28 research outputs found

    Gender politics in 21st century literacy reform

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    From 2001 to 2004 Education Queensland undertook significant literacy reform in schools through the Literate Futures Project. Research into the impact of this reform has revealed that significant demands were placed on women at all levels, from those producing resources to those leading change within schools. Although the reform was a government response to globalisation, many women were driven by a commitment to a collaborative approach to professional learning that addressed equity and improving educational outcomes for all students. But what was the cost of this commitment to the project? Failure to acknowledge the emotion work demanded by educational reform effectively silences women and the significant contribution they make. This paper examining a 21st century literacy reform draws on the work of Fraser and Boler to argue for gender justice and acknowledgement of emotion work

    Effective curricula for at-risk students in vocational education:a study of teachers’ practice

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    Abstract Background This study focused upon a curriculum for at-risk students in vocational education aimed at enhancing students’ motivation and engagement for learning. The study explored teachers’ view on effective curricular characteristics and teachers’ strategies to create positive learning experiences for students. Methods Qualitative research has been conducted regarding four curricula for at-risk students; data were collected and examined by means of 16 focus group interviews with teachers and analysis of relevant documents. Results Teachers pointed out the central position of the student, resulting in individual trajectories. Teachers used peer group dynamics, job orientation and sports as tool for student development. Teachers regarded themselves as coaches, as experts in sport activities and as group managers. For positive learning experiences two key curricular characteristics have been identified: (1) equality in the relationship between student and teacher, (2) a positive fit between the curriculum and the students

    Increasing frailty is associated with higher prevalence and reduced recognition of delirium in older hospitalised inpatients: results of a multi-centre study

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    Purpose Delirium is a neuropsychiatric disorder delineated by an acute change in cognition, attention, and consciousness. It is common, particularly in older adults, but poorly recognised. Frailty is the accumulation of deficits conferring an increased risk of adverse outcomes. We set out to determine how severity of frailty, as measured using the CFS, affected delirium rates, and recognition in hospitalised older people in the United Kingdom. Methods Adults over 65 years were included in an observational multi-centre audit across UK hospitals, two prospective rounds, and one retrospective note review. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), delirium status, and 30-day outcomes were recorded. Results The overall prevalence of delirium was 16.3% (483). Patients with delirium were more frail than patients without delirium (median CFS 6 vs 4). The risk of delirium was greater with increasing frailty [OR 2.9 (1.8–4.6) in CFS 4 vs 1–3; OR 12.4 (6.2–24.5) in CFS 8 vs 1–3]. Higher CFS was associated with reduced recognition of delirium (OR of 0.7 (0.3–1.9) in CFS 4 compared to 0.2 (0.1–0.7) in CFS 8). These risks were both independent of age and dementia. Conclusion We have demonstrated an incremental increase in risk of delirium with increasing frailty. This has important clinical implications, suggesting that frailty may provide a more nuanced measure of vulnerability to delirium and poor outcomes. However, the most frail patients are least likely to have their delirium diagnosed and there is a significant lack of research into the underlying pathophysiology of both of these common geriatric syndromes

    384 Chemical Shifts and Coupling Constants for C6H13F3NO3P

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    A selected ion flow tube study of the reactions of OH- with a number of fully and partially halogenated methanes

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    In this paper we report the reactions of OH- with the halogenated methanes CCl4, CCl3F, CCl2F 2, CClF3, CF4, CHCl3, CHCl 2F, CHClF2, CHF3, CH2Cl2, CH2ClF, CH2F2, CH3Cl, and CH 3F in a 0.5 Torr helium buffer gas at 300 K using a selected ion flow tube. Reaction rate coefficients were measured and branching ratios determined for the large number of reactions studied. The results are discussed in terms of the thermochemistry of the reactions and barriers that exist to different reaction pathways. It is demonstrated that there is no barrier to proton and Cl+ abstraction, while significant barriers exist for nucleophilic substitution. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

    Molecular determinants of binding of non-oxime bispyridinium nerve agent antidote compounds to the adult muscle nAChR

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    Organophosphorus nerve agents (NAs) are the most lethal chemical warfare agents and have been used by state and non-state actors since their discovery in the 1930s. They covalently modify acetylcholinesterase, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh) with subsequent loss of synaptic transmission, which can result in death. Despite the availability of several antidotes for OPNA exposure, none directly targets the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) mediated component of toxicity. Non-oxime bispyridinium compounds (BPDs) have been shown previously to partially counteract the effects of NAs at skeletal muscle tissue, and this has been attributed to inhibition of the muscle nAChR. Functional data indicate that, by increasing the length of the alkyl linker between the pyridinium moieties of BPDs, the antagonistic activity at nAChRs can be improved. Molecular dynamics simulations of the adult muscle nAChR in the presence of BPDs identified key residues likely to be involved in binding. Subsequent two-electrode voltage clamp recordings showed that one of the residues, εY131, acts as an allosteric determinant of BPD binding, and that longer BPDs have a greater stabilizing effect on the orthosteric loop C than shorter ones. The work reported will inform future design work on novel antidotes for treating NA exposure
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