The Impact of Arts Education Programmes on Anti-Racist School Practice in the South West of England

In predominantly White schools, a common belief exists that anti-racist education is unnecessary, despite a rise in the number of people who admit to being racially prejudiced. A colour-blind approach, which silences issues of race, tends to dominate in schools, while, fear of ‘getting it wrong’ prevents meaningful dialogue. My thesis addresses the question, in what ways do arts programmes support anti-racist education in predominantly White areas? This includes two threads. Firstly, I take a critical race theory approach, drawing on Whiteness studies, to explore White teachers' and school students’ assumptions about racism and education. Secondly, using a critical pedagogy framework, I investigate learning through anti-racist arts projects. The fieldwork is ethnographically inspired, including interviews, focus groups and observations of participants’ engagement with arts programmes that visit primary and secondary schools in Devon. I found a gap between theoretical and common understandings of racism. Participants’ conceptualisations of racism shaped their beliefs about anti-racist education and their methods of engagement, which, in the contexts studied, tended towards promoting niceness rather than tackling deep-rooted racism. Furthermore, racism was found to have embodied and aesthetic components, which lead to racist thoughts, feelings and behaviours, either willingly or unwittingly. Teachers’ tendencies to force respect through classroom control appeared ineffective, by masking rather than addressing embodied racism. My research contributes to the literature on critical race theory and Whiteness studies by offering insight into the ways that White teachers and students construct anti-racist practice. My findings add to critical pedagogy by suggesting that when dialogue has been silenced, and fears surround the subject matter, critical art pedagogies that work at the emotional and cognitive levels can offer additional methods of engagement. However, working to uncover embedded racism can challenge the notion of safe classrooms and requires teachers and students to take risks by engaging with the embodied and sensual aspects of racism, which can be both disturbing and exciting. My research offers hope through presenting new ways of thinking about and engaging with, anti-racist school practice in predominantly White areas.This study was financed with the aid of a studentship from the Social Science Doctoral Training Centre at Plymouth Universit

A novel method to find the neutral position of the breast

Breast pain affects up to 70% of the female population. It is believed that stretching of the breast tissue causes discomfort and that by placing the breast into a position in which the tissue is neither in compression or tension (termed neutral position) will eliminate breast pain. The purpose of the study was to find a simple method that could be used to determine the location of the neutral position. One participant with a breast size of 34C performed three activities. The breast and torso movement were tracked using four retroreflective markers. The results suggest that the counter-movement jump was the most appropriate method as it forced the breast to oscillate from tension in the upper-side of the breast to tension in the under-side of the breast. The neutral position was found to be -129 ± 6 mm below the suprasternal notch, which was located 14 mm above the resting height of the breast. It was concluded that the first role of a bra is to lift the breast above the static position to cause more symmetrical oscillations about the neutral position

Impact of Cell‐wall Structure and Composition on Plant Freezing Tolerance

Many plants experience freezing temperatures that can be damaging and even lethal. Current climate projections suggest that freezing events are likely to increase in early autumn and late spring, at times when plants are unprepared to deal with them. Previous literature has highlighted specific mechanical properties of the plant cell wall that may impact upon freezing tolerance. For example, the limiting pore size of the cell wall can influence ice nucleation and growth, whilst cell‐wall stiffness can alleviate damage from freeze‐induce dehydration. More recently, there is increasing evidence that the wall undergoes major modifications in order to prepare for freezing stress, with the observation that cell‐wall thickness increases and differential regulation of genes encoding cell‐wall modifying enzymes occurs after exposure to cold temperatures. These findings suggest that cell‐wall structure or composition are necessary and contribute to plant freezing tolerance. With the advent of molecular genetic techniques, we can now explore in further detail what aspects of the cell wall are important to prevent freezing damage and identify targets to develop plants with enhanced freezing tolerance in the future

Women as a Force Multiplier for Bringing Nuclear Forensic Capabilities to the International Stage

In 2009, the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Program initiated a new nuclear forensics outreach effort under its Confidence Building Measures Program. Little did they know that the timing could not have been better. This article focuses on the early years (2009–2015) of the NNSA’s international nuclear forensics outreach, specifically the efforts and experiences of the women who helped establish this program, building it from a fledgling, bilateral effort into an enduring technical capacity provider engaging with dozens of countries and multilateral organizations. At the onset of the program, nuclear forensics was an emerging priority within the US Government and receiving increased focus from international organizations through high-level diplomatic efforts such as the Nuclear Security Summit and Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Additionally, working-level initiatives were gaining traction through the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group. Over the next 6 years, a small team comprising a uniquely large number of women NNSA federal, contract, and national laboratory staff served as key leaders engaging with the international community to strengthen global technical nuclear forensics capacity and best practices. The program continues today under the Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence Program as Investigation Support. The experiences shared here detail a unique time period when the new technical discipline of nuclear forensics was beginning to mature and gain international traction. The authors have made every effort to remember history correctly and be as inclusive as possible. A wealth of training, guidance, and exercise documentation was developed in the 2009–2015 time frame, much of which still serves as the foundation for today’s even more extensive program and community of dedicated technical and diplomatic practitioners

An architecture for sensate robots : real time social-gesture recognition using a full body array of touch sensors

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2008.Includes bibliographical references.Touch plays a central role in social expression but, so far, research into social touch behaviors for robots has been almost. non-existent. Embodied machines have the unique capability to sense human body language, which will enable robots to better comprehend, anticipate and respond to their human companions in a natural way.This thesis addresses the novel field of sensate touch by (1) creating the first. robot with full Body sensate touch and with on-screen visualization, (2) establishing a library of salient social gestures through behavioral studies, (3) implementing a first-pass touch gesture recognition system in real-time, an(d (4) running a small pilot study with children to evaluate classifications and test the device's acceptance/utility with humans. Such research is critical path to conceiving and advancing thee use of machine touch to better integrate robots in.to human social environments.All of the above will be incorporated into the huggable robotic teddy bear at the MIT Media Lab's Personal Robotics group and makes use of the Sensitive Skins circuit design created in Dan Stiehl's Masters thesis. This implementation substantially reduces his proposed total sensor numbers and type, modularizes sensors into two uniform shapes, and extends his valuable work on a single body sections to an evaluation of sensors over the entire surface of the robot.Heather-Marie Callanan Knight.M.Eng

