Witchcraft and the Somerset idyll : The depiction of folk belief in Walter Raymond’s novels

The work of Walter Raymond (1852-1931) is now largely forgotten. Yet his Somerset novels, complemented by his ethnographic writings, contain depictions of local witchcraft belief that are worthy of study in literary and historical contexts. They raise issues regarding the fictional depiction of rural life and tradition, and the value of fiction as a folkloric and historical sourcePeer reviewe

Design and validation of an unmanned surface vehicle simulation mode

In this paper we present a multiphysics simulation model of Halcyon, an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The simulation model presented in this paper has been developed to rapidly progress the design, development and validation of Halcyon's autonomy management system, particularly in challenging sea conditions. Using simulation for this purpose enables extensive testing across the full environmental operating envelope of the vessel, hence greatly reducing the need for real-world sea-trials. The simulator is comprised of a novel and comprehensive sea-surface wave environment model, a six degree of freedom nonlinear unified seakeeping and manoeuvring boat dynamics model, an actuation dynamics model, an autopilot and an interface with an autonomy management system. Results are presented that show good agreement between real-world and simulated sea-trials data

Force-Velocity Measurements of a Few Growing Actin Filaments

The authors propose a new mechanism for actin-based force generation based on results using chains of actin-grafted magnetic colloids

The determinants and consequences of adult nursing staff turnover: a systematic review of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Nurses leaving their jobs and the profession are an issue of international concern, with supply-demand gaps for nurses reported to be widening. There is a large body of existing literature, much of which is already in review form. In order to advance the usefulness of the literature for nurse and human resource managers, we undertook an overview (review of systematic reviews). The aim of the overview was to identify high quality evidence of the determinants and consequences of turnover in adult nursing. METHODS: Reviews were identified which were published between 1990 and January 2015 in English using electronic databases (the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, CINAHL plus and SCOPUS) and forward searching. All stages of the review were conducted in parallel by two reviewers. Reviews were quality appraised using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews and their findings narratively synthesised. RESULTS: Nine reviews were included. We found that the current evidence is incomplete and has a number of important limitations. However, a body of moderate quality review evidence does exist giving a picture of multiple determinants of turnover in adult nursing, with - at the individual level - nurse stress and dissatisfaction being important factors and -at the organisational level - managerial style and supervisory support factors holding most weight. The consequences of turnover are only described in economic terms, but are considered significant. CONCLUSIONS: In making a quality assessment of the review as well as considering the quality of the included primary studies and specificity in the outcomes they measure, the overview found that the evidence is not as definitive as previously presented from individual reviews. Further research is required, of rigorous research design, whether quantitative or qualitative, particularly against the outcome of actual turnover as opposed to intention to leave. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Registration 17 March 2015: CRD42015017613

In Silico Reconstitution of Actin-Based Symmetry Breaking and Motility

Computational modeling and experimentation in a model system for actin-based force generation explain how actin networks initiate and maintain directional movement

5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine stress response and apoptosis in prostate cancer

While studying on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms (DNA methylation at C-5 of –CpG– cytosine and demethylation of methylated DNA) of certain genes (FAS, CLU, E-cadh, CD44, and Cav-1) associated with prostate cancer development and its better management, we noticed that the used in vivo dose of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5.0 to 10.0 nM, sufficient to inhibit DNA methyltransferase activity in vitro) helped in the transcription of various genes with known (steroid receptors, AR and ER; ER variants, CD44, CDH1, BRCA1, TGFβR1, MMP3, MMP9, and UPA) and unknown (DAZ and Y-chromosome specific) proteins and the respective cells remained healthy in culture. At a moderate dose (20 to 200 nM) of the inhibitor, cells remain growth arrested. Upon subsequent challenge with increased dose (0.5 to 5.0 μM) of the inhibitor, we observed that the cellular morphology was changing and led to death of the cells with progress of time. Analyses of DNA and anti-, pro-, and apoptotic factors of the affected cells revealed that the molecular events that went on are characteristics of programmed cell death (apoptosis)

Lower limb biomechanics during running in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Abnormal lower limb biomechanics is speculated to be a risk factor for Achilles tendinopathy. This study systematically reviewed the existing literature to identify, critique and summarise lower limb biomechanical factors associated with Achilles tendinopathy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We searched electronic bibliographic databases (Medline, EMBASE, Current contents, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus) in November 2010. All prospective cohort and case-control studies that evaluated biomechanical factors (temporospatial parameters, lower limb kinematics, dynamic plantar pressures, kinetics [ground reaction forces and joint moments] and muscle activity) associated with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy were included. Quality of included studies was evaluated using the Quality Index. The magnitude of differences (effect sizes) between cases and controls was calculated using Cohen's d (with 95% CIs).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nine studies were identified; two were prospective and the remaining seven case-control study designs. The quality of 9 identified studies was varied, with Quality Index scores ranging from 4 to 15 out of 17. All studies analysed running biomechanics. Cases displayed increased eversion range of motion of the rearfoot (d = 0.92 and 0.67 in two studies), reduced maximum lower leg abduction (d = -1.16), reduced ankle joint dorsiflexion velocity (d = -0.62) and reduced knee flexion during gait (d = -0.90). Cases also demonstrated a number of differences in dynamic plantar pressures (primarily the distribution of the centre of force), ground reaction forces (large effects for timing variables) and also showed reduced peak tibial external rotation moment (d = -1.29). Cases also displayed differences in the timing and amplitude of a number of lower limb muscles but many differences were equivocal.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There are differences in lower limb biomechanics between those with and without Achilles tendinopathy that may have implications for the prevention and management of the condition. However, the findings need to be interpreted with caution due to the limited quality of a number of the included studies. Future well-designed prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.</p

Actin Polymerization Controls the Organization of WASH Domains at the Surface of Endosomes

Sorting of cargoes in endosomes occurs through their selective enrichment into sorting platforms, where transport intermediates are generated. The WASH complex, which directly binds to lipids, activates the Arp2/3 complex and hence actin polymerization onto such sorting platforms. Here, we analyzed the role of actin polymerization in the physiology of endosomal domains containing WASH using quantitative image analysis. Actin depolymerization is known to enlarge endosomes. Using a novel colocalization method that is insensitive to the heterogeneity of size and shape of endosomes, we further show that preventing the generation of branched actin networks induces endosomal accumulation of the WASH complex. Moreover, we found that actin depolymerization induces a dramatic decrease in the recovery of endosomal WASH after photobleaching. This result suggests a built-in turnover, where the actin network, i.e. the product of the WASH complex, contributes to the dynamic exchange of the WASH complex by promoting its detachment from endosomes. Our experiments also provide evidence for a role of actin polymerization in the lateral compartmentalization of endosomes: several WASH domains exist at the surface of enlarged endosomes, however, the WASH domains coalesce upon actin depolymerization or Arp2/3 depletion. Branched actin networks are thus involved in the regulation of the size of WASH domains. The potential role of this regulation in membrane scission are discussed