281 research outputs found

    The provision of English as a second language as part of the NZAID package : discussed in the context of English as a world language : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University

    Get PDF
    It has been the aim of the nation state ideology, and nation building, to emulate a singular language and a singular culture as a means to achieving national identity and uniformity. While the homogenisation of language practices across the globe may have been regrettable, it was somehow seen as inevitable and natural. This idea stemmed from the belief that difference was abnormal and so monolingualism natural. (O'Driscoll, 2001, p. 488) The nation state ideology did not stop there and has spilled over into the global sphere. Individual nations are now encouraged to belong to the global world. Monolingualism is an argument that needs to be discussed within this context. Is it right to continue to believe that one unifying language will assist in the unification of nations or should we now be discussing alternatives to this ideology that for some has meant destruction to diversity? It is clear that despite increasing demographic diversity, the imperatives of cultural and linguistic homogeneity continue to dominate the development and maintenance of public policy. This is the historical aim of nation states...the adoption of a common language for all citizens... but it is invariably that of the dominant ethnic group and at the expense of all other languages (May, 2002, p. 24) The provision of English language teacher training and teaching is part of the aid package that is offered by NZAID to our aid recipient nations. In so doing, the question needs to be asked whether this contribution is facilitating a loss or a gain for New Zealand's aid recipients. In providing the instruction of English and training teachers in recipient nations to teach English are we encouraging the dominance of one language, English, over all others

    Em defesa da linguagem pĂşblica

    Get PDF

    Individual's spirituality in relationship to self, other and organisation: A phenomenological exploration.

    Get PDF
    This study is concerned with the phenomenological exploration of individuals who have been deemed, by their colleagues, to express spirituality in the workplace (SiW). Specifically, the exploration looks at the interviewees' experiences of the phenomenon SiW in relation to their beliefs, values and behaviours. Further, this study explores these individuals' perceptions about the effects that the expression of SiW has on themselves, others and the organisation. This current study also explores what these individuals believe has enabled their particular expression of SiW.Within the body of, the mostly non-empirical, literature reviewed the picture of the expression of spirituality and/or SiW we see the propensity to describe an individual who is internally self-reflective, self-focused and self-referenced, with respect to that expression. We also see an individual who must be externally enabled to express their SiW, whether that be through organisationally created culture, (which includes the direction of spiritual leaders and leadership) or organisationally led processes, procedures and/or development programmes. Through the literature filter, we see individuals, who neither positively affect organisational success through themselves and/or others, nor affect organisational culture. Instead, we see individuals who must be affected through the culture of the organisation, specifically, to express their SiW.However, we get a picture of the expression of SiW, from the interviewees' descriptors, being about a conscious, proactive, self-aware and self-enabled individual choosing (even when it's not easy) to congruently express their beliefs/values with a focus on quality relationships

    Developmental Control of Endocytosis in Dendritic Cells by Cdc42

    Get PDF
    AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) developmentally regulate antigen uptake by controlling their endocytic capacity. Immature DCs actively internalize antigen. However, mature DCs are poorly endocytic, functioning instead to present antigens to T cells. We have found that endocytic downregulation reflects a decrease in endocytic activity controlled by Rho family GTPases, especially Cdc42. Blocking Cdc42 function by Toxin B treatment or injection of dominant-negative inhibitors of Cdc42 abrogates endocytosis in immature DCs. In mature DCs, injection of constitutively active Cdc42 or microbial delivery of a Cdc42 nucleotide exchange factor reactivates endocytosis. DCs regulate endogenous levels of Cdc42-GTP with activated Cdc42 detectable only in immature cells. We conclude that DCs developmentally regulate endocytosis at least in part by controlling levels of activated Cdc42

