Trends and tradition: Negotiating different cultural models in relation to sustainable craft and artisan production

If the identity of ‘design’ as a practice is contested then the relationship of design and designers to craft and craft practices can be hugely confused. This lack of clarity can encourage non-design based organisations to promote the use of ‘trend forecasting’ as a panacea to the design dilemma associated with craft production for non-traditional markets. Consequently fashion sensitive trends become perceived as the driving force of design-led consumption. In this context how do we understand what ‘trend forecasting’ is and becomes when used in this manner? How does it contribute or not to the sustainability of local design cultures? This paper examines how these challenges have been interrogated and experienced through practice at Masters Level at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. It seeks sustainable strategies for design and craft drawing on a diverse range of examples to illustrate contemporary artefacts realised from a diverse range of projects, sources and geographical locations

Physico-chemical properties of ionic-liquid water mixtures

In order for Ionic Liquids (ILs) to be utilized to their full potential, it is necessary to have a complete understanding of their physical properties, including phase transitions temperatures1. We have previously reported into the extent of structuring of ILs using photochromic molecular probes, and investigated the appropriate IL water content to yield hydrated IL systems for analysis of polarity and to create environments suitable for effective enzyme activity 1,2,3. In this study we investigated interactions in hydrated ILs containing variable hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions through optical and thermal analysis. The enthalpies and phase transitions of the systems were compared, between the temperature range -50°C to +30°C for the ILs with varying degrees of hydration. Reichardtʼs dye was used as a molecular probe to monitor changes in interactions in the ILs as a function of temperature. Comparisons were made between ILs and for ILs with varying degrees of hydration. Spectroscopic studies were performed using Perkin Elmer UV-Visible Spectrometer and phase transitions monitored using a Perkin Elmer Differential Scanning Calorimeter. The ILs examined are; Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium Chloride [P6,6,6,14 Cl] Tributyl-tetradecylphosphonium Chloride, [P4,4,4,14 Cl], 1-Ethyl-methyl-3-imidazolium-ethyl Sulfate [Emim][EtSO4] and Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium Dicyanamide [P6,6,6,14 DCA]. 1. Robert Byrne, Simon Coleman, Simon Gallagher, and Dermot Diamond. Designer Molecular Probes for Phosphonium Ionic Liquids. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2010. 2. Kyoko Fujita, Douglas R. MacFarlane, Maria Forsyth, Masahiro Yoshizawa-Fujita, Kenichi Murata,† Nobuhumi Nakamura, and Hiroyuki Ohno*,Solubility and Stability of Cytochrome c in Hydrated Ionic Liquids: Effect of Oxo Acid Residues and Kosmotropicity, 2007. 3. SergeiV.DzyubaandRichardA.Bartsch,Expandingthepolarityrange of ionic liquids, Tetrehedron Letters, 2002

On the level. Evidence for action on type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition. It doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, is the most common reason for severe kidney disease and is the second most common cause of blindness in working age adults. The disease is a major public health challenge, with many people not knowing they have diabetes and many more are at risk of developing it.NIHR research provides important insights throughout the patient pathway, from prevention to early identification to management of the disease and treating complications. These findings are helping to shape practice and policy. <br/

Peripheral blood leukocyte immune responses in sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. The disease is characterised by elevated Th1-like pro-inflammatory immune responses in tissue, whereas peripheral blood has been described as either having enhanced, diminished or similar responses in patients compared with healthy controls. The aim of this study was to characterise the immune responses from peripheral leukocytes in patients with sarcoidosis, focussing on inflammatory and regulatory features present in the disease.Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry showed that 86% of patients with sarcoidosis displayed a T-cell lymphocytopenia, with over a 2 fold reduction in cell number compared to healthy controls, confirming the findings of other groups. The proportion of the more pro-inflammatory ‘Intermediate’ monocyte subset (CD14++ CD16+) was increased in patients with sarcoidosis, matched by a reduction in the ‘Classical’ monocyte subset (CD14++ CD16-).High concentrations of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced significantly increased IL-6 and TNF-α release from the blood of patients with sarcoidosis compared with controls in ex vivo whole blood assays. By contrast, IL-6 release in response to a high concentration of Staphylococcal enterotoxin A was significantly reduced in patients. There was no statistically significant difference in cytokine release from patients compared with controls when whole blood was treated with a range of other ligands and cytokines.The regulatory CD200 receptor (CD200R) expression was reduced on monocytes from patients with sarcoidosis, whereas there was no significant difference in IL-10 receptor or SIRP-α expression between patients and controls. The CD200Rlow phenotype on monocytes was associated with elevated PHA induced IL-6 and TNF-α release from whole blood.Patients with sarcoidosis are capable of robust peripheral blood leukocyte immune responses and display alterations in the regulatory CD200R/CD200L axis that may play a role in the immuopathogenesis of the disease

IT Foundations for eCommerce: A Survey of Executives in Five Caribbean Countries

Electronic commerce represents an important opportunity for businesses in developing countries, yet previous research has shown significant barriers to success. Common barriers are internet access, web hosting, web site visibility, logistics, and electronic funds transfer. During July and August 2004 the principle investigators visited business executives in five Caribbean nations to determine how these executives were overcoming known ecommerce difficulties. 36 businesses and government agencies were interviewed. Executives described a number of successful strategies to work around common problems. The authors hope the results of this study will suggest improved strategies for SMEs in developing countries seeking to use e-commerce to expand their markets