concepts were reconciled.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Heterozygous Insulin Receptor ( INSR) Mutation associated with Neonatal Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycaemia and Familial Diabetes Mellitus: Case Series

Mutations in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene are associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia. Various autosomal dominant heterozygous INSR mutations leading to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia (HH) have been described in the adults and children (more than 3 years of age) but not in the neonatal period. Family 1: A small for gestational age (SGA) child born to a mother with gestational diabetes presented with persistent hypoglycaemia, was diagnosed with HH and responded well to diazoxide treatment. Diazoxide was gradually weaned and discontinued by 8 months of age. Later, the younger sibling had a similar course of illness. On genetic analysis a heterozygous INSR missense variant p.(Met1180Lys) was found in the siblings, mother and grandfather but not in the father. Family 2: A twin preterm and SGA baby presented with persistent hypoglycaemia, which was confirmed as HH. He responded to diazoxide, which was subsequently discontinued by 10 weeks of life. Genetic analysis revealed a novel heterozygous INSR missense variant p.(Arg1119Gln) in the affected twin and the mother. Family 3: A SGA child presented with diazoxide responsive HH. Diazoxide was gradually weaned and discontinued by 9 weeks of age. Genetic analysis revealed a novel heterozygous INSR p.(Arg1191Gln) variant in the proband and her father. We report, for the first time, an association of INSR mutation with neonatal HH responsive to diazoxide therapy that resolved subsequently. Our case series emphasizes the need for genetic analysis and long-term follow up of these patients.This article is available to RD&E staff via NHS OpenAthens. Click on the publisher URL, and log in with NHS OpenAthens if prompted

Discovery of a Novel Site Regulating Glucokinase Activity following Characterization of a New Mutation Causing Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in Humans*

Type 2 diabetes is a global problem, and current ineffective therapeutic strategies pave the way for novel treatments like small molecular activators targeting glucokinase (GCK). GCK activity is fundamental to beta cell and hepatocyte glucose metabolism, and heterozygous activating and inactivating GCK mutations cause hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) respectively. Over 600 naturally occurring inactivating mutations have been reported, whereas only 13 activating mutations are documented to date. We report two novel GCK HH mutations (V389L and T103S) at residues where MODY mutations also occur (V389D and T103I). Using recombinant proteins with in vitro assays, we demonstrated that both HH mutants had a greater relative activity index than wild type (6.0 for V389L, 8.4 for T103S, and 1.0 for wild type). This was driven by an increased affinity for glucose (S0.5, 3.3 ± 0.1 and 3.5 ± 0.1 mm, respectively) versus wild type (7.5 ± 0.1 mm). Correspondingly, the V389D and T103I MODY mutants had markedly reduced relative activity indexes (<0.1). T103I had an altered affinity for glucose (S0.5, 24.9 ± 0.6 mm), whereas V389D also exhibited a reduced affinity for ATP and decreased catalysis rate (S0.5, 78.6 ± 4.5 mm; ATPKm, 1.5 ± 0.1 mm; Kcat, 10.3 ± 1.1s−1) compared with wild type (ATPKm, 0.4 ± <0.1; Kcat, 62.9 ± 1.2). Both Thr-103 mutants showed reduced inhibition by the endogenous hepatic inhibitor glucokinase regulatory protein. Molecular modeling demonstrated that Thr-103 maps to the allosteric activator site, whereas Val-389 is located remotely to this position and all other previously reported activating mutations, highlighting α-helix 11 as a novel region regulating GCK activity. Our data suggest that pharmacological manipulation of GCK activity at locations distal from the allosteric activator site is possible

Identification of monogenic diabetes in an Australian cohort using the Exeter maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) probability calculator and next-generation sequencing gene panel testing

Aims: This study aims to describe the prevalence of monogenic diabetes in an Australian referral cohort, in relation to Exeter maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) probability calculator (EMPC) scores and next-generation sequencing with updated testing where relevant. Methods: State-wide 5-year retrospective cohort study of individuals referred for monogenic diabetes genetic testing. Results: After excluding individuals who had cascade testing for a familial variant (21) or declined research involvement (1), the final cohort comprised 40 probands. Incorporating updated testing, the final genetic result was positive (likely pathogenic/pathogenic variant) in 11/40 (27.5%), uncertain (variant of uncertain significance) in 8/40 (20%) and negative in 21/40 (52.5%) participants. Causative variants were found in GCK, HNF1A, MT-TL1 and HNF4A. Variants of uncertain significance included a novel multi-exonic GCK duplication. Amongst participants with EMPC scores ≥25%, a causative variant was identified in 37%. Cascade testing was positive in 9/10 tested relatives with diabetes and 0/6 tested relatives with no history of diabetes. Conclusions: Contemporary genetic testing produces a high yield of positive results in individuals with clinically suspected monogenic diabetes and their relatives with diabetes, highlighting the value of genetic testing for this condition. An EMPC score cutoff of ≥25% correctly yielded a positive predictive value of ≥25% in this multiethnic demographic. This is the first Australian study to describe EMPC scores in the Australian clinic setting, albeit a biased referral cohort. Larger studies may help characterise EMPC performance between ethnic subsets, noting differences in the expected probability of monogenic diabetes relative to type 2 diabetes