The Egyptological afterlife of Colin Campbell

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‘Most I saw were very dirty, some very ragged and all of very coarse cloth’: the conservation of the nineteenth-century student gown in the Hunterian, University of Glasgow

A rare and important 19th century student gown in the collection of the Hunterian Museum had survived remarkably intact over the years, but to ensure its future long-term preservation, it was sent to the University of Glasgow Centre for Textile Conservation and Technical Art History for conservation. This paper describes the history of the gown, and details of the decision making and the work of the conservator involved in its preservation

Modern approaches to repairs and maintenance procurement within the social housing sector

This document represents the final stage of a research project assessing the relevance of modern procurement approaches within the context of repairs and maintenance to social housing providers. Previous documents in this study are suggestive that there are some limitations for the effectiveness of social housing providers to undertake the role of construction client. This in turn would appear to question the relevance of the procurement approach. In accepting this contention, this phase of the research applies a semi-structured framework in which the role of the client is targeted and measured along with the assessment of if or how the role of the contractor could alter in order to potentially achieve enhanced relevance. Over a twelve month time span, a number of identified ‘intervention strategies’ were developed by a small group of senior practitioners. The rationale was to apply the identified strategy to a small sample in order to ascertain if there was any consequence of the trial. The usage of a research methodology that enables a number of cycles and iterations would also allow for modifications to be made to further enhance the intervention measures. Having completed three cycles of applying the strategies and reflecting upon the outcome observed, this document notes the continuing challenge that modern procurement routes appear to bring

The chronology and development of the coinage of Corinth to the Peloponnesian War

This study's objective is to elucidate the numismatic history of the city of Corinth from the inception of the coinage to the beginning of the Peloponnesian War in 431BC. The method used in pursuit of the objective was to carry out a comprehensive die study which collected and analysed all known Corinthian dies with curved wing Pegasus type. Hoard and overstrike evidence was used to help order the sequence of the dies, as was the stylistic development. The numismatic, historical and archaeological evidence provided key dates which anchored the sequence and allowed the chronology of the coinage of Corinth to be revealed. The results of this study show that Corinth was one of the earliest Greek cities to issue coins. The silver necessary for the coinage was obtained from the coins of other cities and probably also from mines in the Thrace and Macedonian area. The main mint of Corinth was supplemented by an auxiliary mint at times and it also provided either dies or coins for Corinthian colonies. This study's conclusions indicate that the output from the Corinthian mint was sustained and prolific, and participation in the Corinthian economy was rigorously controlled by the city authorities. This study has also shown that the only evidence for a break in activity at the Corinthian mint is in the mid 450's BC, and that the operation of the mint was not affected by the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War

Simultaneous bilaternal training for improving arm function after stroke

Background Simultaneous bilateral training, the completion of identical activities with both arms simultaneously, is one intervention to improve arm function and reduce impairment. Objectives To determine the effects of simultaneous bilateral training for improving arm function after stroke. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register (last searched August 2009) and 10 electronic bibliographic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2009), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and AMED (August 2009). We also searched reference lists and trials registers. Selection criteria Randomised trials in adults after stroke, where the intervention was simultaneous bilateral training compared to placebo or no intervention, usual care or other upper limb (arm) interventions. Primary outcomes were performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and functional movement of the upper limb. Secondary outcomes were performance in extended activities of daily living and motor impairment of the arm. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently screened abstracts, extracted data and appraised trials. Assessment of methodological quality was undertaken for allocation concealment, blinding of outcome assessor, intention-to-treat, baseline similarity and loss to follow up. Main results We included 18 studies involving 549 relevant participants, of which 14 (421 participants) were included in the analysis (one within both comparisons). Four of the 14 studies compared the effects of bilateral training with usual care. Primary outcomes: results were not statistically significant for performance in ADL (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.14 to 0.63); functional movement of the arm (SMD -0.07, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.28) or hand (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.50 to 0.42). Secondary outcomes: no statistically significant results. Eleven of the 14 studies compared the effects of bilateral training with other specific upper limb (arm) interventions. Primary outcomes: no statistically significant results for performance of ADL (SMD -0.25, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.08); functional movement of the arm (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.09) or hand (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.09). Secondary outcomes: one study reported a statistically significant result in favour of another upper limb intervention for performance in extended ADL. No statistically significant differences were found for motor impairment outcomes. Authors' conclusions There is insufficient good quality evidence to make recommendations about the relative effect of simultaneous bilateral training compared to placebo, no intervention or usual care. We identified evidence that suggests that bilateral training may be no more (or less) effective than usual care or other upper limb interventions for performance in ADL, functional movement of the upper limb or motor impairment outcome

Preliminary investigation into the use of Micro-CT scanning on impact damage to fabric, tissue and bone caused by both round and flat nosed bullets

Firearm offences in the UK, though not as high as in the USA, are increasing year upon year within both countries (Office for National Statistics, 2018 & Mervosh, 2018). This preliminary study looked into using Micro-CT scanning as a method to visualise impact damage and spray patterns caused by 12 test firings of both round and flat nosed bullets to porcine bone (shoulder and leg) suspended in ballistic gelatine and left with no covering, covered with a skin substitute, or covered with fabric (cotton or denim). Micro-CT scanning alongside VG Studio Max showed that overall, in the case of the shoulder bones the round nosed produced longer spray patterns (35.37 mm) within the gelatine blocks compared to the flat nosed bullet (27.33 mm); while with the leg bones the spray patterns were shorter, round nosed bullet (15.64 mm) and the flat nosed bullet (20.78 mm). These initial results showed that both bullet types produced considerable damage, from splitting to full penetration, which in turn illustrates how Micro-CT scanning has benefits within forensic ballistics, which should be further investigated

Police-Community Engagement and the Affordances and Constraints of Social Media

This article provides an analysis of the ‘affordances’ and ‘constraints’ of technology-mediated police-community engagement in the United Kingdom (UK). Whilst there has been optimism that social media may transform police communicative practice and help democratise policing, studies suggest that this potential has yet to be realised. Drawing on in-depth interviews with communications professionals, the article demonstrates that social media may afford constabularies visibility, editability, and association. However, organisational, individual and technological factors influence whether these affordances are achieved. This article adds to the literature by demonstrating how citizen engagement with mediated communication is not inevitable. It is instead a product of what the technology affords, the relationship between the technology and its users, and the context within which it is used

Exploring upper limb interventions after stroke

Stroke is a global health concern, with a significant impact on mortality and disability. Motor impairment, including upper limb impairment is particularly common following stroke. Upper limb impairment impacts on an individual’s ability to complete activities of daily living and quality of life. Effective interventions targeted at upper limb recovery are therefore important and further research, within this area, has been identified as necessary. However, challenges researching such complex interventions have been recognised. To attempt to overcome such difficulties the Medical Research Council (MRC) proposed a framework for the development and evaluation of RCTs for complex interventions. In this thesis the MRC framework has been used, focusing on the processes of developing and feasibility/piloting, to provide information for a phase III randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a novel intervention targeted at upper limb recovery following stroke. A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate and clarify any possible association between predictive variables and upper limb recovery. Observational studies of stroke patients investigating at least one predictive variable and its relationship with a defined measure of upper limb recovery at a future time point were included. For this review data analysis combined several approaches. Fifty eight studies were included and 41 predictor variables identified. Initial measures of upper limb function and impairment were found to be the most significant predictors of upper limb recovery; odds ratio (OR) 38.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.40-177.55) and OR 14.84 (95% CI 9.08-24.25) respectively. Neurophysiological factors (motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials) were also consistently identified as strongly associated with upper limb recovery; OR 11.76 (95% CI 2.73-69.05) and OR 13.73 (95% CI 2.73-69.05) respectively. Moderate evidence of association was found for global disability and lower limb impairment. Interpretation of results is complicated by methodological factors, particularly relating to the heterogeneous nature of the included studies. In order to identify interventions which show potential for reducing impairment and/or improving upper limb function after stroke, an overview of the available evidence was completed. This systematic review and meta-analysis included Cochrane systematic reviews, other reviews and, where necessary, additional RCTs of interventions to promote upper limb recovery. Thirteen relevant interventions were found, covered by nine Cochrane systematic reviews (bilateral training, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), electromyograhphic (EMG) biofeedback, electrostimulation, hands-on therapy interventions, mental practice, repetitive task training (RTT), electromechanical/robotic devices and virtual reality) and four other reviews (neurophysiological approaches, high-intensity therapy, mirror therapy and splinting). A statistically significant result, in terms of arm recovery, was found in favour of eight of the interventions: CIMT (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.74 95% CI 0.44-1.03), EMG biofeedback (SMD 0.41 95% CI 0.05-0.77), electrostimulation (SMD 0.40 95% CI 0.02-0.77), mental practice (SMD 1.37 95% CI 0.60-2.15), mirror therapy (SMD 0.41 95%CI 0.05-0.77), RTT (SMD 0.23 95% CI 0.06-0.41), electromechanical/robotic devices (SMD 0.30 95% CI 0.02-0.58) and virtual reality (SMD 0.52 95% CI 0.25-0.78). Two out of the eleven interventions, which investigated hand function outcomes found a positive result (CIMT SMD 0.39 95% CI 0.11-0.68 and repetitive task training SMD 0.27 95% CI 0.06-0.47). Analyses were limited by a relatively small number of RCTs, which were also generally small in size. Heterogeneity of the available data and methodological limitations further impacts on the conclusions. Despite these limitations this overview provided a concise and informative summary of the available evidence. The interventions found to be beneficial, or showing promise tend to include elements of intensive, repetitive, task-specific practice. To build the evidence base for upper limb interventions, two Cochrane systematic reviews were undertaken. These reviews investigated the effects of bilateral training and home therapy programmes on upper limb recovery. Both included RCTs of stroke patients. Eighteen trials were included in the bilateral review, of which 14 were included in the analyses. Most of the included trials were considered to be at high risk of bias and the evidence was further limited by heterogeneity. No statistically significant results were found for any of the primary outcomes. One study found a statistically significant result in favour of another upper limb intervention for performance in extended ADL. No statistically significant differences were found for any of the other secondary outcomes. Four RCTs were included in the home-based therapy programmes review. No statistically significant result was found for any of the outcomes. There is currently insufficient good quality evidence to determine the effects of both the interventions studied. Following the evidence gained from the overview of interventions elements of intensive, repetitive and task-specific practice were to be included in a novel upper limb intervention. Robotic interventions, which incorporate these principles, were also found to have a positive effect on upper limb outcomes. Therefore a pilot, feasibility and acceptability study of a novel device (Armeo®Spring) that included these elements was completed. Medically stable adults with a clinical diagnosis of stroke and arm deficits admitted to an acute stroke unit were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to experimental intervention (high or low intensity training with the Armeo®Spring arm orthosis) or usual stroke unit care. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability of the experimental device recorded at postintervention. Secondary outcomes were; safety and three efficacy outcomes recorded at post-intervention, and 3 month follow-up. Patient recruitment was challenging; over eight months 393 consecutive stroke admissions were screened and 12 participants recruited. This study demonstrated that per-protocol levels of intensity were not feasible to provide in an acute stroke unit. However, higher levels of intensity could be achieved and this novel intervention was found to be acceptable to patients. This pilot trial also found higher change scores on the three efficacy outcomes within both intervention groups, compared to the control group. Due to small sample size and other possible confounding factors, these findings must be interpreted with caution. Using the MRC complex intervention framework as a guide I completed development and feasibility/piloting work surrounding an upper limb intervention, following stroke. Following the results of this research further development, feasibility/piloting work is suggested for the ArmeoSpring device prior to the undertaking of a phase III RCT. The information gained from this research could be used to inform phase III RCTs of other upper limb interventions

The assimilation and retention of carbon in upland heath plant communities typical of contrasting management regimes : a 13C tracer study

Peer reviewedPublisher PD