Making sense of change: An urban ethnography of middle-class narratives of uncertainty in Almaty, Kazakhstan

This urban ethnography focuses on the new generation of young urban middle-class people in Almaty, Kazakhstan, who have grown up after the Soviet Union. It examines how they respond to the dramatic social, economic, political, and environmental changes their country has undergone since 1991. A close analysis of their distinct way of life, in comparison to both their parents’ generation and the wider public, provides an insight into the social strategies they employ to make sense of change in the context of their everyday lives. This research, based on fieldwork carried out between 2014 and 2017, is an original study, addressing the question: How do Almaty’s urban middle- class population make sense of change? I argue that young urban middle-class people in Almaty, Kazakhstan perform a public narrative of their lives, providing their everyday existence with a sense of structure, stability, and coherence in the face of past societal change and the risk of further change in the future. However, ruptures in everyday life—such as a flood, earthquake, currency devaluation, or even a marriage—expose vulnerabilities of this young generation that are only discussed in private contexts. To overcome their growing uncertainty about the reliability of public narratives, my informants increasingly rely on their trusted social relations of kinship and friendship networks. When these channels are exhausted, my informants turn to alternative discursive techniques, such as rumour, to discuss private concerns in public contexts without undermining their own public narratives

Master of Science

thesisBackground: Epidemiological data associates low magnesium (Mg) intake with greater risk of metabolic syndrome/diabetes, and Mg status is often compromised in diabetic patients. It remains unclear whether low Mg consumption may exacerbate the metabolic disruptions that occur during diabetes. Objective: We hypothesized low dietary Mg during the development of diabetes would alter metabolic rate, and worsen glucose tolerance/insulin sensitivity. Methods: Three cohorts (n = 8 each) of 8-week-old TallyHo (TH) mice that develop Type 2 Diabetes by 16 weeks of age were fed special diets for 8 weeks. Group 1: TH + Low Mg diet (L-Mg, 100mg Mg Oxide/kg chow). Group 2: TH + Standard Mg diet (S-Mg, 500mg Mg Oxide/kg chow). Group 3: TH + High Mg diet (H-Mg, 1000mg Mg Bisglycinate/kg chow). Age-matched male C57BL/6J mice fed standard diets served as controls (Con, n = 8, 500mg Mg Oxide/kg chow). Results: Energy expenditure was lowest (p < 0.05) in L-Mg vs. all other groups. Insulin tolerance test (AUC, glucose mg/dL), indicated insulin resistance (p < 0.05) in L-Mg (12394 ± 2344) vs. Con (3866 ± 2344), and a trend (p = 0.052) indicating greater insulin resistance in S-Mg (10429 ± 2193) vs. Con. However, insulin tolerance was normalized in H-Mg (7838 ± 2344) vs. Con. QUICKI index indicated that all groups were insulin resistant (p < 0.05) compared to Con (0.585 ± 0.14). However, L-Mg (0.403 ± 0.15) had greater (p < 0.05) insulin resistance than S-Mg (0.462 ± 0.17) and H-Mg (0.454 ± 0.15). Insulin stimulated phosphorylation of hepatic insulin receptor was similar among all groups, whereas Akt phosphorylation was reduced (p < 0.05) in all diabetic mice regardless of Mg intake. Conclusions: Low dietary Mg intake reduces oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, and worsens insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice. Supplemental Mg can partially reduce fasting glucose and improve insulin tolerance, but could not be attributed to an improvement in hepatic insulin signaling

Disinformation: A Taxonomy

This article outlines steps towards a disinformation theory, a simplified and generalized notion of communication that is intended to be, in some way, misleading or deceptive. The model is derived from Shannon’s communications model, but with an intentional “noise source” and an unintended receiver. Alterations of an image containing a message are used to illustrate a variety of disinformation techniques

Assessing the Impact of a Mandela Washington Fellowship Institute for Entrepreneurs from Sub-Saharan Africa: A Phenomenological Study

