The Effect of Thinking Routines on 4th and 5th-grade Students’ Sense of Agency

This action research project has studied the effects of implementing Agency by Design thinking routines and makerspaces on the development of student agency. The study was conducted in two upper-elementary school classrooms: one fifth-grade suburban classroom in Florida, and one fourth- and fifth-grade rural, gifted and talented classroom in Minnesota. During the study, researchers collected baseline data from a pre-assessment related to student perceptions around their own sense of agency and sensitivity to design. This data was compared to the post-assessment data that was collected using the same survey at the end of the project. Throughout the study, students used sketchbooks to engage in the thinking routines of looking closely, exploring complexity, and finding opportunity. They then used their sketchbooks as inspiration as they participated in four separate makerspace experiences. After each makerspace experience, students assessed their projects for elements that would indicate that agency was present in their product. The compiled and coded data indicated that there was not a strong correlation between the implementation of the thinking routines and makerspace opportunities on the development of student agency. However, positive outcomes were present, and recommendations were made accordingly

L’agrément : un agent moteur de développement des capacités, d’apprentissage collectif et de socialisation. Une étude de cas en profondeur dans un hôpital privé saoudien

Cette thèse vise à comprendre comment et dans quelle mesure l’agrément des établissements de santé est-il efficace pour développer les capacités des acteurs, nécessaires pour améliorer la qualité des soins et des services. Au cours des dix dernières années, il y a eu une croissance rapide, à l'échelle mondiale de la mise en œuvre de programmes d'agrément en santé pour l’amélioration de la qualité. L'expérience de la dernière décennie prouve que l'agrément est une technique valable pour l'amélioration de la qualité dans beaucoup d’organismes de santé. Il est également utilisé pour soutenir les réformes en santé. Malgré cela, les outils de gestion comme l’agrément sont souvent critiqués, car elles sont adoptées avec enthousiasme négligeant fréquemment une implantation favorisant la mise en place de comportements durables et la démonstration de meilleurs résultats. Le développement des capacités (DC) est un processus délibéré, multidimensionnel, dynamique dont le but est d’améliorer la performance des individus, des équipes, de l’organisation et d’un système. Le DC constitue une des trois assises de l’implantation d’une démarche institutionnalisée de la qualité, au même niveau que la communication et la reconnaissance. Cette recherche c’est déroulée dans un organisme d’Arabie Saoudite dans le cadre de leur première démarche avec le Conseil canadien d’agrément (CCASS) des services de santé. Une étude de cas unique d’implantation de l’agrément a été menée utilisant une approche mixte. Quatre niveaux d’analyse ont été étudiés en détail (individu, équipe, organisation et système) afin de mesurer 28 effets escomptés du DC puisés dans la littérature. Des entretiens semi-structurés, des groupes de discussion, une revue de la documentation ont été réalisés. Dans le but de mesurer trois des effets escomptés, un questionnaire sur le niveau d’implantation de la qualité (NIQ) a été administré pour la première fois en Arabie Saoudite dans cinq organismes. La performance du cas a été évaluée en relation avec les autres et en fonction de son positionnement dans le cycle d’agrément. Des analyses qualitatives et quantitatives utilisant la technique de polissage par la médiane ont été exécutées. Au niveau des individus, l’agrément a motivé la participation à de nouvelles formations. L’auto-évaluation est l’étape qui encourage l’apprentissage par l’autocritique. Le sentiment de fierté est le changement affectif le plus souvent répertorié. Les équipes ont amélioré leur communication par l’implantation d’une « chaîne de commandement ». Elle a introduit des notions de respect et de clarté des rôles telles qu’exigées par les normes. Au moyen de la mesure du NIQ, nous avons constaté que la majorité des organismes saoudiens se positionnent au niveau minimal d’implantation (assurance qualité). Le plus expérimenté avec l’agrément démontre les meilleurs résultats tout près du second niveau. Enfin, plus les organismes progressent dans la démarche d’agrément, plus les écarts de perception entre les 8 domaines mesurés par le questionnaire du NIQ et entre les différentes catégories d’emploi s’amincissent. En conclusion, l’agrément a démontré de l’efficacité à développer de nouvelles capacités par l’intégration des transformations des individus et par l’impact de l’acquisition des nouvelles capacités sur le changement des pratiques, majoritairement au niveau des individus, des équipes et de l’organisation. Le processus d’agrément a également fait preuve d’importants pouvoirs de convergence au niveau de l’adoption des pratiques édictées par les normes d’agrément qui contribuent positivement à l’amélioration de la qualité.The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether accreditation is effective for developing individual’s necessary capacities that improve quality. In the last decade, accreditation shows that is a valuable tool. Accreditation program implementation has also demonstrated a world wide increased. It is as well used to support health reform. Managerial practices of this type are often criticized. They are adopted with enthusiasm but their implementation is often neglected because there is some difficulties to demonstrate sustainable behaviour changes and better outcomes.. Capacity Building (CB) is a comprehensive process, multidimensional and dynamic that seeks to improve the performance of individuals, teams, the organization and a system. CB is one of the three foundational elements of institutionalise quality improvement practices a the same level of communication and recognition. This study happens in Saudi Arabia. The hospital had participated in his first initiative with the Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA). A single case study to evaluate the implementation of accreditation has been carried using a mix methodology. For unit of analysis has been studded (individual, team, organization and system) to measure 28 anticipated effects of capacity Building culled from the literature. Semi-structure interviews, focus groups and a documentation review were conducted. A questionnaire on the quality implementation scale (QIS) was administered in five organizations. The performance of the case was measured in relation to the others and based on its positioning in the cycle. Qualitative and quantitative analyses using median polish technique were conducted. At the individual level, the accreditation motivated participation in new training. Self-assessment is the stage that encourages learning through self-criticism. The feeling of pride is the emotional change that was reported the most. The teams improved their communication by establishing a chain of command, which introduced the concept of respect and of clearly defined roles as required by the standards. Through the QIS measurement, we noted that all those involved position themselves at the minimal level of implementation (Quality Assurance). The most experienced with accreditation produce the best results very close to the second level. Finally, the further organizations progress in the cycle, the more the differences in perception between the eight QI domains studied narrowed. The same phenomenon was observed among different job categories. In conclusion, accreditation has demonstrated effectiveness to develop new capacities most specifically at the individual, team and organizational level. The accreditation process has also demonstrated significant convergence power to pushes the adoption of new practices dictated by the accreditation standards. Those practices were successful to demonstrated positive quality improvement outcome

