Performative ontologies. Sociomaterial approaches to researching adult education and lifelong learning

Sociomaterial approaches to researching education, such as those generated by actornetwork theory and complexity theory, have been growing in significance in recent years, both theoretically and methodologically. Such approaches are based upon a performative ontology rather than the more characteristic representational epistemology that informs much research. In this article, we outline certain aspects of sociomaterial sensibilities in researching education, and some of the uptakes on issues related to the education of adults. We further suggest some possibilities emerging for adult education and lifelong learning researchers from taking up such theories and methodologies. (DIPF/Orig.

Digital analytics in professional work and learning

In a wide range of fields, professional practice is being transformed by the increasing influence of digital analytics: the massive volumes of big data, and software algorithms that are collecting, comparing, and calculating that data to make predictions and even decisions. Researchers in a number of social sciences have been calling attention to the far-reaching and accelerating consequences of these forces, claiming that many professionals, researchers, policy makers and the public are just beginning to realise the enormous potentials and challenges these analytics are producing. Yet, outside of particular areas of research and practice, such as learning analytics, there has been little discussion of this to date in the broader education literature. This article aims to set out some key issues particularly relevant to the understandings of professional practice, knowledge and learning posed by the linkages of big data and software code. It begins by outlining definitions, forms and examples of these analytics, their potentialities and some of the hidden impact, and then presents issues for researchers and educators. It seeks to contribute to and extend debates taking place in certain quarters to a broader professional education and work audience

Exploring the impact of digital technologies on professional responsibilities and education

Digital technologies in combination with ‘big’ data and predictive analytics are having a significant impact upon professional practices at individual, organisational, national and international levels. The interplay of code, algorithms and big data are increasingly pervasive in the governing, leadership and practices of different professional groups. They are reshaping the relationships between professional grouping and between professionals and their clients/users/students. New forms of accountability and responsibility are emerging as a result of these trends, raising important questions about culpability and decision-making in professional practice. However, to date, despite the introduction of many professional codes on the use of digital data and social media, these issues have received limited examination in research addressing professional education. This article aims to explore some of these trends, how they are manifested in different professions and what might be the educational implications. Our argument is that new digital technologies are reconfiguring professional practice and responsibility, but that the education of professionals has yet to adequately reflect these changes. Digital technologies may therefore be changing the governing of practice rather than simply enhancing the efficiency of practices

Network alliances: precarious governance through data, standards and code

First paragraph: We share the general concerns of this book about the ways in which education, alongside most other social services from health care to air travel and banking, is being managed through comparative technologies. These effectively translate complex knowledge processes and human relationships into data. Such translations render processes calculable, and enrol them into massive digital networks that track, sequence, assess, procure and direct most social activity in advanced societies. To better understand how these processes mobilize particular educational practices, we argue for the utility of network analysis following Bruno Latour (2005). While controversial, versions of actor-network theory are increasingly brought to bear in educational studies of governmentality and knowledge. These approaches tend to avoid the limitations inherent in explanations that rely upon dominant ‘paradigms' and political ideologies. They also deliberately decentre human actors, their meanings and politics. Instead, we argue for analysis that traces myriad negotiations among material devices, embodiments, and technologies with social desires and discourses. Through these sociomaterial vitalities, particular forms of knowledge become performed and stabilized

Reclaiming the Neighborhood: Addressing Vacant Homes in Mott Park

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110964/1/reclaiming_final_pdf_may15_2009.pd

Nitrite oxidation in geothermal springs: evidence of an upper temperature limit for thermophilic nitrite-oxidizing bacteria of 60 - 65 °C

Despite growing evidence of the importance of nitrification in terrestrial geothermal environments, little is known about nitrite oxidation in these environments. In order to further our knowledge, this study combined cultivation-dependent and -independent approaches with measurements of nitrogen speciation along the outflow channels of two Great Basin geothermal springs. Enrichment cultures were inoculated with sediment slurries from sites ranging in temperature from 42 - 87 °C at the sources and along the outflows of \u3e15 hot springs. While attempts to enrich nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) from sites greater than or equal to 61 °C were unsuccessful, NOB were enriched from five hot springs located in U.S. Great Basin, southwestern China, and Armenia at sites °C. All enrichments analyzed contained organisms with greater than or equal to 97% 16S rRNA gene identity to Nitrospira calida, regardless of origin, demonstrating the wide geographic range of this organism. In addition, enrichments from Armenia contained organisms with greater than or equal to 97% 16S rRNA gene identity to Nitrospira moscoviensis. Physiological properties were similar for all enrichments, with an upper temperature limit between 60 - 65 °C and a temperature optimum of 45 - 50 °C While the rates of nitrite oxidation were significantly different for the Great Basin enrichments when compared to the Tengchong and Armenian enrichments at 50 °C (5.4 ± 2.2, 11.4 ± 3.3, and 11.6 ± 1.7 for Great Basin, Tengchong, and Armenian, respectively), the much higher rates observed for the Tengchong and Armenian enrichments may be attributed to improved cultivation conditions for the primary enrichments. Patterns of nitrogen speciation in water samples collected along the outflow channels of two springs (Sandy\u27s Spring West and Rick\u27s Hot Creek) within the Great Boiling Spring (GBS) geothermal system suggested ammonia oxidation activity at greater than or equal to 75.1 °C in both springs. In contrast, nitrite oxidation activity did not appear to be present at greater than or equal to 65 °C in either spring. Candidatus Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii 16S rRNA gene copy numbers were abundant in sediment samples from the outflow of both springs at less than or equal to 79.6 °C, butNitrospira16S rRNA gene sequences were only abundant at less than or equal to 57.9 °C. Thus, an apparent difference in the upper temperature limit for ammonia oxidation and nitrite oxidation exists within the GBS system, decoupling the two steps of nitrification and leading to accumulation of nitrite above ~60 °C. In addition, 16S rRNA sequences belonging to known NOB were absent from 557,076 pyrotag sequences obtained from hot springs located in the U.S. Great Basin, and Tengchong, China at temperatures greater than or equal to 55 °C and no significant matches for entire NOB genome sequences were found in the ~250 Mbp of metagenomic data from GBS environmental samples at 77 to 85 °C. In addition, no significant matches for entire NOB genome sequences were found in the 557 Mbp of metagenomic data from Yellowstone National Park environmental samples obtained from 16 springs at temperatures ranging from 52.9 to 90 °C. This study presents evidence that the upper temperature limit for nitrite oxidation in geothermal systems worldwide may be similar to the upper temperature limit observed within the GBS system and demonstrates the wide geographic range of Nitrospira spp. in geothermal environments. Finally, we propose that the temperature-driven decoupling of ammonia oxidation and nitrite oxidation leads to a high temperature nitrite shunt in the nitrogen cycle whereby nitrite produced by ammonia oxidation is used directly by denitrifiers in geothermal ecosystems. We propose that the high temperature nitrite shunt is complete at temperatures exceeding ~65 °C, with greater flow of nitrogen through nitrate with decreasing temperature below ~65 °C

