Adult and community education in the wear valley district of county Durham

Throughout the 1980's traditional liberal adult education * in Britain has been in crisis. Changes in the ways it is funded and organised, coupled with the breakdown of the liberal progressive ideologies which have informed its theory and practice since the turn of the century, cast doubt upon the extent to which adult education still exists as an identifiable part of the British educational system and idea. The public image of adult education is ambiguous and informed by very little public debate about the role or purpose of adult education in modern societies. its practitioner image is still, predominantly, one of public service. in this thesis i describe what happened when I set out to examine the extent to which there was still a viable adult education service (particularly for unemployed people) in a small area of the north east of England characterised by long term social and economic decline. There is very little sociology of adult education. There is no theoretical knowledge base upon which to ground this study and no methodological framework within which to situate it. The research has been, primarily, a search for methods of research which would allow that adult education is both a social construction and a cultural phenomenon. I have drawn heavily upon the methods of both cultural studies and cultural anthropology while eschewing their more descriptive moments, believing, in the end, that sociology has a definite de-mystifying purpose: that it is, or should be, 'the critic of the absurd and not its high priest'

Mentoring and assessing student teachers on school placement: Integrating theory and practice

This paper examines the extent to which School Placement (SP) maximizes opportunities for integrating theory and practice in student teachers’ professional learning. Part of a larger project (Hall et al, 2018) the paper is based on a four-year longitudinal study, commissioned by the Teaching Council of Ireland, of a new policy initiative in which teacher educators are required to work in partnership with schools to equip student teachers to teach critically and reflectively. The paper briefly summarizes the current policy in Ireland against relevant international literature on SP. The main part of the paper analyses evidence on mentoring and assessment, and the respective roles adopted by Higher Education Institution (HEI) tutors and school-based staff, highlighting some alignments and tensions in these roles. It discusses the variability of experience and the implications for maximising the fit between theory and practice in the experience of the student teacher

Cow serum and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG1) concentration of five suckler cow breed types and subsequent immune status of their calves

peer-reviewedB. Murphy would like to gratefully acknowledge receipt of a Walsh Fellowship provided by Teagasc.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cow breed type on (a) cow serum and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG1) concentrations and (b) subsequent calf serum IgG1 concentration and zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units. Five cow breed types were examined: LF (Limousin × Friesian), LLF (Limousin × (Limousin × Friesian)), L (Limousin), C (Charolais) and SLF (Simmental × (Limousin × Friesian)). Three blood samples were taken by jugular venipuncture from the cows at approximately 90, 60 and 30 days pre partum, at parturition and at 15 days or more post partum and from the calves at 48 (40 to 56) h post partum. Prior to suckling a 20 ml sample of colostrum was obtained. Milk yield was estimated using the weigh-suckleweigh technique. The decrease in serum IgG1 concentration in cows between 90 days pre partum and parturition was greater (P < 0.01) for LF cows than all other breed types, except SLF. There was no difference between LLF, L, C and SLF cows. There was no effect of cow breed type on colostrum IgG1 concentration. Milk yield was higher (P < 0.001) for LF cows than all other breed types, while that of SLF was higher than the three remaining breed types, which were similar. Calf serum IgG1 concentration and ZST units were higher (P < 0.01) for the progeny of LF cows than all others except SLF. There was no difference between the progeny of LLF, L, C and SLF cows. Calf serum IgG1 was affected by cow breed type and showed a positive relationship with cow serum IgG1 decreases in late pregnancy

Exercise promotes neuroplasticity in both healthy and depressed brains: an fMRI pilot study

Memory impairments are a frequently reported cognitive symptom in people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) and often persist despite antidepressant therapy. Neuroimaging studies have identified abnormal hippocampal activity during memory processes in MDD. Exercise as an ad-on treatment for MDD is a promising therapeutic strategy shown to improve mood, cognitive function, and neural structure and function. To advance our understanding of how exercise impacts neural function in MDD, we must also understand how exercise impacts healthy individuals without MDD. This pilot study used a subsequent memory paradigm to investigate the effects of an eight-week exercise intervention on hippocampal function in low-active healthy (n=8) and low-active MDD (n=8) individuals. Results showed a marked improvement in depression scores for the MDD group (p0.05). Functional imaging results showed a marginally significant decrease in hippocampal activity in both groups following the exercise intervention. Our whole brain analysis collapsed across groups revealed a similar deactivation pattern across several memory-associated regions. These results suggest that exercise may enhance neural efficiency in low-fit individuals while still resulting in a substantially greater mood effect for those suffering from MDD. This trial is registered with clinical trials.gov NCT03191994

Sustained Isometric Wrist Flexion and Extension Maximal Voluntary Contractions Similarly Impair Hand-Tracking Accuracy in Young Adults Using a Wrist Robot

Due to their stabilizing role, the wrist extensor muscles demonstrate an earlier onset of performance fatigability and may impair movement accuracy more than the wrist flexors. However, minimal fatigue research has been conducted at the wrist. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine how sustained isometric contractions of the wrist extensors/flexors influence hand-tracking accuracy. While gripping the handle of a three-degrees-of-freedom wrist manipulandum, 12 male participants tracked a 2:3 Lissajous curve (±32° wrist flexion/extension; ±18° radial/ulnar deviation). A blue, circular target moved about the trajectory and participants tracked the target with a yellow circle (corresponding to the handle's position). Five baseline tracking trials were performed prior to the fatiguing task. Participants then exerted either maximal wrist extension or flexion force (performed on separate days) against a force transducer until they were unable to maintain 25% of their pre-fatigue maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Participants then performed 7 tracking trials from immediately post-fatigue to 10 min after. Performance fatigability was assessed using various metrics to account for errors in position-tracking, error tendencies, and movement smoothness. While there were no differences in tracking error between flexion/extension sessions, tracking error significantly increased immediately post-fatigue (Baseline: 1.40 ± 0.54°, Post-fatigue: 2.02 ± 0.51°, P < 0.05). However, error rapidly recovered, with no differences in error from baseline after 1-min post-fatigue. These findings demonstrate that sustained isometric extension/flexion contractions similarly impair tracking accuracy of the hand. This work serves as an important step to future research into workplace health and preventing injuries of the distal upper-limb

A study to assess the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in inter-county hurling

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) is an acute, transient airway narrowing occurring after exercise which may impact athletic performance. Studies report 10% of the general population and up to 90% of asthmatics experience EIB. Ninety-two players from three elite hurling squads underwent a spirometric field-based provocation test with real-time heart rate monitoring and lactate measurements to ensure adequate exertion. Players with a new diagnosis of EIB and those with a negative field-test but with a previous label of EIB or asthma underwent further reversibility testing and if negative, methacholine challenge. Eight (8.7%) of players had EIB, with one further athlete having asthma with a negative field test. Interestingly, only three out of 12 players who had previously been physician-labelled with EIB or asthma had their diagnosis objectively confirmed. Our study highlights the role of objective testing in EIB

Revisiting promyelocytic leukemia protein targeting by human cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein 1

This work was supported by a grant (MR/P022146/1) from the Medical Research Council (https://mrc.ukri.org) to MMN, a grant (T16/28) from Tenovus Scotland (https://tenovus-scotland.org.uk) to CP, a European Union Erasmus+ grant (https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk) to BW and the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (https://wellcome.ac.uk) to CP and MMN.Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies are nuclear organelles implicated in intrinsic and innate antiviral defense. The eponymous PML proteins, central to the self-organization of PML bodies, and other restriction factors found in these organelles are common targets of viral antagonism. The 72-kDa immediate-early protein 1 (IE1) is the principal antagonist of PML bodies encoded by the human cytomegalovirus (hCMV). IE1 is believed to disrupt PML bodies by inhibiting PML SUMOylation, while PML was proposed to act as an E3 ligase for IE1 SUMOylation. PML targeting by IE1 is considered to be crucial for hCMV replication at low multiplicities of infection, in part via counteracting antiviral gene induction linked to the cellular interferon (IFN) response. However, current concepts of IE1-PML interaction are largely derived from mutant IE1 proteins known or predicted to be metabolically unstable and globally misfolded. We performed systematic clustered charge-to-alanine scanning mutagenesis and identified a stable IE1 mutant protein (IE1cc172-176) with wild-type characteristics except for neither interacting with PML proteins nor inhibiting PML SUMOylation. Consequently, IE1cc172-176 does not associate with PML bodies and is selectively impaired for disrupting these organelles. Surprisingly, functional analysis of IE1cc172-176 revealed that the protein is hypermodified by mixed SUMO chains and that IE1 SUMOylation depends on nucleosome rather than PML binding. Furthermore, a mutant hCMV expressing IE1cc172-176 was only slightly attenuated compared to an IE1-null virus even at low multiplicities of infection. Finally, hCMV-induced expression of cytokine and IFN-stimulated genes turned out to be reduced rather than increased in the presence of IE1cc172-176 relative to wild-type IE1. Our findings challenge present views on the relationship of IE1 with PML and the role of PML in hCMV replication. This study also provides initial evidence for the idea that disruption of PML bodies upon viral infection is linked to activation rather than inhibition of innate immunity.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

