DOCSLIB.ORG

Download Resource-43-Summer-2014

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Download Resource-43-Summer-2014 ISSUE 43 SUMMER 2014 Ther Newsletteres ofourc Scotland’s National Academye As the decision date fast approaches, many are still uncertain about how to vote in the Referendum. The RSE has published a book which aims to inform the debate around the critical areas that will shape the future of Scotland and the UK. The book is not intended to influence the outcome either way, but is a highly-informed and impartial analysis of the facts. Details inside of where to access the book online. Also featured in this issue: RSE Inquiry into digital inclusion Latest activities of Young Academy of Scotland Arts & Humanities funding available now resource SUMMER 2014 Enlightening the Constitutional Debate In April 2014, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the British Academy published Enlightening the Constitutional Debate, which is the record of a series of events held between March 2013 and April 2014, addressed by the UK’s foremost experts and thinkers, examining the main issues surrounding the debate on Scottish independence. The following issues were covered: • Scotland and the EU • Currency & Banking and Financial Services • Taxation and Spending • Defence and International Relations • The Economy • Culture and Broadcasting • Borders, Immigration and Citizenship • Science & Higher Education • Welfare & Public Services The book, with an introduction by Professor Alan Alexander, General Secretary of the RSE and Professor Iain MacLean, Vice-President of the British Academy, runs to more than 250 pages across ten chapters, and has been made available free of charge, in order to share it with as many people as possible. The immediate public response was overwhelming. Hundreds of copies left the RSE offices every day in the first weeks, and requests were received from as far afield as the United States, Canada and New Zealand. It soon became apparent that a second print run was required and the online version was continuously downloaded from the RSE website. It was then made available as an Ebook, which again proved extremely popular. A constant theme throughout our series was that of The public must have better access to facts and expert analysis uncertainty, and the acknowledgement of so-called ‘known on what Scottish independence really means for the unknowns’: EU membership; NATO; the division of assets communities that will live with this historic decision. Earlier in and liabilities; the future of the BBC. To these examples, the year, a poll by What Scotland Thinks found that more than we should add the biggest continuing ‘unknown’, the future half of those surveyed felt they did not have enough knowledge of the pound, fiscal policy and monetary policy. Voters in the to decide how to vote in the Referendum. Referendum should, therefore, be enabled to make their As well as the need for more information, a number of other decisions on the basis of the best available information. themes emerged from the events that led to the book. One of Alan Alexander OBE (General Secretary of the Royal Society these is the fact that, whatever the outcome of the Referendum, of Edinburgh, Emeritus Professor of Public Sector the status quo is not going to remain. Things will change, either Management at Strathclyde Business School and a former with independence or, as the full provisions of the Scotland Act Chair of Scottish Water) comments: (2012) come into effect, providing new powers to the Scottish Parliament, most notably on taxation and borrowing. “What we offer is not a view on one side or the other, for both academies are entirely non-aligned in the Referendum All the main Unionist parties in Scotland have signalled that debate. The book presents a comprehensive and factual they would like further spending powers for the Scottish account, from the UK’s leading experts, of what may be on Parliament. But that requires devolving more tax powers, offer. We hope that it will help people to fill some of the which of course raises more difficulties. Rates of VAT may information gaps that remain.” not normally be varied within a single EU member state. An independent Scotland could vary rates of Corporation Tax, but recent concerns about the tax affairs of multinationals suggest Read the book online or download as a PDF that such a move would not be without risk for either Scotland or the rest of the UK. The only remaining taxes of any or e-Book – visit: www.royalsoced.org.uk consequence are the rest of income tax and National Insurance. 2 resource SUMMER 2014 The Book Launch The series culminated in an event on Tuesday 8 April at which many of the discussion threads were brought together in a final debate. Held at the National Galleries in the Hawthordon Lecture Theatre (right), the event also saw the launch of the book. The capacity audience had the first opportunity to receive their copies of the free book and to listen to and question the eminent panel. Chaired by Dr Magnus Linklater CBE FRSE, the panel comprised: Professor John Curtice FRSE; Professor Sir Ian Diamond FBA FRSE; Professor John Kay FBA FRSE; Dr Phillips O’Brien; and Professor Jeremy Peat OBE FRSE. The evening was introduced by RSE President, Sir John Arbuthnott. We were very sorry to learn of the untimely death of Professor Ailsa McKay, in March 2014. Professor McKay (7 June 1963–5 March 2014) was a Scottish economist, a leading feminist economist and Professor of Economics at Glasgow Caledonian University; she was also an adviser to the United Nations. Professor McKay took part in the debate on Welfare and Public Services, held on 20 November 2013 at the Barony Hall at the University of Strathclyde. Details of that discussion can be found on pages 200–219 of the book. RSE Council Statement on Research Funding and the Referendum The RSE has a particular interest in the effect that constitutional change might have on the future of research and higher education. On 11 June 2014, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Michael Russell MSP addressed a meeting of RSE Fellows and members of the Young Academy of Scotland on this subject. The RSE has recently published a statement of the views of Council. The main conclusion of Council was that a number of areas need greater clarification from both the Scottish Government and the UK Government. The outstanding issues identified by Council in the event of a ‘Yes’ vote are: • Is it feasible to create a sustainable common research area with the rUK?; • What happens if it is not possible to set up a common research area with rUK?; • How would an independent Scotland fund and/or secure access to major capital-intensive research infrastructure?; • What position would major research Charities adopt toward an independent Scotland?; • How long would a ‘no detriment’ assurance on funding last? The full statement, and a summary of the Fellows’ meeting at which the Cabinet Secretary spoke, can be found on the RSE website at: www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/events/reports/2013-2014/Statement-on-Research-Funding.pdf 3 resource SUMMER 2014 Spreading the Benefits of Digital Participation The RSE’s digital participation inquiry The Report recognises that the finds that Scotland’s most marginalised Scottish Government’s current digital communities are being denied the infrastructure programme will deliver opportunities offered by a digital society. significant improvements in broad- band quality and speed for many, but Extremes of digital exclusion and that it will not be sufficient to make inclusion in Scotland are much wider Scotland a ‘world-class’ digital nation than previously thought, with almost by 2020. It calls also for better use to one in five Scottish households (18%) be made of publicly-held connections in postcodes where most of their and equipment in libraries, schools neighbours are likely to be offline. and other community facilities and New analysis set out in the Report of the highlights pilot initiatives exploring RSE’s Inquiry, Spreading the benefits of innovative models of affordable digital participation, published on connection to the internet. Further, 30 April, identifies pockets of extreme the Report emphasises that technology, digital exclusion which are more prevalent software and websites must be made in areas already facing some other form accessible for everyone, including of isolation. Some of these communities people with additional needs. are in remote parts of rural Scotland, but Digital inclusion initiatives that aim to many more are in towns and cities, motivate people to get online and concentrated amongst the poor and the equip them with the skills to do so will elderly. These communities must be seen be most successful when delivered at Furthermore, information and digital as priorities for digital inclusion action, if local level, and tailored to specific needs literacy must be embedded within formal Scotland’s digital transformation is to and interests. The ‘network effect’ will education and workplace learning. underpin a strong and fair society. be crucial in gaining a critical mass of digital However, the Report emphasises that The result of an extensive consultation participation within a community, key to the Government’s focus must not be process which took evidence from encouraging others within that solely on getting more people online. individuals, organisations and businesses community to get involved. However, Technology has so altered every aspect from the Borders to the Shetland Islands, with some 1.2 million people in Scotland of our lives that a digital society has the Report calls on the Scottish lacking the essential information and ethical and moral responsibilities to Government to recognise that every digital skills needed to get online, central revisit key issues such as surveillance, individual has an undeniable right to coordination of these initiatives by the anonymity, trust, copyright, privacy and digital inclusion and assume overall Scottish Government, in partnership with freedom of speech, to ensure that the accountability to ensure that it is SCVO, is crucial to meet the scale of the risks of going online do not outweigh available and accessible to all.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Department of Medical Sciences
    Department of Medical Sciences Annual Report 2013 Fastställd av Eva Tiensuu Jansson 2013-05-09 1 Introduction Following the trend from recent years, 2013 was also a positive year for the Department of Medical Sciences. The Department has continued to grow, both in staff and in revenues. The staff are now 210, and the Department has more than 300 associated co-workers at the Uppsala University Hospital, working in more than 20 different clinical specialities. The revenues increased with 5 % to 244 MSEK, which can be attributed to the ability of the researchers at the Department to attract grants from e.g. the Swedish Research council, the Cancer Society, the Swedish Heart&Lung Fondation and from the EU, from which for example professor Erik Ingelsson was awarded the prestigious ERC starting grant. Last year professor Lars Rönnblom together with coinvestigators also were awarded 28 million SEK from AstraZeneca/SciLife for a five-year project aiming to dissect disease mechanisms in three systemic inflammatory autoimmune diseases with an interferon signature. In this context I also would like to mention the excellent services provided by the platforms hosted by the Department; the SNP&SEQ Technology platform and the Array and Analysis facility. The performance of the Department's research groups is also shown by the close to 600 peer reviewed publications during 2013, an increase with 10% from 2012, and by the 14 theses produced during 2013. The theses presented represent all six research programs at the Department, namely Cancer, Cardiology and Clinical physiology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Epidemiology, Inflammation and autoimmunity, and Microbiology and Infectious diseases.
