Exploring Gender Mainstreaming in Primary Education: A Cambodian Context

Gender and education has become a popular component to mainstream development discourse over the past decade. In such a short span of time, the focus, aims, implementation, and monitoring processes have shifted quickly. Drawing on fieldwork carried out in Cambodia from May-August 2016, this thesis provides an exploration of gender mainstreaming in the context of primary education. The aim of the research was to understand, through stakeholder perception, to what extent does Cambodian primary education policy address gender issues? Guided by gender & feminist theory, the research was an attempt to conceptualize the sometimes broad and vague definitions of gender mainstreaming, on a practical level, in an uncommonly explored context. By critically examining the nature and dynamics of the policy, I have developed considerations for theoretical and practical implementations for gender, education, and development

The effects of simulated thinning treatments on volume and value of 65- to 80- year old stands dominated by noble fir on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Oregon

Very little is known about thinning 65- to 80- year-old noble fir dominated stands. There is a need for such information on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation (WSIR), Oregon where 65- to 80- year-old, high elevation, noble fir dominated stands are being managed. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of thinning on volume and dollar value as applied to the 65- to 80- year-old noble fir dominated stands on the WSIR. The effects of logging damage on residual stand value were studied. In addition, the effects of branch presence and size on stand value were analyzed. The West Cascades variant of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) was used to simulate 8 thinning regimes and growth of six noble fir dominated stands from the WSIR. Stand growth was projected for 50 years. The regimes included low and proportional thinnings to 4 residual stand levels. Residual stand levels were .25 percent, .35 percent, .45 percent, and .55 percent of maximum stand density. A computer program was written to determine log value using output from FVS, individual tree information on surface characteristics, and current domestic and export log prices and sort specifications. The volume and value outcomes from the range of thinning regimes were compared to each other and to an unthinned regime. Fifty years after thinning, stands that were lightly thinned increased slightly in total stand volume (includes volume removed at thinning) when compared to the unthinned stand. Increases were 1 percent to 7 percent more of the total volume of the unthinned stand. Heavy thinning decreased total stand volume. Fifty years after thinning, stands that were lightly thinned increased slightly in total stand value (includes value removed at thinning) when compared to the unthinned stand. Increases were 1 percent to 6 percent more than the total value of the unthinned stand. Heavy thinnings reduced total stand value. When the dollar value outcomes were calculated in terms of present net worth of the net revenue (logging and hauling costs included) at a range of discount rates and with and without real price increases, the thinning regimes that removed the most volume generally had the greatest present net worth. The regime with the greatest present net worth could be manipulated by changing the discount rate and real price increase. Analysis of the 40 largest trees per acre showed that the simulated thinning regimes result in very little to no individual tree growth response of the 40 largest trees per acre. The effects of branch presence and size in the first 40 foot log on log value were minimal. The determining factor of log value was size (small end diameter). These results indicate that thinning 65- to 80- year-old noble fir dominated stands on the WSIR does not significantly increase value or growth. Thinning does bring an immediate economic return. The decision to thin or not should be based on the importance of economic return at various points in time and the desired stand structure

Invasive species risk assessments need more consistent spatial abundance data

Spatial abundance information is a critical component of invasive plant risk assessment. While spatial occurrence data provide important information about potential establishment, abundance data are necessary to understand invasive species’ populations, which ultimately drive environmental and economic impacts. In recent years, the collective efforts of numerous management agencies and public participants have created unprecedented spatial archives of invasive plant occurrence, but consistent information about abundance remains rare. Here, we develop guidelines for the collection and reporting of abundance information that can add value to existing data collection efforts and inform spatial ecology research. In order to identify the most common methods used to report abundance, we analyzed over 1.6 million invasive plant records in the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS). Abundance data in some form are widely reported, with 58.9% of records containing qualitative or quantitative information about invasive plant cover, density, or infested area, but records vary markedly in terms of standards for reporting. Percent cover was the most commonly reported metric of abundance, typically collected in bins of trace (25%). However, percent cover data were rarely reported along with an estimate of area, which is critical for ensuring accurate interpretation of reported abundance data. Infested area is typically reported as a number with associated units of square feet or acres. Together, an estimate of both cover and infested area provides the most robust and interpretable information for spatial research and risk assessment applications. By developing consistent metrics of reporting for abundance, collectors can provide much needed information to support spatial models of invasion risk

Spinal Cord Injury and Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Using Functional Activity in Pressure Relief

Background. People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at increased risk of pressure ulcers due to prolonged periods of sitting. Concordance with pressure relieving movements is poor amongst this population, and one potential alternative to improve this would be to integrate pressure relieving movements into everyday functional activities. Objectives. To investigate both the current pressure relieving behaviours of SCI individuals during computer use and the application of an ergonomically adapted computer-based activity to reduce interface pressure. Design. Observational and repeated measures design. Setting. Regional Spinal Cord Injury Unit. Participants. Fourteen subjects diagnosed with SCI (12 male, 2 female). Intervention.Comparing normal sitting to seated movements and induced forward reaching positions. Main Outcome Measures. Interface pressure measurements: dispersion index (DI), peak pressure index (PPI), and total contact area (CA). The angle of trunk tilt was also measured. Results. The majority of movements yielded less than 25% reduction in interface pressure compared to normal sitting. Reaching forward by 150% of arm length during an adapted computer activity significantly reduced DI (p<0.05), angle of trunk tilt (p<0.05), and PPI for both ischial tuberosity regions (p<0.001 ) compared to normal sitting. Conclusion. Reaching forward significantly redistributed pressure at the seating interface, as evidenced by the change in interface pressures compared to upright sitting

modMine: flexible access to modENCODE data.

