Subject To Change

Subject to Change is the culmination of a two-year investigation of the idea of home. This thesis discusses the journey of creating a home for my family and the work it spawned. Various cultural and artistic influences that shape the work include Grimm’s fairytales, my upbringing in Germany, Sigmund Freud, Bernd and Hilla Becher, and Josef Beuys. This work reflects a situation and transforms material that takes on symbolic meaning

Association of residential mobility over the life course with nonaffective psychosis in 1.4 million young people in Sweden

Importance Residential mobility (changing residence) during childhood and early adolescence is a possible risk factor for several adverse health outcomes, including psychotic disorders. However, it is unclear whether sensitive periods to residential mobility exist over the life course, including in adulthood, or if greater moving distances, which might disrupt social networks, are associated with a greater psychosis risk. Objective To examine the association between residential mobility over the life course and the risk of nonaffective psychosis. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study included all people born in Sweden between January 1, 1982, and December 31, 1995, who were alive and resided in Sweden on their 16th birthday who were followed up until up to age 29 years (ending December 2011). Participants were followed until receiving a first diagnosis of an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) nonaffective psychotic disorder (F20-29), emigration, death, or the end of 2011, whichever was sooner. National register linkage provided exposure, outcome, and covariate data (complete data were available for 1 440 383 participants [97.8%]). Exposures The exposures to distance moved and the number of residential moves were examined for participants at the following periods over the life course: 0 to 6 years, 7 to 15 years, 16 to 19 years, and 20 years and older. Results This study included 1 440 383 participants, of whom 4537 (0.31%) had nonaffective psychotic disorder (median age, 20.9 [interquartile range, 19.0-23.3]). More frequent moves during childhood and adolescence were associated with an increased risk of nonaffective psychosis that showed dose-response associations independent of covariates. The most sensitive period of risk occurred during late adolescence; those who moved during each year between age 16 to 19 years had an increased adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.99 (95% CI, 1.30-3.05) compared with those who never moved. One move during adulthood was not associated with psychosis risk (adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.94-1.14), but moving 4 or more times during adulthood was associated with increased risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.51-2.23). Independently, moving greater distances before age 16 years was associated with an increased risk (adjusted HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05-1.19), with evidence of a nonlinear threshold effect for moves longer than 30 km. The distance moved after age 20 years was associated with a decreased risk (adjusted HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.63-0.71). Conclusions and Relevance Children and adolescents with less disruption in their residential environments are less likely to experience psychotic disorders in early adulthood. Moves that may necessitate changes in school and social networks were most strongly associated with future risk

Hippocampal neuronal cells that accumulate α-synuclein fragments are more vulnerable to Aβ oligomer toxicity via mGluR5--implications for dementia with Lewy bodies.

BackgroundIn dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) abnormal interactions between α-synuclein (α-syn) and beta amyloid (Aβ) result in selective degeneration of neurons in the neocortex, limbic system and striatum. However, factors rendering these neurons selectively vulnerable have not been fully investigated. The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) has been shown to be up regulated in DLB and might play a role as a mediator of the neurotoxic effects of Aβ and α-syn in vulnerable neuronal populations. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to investigate the role of mGluR5 as a mediator of the neurotoxic effects of α-syn and Aβ in the hippocampus.ResultsWe generated double transgenic mice over-expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) and α-syn under the mThy1 cassette and investigated the relationship between α-syn cleavage, Aβ, mGluR5 and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. We found that compared to the single tg mice, the α-syn/APP tg mice displayed greater accumulation of α-syn and mGluR5 in the CA3 region of the hippocampus compared to the CA1 and other regions. This was accompanied by loss of CA3 (but not CA1) neurons in the single and α-syn/APP tg mice and greater loss of MAP 2 and synaptophysin in the CA3 in the α-syn/APP tg. mGluR5 gene transfer using a lentiviral vector into the hippocampus CA1 region resulted in greater α-syn accumulation and neurodegeneration in the single and α-syn/APP tg mice. In contrast, silencing mGluR5 with a lenti-shRNA protected neurons in the CA3 region of tg mice. In vitro, greater toxicity was observed in primary hippocampal neuronal cultures treated with Aβ oligomers and over-expressing α-syn; this effect was attenuated by down-regulating mGluR5 with an shRNA lentiviral vector. In α-syn-expressing neuronal cells lines, Aβ oligomers promoted increased intracellular calcium levels, calpain activation and α-syn cleavage resulting in caspase-3-dependent cell death. Treatment with pharmacological mGluR5 inhibitors such as 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) and 3-((2-Methyl-4-thiazolyl)ethynyl)pyridine (MTEP) attenuated the toxic effects of Aβ in α-syn-expressing neuronal cells.ConclusionsTogether, these results support the possibility that vulnerability of hippocampal neurons to α-syn and Aβ might be mediated via mGluR5. Moreover, therapeutical interventions targeting mGluR5 might have a role in DLB