Locations of marine animals revealed by carbon isotopes

Knowing the distribution of marine animals is central to understanding climatic and other environmental influences on population ecology. This information has proven difficult to gain through capture-based methods biased by capture location. Here we show that marine location can be inferred from animal tissues. As the carbon isotope composition of animal tissues varies with sea surface temperature, marine location can be identified by matching time series of carbon isotopes measured in tissues to sea surface temperature records. Applying this technique to populations of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) produces isotopically-derived maps of oceanic feeding grounds, consistent with the current understanding of salmon migrations, that additionally reveal geographic segregation in feeding grounds between individual philopatric populations and age-classes. Carbon isotope ratios can be used to identify the location of open ocean feeding grounds for any pelagic animals for which tissue archives and matching records of sea surface temperature are available

How to select networks of marine protected areas for multiple species with different dispersal strategies

Aim: To develop and test theory based on connectivity to identify optimal networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) that protect multiple species with a range of dispersal strategies. Location: The eastern North Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. Methods: Theory of finding optimal MPA network is based on eigenvalue perturbation theory applied to population connectivity. Previous theory is here extended to the persistence of multiple species by solving a maximization problem with constraints, which identifies an optimal consensus network of MPAs. The theory is applied to two test cases within a 120,000 km2 area in the North Sea where connectivity was estimated with a biophysical model. In a realistic case, the theory is applied to the protection of rocky-reef habitats, where the biophysical model is parameterized with realistic dispersal traits for key species. Theoretical predictions of optimal networks were validated with a simple metapopulation model. Persistence of optimal consensus MPA networks is compared to randomly selected networks as well as to the existing MPA network. Results: Despite few overlapping MPA sites for the optimal networks based on single dispersal strategies, the consensus network for multiple dispersal strategies performed well for 3 of 4 contrasting strategies even without user-defined constraints. In the test with five realistic dispersal strategies, representing a community on threatened rocky reefs, the consensus network performed equally well compared to solutions for single species. Different dispersal strategies were also protected jointly across the MPA network (93% of sites), in contrast to simulations of the existing MPA network (2% of sites). Consensus networks based on connectivity were significantly more efficient compared to existing MPAs. Main conclusions: Our findings suggest that the new theoretic framework can identify a consensus MPA network that protects a whole community containing species with multiple dispersal strategies