In an effort to comprehensively characterize the functional elements within the genomes of the important model organisms Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, the NHGRI model organism Encyclopaedia of DNA Elements (modENCODE) consortium has generated an enormous library of genomic data along with detailed, structured information on all aspects of the experiments. The modMine database (http://intermine.modencode.org) described here has been built by the modENCODE Data Coordination Center to allow the broader research community to (i) search for and download data sets of interest among the thousands generated by modENCODE; (ii) access the data in an integrated form together with non-modENCODE data sets; and (iii) facilitate fine-grained analysis of the above data. The sophisticated search features are possible because of the collection of extensive experimental metadata by the consortium. Interfaces are provided to allow both biologists and bioinformaticians to exploit these rich modENCODE data sets now available via modMine

A Unique Heterozygous CARD11 Mutation Combines Pathogenic Features of Both Gain- and Loss-of-Function Patients in a Four-Generation Family

CARD11 is a lymphocyte-specific scaffold molecule required for proper activation of B- and T-cells in response to antigen. Germline gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the CARD11 gene cause a unique B cell lymphoproliferative disorder known as B cell Expansion with NF-κB and T cell Anergy (BENTA). In contrast, patients carrying loss-of-function (LOF), dominant negative (DN) CARD11 mutations present with severe atopic disease. Interestingly, both GOF and DN CARD11 variants cause primary immunodeficiency, with recurrent bacterial and viral infections, likely resulting from impaired adaptive immune responses. This report describes a unique four-generation family harboring a novel heterozygous germline indel mutation in CARD11 (c.701-713delinsT), leading to one altered amino acid and a deletion of 4 others (p.His234_Lys238delinsLeu). Strikingly, affected members exhibit both moderate B cell lymphocytosis and atopic dermatitis/allergies. Ectopic expression of this CARD11 variant stimulated constitutive NF-κB activity in T cell lines, similar to other BENTA patient mutations. However, unlike other GOF mutants, this variant significantly impeded the ability of wild-type CARD11 to induce NF-κB activation following antigen receptor ligation. Patient lymphocytes display marked intrinsic defects in B cell differentiation and reduced T cell responsiveness in vitro. Collectively, these data imply that a single heterozygous CARD11 mutation can convey both GOF and DN signaling effects, manifesting in a blended BENTA phenotype with atopic features. Our findings further emphasize the importance of balanced CARD11 signaling for normal immune responses

Leading age-appropriate pedagogies in the early years of school

There is increasing pressure on leaders and teachers to improve the academic achievement of children in the early years of school. Alongside this is recognition that social and emotional development are the important drivers of children’s school and lifetime success. This paper reports on the design and leadership of the pilot phase of the Age Appropriate Pedagogies program commissioned by the Queensland Department of Education and Training to refocus pedagogical practices in the early years of school. This refocus was deemed to be necessary in order to achieve strong academic outcomes while ensuring that children’s holistic development remained a key component of all learning and teaching. The program was developed by a Griffith University research team using an innovative research-informed and research-led design framed around the core premises that underpin Fullan’s (2007) theory of action for educational change. The program consisted of both professional learning and research, with these two components being inextricably linked via school-based action research projects. Findings from the pilot, conducted in 45 state schools across three regions, illustrate the positive effects that can be generated when systems, schools and universities work together in a research and professional learning partnership

La naturaleza autojustificativa del discurso terapéutico.

Due to the problems involved in trying to determine the validity of the life history accounts in the psychonalytically based encounter, the concept of narrative has proven very useful for promoting the view that the client’s tellings represent different versions of the truth rather than a truth that exists prior to and independent of the storied constructions, as Freud’s archeological model would have it. However, although the irreducibly narrative character of client talk is not contested, the claim developed herein is that client talk is structured around the practice of account-giving, more specifically giving accounts of the self.Debido a los problemas existentes en la determinación de la validez de los relatos de vida en la entrevista psicoanalítica, se ha utilizado el concepto de narrativa para reforzar la idea de que los relatos del cliente representan diferentes versiones de la verdad más que una verdad a priori, independiente del relato, tal como establece el modelo arqueológico de Freud. Sin embargo, aunque no se cuestiona el carácter narrativo de la historia del cliente, lo que se quiere mostrar aquí es que el discurso del cliente se estructura alrededor de la justificación -y más en concreto de las autojustificaciones

Technology-Based Substance Use Interventions: Opportunities for Gender-Transformative Health Promotion

Drawing on data from a scoping review on sex, gender and substance use, this narrative review explores the use of gender-informed and technology-based approaches in substance use prevention and health promotion interventions. With an ever-changing landscape of new technological developments, an understanding of how technology-based interventions can address sex, gender, and intersecting equity considerations related to substance use is warranted. Current technology-based approaches to substance use prevention and health promotion are described and assessed for gender-specific and gender transformative outcomes, and limitations are discussed related to inclusivity, access, confidentiality, and a dearth of research on technological approaches that integrate gender-based analysis. A call for action designed to advance technology-based health promotion, prevention and brief interventions that address gender equity simultaneously with substance use is proposed

Gender Informed or Gender Ignored? Opportunities for Gender Transformative Approaches in Brief Alcohol Interventions on College Campuses

Brief alcohol interventions are an effective strategy for reducing harmful and risky alcohol use and misuse. Many effective brief alcohol interventions include information and advice about an individual&rsquo;s alcohol use, changing their use, and assistance in developing strategies and goals to help reduce their use. Emerging research suggests that brief interventions can also be expanded to address multiple health outcomes; recognizing that the flexible nature of these approaches can be helpful in tailoring information to specific population groups. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on the inclusion of sex and gender in brief alcohol interventions on college campuses, highlighting available evidence on gender responsiveness in these interventions. Furthermore, this scoping review offers strategies on how brief alcohol interventions can be gender transformative, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions as harm reduction and prevention strategies, and in promoting gender equity