Point of Care Diagnosis of Multiple Schistosome Parasites: Species-specific DNA Detection in Urine by Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)

Schistosomes are easily transmitted and high chance of repeat infection, so if control strategies based on targeted mass drug administration (MDA) are to succeed it is essential to have a test that is sensitive, accurate and simple to use. It is known and regularly demonstrated that praziquantel does not always eliminate an infection so in spite of the successes of control programs a residual of the reservoir survives to re-infect snails. The issue of diagnostic sensitivity becomes more critical in the assessment of program effectiveness. While serology, such as antigen capture tests might improve sensitivity, it has been shown that the presence of species-specific DNA fragments will indicate, most effectively, the presence of active parasites. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can amplify and detect DNA from urine residue captured on Whatman No. 3 filter paper that is dried after filtration. Previously we have detected S. mansoni and S. haematobium parasite-specific small repeat DNA fragment from filtered urine on filter paper by PCR. In the current study, we assessed the efficacy of detection of 86 urine samples for either or both schistosome parasites by PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) that were collected from a low to moderate transmission area in Ghana. Two different DNA extraction methods, standard extraction kit and field usable LAMP-PURE kit were also evaluated by PCR and LAMP amplification. With S. haematobium LAMP amplification for both extractions showed similar sensitivity and specificity when compared with PCR amplification (100%) verified by gel electrophoresis. For S. mansoni sensitivity was highest for LAMP amplification (100%) for standard extraction than PCR and LAMP with LAMP-PURE (99% and 94%). The LAMP-PURE extraction produced false negatives, which require further investigation for this field usable extraction kit. Overall high positive and negative predictive values (90% − 100%) for both species demonstrated a highly robust approach. The LAMP approach is close to point of care use and equally sensitive and specific to detection of species-specific DNA by PCR. LAMP can be an effective means to detect low intensity infection due to its simplicity and minimal DNA extraction requirement. This will enhance the effectiveness of surveillance and MDA control programs of schistosomiasis

Photo-elicitation and time-lining to enhance the research interview: Exploring the quarterlife crisis of young adults in India and the UK

The aim of this article is to convey our experience of using photo-elicitation along with time-lining to enhance the research interview. We reflect on a study on the ‘quarterlife crisis’ in India and the UK. Participants were aged 22-30 years and self-defined as having experienced difficulties ‘finding their place in the world.’ There were 16 British (8 women, 8 men) and 8 Indian participants (4 women; 4 men). First, we consider how photo-elicitation proved highly compatible with our method of analysis – interpretative phenomenological analysis – through affording a deep connection with participant experience. Second, we explore how participants engaged with photo-elicitation and time-lining, providing examples of image content (events and feelings), image form (literal and symbolic), and creative use of timelines. Third, we reflect on how photo-elicitation and time-lining appeared to enhance participant agency, and to have a therapeutic value for participants, as well as providing particularly rich material for analysis

Somewhat united: primary stakeholder perspectives of the governance of schoolboy football in Ireland

Despite an independent report on the governance and organisational practices of football in Ireland, the National Governing Body continues to face criticism in relation to stakeholder management and communication. As positive outcomes in non-profit organisations are associated with quality relationships between organisations, the purpose of this article is to explore primary stakeholder perspectives of the governance of schoolboy football in the Republic of Ireland. The research questions to be addressed are: do tensions exist between stakeholders and does the FAI display effective governance behaviours in relation to its primary stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven stakeholders from the football governance system. A lack of congruence across the system was identified, which resulted from ineffective stakeholder management (poor communication practices, perceptions of inaccurate disclosures, perceived lack of inclusion in decision-making, perceptions of organisational injustice, confusion over role clarity and responsibilities). Managing the quality of the relationships with diverse stakeholders within a sport governance system is key for strategic policy formation and implementation, yet this remains a challenging and multi-faceted concept. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Gender-related differences in physiologic color space: a functional transcranial Doppler (fTCD) study

