THE FACE, THE MIND, THE TEXT: READING FOR CHARACTER IN THE NOVELS OF ANN RADCLIFFE

Literary scholars have placed Ann Radcliffe’s novels in a variety of different categories: Gothic, Sentimental, and Pre-Romantic. Additionally, her texts have been used as examples of psychoanalysis, feminist and post-structuralist theory. While these approaches capture some aspects of her achievement, they neglect others. In fact, these approaches have often obscured fundamental aspects of her texts, most importantly her approach to character. There has been a critical inclination to ignore the role of character in Radcliffe’s texts. However, her texts are deeply interested in the workings of the mind and in the concept of interiority. It is one of the central tenets of this thesis that the connection between body, mind and text is fundamental to Radcliffe’s writing. The first chapter of this thesis explores Radcliffe’s approach to characterisation in the context of eighteenth-century traditions. Through an analysis of Radcliffe’s characterisation, the importance of the visual field emerges and becomes the focus of the second chapter. In the second chapter, the connection between the discourse of physiognomy and Radcliffe’s characterisation is explored. Physiognomy is established as a key discourse underpinning Radcliffe’s epistemological viewpoint throughout her fiction. The connections between Radcliffe’s fiction and the discourse of physiognomy have been under-researched and I believe offer an important context for understanding the aims of Radcliffe’s fiction. Finally, in chapter three the role of portraiture and aesthetic theory is explored; its connections with the discourse of physiognomy are clear and further reinforce the importance of vision as an epistemological concept within Radcliffe’s novels. Chapter three is also concerned with the wider textual nature of Radcliffe’s penultimate novel The Mysteries of Udolpho and uses the idea of Derrida’s parergon to reconsider the relationship between the body and the landscape in her fiction

Intranasal sodium citrate solution improves olfaction in post-viral hyposmia

Background: Calcium plays an integral role in olfactory signal transduction, including feedback inhibition. Sodium citrate acts as a calcium sequestrant and when applied intranasally, reduces free calcium available for feedback inhibition, which should theoretically improve olfaction. We aimed to investigate the utility of intranasal sodium citrate in improving the olfactory function of hyposmic patients, by performing this prospective placebo controlled, single-blinded trial. Methodology: Monorhinal olfactory testing for odour identification and threshold was performed in hyposmic patients using “Sniffin’ Sticks”, before and after treatment. Treatment consisted of sodium citrate solution application to the olfactory cleft. Sodium chloride solution was applied to the contralateral olfactory cleft, which therefore acted as placebo control. Patients were blinded to the side of sodium citrate application, and side of treatment was randomized between patients. Results: 57 patients participated in the trial, aged 22-79. Causes of hyposmia included: post-viral (7); posttraumatic (10); sinonasal (30) and idiopathic (10). Compared with placebo, there was significant improvement in the identification scores of participants with post-viral hyposmia, following sodium citrate treatment. No significant change in olfactory function occurred for either identification or threshold in any other aetiological subgroup. Conclusions: Intranasal sodium citrate may be of benefit to patients with post-viral hyposmia

Female Criminality and Feminism – Is There a Causal Relationship?

In the past, many criminologists have viewed the collective sentiments of feminism as potentially crimogenic (Lombroso, 1985; Thomas, 1923; Pollak, 1950). Even female academics writing in the last decade have claimed the women\u27s movement has a darker side (Cowie, 1968; Adler, 1975; Simon, 1975; Hart, 1975; Dening, 1977). Substantial sceptics appear to remain unheard amongst those who profess that liberated women are committing more masculine, violent, serious, male-dominated and occupational crimes. Such remarks are generally unsubstantiated by research. Box and Hale (1983:36) suggest that ... those who are attempting to prove a causal connection between emancipation and female crime by merely documenting the historical overlap between those two phenomena seem to be fatally flawed ... Something more than concurrence is needed to prove causation. Steffensmeier goes on to state that ... the new female criminal is more of a social invention than an empirical reality (Steffensmeier, 1978:580). Such conflicting views concerning the relationship between female criminality and feminism generated my interest in this area. A further review of the literature indicated that existing work was largely classical or traditionalist in its interpretation. Further research was needed. Analysis of female criminality and feminism has indicated that assumptions made about increasing levels and the changing nature of female crime are questionable (Wise, 1967 & 1976; Campbell, 1981; Smart, 1979; Steffensmeier, 1980(a) & 1980(b)). Success of the Women\u27s Liberation Movement with regard to improving the social, political and economic position of women has been overrated (Smart, 1977; Steffensmeier, 1978; Campbell, 1981) and oversimplified (Giordano & Cernkovich, 1979). Any relationship between the two phenomena appears more spurious than causal (Hart, 1975; Dening, 1977; Steffensmeier, 1978; Box and Hale, 1983). In order to test the above statement, I designed a questionnaire and conducted research based on a non-random sample of 176 female undergraduate students enrolled in two introductory sociology classes at a mid western state university. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of an attitude inventory designed by Smith and Self (1981) to measure attitudes favourable to feminism. Respondents were asked about the domestic role, relations with men, male/female differences, politics and the labour market. Respondents indicated their level of agreement with each statement on a Likert-type scale. Scores were assigned for each item so that the feminist response was high (+4). Mean scores were computed and those scoring above 2.5 were interpreted as pro-feminist. This divided my sample into two groups, feminist (51.7%) and nonfeminist (48.3%). The second part of the questionnaire was concerned with deviant behavioural traits. Questions were specifically chosen to cover deviant activities most likely to apply to the student population. Once the results were interpreted, I found there was no greater incidence of women possessing feminist attitudes amongst those engaging in deviant and/or criminal activities. My findings are thus supportive of recent research (Giordano & Cernkovich, 1979; James & Thornton, 1980; Box & Hale, 1983). I find nothing inherently crimogenic about the women\u27s movement and would suggest something other than mono-causal explanations are needed to understand such a complex phenomenon

International trends in reading strategy instruction and their possible application in Czech schools

TITLE: International trends in reading strategy instruction and their possible aplication in Czech schools. AUTHOR: Ladislava Whitcroft DEPARTMENT: Primary Education, Faculty of Education SUPERVISOR: prof. PaedDr. Radka Wildová, CSc. ABSTRACT: This study focus is based on detailed analysis of reading strategy instruction abroad and possible strategies for application in Czech schools. The theoretical part of the study brings definition to the term reading strategies, and it maps different approaches to reading strategy instruction on the basis of relevant international studies. The empirical part is based on qualitative case study research methods. It presents a description and analysis of two Czech teachers; both are distinctive advocates of reading strategy instruction in the Czech Republic. The study shows how their values get reflected in their approach to reading strategy instruction and how they influence the way these teachers scaffold comprehension of their pupils. The US programme CORI was chosen for detailed analyses as an example of an international research-proven programme. In the concluding part, the study summarises practical recommendation for future teachers' preparation (inclusion of systematic reading strategy instruction methods as well as drama teaching methods and instruction in...NÁZEV: Zahraniční trendy ve výuce čtenářských strategií a jejich možná aplikace v českém prostředí AUTOR: Ladislava Whitcroft KATEDRA (ÚSTAV) Katedra primární pedagogiky, Pedagogická fakulta ŠKOLITEL: prof. PaedDr. Radka Wildová, CSc. ABSTRAKT: Tato disertační práce se zaměřuje na výuku čtenářských strategií v zahraničí a na možné cesty jejich začlenění do výuky na českých školách. V teoretické části je vymezen termín čtenářské strategie a dále jsou zmapovány různé přístupy k výuce čtenářských strategií na základě zahraničních studií, které se touto problematikou zabývají. Empirická část je založena na metodách kvalitativního výzkumu, konkrétně případové studie. Jsou zde popsány a zanalyzovány dva případy českých učitelů, výrazných zastánců výuky čtenářských strategií v ČR. Zároveň je ukázáno, jak se hodnoty těchto učitelů promítají do výuky čtenářských strategií a způsobu, jakým je žákům poskytována opora. Ze zahraničních příkladů byl k podrobnější analýze vybrán výzkumně ověřený program CORI. Případová studie vybrané americké školy ukazuje, jak jsou čtenářské strategie začleňovány do výuky v rámci tohoto programu, který staví na motivaci a slučování vzdělávacího obsahu. V závěru práce jsou shrnuta praktická doporučení, která z práce plynou pro přípravu budoucích učitelů (systematické začlenění výuky...Oddělení pro vědeckou činnostPedagogická fakultaFaculty of Educatio

A Randomised Controlled Trial of Sodium Citrate Spray for Non-Conductive Olfactory Disorders

Background: Previous research has suggested that sodium citrate improves hyposmia by decreasing mucus calcium levels in the nose. This study aimed to confirm or refute this effect in a single application and assess potential side effects. Methodology: Study design was a randomised double-blind controlled trial of sodium citrate nasal spray (intervention) versus sterile water (control) in a tertiary care clinic. Fifty-five patients with non-conductive olfactory loss were randomised to receive the intervention or placebo. The primary outcome measure was improvement in measured olfactory thresholds for phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) over 2 hours. Other outcome measures assessed were Improvement in olfactory thresholds in 1-butanol, eucalyptol and acetic acid; number of responders with a clinically relevant response in each arm; adverse effects. Results: A significant effect was seen in the intervention arm for PEA and for 1-butanol and eucalyptol when compared to the control arm (P<0.05); 32% of the intervention arm responded in terms of improved sensitivity towards some of the odours. Minor adverse effects noted included sore throat, nasal paraesthesia, slight rhinorrhoea and itching. The duration of effect of the citrate is transient, peaking at 30-60 minutes after application. Conclusions: Sodium citrate yields some potential as a treatment for non-conductive olfactory loss, however these findings require corroboration in further clinical trials looking at longer-term regular use of the spray as a viable therapeutic option for patients where it would be applied at frequent intervals such as before meal times

Extremity and excess : proceedings of the 2011 University of Salford College of Arts and Social Sciences postgraduate research conference

The essays gathered in this volume explore the difficulties of classifying and conceptualizing the extreme and the excessive. Uniting a broad selection of new research (initially presented as part of the University of Salford’s annual College of Arts and Social Sciences Conference 2011), the collection queries some of the premises surrounding these topics: ideas that are most often presented as a counterpoint to a perceived ‘normality’. Both terrorism/responses to terrorist threat and the grotesque within horror cinema are represented whilst perhaps reflecting that which is deemed outside of the general parameters of acceptability and decency. Yet there is also a focus on subjects that may, at first, be seen as less radical. From alternative representations of authorship to new technology’s attempts at ‘realness’, prose as hysteria through to melodramatic depictions of war and, finally, approaches that aim to challenge the more commonplace critical strategies employed in the assessment of both fine art and fine artists, this collection will be of particular interest to students and scholars prepared to look beyond a concept that may hint at the merely shocking and engage with a more widely interpreted and nuanced critique of extremity and excess

Patient experience of nasal obstruction and its clinical assessment

BACKGROUND: The correlation between objective and subjective nasal obstruction is poor, and dissatisfaction rates after surgery for nasal obstruction are high. Accordingly, novel assessment techniques may be required. This survey aimed to determine patient experience and preferences for the measurement of nasal obstruction. METHOD: Prospective survey of rhinology patients. RESULTS: Of 72 questionnaires distributed, 60 were completed (response rate of 83 per cent). Obstruction duration (more than one year) (χ2 = 13.5, p = 0.00024), but not obstruction severity, affected willingness to spend more time being assessed. Questionnaires (48 per cent) and nasal inspiratory peak flow measurement (53 per cent) are the most commonly used assessment techniques. Forty-nine per cent of participants found their assessment unhelpful in understanding their obstruction. Eighty-two per cent agreed or strongly agreed that a visual and numerical aid would help them understand their blockage. CONCLUSION: Many patients are dissatisfied with current assessment techniques; a novel device with visual or numerical results may help. Obstruction duration determines willingness to undergo longer assessment

Comparison of COVID-19 and common cold chemosensory dysfunction

Anosmia constitutes a prominent symptom of COVID-19. However, anosmia is also a common symptom of acute colds of various origins. In contrast to an acute cold, it appears from several questionnaire-based studies that in the context of COVID-19 infection, anosmia is the main rhinological symptom and is usually not associated with other rhinological symptoms such as rhinorrhoea or nasal obstruction. Until now, no study has directly compared smell and taste function between COVID-19 patients and patients with other causes of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) using valid and reliable psychophysical tests. In this study, we aimed to objectively assess and compare olfactory and gustatory functions in 10 COVID-19 patients (PCR diagnosed, assessed on average 2 weeks after infection), 10 acute cold (AC) patients (assessed before the COVID-19 outbreak) and 10 healthy controls, matched for age and sex. Smell performance was assessed using the extended "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery (4), while taste function was assessed using "taste strips" (5). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were built to probe olfactory and gustatory scores in terms of their discrimination between COVID-19 and AC patients. Our results suggest that mechanisms of COVID-19 related olfactory dysfunction are different from those seen in an AC and may reflect, at least to some extent, a specific involvement at the level of central nervous system in some COVID-19 patients. In the future, studies to assess the prevalence of persistent anosmia and neuroanatomical changes on MRI correlated to chemosensory function, will be useful to understand these mechanisms

Olfactory Nomenclature: An Orchestrated Effort to Clarify Terms and Definitions of Dysosmia, Anosmia, Hyposmia, Normosmia, Hyperosmia, Olfactory Intolerance, Parosmia, and Phantosmia/Olfactory Hallucination

BACKGROUND: Definitions are essential for effective communication and discourse, particularly in science. They allow the shared understanding of a thought or idea, generalization of knowledge, and comparison across scientific investigation. The current terms describing olfactory dysfunction are vague and overlapping. SUMMARY: As a group of clinical olfactory researchers, we propose the standardization of the terms "dysosmia," "anosmia," "hyposmia," "normosmia," "hyperosmia," "olfactory intolerance," "parosmia," and "phantosmia" (or "olfactory hallucination") in olfaction-related communication, with specific definitions in this text. KEY MESSAGES: The words included in this paper were determined as those which are most frequently used in the context of olfactory function and dysfunction, in both clinical and research settings. Despite widespread use in publications, however, there still exists some disagreement in the literature regarding the definitions of terms related to olfaction. Multiple overlapping and imprecise terms that are currently in use are confusing and hinder clarity and universal understanding of these concepts. There is a pressing need to have a unified agreement on the definitions of these olfactory terms by researchers working in the field of chemosensory sciences. With the increased interest in olfaction, precise use of these terms will improve the ability to integrate and advance knowledge in this field

Assessment of the Sheffield Support Snood, an innovative cervical orthosis designed for people affected by neck weakness

The aim of this study was to quantify the biomechanical features of the Sheffield Support Snood (SSS), a cervical orthosis specifically designed for patients with neck weakness. The orthosis is designed to be adaptable to a patient’s level of functional limitation using adjustable removable supports, which contribute support and restrict movement only in desired anatomical planes. Methods: The SSS was evaluated along with two commercially available orthoses, the Vista and Headmaster. The orthoses were compared in a series of flexion, extension, axial-rotation and lateral bending movements. Characterisation was performed with twelve healthy subjects with and without the orthoses. Two Inertial-Magneto sensors, placed on forehead and sternum, were used to quantify the neck range of motion (ROM). Findings: In its less rigid configuration, the SSS was effective in limiting movements only in the desired planes, preserving free movement in other planes, whereas the headmaster was only effective in limiting the flexion. The percentage of ROM achieved with the SSS in its rigid configuration is equivalent (P > 0.05, effect size < 0.4) to that achieved with the Vista, both in trials performed reaching the maximum amplitude (ROM reduction: 25%-34% vs 24%-47%) and at maximum speed (ROM reduction: 24%-29% vs 25%-43%). Interpretation: The SSS is effectively adaptable to different tasks and in its rigid configuration offers a support comparable to the Vista, although it has a less bulky structure. The chosen method is suitable for the assessment of ROM movements while wearing neck orthoses and easily translatable in a clinical context