Lancaster Royal Grammar School

Becoming seriously and/or chronically ill can challenge and disrupt our sense of who we are in terms of our bodies, minds, and social roles. Although a substantial literature exists on metaphor and illness, the use of metaphor to represent identities has received little attention. This article focuses on similes as a particularly relevant manifestation of metaphoricity in language. An 8-million-word corpus of contributions to the Pain Concern online forum is investigated via a combination of corpus linguistic methods and in-depth qualitative analysis. We explore how contributors to the forum use similes to describe their own (changing) self-perceptions due to living with pain and its consequences. To this end, we introduce and demonstrate a multicomponent analytical framework, which, as we show, is equally applicable to the analysis of metaphorical expressions. The framework includes a consideration of source concept, type of identity, and viewpoint. With regard to our data, we show how similes are used to convey mostly unwelcome changes in the person's perception of themselves in physical, psychological, and/or social terms, potentially resulting in estrangement, low self-esteem, isolation, and disempowerment. More broadly, we suggest that our framework is applicable to the study of metaphorical representations of identities in the context of illness generally.

Twelve Caesars. Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern (M.) Beard Pp. xii + 376, b/w & colour ills. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2021. Cased, £30, US$35. ISBN 978-0-691-22236-3

Abstract Study question Is oocyte freezing a risk factor for monozygotic splitting? Summary answer There is a trend towards a higher monozygotic splitting incidence among frozen oocytes, but this did not reach statistical significance. What is known already Laboratory techniques which involve embryo manipulation such as ICSI, assisted hatching, embryo biopsy for pre-implantation genetic testing and extended culture to the blastocyst stage appear to increase the risk of monozygotic splitting. Whilst there is some data that embryo freezing does not appear to increase the risk of monozygotic splitting, there is no comparable analysis on whether oocyte freezing increases the risk of monozygotic splitting. Study design, size, duration This was a retrospective cohort study analysing 988 015 ART (assisted reproductive technique) cycles from the HFEA anonymised database from 1990 to 2016. As frozen oocytes require ICSI, only fresh oocytes with ICSI were taken for comparison and frozen embryo transfers were excluded. Only single embryo transfers were included.[CM1] [MM2] We also noted ages of the female partner at the time of treatment, stage of embryo transfer, and whether pre-implantation genetic testing had been performed. Participants/materials, setting, methods There were 84 085 ICSI cycles with single embryo transfers using fresh oocytes and 596 using frozen oocytes. Monozygotic splitting was defined as the presence of two foetal hearts [CM1] [MM2] on ultrasound. Live birth (LB)was defined as either a singleton or a twin LB resulting from a monozygotically split embryo. Preterm birth (PTB) was defined as birth prior to 37 weeks gestation and early PTB as birth prior to 32 weeks gestation. Main results and the role of chance The frozen oocyte group had fewer women in the under–35 age group (frozen oocytes 16.6% vs fresh oocytes 53.6%, p < 0.0001) and a higher proportion of blastocyst transfers ( frozen oocytes 55.1% vs fresh oocytes 48.8%, p = 0.002) There were only 10 PGT cycles amongst monozygotically split embryos from fresh oocytes in our analysis, and none in the frozen oocyte group. Hence, this was not included as a confounder. There was a non-significant trend toward a higher incidence of monozygotic splitting amongst frozen oocytes (4/596, 2.3%, all monozygotic twins) than amongst fresh oocytes (378/27 019, 1.4%, 372 monozygotic twins and 6 monozygotic triplets); OR 1.688, 95% CI 0.623 to 4.574 and aOR 1.506, 95% CI 0.531 to 4.274 (maternal age and stage of embryo transfer adjusted as confounders). Of the 378 monozygotically split embryos from fresh oocytes, 308 (81.5%) had a LB: of which 47 (15.3%) were singletons and the rest were twins; 241 (78.2%) were PTB and 56 (18.2%) were early PTB. Of the four monozygotic twins from frozen oocytes, all reached a LB; one was a singleton term LB (Birthweight 3–3.5kg) whilst three were twin preterm LBs at 35–36 weeks, with no early PTBs and twin median birthweight 2–2.5 kg. Limitations, reasons for caution Albeit a large national database, this cohort study was restricted due to absence of data on potential confounders such as age at oocyte freezing, method of cryopreservation and length of storage.[CM1] Data was also lacking on amnionicity, obstetric risks including pre-eclampsia, twin-to-twin-transfusion syndrome, intrapartum and late effects. Wider implications of the findings: With rapid rise in egg freezing, our findings would help reassure women that eggs on ice does not predispose to significant risk of two-in-one monozygotic splitting. However, the marginal trend (from 1.4% in fresh to 2.3% in frozen oocytes), does indicate that this subject merits further research. Trial registration number Not applicable. A database based retrospective study

