Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before

Discourse pervades all areas of human activity. Beyond the use of verbal communication, discourse also extends to non-verbal elements such as body language, facial expressions, intonation and laughter. Despite the wide range of studies that examine the structures and nature of political discourse, very few have looked at the ways in which politicians use non-verbal elements and, in particular, laughter as part of their discourse strategies. This study looks at the use of laughter in the German Bundestag by analysing 16,000 observations of laughter taken from the transcripts of 847 plenary sessions spanning four electoral terms. The study finds that laughter can be used by politicians as a non-verbal means of expressing opinion and making a statement without breaking the stringent rules of conduct. The use of laughter in parliament can provide information on party alliances, both current and traditional, as well as the general ‘mood’ of the electoral period. Due to the changing nature of political debates and the increasing rejection of ‘traditional’ means of doing politics, fascinating changes are taking place in the political landscape.:1 Introduction 2 Discourse analysis 2.1 Political discourse analysis 2.2 Parliamentary debates 2.2.1 According to Klein 2.2.2 Parliamentary discourse as monologue, dialogue or trialogue? 2.2.3 Interjections as parliamentary discourse 2.3 Non-verbal communication 3 Humour 3.1 Humour in politics 3.2 The study of humour in politics 4 Background 4.1 The German Bundestag 4.2 Stenographic reports 4.2.1 Written or spoken language? 4.2.2 The difference between Lachen and Heiterkeit 4.3 Electoral term specifics 5 Data 5.1 Hypotheses 5.2 Description of the analysis 6 Results 7 Discussion 7.1 Reflections 7.2 Outlook 8 Conclusion Reference

Development of a deep vein valve replacement

Background Chronic venous disease is a common, distressing and significant cause of health care expense. There have been few developments in the treatment of deep venous disease as the understanding of the clinical and pathophysiological significance of deep vein reflux and valve failure remains poor. Previous attempts to develop a prosthetic vein valve implant have been disappointing. Difficulties with early thrombosis led researchers to abandon their efforts many years ago. Attempts to create a valve implant should be revisited. Aims The aims of this project are to: evaluate variables around normal deep vein valves, to develop validated computational and laboratory flow models for deep venous function, and to develop and investigate a novel material to engineer a prototype bioprosthetic deep vein valve replacement. Methods Functional Anatomy: This is a prospective observational study evaluating subjects with normal deep veins. B and M Mode ultrasound, contrast (microbubble) enhanced ultrasound and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of normal subjects was carried out. This has given the flow, velocity data and anatomical images required for the project. Modelling: A preliminary computational flow model has been developed using the data obtained from the imaging stage of the project. This is a 2-dimensional model incorprating flexible valve leaflets. A laboratory model of venous function, in the form of a flow rig has been created. Materials: Presently, polymers and polymer coated metal stents, used in the vascular system have several problems: they are very thrombogenic and they lack haemocompatibilty and biocompatibility, in addition they lack the required mechanical properties. A novel material that is biocompatible, a copolymer of methacrylolyoxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), trimethylsilyl-2-propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA) and Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), has been synthesised. Its properties have been modified by electrospinning and crosslinking to change its solubility and mechanical properties, without altering its biocompatibility. Impact This project aims to guide the development of a treatment for patients, for whom few options are available. Chronic venous disease and venous ulceration are painful and debilitating, potentially requiring years of treatment. Effective, minimally invasive treatment options could result in accelerated ulcer healing and improvements in symptoms and quality of life as well as reduced costs.Open Acces

I Can’t Get No (Need) Satisfaction: Applying Basic Psychological Needs Theory to Foster Human Connection and Improve Applicant Reactions in Asynchronous Video Interviews.

This research addresses the importance of making job applicants feel valued and respected, and tries to find ways to humanize high-stakes interactions in the digital age. In particular, this research experiments with designing one-way video interviews to increase applicants’ sense of connection to the hiring organization. The results underscore the need for organizations to develop these assessments with humane technology principles in mind, in order to foster positive reactions from applicants and secure top talent

The p38MAPK-MK2-HSP27 axis regulates the mRNA stability of the pro-tumorigenic senescence-associated secretory phenotype

