Maskinkroppens gräns

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 153-171
Author(s):  
Oscar Jansson
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Media Ecology ◽  
Immune Systems ◽  
Media Technologies

Boundaries of the Machine Body: Violence, Immunity and Media Assemblages in The Last of Us This article examines the portrayal of bodily boundaries in the videogame series The Last of Us. Drawing on theories of media ecology and posthumanism (most notably Deer’s notion of radical animism, Haraway’s theories of the cyborg, and Fuller’s account of media assemblages), three aspects of this portrayal are described: first, the game’s narrativization of bodily violence through an amalgamation of the player’s sensory systems with media technologies; second, the game’s depiction of monstrous corporeality; and third, its representation of immune systems through the mirrored relationship between external tools and endogenous bodily functions. Connecting these three aspects, it is argued that The Last of Us portrays bodily boundaries as precarious, and that it presents violence, technology and infectious disease as callingcards for moving beyond anthropocentric views of corporeality; of conceptualizing the human body as machine-like and inevitably more-than-human.

Literal Media Ecology: Crisis in the Conditions of Production

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 486-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett R. Caraway
Keyword(s):  
Political Theory ◽  
Capital Accumulation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Media Ecology ◽  
Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Contemporary Media ◽  
Matter Energy

This article outlines a socio-political theory appropriate for the study of the ecological repercussions of contemporary media technologies. More specifically, this approach provides a means of assessing the material impacts of media technologies and the representations of capitalist ecological crises. This approach builds on the work of ecological economists, ecosocialist scholars, and Marx’s writings on the conditions of production to argue that capitalism necessarily results in ecological destabilization. Taking Apple’s 2016 Environmental Responsibility Report as a case study, the article uses the theory to analyze Apple’s responses to ecological crises. The article asserts that Apple’s reactions are emblematic of the capitalist compulsion for increasing rates of productivity. However, unless the matter/energy savings achieved through higher rates of productivity surpass the overall increase in the flow of matter/energy in production, ecological crises will continue. Ultimately, capital accumulation ensures continued ecological destabilization.

scholarly journals The Immunomodulatory Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Autoimmune Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Lian-jie Shi ◽  
Sheng-guang Li
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Lipoic Acid ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effect ◽  
Alpha Lipoic Acid ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Immune Systems ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Naturally Occurring

Αlpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant in human body and has been widely used as an antioxidant clinically. Accumulating evidences suggested that α-lipoic acid might have immunomodulatory effects on both adaptive and innate immune systems. This review focuses on the evidences and potential targets involved in the immunomodulatory effects of α-lipoic acid. It highlights the fact that α-lipoic acid may have beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases once the immunomodulatory effects can be confirmed by further investigation.

scholarly journals Vaccines and Antibodies: Weapons in the Fight Against Ebola Virus

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Debré ◽  
Marie Neunez ◽  
Michel Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Today ◽  
The World ◽  
Stimulation Of

Ebola virus disease is one of the deadliest infections in the world today. The microbe to blame is the Ebola virus. It has already caused numerous outbreaks in Africa, in the regions located south of the Sahara. This article describes the main characteristics of this infectious disease as well as the currently available treatments, namely vaccines and antibodies. Antibodies are produced by the human body when it is infected by a microbe. Antibodies can be collected from the blood of infected humans or animals and purified or manufactured in a laboratory to produce drugs. While vaccines have demonstrated their effectiveness in preventing infectious diseases, antibodies are effective in stopping the progression of several infectious diseases. In this article, you will discover that the stimulation of the immune system, either by the vaccine or by antibodies, is essential to tackle Ebola virus disease.

scholarly journals Media Innovations, User Innovations, Societal Innovations

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Bruns
Keyword(s):  
Media Ecology ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Media Audiences ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
The Status ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
The Media ◽  
Contemporary Media ◽  
Media Practices

As the Journal of Media Innovations comes into existence, this article reflects on the first and most obvious question: just what do we mean by “media innovations”? Drawing on the examples of a range of recent innovations in media technologies and practices, initiated by a variety of media audiences, users, professionals, and providers, it explores the interplay between the different drivers of innovation and the effects of such innovation on the complex frameworks of contemporary society and the media ecology which supports it. In doing so, this article makes a number of key observations: first, it notes that media innovation is an innovation in media practices at least as much as in media technologies, and that changes to the practices of media both reflect and promote societal changes as well – media innovations are never just media technology innovations. Second, it shows that the continuing mediatisation of society, and the shift towards a more widespread participation of ordinary users as active content creators and media innovators, make it all the more important to investigate in detail these interlinked, incremental, everyday processes of media and societal change – media innovations are almost always also user innovations. Finally, it suggests that a full understanding of these processes as they unfold across diverse interleaved media spaces and complex societal structures necessarily requires a holistic perspective on media innovations, which considers the contemporary media ecology as a crucial constitutive element of societal structures and seeks to trace the repercussions of innovations across both media and society – media innovations are inextricably interlinked with societal innovations (even if, at times, they may not be considered to be improvements to the status quo).