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the youngest, poorest, and fastest growing continent in the world. As scholars study why the development of Africa has been slow compared to the rest of the world, a lack of investment in human capital development emerges as a prevalent reason. Regarding agriculture, in particular, resources supporting technological innovations that do not fit SSA's needs could be invested to develop its human capital.Oklahoma State University was awarded a grant resulting in a six-week long entrepreneurship education program (EEP) that trained 25 entrepreneurs from 17 SSA countries, many of whom had an agricultural business context. Approaches to entrepreneurship education is a well-debated topic in the entrepreneurship literature, and how to best evaluate these education programs also has been contested. Due to the lack of consensus on how to capture the true impact of an EEP, the researcher used qualitative methods to conduct a phenomenological study (Moustakas, 1994). Twelve of the Institute's participants were interviewed via online technologies about nine months after the program's end. After the interviews, each transcript was analyzed through the procedure of Epoche, phenomenological reduction, and imaginative variation, from which specific participants' quotes were highlighted. As a result, four themes and seven sub-themes as well as an essence of the phenomenon emerged.The emergent themes were improvements, changes, and challenges to their business models (three sub-themes); self improvement and empowerment (two sub-themes); social change (two sub-themes); and lessons learned from fellow Africans. These themes and sub-themes coalesced to form the phenomenon's essence: Building the capacity of socially responsible entrepreneurs for a new Africa.Future research should assess the impact of formal business knowledge, e.g., concepts and theories, has on the decision making and long-term success of participants who may have gained such during an EEP. Additional research should also seek to identify which implicit or observational learning experiences create significant impressions that motivate training participants to become change makers, including their practicing of social entrepreneurship. It is also recommended that providers of EEPs continue to stress rigor and an ethos of accomplishment as well as provide opportunities for service-learning through their programs.International Agricultur

The association between extraintestinal manifestations and sequential biological therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Despite advancements in the treatment of individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), many patients will require the need to utilize biological therapies during their disease course. Moreover, some patients with IBD develop disease manifestations outside of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract termed extraintestinal manifestations (EIM). We sought to establish an association between prior EIM exposure and the sequential use of biological therapies in patients with IBD. A retrospective analysis of 555 patients with confirmed IBD and relevant EIM data was performed. EIM exposure was treated as both a dichotomized (ever, never) variable and a categorical (0, 1, 2 or more) variable in our analysis. Crude ratios were established using logistic regression and multinomial regression models. Bivariate analysis was used to test for significant confounding variables and significant confounders were included in the final multivariate regression model. We found female sex (p < 0.001), a disease duration of 13 years or longer (p = 0.001), and an ileocolonic disease location (p = 0.036) to be significantly associated with EIM exposure. We found that a disease duration of 13 years or longer (p = 0.037), diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease (CD) (p < 0.001), corticosteroid use (p < 0.001), and an ileocolonic disease location (p = 0.021) to be significantly associated with use of biologics. Our final adjusted model did not show statistical significance, but did notably indicate that individuals exposed to 2 or more EIM had 1.51 times the odds of progressing to biological therapy (95%CI: 0.67, 3.41; p = 0.32) compared to those patients with no EIM history. As a result, EIM exposure may be an indicator for high-risk IBD patients likely to require biological therapy, especially among particular groups. Our data emphasizes the need for further studies to characterize the association between EIM exposure and specific EIM with the utilization of biologics

Costs of switching to low global warming potential inhalers. An economic and carbon footprint analysis of NHS prescription data in England.

OBJECTIVES: Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) contain propellants which are potent greenhouse gases. Many agencies propose a switch to alternative, low global warming potential (GWP) inhalers, such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs). We aimed to analyse the impact on greenhouse gas emissions and drug costs of making this switch. SETTING: We studied National Health Service prescription data from England in 2017 and collated carbon footprint data on inhalers commonly used in England. DESIGN: Inhalers were separated into different categories according to their mechanisms of action (eg, short-acting beta-agonist). Within each category we identified low and high GWP inhalers and calculated the cost and carbon impact of changing to low GWP inhalers. We modelled scenarios for swapping proportionally according to the current market share of each equivalent DPI (model 1) and switching to the lowest cost pharmaceutically equivalent DPI (model 2). We also reviewed available data on the carbon footprint of inhalers from scientific publications, independently certified reports and patents to provide more accurate carbon footprint information on different types of inhalers. RESULTS: If MDIs using HFA propellant are replaced with the cheapest equivalent DPI, then for every 10% of MDIs changed to DPIs, drug costs decrease by £8.2M annually. However if the brands of DPIs stay the same as 2017 prescribing patterns, for every 10% of MDIs changed to DPIs, drug costs increase by £12.7M annually. Most potential savings are due to less expensive long-acting beta-agonist (LABA)/inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) inhalers. Some reliever inhalers (eg, Ventolin) have a carbon footprint over 25 kg CO2e per inhaler, while others use far less 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA134a) (eg, Salamol) with a carbon footprint of <10 kg CO2e per inhaler. 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-Heptafluoropropane (HFA227ea) LABA/ICS inhalers (eg, Flutiform) have a carbon footprint over 36 kg CO2e, compared with an equivalent HFA134a combination inhaler (eg, Fostair) at <20 kg CO2e. For every 10% of MDIs changed to DPIs, 58 kt CO2e could be saved annually in England. CONCLUSIONS: Switching to DPIs would result in large carbon savings and can be achieved alongside reduced drug costs by using less expensive brands. Substantial carbon savings can be made by using small volume HFA134a MDIs, in preference to large volume HFA134a MDIs, or those containing HFA227ea as a propellant.This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors

IDO1 is an Integral Mediator of Inflammatory Neovascularization.

