The University of Northampton has a history of commitment to academic and professional activity which is geared to the needs and expectations of its communities, whether regional, national or international. One aspect of our focus is to recognise that all learners are different and manifest their capabilities, skills and aptitudes in different ways. The university has, for instance, been at the leading edge in promoting access to its courses in a number of innovative ways, including ‘access routes’ which offer pathways to qualifications for a wide range of students who otherwise would have little or no chance of succeeding. A good example of this is our approach to first-generation university learners (like myself); these are young people from families who have never had anyone attend further, let alone higher, education. As such it is a practical signal of this university's commitment to be more inclusive by widening participation. All universities have to operate in a climate in which competition and external measurement are a fact of life. However, the University of Northampton is unwilling to shift from the principle of opportunity for all and desire to enhance our reputation for quality and excellence. This ambition is reflected neatly in this issue of Support for Learning. For many years Northampton has been developing a reputation in the field of special and inclusive education. It continues to provide top-quality, highly rated, practically geared courses for teachers and other education professionals who work with children and young people. I am very pleased to be able to introduce this collection of articles, which results in large part from the endeavours of our staff, students and professional and academic associates. We still have some way to go, as is the case with any ambitious institution, in realising our aim of becoming a fully inclusive provider. But I am sure the level of our commitment to the important principle of inclusivity will shine through in this important publication.
This study aims at exploring the effects of both static and dynamic loading of volcanic ash on a building roof, by proposing a revision of the building regulations with the objective of making existing and future European buildings more resilient to volcanic ash loading on the buildings in the prone areas. Preliminary results show that there is a direct proportionality between deformations of the roof and the load due to weight of the impacting ash as demonstrated through simulation tests using a finite element method.
Microscopic examination of the skin structure may help in identifying possible lesions as well as studying the integrity of the tissue; two dimensional examination of the structure may not be able to easily identify the complexity of the collagen bundle network in skin sections. In this area our research involves examination of skin sections in three dimensions. Thin dermal sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) and mounted on glass slides with a cover slip. The sections were imaged using a Leica TCS SP2 confocal microscope (Leica Microsystems GmbH, Germany). We have developed software techniques for 3D visualisation of the confocal data allowing display on a computer monitor or an observation cube. The image shows an example of visualisation from confocal microscope data of collagen bundles in a skin section (microscope image width 750 microns).
Background and Objectives: The Arabian Gulf region is rapidly developing, with major changes in lifestyle that can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. Stroke constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Qatar. This research focuses mainly on ischaemic stroke, aiming to study carotid plaque morphology at biochemical, cellular and molecular levels. The objectives are to identify markers that can be measured in surrogate tissues (e.g., blood) in order to identify patients at risk of developing the criteria for clinical intervention to prevent or reduce the risk of stroke. Methods: Fifteen carotid plaques were collected from routine carotid endarterectomy surgery. A range of laboratory techniques were used, including SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, histology, immuno-histochemistry, DD-PCR, flow-modelling, bright-field and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Results: Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and its precursor (pro-MMP-3) were higher in echolucent than in echogenic plaques, especially near regions of ulceration, necrosis and where the fibrous cap was thin or torn. Isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were seen in all carotid plaques irrespective of intraplaque features however, levels of inducible NOS (NOS-II) were higher in echolucent than in echogenic plaques. Higher levels of immunoreactive superoxide dismutase were observed in plaques with higher degree of stenosis (>75%-80% measured by ultrasonography). 3D imaging using LSCM showed evidence of carotid plaque vulnerability demonstrated by reduced fibrous cap thickness and a large lipid-necrotic core with evidence of cracking. Five PCR products were identified in echogenic plaques and three PCR products were identified in echolucent plaques which were absent from echogenic plaques. Some of these PCR bands are the products of genes which appear to be up- or down-regulated during plaque development. Blood flow simulation models showed how blood velocity changes could occur associated with reduction in lumen diameter caused by the plaque. Conclusions: Our findings could help in understanding factors affecting plaque morphology. The switching 'off or on' of genes and their encoded proteins may play an important role in stabilisation or destabilisation of carotid plaques. This may lead to digestion of fibrous tissue, leading to thinning or tearing of the fibrous cap and to plaque disruption, initiating embolization and stroke.
<p>Magmas are particle-fluid mixtures and as such governed by the physical laws that determine flow and deformation in granular slurries. However, developing quantitative models that combine conduit-scale flow properties with the local generation of flow instabilities that lead to pattern formation, for example layering, segregation or clumping/jamming of crystals during transit, remains a challenge.</p><p>Here we provide a detailed theoretical analysis of the lateral flow of a granular magmatic slurry, with application to flow differentiation and layering in mafic sill complexes. The slurry rheology is decomposed into scalar and vector components of the fluctuations in the time-dependent configuration of the particles, which although operating on different scales, together give rise to fluctuations in velocity and particle concentrations that may impart considerable heterogeneity during flow.</p><p>A key determinant in the development of geological features of interest is the ratio of flow velocity to the gravitational settling rates of crystals in suspension.&#160; Equations are derived that explore the relative contribution of lateral, pressure gradient or volume-driven lateral conduit flow (<em>G</em>) to rates of crystal settling (<em>H</em>). The key ratio <em>G/H ~ D </em>is defined for both symmetrical and non-symmetrical flow as a function of particle pressure, the latter key in controlling crystal-liquid segregation. Two regimes are identified, <em>D</em> < 1 (crystal settling/sedimentation dominates) and <em>D</em> > 1 where differentiation and layering are emergent properties intrinsic to the flow.&#160; Sensitivity analysis reveals the upper and lower boundary conditions at the magma-country rock interface play a critical (and unique) role in controlling velocity fluctuations that impact on local flow segregation and layering.</p><p>Lack of experimental evidence, or real-time observations of magmatic intrusions, means critical open questions remain concerning the precise thermo-mechanical conditions (density contrasts, crystallinity and pressure gradients), needed to match theory with the natural world. However, theoretical treatment sets the scene for follow-up numerical work and experimental verification while providing new insight into factors contributing to chemical diversity and textural heterogeneity in igneous rocks.</p>
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