Between a rock and a hard place:leading university teacher education in England

Processes of market-making and regulation are recalibrating the work of teacher education. While an established body of research has examined changes to the content and control of teacher education in the UK and internationally, the impact of audit-based accountability on the work of academic leaders is neglected. This study explores the career transitions, experiences and commitments of leaders in professional education at a time of jurisdictional challenge. Drawing on interviews with Heads of Department of 10 large-scale university providers of pre-service teacher education in England, the analysis addresses the impact of multiple accountabilities on professional agency, identity and efficacy. The study finds participants’ need to demonstrate compliance with policy directives in a highly volatile operating context diminishes possibilities for critically reflexive leadership practice and policy activism

Cyclin T1-Dependent Genes in Activated CD4+ T and Macrophage Cell Lines Appear Enriched in HIV-1 Co-Factors

HIV-1 is dependent upon cellular co-factors to mediate its replication cycle in CD4+ T cells and macrophages, the two major cell types infected by the virus in vivo. One critical co-factor is Cyclin T1, a subunit of a general RNA polymerase II elongation factor known as P-TEFb. Cyclin T1 is targeted directly by the viral Tat protein to activate proviral transcription. Cyclin T1 is up-regulated when resting CD4+ T cells are activated and during macrophage differentiation or activation, conditions that are also necessary for high levels of HIV-1 replication. Because Cyclin T1 is a subunit of a transcription factor, the up-regulation of Cyclin T1 in these cells results in the induction of cellular genes, some of which might be HIV-1 co-factors. Using shRNA depletions of Cyclin T1 and transcriptional profiling, we identified 54 cellular mRNAs that appear to be Cyclin T1-dependent for their induction in activated CD4+ T Jurkat T cells and during differentiation and activation of MM6 cells, a human monocytic cell line. The promoters for these Cyclin T1-dependent genes (CTDGs) are over-represented in two transcription factor binding sites, SREBP1 and ARP1. Notably, 10 of these CTDGs have been reported to be involved in HIV-1 replication, a significant over-representation of such genes when compared to randomly generated lists of 54 genes (p value<0.00021). The results of siRNA depletion and dominant-negative protein experiments with two CTDGs identified here, CDK11 and Casein kinase 1 gamma 1, suggest that these genes are involved either directly or indirectly in HIV-1 replication. It is likely that the 54 CTDGs identified here include novel HIV-1 co-factors. The presence of CTDGs in the protein space that was available for HIV-1 to sample during its evolution and acquisition of Tat function may provide an explanation for why CTDGs are enriched in viral co-factors

Initial Teacher Education: what matters most and what has worked well

High-quality teaching is the most important within-school factor influencing pupil achievement, especially for less advantaged pupils. Yet, in England, policy experiments in the diversification of providers has generated regressive inter-local competition, sector instability and contributed to recruitment and retention challenges. Equity in education for children is ill-served by inequitable access to teachers of quality

Developing through reflection and collaborative enquiry

Professionalism in teaching is not a status ascribed on qualifying to teach, but a dynamic process of action, reflection, enquiry and experimentation. This chapter identifies critical reflection and collaborative enquiry as core tenets of professionalism in teaching. We acknowledge that professional learning is most effective when it addresses the specific needs of teachers and the pupils they teach (i.e. grows from locally identified priorities), is undertaken in situ (within the context of practice), and is sustained over time (at least two terms for bespoke Continuing Professional Development). The frameworks and strategies outlined in this chapter are intended to support your development as a learning professional in school. The chapter is structured in two sections. First, we revisit the crucial role of reflection for professional learning drawing on examples from primary teachers at different stages of their professional learning journey. Cycles of reflection are used to illustrate the process of iterative professional learning. Second, we address the importance of collaboration using four examples of collaborative professional learning used in primary and secondary schools, and across clusters of schools: guided viewing of video, lesson study, learning rounds, and collaborative curriculum enquiry. The chapter concludes by drawing key themes together to help you plan for professional growth through the early career stage

A county-level cross-sectional analysis of positive deviance to assess multiple population health outcomes in Indiana

Objective: To test a positive deviance method to identify counties that are performing better than statistical expectations on a set of population health indicators. Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional county-level secondary analysis of risk variables and outcomes in Indiana. Data are analysed using multiple linear regression to identify counties performing better or worse than expected given traditional risk indicators, with a focus on ‘positive deviants’ or counties performing better than expected. Participants: Counties in Indiana (n=92) constitute the unit of analysis. Main outcome measures: Per cent adult obesity, per cent fair/poor health, low birth weight per cent, per cent with diabetes, years of potential life lost, colorectal cancer incidence rate and circulatory disease mortality rate. Results: County performance that outperforms expectations is for the most part outcome specific. But there are a few counties that performed particularly well across most measures. Conclusions: The positive deviance approach provides a means for state and local public health departments to identify places that show better health outcomes despite demographic, social, economic or behavioural disadvantage. These places may serve as case studies or models for subsequent investigations to uncover best practices in the face of adversity and generalise effective approaches to other areas

Improving Metabolic Stability with Deuterium: The Discovery of BMT-052, a Pan-genotypic HCV NS5B Polymerase Inhibitor

Iterative structure–activity analyses in a class of highly functionalized furo­[2,3-<i>b</i>]­pyridines led to the identification of the second generation pan-genotypic hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase primer grip inhibitor BMT-052 (<b>14</b>), a potential clinical candidate. The key challenge of poor metabolic stability was overcome by strategic incorporation of deuterium at potential metabolic soft spots. The preclinical profile and status of BMT-052 (<b>14</b>) is described