Queer Otherwise: Embodying a Queer Identity in Cape Town

This research responds to the following question: how do LGBTQ South Africans in Cape Town come to understand and embody their queerness? Drawing on ideas of the body as a sense making agent (Meyburgh 2006) and site of socio-political contestation (Foucault 1975) this research adapts body-mapping methodologies (de Jager, Tewson, Ludlow, Boydell 2016) to excavate the ways in which LGBT South Africans negotiate their queerness. Through centering the experiences of three LGBTQ identified South African’s in conversation with the experiences of the researcher, this paper delves into how queer people make sense of and understand themselves in relation to their material reality. Foregrounded by an overview of the methodological and ethical considerations operationalized throughout, this paper will present the narratives of each participant culminating in a discussion on observations surrounding ideas troubling queerness as ‘un-African’, of language, and of community gleaned during these conversations closed by a final reflection from the researcher

Exploring the Hardness of Nitride Ceramics: Electronic Properties and Band Gap Studied using Soft X-ray Spectroscopy

Research into determining what intrinsic characteristics cause materials to be hard is imperative if one would like to design future materials with a hardness exceeding that of diamond. Measuring the hardness of materials in order to obtain a fundamental quantity independent of extrinsic factors is difficult, if not impossible. However, many theories have been proposed pertaining to the quantification of hardness as a fundamental property. While it is clear that the hardness of a material will strongly depend on its crystal structure, another fundamental quantity, the electronic band gap, has also been linked to the intrinsic hardness of materials. The electronic band gap is a seemingly simple quantity, but is difficult to de- termine for novel or complicated materials. Core-level spectroscopy techniques that probe the occupied and unoccupied density of states separately allow for an indirect determination of the electronic band gap. These methods have several advantages over conventional tech- niques in that they do not strongly depend on the extrinsic material properties such as defects and impurities. The electronic band gap has been determined in this way for several novel materials. These include group 14 nitrides with spinel structure that were recently studied over the last decade. The electronic band gap of three synthesized binary spinel nitrides γ-Si3N4, γ-Ge3N4 and γ-Sn3N4 are determined using core-level spectroscopy to be 4.8 ± 0.2 eV, 3.5 ± 0.2 and 1.6 ± 0.2 eV, respectively. These measurements agree with the calculated values of 4.97, 3.59 and 1.61 eV for γ-Si3N4, γ-Ge3N4 and γ-Sn3N4, respectively. We have also extended these measurements and calculations to include the solid solutions γ-(GexSi1−x)3N4 and γ-(SnxGe1−x)3N4 showing these spinel-structured nitrides form a multi-functional class of semiconductors. This band gap measurement technique has also been applied successfully to the phosphor converting light emitting diode material Ba3Si6O12N2 and the novel semicon- ductor MnNCN. This shows that using core-level spectroscopy is a very effective method to determine the electronic band gap where there are no other feasible techniques. Aside from the electronic band gap, core-level spectroscopy is also a complementary technique to deter- mine the crystal structure, which is also an important parameter with regard to hardness. The crystal structure, particularly aspects such as anion ordering and vacancy ordering, have been determined for the spinel-structured oxonitride Ga3O3N and a novel phase of calcium nitride Ca3N2. These results show that core-level spectroscopy is a powerful technique to determine the anion ordering in oxonitrides and was further applied to the material class β-sialons, allowing for the determination of the electronic band gap as well as ascertaining both the anion and cation ordering. Combining all of these aspects we show that the electronic band gap is not only useful for predicting the hardness of materials, but in some cases can be used to predict the existence of certain materials. We use theoretical methods, combined with experimental measurements, to calculate the hardness and electronic band gap of all possible binary and ternary group 14 spinel-structured nitrides. Through the correlation of the hardness and electronic band gap we show that only the three already synthesized binary group 14 spinel-structured nitrides are stable along with their solid solutions and that the elusive spinel-structured carbon nitride γ-C3N4 will be never synthesized

Dietary Cholesterol and Resistance Training as Countermeasures to Accelerated Muscle Loss

Cholesterol plays an important role in physiology, serving as a membrane constituent and steroid hormone precursor. Recently, cholesterol has also been associated with skeletal muscle homeostasis, leading to the purpose of this research, which was to examine the role of cholesterol metabolism during perturbations of skeletal muscle homeostasis. We evaluated skeletal muscle responses and proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism [sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) and low-density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R)] under conditions of unloading, exercise and dietary cholesterol (D-CL) administration. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle mass, fractional synthesis rates (FSR), SREBP-2, and LDL-R would be lower in unloaded muscle while exercise and D-CL would have a positive effect. The first study examined the effect of hindlimb unloading (HU) on muscle mass, SREBP-2, and LDL-R. HU animals showed lower muscle mass and a trend towards lower gastrocnemius SREBP-2 than cage controls (CC). The second study examined the effect of D-CL and resistance training (RT) on lean mass, FSR, SREBP-2, and LDL-R in ambulatory rats. Unexpectedly, rats performing exercise without added resistance [(RT-Control (RTC)] had greater lean mass responses than the RT groups. However, RT groups had higher plantaris to body mass ratio and FSR than RTC (plantaris FSR only) and CC (both variables) animals. RT plus high D-CL administration resulted in greater plantaris FSR than the RT group consuming normal D-CL. Quadriceps SREBP-2 trended towards an increase in response to RT. The third study investigated the effect of D-CL and RT on muscle mass, FSR, SREBP-2, and LDL-R in the context of HU. HU and HU rats performing RT had lower muscle mass than CC. HU rats showed higher liver mature LDL-R than CC but showed a trend towards lower gastrocnemius SREBP-2 than CC. There was no difference in FSR among activity or D-CL groups. These studies show evidence of shifts in content of proteins related to cholesterol metabolism and muscle FSR when muscle activity is manipulated from RT to complete unloading. However, effects such as elevated FSR with RT and high D-CL were not consistent throughout the studies, leaving doubt of the effect of activity on cholesterol metabolism

Endonasal endoscopic cadaveric dissection of sellar-suprasellar region and cavernous sinus - a descriptive and morphometric study