Novel defense by honeybees against mass attack by giant wasps

Trabalho final de mestrado integrado em Medicina (Pediatria), apresentado á Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de CoimbraIntrodução: A perturbação do espectro do autismo (PEA) é uma patologia complexa do neurodesenvolvimento, muito prevalente, que surge precocemente na infância. Refere-se a uma disfunção neurológica, que clinicamente se manifesta por atraso ou desvio nas aquisições do neurodesenvolvimento e alterações do comportamento. A PEA caracteriza-se por défice na comunicação e interação social e por um padrão de comportamento repetitivo e limitado nos interesses. O recurso à farmacoterapia justifica-se quando existem comportamentos disruptivos, que interferem negativamente no sucesso educativo e na qualidade de vida das crianças e suas famílias. A risperidona foi o primeiro antipsicótico autorizado na PEA e é o mais vezes prescrito. Embora sendo um fármaco seguro e eficaz, preocupações relacionadas com o seu efeito no aumento do peso e distribuição anómala da gordura e a sua interferência no metabolismo da glicose com aumento do nível de hemoglobina glicada A1c (HbA1c) têm emergido, sobretudo durante o crescimento e o processo evolutivo do neurodesenvolvimento. Objetivos: Caracterizar o efeito da risperidona no aumento do peso e distribuição da gordura e nos níveis de HbA1c. Métodos: Procedeu-se um estudo prospetivo de um grupo de 39 crianças e jovens com uma idade que variou entre os 3 a 21,5 anos (média ± DP, 9 ± 4,2) (trinta do sexo masculino (30/39; 77 %) com o diagnóstico de autismo e indicação para tratamento com risperidona por comportamentos disruptivos com significado clínico. A caracterização dos efeitos adversos, através da avaliação do índice de massa corporal, perímetro abdominal e HbA1c, foi realizada no tempo 0 (sem terapêutica) e nos tempos 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses de terapêutica. Resultados: A risperidona associa-se a uma elevação significativa e mantida dos valores de índice de massa corporal e perímetro abdominal, ao longo do tratamento. No entanto, não se verificou um aumento significativo nos níveis de HbA1cBackground: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopment disorder, very prevalent, that appears very early in childhood. It is a neurological dysfunction, clinically manifested by a delay or a deviation in neurodevelopment acquisitions and changes in behaviour. ASD is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, limiting on verbal and nonverbal communication and rigid behaviour with repetitive and limited interests. The use of pharmacotherapy is justified when there are disruptive behaviours that negatively interfere with the successful education and quality of life of children and their families. Risperidone is the first antipsychotic authorized in ASD and more often prescribed. Although apparently safe and effective, concerns about its effects on the weight distribution and HbA1c levels have emerged, especially during growth and the evolutionary process of neurodevelopment. Objective: Analyze the impact on weight gain, adipose tissue distribution and HbA1c levels in patients medicated with risperidone. Methods: 39 patients, children and adolescents 3 to 21.5 years old (mean ± SD, 9 ± 4.2) and female/male ratio of 3/10, with previous diagnosis of autism and indication for treatment with risperidone for significant disruptive behaviour were evaluated at time 0 (no treatment) and on 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of therapy, using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and HbA1c levels. Results: Risperidone was associated with a significant and sustained elevation of BMI values and waist circumference throughout the treatment. However, there was not a significant increase in HbA1c

Jordan Grove, Chatham County : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection

A Community Diagnosis of Jordan Grove was conducted by a team of graduate students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE) in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Community Diagnosis is the process of evaluating the health and quality of life of a community both by reviewing previously gathered data and by talking with residents and service providers who have first hand knowledge of that community. This process occurs over the course of seven months and is a requirement for Masters students in the HBHE department. The first semester of the Jordan Grove community diagnosis focused on collecting and summarizing previously existing or secondary data. Sources of this information included, but were not limited to, census data, county health data, and previously existing health documents created for Chatham County. These sources helped the research team to gain a broad understanding of Jordan Grove by defining location, history, economic and health status, as well as other sociodemographic characteristics of the community. While compiling this information we encountered some limitations. The secondary data that we were able to access was primarily county level data. Because Jordan Grove is a small geographic region of Chatham County, this county level information does not accurately reflect the Jordan Grove community. Additionally, much of the data was outdated. Census data, for example, was last collected eight years ago in 1990. The secondary data section, therefore, is comprehensive but should not be assumed to provide specific information about the community of Jordan Grove. The second method of community diagnosis data collection was qualitative: interviews were conducted with residents and service providers in the Jordan Grove community. This primary data collection was essential to our understanding of Jordan Grove, particularly given the limitations of our secondary data. Separate interview guides were developed for residents and service providers. In total, twenty three residents and fifteen service providers were interviewed. Additionally, seven residents participated in a focus group. Christine Brooks, a community resident, voluntarily took on the role of our “community preceptor”, and played a critical role in introducing us to the community. Among other things, Mrs. Brooks invited us to attend service at the Jordan Grove A.M.E. Zion church, the church attended by a majority of Jordan Grove residents. Church attendance provided us the opportunity to become familiar with community residents and, perhaps more importantly, for the community to become familiar with us. Jordan Grove is a small (approximately two square miles), rural, predominantly African American community located west of Siler City in Chatham County. The residents of this community are primarily descendants of the five families who originally resided in the area. The sense of family created by these longstanding relationships has created an element of community strength and competence that is reflected in this document. Governmental responsibility for Jordan Grove is shared between Siler City and the whole of Chatham County. Jordan Grove falls under the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of Siler City. Siler City's management responsibilities in Jordan Grove are limited to Planning and Zoning issues. All other land and political matters in Jordan Grove are the direct responsibility of Chatham County. The homes in Jordan Grove are linked to Siler City water and sewer lines. The Jordan Grove community is also covered by the Siler City Fire Department. Residents and service providers described Jordan Grove as a community with many assets. Included in these assets were the Jordan Grove residents themselves. Residents described their neighbors as helpful, friendly, and dependable. Many referred to the area as a close-knit, safe community and indicated that they would not want to live anywhere but Jordan Grove. Other assets we were told about included the local churches, Joint Orange Chatham Community Action (JOCCA), and Us In Action (UIA). UIA is a group of residents credited with proactive efforts to improve the community. Achievements of this group include the extension of county water lines, renovation of a community church, and successful diversion of both a trailer park and airport that were proposed to be built in Jordan Grove. Residents and service providers also expressed areas in which Jordan Grove could be improved. Suggested areas for improvement included housing conditions, safety, recreation, transportation, cost of medications, home health care, water and sewer, and trash collection. A community meeting was held in February 1998 to present these findings to the residents and service providers of Jordan Grove. The purpose of the meeting was to share with everyone the information that the community diagnosis team had collected and summarized. This was also an opportunity for stakeholders in the community to listen and discuss with others issues and future directions for the Jordan Grove community. The priority areas identified for future action at the meeting were home health care and the cost of medications.Master of Public Healt

Mediator Subunits MED16, MED14, and MED2 Are Required for Activation of ABRE-Dependent Transcription in Arabidopsis

The Mediator complex controls transcription of most eukaryotic genes with individual subunits required for the control of particular gene regulons in response to various perturbations. In this study, we reveal the roles of the plant Mediator subunits MED16, MED14, and MED2 in regulating transcription in response to the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and we determine which cis elements are under their control. Using synthetic promoter reporters we established an effective system for testing relationships between subunits and specific cis-acting motifs in protoplasts. Our results demonstrate that MED16, MED14, and MED2 are required for the full transcriptional activation by ABA of promoters containing both the ABRE (ABA-responsive element) and DRE (drought-responsive element). Using synthetic promoter motif concatamers, we showed that ABA-responsive activation of the ABRE but not the DRE motif was dependent on these three Mediator subunits. Furthermore, the three subunits were required for the control of water loss from leaves but played no role in ABA-dependent growth inhibition, highlighting specificity in their functions. Our results identify new roles for three Mediator subunits, provide a direct demonstration of their function and highlight that our experimental approach can be utilized to identify the function of subunits of plant transcriptional regulators

The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Conditions of Trust among Leaders at the Kentucky Department for Public Health

There has been limited leadership research on emotional intelligence and trust in governmental public health settings. The purpose of this study was to identify and seek to understand the relationship between trust and elements of emotional intelligence, including stress management, at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). The KDPH serves as Kentucky’s state governmental health department. KDPH is led by a Commissioner and composed of seven primary divisions and 25 branches within those divisions. The study was a non-randomized cross-sectional study utilizing electronic surveys that evaluated conditions of trust among staff members and emotional intelligence among supervisors. Pearson correlation coefficients and corresponding p-values are presented to provide the association between emotional intelligence scales and the conditions of trust. Significant positive correlations were observed between supervisors’ stress management and the staff members’ trust or perception of supervisors’ loyalty (r = 0.6, p = 0.01), integrity (r = 0.5, p = 0.03), receptivity (r = 0.6, p = 0.02), promise fulfillment (r = 0.6, p = 0.02), and availability (r= 0.5, p = 0.07). This research lays the foundation for emotional intelligence and trust research and leadership training in other governmental public health settings, such as local, other state, national, or international organizations. This original research provides metrics to assess the public health workforce with attention to organizational management and leadership constructs. The survey tools could be used in other governmental public health settings in order to develop tailored training opportunities related to emotional intelligence and trust organizations