June

" Interdisciplinary artist and feminist director Joyce Wieland is not only a major figure of Canadian contemporary art, she was also a major figure in the life of artist Munro Ferguson, as a friend, teacher, and mentor. [..] June, an abstract stereoscopic animation of curved lines and circles recalling Wieland’s style, was produced in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada. Cathartic, immersive and hand-drawn, the six-minute video in presented in a loop in OBORO’s small gallery. " -- Publisher's website

La cueillette = The Foray

« Les auteur·e·s de cette publication ont structuré leur projet à partir d'une série de mots-clés thématiques. Il y a la cueillette elle-même, qui donne un titre au projet, aux côtés des mots enchevêtrement, contamination, ressource et trace. Chacun de ces mots-clés est présenté et sa signification est explorée, avant de devenir un dispositif encadrant les oeuvres d'art sélectionnées. Il convient de souligner que ces termes renvoient d'une part à des conditions naturelles, mais que les auteur·e·s ont d'autre part traduit de manière convaincante ces évocations de phénomènes naturels en concepts culturels complexes. » -- page 5

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea in pregnant Batswana women: time to discard the syndromic approach?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are major causes of morbidity among women in developing countries. Both infections have been associated with pregnancy-related complications, and case detection and treatment in pregnancy is essential. In countries without laboratory support, the diagnosis and treatment of cervical infections is based on the syndromic approach. In this study we measured the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among antenatal care attendees in Botswana. We evaluated the syndromic approach for the detection of cervical infections in pregnancy, and determined if risk scores could improve the diagnostic accuracy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study, 703 antenatal care attendees in Botswana were interviewed and examined, and specimens were collected for the identification of <it>C trachomatis</it>, <it>N gonorrhoeae </it>and other reproductive tract infections. Risk scores to identify attendees with cervical infections were computed based on identified risk factors, and their sensitivities, specificities, likelihood ratios and predictive values were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of chlamydia was 8%, and gonorrhoea was found in 3% of the attendees. Symptoms and signs of vaginal discharge did not predict cervical infection, and a syndromic approach failed to identify infected women. Age (youth) risk factor most strongly associated with cervical infection. A risk score with only sociodemographic factors had likelihood ratios equivalent to risk scores which incorporated clinical signs and microscopy results. However, all the evaluated risk scores were of limited value in the diagnosis of chlamydia and gonorrhoea. A cut-off set at an acceptable sensitivity to avoid infected antenatal care attendees who remained untreated would inevitably lead to considerable over-treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although in extensive use, the syndromic approach is unsuitable for diagnosing cervical infections in antenatal care attendees in Botswana. None of the evaluated risk scores can replace this management. Without diagnostic tests, there are no adequate management strategies for <it>C trachomatis </it>and <it>N gonorrhoeae </it>in pregnant women in Botswana, a situation which is likely to apply to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Screening for cervical infections in pregnant women is an essential public health measure, and rapid tests will hopefully be available in developing countries within a few years.</p

Appropriating the Megastructure

Prospectus de SYN— donne d’abord l’impression d’une dérive situationniste dans la partie souterraine de Montréal. Mais les uniformes portés par les artistes et les photographies de leurs actions — similaires à celles prises par des caméras de surveillance — suggèrent également une expérience urbaine dystopique. Si la ville souterraine renvoie aux mégastructures visionnaires des années 1960, Rem Koolhaas qualifiait récemment ce type d’espace contenu de « junkspace » dans lequel les déplacements quotidiens sont devenus une « dérive forcée »

Sorel Cohen : Vies abîmées

Sloan examines Cohen's photographic work derived from paintings by Degas and comments on the artist's reflection on identity and the status of women. Biographical notes