Endoscopic skull base surgery has evolved in recent years from technological advancement in medical equipment related especially to the field of optical technology. The paradigm shift that occurred with the introduction of the modem rigid rod lens endoscope into the neurosurgical armamentarium saw the exponential expansion of the role of its use in pituitary tumor and endonasal skull base surgery. Due to the distinct differences between microscope and endoscope optic principles, it is important that familiarity with endonasal endoscopic anatomical landmarks be recognized by the young trainee surgeon in neurosurgery. A morphometric study of the relevant anatomy of endonasal approaches to the sellar and parasellar region is crucial to gain understanding of the anatomy of this region. Three asian human cadaveric heads underwent staged endonasal endoscopic dissections and anatomical landmark images were captured and morphometric measurements were attempted. Twenty Paranasal Sinus Protocol Computer Tomography of patients undergoing studies for suspected sinus disease and 20 Pituitary protocol Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies of patients being investigated for suspected pituitary diseases were selected for morphometric measurements. On the Paranasal Sinus Protocol Computer Tomography, the coronal surface area of middle and inferior chonchal bone, the whole turbinate and the meatus were measured using Osirix software. On the coronal CT imaging the vidian canal- foramen rotundum distance were measured with Osirix software. On the Pituitary MRI the maximal anterior sphenoidal width, naso-vomer distance, chiasmal width and height, infundibulum distance, inter-carotid distance, sphenoid septum numbers, position, height and projection towards paraclival and parasellar ICA prominence, suprasellar cistern volume, pituitary area and computed volume were measured with Osirix software. On staged endonasal endoscopic cadaveric dissections; the middle turbinate, posterior choana and the sphenoid ostium were identified during the nasal and sphenoid phase. Identification of sella floor with adjacent clivus, optic and carotid protuberances and the optico-carotid recesses were documented during the sellar phase. The suprasellar and parasellar phase, the arteries identifiable were the ICA, ACA, MCA, PCom, basilar artery, PCA, superior cerebellar, and AICA. The cranial nerves Ill, IV, V and VI were identified. The pituitary gland with its stalk, posterior in relation to the optic chiasm was noted. Mamillary bodies and anterior floor of third ventricle were identified and opening was made in its floor to gain access into the third ventricle. The foramen of Monroe with its choroid plexus, the massa intermedia, and the superior medullary velum could be visualized with the 3 mm endoscope for intraventricular exploration. On the paranasal sinus CT images, the inferior chonchal mean area at anterior, middle and posterior coronal levels were 0.13, 0.24 and 0.14 cm2 on the left side and 0.15, 0.27 and 0.16 cm2 on the right side. The whole inferior turbinate mean area at anterior, middle and posterior coronal level were 1.10, 1.39 and 1.19 cm2 on left side and 1.02, 1.36 and 1.14 cm2 on right side. Majority of inferior meatus area on all levels and both sides were more than 0.20 cm2 • The inferior meatus area is smallest at its anterior coronal level (mean of 0.38 cm2 on both side) and widest at the mid coronal level (right 0.79 cm2 and left 0.75 cm2). The mean middle chonchal area at vertical, oblique and horizontal coronal levels were 0.19, 0.12 and 0.20 cm2 on the left side and 0.21, 0. 14 and 0.14 cm2 on the right side. The mean of whole middle turbinate area at vertical, oblique and horizontal coronal levels were 0.52, 0.41 and 0.47 cm2 on the left side and 0.55, 0.46 and 0.49 cm2 on the right side. Majority of the middle meatus studied demonstrated a surface area of more than 0.20 cm2 and none of the concha, whole turbinate and meatus areas was significantly different when comparison were made for gender group as well as among the age groups. The mean vidian canal-foramen rotundum distance was 5.5 mm on right side and 5.3 mm on left side. On the Pituitary protocol MRI, the mean maximal anterior sphenoidal width was 2.92 cm, naso-vomer distance 3.98 cm, chiasma width 1.48 cm, chiasma height 0.21 cm, infundibular height 0.61 cm, inter-carotid distance 1.69 cm, right, middle and left sphenoid septum heights were 1.31, 1. 7 4, 1.27 cm respectively. Computed suprasellar cistern and pituitary volume were 1.83 and 0.44 cm3 respectively. Forty-five percent of sphenoid septums were in close proximity to the ICA prominence, with 75% of right sphenoid septum and 64% of left sphenoid septum pointed towards the ICA prominence. Understanding the endonasal endoscopic anatomy of the sellar, suprasellar and cavernous sinus region augmented by morphometric measurements of relevant landmarks is important to improve the accuracy of the endonasal endoscopic trajectory to the midline and extended transsphenoidal approaches and this would translates into a 'safe road map' during surgery

Soil properties of cultivation sites for mountain-cultivated ginseng at local level

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying suitable site for growing mountain-cultivated ginseng is a concern for ginseng producers. This study was conducted to evaluate the soil properties of cultivation sites for mountain-cultivated ginseng in Hamyang-gun, which is one of the most well-known areas for mountain-cultivated ginseng in Korea.MethodsThe sampling plots from 30 sites were randomly selected on or near the center of the ginseng growing sites in July and August 2009. Soil samples for the soil properties analysis were collected from the top 20 cm at five randomly selected points.ResultsMountain-cultivated ginseng was grown in soils that varied greatly in soil properties on coniferous, mixed, and deciduous broad-leaved stand sites of elevations between > 200 m and < 1,000 m. The soil bulk density was higher in Pinus densiflora than in Larix leptolepis stand sites and higher in the < 700-m sites than in > 700-m sites. Soil pH was unaffected by the type of stand sites (pH 4.35–4.55), whereas the high-elevation sites of > 700 m were strongly acidified, with pH 4.19. The organic carbon and total nitrogen content were lower in the P. densiflora stand sites than in the deciduous broad-leaved stand sites. Available phosphorus was low in all of the stand sites. The exchangeable cation was generally higher in the mixed and low-elevation sites than in the P. densiflora and high-elevation sites, respectively.ConclusionThese results indicate that mountain-cultivated ginseng in Korea is able to grow in very acidic, nutrient-depleted forest soils