Protecting the genome is a vital aspect of safeguarding organismal health. Inability to efficiently and effectively replicate the genome or repair damage the genome may encounter can lead to mutational accumulation or senescence, both of which are drivers of multiple diseases including cancer. Understanding the mechanisms by which the genome is maintained, as well as the consequences of repeated rounds of replication or exposure to DNA damaging agents, will allow for greater understanding of the diseases they promote as well as development of targeted therapies aimed at mitigating the detrimental effects of genomic insult. The first section of my work focuses on cellular senescence, a consequence of both aging and DNA damage. Aging is a significant risk factor for the development of cancer. The increase in disease in aged individuals is due in part to the time required for epithelial cells to accumulate mutations necessary to become tumorigenic, and by the increase in senescent cells within their tissues. Senescent cells express a coordinately upregulated family of pro-tumorigenic factors termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, or SASP. The SASP is rich in growth factors, immune modulators, and matrix remodelers that together create an environment primed for tumor development. Here, I study the mechanisms that regulate expression of the SASP in response to DNA damage. In cells exposed to a senescence-inducing stimulus but that do not yet display classical senescence markers, SASP expression is reliant upon active transcription for upregulation. However, senescent cells maintain SASP factor upregulation through post-transcriptional stabilization. Previous work demonstrated that this transition is dependent on the stress kinas p38MAPK, and p38MAPK inhibition prevents upregulation and stabilization of SASP factor mRNAs by modulating the binding of AUF1, a protein that binds regulatory sequences in target mRNAs and largely targets them for degradation. AUF1 is not a direct target of p38MAPK activity, however. In this work, I demonstrate that AUF1 regulation and therefore mRNA stabilization of SASP factors occurs through the p38MAPK-MK2-HSP27 pathway. Furthermore, inhibition of MK2 activity abrogates the ability of senescent cells to promote preneoplastic cell growth, suggesting MK2 inhibition is an attractive therapeutic target that warrants further investigation. In the second section of this work, the role of the essential helicase/nuclease Dna2 in DNA replication is investigated. Maintaining genomic stability is essential to preventing mutational accumulation and cancer development, and both elevated Dna2 expression levels in human cancers and heterozygous deletion in mice have been linked to cancer incidence and poor disease outcome. Dna2’s role in DNA replication was initially described in yeast, where it was hypothesized to function in lagging strand DNA replication, namely in Okazaki fragment maturation. However, work described here demonstrates that while shRNA-mediated depletion of Dna2 results in activation of the replication stress checkpoint and phenotypes indicative of replication defects, Okazaki fragment maturation is not measurably affected in human cells. Therefore, Dna2 plays an additional role in DNA replication that is required to ensure high fidelity duplication of the genome during cell division. Together, my work highlights the essential nature of genomic preservation, and consequences that arise when genome stability is threatened

Constraining Models of Collective Motion in Biological Systems

PhD ThesisAnimals moving together as one is a commonly seen spectacle in both the sky, with flocks of birds, and in the oceans, with school of fish. Mathematical models have been developed over the last 50 years to gain a deeper understanding into how such coordination occurs or to recreate the behaviour digitally. There has been extensive numerical simulation and analysis done for these models but little comparison to actual data. This is due to the complexity of obtaining high quality data suitable for analysis. We were able take advantage of lightweight high definition cameras and drone technology to collect footage of collective behaviours. In this thesis we describe a computer vision algorithm we devised to detect and track individual sheep in the drone footage we collected. The algorithm emphasises the differences in the colours of the sheep and the grass background in order to locate the sheep. It then tracks the individuals throughout the video. In total the trajectories of 45 or more sheep were extracted from 14 videos ranging from 150 frames to 593 frames. In some of these videos the quadbike and farmers herding the sheep were also tracked. From these trajectories we were able to extract quantities such as average speed and global alignment which can then be used to compare to simulated data. We describe a number of models from the literature which aim to reproduce the types of behaviours we observed in our sheep flocks and some of these we expand on to make them include new features such as allowing agents speeds to change or allow agents to interact with a predator whist in an enclosed area. We go on to compare our observational data to two different types of these models. The first of these was a family of models which were able to replicate the emergent flocking behaviour seen in some of the observations. The second was a model able to simulate data to compare to our observations of “steady-state” flocking as well as being able to include the movement of the quadbike or farmer herding the animals. We will compare our observational data to simulated data using an approximate Bayesian computation rejection scheme to calculate an approximate joint posterior distribution for the parameters in each of the models. The parameters of these models were sampled from a Latin hypercube meaning we are able to cover the full parameter space efficiently

Into the Woods: Building Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities for Undergraduate Dissertation Students to Conduct Research in Applied Community Settings

Across Higher Education ‘embedding employability’ in the curriculum is increasingly emphasised (HEA, 2015). For example, undergraduate programmes are encouraged to provide learning opportunities that integrate theoretical knowledge and understanding with active engagement in wider issues in the community (Marshall, in Healey, Lannin, Stibbe and Derounian, 2013). Final year projects and dissertations are a key element in the process of engaging students not only in the active process of knowledge creation, but also in supporting students to develop an understanding of how their learning and knowledge can contribute to key stakeholders (e.g., businesses, communities) in society. . However social science research within Higher Education institutions is often criticised for over reliance on university students as participants (cf. Peterson, 2001). One way to extend research opportunities for our undergraduate students and facilitate use of representative samples is through partnerships with applied community settings in final year projects. This presentation will provide a review of a number of psychology projects that have been completed through partnership with the Children’s Wood, including contributions from supervisors, students and the community partner. The Children’s Wood is a community initiative in a wild green space that aims to provide opportunities for all children within urban settings to engage in the benefits of natural environments. We will discuss the role of research collaborations within a community setting in the context of: 1) developing graduate attributes; 2) the QAA enhancement theme of ‘student transition’ (QAA 2016), 3) Glasgow University’s 2020 vision where our mission is ‘to provide an intellectually stimulating learning environment that benefits culture, society and the economy’ (p 7)

Into the Woods: Building Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities for Undergraduate Dissertation Students to Conduct Research in Applied Community Settings

Across Higher Education ‘embedding employability’ in the curriculum is increasingly emphasised (HEA, 2015). For example, undergraduate programmes are encouraged to provide learning opportunities that integrate theoretical knowledge and understanding with active engagement in wider issues in the community (Marshall, in Healey, Lannin, Stibbe and Derounian, 2013). Final year projects and dissertations are a key element in the process of engaging students not only in the active process of knowledge creation, but also in supporting students to develop an understanding of how their learning and knowledge can contribute to key stakeholders (e.g., businesses, communities) in society. . However social science research within Higher Education institutions is often criticised for over reliance on university students as participants (cf. Peterson, 2001). One way to extend research opportunities for our undergraduate students and facilitate use of representative samples is through partnerships with applied community settings in final year projects. This presentation will provide a review of a number of psychology projects that have been completed through partnership with the Children’s Wood, including contributions from supervisors, students and the community partner. The Children’s Wood is a community initiative in a wild green space that aims to provide opportunities for all children within urban settings to engage in the benefits of natural environments. We will discuss the role of research collaborations within a community setting in the context of: 1) developing graduate attributes; 2) the QAA enhancement theme of ‘student transition’ (QAA 2016), 3) Glasgow University’s 2020 vision where our mission is ‘to provide an intellectually stimulating learning environment that benefits culture, society and the economy’ (p 7)

Time for change: a new training programme for morpho-molecular pathologists?

The evolution of cellular pathology as a specialty has always been driven by technological developments and the clinical relevance of incorporating novel investigations into diagnostic practice. In recent years, the molecular characterisation of cancer has become of crucial relevance in patient treatment both for predictive testing and subclassification of certain tumours. Much of this has become possible due to the availability of next-generation sequencing technologies and the whole-genome sequencing of tumours is now being rolled out into clinical practice in England via the 100 000 Genome Project. The effective integration of cellular pathology reporting and genomic characterisation is crucial to ensure the morphological and genomic data are interpreted in the relevant context, though despite this, in many UK centres molecular testing is entirely detached from cellular pathology departments. The CM-Path initiative recognises there is a genomics knowledge and skills gap within cellular pathology that needs to be bridged through an upskilling of the current workforce and a redesign of pathology training. Bridging this gap will allow the development of an integrated 'morphomolecular pathology' specialty, which can maintain the relevance of cellular pathology at the centre of cancer patient management and allow the pathology community to continue to be a major influence in cancer discovery as well as playing a driving role in the delivery of precision medicine approaches. Here, several alternative models of pathology training, designed to address this challenge, are presented and appraised

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in a cat on long-term ciclosporin therapy and potential latent infection of an in-contact cat

Case summary: An 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat receiving long-term ciclosporin treatment was evaluated for a history of weight loss and hyporexia. The main clinical finding was a cluster of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Cytological examination of fine-needle aspirates showed granulomatous inflammation with abundant acid-fast bacilli. A diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection was confirmed by PCR. The cat’s clinical condition deteriorated rapidly despite appropriate antibiotic treatment and it was euthanased 2 weeks after initial presentation due to development of severe paraparesis and ataxia. Post-mortem examination revealed granulomatous inflammation affecting multiple lymph nodes and other organs with intrahistiocytic acid-fast bacilli consistent with mycobacteria when stained using Ziehl–Neelsen stain. Another cat in the same household was screened for infection using the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), with the result being consistent with infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which includes MAC; however, it had no grossly detectable disease. Relevance and novel information: This case report is an unusual presentation of disseminated MAC infection in a cat, which remains a rare diagnosis. Clinicians should be aware of unusual and rare presentations of this infection. The clinical findings, progression of disease and histopathology results add to the current clinical database for feline disseminated MAC infections. Another cat in the same household tested positive for NTM by IGRA without any gross disease. This was suggestive of latent MAC infection which, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported in an in-contact cat