Radiation-grafted anion-exchange membranes (AEM) containing pendent benzyltrimethylammonium, 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-benzyl-2,3- dimethylimidazolium functional head-groups were synthesised with ion-exchange capacities in the range 1.7-1.9 meq g. The ionic conductivities of the AEMs were also comparable (24.5 ± 1.8 mS cm at 50°C). The alkali stability (in aqueous potassium hydroxide (1 mol dm ) at 60°C) of the 1-benzyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium head-groups was superior to the 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium but inferior to the benzyltrimethylammonium benchmark head-groups. Radiation-grafted AEMs containing pendent 1-benzyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium head-groups are not suitable for application in electrochemical devices containing highly alkaline environments. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Percy Bysshe Shelley's verse-drama Prometheus Unbound (1819) has long been recognised as a work in which Shelley makes extensive use of astronomical imagery as a metaphor for revolutionary political ideas. Hitherto, critics have largely had to rely on conjectural readings by Shelley of various contemporary scientific publications, magazines and digests that have been proposed as possible sources for his understanding of this subject. This article introduces Shelley's Eton mentor James Lind MD, FRS (1736-1812) as a more likely and more direct conduit for much of the poet's astronomical knowledge. As well as being an accomplished astronomer himself, Lind was a friend, neighbour and correspondent of Sir William Herschel (1738-1822), the greatest astronomer of the age. Here, excerpts from Shelley's verse are re-interpreted as incorporating Herchelian visions of a huge cosmic life cycle at work in the universe, encapsulating the organic process of formation of all things, from the greatest stars to the smallest particles of matter.

Books Teaching Secondary Biology, Michael Reiss (Ed.), 278 pp. London: John Murray, 1999. £12.99. ISBN 0-7195-7637-7, reviewed by Maureen Hayward. Complete GCSE Biology, Morton Jenkins. London: Hodder & Stoughton Educational, 1999. £12.50. ISBN: 0 340 73042 0, reviewed by Maureen Hayward. Advanced Biology 2 2000 — Student Resource and Activity Manual, Richard Allan and Tracey Greenwood. 364 pp. Glasgow: Biozone Learning Media (UK) Ltd., 2000. £14.95, Student Discount £9.95 (minimum five), Model answers £2.95, (available free with five or more copies of student volumes). ISBN 0-909031-50-9, reviewed by Ann Stevenson. Human Biology, Mike Boyle, Bill Indge, and Kathryn Senior. Collins Educational, 1999. £24.99. ISBN 0 00 329095-6, reviewed by Stuart Newton. Tools, Techniques and Assessment in Biology: A course guide for students and teachers., John Adds, Erica Larkcom, Ruth Miller, and Robin Sutton. 148 pp. Andover, Hants: Nelson, 1999. £12.99. ISBN: 0-17-448273-6, reviewed by Len Newton. Top 1000 scientists from the beginning of time to 2000 AD: A reader's guide, Philip Barker. 437 pp. Sussex: The Book Guild Ltd., 1999. £30. ISBN: 1857764056, reviewed by Len Newton. Essentials of Animal Behaviour, P. J. B. Slater 233 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Studies in Biology), 1999. £11.95. ISBN 00 521 62996 9, reviewed by Tim Bolton-Maggs. Safety in Biological Fieldwork — Guidance Notes for Codes of Practice, David Nichols. 84 pp. London: The Institute of Biology, 1999. £8.60 (IOB members £6.00). ISBN 0-900490-35-7, reviewed by Tim Bolton-Maggs. Ecology of Insects: Concepts and Applications, M. R. Speight, M. D. Hunter, and A. D. Watt. 350 pp. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 1999. £26.95. ISBN 0-86542-745-3, reviewed by George Fussey. Resource Packs Genetic Engineering and Farm Animals, Publisher: Compassion in World Farming, Charles House, 5A Charles Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3EH, UK. Tel. +44 (0)1730 264208 / 268863; Fax. +44 (0)1730 260791; E-mail: compassion@ciwf.co.uk; URL: http://www.ciwf.co.uk Price: £2 Target Group: Key Stage 4 and Sixth form (GCSE and A-level), reviewed by Jean Bushell.

The purpose of this article is threefold. First to suggest other approaches to the ‘Glass rod problem’ ( Gazette note 65.6, March 1981). Second, to show the unexpected connection between that and the article ‘Triangle of triangles’ by H. B. Griffiths on page 10 of the same issue and with the article on ‘Random triangles’ by T. Easingwood in the December 1981 edition. And third, to explore further problems which arise from a consideration of the above.