scholarly journals Gut microbial function and bacterially derived signals in cardiovascular disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-25
Author(s):  
Takeshi Kitai ◽  
W.H. Wilson Tang
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Immune Systems ◽  
Microbial Function ◽  
Food Digestion ◽  
Number Of Bacteria

The human body is inhabited by a vast number of bacteria and other microorganisms, the majority residing in the gut. The collective microorganisms that live in coexistence with their hosts are referred to as the microbiome. Beyond its role in supporting physiological functions in food digestion, the microbiome also performs multiple functions and interacts dynamically with the host. The microbiome regulates the intestinal mucosal barriers and assist with development of systemic immune systems that potentiate the defence against malevolent pathogenic microorganisms. Collectively, the microbiota exerts a fundamental and necessary influence on systemic immunity and metabolism – a healthy gut microbiome means an overall healthy host.

scholarly journals Uretfærdighedssymboler og sociale bevægelser

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 53-69
Author(s):  
Thomas Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
New Media ◽  
Collective Memory ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Media Ecology ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Collective Actors ◽  
The World ◽  
Form Part ◽  
The One

Formålet med artiklen er at tilbyde en teoretisk og konceptuel ramme for forskning i uretfærdighedssymboler og sociale bevægelser. Uretfærdighedssymboler forstås som symboler, der for et kollektiv kondenserer og udstiller en generel uretfærdig tilstand i samfundet/verden. Studiet af uretfærdighedssymboler fremstår underbelyst i den politiske sociologi. Artiklen arbejder i to spor. På den ene side argumenteres det, at den nuværende samfundstype med globale kommunikationsstrømme og nye medieteknologier promoverer betydningen af uretfærdighedssymboler i de sociale bevægelsers aktiviteter. På den anden side pointeres det, at relationen mellem symboler og sociale bevægelser på ingen måde er historisk ny. Tværtimod er grundpåstanden, ikke mindst inspireret af den sene Durkheim, at symboler er et grundlæggende element i reproduktionen af menneskelige samfund. En udforskning af dynamikken mellem uretfærdighedssymboler og sociale bevægelser er sociologisk interessant af to grunde. For det første er uretfærdighedssymboler resultatet af politiske menings- og værdiprocesser, hvor kollektive aktører tillægger begivenheder, personer og andre objekter en universaliserende betydning. For det andet indgår uretfærdighedssymboler som en del af vores kollektive erindring og optræder derfor som idemæssige ressourcer, der kan mobiliseres uden for deres rumlige og tidslige forankring. Sociale bevægelser har med andre ord en social og politisk dobbeltrolle, hvor de både er skabere og ”forbrugere” af symboler. ENGELSK ABSTRACT: Thomas Olesen: Injustice Symbols and Social Movements The purpose of the article is to offer a theoretical and conceptual framework for research on injustice symbols and social movements. Injustice symbols are understood as symbols that condense and expose an overall unjust situation in society/the world. The study of these symbols appears somewhat neglected in political sociology. The article pursues two tracks. On the one hand, it argues that the present type of society with global currents of communication and new media technologies is promoting the significance of injustice symbols in the activities of social movements. On the other hand, it stresses that the relation between these symbols and social movements is by no means historically new. On the contrary, not least inspired by Durkheim, the basic argument is that symbols constitute a fundamental element in the reproduction of human societies. An investigation into the dynamics between injustice symbols and social movements is interesting from a sociological point of view for two reasons. First, injustice symbols are the result of political opinion- and value processes whereby collective actors ascribe a universalizing meaning to events, individuals and other objects. Second, these symbols form part of our collective memory. Consequently, they act as ideational resources that can be mobilized outside their spatial and time-related framework. In sum, social movements have a social and political double role where they are both creators and users of symbols. Keywords: social movements, symbols, new media ecology, Durkheim, injustice.

METHOD FOR PREDICTING FATAL COMPLICATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORONAVIRAL INFECTION ON THE BACKGROUND OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Артем Викторович Винников ◽  
Александр Владимирович Быков ◽  
Николай Алексеевич Кореневский ◽  
Людмила Петровна Лазурина ◽  
Полина Сергеевна Азарова ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Infectious Disease Specialists ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Fatal Complications

Целью исследования является разработка метода прогнозирования возникновения и развития фатальных осложнений, провоцируемых действием на организм человека новой коронавирусной инфекции (COVID-19) на фоне иммунопролиферативных заболеваний, который позволит усовершенствовать лечебно-диагностические мероприятия при данной патологии. В качестве базового математического аппарата была выбрана методология синтеза гибридных нечетких решающих правил, которая хорошо зарекомендовала себя при решении задач с нечётким описанием исследуемых классов и схожим типом неопределенности. Предлагаемый метод прогнозирования позволяет учесть мультипликативный эффект воздействия на организм человека существенных факторов риска, характерных для рассматриваемого заболевания, с учетом его тяжести и скорости развития патологического процесса. В ходе проводимых исследований были синтезированы математические модели прогнозирования возникновения и развития фатальных осложнений. В ходе экспертного оценивания, математического моделирования и статистических испытаний показано, что уверенность в правильном принятии решений по прогнозу появления и развития исследуемого класса фатальных осложнений превышает величину 0,85. В работе получены нечёткие математические модели прогнозирования возникновения и развития фатальных осложнений у людей при развитии коронавирусной инфекции на фоне системной красной волчанки, для которых ведущими факторами риска являются вторичный антифосфолипидный синдром с нарушением микроциркуляции и гипоксемия. В ходе проведенных исследований была показана целесообразность использования полученных результатов в практике работы таких врачей, как иммунологи, инфекционисты, пульмонологи The aim of the study is to develop a method for predicting the occurrence and development of fatal complications provoked by the effect on the human body of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) against the background of immunoproliferative diseases, which will improve diagnostic and treatment measures for this pathology. The methodology for the synthesis of hybrid fuzzy decision rules was chosen as the basic mathematical apparatus, which has proven itself well in solving problems with a fuzzy description of the classes under study and a similar type of uncertainty. The proposed forecasting method allows one to take into account the multiplicative effect of exposure to the human body of significant risk factors characteristic of the disease under consideration, taking into account its severity and the rate of development of the pathological process. In the course of the research, mathematical models were synthesized for predicting the occurrence and development of fatal complications. In the course of expert assessment, mathematical modeling and statistical tests, it was shown that confidence in the correct decision-making on the prediction of the appearance and development of the studied class of fatal complications exceeds 0.85, which makes it possible to recommend the results obtained during the study for implementation into the practice of such doctors. as immunologists, infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists. The work obtained fuzzy mathematical models for predicting the occurrence and development of fatal complications in people with the development of coronavirus infection against the background of systemic lupus erythematosus, for which the leading risk factors are secondary antiphospholipid syndrome with microcirculation disorders and hypoxemia. In the course of the studies, the expediency of using the results obtained in the practice of the work of such doctors as immunologists, infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists was shown

scholarly journals A Human Affect Recognition System for Socially Interactive Robots

Robotics ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. 295-314
Author(s):  
Derek McColl ◽  
Goldie Nejat
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Recognition System ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Body Language ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Language Recognition ◽  
Human Body Model ◽  
Socially Interactive Robots ◽  
Body Shapes ◽  
Affective Body Language

This chapter presents a real-time robust affect classification methodology for socially interactive robots engaging in one-on-one human-robot-interactions (HRI). The methodology is based on identifying a person’s body language in order to determine how accessible he/she is to a robot during the interactions. Static human body poses are determined by first identifying individual body parts and then utilizing an indirect 3D human body model that is invariant to different body shapes and sizes. The authors implemented and tested their technique using two different sensory systems in social HRI scenarios to motivate its robustness for the proposed application. In particular, the experiments consisted of integrating the proposed body language recognition and affect classification methodology with imaging-based sensory systems onto the human-like socially interactive robot Brian 2.0 in order for the robot to recognize affective body language during one-on-one interactions.

7. Defence

2021 ◽  
pp. 104-114
Author(s):  
Jamie A. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Complement System ◽  
First Line ◽  
Immune Systems ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Adaptive Immune Systems ◽  
The Complement System ◽  
Mechanical Barrier

This chapter describes how the human body protects its internal conditions against micro-organisms and the environment. The body’s first line of defence is the mechanical barrier provided by the skin, a part of the integumentary system. When the integument is breached, the body’s immediate priority is to seal the hole by coagulation of the leaking blood. The next line of defence is chemical: the secretions that cover the surfaces of eyes and the inside of the nose contain a variety of proteins that attack bacteria. Within the blood and fluids that bathe internal tissues are proteins of the complement system. The chapter then considers the innate and the adaptive immune systems.

Faulkner's Media Romance

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Murphet
Keyword(s):  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Media Ecology ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Media System ◽  
Modern Media

This book reassesses William Faulkner’s engagement with modern media technologies and transportation systems. It argues that Faulkner’s inveterate interest in figures of flight, automobiles, radio, phonographs, photographs, and other modern techno-media was secretly motivated by a profound and ongoing aesthetic tug of war in his writing. He resolved this tension between artistic modernism and the vanished worlds of antebellum romance by a recourse to tropes borrowed from the modern media system. These tropes masked his investment in romance materials, giving it a modern overlay, and allowed him to look critically upon the persistence of superannuated romance within the modern media ecology itself. This economical and generative strategy allowed Faulkner to “eat his cake and have it” as regards those romance materials and to make entirely novel moves in the rapidly changing form of the novel between 1929 and 1936.

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