A companion to celebrity

Companion to Celebrity presents a multi-disciplinary collection of original essays that explore myriad issues relating to the origins, evolution, and current trends in the field of celebrity studies. Offers a detailed, systematic, and clear presentation of all aspects of celebrity studies, with a structure that carefully build its enquiry Draws on the latest scholarly developments in celebrity analyses Presents new and provocative ways of exploring celebrity's meanings and textures Considers the revolutionary ways in which new social media have impacted on the production and consumption of celebrity

New approaches to gene discovery with animal models of obesity and diabetes

DNA-based approaches to the discovery of genes contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes have not been very successful despite substantial investments of time and money. The multiple gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that influence the development of type 2 diabetes mean that DNA approaches are not the ideal tool for defining the etiology of this complex disease. Gene expression-based technologies may prove to be a more rewarding strategy to identify diabetes candidate genes. There are a number of RNA-based technologies available to identify genes that are differentially expressed in various tissues in type 2 diabetes. These include differential display polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), and cDNA microarrays. The power of new technologies to detect differential gene expression is ideally suited to studies utilizing appropriate animal models of human disease. We have shown that the gene expression approach, in combination with an excellent animal model such as the Israeli sand rat (Psammomys obesus), can provide novel genes and pathways that may be important in the disease process and provide novel therapeutic approaches. This paper will describe a new gene discovery, beacon, a novel gene linked with energy intake. As the functional characterization of novel genes discovered in our laboratory using this approach continues, it is anticipated that we will soon be able to compile a definitive list of genes that are important in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Transforming frameworks: new approaches to CCTs and the pursuit of educational equity

Teacher educators throughout the world are increasingly under pressure to develop educational programs and school-based relationships which respond simultaneously to the multiple consequences of changed and changing technologies, new understandings of identity (what it means to be a teacher and a student) and persistently uneven pattems of educational (and social) success. Responses to these challenges regularly draw upon computer and communication technologies (CCTs) in the sometimes optimistic belief that this will improve the chance of any educational reform having a positive impact on students at risk of educational alienation and failure. Unfortunately, the gap between the hopeful embrace of technology and the actual outcomes delivered by technologically mediated educational innovations is often quite considerable. This paper investigates the kinds of educational conversations that are necessary to allow us to move beyond these optimistic adoptions of technology to address long standing patterns of educational success and failure and outlines a framework for transformative work in this area.

A new approach to assessing the health benefit from obesity interventions in children and adolescents: the assessing cost-effectiveness in obesity project

OBJECTIVE: To report on a new modelling approach developed for the assessing cost-effectiveness in obesity (ACE-Obesity) project and the likely population health benefit and strength of evidence for 13 potential obesity prevention interventions in children and adolescents in Australia. METHODS: We used the best available evidence, including evidence from non-traditional epidemiological study designs, to determine the health benefits as body mass index (BMI) units saved and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) saved. We developed new methods to model the impact of behaviours on BMI post-intervention where this was not measured and the impacts on DALYs over the child's lifetime (on the assumption that changes in BMI were maintained into adulthood). A working group of stakeholders provided input into decisions on the selection of interventions, the assumptions for modelling and the strength of the evidence. RESULTS: The likely health benefit varied considerably, as did the strength of the evidence from which that health benefit was calculated. The greatest health benefit is likely to be achieved by the 'Reduction of TV advertising of high fat and/or high sugar foods and drinks to children', 'Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding' and the 'multi-faceted school-based programme with an active physical education component' interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of consistent methods and common health outcome measures enables valid comparison of the potential impact of interventions, but comparisons must take into account the strength of the evidence used. Other considerations, including cost-effectiveness and acceptability to stakeholders, will be presented in future ACE-Obesity papers. Information gaps identified include the need for new and more effective initiatives for the prevention of overweight and obesity and for better evaluations of public health interventions.

An architecture of rewards: a new poetics to exhibition design?

This paper argues that the influence of multimedia on exhibition practices can be felt not only by the presence of multimedia interactives in the exhibition itself but more generally by the presence of similar structural principles. The argument is conducted by borrowing from Stephen Johnson’s (2005) thesis that contemporary forms of popular culture, particularly those found in video games, television and film, are based on an ‘architecture of rewards’. In taking this term across to exhibition practices, I use it to analyse an approach to the interpretation of a heritage site, which attempts neither to reconstruct its former uses nor to insert traditional forms of ‘contextual’ displays. Instead, I argue that the curatorial attempt to find ways in which the site could become the principal object of display resulted in the conscious production of narrative gaps which become the structural armature for the encouragement of game playing in a similar process to that discussed by Johnson in relation to video games.

A new roadmap to life: media, culture, and modernity in the United Arab Emirates

Critical to the vision of a new United Arab Emirates is an educated, skilled workforce that fuels the intelligent growth needed in a knowledge-based economy. As the country begins developing its version of that economy, the mediated, transparent environment fundamental to this process will carry with it new visions of (and possibilities for) living life. If peaceful change is to be achieved, a transitional generation faces the conundrum of adapting the best that modernity can offer while retaining the best of tradition. As have others, this study suggests two things: that (1) media literacy, growing in part from education, is correlated with urbanization and a changing infrastructure, and that (2) media in all its forms is inseparable from the outcome of this drive to modernization.

Melding: a new alternative to adhesive bonding

Melding, a novel method for joining composites is examined in this paper. The method uses Quickstep ™ technology to retain partially cured areas of a composite laminate, enabling subsequent bonding operations. The effect of melding on the mechanical properties of the composite has been investigated. Flexural testing of HexPly 914 indicates consistent properties throughout a melded section. Flexural strength values of 1.36±O.03 GPa compared to 1.35±O.03 GPa for a standard laminate were recorded. In order to achieve sufficient bond strength, the portion of the composite to be joined must have a significant proportion of uncured matrix. The ability of Hexply 914 prepreg to retain sufficient bonding potential to form a strong joint was also investigated. HexPly 914 Lap Shear results indicated no significant variation in strength values between co-cured and melded joins, with a recorded
strength value of 15.0±0. 7 MPa.