880 research outputs found
Proteomic analysis reveals GIT1 as a novel mTOR complex component critical for mediating astrocyte survival
As a critical regulator of cell growth, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein operates as part of two molecularly and functionally distinct complexes. Herein, we demonstrate that mTOR complex molecular composition varies in different somatic tissues. In astrocytes and neural stem cells, we identified G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) as a novel mTOR-binding protein, creating a unique mTOR complex lacking Raptor and Rictor. Moreover, GIT1 binding to mTOR is regulated by AKT activation and is essential for mTOR-mediated astrocyte survival. Together, these data reveal that mTOR complex function is partly dictated by its molecuflar composition in different cell types
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Entangled times, bodies, texts: mathematical form in contemporary Anthropocene poetry
This creative-critical thesis explores the entanglements of times, bodies and texts, and the strategies of form and scale, that comprise a poetics of the Anthropocene. Consisting of three critical chapters and a collection of poetry, the thesis interrogates ecocritical ideas about contemporary poetics, taking inspiration from the fields of science and mathematics. Through the analysis of mathematically inspired forms in the work of Inger Christensen, Alice Fulton, and Stephanie Strickland, and the use of repeating forms in my own collection, The Auspices & Other Futures, I seek to establish how the vast, disconcerting scale of our physical and temporal entanglements with the more-than-human world can be represented, or illuminated, through form in contemporary poetry.
In Chapter One, I analyse Christensen’s 1981 poetry collection, Alphabet, through the lens of Daniel Cordle’s work on nuclear anxiety (2008, 2017), Jacques Derrida’s work on spectrality (1994), and David Farrier’s writing on the poetics of ‘thick time’ (2019). I put forward a theory of an ‘irradiated poetics’ that reflects the complexity and scale of geological deep time through temporally-distorting alphabetical, mathematical, and repeating formal structures. In Chapter Two, I turn to Fulton’s 1995 collection, Sensual Math, and her essays on a fractal poetics inspired by the work of mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot (1977). Drawing on the ecocritical work of Donna Haraway (2003, 2008) and literary theories of monstrosity from Jeffrey Jerome Cohen (2006), Mikhail Bakhtin (1984) and Derrida (1988), I argue that a poetics inspired by fractal shapes can formally enact the monstrous, physical entanglement of human bodies in the Anthropocene. My third chapter examines formal connection in Strickland’s V, a poem which exists variously as two print books (2002, 2014), an app and a digital programme, through the lens of ‘constellation’ – the act of making meaning through constructed association (Krauβ 2011). With reference to Roland Barthes’ work on the woven text (1975, 1977), Nicholas Royle’s literary theory of veering (2011), and Derrida’s work on iteration and the unreadable text (1974, 2004), I argue that V brings to light various formal strategies of connectedness that can be used to establish a poetics of constellation that captures the complex interconnected nature of our Anthropocene existence. I conclude the thesis by arguing that a poetics of the Anthropocene must also be a poetics of the future. Drawing on Farrier’s work on ‘future fossils’ (2020), and Kate Rigby’s proposal of Anthropocene poetry as ‘prophetic witness’ (2009), I look to the revelatory potential of an Anthropocene poetics that makes use of spectral, monstrous, constellating strategies of form.
