The costs and benefits of sociality explored in wild Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii)

The socioecological model offers a framework for attempting to explain variation in sociality based on differences in ecological and social factors such as resource distribution, predation pressure, and infanticide risk. Orangutans are unusual among higher primates in their low degree of sociality and are considered to be semi-solitary. Their limited social behavior is thought to be a result of weak predation pressure on these large-bodied apes, coupled with the low and unpredictable fruit productivity that is characteristic of their habitat. Orangutans do come together occasionally, and there appears to be variability in the gregariousness of different populations. Orangutans present a unique opportunity to examine both social and solitary conditions within a single population to test predictions regarding the costs and benefits of sociality. This study assesses the ecological and social context in which social parties occur in Gunung Palung National Park on the island of Borneo. The potential costs of these associations are evaluated using behavioral and physiological markers of stress and parasite infection patterns. Fruit availability is predicted to influence the frequency of social associations, with sociality increasing when fruit availability is high. While the socioecological model predicts that female orangutans display reduced sociality, this should affect females in different reproductive (and hence, energetic) states differently. The results of this study confirmed that fruit availability influences the occurrence of social events and revealed adolescent females to be the most social age-sex class. Adolescent females displayed the most affiliative behaviors and engaged in notable sexual rituals with flanged males. They sought and maintained social associations with others, particularly their mothers. Despite evident signs of anxiety, adolescent females did not display elevation in the stress hormone cortisol under social conditions, while adult females and flanged males did. Intestinal parasites were widespread in this population, and the prediction for elevated parasite prevalence in more social classes was unsupported. This study revealed a greater degree of gregariousness than orangutans are typically credited with, and highlights the adolescent period as behaviorally distinct and socially rich for female orangutans who face unique challenges as members of a semi-solitary species with high levels of sexual coercion.2020-02-28T00:00:00

Treatment outcome and radioiodine dose-response in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Radioiodine (131I) has been used to treat differentiated thyroid carcinoma for the past fifty years. The activity administered remains empirical and most clinicians prescribe a fixed activity for ablation and therapy based upon experience and likely side effects. This lack of tumour dosimetry contrasts sharply with planning for external beam radiotherapy where precise tumour-dose prescription is mandatory. Estimation of absorbed radiation dose delivered to target tissue has been largely ignored in the past partly beacuse of the difficulty in measuring that part of the target volume which is metabolically active. Where absorbed dose has been estimated there is no consensus as to what absorbed dose should be delivered in order to destroy thyroid remnants and metastatic lesions. In order to calculate the absorbed radiation dose to those tissues which concentrate radioiodine, three parameters must be determined: the initial activity in the target tissue; the effective half-life of the radioiodine and the mass of tissue. Tumour and normal thyroid absorbed doses have been determined using a dual-headed whole-body scanner with special high- resolution low-sensitivity collimators. Improved accuracy in the estimation of functioning tumour mass has been achieved using positron emission tomography with a low-cost large area multi-wire proportional chamber camera, developed by the Physics Department of the Royal Marsden Hospital in collaboration with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. Dosimetry studies were performed for 54 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (40 papillary, 14 follicular). There were 39 females and 15 males, ages 22 to 79 years. Dose-response graphs have been constructed in order to determine the tumouricidal dose for differentiated thyroid carcinoma metastases and thus enable precise activities of radioiodine to be prescribed in order to maximise tumour kill and minimise morbidity. The clinical data demonstrate that the administration of fixed activities of radioiodine results in a very large range of radiation absorbed dose to residual normal thyroid tissue and metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Following near-total thyroidectomy and 3.0 GBq 131I, a mean absorbed dose of 349 Gy achieved complete ablation of thyroid remnants in 67[percent] of patients (73[percent] of sites). Patients who had persistent uptake in the thyroid region on subsequent radioiodine scanning had received a mean absorbed dose of only 80 Gy. Failure to ablate may be attributed to two possible factors: large residua following less than radical surgery and the presence of tumour in association with normal tissue. Radioiodine therapy appears to be most effective in destroying small volumes of tissue after optimum surgical cytoreduction. Moreover, when tumour remains in association with normal tissue, the results here indicate that a much lower concentration of radioiodine can be achieved. For these two groups of patients, higher activities of are indicated. Successful destruction of cervical node metastases has been accomplished with absorbed doses of 150 Gy following functional neck dissection. Bone metastases, which are generally associated with a poor prognosis, require doses in excess of 100 Gy for eradication but this can be achieved for solitary deposits following initial surgical debulking. Nevertheless, worthwhile palliation may still be achieved with absorbed doses lower than this. However, the clinical data suggest that absorbed doses less than 20 Gy are sub-therapeutic and that alternative therapy should be considered if less than this can be achieved with radioiodine therapy. The dose-response data explain the spectrum of clinical response to fixed activities of radioiodine. In future they will enable precise prescription of radioiodine to achieve tumouricidal doses whilst avoiding the morbidity, staff hazards and expense of ineffective therapy

Care Matters in Higher Education: A Narrative Inquiry with a Community of Educators in a Technological University

This is a story about care in higher education, documenting a group of colleagues in a Technological University, as we engaged in a narrative inquiry. It explores how we might sustain educators who care and our care-based pedagogies: asking, how can we keep care at the centre of what we do and who we are? Care is embedded in relationships, and it is in relation that we see care in the storied accounts in this thesis. Our collegial approach and our ‘climate of care’ encourages us to teach in a care-centred way. Our supportive professional relationships provide an essential space for each other and for care. It is these ‘pockets of care’ within our institutions, that enable us to sustain care. As this inquiry attests, we are increasingly negatively affected by neoliberalism in our institutions. The troubling dismantling of our climate of care is revealed as our inquiry unfolds. This research makes care work in the academy more visible and offers the possibility that it may therefore become more valued by our institutions (and less easy to dismiss). Our stories suggest that re-centralising care into our concept of higher education can potentially be a powerful corrective to neoliberalism. Our pedagogies and our way of working together can be viewed as a form of resistance or refusal. This focusses on the agency we have as educators and is a means of giving us hope to keep caring. In this inquiry, care is demonstrated as an ontological commitment to our students and our colleagues. Care is not an individual pursuit, it is an understanding of the interconnectedness of self and others, and personal and social concerns. We care together, and the stories contained here, speak of care as a collective process. Drawing on the resonances across my participants accounts, I conceptualise presence as the cornerstone of a care-centred pedagogy. With mutual respect at its core, we are present to our students, both emotionally and cognitively, responding competently to their learning needs. This inquiry offers a cautionary tale to institutions; that care is fragile and can be easily lost, if not valued and recognised as an essential element of third-level education. Care matters

Step-count accuracy of three motion sensors for older and frail medical inpatients

Objectives: To measure the step-count accuracy of an ankle-worn accelerometer, a thigh-worn accelerometer and one pedometer in older and frail inpatients. Design: Cross-sectional design study. Setting: Research room within a hospital. Participants: Convenience sample of inpatients aged ≥65 years, able to walk 20 metres unassisted, with or without a walking-aid. Intervention: Patients completed a 40-minute programme of predetermined tasks while wearing the three motion sensors simultaneously. Video-recording of the procedure provided the criterion measurement of step-count. Main Outcome Measures: Mean percentage (%) errors were calculated for all tasks, slow versus fast walkers, independent versus walking-aid-users, and over shorter versus longer distances. The Intra-class Correlation was calculated and accuracy was visually displayed by Bland-Altman plots. Results: Thirty-two patients (78.1 ±7.8 years) completed the study. Fifteen were female and 17 used walking-aids. Their median speed was 0.46 m/sec (interquartile range, IQR 0.36-0.66). The ankle-worn accelerometer overestimated steps (median 1% error, IQR -3 to 13). The other motion sensors underestimated steps (40% error (IQR -51 to -35) and 38% (IQR -93 to -27), respectively). The ankle-worn accelerometer proved more accurate over longer distances (3% error, IQR 0 to 9), than shorter distances (10%, IQR -23 to 9). Conclusions: The ankle-worn accelerometer gave the most accurate step-count measurement and was most accurate over longer distances. Neither of the other motion sensors had acceptable margins of error

Lithuanians in Ireland / Lietuviai Airijoje

in april 2006, according to the national census, there were 24,434 people of lithuanian nationality living in the republic of ireland; of these, 13,644 (55.8%) were male (cso 2006). lithuanians were thus the third largest immigrant community in ireland in 2006, following those from the uk and poland. While this is the official count, there is much disagreement over the accuracy of the census figures. The minister for integration, conor lenihan, claims that census 2006 has significantly undercounted migration to ireland (mac cormaic 2007). in support of this claim, over 58,400 pps1 numbers were issued to lithuanian nationals in the period from 1 may 2004 to 31 march 2008 (see Figure 1 (department of social and Family affairs 2008)). Šiame straipsnyje nagrinėjama jau prieš 2004 m. prasidėjusi Lietuvos žmonių migracija į Airiją. Kas skatino juos pasirinkti būtent Airiją? Iš apklausų aiškėja, kad motyvacija labai įvairi, susijusi su noru ne tik geriau gyventi Lietuvoje, bet ir pamatyti pasaulio. Su kokiais sunkumais lietuviai susiduria atvykę į Airiją? Jų apžvalgai ir skiriama pagrindinė darbo dalis. Ar lietuviai lengvai išmoksta darbui ir gyvenimui reikalingą anglų kalbą? Kaip jie suvokia ir priima savo darbo Airijoje sąlygas? Su kuo ir kaip Airijoje bendrauja migrantai iš Lietuvos? Kaip kėlimasis į Airiją paveikė santykius ir komunikaciją šeimoje? Ar Airijoje gyvenantys lietuviai savo tėvyne laiko labiau Lietuvą, ar Airiją? Į šiuos klausimus straipsnyje bandoma atsakyti remiantis jau esamais tyrimais ir autorių atliktomis migrantų apklausomis

