Human rights and sexuality - reimagining the language of equality towards transformation in and through education

For many years, arguments in favour of sexual minorities’ equality and sexuality rights have brought about legal reform worldwide. Although there are those who would contend that human rights and legal mechanisms associated with minorities could contribute to some positive experiences for sexual minorities, others have pointed out that legal reform brought about by the anti-discrimination laws does not necessarily result in a noticeable change in people’s discriminatory attitudes, nor does it automatically translate into lived experiences of equity for minority groups. Research in the education sector shows that despite promises of inclusion and non-discrimination brought about by human rights law, many education institutions “continue to reproduce patterns of heterosexism” (Francis and Msibi 2011, 160). Drawing from a project titled “Human Rights Literacy: A search for meaning”, the article explores how students in higher education institutions conceptualise sexual equality within a human rights discourse. Findings reported here indicate that the non-translation of legal rights into inclusion and equality for sexual minorities might be due to the gap between formal and substantive conceptualisations of equality. Acknowledgment of sexual minorities’ equal rights appears to be superficial while students seemingly lack an awareness of the gap between formal equality and substantive equality and the inequalities that play out in this gap. Against the background of sexual minorities’ unequal treatment and experiences, this article aims to re-imagine the language of equality towards equity for all sexualities in and through education

Arctic and North Atlantic paleo-environmental reconstructions from lake sediments

ABSTRACT ARCTIC AND NORTH ATLANTIC PALEO-ENVIRONMENTAL RECONSTRUCTIONS FROM LAKE SEDIMENTS MAY 2017 GREGORY A. DE WET, B.Sc., BATES COLLEGE M.Sc., UNIVERSITY OF MASSSCHUSETTS, AMHERST Ph.D., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST Directed by: Drs. Raymond S. Bradley and Isla S. Castañeda There are few fields in the discipline of Earth Science that hold more relevancy in 2017 than studies of earth’s climate. Called the “perfect problem” considering its complexity and magnitude, climate change will continue to be one of the greatest challenges humanity will face in the 21st century. And while numerical models provide valuable information on conditions in the future, the results from these simulations must be contextualized by the past. Climate reconstructions from paleo-environmental archives, even from periods colder or different from what we are experiencing today, provide that context. Every piece of information gleaned from these studies informs our collective knowledge of the climate system. In some cases, environmental reconstructions may include proxies for anthropogenic as well as climatological information, directly addressing one of the most important questions in climate science: how does changing climate affect humans? The following chapters of this dissertation are exercises in trying to understand climate change in one of the most climatically sensitive regions on earth – the high northern latitudes. While my doctoral studies cover a wide range of timescales, it is broadly unified by the focus on the Arctic. In some cases, my research spans multiple glacial/interglacial cycles, in others the concentration is on the past few thousand years. In all cases, however, the goal is to utilize lacustrine sedimentary archives to inform our knowledge of climatic change in this important region. One of the most rewarding aspects of this Ph.D. has been the creativity I have been afforded in working towards that goal. Chapter One of this dissertation involves the analysis of organic molecules, specifically bacterial membrane lipids called branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs), to sediments from Lake El’gygytgyn. These biomarkers allow for a quantitative reconstruction of temperature from multiple interglacial periods over a million years ago. Our data suggests that “super interglacial” Marine Isotope Stage 31 may have in fact lasted much longer than previously thought in the Arctic, with implications for Antarctic ice sheet extent and CO2 concentrations highly relevant to our future. Though the extraction and analysis of these biomarkers is expensive and time-consuming, the data is highly valuable and informative. Conversely in some cases more “quick and dirty” techniques are sufficient to reconstruct important processes or factors back through time (e.g. the presence of a glacier within a lake catchment) at relatively low cost, and therefore are highly useful. The chapters dealing with Lake Gjøavatnet in Svalbard (Chapter Two) or the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to lake sediments (Chapter Five) exhibit how such techniques can also be highly informative. In Chapter Two, using a combination of core-scanning data and relatively simple destructive analyses (%loss-on-ignition, bulk carbon isotopes), we reconstructed past fluctuations in glacier extent over the Holocene, as well as identified intervals that may have been related to freshwater pulses in Fram Strait. Chapter Five is focused mainly on expanding and confirming the use of FTIR spectroscopy to Arctic lake sediments to reconstruct biogenic silica and organic matter concentrations through time. Though potentially a less direct climate proxy than paleotemperature from brGDGTs, this new technique allows for more rapid analyses using less sediment than previous methods, a valuable advance. Chapters Three and Four are in many ways the confluence of these earlier stages of my Ph.D., where we apply a wide range of proxies to answer questions related to climate and human population dynamics. The use of biomarkers is expanded in these projects, where a broad suite of organic molecules are used to reconstruct both climate and other paleo-environmental conditions, including vegetation changes, variations in pH, and potentially anthropogenic influences. Coupled with some of the more “basic” techniques described above, we characterize an environmental disturbance in the Faroe Islands ~2200 years ago that may be evidence for the first appearance of humans in the archipelago (Chapter Three). In Chapter Four, we explore the application of brGDGTs (among other proxies) to reconstruct temperature change in southwest Greenland during the period of Norse settlement and subsequent abandonment. This work is part of an ongoing investigation into the efficacy and calibration of this promising proxy in a locale where climate change likely had a dramatic impact on the fragile communities living there. In summary, I have not attempted to unify these chapters into a single climatological context (though some of my work, such as in the Faroes and Greenland, is highly related). Instead I present them as they are, individual projects that each have their own goals and merits within the broad framework of paleoclimatology. As I mentioned above, one of my favorite things about this field is the creativity we are afforded in our attempts to answer questions about the past. This Ph.D. has been an exercise in that creativity, focused in the high northern latitudes, and centered around the archive of lake sediments

