Toward Mitho-pimatisowin: A Framework for FNMI Engagement Through Relationality

Abstract Indigenous Peoples have experienced harm from colonial beliefs and practices, and one does not need to look beyond the current systems of public education to see evidence of this. This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) provides a challenge to the conservative, neoliberal, and Eurocentric orthodoxy that is pervasive in one northern Saskatchewan context, and advocates for a need and a framework to reorient our learning community so that First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students and partners see relevance and feel engaged with our organization, thereby producing more positive educational outcomes. With 80% of students identifying as FNMI, and the surrounding community reflecting this demographic, culturally relevant concepts are necessary to guide organizational change. Relationality has been identified as essential for many FNMI peoples, so the local Cree concept of mitho-pimatisowin, meaning one’s necessity to acknowledge and respect all relations and to accept responsibility for them (Cardinal & Hildebrandt, 2020; Settee, 2011), is a key concept to direct and measure the existing organizational climate and change initiatives, and to prioritize the creation and maintenance of strong relationships between all partners who serve our students and the surrounding community. In support of mitho-pimatisowin, an emphasis on team and inclusive leadership will operate through a social constructivist lens so that all our partners can begin to construct meaningful alliances and understandings within a critical paradigm. An emphasis on enhancing our organizational relationships will ensure a culture of collective efficacy is developed, and this will re-center Indigenous worldviews and epistemologies so that they work in collaboration with Western approaches, thereby improving relations and FNMI student engagement. Keywords: Mitho-pimatisowin, Indigenous, psychological safety, education, social constructivism, inclusive leadership, team leadershi

Controlled delivery of membrane proteins to artificial lipid bilayers by nystatin-ergosterol modulated vesicle fusion

The study of ion channels and other membrane proteins and their potential use as biosensors and drug screening targets require their reconstitution in an artificial membrane. These applications would greatly benefit from microfabricated devices in which stable artificial lipid bilayers can be rapidly and reliably formed. However, the amount of protein delivered to the bilayer must be carefully controlled. A vesicle fusion technique is investigated where composite ion channels of the polyene antibiotic nystatin and the sterol ergosterol are employed to render protein-carrying vesicles fusogenic After fusion with an ergosterol-free artificial bilayer the nystatin-ergosterol channels do not dissociate immediately and thus cause a transient current signal that marks the vesicle fusion event. Experimental pitfalls of this method were identified, the influence of the nystatin and ergosterol concentration on the fusion rate and the shape of the fusion event marker was explored, and the number of different lipid was reduced. Under these conditions, the B-amyloid peptide could be delivered in a controlled manner to a standard planar bilayer. Additionally, the electrical recordings were obtained of vesicles fusing with a planar lipid bilayer in a microfabricated device, demonstrating the suitability of nystatin-ergosterol modulated vesicle fusion for protein delivery within microsystems

Use of Elizabeth Moys Classification Scheme in the Management of Law Collections in Nigeria

In order to diligently pursue legal profession, as an undergraduate law student in a reputable institution like ours, Redeemer’s university, Nigeria, law students must cultivate the habit of an in-depth research capacity so as to articulate their minds on the legal research which lawyers are known for. As required by the law profession regulating body like Council of Legal Education that any university willing to train students to become lawyers must comply with certain criteria which among other things included the usage of Elizabeth Moys Classification Scheme in organizing law collections in law library. This paper explain the use of Elizabeth Moys classification scheme in the classification of law collections based on the experience from the classification of law collections of Redeemer’s University Law Library collections, Nigeria. The focus of this paper is to further simplify the use of class KP as it focuses more on jurisdiction (Own country). Nigeria was used as a practical example. Table I and II in this work simplify the use of the scheme by eliciting basic information needed to classify Nigeria jurisdiction collections. Effort was put in place to appropriately modify the main 5th edition of the Moys scheme for easy usage. The explanatory design method was used for this study as the methodology of the work. An observation method was also used to compare and identify the relationship between the existing library of congress being used and the adopted Moys classification scheme used for the classification of law collections. The funding of this work showed that there is difference in the class K of Library of Congress Classification Scheme (LCcs) and the Moys Classification Scheme. The result also shown that Moys Classification Scheme covered all areas of subjects of law in its schedule and tables and explains all subject areas of law. The implication of this result is that Moys classification scheme is the most suitable for the classification of law collections. This is because the scheme is dedicated the classification of law subjects alone. The usage of the scheme will also enhance uniformity and consortium among law libraries in Nigeria and the global world

Regulation of G protein-coupled receptors by palmitoylation and cholesterol

Due to their membrane location, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are subject to regulation by soluble and integral membrane proteins as well as membrane components, including lipids and sterols. GPCRs also undergo a variety of post-translational modifications, including palmitoylation. A recent article by Zheng et al. in BMC Cell Biology demonstrates cooperative roles for receptor palmitoylation and cholesterol binding in GPCR dimerization and G protein coupling, underlining the complex regulation of these receptors

Measuring the impact and costs of a universal group based parenting programme : protocol and implementation of a trial

Background Sub-optimal parenting is a common risk factor for a wide range of negative health, social and educational outcomes. Most parenting programmes have been developed in the USA in the context of delinquency prevention for targeted or indicated groups and the main theoretical underpinning for these programmes is behaviour management. The Family Links Nurturing Programme (FLNP) focuses on family relationships as well as behaviour management and is offered on a universal basis. As a result it may be better placed to improve health and educational outcomes. Developed in the UK voluntary sector, FLNP is popular with practitioners, has impressed policy makers throughout the UK, has been found to be effective in before/after and qualitative studies, but lacks a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence base. Methods/Design A multi-centre, investigator blind, randomised controlled trial of the FLNP with a target sample of 288 south Wales families who have a child aged 2-4 yrs living in or near to Flying Start/Sure Start areas. Changes in parenting, parent child relations and parent and child wellbeing are assessed with validated measures immediately and at 6 months post intervention. Economic components include cost consequences and cost utility analyses based on parental ranking of states of quality of life. Attendance and completion rates and fidelity to the FLNP course delivery are assessed. A nested qualitative study will assess reasons for participation and non-participation and the perceived value of the programme to families. By the end of May 2010, 287 families have been recruited into the trial across four areas of south Wales. Recruitment has not met the planned timescales with barriers including professional anxiety about families entering the control arm of the trial, family concern about video and audio recording, programme facilitator concern about the recording of FLNP sessions for fidelity purposes and delays due to the new UK research governance procedures. Discussion Whilst there are strong theoretical arguments to support universal provision of parenting programmes, few universal programmes have been subjected to randomised controlled trials. In this paper we describe a RCT protocol with quantitative and qualitative outcome measures and an economic evaluation designed to provide clear evidence with regard to effectiveness and costs. We describe challenges implementing the protocol and how we are addressing these