An investigation of factors which may contribute to the disproportionately high rate of exclusions of African Caribbean boys from secondary schools

African Caribbean pupils experience disproportionate rates of both fixed term and permanent exclusions from schools across Britain. Boys from Black Caribbean and Black Other ethnic groups are most affected. At the same time, a gap between attainments of African Caribbean pupils and attainments of White pupils widens through all key stages of schooling from an "on a par" start at baseline assessment. This suggests that there are factors which are educationally disadvantageous for African Caribbean pupils operating during both primary and secondary phases of schooling. These factors may derive from a wide range of sources which are not necessarily within the schooling system. Factors leading to the gap in attainments may or may not be linked with those leading to disproportionate exclusions. The overall aim of the research was to gain insight into factors operating within schools in order to indicate relevant areas for early intervention to prevent the later exclusion of African Caribbean boys. Most permanent exclusions occur from years 10 and 11 of secondary school. However these often appear to be the culmination of a longer period of deteriorating relationship between the pupil and school. Additionally adolescent "sub-cultural groupings" at this age may also serve to increase the risk of exclusion. Since the aim was to contribute to prevention, both studies were undertaken with younger groups of pupils. The first study explored the perceptions of a sample of boys at key stage 3 who had experienced fixed term exclusion, and their families. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected on views of school, the exclusion, family and pupil factors through structured face to face interviews. Comparison was made between African Caribbean and White pupil and family perceptions. Wide similarities were found between the responses, however some subtle differences emerged. Parents from the African Caribbean group viewed discipline in secondary school as significantly worse than parents from the White group. They also perceived the exclusions as significantly more "unfair", more often citing singling out of their son for blame, and confrontational styles of classroom management as contributory factors. Previous research has indicated more teacher-pupil confrontation, more teacher criticism and control, and singling out of African Caribbean boys for blame in secondary school. The current findings suggest a direct link with exclusion. Other areas of concern commented on by pupils and parents were lack of parental involvement with secondary schools, lack of genuine valuing of diversity, an excessively "Euro-centric" curriculum, and pupil views not being heard. The second study used direct observation of pupil classroom behaviour and teacher pupil interactions at key stage 2, comparing African Caribbean boys, a representative sample of White boys, and White boys matched for teacher ratings of learning and behaviour. The aim was to investigate whether there were more observed negative teacher-pupil interactions with African Caribbean boys, and if so whether these were related to differences in pupil behaviour. The findings were that the African Caribbean boys spent a significantly higher percentage of time on task, and called out to the teacher more frequently than the matched White group. The African Caribbean pupils also received significantly more negative behaviour comments from the teacher, than the White representative sample or the matched White group. This is unlikely to be entirely explicable in terms of increased calling out to the teacher. Possible reasons are discussed in relation to the research literature. The outcomes from both studies are discussed in the context of current theories of African Caribbean disadvantage within the education system. These are used to identify areas for intervention strategies in primary and secondary schools to prevent disproportionate exclusions of African Caribbean boys

The Effectiveness Of Work – Family Policy Towards Work – Life Balance Among Employees In Private Sector

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of work – family policy towards work – life balance among employees in private sectors. Moreover, this study is specifically focused on employees who are married with children and what are the issues and challenges with work, family, personal and other related issues faced by them in order to have a balance work and life. To reduce employees burden at work, organization have implemented work – family policies to benefit the employees. This study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of the current work – family policies to the employees. From this study, it is identified that the most and least effective work – family policies in the organization and improvement that can be done to the current policies. The research design used in this study is case study and interview is used as an instrument to collect necessary data from the informants. The most suitable sampling for this study were purposive sampling. The findings of this study have revealed that there is a need to make improvement on the current work – family policies and few suggestions on other work – family policies which can be implemented. Informants have also stated their most and least effective work – family policies in the organization. Last but not least, the results from this study were important for HR practitioners to build an understanding of work-life balance environment in the organization so that work-life balance initiatives are supported by the organization in helping employees, especially those are having difficulties to manage their work and family domain. This can be a ground for the employees to have a proper balance between their work and family domain

Study on etiological and clinical profile of acute symptomatic seizures in adults in a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the etiological profile of acute symptomatic seizures in various age groups. 2. To assess the common seizure type in patients with acute symptomatic seizures of varied etiologies. 3. To study the Electro Encephalographic and Radiological profile of Acute symptomatic seizures. DESIGN: Single Observational study. This study was conducted among 150 Acute symptomatic seizure patients who were admitted in our hospital with various etiologies since March 2013 to February 2014. RESULTS: In the present study Acute symptomatic seizures were slightly more in males than in females. Acute symptomatic seizures were most common in 40 – 60 years of age group. Generalised seizures were the most common seizure type encountered in the study. Head ache, vomiting and altered sensorium were the most common non convulsive presenting symptoms. Diabetes and Hypertension were the co morbid systemic illness associated with cerebrovascular accidents. Metabolic abnormality was found as the cause in 13% of the patients and the predominant age group was above 60 years. Cerebrovascular diseases were the most frequent etiology in acute symptomatic seizures. Among the cerebrovascular diseases, cortical venous thrombosis and intra cerebral haemorrhage were commonly presented with seizure. Next common cause of acute symptomatic seizures in this study was CNS infections consisting of 19% of the patients. Among CNS infection, Neurocysticercosis was the most common cause. In females eclampsia and cortical venous thrombosis were the common etiology for acute symptomatic seizures. Alcohol related seizures contributed to etiology in 12% of the patients. Hanging and post cardiac arrest were the common etiology the anoxic brain injury. Generalised seizures were common with cerebrovascular disease and alcohol related seizures. Partial seizures were common with Tuberculoma and Neurocysticercosis. Myoclonic seizures were common with anoxic brain injury. Cerebrovascular disease and Metabolic abnormality were common above 60 years where as eclampsia and alcohol related seizures were common in 20 – 60 years of age. Acute CNS infection was the predominant cause of seizures below 20 years of age. Conclusion: Acute symptomatic seizures were more common in males than females and in 40 – 60 years of age. Cerebrovascular diseases were the most frequent cause of acute symptomatic seizures, followed by Acute CNS infections. Eclampsia and cortical venous thrombosis were the common etiology among females. Cerebrovascular diseases and metabolic abnormality were common above 60 years of age where as eclampsia and alcohol related seizures were common in 20-60 years of age. Acute CNS infections were the predominant cause of acute symptomatic seizures below 20 years of age. Generalised seizures were the most common seizure type encountered in this study. EEG and Radiological abnormalities were seen in nearly 60% of the patients

Evidence for cooperative interactions between the two motor domains of cytoplasmic dynein

AbstractCytoplasmic dynein is a force-transducing ATPase that powers the movement of cellular cargoes along microtubules. Two identical heavy chain polypeptides (> 500 kDa) of the cytoplasmic dynein complex contain motor domains that possess the ATPase and microtubule-binding activities required for force production [1]. It is of great interest to determine whether both heavy chains (DHCs) in the dynein complex are required for progression of the mechanochemical cycle and motility, as observed for other dimeric motors. We have used transgenic constructs to investigate cooperative interactions between the two motor domains of the Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein complex. We show that 138 kDa and 180 kDa amino-terminal fragments of DHC can assemble with full-length DHC to form heterodimeric complexes containing only a single motor domain. The single-headed dynein complexes can bind and hydrolyze ATP, yet do not show the ATP-induced detachment from microtubules that is characteristic of wild-type homodimeric dynein. These results suggest that cooperative interactions between the monomeric units of the dimer are required for efficient ATP-induced detachment of dynein and unidirectional movement along the microtubule

The COVID-19 Clinician Cohort (CoCCo) Study: Empirically Grounded Recommendations for Forward-Facing Psychological Care of Frontline Doctors

In this book, we focus on health and wellbeing in the workforce within the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the post-pandemic era. We begin by exploring the impacts of the pandemic on diverse occupational groups, considering the broader mental health impacts of the pandemic, reactions to national lockdowns and behavioural strategies to control the spread of the virus, such as social distancing and self-isolation, attitudes towards infection control and work presenteeism. Next, we explore the relationship between job factors, working conditions and psychological wellbeing of employees. The papers that follow examine changes in work patterns and locations, such as remote, hybrid, and on-site working, the impact of organizational climate on mental wellbeing, and organizational approaches to return-to-work after lockdown. Finally, we present innovative organizational- and individual-level pandemic mitigation interventions, including SARS-CoV-2 testing services and infection control approaches, digital mental health support, and COVID-19 Vaccine Education. This collection demonstrates the breadth of research on work, health and wellbeing, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, covering workforce impacts and workforce interventions in various countries and settings. Learning from this research will help to build global preparedness for future pandemics and foster resilience for responding in times of crisis and uncertainty

Sleep disturbance and intrusive memories after presenting to the emergency department following a traumatic motor vehicle accident: an exploratory analysis

Background: Sleep disturbances are common after traumatic events and have been hypothesized to be a risk factor in the development of psychopathology such as that associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: To assess the association between intrusive memories, a core clinical feature of PTSD, and self-reported sleep disturbance shortly after experiencing or witnessing a motor vehicle accident, and whether a brief behavioural intervention (trauma reminder cue and Tetris gameplay) reduced sleep disturbance post-trauma. Method: The exploratory analyses included 71 participants (mean age 39.66, standard deviation 16.32; 37 women, 52.1%) enrolled in a previously published proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from the emergency department after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Intrusive memories were assessed with a daily paper-and-pen diary for one week post-trauma, and sleep disturbances with three questions from the Impact of Event Scale-Revised assessing problems initiating sleep, problems maintaining sleep and dreams about the event at one week and one month post-trauma. Missing data were imputed 15 times. Results: The total number of intrusive memories during the first week post-trauma suggested weak to moderate pooled intercorrelations with problems initiating and maintaining sleep. An ordinal regression using imputed data suggested that the intervention had no effect on sleep disturbances, while completers only analyses suggested an improvement in problems maintaining sleep at one week. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggested that experiencing early intrusive memories is related to sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbance might be a particularly important construct to assess in studies involving intrusive memories post-trauma