Post-Stagnation Behavior in the Upstream Regions of Ice Stream C, West Antarctica

The region where two active tributaries feed into the now stagnant Ice Stream C (ISC), West Antarctica, is thickening. In this region, we observe a correlation between faster ice flow (the tributaries) and elevated topography. We conclude that stagnation of ISC resulted in compression and thickening along the tributaries, eventually forming a bulge on the ice-sheet surface. Modern hydraulic potential gradients would divert basal meltwater from ISC to Ice Stream B (ISB). These gradients are primarily controlled by the bulge topography, and so likely formed subsequent to trunk stagnation. As such, we argue against water piracy as being the cause for ISC\u27s stagnation. Kinematic-wave theory suggests that thickness perturbations propagate downstream over time, but that kinematic-wave speed decreases near the stagnant trunk. This and modest diffusion rates combine to trap most of the tributary-fed ice in the bulge region. Using interferometric synthetic aperture radar velocity measurements, we observe that half of the ice within ISC\u27s southern tributary flows into ISB. That flow pattern and other observations of non-steady flow in the region likely result from stagnation-induced thickening along upper ISC combined with a longer period of thinning on upper ISB. If current trends in thickness change continue, more ice from upper ISC will be diverted to ISB

Energy Efficiency Improvement Opportunities for the Cement Industry

This report provides information on the energy savings, costs, and carbon dioxide emissions reductions associated with implementation of a number of technologies and measures applicable to the cement industry. The technologies and measures include both state-of-the-art measures that are currently in use in cement enterprises worldwide as well as advanced measures that are either only in limited use or are near commercialization. This report focuses mainly on retrofit measures using commercially available technologies, but many of these technologies are applicable for new plants as well. Where possible, for each technology or measure, costs and energy savings per tonne of cement produced are estimated and then carbon dioxide emissions reductions are calculated based on the fuels used at the process step to which the technology or measure is applied. The analysis of cement kiln energy-efficiency opportunities is divided into technologies and measures that are applicable to the different stages of production and various kiln types used in China: raw materials (and fuel) preparation; clinker making (applicable to all kilns, rotary kilns only, vertical shaft kilns only); and finish grinding; as well as plant wide measures and product and feedstock changes that will reduce energy consumption for clinker making. Table 1 lists all measures in this report by process to which they apply, including plant wide measures and product or feedstock changes. Tables 2 through 8 provide the following information for each technology: fuel and electricity savings per tonne of cement; annual operating and capital costs per tonne of cement or estimated payback period; and, carbon dioxide emissions reductions for each measure applied to the production of cement. This information was originally collected for a report on the U.S. cement industry (Worrell and Galitsky, 2004) and a report on opportunities for China's cement kilns (Price and Galitsky, in press). The information provided in this report is based on publicly-available reports, journal articles, and case studies from applications of technologies around the world

Inhaler technique mastery and maintenance in healthcare professionals trained on different devices

Peer reviewedPostprin

Objective Measurement of Blood Loss following Vaginal Delivery in a UK Hospital

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The reported incidence of PPH varies globally, which is often due to the use of subjective visual estimation of blood loss. The aim of this study was to measure the rate of PPH and severe PPH at a UK hospital using objective measurement of blood loss. Methods: Blood loss after vaginal birth was objectively measured in 2009 women at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, UK using a blood collection drape. Results: The postpartum haemorrhage rate, defined as blood loss of 500 mL or more, was 22.2%. The severe PPH rate, defined as blood loss of 1000 mL or more, was 5.3%. Conclusions: The objective measurement of blood loss following vaginal birth is necessary for the accurate calculation of PPH rates