School placement in initial teacher education: final report

This study, commissioned by the Teaching Council in Ireland, focused on the reform in initial teacher education (ITE), specifically School Placement (SP). A main aim of the reform was to extend the duration of ITE programmes in the first instance, and enhance the professional experience of student teachers (STs) through increased collaboration between cooperating teachers (CTs), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and schools. The study spanned four years, from 2014 to 2018, and employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the implementation and impact of these reforms. Specifically, the study sought to document the implementation, bedding down and impact of the ITE reforms through focusing on the experiences and perspectives of major stakeholders, including student teachers, HEI tutors, CTs and school principals as they experienced changes to SP in ITE, such as the extended duration, broader professional experiences and collaborative learning between STs, CTs and HEI tutors. The new policy also sought to strengthen the integration of theory and practice, instil an inquiry orientation and emphasise evidence-based decision-making. In this context, the school was considered fundamental to acquiring the skills and competences needed by teachers in contemporary society. A comprehensive review of the literature emphasised the importance of SP for the professional learning of STs, highlighting the need for diverse opportunities, appropriate mentoring, feedback and constructive dialogue. Aligning with international evidence, good working partnerships between HEIs and schools were regarded as crucial. The study also underlined the pivotal role of both HEIs and schools in the professional development of student teachers, rejecting the outdated and dualistic notion of the study of theory being associated with HEIs with the experience of practice occurring in schools. Empirical findings from the study revealed that SP is a meaningful professional experience for the majority of STs and that it contributes strongly to the integration of theory and practice. As part of the reform, STs have extended SP, with opportunities to observe, co-plan and co-teach with their CTs. The study found that feedback that ST receive from HEI tutors was considered detailed and highly regarded by STs. However, variation in the experiences of STs in different schools was also found. Additionally, HEI tutors perceived their workload increasing in amount and intensity. The report suggests several recommendations for improving the consistency and coherence of the new ITE arrangements. These includ the need for a national mechanism to ensure access to SP for all STs, enhanced support and training for CTs, joint inquiries between HEIs and schools, revisiting the national framework, and aligning SP within the broader continuum of teacher education. In conclusion, while the reforms have been implemented, the authors noted that challenges persist, particularly in securing school placements and training CTs. The report recommends specific actions to address these challenges, emphasising the importance of collaboration among key stakeholders in teacher education

The contemporary model of vertebral column joint dysfunction and impact of high-velocity, low-amplitude controlled vertebral thrusts on neuromuscular function

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Is performance in goal oriented head movements altered in patients with tension type headache?

Background Head repositioning tasks have been used in different experimental and clinical contexts to quantitatively measure motor control performance. Effects of pain on sensorimotor control have often been described in various musculoskeletal conditions and may provide relevant information with regard to potential mechanisms underlying tension-type headaches. The purpose of the current study was to compare the performance of patients with tension-type headache and healthy participants in a cervical aiming task using the Fitts' task paradigm. Methods Patients with tension-type headache and healthy controls were compared in a cervical aiming task. Participants were asked to move their head as quickly, and precisely as possible to a target under various experimental conditions. Dependent variables included movement time, variable error, constant error and absolute error. Results As predicted by Fitts' law, decreasing target size and increasing head rotation amplitudes yielded longer movement times in both groups. Participants with tension-type headache, when compared to healthy participants showed a significant increase in both constant and absolute errors for each of the four conditions. Conclusion Decreased motor performance was observed in participants with tension-type headache, likely due to altered motor control of the neck musculature. Future research is warranted to investigate the clinical aspect related to decrease in motor performance. Keywords: Tension type headaches, Motor control, Cervical spine, Kinesthetic sens