Making sense of emotions and affective investments in war: RT and the Syrian conflict on YouTube

Within the context of an ‘affective turn’ in media studies and the social sciences, this article explores the methodological challenges of researching emotions when studying online videos of conflict. Our study focuses on videos of the Syrian conflict shared on YouTube by the Russian state funded international broadcaster, RT. We propose that the concept of affective investment is a useful pivot between online videos of conflict and audience responses to them. Our study interrogates the role that affective investments play in 1) RT’s YouTube representations of the Syrian conflict, and 2) audience comments on these videos. We draw attention to the important intersections of RT’s representations of the conflict and audiences’ affective investments in those representations, and draw attention to the methodological issues raised. Our empirical focus is two critical junctures in the Syrian conflict: the commencement of Russia’s military intervention; and following the announcement of plans to withdraw Russian troops. We conclude by discussing the utility of affective investments in war when assessing online coverage of conflict, and suggesting avenues for further development

Religion and Progressive Politics in the United States

In recent decades, scholars interested in the role of religion in American public life have largely focused on the Christian Right or the role of religion in civic life. Compared to these extensive literatures, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of religion in liberal/progressive politics. Progressive religious voices are more widespread and more racially, socioeconomically, and religiously diverse than is typically recognized. Moreover, while these actors seek influence within the most visible political realms of elections and policymaking, they also focus on shaping the cultural identities, narratives, and discourses that undergird democratic life. This article offers a framework through which to conceptualize the progressive religious field of action and reviews the growing body of research on the individuals and organizations that comprise this field. It begins by examining the prevalence of progressive religious views and activities among the general public; reviews research on three different types of progressive religious political organizations (social movements, national advocacy organizations, and faith‐based community organizations) as well as religious congregations\u27 efforts to spur members to progressive political consciousness and mobilization; and evaluates the place of progressive religion in American political culture. Finally, it points to fruitful areas for future research

Enhanced spectral histology in the colon using high-magnification benchtop FTIR imaging

ArticleLabel-free imaging of cells and tissues is a promising tool to study the molecular alterations for improved cancer diagnosis. In this regard, the vibrational spectroscopic method of FTIR imaging has been employed to study the histo-pathological features and the alterations were correlated to a disease state. The aim of this study was to see if higher magnification images resulting in pixel sizes smaller than the diffraction limit of mid-IR wavelengths with two NA objectives could provide cellular and subcellular resolution of key diagnostic features. To this effect, FTIR spectroscopic imaging has been carried out directly on paraffinized colon tissue sections using a benchtop imaging system consisting of two different IR objectives with a NA of 0.81 and 0.62. The high NA objective (0.81) at a high magnification (63×) provided a pixel size of 0.63 × 0.63 μm2 in comparison to the standard magnification (12×) where the pixel size is 3.3 × 3.3 μm2. The second objective (0.62 NA) at a high magnification (36×) provided a pixel size of 1.1 × 1.1 μm2 in comparison to the standard magnification (7×) pixel size of 5.5 × 5.5 μm2. The spectral images were corrected for paraffin and other spectral interferences using a modified EMSC algorithm and subjected to cluster analysis in order to appreciate the histopathological details. Comparison of the IR cluster analysis results to adjacent haematoxylin and eosin stained tissue sections, which were used as the morphological controls, revealed various levels of histological and cellular organization. Together with large scale features such as the glandular and connective tissue regions, small scale features like goblet cells, interfaces between tissue types especially the peri-cryptal fibroblastic sheath were observed. Noticeable differences between the intracellular mucin and secreted mucin were also observed. However, it appears that high power mid-IR radiation sources would be beneficial, especially when measuring in rapid clinically relevant timescales.This work is part of the MINERVA project (http://www.minerva.eu) which is supported by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 317803

Facile synthesis of 7-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridines as arginine mimetics using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons-based approach