The immune tolerogenic effects of IDO1 (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1) have been well documented and genetic studies in mice have clearly established the significance of IDO1 in tumor promotion. Dichotomously, the primary inducer of IDO1, the inflammatory cytokine IFNγ (interferon-γ), is a key mediator of immune-based tumor suppression. One means by which IFNγ can exert an anti-cancer effect is by decreasing tumor neovascularization. We speculated that IDO1 might contribute to cancer promotion by countering this anti-neovascular effect of IFNγ, possibly through IDO1-potentiated elevation of the pro-tumorigenic inflammatory cytokine IL6 (interleukin-6). In this study, we investigated how genetic loss of IDO1 affects neovascularization in mouse models of oxygen-induced retinopathy and lung metastasis. Neovascularization in both models was significantly reduced in mice lacking IDO1, was similarly reduced with loss of IL6, and was restored in both cases by concomitant loss of IFNγ. Likewise, the lack of IDO1 or IL6 resulted in reduced metastatic tumor burden and increased survival, which the concomitant loss of IFNγ abrogated. This insight into IDO1\u27s involvement in pro-tumorigenic inflammatory neovascularization may have important ramifications for IDO1 inhibitor development, not only in cancer where clinical trials are currently ongoing, but in other disease indications associated with neovascularization as well

Ultra culture-ultra reality: a content analysis of YouTube depictions of ultra endurance sport and comparisons to scientific literature.

INTRODUCTION Interest in ultra endurance sport (UES) is increasing, with relevant events growing in popularity. However, these activities may encompass more complex characteristics and demands that do not correspond to scientifically validated correlations between physical activity and improved health. It is unknown whether high volume training for UES can have adverse implications, although certain sociocultural aspects of western society, such as an emphasis on autonomy and self-directed success, may encourage participation as a representation of personal achievement. As media depictions of UES can be highly influential, we aimed to explore prominent messages to better comprehend the values and aspirations of established and aspiring ultra endurance athletes (UEA). METHODS Using qualitative, conventional content analysis techniques, we evaluated n = 15 popular YouTube videos on various UES to synthesize the most common themes. A YouTube search was conducted, and videos were selected based on sport and relevance. Subsequently, videos were analyzed and coded to discern the most frequently repeated themes. RESULTS Five recurring themes were identified: discussion of the mental aspects of UES participation; the adoption of folk-tale storytelling; dietary habits of UEA; a focus on pain and suffering; the use of words associated with mental illness as a colloquial descriptor of UES/UEA. DISCUSSION YouTube depictions of UES participation appear to accentuate suffering and co-occurring phenomena as attractive qualities. These resonate with sociocultural ideologies in western contexts, which emphasize fitness and personal success, but appear inconsistent with evidence around potentially adverse health-related implications of UES. CONCLUSION Discrepancies between popular portrayals of UES and scientific evidence suggest a need for greater community education and information sharing about sport-specific risk factors for physical and mental health conditions and appropriate training protocols. Further research is also required to better define the relationship between motivations for UES participation and overall health using interdisciplinary approaches

Genome-wide identification and characterisation of human DNA replication origins by initiation site sequencing (ini-seq).

Next-generation sequencing has enabled the genome-wide identification of human DNA replication origins. However, different approaches to mapping replication origins, namely (i) sequencing isolated small nascent DNA strands (SNS-seq); (ii) sequencing replication bubbles (bubble-seq) and (iii) sequencing Okazaki fragments (OK-seq), show only limited concordance. To address this controversy, we describe here an independent high-resolution origin mapping technique that we call initiation site sequencing (ini-seq). In this approach, newly replicated DNA is directly labelled with digoxigenin-dUTP near the sites of its initiation in a cell-free system. The labelled DNA is then immunoprecipitated and genomic locations are determined by DNA sequencing. Using this technique we identify >25,000 discrete origin sites at sub-kilobase resolution on the human genome, with high concordance between biological replicates. Most activated origins identified by ini-seq are found at transcriptional start sites and contain G-quadruplex (G4) motifs. They tend to cluster in early-replicating domains, providing a correlation between early replication timing and local density of activated origins. Origins identified by ini-seq show highest concordance with sites identified by SNS-seq, followed by OK-seq and bubble-seq. Furthermore, germline origins identified by positive nucleotide distribution skew jumps overlap with origins identified by ini-seq and OK-seq more frequently and more specifically than do sites identified by either SNS-seq or bubble-seq.Francis Crick Institute, which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK [FC001-157]; Medical Research Council [FC001-157]; Wellcome Trust [FC001-157]; National Institute for Health Research; Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [BB/K013378/1]This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Oxford University Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkw76