Vocal Quality, Projection and Perception. This project will quantify the vocal features of projection and loudness in experienced operatic soloists and actors and will examine how these features relate to emotional expression and how each of these qualities are perceived by the performers and by others. We will determine which respiratory and laryngeal techniques are associated with the ability to communicate emotional connection and to produce certain sound qualities, in particular associated ....Vocal Quality, Projection and Perception. This project will quantify the vocal features of projection and loudness in experienced operatic soloists and actors and will examine how these features relate to emotional expression and how each of these qualities are perceived by the performers and by others. We will determine which respiratory and laryngeal techniques are associated with the ability to communicate emotional connection and to produce certain sound qualities, in particular associated with the performer's ability to project a powerful voice unamplified within a large theatre, as well as over an orchestra.Read moreRead less
Microparticles as effectors of microvascular alterations in brain inflammation. Cerebral malaria (CM) kills many children worldwide, but we do not understand why their small blood vessels in the brain become obstructed. We found that tiny elements detached from cell membranes, called microparticles (MP), are dramatically elevated in the blood during CM. Our results strongly suggest that these MP are important in CM development. We have found that some drugs block the release of MP and the stick ....Microparticles as effectors of microvascular alterations in brain inflammation. Cerebral malaria (CM) kills many children worldwide, but we do not understand why their small blood vessels in the brain become obstructed. We found that tiny elements detached from cell membranes, called microparticles (MP), are dramatically elevated in the blood during CM. Our results strongly suggest that these MP are important in CM development. We have found that some drugs block the release of MP and the stickiness of malaria parasites to blood vessels. Our project will tackle the conditions of MP production and define new drugs to prevent it. It also will explain how the brain becomes affected by high numbers of MP. Our results will cast new light on why the brain functions abnormally when its blood vessels become modified.Read moreRead less
Does muscle contribute to the maintenance of vitamin D status in winter? This project aims to test the mechanism by which vitamin D status is maintained in winter when input is low. The long half-life in blood of the vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], maintains an adequate vitamin D status over winter, when sunlight, which produces vitamin D in skin, is reduced. From preliminary data in sheep and mice, this project proposes that skeletal muscle, not fat, stores vitamin D. This ....Does muscle contribute to the maintenance of vitamin D status in winter? This project aims to test the mechanism by which vitamin D status is maintained in winter when input is low. The long half-life in blood of the vitamin D metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], maintains an adequate vitamin D status over winter, when sunlight, which produces vitamin D in skin, is reduced. From preliminary data in sheep and mice, this project proposes that skeletal muscle, not fat, stores vitamin D. This project will test this hypothesis in sheep, cultured muscle cells and in transgenic mice. The project will confirm whether the processes identified in skeletal muscle contribute to the maintenance of vitamin D status, and identify ways of enhancing this process.Read moreRead less