4,199 research outputs found
Exploring metabolic dysfunction in chronic kidney disease
Abstract
Impaired kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to kidney failure and end-stage renal disease
(ESRD) is a serious medical condition associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and in particular cardiovascular
disease (CVD) risk. CKD is associated with multiple physiological and metabolic disturbances, including hypertension,
dyslipidemia and the anorexia-cachexia syndrome which are linked to poor outcomes. Specific hormonal,
inflammatory, and nutritional-metabolic factors may play key roles in CKD development and pathogenesis. These
include raised proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and â6, tumor necrosis factor, altered hepatic acute
phase proteins, including reduced albumin, increased C-reactive protein, and perturbations in normal anabolic
hormone responses with reduced growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-1 axis activity. Others include
hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), with angiotensin II and aldosterone implicated
in hypertension and the promotion of insulin resistance, and subsequent pharmacological blockade shown to
improve blood pressure, metabolic control and offer reno-protective effects. Abnormal adipocytokine levels
including leptin and adiponectin may further promote the insulin resistant, and proinflammatory state in CKD.
Ghrelin may be also implicated and controversial studies suggest activities may be reduced in human CKD, and
may provide a rationale for administration of acyl-ghrelin. Poor vitamin D status has also been associated with
patient outcome and CVD risk and may indicate a role for supplementation. Glucocorticoid activities traditionally
known for their involvement in the pathogenesis of a number of disease states are increased and may be
implicated in CKD-associated hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes risk and cachexia, both directly and indirectly
through effects on other systems including activation of the mineralcorticoid receptor. Insight into the multiple
factors altered in CKD may provide useful information on disease pathogenesis, clinical assessment and treatment
rationale such as potential pharmacological, nutritional and exercise therapies
A Radio Survey of Seven Southern X-ray Luminous Clusters of Galaxies
The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) has been used at 1.38 and 2.38
GHz to survey seven southern Abell clusters of galaxies with high X-ray
luminosities: A2746, A2837, A3126, A3216, A3230, A3827 and A3836. The clusters
have also been surveyed at 0.843 GHz with the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis
Telescope (MOST). We have listed a complete 1.38-GHz sample of 149 radio
sources within the Abell circles centred on their X-ray centroids. We compare
their identification fractions, emitted 1.38-GHz and optical powers, radio
spectral indices and radial variation in projected source density with those of
the radio-selected samples of Slee et al. (1998). We compare our fractional
radio luminosity function with that of the radio-selected samples of Ledlow and
Owen (1996) and Slee et al. (1998). Three significant differences are noted
between X-ray and radio-selected samples of clusters; (1) the X-ray sample has
an excess of flat-spectrum radio sources; (2) the fractional radio luminosity
function for the FR I sources in the X-ray selected sample is much steeper,
implying that fewer of their cluster galaxies become hosts for the stronger FR
I radio galaxies; (3) a complete absence of FR II radio galaxies in the X-ray
selected sample. The average excess projected density of radio sources near our
cluster centres is approx. 5 times the background source density.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, plus 6 figures to be published online only;
accepted to appear in MNRA
Exploring hybridity in food supply chains
In recent years, a number of dynamic aspects of food supply chains have attracted great interest among social scientists investigating rural restructuring and change. These include: the expansion of organic agriculture; the development of new value added enterprises at farm level and the revitalisation of traditional and new-old artisanal production practices; the expansion from a low base of the market share of alternative short supply chains, such as farmers markets; and the so-called quality turn, riding on the heels of another turn in rural social research - the consumption turn. All of these changes come together in a vision of alternative agro food networks (AAFNs) that has been built around empirical and theoretical work from a number of predominantly European social researchers, centred on Wageningen, but conducted in a number of countries in Europe. These and other associated changes in the composition of farm-based economic activity are seen to be constitutive of a new paradigm of rural development comprising an alternative network of producers, consumers and other actors in relation to the mainstream agro-food system (Van der Ploeg et al. 2000; Van der Ploeg and Renting 2004; Renting et al. 2003). The theorisation surrounding this work on AAFNs has been sharply criticised by Goodman (2004). He challenges the vision of certain European social scientists of an alternative food sector rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the commodity-based food system to constitute a new paradigm of rural development. He notes their view of AAFNs as: innovative precursors of paradigm change, of a more endogenous, territorialized and ecologically embedded successor to the allegedly crisis-ridden modernisation model of conventional industrialised agriculture. (Goodman 2004:6) In particular, he challenges the binary categorisation into alternative and mainstream and is deeply sceptical as to the existence of a new paradigm while, at the same time, highly cognisant of dynamic changes within the agro-food sector. This paper is motivated by a desire to explore the extent to which different theories can help interpret and explain some of the most dynamic areas of agro-food systems that belong neither in the mainstream food supply chains and networks, nor in the alternative food supply networks. We review two areas where we argue that hybridity is evident in food supply chains and networks, and draw conclusions as to the research needs in a field where too often dualistic interpretations have prevailed.Agribusiness,
Jerwood Contemporary Makers 2010
Jerwood Contemporary Makers showcases work by the new generation of UK makers. Selected by Hans Stofer (chair), Richard Slee and myself, the exhibition investigates the notion of making by bringing together a broad range of work from across craft and the visual arts. Twenty-nine makers took part, each exhibiting one work and receiving an equal share of the ÂŁ30,000 prize fund. Supported by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.
A catalogue in the form a newspaper broadsheet was produced with an essay, âThe Making Gameâ commissioned from Jeanette Winterson.
