Lady Killers: Depictions of Gendered Subjective Violence in Audition

This thesis will examine the depiction of Asami as a female antagonist figure in the 2001 film adaptation of the novel Audition directed by Miike Takashi and adapted from the 1997 novel of the same name by Japanese horror author Murakami Ryū. By considering the differences in her original portrayal and how the language of film changes the presentation of Murakami’s female antagonist, this project aims to analyze how Murakami and the directors who choose to adapt his works approach depicting acts of violence committed by women in a genre inundated with male-coded violence against female-coded characters. The existing framework for analyzing horror film antagonists is by framing them as inherently masculine. Murakami’s female characters, however, often predicate their violence and antagonism on their femininity, not despite it. This paradigm of female antagonists who are physically violent is not one which has yet been thoroughly explored. These female characters, who are aggressive villains not in spite of their femininity but because of it, upset the current model of “victim as female” and highlight a lack of scholarly language to describe physically violent female characters in villainous roles in fiction

A Wearable Sensor to Mitigate Shoulder Injury in Astronauts

The prevalence of shoulder pain has been documented to be as high as 56% among astronauts who perform extravehicular activities (EVA) while training. The prevalence of shoulder injuries in astronauts required NASA to assemble a research team, called the Shoulder Tiger Team, nearly 20 years ago. In 2003, this team concluded that the majority of the shoulder injuries occur while the astronaut is wearing the hard upper torso unit (HUT) of their space suit during EVA training missions in the neutral buoyancy lab (NBL). These injuries typically carry-over to the actual mission, and required EVAs, which can negatively affect job performance duties performed by astronauts. We chose to create a warning system that is able to collect angular displacement data at the shoulder and, at a potentially dangerous range of motion, send tactile (vibrational) feedback to the astronaut. PURPOSE: To design a cost effective, wearable, tactile feedback sensor to help mitigate shoulder injury during EVA training. METHODS: A custom fitted, upper-body garment that contained a tactile feedback sensor capable of delivering a vibrational signal was originally designed in three-dimensional modeling software (Solidworks Premium 2018, Waltham, MA). The sensor and all associated components were integrated into a compression sleeve, which is personalized to each astronauts’ anthropometrics. The components are removable and interchangeable for ease of maintenance. These components include a microcontroller, flex sensors, haptic motor driver, vibration mini motor discs, and battery. The sensor components were strategically placed at anatomical locations to maximize comfort and function: 1) anterior flex sensor: placed on the deltoid, extending from medial to lateral; 2) posterior flex sensor: extended from the lateral end of supraspinatus to the middle deltoid; 3) microcontroller: placed on the inferior angle of the scapular spine; 4) vibration motor discs: placed on the sternum and upper tricep, and; 5) haptic motor driver: placed directly superior to the vibration motor. RESULTS: In order to correlate range of motion with the resistance of the flex sensors, a goniometer was used to measure the range of motion of shoulder abduction and shoulder flexion while recording resistance data in the serial monitor. The mapped resistance value recorded at 90 degrees for shoulder joint flexion was approximately 57 kohms. The mapped resistance value recorded at 90 degrees for shoulder abduction was approximately 37 kohms. We also developed a protocol to improve the muscular endurance of the small upper back muscles and shoulder stabilizers. It is a 3-day strengthening program that will be complemented with the regular EVA mission training for each astronaut. CONCLUSION: Shoulder injuries are one of the most common issues affecting astronauts who undergo EVA training. A vibrational feedback sensor may mitigate the potentially harmful shoulder positions during this training

Dynamic change in insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids is unchanged though insulin sensitivity improves following endurance exercise in PCOS

