A new framework for creativity in social pedagogy

One of the challenges facing social pedagogy is to identify how creativity can be incorporated not only into social pedagogic practice but also into a conceptual approach which integrates theories of creativity, inclusion and participation into a wider explanatory framework. This article seeks to build on the insights drawn from Danish and German social pedagogy in a way which articulates a new way of developing theory and practice. It draws on a range of articles in the special issue to critique the meaning of creativity, showing the complexity of a matter which can be utilised by neo-liberal and radical commentators. It rejects the former approach and suggests that our understanding of creativity needs to be informed with radical conceptions drawing on inclusion, participation, imaginative space and creative and political imagination. It seeks to integrate these insights into wider debates around intersectionality, critical race theory, gender and social activism. It concludes by looking at questions social pedagogy should consider as we seek to develop our theory and practice

Guidelines for Selecting Professional Development for Early Childhood Teachers

Engaging teachers of young children in effective in-service professional development is a critical component of establishing high quality early childhood education. However, not all professional development offerings are effective in imparting new knowledge, enhancing teacher practice, or improving child outcomes, making it difficult for teachers and directors to select professional development that will benefit their centers. This paper critically reviews the research literature on professional development for early childhood education to identify what features of professional development make a difference for teacher interactions and children’s learning and development. Guidance is provided for selecting professional development opportunities which meet the needs of children and teachers. Recommendations for how to create an ongoing professional development program within an early childhood center by creating a professional learning community are also made. Such an approach supports the center to become a place that values learning and continued education for all professionals

Valuing Fuelwood Resources Using a Site Choice Model of Fuelwood Collection

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Knowledge of UK Dental Undergraduates and Dentists in Treating Dentine Hypersensitivity

Aim: The purpose of the present questionnaire-based study was to evaluate the knowledge and understanding of UK based dental undergraduates and qualified dentists in treating Dentine Hypersensitivity (DH). Methods: 120 questionnaires were handed out to 4th and 5th year dental students and Staff at the Dental Hospital in London UK as part of a collaborative study with the Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions, which included both open and closed questions. Results: 91 questionnaires (75.8% response rate) were returned; of the 91 respondents (38M; 52F, 1 missing value) 53 were dentists (61%) and 34 were dental students (39%) (4 missing values). 37.5% of students indicated that 10% of patients suffered from DH whereas 18.9% of dentists indicated that 25% of patients suffered from DH. Both dentists (22.6%) and 27.5% of students indicated that DH lasted >12 weeks. 18.9% of dentists considered that DH was a serious problem for patients although 32.5% of students were not sure. Dentists (66%) and students (62.5%) indicated that DH had a major impact on the quality of life (QOL) with 51.1% (dentists) and 56.3% (students) indicating that it was moderate in nature. Conclusion: The results of the present pilot study would suggest that in terms of knowledge and understanding of DH (e.g., hydrodynamic theory) both dentists (90.5%) and students (76.9%) were comparable although in the assessment and subsequent management of DH the results indicated that dentists were more confident than the student

Effects of selective D1 and D2 dopamine antagonists on the development of behavioral sensitization to apomorphine

An article written by Bruce A. Mattingly and published in the Spring 1995 Psychopharmacology, pages 501-507

Non-market Valuation Biases Due to Aboriginal Cultural Characteristics in Northern Saskatchewan: The Values Structures Component

Current non-market valuation techniques have been developed based on assumptions about values held within the Eurocentred culture. Contentions between cultures over natural resources are hypothesized to occur because of differences in held values resulting in different values being assigned to the resources in question. This study measured the held values of an Aboriginal band in Northern Saskatchewan as the first dimension of a non-market valuation study of natural resources. These held value structures are presented noting differences by age and gender and in comparison with the local Non-Aboriginal community and another Aboriginal group in northern Alberta.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Titration Microcalorimetry Study: Interaction of Drug and Ionic Microgel System

Doxorubicin (DOX) and Pluronic-PAA interaction was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). DOX/polymer interaction is governed primarily by electrostatic interaction. The uptake of DOX results in the formation of insoluble polymer/DOX complex. Addition of salt weakens the interaction of drug and polymer by charge shielding effect between positive ionized amino group on DOX and oppositely charged polymer chains. However high drug-loading capacity in high salt condition implied that self-association property of DOX also play a role in the drug loading process.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Synthesis and Aggregation Behavior of Pluronic F87/Poly(acrylic acid) Block Copolymer with Doxorubicin

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was grafted onto both termini of Pluronic F87 (PEO₆₇-PPO₃₉-PEO₆₇) via atom transfer radical polymerization to produce a novel muco-adhesive block copolymer PAA₈₀-b-F₈₇-b-PAA₈₀. It was observed that PAA₈₀-F₈₇-PAA₈₀ forms stable complexes with weakly basic anti-cancer drug, Doxorubicin. Thermodynamic changes due to the drug binding to the copolymer were assessed at different pH by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The formation of the polymer/drug complexes was studied by turbidimetric titration and dynamic light scattering. Doxorubicin and PAA-b-F87-b-PAA block copolymer are found to interact strongly in aqueous solution via non-covalent interactions over a wide pH range. At pH>4.35, drug binding is due to electrostatic interactions. Hydrogen-bond also plays a role in the stabilization of the PAA₈₀-F₈₇-PAA₈₀/DOX complex. At pH 7.4 (α=0.8), the size and stability of polymer/drug complex depend strongly on the doxorubicin concentration. When CDOX 0.13mM, as suggested by the light scattering result, the reorganization of the polymer/drug complex is believed to occur. With further addition of DOX (CDOX >0.34mM), sharp increase in the turbidity indicates the formation of large aggregates, followed by phase separation. The onset of a sharp enthalpy increase corresponds to the formation of a stoichiometric complex.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Small-Cell Lung Cancer: 8 Years Experience of a Single Multidisciplinary Team

Aims. We have audited the changes in treatment practice for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) presented to a single multidisciplinary team (MDT) at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals between January 1998 and December 2005. Materials and Methods. The MDT database was used to identify all patients with SCLC. Anonymised demographic, treatment, and outcome details were extracted from the database supplemented by patient records. Results. 235 patients were identified. 112 (48%) had limited disease at presentation. Chemotherapy was the initial treatment for 195 patients, 77% of whom had a documented radiological response with a complete response in 24%. Chemotherapy regimes evolved during the study period with the increasing use of platinum-based chemotherapy. Anthracycline-based chemotherapy was most used before 2004 and was given to 57% of all patients. 42% received consolidation thoracic radiotherapy and 24% prophylactic cranial irradiation. The median and 2-year survival were 8 months and 18%, respectively, for patients with limited disease and 5 months and 5%, respectively, for extensive disease. Conclusion. We have documented changes in treatment practice and service delivery of SCLC over the 8 years during which the MDT has been operating. However, there has not achieve any significant improvement in outcome for the population of patients with SCLC