    [Show full text]
  • Functional Effects Detailed Research Plan
    GeCIP Detailed Research Plan Form Background The Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership (GeCIP) brings together researchers, clinicians and trainees from both academia and the NHS to analyse, refine and make new discoveries from the data from the 100,000 Genomes Project. The aims of the partnerships are: 1. To optimise: • clinical data and sample collection • clinical reporting • data validation and interpretation. 2. To improve understanding of the implications of genomic findings and improve the accuracy and reliability of information fed back to patients. To add to knowledge of the genetic basis of disease. 3. To provide a sustainable thriving training environment. The initial wave of GeCIP domains was announced in June 2015 following a first round of applications in January 2015. On the 18th June 2015 we invited the inaugurated GeCIP domains to develop more detailed research plans working closely with Genomics England. These will be used to ensure that the plans are complimentary and add real value across the GeCIP portfolio and address the aims and objectives of the 100,000 Genomes Project. They will be shared with the MRC, Wellcome Trust, NIHR and Cancer Research UK as existing members of the GeCIP Board to give advance warning and manage funding requests to maximise the funds available to each domain. However, formal applications will then be required to be submitted to individual funders. They will allow Genomics England to plan shared core analyses and the required research and computing infrastructure to support the proposed research. They will also form the basis of assessment by the Project’s Access Review Committee, to permit access to data.
    [Show full text]
  • D Inosaur Paleobiology
    Topics in Paleobiology The study of dinosaurs has been experiencing a remarkable renaissance over the past few decades. Scientifi c understanding of dinosaur anatomy, biology, and evolution has advanced to such a degree that paleontologists often know more about 100-million-year-old dinosaurs than many species of living organisms. This book provides a contemporary review of dinosaur science intended for students, researchers, and dinosaur enthusiasts. It reviews the latest knowledge on dinosaur anatomy and phylogeny, Brusatte how dinosaurs functioned as living animals, and the grand narrative of dinosaur evolution across the Mesozoic. A particular focus is on the fossil evidence and explicit methods that allow paleontologists to study dinosaurs in rigorous detail. Scientifi c knowledge of dinosaur biology and evolution is shifting fast, Dinosaur and this book aims to summarize current understanding of dinosaur science in a technical, but accessible, style, supplemented with vivid photographs and illustrations. Paleobiology Dinosaur The Topics in Paleobiology Series is published in collaboration with the Palaeontological Association, Paleobiology and is edited by Professor Mike Benton, University of Bristol. Stephen Brusatte is a vertebrate paleontologist and PhD student at Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on the anatomy, systematics, and evolution of fossil vertebrates, especially theropod dinosaurs. He is particularly interested in the origin of major groups such Stephen L. Brusatte as dinosaurs, birds, and mammals. Steve is the author of over 40 research papers and three books, and his work has been profi led in The New York Times, on BBC Television and NPR, and in many other press outlets.