Improving Wait Times to Care for Individuals with Multimorbidities and Complex Conditions Using Value Stream Mapping

Background: Recognizing the significant impact of wait times for care for individuals with complex chronic conditions, we applied a LEAN methodology, namely – an adaptation of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to meet the needs of people with multiple chronic conditions and to improve wait times without additional resources or funding. Methods:Over an 18-month time period, staff applied a patient-centric approach that included LEAN methodology of VSM to improve wait times to care. Our framework of evaluation was grounded in the needs and perspectives of patients and individuals waiting to receive care. Patient centric views were obtained through surveys such as Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) and process engineering based questions. In addition, LEAN methodology, VSM was added to identify non-value added processes contributing to wait times. Results:The care team successfully reduced wait times to 2 months in 2014 with no wait times for care anticipated in 2015. Increased patient engagement and satisfaction are also outcomes of this innovative initiative. In addition, successful transformations and implementation have resulted in resource efficiencies without increase in costs. Patients have shown significant improvements in functional health following Integrated Chronic Care Service (ICCS) intervention. The methodology will be applied to other chronic disease management areas in Capital Health and the province. Conclusion: Wait times to care in the management of multimoribidities and other complex conditions can add a significant burden not only on the affected individuals but also on the healthcare system. In this study, a novel and modified LEAN methodology has been applied to embed the voice of the patient in care delivery processes and to reduce wait times to care in the management of complex chronic conditions

Nitrogen cycle in Great Basin hot springs

Nitrification and denitrification are two important steps in the nitrogen cycle . Nitrification, a two step process, leads to the production of NO3-, (Fig. 1). In the first step, ammonia oxidation, NH3 is oxidized to NO2-, and in the second step, nitrite oxidation, NO2- is oxidized to NO3-. Until recently, very little was know about nitrification in high temperature environments. However, in 2008 a thermophilic archaeon, named “Candidatus Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii”, was shown to mediate ammonia oxidation up to 74°C. More recently , NO2- oxidizing bacteria were discovered that are active in temperatures up to 48°C(4). While NH3 oxidation is generally considered to be the rate limiting step, this may not be the case at high temperatures since accumulation of NO2- has been reported in some hot springs where NH3 is the dominant form of inorganic nitrogen (1)

Drosophila tan Encodes a Novel Hydrolase Required in Pigmentation and Vision

Many proteins are used repeatedly in development, but usually the function of the protein is similar in the different contexts. Here we report that the classical Drosophila melanogaster locus tan encodes a novel enzyme required for two very different cellular functions: hydrolysis of N-β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD) to dopamine during cuticular melanization, and hydrolysis of carcinine to histamine in the metabolism of photoreceptor neurotransmitter. We characterized two tan-like P-element insertions that failed to complement classical tan mutations. Both are inserted in the 5′ untranslated region of the previously uncharacterized gene CG12120, a putative homolog of fungal isopenicillin-N N-acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.164). Both P insertions showed abnormally low transcription of the CG12120 mRNA. Ectopic CG12120 expression rescued tan mutant pigmentation phenotypes and caused the production of striking black melanin patterns. Electroretinogram and head histamine assays indicated that CG12120 is required for hydrolysis of carcinine to histamine, which is required for histaminergic neurotransmission. Recombinant CG12120 protein efficiently hydrolyzed both NBAD to dopamine and carcinine to histamine. We conclude that D. melanogaster CG12120 corresponds to tan. This is, to our knowledge, the first molecular genetic characterization of NBAD hydrolase and carcinine hydrolase activity in any organism and is central to the understanding of pigmentation and photoreceptor function