Class, space and community : a workshop conference

Class, Space and Community: A Workshop Conference was organized by the Sociology and Social Policy Department at the University of Durham on April 6–8th, 2001. Academics from a variety of disciplines were brought together to explore the social and cultural implications of deindustrialization on people and communities whose identities were once founded on industrialism and manufacturing. From the detailed accounts about individual lives, communities and regions, and the exact changes they have all been forced to undergo, a general story was told. That is, many areas have recently witnessed the rapid and complete elimination of their industrial bases with seemingly nothing left in their place. Today, the problems these areas face go beyond the matters of massive unemployment. There is also a sense of “folding in on oneself” as the community attempts to find new structures upon which to reinvent itself. “Soft outcomes” such as preserving a sense of pride, dignity and respectability were also shown to be significant to processes of social and economic regeneration. This story is true for places throughout the world. What was especially highlighted by this conference was the way in which an emergent international perspective on deindustrialization was reflected in the combination of very local descriptions of particular localities. Whether it be in Youngstown in Ohio, Consett, Sunderland, or South Shields in northeast England, Nowa Huta in southern Poland, Karhula in Finland, or in South Africa's East Rand, the impacts of globalization and deindustrialization are both real and present for us all today

Lower uterine segment placental thickness in women with abnormally invasive placenta.

Introduction Ultrasound signs of abnormal placental invasion are subjective in nature. We tested the hypothesis that placental thickness in the lower uterine segment is increased when there is abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) in women with a low‐lying placenta. Material and methods Retrospective analysis of data of placental thickness in women with ultrasound evidence of major placenta previa or a low‐lying anterior placenta was done. The diagnosis of AIP was confirmed both intraoperatively and on histopathology for those managed by partial myometrial excision with uterine conservation or by hysterectomy. Results In all, 131 records were available for analysis after exclusion of 33 cases due to unsuitable images and eight cases without pregnancy outcomes. The diagnosis of AIP was confirmed in 28 (21.4%) of the 131 cases. The lower segment placental thickness was significantly higher in women with AIP (median = 50.3 mm, IQR: 42.7‐64.3) than in those with normal placentation (median = 30.9 mm, IQR: 22.9‐42.2, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that previous cesarean section and placental thickness on ultrasound were independent predictors for AIP. Conclusions Lower uterine segment placental thickness is increased in women with AIP compared with those with noninvasive placentation. This association constitutes a pragmatic objective sign and may be of clinical value in improving prenatal detection of AIP in women with placental implantation in the lower uterine segment. Prospective studies are necessary to ascertain lower segment placental thickness as a predictor for AIP

The QUinapril Ischemic Event Trial (QUIET) design and methods: Evaluation of chronic ACE inhibitor therapy after coronary artery intervention

The rationale, trial design, and statistical aspects of QUIET, the QUinapril Ischemic Event Trial, are described. QUIET is a prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled study that will assess the ability of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor quinapril to reduce the rate of cardiac ischemic events and to slow or prevent the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis as assessed by serial angiography in a normolipidemic population without left ventricular dysfunction. The study began in September 1991 and has completed recruitment with 1740 patients across 38 centers (28 U.S., 4 Canada, 6 Europe) by the end of 1992. Patients are randomized to 20 mg of quinapril or placebo once daily and continue in the study for 3 years. Study completion is projected for 1995.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44614/1/10557_2004_Article_BF00878518.pd

Gene mutations and three-dimensional structural analysis in 13 families with severe factor X deficiency

Factor X (FX) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The phenotype and genotype of 15 Iranian patients with FX deficiency from 13 unrelated families with a high frequency of consanguinity were analysed. Five different assays identified four patients from three families with a discrepancy between low-FX coagulant activity (FX:C) and higher-FX antigen (FX:Ag) (a type II deficiency). The remaining 11 patients had parallel reductions of FX:C and FX:Ag (a type I deficiency). Nine different homozygous candidate mutations were identified, of which eight were novel. The four type II cases were associated with an Arg()1)Thr missense mutation in the prepropeptide: Arg()1) is highly conserved in all vitamin K-dependent proteins. Four type I mutations (Gly78Asp, Cys81Tyr, Gly94Arg and Asp95Glu) were localized to the EGF-1 and EGF-2 domains, for which molecular views showed that the protein folding would be disrupted. The type I mutation Gly222Asp was localized in the catalytic domain of FX, and is sufficiently close to the Asp-His-Ser catalytic triad to disrupt its correct protein folding. The two type I splice site mutations were IVS1+3, A fi T and IVS2\u20133, T fi G. These novel homozygous FX mutations were consistent with their phenotypes and agree with experimental data from knockout mice, indicating that FX is an essential protein for survival

Placental thickness in the lower uterine segment and invasive placentation: Will the promise live up?

We thank Takahashi and Matsubara for the interest in our article in which it was demonstrated that the placental thickness in the lower uterine segment is increased in women with abnormally invasive, compared to those with normal placentation. Takahashi & Matsubara argue that measurement of the placental thickness can be difficult in cases of central placenta previa. To support their argument, they show MRI images of central placenta previa. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Social theory and the politics of big data and method

This article is an intervention in the debate on big data. It seeks to show, firstly, that behind the wager to make sociology more relevant to the digital there lies a coherent if essentially unstated vision and a whole stance which are more a symptom of the current world than a resolute endeavour to think that world through; hence the conclusion that the perspective prevailing in the debate lacks both the theoretical grip and the practical impulse to initiate a much needed renewal of social theory and sociology. Secondly, and more importantly, the article expounds an alternative view and shows by thus doing that other possibilities of engaging the digital can be pursued. The article is thus an invitation to widen the debate on big data and the digital and a call for a more combative social theory

Statistics and State-istics : exclusion categories in the population census (Belgium, 1846-1930)

Peer reviewe