A series of Monday evening events accompanied the exhibition. These included Emmanuel Cooper (ceramicist and craft writer) in conversation with Hans Stofer, Richard Slee and myself also a panel discussion exploring the notion of amateur making, chaired by Stephen Knott, (PhD student, School of Applied Art, RCA) with the research student that I supervise Emma Shercliff, (PhD student, School of Fashion & Textiles, RCA). At the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland I conducted a gallery tour and delivered a lecture and workshop on Curating Contemporary Craft alongside curator David Littler.
The exhibition received considerable press including Crafts, July/August 2010 (Dr.Jessica Hemmings), Design Week, 27 May 2010 and The Independent, 29 June 2010 (Michael Glover)
Rural development policy and the provision of public goods: challenges for evaluation
Environmental âpublic goodsâ generated by agricultural land use are discussed in terms of their conceptual underpinnings and how they have been addressed to date in European Union policy for agriculture and rural development. The current debate on CAP reform has intensified the already considerable debate over how these goods should be valued, and how the relevant policy measures should be evaluated. Against this background, a number of methodological and practical issues for evaluation are discussed, including accounting for spatial scale and diversity, the estimation of use and non-use values, governance, potential conflict between âpublic goodsâ and their marketisation, and accounting for the marginal effects of rural development policy on environmental assets and their values.public goods, evaluation, Agricultural and Food Policy,
Using the PhotoStory method to understand the cultural context of youth victimisation in the Punjab
Bullying is an international issue that is only just beginning to be researched in India and
anecdotal evidence in Punjab, India, has suggested that most schools in the Punjab are in denial about bullying on campus. Our aim was to investigate the nature of bullying in
this region using the PhotoStory Method. We sought to discover how young people in
India perceived and experienced incidents of bullying. Three Punjabi schools were
issued with ipads that students could use to email the researchers their illustrated stories
about bullying. Using the Pic Collage App, 33 students aged 12-15 sent PhotoStories
about experiences of victimization. Many stories described incidents of physical
harassment, name calling and âEve teasingâ, which left students feeling sad,
embarrassed, depressed and helpless. However, only four PhotoStories described
incidents that met the definition of bullying i.e. that involved repetitive, hurtful
behaviour perpetrated by a person or persons that could be considered more âpowerfulâ
than the victim. Nonetheless, the stories, while not lengthy and overly descriptive, did
indicate that physical acts of aggression between peers were common in and outside
school. The findings are discussed in relation to definitional issues and the need to
implement anti-violence programs in Indian schools.peer-reviewe
âWild landâ: a concept in search of space
This paper sets out the general background context surrounding the issue of wild land in Scotland. It explores definitions of wild land and related concepts, identifies key issues associated with wild land in Scotland, and explores the question of the desirability of designating areas as wild land for Scotland.
There is increasing interest in the concept of âwild landâ, âwildnessâ, or âwildernessâ in Scotland, other parts of the UK and Europe. Changes in agricultural policy are leading to land abandonment in several European Union member states and in some cases âre-wildingâ is taking place with little or no managerial input from humans. These events have led to renewed interest across Europe in setting aside land with minimal management to create âwildâ areas. There has been either interest or activity, not always in the public sector, in Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and the Netherlands in exploring and establishing some form of wild land area. Many of these are relatively small, with evidence of recent human activity, and, as such, are quite distinct from the concept of âwildernessâ, which has been so influential in certain parts of the world (such as North America) in influencing the designation of areas of land for minimal management. In contrast there are the large areas of northern Scandinavia, which still contain âwilderness-likeâ qualities, and to some extent are preserved in the wilderness areas and national parks of Finland, Sweden and Norway.
Unfortunately, the terms âwild landâ, âwildnessâ, âwildernessâ, come with an enormous amount of associated cultural baggage, resulting in argument and conflict over definitions, purpose, and management of potential wild land or wilderness areas. The aim of this paper is to unpack some of that baggage and clarify the key issues in the current discussions on wild land taking place in Scotland
Whole-school mental health promotion in Australia
Although there is increasing recognition internationally of the significance of social and
emotional health and wellbeing for the healthy development of young people, the levels
of support that governments provide for mental health policy and programme initiatives
vary widely. In this paper, consideration is given to Australiaâs approach to mental
health promotion from early years to secondary school, including specific reference to
the KidsMatter Primary mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention
initiative. Although it is now well established that schools provide important settings for
the promotion of mental health initiatives, there are significant challenges faced in
effectively implementing and maintaining the delivery of evidence-based practice in
school settings, including concerns about quality assurance in processes of
implementation, translation, dissemination and evaluation.peer-reviewe
Venturing into schools : locating mental health initiatives in complex environments
Schools provide viable settings for mental health promotion initiatives, such as programs to develop studentsâ social and emotional capabilities (SEC). Complexity in the school
environments into which initiatives are introduced, such as diverse student capabilities,
school structures, and teachersâ knowledge and confidence, will play an integral role in the success of those initiatives. This paper investigates the environments of schools about to receive the KidsMatter mental heath promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative in Australia, using information sourced from questionnaires about 2598 students and their teachers in 50 Australian primary schools. The focus of the report is on the status of the schoolsâ work in one of the key focus areas for the intervention, namely studentsâ SEC. Analysis showed relatively high levels of studentsâ SEC across the whole sample, but with sub-group differences. Teachersâ attitudes towards SEC learning were highly positive. Teachersâ self-rated knowledge and approaches in dealing with SEC were moderate, and point to requirements for additional pre-service and professional development. The extent of regular and sustained delivery of SEC programs and mental health initiatives in general showed variability, suggesting the need to attend to school systems and structural supports. Implications of these areas of diversity in school environments on the selection and methods of delivery of mental health promotion programs in schools are discussed.peer-reviewe
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