Increasing In-Service Teachers’ Willingness to be Videoed to Support Professional Learning

Increasing and compelling research demonstrates the affordances of personal video footage as an informative and transformational tool in teacher professional learning (PL), yet many in-service teachers avoid engaging in this practice. This Australian Research Council funded study tracked teacher willingness to use video to capture the application of PL over 12 months in a rural Australian primary school. Data from questionnaires, video-based learning conversations, and collaborative sharing sessions demonstrated a strong increasing trend in the number of teachers volunteering to be videoed across three iterations of research. Thematic analysis highlighted five key factors as catalysts for increased teacher participation in engaging with video as a professional learning (PL) tool. These factors include – safe relationships and the building of relational trust; personalized connection of PL to classroom practice; an effective video annotation repository system; teacher agency within an iterative structure; and time – the need for external support systems. This study found that when these factors were addressed, willingness to engage in using the power of video as a tool to support teacher PL increased

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-2 HORMONAL SYSTEM IN RUMINANTS

The hormone glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is important in the regulation of intestinal growth and blood flow in nonruminant animals. However, no research reports the existence of GLP-2 in ruminants. Therefore, this dissertation examined the existence of GLP-2 and its receptor, their response to physiological stimuli, and its ability to induce gastrointestinal growth and intestinal blood flow in ruminants. Experiments 1 and 2 established the gastrointestinal distribution of mRNA for proglucagon (the GLP-2 precursor) and the GLP-2 receptor. Furthermore, these experiments determined the effects of changing dietary energy intake on plasma GLP-2 concentrations and proglucagon and GLP-2 receptor mRNA expression. Experiment 3 examined the effect of exogenous bovine GLP-2 on splanchnic blood flow, splanchnic nutrient flux, and gastrointestinal growth. This research shows that ruminants possess a functional GLP-2 signaling system that responds to nutrient ingestion. Based on observed receptor distribution and growth changes with GLP-2 treatment, GLP-2 targets the small intestine and does not affect forestomach or large intestinal growth. Increases in ileal proglucagon mRNA expression and plasma GLP-2 with increasing energy intake demonstrate that GLP-2 responds to physiologic changes in nutrient intake and can be relevant to feeding practices. Furthermore, observed increases in small intestinal growth and blood flow with GLP-2 suggest that it could substantially affect the capacity of the gastrointestinal tract for nutrient absorption. Modification of GLP-2 through diet could allow for improvements in nutrient utilization and animal productivity. This research also has important implications for use of GLP-2 for human disease therapy as the observed downregulation in the blood flow response to 10-d GLP-2 administration has never been reported in any species prior to this dissertation. This research systematically characterized and evaluated the potential role of GLP-2 in the control of gastrointestinal growth and splanchnic blood flow in ruminants. While it extends the knowledge of hormonal control of the gastrointestinal tract in ruminants, it also adds crucial information to the larger body of work investigating the actions of GLP- 2. This dissertation research has contributed to the groundwork necessary to enable the use of GLP-2 in improving the health and productivity of a diverse group of mammalian species

Families and job loss in rural Newfoundland and urban Ontario: A systems approach to identifying stress and coping strategies for pastoral care

In response to the Church\u27s mission to manifest God\u27s love in active concern for those in need, the experiences that have helped or blocked families to develop coping skills when faced with the pain of job loss due to the crisis in the fishing industry in rural Newfoundland and the recession in urban Ontario were investigated and recommendations for systemic pastoral care were made. The data was gathered using qualitative research methods and the FACES 111: Social Adaptability and Cohesion Scale. Building on the work of Hill, McCubbin and Patterson, and using Graham\u27s Psychosystemic map a Triple ABC-X Model of Family Stressors and Strains was developed to allow a more vigorous systemic approach in the analysis. The experience of Job was used as a focus for theological reflection. The results indicated that families in each region had specific strengths to draw on and areas of need which challenge systemic care-givers to take prophetic action that will help families to turn their losses into gains

Sexual activity between victims and perpetrators following a sexual assault: A systematic literature review and critical feminist analysis

Rarely are perpetrators found guilty of sexual assault when the victim engaged in sex with the perpetrator following the sexual assault. Although the recent trial of Harvey Weinstein is an exception, the fact that his accusers engaged in consensual sex with him following the alleged assaults ignited debate that garnered international attention. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review to (1) document the extent to which victims engage in sex with the perpetrator following a sexual assault and (2) examine theoretical explanations for this phenomenon. Five peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1988 and 2016 were identified. Whereas rates of sex following a sexual assault where it is unclear based on study methodology if it was consensual ranged from 11 % to 64 %, rates of consensual sex following a sexual assault (where it is clear based on study methodology that it was consensual) ranged from 8 % to 32 %. Although evolutionary perspectives have been used by some researchers to explain this phenomenon, we suggest alternative explanations, grounded in feminist understandings of violence against women, for why a victim may have consensual sex with a perpetrator following a sexual assault. Finally, we identify areas for future research and discuss practice-based implications

High throughput sequencing in acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals clonal architecture of central nervous system and bone marrow compartments

No abstract available

Fabrication and Manipulation of Metallic Nanofeatures and CVD Graphene through Nanopatterning and Templating

