Student perspectives on creating a positive classroom dynamic: science education in prison

Detailed student perspectives on their involvement in prison education are limited in published literature, yet such contributions are invaluable to education practitioners wanting to create inclusive learning environments. This article focuses on the student experience of taking part in a science outreach programme teaching science in prison in England, which was designed to build confidence in students who face challenges in accessing education pathways. Here, former students share their experiences of the programme, as well as other education courses in prison, and offer guidance on best practices for those engaging in outreach or research with the prison population. In particular, their reflections highlight that by creating and maintaining an environment that is accessible, inclusive and relatable, students from all backgrounds are able to engage in course content, and overcome hidden barriers to accessing education. Furthermore, based on their lived experience, the students offer practical advice with regard to improving future access to education in prison. The aim of this article is to give a voice to students in prison about their education experience, highlighting which aspects of this outreach programme (and other education courses) were impactful for them

Kynurenine pathway metabolism following prenatal KMO inhibition and in Mecp2+/- mice, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

To quantify the full range of tryptophan metabolites along the kynurenine pathway, a liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and used to analyse brain extracts of rodents treated with the kynurenine-3-mono-oxygenase (KMO) inhibitor Ro61-8048 during pregnancy. There were significant increases in the levels of kynurenine, kynurenic acid, anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxy-kynurenine (3-HK) in the maternal brain after 5 h but not 24 h, while the embryos exhibited high levels of kynurenine, kynurenic acid and anthranilic acid after 5 h which were maintained at 24 h post-treatment. At 24 h there was also a strong trend to an increase in quinolinic acid levels (P = 0.055). No significant changes were observed in any of the other kynurenine metabolites. The results confirm the marked increase in the accumulation of some neuroactive kynurenines when KMO is inhibited, and re-emphasise the potential importance of changes in anthranilic acid. The prolonged duration of metabolite accumulation in the embryo brains indicates a trapping of compounds within the embryonic CNS independently of maternal levels. When brains were examined from young mice heterozygous for the meCP2 gene – a potential model for Rett syndrome - no differences were noted from control mice, suggesting that the proposed roles for kynurenines in autism spectrum disorder are not relevant to Rett syndrome, supporting its recognition as a distinct, independent, condition

Cost-effective instrumentation and control upgrades for commercial nuclear power plants using surety principles developed at Sandia National Laboratories

Many nuclear power plants use instrument and control systems based on analog electronics. The state of the art in process control and instrumentation has advanced to use digital electronics and incorporate advanced technology. This technology includes distributed microprocessors, fiber optics, intelligent systems (neural networks), and advanced displays. The technology is used to optimize processes and enhance the man-machine interface while maintaining control and safety of the processes. Nuclear power plant operators have been hesitant to install this technology because of the cost and uncertainty in the regulatory process. This technology can be directly applied in an operating nuclear power plant provided a surety principle-based {open_quotes}administrator{close_quotes} hardware system is included in parallel with the upgrade Sandia National Laboratories has developed a rigorous approach to High Consequence System Surety (HCSS). This approach addresses the key issues of safety, security, and control while satisfying requirements for reliability and quality. HCSS principles can be applied to nuclear power plants in a manner that allows the off-the-shelf use of process control instrumentation while maintaining a high level of safety and enhancing the plant performance. We propose that an HCSS administrator be constructed as a standardized approach to address regulatory issues. Such an administrator would allow a plant control system to be constructed with commercially available, state-of-the-art equipment and be customized to the needs of the individual plant operator

Kynurenine pathway activation in Human African trypanosomiasis

Background: The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan oxidation is associated with CNS inflammatory pathways. Inhibition of this pathway ameliorates CNS inflammation in rodent models of the late (meningoencephalitic) stage of Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). In this study we evaluate whether the kynurenine pathway is activated in clinical HAT and if it is associated with CNS inflammatory responses. Methods: We measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tryptophan and kynurenine metabolite concentrations in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense patients using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Kynurenine concentration was increased in both early and late stage disease CSF, with a progressive increase in tryptophan oxidation associated with stage progression. Kynurenine pathway activation was associated with increases in neuroinflammatory markers but there was no clear relationship to neurological symptoms. Conclusions: CNS Kynurenine pathway activation occurs during HAT, including cases prior to the current diagnostic cut off for late stage infection, providing evidence for early CNS involvement in HAT. Metabolite data demonstrate that the kynurenine-3-monooxygenase and kynurenine aminotransferase branches of the kynurenine pathway are active. The association between tryptophan oxidation and CNS inflammatory responses as measured by CSF IL-6 concentration supports a role of kynurenine metabolites in the inflammatory pathogenesis of late stage HAT

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF POLYACETYLENE COMPOSITES

Des composites du polyéthylène basse densité, LDPE, et du trans-polyacétylène, t-(CH)x, préparés par polymérisation de l'acétylène dans des films de LDPE imprégnés de catalyseur Ziegler-Natta, ont été étudiés par double résonance (ENDOR) et échos de spins électroniques (ESE) et les résultats ont été comparés avec ceux obtenus dans les mêmes conditions sur des films de trans-polyacétylène. Les mesures par ENDOR indiquent que la fonction d'onde, une orbitale π pure fortement délocalisée, est essentiellement la même dans les composites que dans le polyacétylène pur mais qu'à une température donnée le coefficient de diffusion du spin électronique est significativement réduit. Les temps de mémoire de phase TM par ESE, mesurés à l'aide d'une séquence de pulses 90°-180° ont montré la même dépendance en température ; toutefois, les temps TM (donc le temps de corrélation de la diffusion de spin électronique) des composites sont substantiellement plus longs à chaque température. Ces résultats impliquent que le coefficient de diffusion de spin est réduit et l'énergie d'activation augmentée dans les composites comparé au polyacétylène pur. Les temps TM des composites apparaissent moins sensibles que ceux du polyacétylène pur à une exposition prolongée à l'oxygène ; toutefois, une exposition prolongée réduit le temps de mémoire de phase et l'énergie d'activation "effective" du ou des processus dynamique(s) qui déterminent la relaxation de phase par modulation des interactions magnétiques.Composites of low density polyethylene, LDPE, and trans-Polyacetylene, t-(CH)x, prepared by polymerization of acetylene in LDPE films impregnated with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, have been studied by Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) and Electron Spin Echo (ESE) spectroscopies and the results compared with analogous studies conducted on trans-polyacetylene films. ENDOR measurements indicate that the wavefunction, a highly delocalized pure π-orbital, is essentially the same in composites as in pure polyacetylenes but at a given temperature the electron spin diffusion coefficient is substantially reduced. ESE phase memory times, TM, measured by a 90°-180° pulse technique exhibited the same general function dependence on temperature ; however, TM times (hence electron spin diffusion correlation times) for the composites were substantially longer at each temperature. These results imply a reduced spin diffusion coefficient and increased activation energy in the composites compared to pure polyacetylene. Phase memory times for the composites appear less sensitive to prolonged exposure to oxygen than is the case for pure polyacetylene ; however, prolonged exposure does shorten phase memory times and reduce the "effective" activation energy for the dynamic process or processes which determines phase relaxation by modulation of the magnetic interactions

Scottish Crofters Union A survey of crofting incomes - 1989

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:8062.465(SAC-ER--23) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo