In Other Languages: Toward a Critical Pedagogy of Visual Discourse

The language of visuality, despite its ubiquitous “voice” in contemporary global life, is all but ignored in education theory. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for critical pedagogic study of visual meaning structures and interpretation, drawing on psychoanalytic theory, critical theory, and notions of multiliteracy

Autism & Cancer: Interventions and Interpersonal Communications

Panel Chair: Scott Cheney, Collin Colleg

Understanding harmony and technology in music education

This study set out to evaluate the use of a particular computer interface for the teaching of musical harmony to school children aged between 13 and 14 years. The study looked at a number of specialised technical issues concerning music education and human computer interaction, but in this paper we will focus on some of the broader issues that emerged. One general hypothesis the study tested was that an appropriate computer interface can encourage students to discover harmony by empirical enquiry, within a conventional classroom setting. We believed that the computer software could become incorporated into the music lesson and be seen by the pupils as just another instrument which assisted with the learning of harmony. In general, the use of computers in music education can in some respects have advantages over the "real instruments" in that lack of instrumental fluency need not impede progress and hence decrease motivation of the less musically able students. A secondary advantage may be that computer enthusiasts take music lessons more seriously

Towards non-invasive characterisation of re-endothelialisation and restenosis following coronary stenting : an in vitro investigation using impedance spectroscopy

Following the permanent implantation of a coronary stent, optimal arterial wall healing is characterised by re-endothelialisation, the regrowth of a functional Endothelial Cell (EC) monolayer over the exposed stent surface, which reduces the risk of thrombosis. However restenosis, arising from the proliferation and migration of medial Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs) can cause luminal narrowing to reoccur. Previous research has suggested that the stent itself could be used as an electrode and, when combined with non-invasive impedance spectroscopy techniques, monitor post stenting recovery. This could then inform clinicians on cell regrowth without the need for invasive imaging techniques. In this study we investigated the feasibility of this concept using two in-vitro models representing the cellular regrowth scenarios: re-endothelialisation and restenosis. Primary porcine ECs and SMCs were seeded onto platinum electrodes and electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements were made for up to 10 days in the frequency range 1 KHz to 100 KHz. Endothelium function was assessed through the measurement of the impedance response of confluent EC monolayers to the addition of a gap junction enhancer, dipyridamole, or an inhibitor (heptanol or carbenoxolone). Our results show that confluent, stent surface comparable populations of SMCs and ECs give rise to distinct impedance signatures, providing a novel method of non-invasively characterising these cell types. Gap junction inhibition of EC monolayers dose dependently reduced total impedance. Conversely dipyridamole’s enhancing effect on gap junction formation caused an increase in total impedance. These novel findings show the importance of intercellular gap junction communication in maintaining EC barrier function. Our current work is focused on the translation of this technology towards in-vivo monitoring of in-stent restenosis and recovery of a functional endothelium

Performance of two clinical fluorescence imaging systems with different targeted and non-targeted near-infrared fluorophores: a cadaveric explorative study

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence-guided surgery is increasingly utilized in humans and pets. As clinical imaging systems are optimized for Indocyanine green (ICG) detection, the usage of targeted dyes necessitates the validation of these systems for each dye. We investigated the impact of skin pigmentation and tissue overlay on the sensitivity of two NIR cameras (IC-FlowTM, VisionsenseTM VS3 Iridum) for the detection of non-targeted (ICG, IRDye800) and targeted (AngiostampTM, FAP-Cyan) NIR fluorophores in an ex vivo big animal model