Exhibitions and the City: To Accelerate or Pause? Two Asia-Pacific Case Studies

Critical historical appraisal of two exhibitions: 'Cities on the Move' (1997–2000) and Project 1, P_A_U_S_E, of the fourth Gwangju Biennale (2002)

Making Art Global (Part 2): 'Magiciens de la Terre' 1989

This book is part of Afterall's Exhibition Histories series. It offers extensive visual representation and critical reappraisal of the famous and infamous 'Magiciens de la Terre', which took place in Paris in 1989. Co-editor of this publication, Lucy Steeds contributes the lead essay, arguing that the show, which was promoted as 'the first worldwide exhibition of contemporary art', may be seen as an inadvertent model for transnational and project-based curating in the ensuing era of neoliberal globalisation

Studies in the Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902-1923)

Daniels examined British media views of Japan by sampling local and national dailies, with emphasis on The Times and The Economist and magazines like Punch, The Graphic and The Illustrated London News. While the metropolitan papers were broadly supportive, some provincial journalists, favouring free trade, were critical of Japan and the alliance.British trade, first world war, British overseas investment, Anglo-Japanese tariff agreement, Takahashi, Japanese immigration, British Press, cartoons, illustrations, trade relations, American hegemony, open door in China, Washington Conference (1921), Paris Peace Conference (1919), China, Korea, Russia, League of Nations.

Anglo-Japanese Alliance

Nish dealt with the diplomacy of Britain and Japan in the five months before the conclusion of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, arguing that it was not a 'natural alliance' but that there were pockets of opposition to it which had to be overcome. In the case of Japan, this was associated with the activities of Marquis Ito in Europe on which much new material was presented. In the case of Britain, the naval and military arguments in favour of closer relations with Japan eventually overcame those against any change in policy.Steeds argued that all three of the alliance treaties could be numbered among the successful alliances of history. The 1905 treaty was about deterring any kind of Russian revenge in East Asia (for Japan) and Central Asia (for British India) and was successful; but because of a diplomatic revolution which took place after 1907 it became increasingly irrelevant.Hotta-Lister started with an account of the Japan-British Exhibition of 1910 which was a means of educating Britons about their ally. The 1911 alliance was the weakest of the three treaties. From Britain's standpoint a major purpose was to ensure the security of her dominions in the Pacific, possibly against Japan, while from the Japanese standpoint it was to protect her against her fear of isolation in the Pacific vis-à-vis the United States.Lord Landsdowne, Sir Edward Grey, Hirobumi Ito, Tadasu Hayashi, Jutaro Komura, Taro Katsura, Anglo-Japanese Alliance, Russo-Japanese War, Iswolsky, Japan-British Exhibition.

Localized moving breathers in a 2-D hexagonal lattice

We show for the first time that highly localized in-plane breathers can propagate in specific directions with minimal lateral spreading in a model 2-D hexagonal non-linear lattice. The lattice is subject to an on-site potential in addition to longitudinal nonlinear inter-particle interactions. This study investigates the prediction that stable breather-like solitons could be formed as a result of energetic scattering events in a given layered crystal and would propagate in atomic-chain directions in certain atomic planes. This prediction arose from a long-term study of previously unexplained dark lines in natural crystals of muscovite mica.Comment: 6 pages, 2 Figs. Submitted to PR

Exhibition Histories and Afrofictions

A group exhibition at the Michaelis Galleries, University of Cape Town, 2 July to 18 August 2017, co-curated by Lucy Steeds and Nkule Mabaso

Effects of low energy electron irradiation on formation of nitrogen-vacancy centers in single-crystal diamond

Exposure to beams of low energy electrons (2 to 30 keV) in a scanning electron microscope locally induces formation of NV-centers without thermal annealing in diamonds that have been implanted with nitrogen ions. We find that non-thermal, electron beam induced NV-formation is about four times less efficient than thermal annealing. But NV-center formation in a consecutive thermal annealing step (800C) following exposure to low energy electrons increases by a factor of up to 1.8 compared to thermal annealing alone. These observations point to reconstruction of nitrogen-vacancy complexes induced by electronic excitations from low energy electrons as an NV-center formation mechanism and identify local electronic excitations as a means for spatially controlled room-temperature NV-center formation

Prognostic significance of early short-term measurements of heart rate variability following acute myocardial infarction.

This study of 164 subjects demonstrates that short-term (5-minute) recordings of heart rate variability, performed within 48 hours of admission, identify those who survive acute myocardial infarction but have an adverse prognosis

Aortic calcification and femoral bone density are independently associated with left ventricular mass in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background Vascular calcification and reduced bone density are prevalent in chronic kidney disease and linked to increased cardiovascular risk. The mechanism is unknown. We assessed the relationship between vascular calcification, femoral bone density and left ventricular mass in patients with stage 3 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease in a cross-sectional observational study. Methodology and Principal Findings A total of 120 patients were recruited (54% male, mean age 55±14 years, mean glomerular filtration rate 50±13 ml/min/1.73 m2). Abdominal aortic calcification was assessed using lateral lumbar spine radiography and was present in 48%. Mean femoral Z-score measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was 0.60±1.06. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine left ventricular mass. One patient had left ventricular hypertrophy. Subjects with aortic calcification had higher left ventricular mass compared to those without (56±16 vs. 48±12 g/m2, P = 0.002), as did patients with femoral Z-scores below zero (56±15 vs. 49±13 g/m2, P = 0.01). In univariate analysis presence of aortic calcification correlated with left ventricular mass (r = 0.32, P = 0.001); mean femoral Z-score inversely correlated with left ventricular mass (r = −0.28, P = 0.004). In a multivariate regression model that included presence of aortic calcification, mean femoral Z-score, gender and 24-hour systolic blood pressure, 46% of the variability in left ventricular mass was explained (P<0.001). Conclusions In patients with stage 3 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, lower mean femoral Z-score and presence of aortic calcification are independently associated with increased left ventricular mass. Further research exploring the pathophysiology that underlies these relationships is warranted

Understanding the different challenges facing students in transitioning to university particularly with a focus on ethnicity

A positive and successful transition into University is crucial if students are to stay the course in higher education and experience successful outcomes. However, challenges exist in ensuring a connected transition from secondary and further education to higher education that is inclusive and supports the diversity in our current undergraduate student body. We set out to explore the diverse experiences that first year students report about their recent transition to a post-1992 University. We were particularly interested in how these experiences and challenges differed by ethnicity. This is incredibly important given the disparity, recognised in the sector, in the attainment of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students compared to their White counterparts and particularly pertinent that this trend reverses attainment patterns in secondary education. This paper summarises some of our key findings in determining the challenges facing students from different backgrounds in their transition to university. It argues that Universities will have to change their transition and wider offer to ensure that diverse students feel welcomed and develop a sense belonging in Higher Education in order for them to achieve successful outcomes