Re-Forming vision. On the governmentality of Griersonian documentary film

© 2015 Taylor & Francis. This essay traces and discusses John Grierson\u27s programme for documentary film and its projected function and operation within liberal democracy. It is argued that documentary film as envisioned and propagated by Grierson neither set out to advance \u27open\u27 and/or controversial public discourse \u27from an Enlightenment standpoint\u27 (Rosen, Philip. 2001. Change Mummified: Cinema, Historicity, Theory. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 249) nor to educate its popular audiences through the dissemination of facts. As such Griersonian documentary film should be less located within the pedagogical tradition of the Enlightenment and was not to mainly function as a \u27discourse of sobriety\u27 (Nichols, Bill. 1991. Representing Reality: Issues and Concepts in Documentary. Bloomington: Indiana University Press). Rather, it was to insensibly shape subjectivities and agents by strategically arranging \u27visions of the real\u27. Documentary set out to model what Grierson termed \u27the subconscious\u27, the implicit framework that shaped citizen\u27s thoughts, desires, emotions and agency by which they governed their selves, others and by extension society at large into the future. Grierson\u27s documentary programme decisively governmentalised so-called non-fiction film as a specific technique of democratic government. It sought to render the formative and \u27creative\u27 aspects of its production transparent in favour of effect through affect by shaping appropriate visions for a reality yet to become. Thereby Grierson\u27s programme set out to strategically subjectify popular audiences/\u27ordinary citizens\u27 towards a desirable and \u27better\u27 national and global future

The morphology of the outflow apparatus of the eye with particular reference to its structural appearance at various levels of intraocular pressure

The morphology of the outflow apparatus, the tissues through which the bulk of the circulating aqueous humour within the eye must pass to reach the venous system, has been studied by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The two part investigation describes the appearance of a) the normal outflow apparatus in four species (human, baboon, rhesus monkey and rabbit) and b) the rhesus monkey outflow apparatus at various maintained levels of intraocular pressure (O, 8, 15, 22, 30 and 50 mm Hg). Cellular adhesion in the delicate meshwork tissues was enhanced by the presence of small punctate intercellular junctions one of which, a macular gap junction, has not previously been described at this site. The presence and significance of mucopolysaccharides in the drainage system has been the subject of much debate. In the present study, complex polysaccharides were consistently demonstrated in all four species. It was speculated that a prominent hydrophilic network of mucopolysaccharides, particularly in the endothelial meshwork, may have a significant influence on the rate of fluid passage through the outflow apparatus. On anatomical grounds, the intercellular clefts of the endothelium lining the trabecular aspect of Schlemm's canal were considered to be leaky. Intercellular passage of fluid was not thought to make a significant contribution to bulk outflow. A system of large vacuolar and non-vacuolar transcellular channels were thought to be a more effective route for ciqueous drainage into Schlemm's canal. To investigate the morphology of the rhesus monkey outflow; apparatus at various pressure levels, the appropriate pressures were maintained for one hour and, thereafter, the tissue fixed at approximately the same pressure level. At 0 mm Hg the outer meshwork was compressed and the canal endothelium contained neither vacuoles nor transcellular channels. The meshwork and the overlying canal endothelial monolayer was an effective barrier to the passage of red cells into the anterior chamber. With progressive pressure elevation, the meshwork became more and more distended to the highest pressure in the series (50 mm Hg). That tissue disruption was found only at 50 mm Hg emphasised the effectiveness of the junctional adhesive mechanisms in binding the pliable meshwork cells together. Associated with the progressive meshwork distension was an increase in the incidence of giant vacuoles, vacuolar transcellular channels and non-vacuolar transcellular channels up to 30 mm Hg. Within the range 8 to 30 mm Hg the relationship between vacuole numbers and intraocular pressure was linear whereas, as a result of dimensional changes to the vacuoles, the relationship between vacuolar carrying capacity and intraocular pressure was non-linear. The findings indicated that bulk outflow was accomplished by a system of temporary pressure dependent intracellular flow pathways. At 50 mm Hg aqueous outflow was non-physiological since canal occlusion vacuole drainage and endothelial disruption was extensive. The significance of meshwork pliability and variable porosity in the canal endothelium to ocular homeostasis, tissue function and disease processes was discussed

Online Course Design Using Iterative Workshops on Computer-Supported Collaborative Design for Engineering Design Students

Based on observations of global design classes at different institutions, students selected technologies without justification for the suitability of the technology to support their collaborative design activities. To best support students in their collaborative endeavours, a short online course in computer-supported collaborative design was developed. The process of the creation of the short online course was unique using students’ identification of their gaps in knowledge during workshops, iteratively over three years to develop a complete educational experience.  Workshops were conducted with students to identify gaps in students’ knowledge that were addressed at future workshops, by filling these gaps and conducting the same gap finding activity the researchers can identify if these gaps can be filled through an educational intervention. Surveys were used to evaluate the success of the development of an online course in Computer-Supported Collaborative Design (CSCD).  The method for the development of the short online course was logical and successful based on feedback from students during surveys. The outcomes of this method can have implications for those developing novel courses in familiar teaching environments or new digital media. This research has identified the interventions required to prepare students for global design projects in a novel way. Lessons from this research will support other educators to consider their course development practice. &nbsp

Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studios: 40 Years

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Electronic Music Studios (EMS) at Goldsmiths, University of London. The 1968 studio placed Goldsmiths at the forefront of such developments in the UK university sector. 2008 also marks the launch of our EMS Research Group, which brings together a diverse range of interests and activities in computer music research, creative practice and music technology

