Early Childhood Education as Sites for Children’s Citizenship: Tensions, challenges and possibilities in New Zealand’s policy framing

This paper draws on recent research to examine the tensions and challenges inherent in the current market approach to provision of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services in Aotearoa New Zealand. We use selected United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) articles to evaluate what the market approach means and explore the implications for children and families. We argue that the market approach has led to duplications and gaps in service provision, and that it has produced inequities in access particularly for low income, ethnically diverse and rural families. We also argue that the market approach has not been able to realise the full potentials for what ECCE provision might look like as services that can offer the best possible support for children's learning and wellbeing, as well as family participation and support, social networks and community cohesion. We argue that we need to establish citizenry rights as a goal for policy development, especially policy about the nature and roles of ECCE provision. Our paper proposes how we might move to a new policy approac

Cortisol reactivity to psychosocial stress is greater in sexual risk takers

Several studies have reported an association between deviant behaviour and cortisol reactivity to stress. However relatively few studies have investigated the relationship between psychobiological stress reactivity and sexual risk taking behaviours. In the present study, cortisol reactivity to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was measured in 26 healthy young adults prior to the administration of a sexual health and behaviour questionnaire. The cortisol response to the TSST was greater in those individuals who reported that at least one of their previous two sexual partners was someone whom they had just met. Results are discussed in context of a model which suggests that early life stress dysregulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and increases the likelihood of later life risk taking behaviour. The findings have implications in terms of improving our understanding of psychobiological factors which predispose individuals to engage in adverse sexual health behaviours

Role of MicroRNA-155 in a Mouse Model of Colon Cancer.

Colorectal cancer remains the third most common malignancy and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Dysregulated miRNA levels are associated with several types of malignancies and may serve as important biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer. We examined the role of miRNA-155 on tumorigenesis and associated symptoms using a well-characterized mouse model of colorectal cancer. C57BL/6 wild-type mice and miRNA-155-/- mice (n=7-13 group) were given a single injection of AOM (10mg/Kg) followed by 3 cycles of DSS (2% in the water for 1 week followed by 2 weeks of plain water). A C57BL/6 wild-type group that did not receive AOM/DSS treatment was also included as a comparison (n=5). Mice were monitored twice weekly for body weight changes and symptom severity. Prior to sacrifice, body composition measurements were taken. At sacrifice, colon tissue, spleen, and adipose tissue were harvested. miRNA-155-/- mice had significantly fewer tumors than wild-type mice. In addition, miRNA-155-/- mice exhibited a lower symptom severity score and a greater body weight gain than wild-type mice over the course of the experiment. In general, wild-type mice had a reduction in fat mass and percent body fat as well as fat pad weights compared to the disease-free controls but miRNA-155 completely offset this effect. If these findings can be clinically translated, miRNA-155 may lead to an effective clinical biomarker and/or therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

The Function of Religion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The role of religion in politics has been rising to the forefront of history in the Middle East for a number of decades and more so since 9/11, raising significant questions as to whether religion functions as a catalyst for conflict or peace. This thesis focuses specifically on the role of religion in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the manner in which actors incorporate religion into their national politics. In doing so, the inquiry focuses on the proponents of religion on both the Jewish and the Palestinian sides in addressing a) territorial rights, b) interpretations in the use of deadly force and violence, and c) interpretations of the final political goal to be attained. In the context of the broader nationalism of each side, the study reflects on different approaches to religion and how they may provide perspectives that are either catalytic to conflict or catalytic to building peace. In this light, the inquiry of this thesis analyzes and contrasts religious nationalism and pro-peace religiosity, concluding with implications and directives for conflict resolution

Ion channels of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells

In this thesis, the patch clamp technique has been used to examine single channels of cultured human retinal epithelial (RPE) cells. Three main channel types were detected in the cell-attached recording mode. They had mean conductances of 24 pS, 59 pS and 96 pS with physiological solutions present. All three channel types were primarily permeable to potassium. Under physiological conditions the activity of all three channel types was voltage dependant, and increased as the patches were depolarized. However, all channel types had low levels of activity at the membrane potential. The activity of the 96 pS channel type was time dependent; the channel inactivated in response to depolarizing steps. This channel type was also sensitive to the concentration of calcium; when the cells were bathed in low calcium solution the channel open probability fell towards zero. The 96 pS channel is thus similar to the maxi-K channels in other epithelia. The presence of microvilli on the top surface of these cells supports a comparison to the apical membrane. Single channel recordings on fresh bovine RPE were also attempted, but most of the channel openings were obscured by a large, noisy conductance. The voltage-sensitivity of channel activity found in cultured cells suggests that these channels may provide a mechanism for integrating dynamic transport across the RPE

Planting the Spaces in Between: New York Restoration Project’s Tree Giveaway Program

Through the tree giveaway program, NYRP provides organizations between 100 and 300 trees and staff to support the distribution of trees to NYC residents for planting on private property. The giveaway events take place throughout NYC’s five boroughs every weekend during the spring and fall planting seasons. Tree giveaways set the stage for discussions about urban soil conditions, precautions to take when planting, and ecological issues confronting the city. From Allegheny Serviceberry to Little Leaf Linden and everything in between, these trees provide a beneficial contrast to the gray infrastructure of the city. These benefits include providing shade, wildlife habitat, ecological biodiversity, storm water retention, food production, and natural beauty

Women with Postpartum Psychosis and their babies: Then and Now

In March 1881, a 31 year old housewife, ‘Mrs Z’, was admitted to the Royal Edinburgh Lunatic Asylum. According to her case notes, she had given birth a month previously. The medical staff recorded that she “constantly moaned and cried … thought she was lost…There was considerable motor restlessness with wringing and clasping of hands… her sleep and appetite were poor… she believed that she had committed some terrible crime, that God was to punish her and would never forgive her. She said that there was no hope for her and that she must go to hell.” She had to be restrained to prevent her from committing suicide. (Rehman et al, 1990, p.865). Nine years later another woman, ‘Cecilia M’, was admitted to Bexley Asylum near London. She had given birth seven days previously. In a letter written later, while she was recovering, she wrote, “I believe I was raving mad for over a fortnight …I could not sleep after baby was born so I suppose that affected my head. I was took away about the 6 January and I did not realise anything until about a fortnight ago, and every day since then my memory gets stronger. I believe I gave them a lot of trouble. It took four of them to hold me down at times” (cited in Hide, 2014, p.128). The hospital case notes reveal that she indeed need to be restrained, both manually by asylum nurses but also chemically by a variety of drugs. She was experiencing vivid hallucinations and refusing food and drink (Hide, 2014)

Patients' and practitioners' experiences, perceptions and beliefs pertaining to the use of Reiki in dealing with chronic illness

Objectives This qualitative study explored the experiences of patients suffering from cancer and other chronic conditions and those of their practitioners during a Reiki treatment. Specific research objectives were to: 1) better understand how participants describe healing, 2) document consecutive therapeutic encounters (i.e. Reiki sessions) as experienced by patients and practitioners over time and, 3) identify meaningful benefits and other relevant outcomes from both perspectives. Materials and Methods p*A convenience sample of four patient-practitioner pairs consented to participate in the study. Data was collected over 12 months via interviews with both the patients and Reiki practitioners. Hour long interviews were conducted before and after their participation in the study. Ten minute telephone interviews were done no longer then 48 hours after each Reiki session to capture participants’ experiences with that particular session. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed. A phenomenological approach was used for the data analysis. Findings This qualitative study attempted to longitudinally explore the experiences and practices of Reiki from both the patients’ and the practitioners’ perspectives. Illness specific symptom relief as well as mental and emotional effects such as decreased anxiety and a better ability to handle stressful situation were experienced by the patients. Spiritual awakening and connection was attributed to the Reiki sessions and the relationship established with their practitioner. Energy directed releases during the Reiki sessions were quite common. Some practitioners experienced different sensory experiences that they attributed to the Reiki energy. The experiences ranged from feeling the energy, temperature changes to seeing different objects during the Reiki treatment. Many of the experiences described by the participants support what has been written in the literature. However, certain concepts such as the evolving concept of healing as well as the altered perception of illness are newer concepts which are beginning to surface. Conclusion Patients’ and practitioners’ experiences helped to gain insight in to the therapeutic relationship and their evolving definitions of healing. Several outcomes were noted on the physical, mental and emotional levels of all participants. This information will help lay the groundwork for future research on Complementary therapies including Reiki. Acknowledgement The Department of Community Health and Epidemiology Devolved Scholarship Fund University of Saskatchewan and Hope Cancer Help Centre, Saskatoon Saskatchewan supplied funding