Purposes in drawing: the significance of children's personal styles for design and technology

The work described forms part of an extended research project, investigating the development of children's skills and understanding in drawing and modelling for design thinking. The focus of this phase of the research is the sense of purpose that a child brings to a free drawing task. A typology is proposed, based on repeated observations of a small group of children, that uses two main dimensions to such purposes, namely patterning (investigating shape, colour, and pattern), and representation/narration, which is regarded as a continuum. Children's concerns in managing the task of drawing are also discussed. Some implications for the teaching of Design & Technology to younger children are suggested

How do children perceive the activity of drawing? Some initial observations of children in an infant school

The work described is the initial phase of a project, investigating the development of children's skills and understanding in drawing and modelling for design thinking. The focus at this stage is on approaches used by children when drawing freely. Children in an infant school, were observed on a one-to -one basis while engaged on a drawing activity. Their talk during the activity was recorded and analysed. Preliminary indications suggest that young children approach the task of drawing in different ways. Whether these differences represent an individual style, or are task- or situation-dependent is a question for the next phase of research. A surprising observation was the extent to which children in the sample were pre-occupied with aspects of task management. Further study will establish for how long in a child's development this persists. Until the child feels confident in the mastery of the task, s/he is unlikely to be able to concentrate on wider aspects of design thinking

Carrying the torch - can student teachers contribute to the survival of design and technology in the primary curriculum?

Not since the statutory introduction of design and technology as a foundation subject at Key Stages 1 and 2 in the National Curriculum for England and Wales in 1990 has there been more pressure on its survival in primary schools than at present. The ‘deregulation’ of the non-core curriculum to make way for the introduction of National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies has, according to Rogers and Davies (1999), had a devastating effect upon the classroom time it is currently allotted in many schools. The situation is, if anything, more acute in primary initial teacher training (ITT), where the impact of a series of government circulars, culminating in Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) Circular 4/98, has reduced total course provision in design and technology for the majority of students to a few hours. Although some hope may be on the horizon – in the shape of the new rationale for the subject in the Secretary of State’s proposals for Curriculum 2000, and the positive exemplification provided by the national Scheme of Work (QCA/DATA, 1999) – the situation is currently very difficult for primary student teachers required to teach design and technology during their school experience. Unless these opportunities are made available, a generation of primary student teachers may emerge from training with little or no experience of classroom or college design and technology, thus risking undoing much of the good work in teacher development undertaken during the last decade. It may then be too late to undo the damage done to the concept of a ‘balanced curriculum’ in which design and technology has a significant part to play

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Design and technology education exhibition  - reviewed by John EgglestonProject 2045 - The Design CouncilBeginning Teaching: Beginning Learning - reviewed by Bridget A. EganThe World of Chocolate - reviewed by Richard AgerSteel & Motorways Curriculum Pack - reviewed by Robert BowenDesign and Technology in Action Teacher's pack - reviewed by Robert Bowenthings: thinking things through with 7-11 year olds - reviewed by Marion RutlandD&T Challenges - reviewed by Tim FulfordSTEP Key Stage 3 Teacher's Handbook 2nd Ed. - reviewed by John HansonDesign and Technology Projects for Secondary Schools - reviewed by George Asquith

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Design and Technology Frames - reviewed by Mark HudsonDiscoveries - reviewed by Melanie FasciatoProgressio in Primary Design and Technology - reviewed by Rob BowenPrimary Design and Technology: Introducing Birds and Conservation to the Curriculum - reviewed by Bridget A. EganFood Tables and Labelling - reviewed by Jonty KinsellaExploring Materials CD-ROM Education Pack - reviewed by Chris SnellSkills in Resistant Materials Technology - reviewed by Mark HudsonDo3D - reviewed by Les PorterDesign and Technology Textiles Foundation Course - reviewed by Helen WilsonFocus on Plastics - reviewed by Chris SnellUnderstanding Industrial Practices in Textiles Technology - reviewed by Jenny JupeDyson Education Box - reviewed by Jenny JupeEdison 3.0 - reviewed by Jean Allma