Stuck in the Past? Rumination-Related Memory Integration

Memories connected to ruminative concerns repetitively capture attention, even in situations designed to alter them. However, recent research on memory updating suggests that memory for benign substitutes (e.g., reinterpretations) might be facilitated by integration with the ruminative memories. As a first approach, two experiments (Ns = 72) mimicked rumination-related memories with rumination-themed stimuli and an imagery task. College undergraduates screened for ruminative status first studied and imaged ruminative cue-target word pairs, and then in a second phase they studied the same cues re-paired with benign targets (along with new and repeated pairs). On the test of cued recall of benign targets, they judged whether each recalled word had been repeated or changed across the two phases (or was new in the second phase). When target changes were not remembered, recall of benign targets revealed proactive interference that was insensitive to ruminative status. However, when participants remembered change and the ruminative targets, their recall of benign targets was facilitated, particularly if they identified as ruminators (Experiment 1). When the test simply asked for recall of either or both targets (Experiment 2), ruminators recalled both targets more frequently than did others. These outcomes suggest that ruminative memories might provide bridges to remembering associated benign memories, such as reinterpretations, under conditions consistent with everyday ruminative retrieval

Research students exhibition catalogue 2011

The catalogue demonstrates the scope and vibrancy of current inquiries and pays tribute to the creative capacity and investment of UCA research students. It brings together contributions from students who are at different stages in their research ad/venture. Their explorations are connected by the centrality of contemporary material practices as focal point for the reconsideration of societal values, cultural symbols and rituals and their meaning, and the trans/formation of individual, collective and national identities The media and formats employed range from cloth, jewellery and ceramics to analogue film, the human voice and the representation of dress and fashionin virtual environments. Thematic interests span from explorations at the interface of art and medical science to an investigation of the role of art in contested spaces, or the role of metonymy in ‘how the arts think’ And whilst the projects are motivated by personal curiosity and passion, their outcomes transcend the boundaries of individual practice and offer new insights, under-standing and applications for the benefit of wider society. Prof. Kerstin Me

Comparison of Intraoperative Fluoroscopy to Postoperative Weight-Bearing Radiographs Obtained 4 to 6 Weeks After Bunion Repair With A Chevron Osteotomy

Background: During operative treatment of bunions, an attempt is made to correct the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the intermetatarsal angle (IMA). In this study, the HVA and the IMA were measured using intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopic images obtained during surgical treatment of a bunion with chevron osteotomy. These angles were again measured using weight-bearing radiographs obtained 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. Methods: At our institution, we reviewed medical records of patients who underwent a bunion repair with chevron osteotomy between January 2013 and October 2017. A total of 26 feet from 24 patients were included. Three authors (ALP, TMH, and RAM) measured the HVA and IMA using intraoperative fluoroscopic images and postoperative weight-bearing radiographs (4 measurements per foot; total, 104 measurements). The authors were blinded to their previous angular measurements and to measurements made by the others. An intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for the HVA and IMA measurements between groups (ie, intraoperative fluoroscopic images and postoperative radiographs) to determine interobserver reliability. We compared the angles measured by the authors between groups and used a paired t test for statistical evaluation. Results: Interobserver difference of the HVA and IMA was low between intraoperative fluoroscopic images and postoperative weight-bearing radiographs (0.98 and 0.79; 0.78 and 0.95, respectively). The measured IMAs were relatively consistent between groups (6.21° and 6.37°, respectively); only two patients had a difference \u3e 3°. There was a greater difference in HVAs between groups (11.5° and 14.2°, respectively). In 11 feet, the HVA was \u3e 5° (range, 5.3-12.7°) in the postoperative radiograph compared to the fluoroscopic image. In one foot, we noted a 7° decrease of the HVA on the postoperative radiograph. The average difference of HVA between groups was 2.6° (P \u3c 0.0001), whereas the IMA was 0.16° (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Interobserver measurements of the HVA and IMA were reliable on both the intraoperative fluoroscopic images and the postoperative weightbearing radiographs. The IMA was similar between groups; however, the HVA was often greater on the postoperative weight-bearing radiographs