    [Show full text]
  • Tetrapod Biostratigraphy and Biochronology of the Triassic–Jurassic Transition on the Southern Colorado Plateau, USA
    Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 244 (2007) 242–256 www.elsevier.com/locate/palaeo Tetrapod biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Triassic–Jurassic transition on the southern Colorado Plateau, USA Spencer G. Lucas a,⁎, Lawrence H. Tanner b a New Mexico Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Rd. N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104-1375, USA b Department of Biology, Le Moyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13214, USA Received 15 March 2006; accepted 20 June 2006 Abstract Nonmarine fluvial, eolian and lacustrine strata of the Chinle and Glen Canyon groups on the southern Colorado Plateau preserve tetrapod body fossils and footprints that are one of the world's most extensive tetrapod fossil records across the Triassic– Jurassic boundary. We organize these tetrapod fossils into five, time-successive biostratigraphic assemblages (in ascending order, Owl Rock, Rock Point, Dinosaur Canyon, Whitmore Point and Kayenta) that we assign to the (ascending order) Revueltian, Apachean, Wassonian and Dawan land-vertebrate faunachrons (LVF). In doing so, we redefine the Wassonian and the Dawan LVFs. The Apachean–Wassonian boundary approximates the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. This tetrapod biostratigraphy and biochronology of the Triassic–Jurassic transition on the southern Colorado Plateau confirms that crurotarsan extinction closely corresponds to the end of the Triassic, and that a dramatic increase in dinosaur diversity, abundance and body size preceded the end of the Triassic. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Triassic–Jurassic boundary; Colorado Plateau; Chinle Group; Glen Canyon Group; Tetrapod 1. Introduction 190 Ma. On the southern Colorado Plateau, the Triassic– Jurassic transition was a time of significant changes in the The Four Corners (common boundary of Utah, composition of the terrestrial vertebrate (tetrapod) fauna.
    [Show full text]
  • Photons That Travel in Free Space Slower Than the Speed of Light Authors
    Title: Photons that travel in free space slower than the speed of light Authors: Daniel Giovannini1†, Jacquiline Romero1†, Václav Potoček1, Gergely Ferenczi1, Fiona Speirits1, Stephen M. Barnett1, Daniele Faccio2, Miles J. Padgett1* Affiliations: 1 School of Physics and Astronomy, SUPA, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK 2 School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, SUPA, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK † These authors contributed equally to this work. * Correspondence to: [email protected] Abstract: That the speed of light in free space is constant is a cornerstone of modern physics. However, light beams have finite transverse size, which leads to a modification of their wavevectors resulting in a change to their phase and group velocities. We study the group velocity of single photons by measuring a change in their arrival time that results from changing the beam’s transverse spatial structure. Using time-correlated photon pairs we show a reduction of the group velocity of photons in both a Bessel beam and photons in a focused Gaussian beam. In both cases, the delay is several microns over a propagation distance of the order of 1 m. Our work highlights that, even in free space, the invariance of the speed of light only applies to plane waves. Introducing spatial structure to an optical beam, even for a single photon, reduces the group velocity of the light by a readily measurable amount. One sentence summary: The group velocity of light in free space is reduced by controlling the transverse spatial structure of the light beam. Main text The speed of light is trivially given as �/�, where � is the speed of light in free space and � is the refractive index of the medium.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetics Society News
    July 2008 . ISSUE 59 GENETICS SOCIETY NEWS www.genetics.org.uk IN THIS ISSUE Genetics Society News is edited by Steve Russell. Items for future issues should be sent to Steve Russell, preferably by email to • Genetics Society Epigenetics Meeting [email protected], or hard copy to Department of Genetics, • Genetics Society Sponsored Meetings University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH. The Newsletter is published twice a year, with copy dates of 1st June and • Travel, Fieldwork and Studentship Reports 26th November. • John Evans: an Appreciation Cocoons of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia vestalis on cabbage leaf in Taiwan. From the • Twelve Galton Lectures fieldwork report by Jetske G. de Boer on page 36. • My Favourite Paper A WORD FROM THE EDITOR A word from the editor ow soon until the $1000 based on the results of tests we genome is actually with barely understand! Here in the Hus and individual UK there is currently a sequencing is widespread? The moratorium, adhered to by publication of increasing most insurers, on the use of numbers of individual human genetic testing information for genome sequences suggests assessing life insurance that we should start to consider applications. It is important some of the implications that this remains in place and associated with the availability its effectiveness is reviewed of personal genetic well before the current information. In this issue we moratorium expires in 2011. present two articles reflecting The Human Genetics on his issue: a report from a Commission Genetics Society sponsored (http://www.hgc.gov.uk) meeting recently held in monitor issues relating to Cambridge organised by The genetic discrimination in the Triple Helix, an international UK and are a point of contact undergraduate organisation, as for those with any concerns in the Millennium Technology Prize.