Religion as practices of attachment and materiality: the making of Buddhism in contemporary London

This article aims to explore Buddhism’s often-overlooked presence on London’s urban landscape, showing how its quietness and subtlety of approach has allowed the faith to grow largely beneath the radar. It argues that Buddhism makes claims to urban space in much the same way as it produces its faith, being as much about the practices performed and the spaces where they are enacted as it is about faith or beliefs. The research across a number of Buddhist sites in London reveals that number of people declaring themselves as Buddhists has indeed risen in recent years, following the rise of other non-traditional religions in the UK; however, this research suggests that Buddhism differs from these in several ways. Drawing on Baumann’s (2002) distinction between traditionalist and modernist approaches to Buddhism, our research reveals a growth in each of these. Nevertheless, Buddhism remains largely invisible in the urban and suburban landscape of London, adapting buildings that are already in place, with little material impact on the built environment, and has thus been less subject to contestation than other religious movements and traditions. This research contributes to a growing literature which foregrounds the importance of religion in making contemporary urban and social worlds

Transferrin receptor 1 mRNA is downregulated in placenta of hepcidin transgenic embryos

AbstractWe have previously shown that hepcidin transgenic embryos are severely anemic and die around birth. Here, we report that embryonic hepcidin transgene expression decreases transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) mRNA level in placenta, as shown by cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR, by a mechanism which is independent of placenta iron content and iron responsive element/iron regulatory protein (IRE/IRP) activity. On the contrary, iron injections into pregnant mothers result in increased placenta iron and ferritin content, and reduced IRE binding activity of IRP1 leading to decreased TfR1 mRNA level. Taken together, these results suggest that hepcidin action on placenta is mostly through transcriptional downregulation of the iron uptake machinery

Gut microbiota role in dietary protein metabolism and health-related outcomes: The two sides of the coin

Background: Human gut bacteria can synthesize proteinogenic amino acids and produce a range of metabolites via protein fermentation, some known to exert beneficial or harmful physiological effects on the host. However, the effects of the type and amount of dietary protein consumed on these metabolic processes, as well as the effects of the microbiota-derived amino acids and related metabolites on the host health are still predominantly unknown. Scope and approach:This review provides an up-to-date description of the dominant pathways/genes involved in amino acid metabolism in gut bacteria, and provides an inventory of metabolic intermediates derived from bacterial protein fermentation that may affect human health. Advances in understanding bacterial protein fermentation pathways and metabolites generated at a global level via the implementation of ‘omics’ technologies are reviewed. Finally, the impact of dietary protein intake and high-protein diets on human health is discussed. Key findings and conclusions:The intestinal microbiota is able to synthesize amino acids, but the net result of amino acid production and utilization, according to dietary patterns still needs to be determined. The amount of ingested dietary protein appears to modify both the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota as well as the luminal environment of the intestinal epithelium and peripheral tissues. The understanding of the consequences of such changes on the host physiology and pathophysiology is still in an early stage but major progress is expected in the near future with the investigation of host-microbe omics profiles from well-controlled human intervention studies.This works is supported by the European Union's Seventh Framework Program under the grant agreement no 613979 (MyNewGut).Peer reviewe

A proposal to support student therapists to develop compassion for self and others through Compassionate Mind Training (CMT)