An Investigation of Students' Attitudes to Science, Mathematics and the Use of Technology in Lower Secondary Education

This paper explores lower secondary school students‟ attitudes to mathematics and science, to the teaching and learning of these subjects and the use of technology in the classroom. The data analyzed in this paper were obtained as part of an international project, Formative Assessment in Science and Mathematics Education (FaSMEd), which examined whether technologically enhanced formative assessment practice could improve the attitude and attainment of learners in science and mathematics at lower secondary level. This paper is focused on data from a survey and Q sort activities which investigated students‟ viewpoints in the context of mathematics and science classes in Ireland. The analysis showed that in general students have a positive attitude and self-image about learning science and mathematics, however the science students had a significantly more positive view of the subject, of their ability, and of the use of technology than their mathematics peers. The Q sort data showed that students who preferred to work alone tended to find technology less helpful than students who liked to work collaboratively. Students who saw the value of technology were often persistent and liked working with others. This has implications for the integration of technology in science and mathematics classes

An Investigation of Students' Attitudes to Science, Mathematics and the Use of Technology in Lower Secondary Education

This paper explores lower secondary school students‟ attitudes to mathematics and science, to the teaching and learning of these subjects and the use of technology in the classroom. The data analyzed in this paper were obtained as part of an international project, Formative Assessment in Science and Mathematics Education (FaSMEd), which examined whether technologically enhanced formative assessment practice could improve the attitude and attainment of learners in science and mathematics at lower secondary level. This paper is focused on data from a survey and Q sort activities which investigated students‟ viewpoints in the context of mathematics and science classes in Ireland. The analysis showed that in general students have a positive attitude and self-image about learning science and mathematics, however the science students had a significantly more positive view of the subject, of their ability, and of the use of technology than their mathematics peers. The Q sort data showed that students who preferred to work alone tended to find technology less helpful than students who liked to work collaboratively. Students who saw the value of technology were often persistent and liked working with others. This has implications for the integration of technology in science and mathematics classes

Mutual Aid Parkdale

The commentary includes an introduction to the political values, principles and activities of Mutual Aid Parkdale (M.A.P.) in Toronto, Ontario, during the COVID pandemic, followed by a panel discussion at York University of mutual aid leaders from M.A.P. discussing the history and purpose of mutual aid

Cyclometallated Au(III) dithiocarbamate complexes: synthesis, anticancer evaluation and mechanistic studies

A series of cationic mixed cyclometallated (C^N)Au(III) dithiocarbamate complexes has been synthesized in good yields [HC^N = 2-(p-t-butylphenyl)pyridine]. The crystal structure of [(C^N)AuS2CNEt2]PF6 (3) has been determined. The cytotoxic properties of the new complexes have been evaluated in vitro against a panel of human cancer cell lines and healthy cells and compared with a neutral mixed (C^C)Au(III) dithiocarbamate complex (C^C = 4,4′-di-t-butylbiphenyl-2,2′-diyl). The complexes appeared to be susceptible to reduction by glutathione but were stable in the presence of N-acetyl cysteine. The potential mechanism of action of this class of compounds has been investigated by measuring the intracellular uptake of some selected complexes, by determining their interactions with higher order DNA structures, and by assessing the ability to inhibit thioredoxin reductase. The complexes proved unable to induce the formation of reactive oxygen species. The investigations add to the picture of the possible mode of action of this class of complexes

What's citizenship got to do with mental health? Rationale for inclusion of citizenship as part of a mental health strategy

Purpose: People with lived experience of mental health problems (MHPs) are often marginalised and have difficulty achieving community inclusion. Citizenship, a relatively novel concept in mental health, provides a means of understanding what is necessary for marginalised individuals and groups to gain a sense of belonging within their communities. By exploring the “what, why, how and who” of citizenship, the purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for the inclusion of citizenship as part of a person-centred and holistic mental health strategy. Design/methodology/approach: A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, with peer researchers, was adopted to develop a model of citizenship within a Scottish context. The aim of the model is to link the concept of citizenship with specific strategies that systems, agencies and individuals can use within mental health policy and practice to promote greater inclusion and participation. Concept mapping was used as part of a mixed-methods participatory methodology and data were then analysed using multivariate statistical methods of multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. Findings: It is argued that using a CBPR approach, utilising concept mapping, encourages the development of a model of citizenship that is entirely grounded in the perspectives and lived experiences of people with MHPs. The need for adequate resources, preparatory work, training, research management and reflexive practice are key to the success of a CBPR approach with peer researchers. Originality/value: Working with peer researchers and key stakeholder groups is central to a CBPR approach and the implementation of a model of citizenship within mental health policy and practice. Developing a model of citizenship derived specifically from the experiences of people with lived experience is likely to promote their inclusion. It provides a means of challenging the structural deficits and inequalities that cause distress and prevent people with lived experience of MHPs of recovering their citizenship