    [Show full text]
  • April 2021 HAROLD VINCENT POOR CONTACT INFORMATION
    April 2021 HAROLD VINCENT POOR CONTACT INFORMATION: Electrical and Computer Engineering Phone: +1 (609) 258-1816 Princeton University Email: [email protected] Princeton, NJ 08544 USA Web: www.princeton.edu/poor EDUCATION: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1977 M.A. in Electrical Engineering, 1976 Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama M.S. in Electrical Engineering, 1974 B.E.E. with Highest Honor, 1972 EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCE: Principal Employment Princeton University Michael Henry Strater University Professor, 2005 - present Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1990 - present Associated Faculty, Center for Statistics and Machine Learning, 2014 - present Associated Faculty, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, 2012 - present Associated Faculty, High Meadows Environmental Institute, 2006 - present Associated Faculty, Department of Operations Research & Financial Eng'g, 2001 - present Associated Faculty, Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics, 1996 - present Interim Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2019-20 Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2006-16 Founding Director, (Keller) Center for Innovation in Engineering Education, 2005-06 George Van Ness Lothrop Professor in Engineering, 2003-05 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Beckman Associate, Center for Advanced Study, 1989-90 Professor, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 1988-90 Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1984-90
    [Show full text]
  • Arxiv:1603.00726V1 [Physics.Optics] 2 Mar 2016
    Single-pixel 3D imaging with time-based depth resolution Ming-Jie Sun,1, 2, ∗ Matthew. P. Edgar,2 Graham M. Gibson,2 Baoqing Sun,2 Neal Radwell,2 Robert Lamb,3 and Miles J. Padgett2, y 1Department of Opto-electronic Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China 2SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK 3Selex ES, Edinburgh, UK Time-of-flight three dimensional imaging is an important tool for many applications, such as object recognition and remote sensing. Unlike conventional imaging approach using pixelated detector array, single-pixel imaging based on projected patterns, such as Hadamard patterns, utilises an alternative strategy to acquire information with sampling basis. Here we show a modified single-pixel camera using a pulsed illumi- nation source and a high-speed photodiode, capable of reconstructing 128×128 pixel resolution 3D scenes to an accuracy of ∼ 3 mm at a range of ∼ 5 m. Furthermore, we demonstrate continuous real-time 3D video with a frame-rate up to 12 Hz. The sim- plicity of the system hardware could enable low-cost 3D imaging devices for precision ranging at wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum. Introduction Whilst a variety of 3D imaging technologies are suited for different applications, time-of-flight (TOF) systems have set the benchmark for performance with regards to a combination of accuracy and operating range. Time-of-flight imaging is performed by illuminating a scene with a pulsed light source and observing the back-scattered light. Correlating the detection time of the back-scattered light with the time of the illumination pulse allows the distance, d, to objects within the scene to be estimated by d = tc=2, where t is the TOF and c is the propagation speed of light.
    [Show full text]
  • Filaggrin and Eczema
    J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2008; 38:45–7 Paper © 2008 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Filaggrin and eczema 1R Weller, 2WHI McLean 1Senior Lecturer, Department of Dermatology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh; 2Professor of Human Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK ABSTRACT Recent genetic findings demonstrate an important role for the Published online September 2007 epidermal protein filaggrin in the aetiology of atopic diseases, including asthma as well as eczema. Filaggrin is critical to the conversion of keratinocytes to the Correspondence to R Weller, protein/lipid squames that compose the stratum corneum, the outermost barrier Department of Dermatology, layer of the skin. In 2006, icthyosis vulgaris, a disease characterised by dry, scaly skin, University of Edinburgh, Lauriston was found to be a semi-dominant Mendelian condition due to mutations at two Building, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9HA, UK sites (R501X and 2282del4) in the filaggrin gene. An exceptionally strong association has also been shown between these two mutations and the most tel. +44 (0)131 536 2041 common distinct form of eczema, atopic dermatitis, in 12 independent European populations, with odds ratios varying between 2·8 and 13·4. No negative studies fax. +44 (0)131 229 8769 have been reported in Europe, although these two mutations are not associated with AD in three non-European cohorts. Furthermore, FLG null mutations have e-mail [email protected] since been identified in European and non-European cohorts with AD. Asthma on a background of AD is related to FLG null status, but not in the absence of AD.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Meeting 1998
    PALAEONTOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 42nd Annual Meeting University of Portsmouth 16-19 December 1996 ABSTRACTS and PROGRAMME The apparatus architecture of prioniodontids Stephanie Barrett Geology Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK e-mail: [email protected] Conodonts are among the most prolific fossils of the Palaeozoic, but it has taken more than 130 years to understand the phylogenetic position of the group, and the form and function of its fossilized feeding apparatus. Prioniodontids were the first conodonts to develop a complex, integrated feeding apparatus. They dominated the early Ordovician radiation of conodonts, before the ozarkodinids and prioniodinids diversified. Until recently the reconstruction of the feeding apparatuses of all three of these important conodont orders relied mainly on natural assemblages of the ozarkodinids. The reliability of this approach is questionable, but in the absence of direct information it served as a working hypothesis. In 1990, fossilized bedding plane assemblages of Promissum pulchrum, a late Ordovician prioniodontid, were described. These were the first natural assemblages to provide information about the architecture of prioniodontid feeding apparatus, and showed significant differences from the ozarkodinid plan. The recent discovery of natural assemblages of Phragmodus inflexus, a mid Ordovician prioniodontid with an apparatus comparable with the ozarkodinid plan, has added new, contradictory evidence. Work is now in progress to try and determine whether the feeding apparatus of Phragmodus or that of Promissum pulchrum is most appropriate for reconstructing the feeding apparatuses of other prioniodontids. This work will assess whether Promissum pulchrum is an atypical prioniodontid, or whether prioniodontids, as currently conceived, are polyphyletic.
    [Show full text]
  • Scientists Discover New Genetic Mutation Linked to Eczema 4 November 2013
    Scientists discover new genetic mutation linked to eczema 4 November 2013 Scientists collaborating on an international development of new therapeutic strategies." research project led by Trinity College Dublin and the University of Dundee have identified a new Professor Irwin McLean, Scientific Director of the genetic mutation linked to the development of a Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine at type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis (AD). the University of Dundee, jointly led the research that involved collaboration between scientists in They found that a mutation in the gene Ireland, the United Kingdom, USA, Germany and Matt/Tmem79 led to the development of Singapore. The work was funded by grants from spontaneous dermatitis in mice. The gene is the Wellcome Trust, Science Foundation Ireland involved in producing a protein, now called mattrin. and the National Children's Research Centre. However, protein expression was defective in individuals with the mutant gene, and this led to Professor McLean added: "This study shows that skin problems. In humans, mattrin is expressed disruption of the barrier function of the skin is a key within the cells that produce and maintain the driving force in the development of eczema. skin's function as a barrier. Without an intact skin barrier, foreign substances can enter the body and trigger inflammation and After identifying the relationship between the allergy." mutation and AD, the scientists looked for a similar pattern in people. They screened large cohorts of AD is the most commonly diagnosed skin condition, patients that suffered from AD, comparing them affecting up to 20% of children.
    [Show full text]
  • Ninety-Third Annual Saturday Morning the Seventeenth of May Two Thousand and Eight at Half Past Nine
    SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY Ninety-Third Annual COMMENCEMENT CONVOCATION Saturday Morning The Seventeenth of May Two Thousand and Eight at Half Past Nine MOODY COLISEUM THIS IS FLY SHEET - CURIOUS TRANSLUCENTS IRREDECENTS SILVER #27 TEXT DOES NOT PRINT GRAY THIS IS FLY SHEET - CURIOUS TRANSLUCENTS IRREDECENTS SILVER #27 TEXT DOES NOT PRINT GRAY SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY In 1911, a Methodist education commission made a commitment to establish a major Methodist university in Texas. More than 600 acres of open prairie and $300,000 pledged by a group of Dallas citizens secured the university for Dallas, and it was chartered as Southern Methodist University. In appreciation of the city’s support, the first building to be constructed on the campus was named Dallas Hall. It remains the centerpiece and symbol of SMU. When the University opened in 1915, it consisted of two buildings, 706 students, a 35-member faculty, and total assets of $636,540. The original schools of SMU were the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Theology, and the School of Music. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The first charge of its founders, however, was that it become a great university, not necessarily a great Methodist university. From its founding, SMU has been nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry. Today, Southern Methodist University offers a comprehensive curriculum through Dedman College – the college of humanities and sciences – and six schools: Meadows School of the Arts, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, School of Engineering, Perkins School of Theology, Dedman School of Law, and Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
    [Show full text]