Online course design using iterative workshops on computer-supported collaborative design for engineering design students

Based on observations of global design classes at different institutions, students selected technologies without justification for the suitability of the technology to support their collaborative design activities. To best support students in their collaborative endeavours, a short online course in computer-supported collaborative design was developed. The process of the creation of the short online course was unique using students’ identification of their gaps in knowledge during workshops, iteratively over three years to develop a complete educational experience. Workshops were conducted with students to identify gaps in students’ knowledge that were addressed at future workshops, by filling these gaps and conducting the same gap finding activity the researchers can identify if these gaps can be filled through an educational intervention. Surveys were used to evaluate the success of the development of an online course in Computer-Supported Collaborative Design (CSCD). The method for the development of the short online course was logical and successful based on feedback from students during surveys. The outcomes of this method can have implications for those developing novel courses in familiar teaching environments or new digital media. This research has identified the interventions required to prepare students for global design projects in a novel way. Lessons from this research will support other educators to consider their course development practice

Aqueous Humor Stimulates the Migration of Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells In Vitro

PURPOSE. Depletion of trabecular meshwork cell numbers is a feature of the outflow system in aging and in primary open-angle glaucoma. It is possible that migration stimulated by factors present in aqueous humor may contribute to the cell loss. This investigation assessed the chemoattractant potential of glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous human aqueous humor and fibronectin, one of its constituents, on a range of cultured trabecular meshwork cell lines. METHODS. Migration was assessed in 48-well modified Boyden chambers. The potential migratory stimulants were soluble fibronectin and glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous aqueous humor. The glaucomatous aqueous samples were collected from patients undergoing trabeculotomy for primary open-angle glaucoma and the normal aqueous from normal bovine eyes and patients undergoing cataract surgery. The target cell types were normal human and bovine meshwork cells grown from explants and two human transformed meshwork cell lines from a normal (HTM-5) and a glaucomatous (HTM-3) source

SlTPR1, a tomato tetratricopeptide repeat protein, interacts with the ethylene receptors NR and LeETR1, modulating ethylene and auxin responses and development

The gaseous hormone ethylene is perceived by a family of ethylene receptors which interact with the Raf-like kinase CTR1. SlTPR1 encodes a novel TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) protein from tomato that interacts with the ethylene receptors NR and LeETR1 in yeast two-hybrid and in vitro protein interaction assays. SlTPR1 protein with a GFP fluorescent tag was localized in the plasmalemma and nuclear membrane in Arabidopsis, and SlTPR1-CFP and NR-YFP fusion proteins were co-localized in the plasmalemma and nuclear membrane following co-bombardment of onion cells. Overexpression of SlTPR1 in tomato resulted in ethylene-related pleiotropic effects including reduced stature, delayed and reduced production of inflorescences, abnormal and infertile flowers with degenerate styles and pollen, epinasty, reduced apical dominance, inhibition of abscission, altered leaf morphology, and parthenocarpic fruit. Similar phenotypes were seen in Arabidopsis overexpressing SlTPR1. SlTPR1 overexpression did not increase ethylene production but caused enhanced accumulation of mRNA from the ethylene responsive gene ChitB and the auxin-responsive gene SlSAUR1-like, and reduced expression of the auxin early responsive gene LeIAA9, which is known to be inhibited by ethylene and to be associated with parthenocarpy. Cuttings from the SlTPR1-overexpressors produced fewer adventitious roots and were less responsive to indole butyric acid. It is suggested that SlTPR1 overexpression enhances a subset of ethylene and auxin responses by interacting with specific ethylene receptors. SlTPR1 shares features with human TTC1, which interacts with heterotrimeric G-proteins and Ras, and competes with Raf-1 for Ras binding. Models for SlTPR1 action are proposed involving modulation of ethylene signalling or receptor levels

Listen to Nice

In describing Humphrey Jennings’ wartime documentary propaganda film, 'Listen to Britain' (1942), a film with an overtly poetic sensibility and dominantly musical soundtrack, John Corner asserts that ‘through listening to Britain, we are enabled to properly look at it'. This idea of sound leading our attention to the images has underpinned much of the collaborative work between composer and sound designer, Geoffrey Cox, and documentary filmmaker, Keith Marley. It is in this context that the article will analyse an extract of A Film About Nice (Marley and Cox 2010), a contemporary re-imagining of Jean Vigo’s silent documentary, 'A propos de Nice' (1930). Reference will be made throughout to the historical context, and the filmic and theoretical influences that have informed the way music and creative sound design have been used to place emphasis on hearing a place, as much as seeing it

Overcoming the challenges of global collaboration through design education

The challenges of integrating technology in global design classes have been published in the literature, but it is unclear if this knowledge makes its way back to the classroom. This paper investigates knowledge transfer by documenting the results of four workshops across two institutions and two distributed design classes. Participants were asked to identify the challenges of distributed design, the functionality of technologies to overcome the challenges and guidance on how best to perform distributed design to best help future students. 17 challenges, 10 functionalities and 8 guidelines were developed. The identification of challenges, functionalities and subsequent guidance created can be utilised to assist future students and educators of distributed design. Analysis of gaps in the knowledge identify where theories have not been transferred from literature to the classroom and will help to identify how best to fill the gaps in knowledge. The workshops also present a novel way to engage students in analysing their own collaborative work practices