FIJICLIM description and users guide

The FIJICLIM prototype is based on PACCLIM which was developed by the International Global Change Institute (IGCI) as part of the Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme (PICCAP) executed by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Both FIJICLIM and PACCLIM build directly on a comparable model development for New Zealand, known as the CLIMPACTS system (Kenny et al., 1995, 1999; Warrick et al., 1996, 1999). The development of CLIMPACTS has been funded by the Foundation for Research Science and Technology since 1993. Its core components, which include a graphic user interface (GUI), a customised geographic information system (GIS), and data compression routines, have provided the basis for the development of FIJICLIM. The development of FIJICLIM is complementary to similar developments that have evolved from CLIMPACTS, for Bangladesh (BDCLIM), Australia (OZCLIM), and for training in climate change V&A assessment (VANDACLIM)

Die verband tussen die blootstelling aan en gebruik van elektroniese media en akademiese taalvaardigheid

The focus of this article is the possible contribution of exposure to and use of modern electronic media to the problem of students’ perceived weak command of formal academic language. Concepts such as academic literacy, the relationship between language and thought, and the effect of modern media on thought patterns will be discussed. The frequent exposure to images on the one hand and the absence of formal reading material on the other, are seen as important factors contributing to language problems experienced by university students. A questionnaire was used to examine the frequency at which grade 8 learners in four Bloemfontein schools, as well as a group of second year students at the University of the Free State, use computers and cell phones, watch television and films, etc. User patterns were established. The results of this research are discussed here.Keywords: Academic language proficiency, literacy, Web generation, social context, technology and media, interactive learning environment, language and thought, patterns of thought, image thinkingSleutelwoorde: akademiese taalvaardigheid, geletterdheid, Net-generasie, sosiale konteks, tegnologie en media, interaktiewe leeromgewing, taal en denke, denkpatrone, beelddenke.The article is in Afrikaans

Hotspots: Modelling capacity for vector-borne disease risk analysis in New Zealand: A case study of Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus incursions in New Zealand

This Hotspots case study of Oc. camptorhynchus in New Zealand forms part of the wider aims and objectives of the Hotspots project. The overall aims of the case study were: 1. To evaluate the performance of the Hotspots model as a risk analysis tool for Oc. camptorhynchus; 2. To use and learn from the experience of the various incursions of Oc. camptorhynchus in order to critically assess and improve the model; 3. To gain experience in using the model for risk analysis for Oc. camptorhynchus in particular, and in so doing, also develop experience applicable to risk analysis for other vectors of concern (Table 1); and, 4. To develop an experience and knowledge base as well as guidelines for future use of the model in its various applications related to biosecurity, surveillance and risk assessment and management

Hotspots: Exotic mosquito risk profiles for New Zealand

This document reports the main findings of the first systematic, spatial analyses of risks to New Zealand associated with exotic mosquitoes of current public health concern

Human rights literacy: Moving towards rights-based education and transformative action through understandings of dignity, equality and freedom

