GLUTAMATE REGULATION IN THE HIPPOCAMPAL TRISYNAPTIC PATHWAY IN AGING AND STATUS EPILEPTICUS

A positive correlation exists between increasing age and the incidence of hippocampal-associated dysfunction and disease. Normal L-glutamate neurotransmission is absolutely critical for hippocampal function, while abnormal glutamate neurotransmission has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies, overwhelmingly utilizing ex vivo methods, have filled the literature with contradicting reports about hippocampal glutamate regulation during aging. For our studies, enzyme-based ceramic microelectrode arrays (MEA) were used for rapid (2 Hz) measurements of extracellular glutamate in the hippocampal trisynaptic pathway of young (3-6 months), late-middle aged (18 mo.) and aged (24 mo.) urethane-anesthetized Fischer 344 rats. Compared to young animals, glutamate terminals in cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) showed diminished potassium-evoked glutamate release in aged rats. In late-middle aged animals, terminals in the dentate gyrus (DG) showed increased evoked release compared to young rats. The aged DG demonstrated an increased glutamate clearance capacity, indicating a possible age-related compensation to deal with the increased glutamate release that occurred in late-middle age. To investigate the impact of changes in glutamate regulation on the expression of a disease process, we modified the MEA technology to allow recordings in unanesthetized rats. These studies permitted us to measure glutamate regulation in the hippocampal formation without anesthetic effects, which showed a significant increase in basal glutamatergic tone during aging. Status epilepticus was induced by local application of 4-aminopyridine. Realtime glutamate measurements allowed us to capture never-before-seen spontaneous and highly rhythmic glutamate release events during status epilepticus. A significant correlation between pre-status tonic glutamate and the quantity of status epilepticus-associated convulsions and glutamate release events was determined. Taken together, this body of work identifies the DG and CA3 as the loci of age-associated glutamate dysregulation in the hippocampus, and establishes elevated levels of glutamate as a key factor controlling severity of status epilepticus in aged animals. Based upon the potential ability to discriminate brain areas experiencing seizure (i.e. synchronized spontaneous glutamate release) from areas not, we have initiated the development of a MEA for human use during temporal lobe resection surgery. The final studies presented here document the development and testing of a human microelectrode array prototype in non-human primates

Creating sustainable textile futures for women: Digitizing Cordillera weaving tradition (CSTFW) project Evaluation Report March 2019

Executive Summary Introduction This Evaluation Report has been prepared to evaluate the success of The Creating Sustainable Textile Futures for Women: Digitizing Cordillera Weaving Tradition (CSTFW) project undertaken 2018-19 with the support of a Crafting Futures British Council / Crafts Council Grant awarded October 2018. This evaluation report will outline the aims and objectives of the project, the research design and research methods undertaken. The report will detail the limitations and advantages of the project design and present the project findings to support the development of a Learning Tool Kit. The report evaluation will focus on the qualitative analysis of our observational data, which was recorded via field notes, digital photographs, film, sound and via the project activities which have taken place to date as a result of one Field Research Visit undertaken by Rachel Kelly and Michelle Stephens in January 2019. Project Background The CSTFW project aims to investigate the loss of cultural weave heritage within the Cordillera Region in Northern Luzon area of The Philippines. It has been identified by Professor Salvador-Amores of The Cordillera Textiles Project (CordiTex) established by The University of Philippines, that while Cordilleran weaving has the status of National Heritage within The Philippines, the numbers of weavers able to practice is dwindling (CordiTex 2018). For the CSTFW project, the CordiTex team have partnered with a team from Manchester School of Art (MsoA) at Manchester Metropolitan University led by Professor Alice Kettle, Rachel Kelly and Michelle Stephens. The partnership has been established as a result of the successful award to the CSTFW project of the Crafting Futures British Council/Crafts Council Grant 2018-19. The partnership has enabled the two teams to share knowledge, literature, research findings, textile artefacts, weaving knowledge, networks of contacts, access to weave communities, digital loom facilities and prior research experiences. The results of this collaboration has been the successful undertaking of the project in order to develop a long-term change process within the identified project context. The grant awarded, enabled Rachel Kelly & Michelle Stephens to travel to the Philippines to undertake field research, field workshops and to deliver a one-day multi stakeholder Learning Tool Kit Development workshop at The University of Philippines in Baguio

62 Group – NOW

The 62 Group of Textile Artists is delighted to announce their forthcoming exhibition at the Upfront Gallery, Cumbria. The group will be exhibiting work on an open theme, reflecting the diversity of subjects, materials and approaches explored by it’s members. 62 Group – NOW aims to present the work of the group as a snapshot or moment in time. Members will be submitting work that represents current projects and areas of research. The exhibition runs from 17th March to 10th May 2015

Whipstitch: The State of Contemporary Textiles

This exhibition explores contemporary approaches to making and using textiles, where centuries-old traditions serve as the foundation and concept behind embroidery, quilting, weaving, and mixed media sculpture. The methods of making are expanded upon with the assistance of digital language, tools and machines. These artists are pushing the boundaries by commenting on the process of making and redefining the purpose of textiles, while also paying homage to its rich and varied traditions. Viewers are offered a glimpse into the depth, nuance and voice that artists are giving textiles today

Fifteenth International Triennial of Tapestry

The exhibition presented 130 works prepared by 136 artists from 46 countries