This critical-creative thesis is an inextricably entangled web of research, a multi-genre knot that echoes the multi-species, multi-temporal nature of life in the Anthropocene. The critical chapters are in constant dialogue with my own poetic practice; my collection The Auspices & Other Futures is, therefore, to be read as both a response to, and in constellation with, the poetry of Christensen, Fulton, and Strickland, as well as the myriad theoretical and critical voices found in the first three chapters. Stephen Benson and Clare Connors argue that ‘the marking in writing of our reading or looking or listening’ is ‘the heart of all criticism’ (Benson and Connors, 2014: 3). This thesis is thus the marking in critical and creative writing of my encounters with works of Anthropocene literature, as I seek to uncover and interrogate the entangled forms of Anthropocene times, bodies, and texts
Preventing and lessening exacerbations of asthma in school-age children associated with a new term (PLEASANT) : Study protocol for a cluster randomised control trial
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedBackground: Within the UK, during September, there is a pronounced increase in the number of unscheduled medical contacts by school-aged children (4-16 years) with asthma. It is thought that that this might be caused by the return back to school after the summer holidays, suddenly mixing with other children again and picking up viruses which could affect their asthma. There is also a drop in the number of prescriptions administered in August. It is possible therefore that children might not be taking their medication as they should during the summer contributing to them becoming ill when they return to school. It is hoped that a simple intervention from the GP to parents of children with asthma at the start of the summer holiday period, highlighting the importance of maintaining asthma medication can help prevent increased asthma exacerbation, and unscheduled NHS appointments, following return to school in September.Methods/design: PLEASANT is a cluster randomised trial. A total of 140 General Practices (GPs) will be recruited into the trial; 70 GPs randomised to the intervention and 70 control practices of "usual care" An average practice is expected to have approximately 100 children (aged 4-16 with a diagnosis of asthma) hence observational data will be collected on around 14000 children over a 24-month period. The Clinical Practice Research Datalink will collect all data required for the study which includes diagnostic, prescription and referral data.Discussion: The trial will assess whether the intervention can reduce exacerbation of asthma and unscheduled medical contacts in school-aged children associated with the return to school after the summer holidays. It has the potential to benefit the health and quality of life of children with asthma while also improving the effectiveness of NHS services by reducing NHS use in one of the busiest months of the year. An exploratory health economic analysis will gauge any cost saving associated with the intervention and subsequent impacts on quality of life. If results for the intervention are positive it is hoped that this could be adopted as part of routine care management of childhood asthma in general practice. Trial registration: Current controlled trials: ISRCTN03000938 (assigned 19/10/12) http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN03000938/.UKCRN ID: 13572.Peer reviewe
Assessment and diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder: The experiences of speech and language therapists
© The Author(s) 2019. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).Background: For many years research and practice have noted the impact of the heterogeneous nature of Developmental Language Disorder (also known as language impairment or specific language impairment) on diagnosis and assessment. Recent research suggests the disorder is not restricted to the language domain and against this background, the challenge for the practitioner is to provide accurate assessment and effective therapy. The language practitioner aims to support the child and their carers to achieve the best outcomes. However, little is known about the experiences of the language practitioner in the assessment process, in contrast to other childhood disorders, yet their expertise is central in the assessment and diagnosis of children with language disorder. Aims: This study aimed to provide a detailed qualitative description of the experiences of speech and language therapists involved in the assessment and diagnosis of children with Developmental Language Disorder. Methods & Procedures: The qualitative study included three focus groups to provide a credible and rich description of the experiences of speech and language therapists involved in the assessment of Developmental Language Disorder. The speech and language therapists who participated in the study were recruited from three NHS Trusts across the UK and all were directly involved in the assessment and diagnosis procedures. The lengths of practitioner experience ranged from 2 years to 38 years. The data was analysed using a thematic analysis in accordance with the principles set out by Braun & Clarke (2006). Outcomes & Results: The data showed a number of key themes concerning the experiences of speech and language therapists in assessing children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). These themes ranged from the participants’ experiences of the barriers to early referral, challenges for assessment and the concerns over continued future support. Conclusions & Implications: This study provides first-hand evidence from speech and language therapists in the assessment of children with Developmental Language Disorder, drawing together experiences from language practitioners from different regions. The findings provide insight to the barriers to referral, the potential variations in the assessment process, the role of practitioner expertise and the challenges faced them. The importance of early intervention, useful assessment tools and future support were expressed. Taken together, the results relate to some issues to be addressed on a practical level and a continuing need for initiatives to raise awareness of DLD in the public domain.Peer reviewe
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