LONG-PERIOD GROUND MOTIONS IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI EMBAYMENT FROM FINITE-FAULT, FINITE-DIFFERENCE SIMULATIONS

A 3D velocity model and 3D wave propagation code have been employed to simulate long-period ground motions in the upper Mississippi embayment. This region is exposed to seismic hazard in the form of large earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic zone and observational data are sparse, making simulation a valuable tool for predicting the effects of large events. These simulations were undertaken in order to estimate ground-motion characteristics and to investigate the influence of the 3D embayment structure and finite-fault mechanics. There are three primary fault zones in the New Madrid seismic zone, each of which was likely associated with one of the three main shocks of the 1811-1812 earthquake sequence. For this study, three simulations have been conducted on each major segment, evaluating the effects of different epicentral locations and rupture directions on ground motions. The full wave field up to a frequency of 0.5 Hz was computed on a 200 × 200 × 50 km3 volume, and up to a frequency of 1.0 Hz on a 100 × 100 × 50 km3 volume, using a staggered-grid finitedifference code. Peak horizontal velocity, bracketed durations, and pseudospectral accelerations were calculated at the free surface. Animations showing the evolution of peak horizontal velocity through time at the free surface were also generated. The New Madrid seismic zone simulations indicate that for the considered bandwidth, finite-fault mechanics such as fault proximity, directivity effect, and slip distribution exert the most control on ground motions. The 3D geologic structure of the upper Mississippi embayment also influences ground motion, with indications that the bedrock surface acts as a wave guide, trapping waves in shallow, low-velocity parts of the embayment

Experiences and choices: A battle of the habitus - working class pupils and positive outcomes

The importance of supporting and acknowledging the potential barriers young people from socially disadvantaged areas face has always been of importance in educational research and policy in Scotland, and the UK; for example through the Scottish Government’s Attainment Challenge and the work of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This research aims to understand young people’s aspirations from the lens of Bourdieu’s Theory of Reproduction, in particular his concept of habitus and its associated dispositions. This research develops the work on aspirations in relation to understanding how factors such as family, school and social class influence young people’s habitus, dispositions and aspirations. A clear link is found between a young person’s primary habitus and the role of the school in transforming this habitus. Furthermore, this research also contributes to literature and knowledge on using Bourdieu’s theory as method, where a unique approach to using Bourdieu’s concepts is developed to give a theoretical, methodological lens with which to analyse data under three high-level themes: dispositions, educational field and doxic, habituated and emergent aspirations. This research finds that it is possible for a young person to move between these types of aspirations and that the school and its associated partners are key in transforming young people’s habitus by using the school’s institutional habitus and opportunities offered by Developing the Young Workforce policy in Scotland. Various example of good practice are identified where this has been successful and key recommendations in relation to supporting youth transitions are made in relation to ways the school can support young people to transform their habitus, should this be appropriate for individual young people. This is demonstrated through one participant whose habitus was transformed in order to achieve his goals. This research is situated within an interpretivist paradigm, focusing on quantitative methods, considering liberal and neoliberal influences on policy and education. The above aims are achieved through one-to-one semi-structured interviews using pre-prepared vignettes, involving young people aged 16-17 years old from a school in Glasgow where over 90% of the pupil population and their families live in the two poorest socio-economic groupings, as highlighted by the Scottish Index of Multiple Depravation. The aspirations of the individual participants are also considered in relation to their intended and actual aspirations and related to doxic, habituated, and emergent aspirations. The research in this dissertation is contextualised within the personal and professional experiences of the researcher and how their background was a catalyst for carrying out this research

Main themes, barriers, and solutions to palliative and end-of-life care in the English-speaking Caribbean : a scoping review

Objectives. To identify common themes documented in the literature on palliative and end-of-life care in English-speaking Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS), and to describe barriers, improvement strategies, and suggested ways forward. Methods. In 2015, we conducted a systematic scoping review of relevant literature identified through the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. We supplemented that with searches of other electronic and hard-copy sources to map key concepts and summarize themes. Results. Primary data and other literature from and about English-speaking Caribbean nations are relatively scarce. The available literature offers an overview of the existing situation in the region and explores why palliative and end-of-life care is limited there. This review identified barriers in five main areas recurring across this literature: i) culture and attitudes of health care providers, patients, and those close to them towards terminal illness and death; ii) opioid availability and use; iii) limited development of palliative care services; iv) unmet palliative care needs; and v) limited research on palliative or end-of-life care. Conclusions. Our analysis helps to document the need for palliative and end-of-life care in Caribbean SIDS and highlights suggestions for moving forward with related practice, policy, and research