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Ideas Bank Design Technology: Designing & Making Book 1 - reviewed by Robert BowenAztecs - Your Move - reviewed by Bridget A. EganChanging Technology - reviewed by John Hill & Elizabeth WrightElectronic Circuits and Components/ The Parts Gallery - reviewed by Mark HudsonGCSE Design and Technology: Resistant Materials - reviewed by John DurrellGlobal contexts: an introduction for design and technology teachers - reviewed by Anne RiggsScience Resources for Key Stage 2: SATIS 8-14 Technology - reviewed by Richard AgerScience Resources for Key Stage 2: SATIS 8-14 Health - reviewed by Richard AgerScience Resources for Key Stage 2: SATIS 8-14 Materials/Transport/Environment - reviewed by Robert BowenTechnology an Enterprising Approach - reviewed by Dr Ron RichieUnderstanding Electronic Circuits CD-ROM - reviewed by Dr Rowland Dye and Phil NormanTextiles and Technology - reviewed by Jillian MellorArt and Design 97 - reviewed by Andy Brecko

Crystal Structure of an Integron Gene Cassette-Associated Protein from Vibrio cholerae Identifies a Cationic Drug-Binding Module

Background The direct isolation of integron gene cassettes from cultivated and environmental microbial sources allows an assessment of the impact of the integron/gene cassette system on the emergence of new phenotypes, such as drug resistance or virulence. A structural approach is being exploited to investigate the modularity and function of novel integron gene cassettes. Methodology/Principal Findings We report the 1.8 A crystal structure of Cass2, an integron-associated protein derived from an environmental V. cholerae. The structure defines a monomeric beta-barrel protein with a fold related to the effector-binding portion of AraC/XylS transcription activators. The closest homologs of Cass2 are multi-drug binding proteins, such as BmrR. Consistent with this, a binding pocket made up of hydrophobic residues and a single glutamate side chain is evident in Cass2, occupied in the crystal form by polyethylene glycol. Fluorescence assays demonstrate that Cass2 is capable of binding cationic drug compounds with submicromolar affinity. The Cass2 module possesses a protein interaction surface proximal to its drug-binding cavity with features homologous to those seen in multi-domain transcriptional regulators. Conclusions/Significance Genetic analysis identifies Cass2 to be representative of a larger family of independent effector-binding proteins associated with lateral gene transfer within Vibrio and closely-related species. We propose that the Cass2 family not only has capacity to form functional transcription regulator complexes, but represents possible evolutionary precursors to multi-domain regulators associated with cationic drug compounds.National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) (NHMRC grant 488502)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant GM62414-0 )Ontario. Ministry of Revenue (Challenge Fund

Conceptualizing Creativity and Strategy in the Work of Professional Songwriters

Drawing upon interviews conducted as part of the Sodajerker on Songwriting podcast this paper explores professional songwriting as musical labor. It explores how songwriters conceptualize creativity and what strategies they employ for the delivery of original songs. It argues that individuals evince a faith in their own autonomy in the face of the demands of form and industry, expressing intuitive concepts of inspiration and practical insights into the nature of their work as work. The paper suggests that achieving and maintaining success is affirmed in a conjunction of value that is both economic and aesthetic, personal and public

A novel approach of homozygous haplotype sharing identifies candidate genes in autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable disorder of complex and heterogeneous aetiology. It is primarily characterized by altered cognitive ability including impaired language and communication skills and fundamental deficits in social reciprocity. Despite some notable successes in neuropsychiatric genetics, overall, the high heritability of ASD (~90%) remains poorly explained by common genetic risk variants. However, recent studies suggest that rare genomic variation, in particular copy number variation, may account for a significant proportion of the genetic basis of ASD. We present a large scale analysis to identify candidate genes which may contain low-frequency recessive variation contributing to ASD while taking into account the potential contribution of population differences to the genetic heterogeneity of ASD. Our strategy, homozygous haplotype (HH) mapping, aims to detect homozygous segments of identical haplotype structure that are shared at a higher frequency amongst ASD patients compared to parental controls. The analysis was performed on 1,402 Autism Genome Project trios genotyped for 1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We identified 25 known and 1,218 novel ASD candidate genes in the discovery analysis including CADM2, ABHD14A, CHRFAM7A, GRIK2, GRM3, EPHA3, FGF10, KCND2, PDZK1, IMMP2L and FOXP2. Furthermore, 10 of the previously reported ASD genes and 300 of the novel candidates identified in the discovery analysis were replicated in an independent sample of 1,182 trios. Our results demonstrate that regions of HH are significantly enriched for previously reported ASD candidate genes and the observed association is independent of gene size (odds ratio 2.10). Our findings highlight the applicability of HH mapping in complex disorders such as ASD and offer an alternative approach to the analysis of genome-wide association data

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research