Simultaneous color contrast and color constancy are memory processes associated with color vision, however, the gender-related differences of 'physiologic color space' remains unknown. Color processing was studied in 16 (8 men and 8 women) right-handed healthy subjects using functional transcranial Doppler (fTCD) technique. Mean flow velocity (MFV) was recorded in both right (RMCA) and left (LMCA) middle cerebral arteries in dark and white light conditions, and during color (blue and yellow) stimulations. The data was plotted in a 3D quadratic curve fit to derive a 'physiologic color space' showing the effects of luminance and chromatic contrasts. In men, wavelength-differencing of opponent pairs (yellow-blue) was adjudged by changes in the RMCA MFV for Yellow plotted on the Y-axis, and the RMCA MFV for Blue plotted on the X-axis. In women, frequency-differencing for opponent pairs (blue-yellow) was adjudged by changes in the LMCA MFV for Yellow plotted on the Y-axis, and the LMCA MFV for Blue plotted on the X-axis. The luminance effect on the LMCA MFV in response to white light with the highest luminous flux, was plotted on the (Z - axis), in both men and women. The 3D-color space for women was a mirror-image of that for men, and showed enhanced color constancy. The exponential function model was applied to the data in men, while the logarithmic function model was applied to the data in women. Color space determination may be useful in the study of color memory, adaptive neuroplasticity, cognitive impairment in stroke and neurodegenerative diseases

Hats and gloves

Hats & Gloves was the last in a trilogy of accessories exhibitions curated by Leicester City Art Gallery. In addition to my work the exhibition included contemporary creations by the renowned milliners, glove makers and fashion designers Philip Treacy, David Shilling, Dai Rees and Vivienne Westwood. I exhibited the three works selected from my 'Automaton' series, which was derived from research into the fragile boundary between fantasy and reality. I exploited photography's uneasy relationship with illusion, representation and reproduction to explore the way in which automata disturb, disorientate and challenge our relationship to them and, in so doing, our preconceptions concerning illusion, fantasy, reality and the uncanny. The work particularly references the way in which children do not distinguish between living and inanimate objects and treat objects such as dolls as if they were living people. Olympia in Hoffmann's 'The Sandman' is used as an example of an automata that exemplifies child-like desires to make the inanimate animate. The exhibition was accompanied by a full colour catalogue: Hats & Gloves, with a text by Mary Schoeser, Writer, Curator and Textile Historian http://www.staffs.ac.uk/cgi-bin/ariadne/show?artist=anyan_j Source of abstract: http://casiad.solent.ac.uk/Staff/Profiles/Jennifer%20Anyan.asp

North and south

My contribution to the exhibition was a mixed media installation that explored the construction of English identity in the 21st Century. The installation was made up of three interrelated works: 1. Two large photographic collages measuring 6ft x 4ft used Lowryesque compositions to examine regional difference, idiosyncrasy and conformity in our increasingly homogenised society. The works conflated surveillance aesthetic was the British media's obsession with celebrity culture and fashion. 2. A series of mobile phone photographs accompanied by a text that explored the invasion of privacy in 21st Century society. Issues relating to intimacy and the concept of the gaze in general are investigated through an artist-subject relationship that also includes the viewer. 3. Objects in display cases chosen on the basis that they might be exhibited in years to come as relics of English identity at the beginning of the 21st Century. This work also references semiotic techniques used by department stores to heighten the desirability of their merchandise by making it appear as if a precious relic or work of art. North and South was produced in collaboration with the following galleries who also simultaneously exhibited work on this theme: Reg Vardy Gallery, National Glass Centre Gallery, NGCA Gallery, Millais Gallery and Southampton City Art. Significance The September 2007 issues of Art Monthly and a-n Magazine contained reviews of North & South. State of Art, Summer 2007, contained 'Jennifer Anyan Phone Portraits' an article on my mobile phone photographs with text, exhibited at the John Hansard Gallery and Circus Gallery, London 6th July – 7th December, 2007. My work was supported by a commission awarded by the John Hansard Gallery in partnership with Reg Vardy Gallery, Sunderland. Source of abstract: http://casiad.solent.ac.uk/Staff/Profiles/Jennifer%20Anyan.asp