The twentieth century has been characterised by the proliferation of human rights in the discursive practices of the United Nations (Baxi, 1997). In this article, we explore the continual process of rights-based education towards transformative action, and an open and democratic society, as dependent upon the facilitation of human rights literacy in teacher training. Our theoretical framework examines the continual process of moving towards an open and democratic society through the facilitation of human rights literacy, rights-based education and transformative action. We focus specifically on understandings of dignity, equality and freedom, as both rights (legal claims) and values (moral action) across horizontal and vertical applications, considering the internalisation and implementation of dignity, equality and freedom towards transformative action. Our analysis of data stemming from a project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) entitled ‘Human Rights Literacy: A quest for meaning’, brought student-teachers’ understandings into conversation with the proposed theoretical framework. In terms of understandings related to dignity, equality and freedom, participants seemingly understand human rights either as legal interests, or alternatively, as they pertain to values such as caring, ubuntu, respect, human dignity and equality. Legal understandings primarily focus on the vertical application of the Bill of Rights (RSA, 1996a) and the role of government in this regard, whereas understandings related to the realisation of values tended to focus on the horizontal applications of particularly dignity and equality as the product of the relation between self and other. We conclude the article by linking the analysis and the theoretical framework to education as a humanising practice within human rights as a common language of humanity. In so doing, we argue that human rights literacy and rights-based education transcend knowledge about human rights, moving towards transformative action and caring educational relations premised on freedom, dignity and equality. Finally, recommendations are made regarding human rights and rights-based education as transformative action within the South African context, towards an open and democratic society.Keywords: democracy; dignity; equality; freedom; human rights; human rights education; human rights literacy; rights based education; transformation; transformative actio

Die invloed van die denkvlak op prestasie in Wiskunde in die junior-sekondêre fase*

’n Belangrike ontwikkeling in die Opvoedkunde is dat daar al hoe meer aandag geskenk word aan die denkvlak van die leerling as ’n faktor wat skolastiese prestasie beinvloed

Facilitators and barriers to safer care in Scottish general practice: a qualitative study of the implementation of the trigger review method using normalisation process theory

Objectives: Patient safety is a key concern of modern health systems, with numerous approaches to support safety. One, the trigger review method (TRM), is promoted nationally in Scotland as an approach to improve the safety of care in general medical practice. However, it remains unclear which factors are facilitating or hindering its implementation. The aim of this study was to identify the important factors that facilitate or hinder the implementation of the TRM in this setting. Design: Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was theoretically informed using normalisation process theory (NPT). Setting: Scottish general practice. Participants: We conducted 28 semistructured interviews with general practitioners (n=12), practice nurses (n=11) and practice managers (n=5) in Scotland. Results: We identified four important factors that facilitated or hindered implementation: (1) the amount of time and allocated resources; (2) integration of the TRM into existing initiatives and frameworks facilitated implementation and justified participants’ involvement; (3) the characteristics of the reviewers—implementation was facilitated by experienced, reflective clinicians with leadership roles in their teams; (4) the degree to which participants perceived the TRM as acceptable, feasible and useful. Conclusions: This study is the first known attempt to investigate how the TRM is implemented and perceived by general practice clinicians and staff. The four main factors that facilitated TRM implementation are comparable with the wider implementation science literature, suggesting that a small number of specific factors determine the success of most, if not all, complex healthcare interventions. These factors can be identified, described and understood through theoretical frameworks such as NPT and are amenable to intervention. Researchers and policymakers should proactively identify and address these factors

A Comparison and Analog-Based Analysis of Sinuous Channels on the Rift Aprons of Ascraeus Mons and Pavonis Mons Volcanoes, Mars

The origin of sinuous channels on the flanks of the Tharsis volcanoes on Mars is debated among planetary scientists. Some argue a volcanic genesis [1] while others have suggested a fluvial basis [2-4]. The majority of the studies thus far have focused on channels on the rift apron of Ascraeus Mons. Here, however, we broadly examine the channels on the rift apron of Pavonis Mons and compare them with those studied channels around Ascraeus. We compare the morphologies of features from both of these volcanoes with similar features of known volcanic origin on the island of Hawai i. We show that the morphologies between these two volcanoes in the Tharsis province are very similar and were likely formed by comparable processes, as previous authors have suggested [5]. We show that, although the morphologies of many of the channels around these volcanoes show some parallels to terrestrial fluvial systems, these morphologies can also be formed by volcanic processes. The context of these features suggests that volcanic processes were the more likely cause of these channels