    Pregnancy and STD Prevention Counseling Using an Adaptation of Motivational Interviewing: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Get PDF
    CONTEXT: Given levels of unintended pregnancy and STDs, an effective counseling intervention is needed to improve women's consistent use of effective prevention methods. METHODS: A sample of 764 women aged 16-44 who were at risk of unintended pregnancy were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in North Carolina in 2003-2004. Intervention participants received pregnancy and STD prevention counseling, adapted from motivational interviewing, both at enrollment and two months later; controls received only a session of general health counseling. Levels of contraceptive use (categorized as high, low or none on the basis of the effectiveness of the method and the consistency of use) and barriers to use were measured at two, eight and 12 months; chi-square tests were used to compare selected outcomes between the groups. Rates of unintended pregnancy and chlamydia infection were assessed over the study period. RESULTS: At baseline, 59% of all participants reported a high level of contraceptive use, 19% a low level and 22% nonuse. At two months, the proportions of intervention and control participants who had improved their level of use or maintained a high level (72% and 66%, respectively) were significantly larger than the proportions who had reported a high level of use at baseline (59% and 58%, respectively). No significant differences were found between the groups at 12 months, or between baseline and 12 months for either group. During the study, 10-11% of intervention and control participants became pregnant, 1-2% received a chlamydia diagnosis and 7-9% had another STD diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated counseling sessions may be needed to improve contraceptive decision-making and to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and STDs

    Complementary Therapies for Significant Dysfunction from Tinnitus: Treatment Review and Potential for Integrative Medicine

    Get PDF
    Tinnitus is a prevalent and costly chronic condition; no universally effective treatment exists. Only 20% of patients who report tinnitus actually seek treatment, and when treated, most patients commonly receive sound-based and educational (SBE) therapy. Additional treatment options are necessary, however, for nonauditory aspects of tinnitus (e.g., anxiety, depression, and significant interference with daily life) and when SBE therapy is inefficacious or inappropriate. This paper provides a comprehensive review of (1) conventional tinnitus treatments and (2) promising complementary therapies that have demonstrated some benefit for severe dysfunction from tinnitus. While there has been no systematic study of the benefits of an Integrative Medicine approach for severe tinnitus, the current paper reviews emerging evidence suggesting that synergistic combinations of complementary therapies provided within a whole-person framework may augment SBE therapy and empower patients to exert control over their tinnitus symptoms without the use of medications, expensive devices, or extended programs

    Metabolomic changes of the multi (-AGC-) kinase inhibitor AT13148 in cells, mice and patients are associated with NOS regulation

    Get PDF
    introduction: To generate biomarkers of target engagement or predictive response for multi-target drugs is challenging. One such compound is the multi-AGC kinase inhibitor AT13148. Metabolic signatures of selective signal transduction inhibitors identified in preclinical models have previously been confirmed in early clinical studies. This study explores whether metabolic signatures could be used as biomarkers for the multi-AGC kinase inhibitor AT13148.Objectives: To identify metabolomic changes of biomarkers of multi-AGC kinase inhibitor AT13148 in cells, xenograft / mouse models and in patients in a Phase I clinical study.Methods: HILIC LC–MS/MS methods and Biocrates AbsoluteIDQ™ p180 kit were used for targeted metabolomics; followed by multivariate data analysis in SIMCA and statistical analysis in Graphpad. Metaboanalyst and String were used for network analysis.Results: BT474 and PC3 cells treated with AT13148 affected metabolites which are in a gene protein metabolite network associated with Nitric oxide synthases (NOS). In mice bearing the human tumour xenografts BT474 and PC3, AT13148 treatment did not produce a common robust tumour specific metabolite change. However, AT13148 treatment of non-tumour bearing mice revealed 45 metabolites that were different from non-treated mice. These changes were also observed in patients at doses where biomarker modulation was observed. Further network analysis of these metabolites indicated enrichment for genes associated with the NOS pathway. The impact of AT13148 on the metabolite changes and the involvement of NOS-AT13148- Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) interaction were consistent with hypotension observed in patients in higher dose cohorts (160-300 mg).Conclusion: AT13148 affects metabolites associated with NOS in cells, mice and patients which is consistent with the clinical dose-limiting hypotension

    Work-related psychological health among clergywomen in Australia

    Get PDF
    Drawing on the classic model of balanced affect, the Francis Burnout Inventory conceptualises good work-related psychological health among clergy in terms of negative affect being balanced by positive affect. This paper sets out to explore the relationship between work-related psychological health and psychological type (as assessed by the Francis Psychological-Type Scales) among a sample of 212 Australian clergywomen who completed the National Church Life Survey Form L in 2006. The data supported the internal consistency reliability of the Francis Burnout Inventory and Francis Psychological-Type Scales and found that work-related psychological health was positively related to extraversion and sensing
    • …
    corecore