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is the hallmark of PCOS and it is known that exercise may decrease it. What is unknown is whether exercise may mechanistically alter the underlying IR, attenuating the dynamic lipid induced IR in insulin resistant subjects.Methods: Twelve women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ten age and body mass index matched controls completed an eight week supervised exercise program at 60% maximal oxygen consumption. Before and after the exercise program, all participants underwent hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamps with either saline or intralipid infusions. Skewed data were log transformed and expressed as mean ±SEM. Results: Before exercise, women with PCOS had a higher HOMA-IR and lower VO2 max than controls. Compared to saline, lipid infusion lowered the rate of insulin stimulated glucose disposal (M value; mg/kg/min) by 67±5% (from 0.5±0.03 to -0.25±0.2, p=0.01) in PCOS, and by 49±7% (from 0.65±0.06 to 0.3±0.1, p=0.01) in controls. The M value was significantly less in PCOS compared to controls for both saline (p less than 0.01) and lipid (p less than 0.05). Endurance exercise in PCOS improved VO2 max and HOMA-IR, but not weight, to those of pre-exercise control subjects. The glucose disposal rate during the lipid infusion was reduced following exercise in PCOS, indicating decreased IR (67 ± 5 vs. 50 ± 7%, p = 0.02), but IR was not altered in controls (49 ± 7 vs. 45 ± 6%, p = 0.58). The incrementally increased IR induced by the lipid infusion did not differ between controls and PCOS.Conclusion: Insulin sensitivity improved with exercise in the PCOS group alone showing that IR can be modified, though likely transiently. However, the maximal IR response to the lipid infusion did not differ within and between control and PCOS subjects, indicating that the fundamental mechanism underlying insulin resistance was unchanged with exercise.Precis: Maximal insulin resistance induced by lipid infusion determined at baseline and 8 weeks after exercise in control and PCOS women did not differ, though insulin sensitivity increased in PCOS after exercise

Participatory systems mapping for population health research, policy and practice: guidance on method choice and design

Executive Summary: What is participatory systems mapping? Participatory systems mapping engages stakeholders with varied knowledge and perspectives in creating a visual representation of a complex system. Its purpose is to explore, and document perceived causal relations between elements in the system. This guidance focuses on six causal systems mapping methods: systems-based theory of change maps; causal loop diagrams; CECAN participatory systems mapping; fuzzy cognitive maps; systems dynamics models; and Bayesian belief networks. What is the purpose of this guidance? This guidance includes a Framework that aids the choice and design of participatory systems mapping approaches for population health research, policy and practice. It offers insights on different systems mapping approaches, by comparing them and highlighting their applications in the population health domain. This guidance also includes case studies, signposting to further reading and resources, and recommendations on enhancing stakeholder involvement in systems mapping. Who is this guidance for? This guidance is designed for anyone interested in using participatory systems mapping, regardless of prior knowledge or experience. It primarily responds to calls to support the growing demand for systems mapping (and systems-informed approaches more broadly) in population health research, policy and practice. This guidance can however also be applied to other disciplines. How was it developed? The guidance was created by an interdisciplinary research team through an iterative, rigorous fivestage process that included a scoping review, key informant interviews, and a consultation exercise with subject experts. What is the ‘Participatory Systems Design Framework’ included in this guidance? The Design Framework supports users to choose between different methods and enhance the design of participatory systems mapping projects. Specifically, it encourages users to consider: 1) the added value of adopting a participatory approach to systems mapping; 2) the differences between methods, including their relative advantages and disadvantages; and 3) the feasibility of using particular methods for a given purpose. An editable version of the Framework is available to download as a supplementary file. How will this guidance support future use of these methods? Participatory systems mapping is an exciting and evolving field. This guidance clarifies and defines the use of these methods in population health research, policy and practice, to encourage more thoughtful and purposeful project design, implementation, and reporting. The guidance also identifies several aspects for future research and development: methodological advancements; advocating for and strengthening participatory approaches; strengthening reporting; understanding and demonstrating the use of maps; and developing skills for the design and use of these methods

Preparing for pandemics: a systematic review of pandemic influenza clinical management guidelines

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of evidence-based clinical decision-making. Clinical management guidelines (CMGs) may help reduce morbidity and mortality by improving the quality of clinical decisions. This systematic review aims to evaluate the availability, inclusivity, and quality of pandemic influenza CMGs, to identify gaps that can be addressed to strengthen pandemic preparedness in this area. Methods: Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, TRIP (Turning Research Into Practice), and Guideline Central were searched systematically from January 2008 to 23rd June 2022, complemented by a grey literature search till 16th June 2022. Pandemic influenza CMGs including supportive care or empirical treatment recommendations were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data from the included studies and assessed their quality using AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation). The findings are presented narratively. Results: Forty-eight CMGs were included. They were produced in high- (42%, 20/48), upper-middle- (40%, 19/48), and lower-middle (8%, 4/48) income countries, or by international organisations (10%, 5/48). Most CMGs (81%, 39/48) were over 5 years old. Guidelines included treatment recommendations for children (75%, 36/48), pregnant women (54%, 26/48), people with immunosuppression (33%, 16/48), and older adults (29%, 14/48). Many CMGs were of low quality (median overall score: 3 out of 7 (range 1–7). All recommended oseltamivir; recommendations for other neuraminidase inhibitors and supportive care were limited and at times contradictory. Only 56% (27/48) and 27% (13/48) addressed oxygen and fluid therapy, respectively. Conclusions: Our data highlights the limited availability of up-to-date pandemic influenza CMGs globally. Of those identified, many were limited in scope and quality and several lacked recommendations for specific at-risk populations. Recommendations on supportive care, the mainstay of treatment, were limited and heterogeneous. The most recent guideline highlighted that the evidence-base to support antiviral treatment recommendations is still limited. There is an urgent need for trials into treatment and supportive care strategies including for different risk populations. New evidence should be incorporated into globally accessible guidelines, to benefit patient outcomes. A ‘living guideline’ framework is recommended and further research into guideline implementation in different resourced settings, particularly low- and middle-income countries