Should patients set the agenda for informed consent? A prospective survey of desire for information and discussion prior to routine cataract surgery

Lee Teak Tan1,2, Huw Jenkins1,2, John Roberts-Harry2, Michael Austin11Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK; 2West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen, UKPurpose: To ascertain the level of information relating to specific risks desired by patients prior to cataract surgery.Setting: Dedicated cataract surgery pre-assessment clinics of 2 hospitals in South West Wales, UK.Methods: Consecutive patients (106) were recruited prospectively. Of these, 6 were formally excluded due to deafness or disorientation. Eligible patients (100) were asked a set of preliminary questions to determine their understanding of the nature of cataract, risk perception, and level of information felt necessary prior to giving consent. Those who desired further information were guided through a standardized questionnaire, which included an audio-visual presentation giving information relating to each potential surgical complication, allowing patients to rate them for relevance to their giving of informed consent.Results: Of the entire group of 100, 32 did not wish to know &amp;ldquo;anything at all&amp;rdquo; about risks and would prefer to leave decision making to their ophthalmologist; 22 were interested only in knowing their overall chance of visual improvement; and 46 welcomed a general discussion of possible complications, of whom 25 went on to enquire about specific complications. Of these 25, 18 wished to be informed of posterior capsular (PC) tearing, 17 of endophthalmitis, 16 each of dropped lens, retinal detachment and corneal clouding, and 15 of bleeding, sympathetic ophthalmia, and PC opacification.Conclusion: Patients differ in their desire for information prior to cataract surgery, with one significant minority favoring little or no discussion of risk and another wishing detailed consideration of specific risks. A system of consent where patients have a choice as to the level of discussion undertaken may better suit patients&amp;rsquo; wishes than a doctor-specified agenda.Keywords: cataract extraction, informed consent, patient-centered car

Reversing “Empty Forest Syndrome” in Southeast Asia

[Extract] The diverse tropical forests of Southeast Asia are home to some of the most mysterious and beautiful wildlife species in the world, some of which have only been discovered in the last few decades. Home to species such as the antelope-like Saola (the Asian “unicorn”), which was only discovered in 1992 and that no biologist has seen in the wild, capturing the imagination of scientists, reporters and the public alike. Home to an extensive community of animals small and large, from civets to muntjacs, striped rabbits to Doucs, porcupines to pigs, tortoises to wild cattle. However, Southeast Asia also holds a higher proportion of globally threatened vascular plant, reptile, bird and mammal species than any other region on the planet. Today, these irreplaceable forests are often harboring the ghosts of these amazing species, victims of a barbaric and widespread hunting technique—the use of homemade and cheap wire snares that catch animals, leaving them trapped, often to suffer for days, before death. This hunting technique makes no distinction between common and Endangered species and is indiscriminately laying waste to any wildlife species regardless of their size and shape: Saola, Grey-shanked Douc, Southeast Asian Porcupine, Sambar Deer, Marbled Cat, Hog Badger, and the list goes on and on. Imagine walking into the Adirondacks in the northeastern United States and not seeing a single squirrel or raccoon. This idea appropriately has an ominous name: “empty forest syndrome.

The Diggable City: Making Urban Agriculture a Planning Priority

In addition to an inventory of potential urban agriculture sites, the team also conducted a literature review, held focus groups with relevant stakeholders, conducted numerous interviews, and administered and analyzed surveys. The results of these outreach efforts greatly informed criteria development and recommendations, and expanded our understanding of the potential for urban agriculture in Portland. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler, Deborah Howe, and Connie Ozawa. A DVD version of this work produced in 2006 can be found at: http://search.library.pdx.edu/PSU:CP7111350869000145