Purpose: By the very nature of the role, student therapists experience incidents that can be emotionally challenging. In response to such events, they may experience compassion fatigue, stress, burnout, and self-criticism, which in turn alters their ability to provide compassion to both self and others. With this in mind, the aim of this paper is to present a creative framework designed to teach student therapists about Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) to underpin the worth of Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) designed to increase levels of compassion shown towards self and others. Expected Learning Outcomes: On completion of teaching the 6-step study framework, student therapists will understand variables that influence compassion delivered to both self and others. They will understand how the compassionate mind model works, and consider how cultivating compassion can diminish self-critical dialogue. They will gain understanding of the 3 flows of compassion, and how low levels can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, or stress, and explain how emotions, such as shame and self-critical thinking impact upon well-being. Practical Implications: The suggested programme will develop the ability in student therapists to ‘be kinder to self’ in times of stress, hence building their resilience. It is recommended that post-delivery of a well prepared teaching plan that addresses the 6-step study framework, that the lecturing team evaluate the effectiveness of the training

Using Compassion Focused Therapy as an adjunct to Trauma-Focused CBT for fire service personnel suffering with symptoms of trauma

Background: Individuals working for the emergency services often bear witness to distressing events. This outcome study examines therapeutic interventions for Fire Service Personnel (FSP) experiencing symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety and low levels of self-compassion. Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of using compassion focused therapy (CFT) as an adjunct to trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) in reducing symptoms of trauma, anxiety and depression and increasing self-compassion. Method: A convenience sample (n=17) of participants, referred for therapy following a traumatic incident, were allocated to receive twelve sessions of either TF-CBT or TF-CBT coupled with CFT. The study employed a repeated measures design. Data were gathered pre and post-therapy, using three questionnaires (1) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; (2) Impact of Events Scale; (3) Self Compassion Scale-SF. Results: TF-CBT combined with CFT was more effective than TF-CBT alone on measures of self-compassion. Significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, hyper-arousal, intrusion and avoidance and a significant increase in self-compassion occurred in both groups post-therapy. Conclusion: The study provides some preliminary evidence to suggest that FSP may benefit from therapeutic interventions aimed at cultivating self-compassion. Further research is warranted using a larger sample size and adequately powered randomised controlled trial, to detect statistically significant differences and to negate the risk of confound due to low numbers resulting in significant differences between groups at baseline. Using CFT as an adjunct to TF-CBT may help FSP, who bear witness to the distress of others, cultivate compassion for their own suffering

Grazing reduces bee abundance and diversity in saltmarshes by suppressing flowering of key plant species

Global declines in pollinator populations and associated services make it imperative to identify and sensitively manage valuable habitats. Coastal habitats such as saltmarshes can support extensive flowering meadows, but their importance for pollinators, and how this varies with land-use intensity, is poorly understood. We hypothesised that saltmarshes provide important bee foraging habitat, and that livestock grazing either suppresses or enhances its value by reducing the abundance - or increasing the diversity - of flowering plants. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed 11 saltmarshes in Wales (UK) under varying grazing management (long-term ungrazed, extensively grazed, intensively grazed) over three summers and investigated causal pathways linking grazing intensity with bee abundance and diversity using a series of linear mixed models. We also compared observed bee abundances to 11 common terrestrial habitats using national survey data. Grazing reduced bee abundance and richness via reductions in the flower cover of the two key food plants: sea aster Tripolium pannonicum and sea lavender Limonium spp. Grazing also increased flowering plant richness, but the positive effects of flower richness did not compensate for the negative effects of reduced flower cover on bees. Bee abundances were approximately halved in extensively grazed marshes (relative to ungrazed) and halved again in intensively grazed marshes. Saltmarsh flowers were primarily visited by honeybees Apis mellifera and bumblebees Bombus spp. in mid and late summer. Compared to other broad habitat types in Wales, ungrazed saltmarshes ranked highly for honeybees and bumblebees in July-August, but were relatively unimportant for solitary bees. Intensively grazed saltmarshes were amongst the least valuable habitats for all bee types. Under appropriate grazing management, saltmarshes provide a valuable and previously overlooked foraging habitat for bees. The strong effects of livestock grazing identified here are likely to extend geographically given that both livestock grazing and key grazing-sensitive plants are widespread in European saltmarshes. We recommend that long-term ungrazed saltmarshes are protected from grazing, and that grazing is maintained at extensive levels on grazed marshes. In this way, saltmarshes can provide forage for wild and managed bee populations and support ecosystem services