Preparing for pandemics: a systematic review of pandemic influenza clinical management guidelines

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of evidence-based clinical decision-making. Clinical management guidelines (CMGs) may help reduce morbidity and mortality by improving the quality of clinical decisions. This systematic review aims to evaluate the availability, inclusivity, and quality of pandemic influenza CMGs, to identify gaps that can be addressed to strengthen pandemic preparedness in this area. Methods: Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, TRIP (Turning Research Into Practice), and Guideline Central were searched systematically from January 2008 to 23rd June 2022, complemented by a grey literature search till 16th June 2022. Pandemic influenza CMGs including supportive care or empirical treatment recommendations were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data from the included studies and assessed their quality using AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation). The findings are presented narratively. Results: Forty-eight CMGs were included. They were produced in high- (42%, 20/48), upper-middle- (40%, 19/48), and lower-middle (8%, 4/48) income countries, or by international organisations (10%, 5/48). Most CMGs (81%, 39/48) were over 5 years old. Guidelines included treatment recommendations for children (75%, 36/48), pregnant women (54%, 26/48), people with immunosuppression (33%, 16/48), and older adults (29%, 14/48). Many CMGs were of low quality (median overall score: 3 out of 7 (range 1–7). All recommended oseltamivir; recommendations for other neuraminidase inhibitors and supportive care were limited and at times contradictory. Only 56% (27/48) and 27% (13/48) addressed oxygen and fluid therapy, respectively. Conclusions: Our data highlights the limited availability of up-to-date pandemic influenza CMGs globally. Of those identified, many were limited in scope and quality and several lacked recommendations for specific at-risk populations. Recommendations on supportive care, the mainstay of treatment, were limited and heterogeneous. The most recent guideline highlighted that the evidence-base to support antiviral treatment recommendations is still limited. There is an urgent need for trials into treatment and supportive care strategies including for different risk populations. New evidence should be incorporated into globally accessible guidelines, to benefit patient outcomes. A ‘living guideline’ framework is recommended and further research into guideline implementation in different resourced settings, particularly low- and middle-income countries

Development, confirmation, and application of a seeded Escherichia coli process control organism to validate Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi environmental surveillance methods

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is the causative agent of Typhoid fever. Blood culture is the gold standard for clinical diagnosis, but this is often difficult to employ in resource limited settings. Environmental surveillance of waste-impacted waters is a promising supplement to clinical surveillance, however validating methods is challenging in regions where S. Typhi concentrations are low. To evaluate existing S. Typhi environmental surveillance methods, a novel process control organism (PCO) was created as a biosafe surrogate. Using a previous described qPCR assay, a modified PCR amplicon for the staG gene was cloned into E. coli. We developed a target region that was recognized by the Typhoid primers in addition to a non-coding internal probe sequence. A multiplex qPCR reaction was developed that differentiates between the typhoid and control targets, with no cross-reactivity or inhibition of the two probes. The PCO was shown to mimic S. Typhi in lab-based experiments with concentration methods using primary wastewater: filter cartridge, recirculating Moore swabs, membrane filtration, and differential centrifugation. Across all methods, the PCO seeded at 10 CFU/mL and 100 CFU/mL was detected in 100% of replicates. The PCO is detected at similar quantification cycle (Cq) values across all methods at 10 CFU/mL (Average = 32.4, STDEV = 1.62). The PCO was also seeded into wastewater at collection sites in Vellore (India) and Blantyre (Malawi) where S. Typhi is endemic. All methods tested in both countries were positive for the seeded PCO. The PCO is an effective way to validate performance of environmental surveillance methods targeting S. Typhi in surface water

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead