Reading Autistic Experience

Within the field of Disability Studies, research on cognitive and developmental disabilities is relatively rare in comparison to other types of disabilities. Using Clifford Geertz\u27s anthropological approach, thick description, autism can be better understood by placing both fiction and non-fiction accounts of the disorder into a larger theoretical context. Applying concepts from existing works in Disability Studies to the major writings of Jacques Derrida, Julia Kristeva, Jacques Lacan, and Donna Haraway also proves to be mutually enlightening. This ethnographic approach within the context of analysis of literary texts provides a model by which representations of individuals who are cognitively or developmentally disabled can be included in the academy

Online Requests: Toward Expanded and Efficient Management

In 2003, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library converted all interlibrary loan (ILL) and course reserve services to electronic format. This poster presentation is a synopsis of the steps taken to complete automation of the two (2) departments

Water governance in the UK and EU: So far, so what and what next? Symposium Report. 16th September 2015, Royal Society, London.

Improving water governance is key to achieving a range of environmental, social and economic objectives including food, water and energy security, climate change resilience, health and well-being, and sustainable economic growth. This symposium brought together examples of initiatives in research, policy and practice for transforming water governance, including: CADWAGO case studies from the UK, Canada and Australia; the OECD’s work on water governance principles; DEFRA’s overview of the Catchment-based Approach; and the work of the Roe Catchment Community Water Management Group in the UK. CADWAGO researchers from the Open University have been working with Government bodies, NGOs, consultants, water industry, academics, and others to better understand the current water governance situation and how it might be improved in practice. The results of this engagement — focusing on transformations in stakes and stakeholding, facilitation, institutions and policies, and knowing and learning — were used as a starting point for developing of an agenda for transforming water governance in the UK and the EU. This report provides an overview of the presentations and group discussions from the symposium

\u3cem\u3eIn Vitro\u3c/em\u3e Determination of Potency of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Arp2/3 Complex

Actin is a key protein building block of actin microfilaments, which are constructed and deconstructed in response to cellular signaling pathways to regulate cellular processes such as motility, division, and endocytosis. Arp2/3 Complex is a 7-subunit protein complex that is in involved in cellular construction of branched actin networks, functioning by attaching to the side of a pre-existing actin filament and nucleating a daughter branch. Overexpression of Arp2/3 complex has been linked to the ability of certain metastatic cancers to proliferate. This work describes the synthesis and in vitro biochemical testing of several molecules predicted by computational docking to be inhibitors of Arp2/3 Complex, and therefore of potential interest in clinical applications. A bulk actin polymerization assay is used as the key method to determine the potency of inhibitor candidates. Structure-activity relationships derived from these results are also discussed

Can foot anthropometric measurements predict dynamic plantar surface contact area?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have suggested that increased plantar surface area, associated with pes planus, is a risk factor for the development of lower extremity overuse injuries. The intent of this study was to determine if a single or combination of foot anthropometric measures could be used to predict plantar surface area.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six foot measurements were collected on 155 subjects (97 females, 58 males, mean age 24.5 ± 3.5 years). The measurements as well as one ratio were entered into a stepwise regression analysis to determine the optimal set of measurements associated with total plantar contact area either including or excluding the toe region. The predicted values were used to calculate plantar surface area and were compared to the actual values obtained dynamically using a pressure sensor platform.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A three variable model was found to describe the relationship between the foot measures/ratio and total plantar contact area (<it>R</it>²= 0.77, <it>p </it>< 0.0001)). A three variable model was also found to describe the relationship between the foot measures/ratio and plantar contact area minus the toe region (<it>R</it>²= 0.76, <it>p </it>< 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study indicate that the clinician can use a combination of simple, reliable, and time efficient foot anthropometric measurements to explain over 75% of the plantar surface contact area, either including or excluding the toe region.</p

Girding the loins? Direct evidence of the use of a medieval English parchment birthing girdle from biomolecular analysis

In this paper, we describe palaeoproteomic evidence obtained from a stained medieval birth girdle using a previously developed dry non-invasive sampling technique. The parchment birth girdle studied (Wellcome Collection Western MS. 632) was made in England in the late fifteenth century and was thought to be used by pregnant women while giving birth. We were able to extract both human and non-human peptides from the manuscript, including evidence for the use of honey, cereals, ovicaprine milk and legumes. In addition, a large number of human peptides were detected on the birth roll, many of which are found in cervico-vaginal fluid. This suggests that the birth roll was actively used during childbirth. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to extract and analyse non-collagenous peptides from a birth girdle using this sampling method and demonstrates the potential of this type of analysis for stained manuscripts, providing direct biomolecular evidence for active use

Neuromotor control during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis compared to asymptomatic controls

Patellofemoral OA is characterized by PF pain during activities that load a flexed knee. Stair stepping ability is frequently impaired, yet little is known of the muscular recruitment strategies utilized during this task. Altered recruitment strategies may provide targets for clinical interventions. We aimed to determine if people with PFOA ascend and descend stairs with different muscular recruitment strategies compared to similar aged healthy individuals.Twenty-two people with PFOA and 20 controls were recruited. Electromyographic recordings from gluteus maximus and medius, medial and lateral hamstrings, vastus medialis and lateralis, medial and lateral gastrocnemius and soleus were acquired during stair ascent and descent. Force plate data was acquired to determine timing of foot placements and characterize dynamic stability.Seventeen people with PFOA (59 ± 10 years, 73 ± 13 kg, 167 ± 9 cm) and 15 controls (57 ± 10 years, 73 ± 16 kg, 171 ± 11 cm) had complete data. People with PFOA demonstrated: longer vastii activation duration during descent (lateralis: p = 0.01; medialis: p = 0.02); earlier onset of vastus lateralis for ascent (p