Integrin inhibitors based on the tripeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) are potential therapeutics for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Herein, we describe an expeditious three-step synthetic sequence of Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination, diimide reduction, and global deprotection to synthesise cores for these compounds in high yields (63-83% over 3 steps) with no need for chromatography. Key to this transformation is the phosphoramidate protecting group, which is stable to metalation steps

Crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 9, Nsp9

Many of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins have related counterparts across the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) family. One such protein is non-structural protein 9 (Nsp9), which is thought to mediate viral replication, overall virulence, and viral genomic RNA reproduction. We sought to better characterize the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp9 and subsequently solved its X-ray crystal structure, in an apo form and, unexpectedly, in a peptide-bound form with a sequence originating from a rhinoviral 3C protease sequence (LEVL). The SARS-CoV-2 Nsp9 structure revealed the high level of structural conservation within the Nsp9 family. The exogenous peptide binding site is close to the dimer interface and impacted the relative juxtapositioning of the monomers within the homodimer. We have established a protocol for the production of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp9, determined its structure, and identified a peptide-binding site that warrants further study to understanding Nsp9 function

Movement of palladium nanoparticles in hollow graphitised nanofibres: the role of migration and coalescence in nanocatalyst sintering during the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

The evolution of individual palladium nanoparticle (PdNP) catalysts, in graphitised nanofibres (GNF), in the liquid-phase Suzuki-Miyaura (SM) reaction has been appraised. The combination of identical location-transmission electron microscopy (IL-TEM) and a nano test tube approach allowed spatiotemporal continuity of observations at single nanopartcile level, revealing that migration and coalescence is the most significant pathway to coarsening of the nanocatalyst, rather than Ostwald ripening. IL-TEM gave unprecedented levels of detail regarding the movement of PdNP on carbon surfaces at the nanoscale, including size-dependent migration and directional movement, opening horizons for optimisation of future catalysts through surface morphology design

Women Filmmakers in the United Arab Emirates

This entry provides an introduction to the work of and the challenges faced by women filmmakers in the United Arab Emirates while at the same time providing an overview of the emerging film industry in the country. The fact that these women claim the power of representation and start telling their stories against the backdrop of a conservative, patriarchal society, obviously opens up space for gender redefinition. Overall, it seems that their films reveal a preference for strong, interesting women that fight for a meaningful life against the backdrop of a globalized society that has left women weaker and more fragile, with less obvious choices and possibilities for fulfillment. As their female characters claim center stage, both traditional and contemporary constructions of gender are called into question and popular stereotypes about Emirati women are challenged

Identification of factors associated with Fasciola hepatica infection risk areas on pastures via an environmental DNA survey of Galba truncatula distribution using droplet digital and quantitative real-time PCR assays

Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool for identifying the spatial and temporal presence and density of species in a range of aquatic habitats. The analysis of eDNA has a wide range of application, one of which may be to inform of Fasciola hepatica infection risk on pastures based on the detection of its eDNA as well as that of its intermediate snail host, Galba truncatula eDNA. Here, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) assays were developed to detect the eDNA of F. hepatica, and its intermediate snail host, G. truncatula in water samples collected from pastures grazed by cattle and/or sheep. Environmental factors associated with species presence, as detected via an eDNA survey, were identified using zero‐inflated linear mixed models. Sixty‐four habitats were sampled across six farms in Ceredigion, Wales, UK, with ddPCR and qPCR identifying 42 and 33 habitats to be positive for G. truncatula eDNA, respectively. G. truncatula eDNA was significantly less likely to be detected in habitats fully shaded by trees, those that contained black or dark brown soils and habitats that contained deep water pools (p < 0.05). Significantly higher G. truncatula eDNA concentrations were observed in habitats that tend to dry up during Summer (i.e., temporary habitats) (p < 0.05). ddPCR also identified five habitats to be positive for F. hepatica eDNA; however, questions remain regarding the utility of F. hepatica eDNA detection due to a lack of specificity toward infective F. hepatica larval stages. The results of this study inform of factors which influences G. truncatula distribution and ecology on pastures and also provided practical information for farmers to aid F. hepatica control in their flocks and herds