Nanotechnology holds exciting potential to significantly advance research in many fields such as sensors, environmental sustainability and cleanup, energy harvesting and storage, as well as nanoelectronics. The resulting high demand for implementation into these areas has simultaneously created a large need for effective fabrication methods for nanostructured materials. It is important the fabrication methods are capable of significant control over size, orientation, and structural configuration of nanomaterials for effective function in these applications. Nanopatterning and templating are a promising means to achieve extreme selectivity over these parameters, and additionally be used as tools to control the growth and structure of large-scale materials through nanoscale manipulation. In this research, nanopatterning and templating are implemented to create metallic nanowire structures on surfaces of silicon substrates with highly selectivity over nanowire placement and design. Additionally, templating is incorporated in graphene growth on metallic substrates to influence the quality of graphene films, and further film patterning is used to improve the graphene electrical and optical properties. The first part of this work focuses on the fabrication of copper metallic nanowires through resist patterning coupled with electroless copper deposition. An atomic force microscope is used to selectively remove portions of a self-assembled monolayer resist on a silicon substrate, with patterns reaching down to widths of 20 nm. Electroless metal plating provides a facile way to deposit metal in selectively activated areas on surfaces with nanoscale dimensions. Here, it is employed to deposit copper selectively within these nanopatterned lines to create copper nanowire features. Through variation of the electroless metal solution conditions, the dimensions of the AFM-patterned line, and the doping of the underlying silicon substrate, the dimensions and uniformity of copper deposition within AFM-patterned lines can be influenced. Furthermore, this method provides a successful level of control to construct copper nanowire features between gold microelectrodes, which allows the electrical properties of these nanowires to be examined. The ability to selectively place nanowire features on a substrate surface with dimensions down to the tens of nanometers, as well as the capability to manipulate the nanowire size and uniformity, make this a promising method to construct metallic nanofeatures for complex nanodevices and circuitry. The second portion of this research investigates techniques to develop high quality graphene films produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on copper substrates. Chemical vapor deposition shows great potential for developing graphene films of large area, but unfortunately CVD graphene oftentimes possesses low conductivity values due to an increased amount of misaligned grain boundaries and point defects, and oftentimes exhibits low optical transparency. The focus of this research is to better understand the role the copper substrate plays in CVD graphene formation, and to find ways to directly enhance CVD graphene quality through changes in the copper substrate template. The surface morphology, optical transmittance, and electrical properties of CVD graphene manufactured on two copper substrates with different surface structures were investigated. It was found that differences in the copper substrate grain alignment and crystal lattice could significantly influence the deposition and quality of graphene on copper substrates. Furthermore, the possibility of developing graphene films on nonmetallic substrates, as well as enhancing its properties through chemical doping, is demonstrated by nanopatterning and templating of graphene films

Conformational analysis of small organic molecules using NOE and RDC data: A discussion of strychnine and a-methylene-y-butyrolactone

To understand the properties and/or reactivity of an organic molecule, an understanding of its three-dimensional structure is necessary. Simultaneous determination of configuration and conformation often poses a daunting challenge. Thus, the more information accessible for a given molecule, the better. Additionally to (3)J-couplings, two sources of information, quantitative NOE and more recently also RDCs, are used for conformational analysis by NMR spectroscopy. In this paper, we compare these sources of conformational information in two molecules: the configurationally well-characterized strychnine 1, and the only recently configurationally and conformationally characterized ?-methylene-?-butyrolactone 2. We discuss possible sources of error in the measurement and analysis process, and how to exclude them. By this means, we are able to bolster the previously proposed flexibility for these two molecules

Culture, Utility or Social Systems?:Explaining the Cross-National Ties of Emigrants from Borsa, Romania

Emigrants from Borşa, Romania, display two quite distinct patterns of ties with their community of origin: migration to Italy is discernibly transnational, with a strong reliance on migrant networks; while migration to the UK is more individualistic, with emigrants shunning interaction with compatriots and retaining only weak ties to Borşa. We argue that prevalent theories of cross-national ties fail adequately to explain this divergence. Instead, we draw on systems theory to explain the discrepancy in terms of divergent conditions for societal inclusion. In Italy, incorporation into parallel, unofficial structures of work, welfare and accommodation encouraged a reliance on cultural criteria for maintaining social ties. In the UK, migrants were obliged to integrate into state-sponsored systems, encouraging the relinquishing of ethnic ties in favour of more strategic networking to facilitate societal inclusion

Health service pathways for patients with chronic leg ulcers: identifying effective pathways for facilitation of evidence based wound care

Background: Chronic leg ulcers cause long term ill-health for older adults and the condition places a significant burden on health service resources. Although evidence on effective management of the condition is available, a significant evidence-practice gap is known to exist, with many suggested reasons e.g. multiple care providers, costs of care and treatments. This study aimed to identify effective health service pathways of care which facilitated evidence-based management of chronic leg ulcers. Methods: A sample of 70 patients presenting with a lower limb leg or foot ulcer at specialist wound clinics in Queensland, Australia were recruited for an observational study and survey. Retrospective data were collected on demographics, health, medical history, treatments, costs and health service pathways in the previous 12 months. Prospective data were collected on health service pathways, pain, functional ability, quality of life, treatments, wound healing and recurrence outcomes for 24 weeks from admission. Results: Retrospective data indicated that evidence based guidelines were poorly implemented prior to admission to the study, e.g. only 31% of participants with a lower limb ulcer had an ABPI or duplex assessment in the previous 12 months. On average, participants accessed care 2–3 times/week for 17 weeks from multiple health service providers in the twelve months before admission to the study clinics. Following admission to specialist wound clinics, participants accessed care on average once per week for 12 weeks from a smaller range of providers. The median ulcer duration on admission to the study was 22 weeks (range 2–728 weeks). Following admission to wound clinics, implementation of key indicators of evidence based care increased (p < 0.001) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis found the median time to healing was 12 weeks (95% CI 9.3–14.7). Implementation of evidence based care was significantly related to improved healing outcomes (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the complexities involved in accessing expertise and evidence based wound care for adults with chronic leg or foot ulcers. Results demonstrate that access to wound management expertise can promote streamlined health services and evidence based wound care, leading to efficient use of health resources and improved health