ARF Is Not Required for Apoptosis in Rb Mutant Mouse Embryos

AbstractThe retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor gene occupies central roles in cell cycle control and tumor suppression [1]. Homozygous mutant (Rb−/−) embryos die at E13.5–E15.5 [2–4], exhibiting extensive apoptosis and inappropriate S phase entry in the central and peripheral nervous systems, liver, and ocular lens [2–6]. Mice simultaneously mutant for Rb and other genes can be generated to assess the requirement for these genes in cell cycle control and apoptosis. Using such analysis, E2f-1, E2f-3, p53, and Id2 have been identified as important regulators of cell cycle control and apoptosis in Rb−/− embryos [7–10]. Because unrestrained E2F activity in the absence of Rb function contributes to p53-dependent apoptosis in many systems [7, 9, 11–14], we wished to identify genes linking deregulated E2F activity to p53 activation and subsequent apoptosis. As a transcriptional target of E2F-1 [15–18], a regulator of p53 [19–21], and an important mediator of apoptosis [20–26], ARF was a strong candidate for such a role, especially since it can be upregulated in the absence of Rb[21]. From the analysis of Rb/ARF compound mutants we demonstrate that ARF is not an obligatory link between Rb inactivation and p53-dependent apoptosis

Developing and validating a questionnaire for mortality follow-back studies on end-of-life care and decision-making in a resource-poor Caribbean country

Background Palliative and end-of-life care development is hindered by a lack of information about the circumstances surrounding dying in developing and resource-poor countries. Our aims were to develop and obtain face and content validity for a self-administered questionnaire on end-of-life care provision and medical decision-making for use in population-based surveys. Methods Modelled on validated questionnaires from research in developed countries, our questionnaire was adapted to the cultural sensitivity and medico-legal context of Trinidad and Tobago. Two sets of semi-structured face-to-face cognitive interviews were done with a sample of physicians, sampling was purposive. Phase 1 assessed interpretation of the questions, terminology and content of the questionnaire. Phase 2 was tested on a heterogeneous group of physicians to identify and fix problematic questions or recurring issues. Adjustments were made incrementally and re-tested in successive interviews. Results Eighteen physicians were interviewed nationwide. Adaptations to questionnaires used in developed countries included: addition of a definition of palliative care, change of sensitive words like expedited to influenced, adjustments to question formulations, follow-up questions and answer options on medications used were added, the sequence, title and layout were changed and instructions for completion were included at the beginning of the questionnaire. Conclusion A new instrument for assessing and documenting end-of-life care and circumstances of dying in a small, resource-poor Caribbean country was developed and validated, and can be readily used as a mortality follow-back instrument. Our methods and procedures of development can be applied as a guide for similar studies in other small developing countries

Gendered endings: Narratives of male and female suicides in the South African Lowveld

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11013-012-9258-y. Copyright @ Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.Durkheim’s classical theory of suicide rates being a negative index of social solidarity downplays the salience of gendered concerns in suicide. But gendered inequalities have had a negative impact: worldwide significantly more men than women perpetrate fatal suicides. Drawing on narratives of 52 fatal suicides in Bushbuckridge, South Africa, this article suggests that Bourdieu’s concepts of ‘symbolic violence’ and ‘masculine domination’ provide a more appropriate framework for understanding this paradox. I show that the thwarting of investments in dominant masculine positions have been the major precursor to suicides by men. Men tended to take their own lives as a means of escape. By contrast, women perpetrated suicide to protest against the miserable consequences of being dominated by men. However, contra the assumption of Bourdieu’s concept of ‘habitus’, the narrators of suicide stories did reflect critically upon gender constructs

Detection of nitroaromatic vapours with diketopyrrolopyrrole thin films exploring the role of structural order and morphology on thin film properties and fluorescence quenching efficiency

This document is an Accepted Manuscript, which has been through the Royal Society of Chemistry peer review process and has been accepted for publication. The Version of Record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CC08468C.Sensitive optical detection of nitroaromatic vapours with diketopyrrolopyrrole thin films is reported for the first time and the impact of thin film crystal structure and morphology on fluorescence quenching behaviour demonstratedPeer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Guidelines for Reporting Health Research: The EQUATOR Network's Survey of Guideline Authors

Iveta Simera and colleagues survey the authors of 37 guidelines on reporting health research

Cardiovascular sequalae of trastuzumab and anthracycline in long-term survivors of breast cancer

Objectives: Long-term follow-up of patients treated with trastuzumab largely focuses on those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on treatment completion. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, overt cardiovascular disease and cardiac imaging abnormalities using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), in participants with normal LVEF on completion of trastuzumab±anthracycline therapy at least 5 years previously. Methods: Participants with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab±anthracycline ≥5 years previously were identified from a clinical database. All participants had normal LVEF prior to, and on completion of, treatment. Participants underwent clinical cardiovascular evaluation, ECG, cardiac biomarker evaluation and CMR. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) was defined as LVEF <50%. Results: Forty participants were recruited between 15 March 2021 and 19 July 2022. Median time since completion of trastuzumab was 7.8 years (range 5.9–10.8 years) and 90% received prior anthracycline. 25% of participants had LVSD; median LVEF was 55.2% (Q1–Q3, 51.3–61.2). 30% of participants had N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide >125 pg/mL and 8% had high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T >14 ng/L. 33% of participants had a new finding of hypertension. 58% had total cholesterol >5.0 mmol/L, 43% had triglycerides >1.7 mmol/L and 5% had a new diagnosis of diabetes. Conclusions: The presence of asymptomatic LVSD, abnormal cardiac biomarkers and cardiac risk factors in participants treated with trastuzumab and anthracycline at least 5 years previously is common, even in those with normal LVEF on completion of treatment. Our findings reinforce the relevance of comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors following completion of cancer therapy, in addition to LVEF assessment