Educating secondary school students with learning difficulties: The teacher\u27s perspective

Educating students with learning difficulties in mainstream classrooms has been a major concern for educators (Elkins, 2007). This paper reviews the research relating to the issues teachers\u27 experience when teaching students with learning difficulties (LD) in secondary schools. The review initially provides an overview of the definition of LD and the academic, social, and behavioural characteristics experienced by students with LD. The review explores student, teacher, and school environment factors that impact on the teachers\u27 role when students with LD are educated in mainstream classrooms. The analysis of the research in this area showed that teacher\u27s attitudes, views, and concerns regarding the education of students with LD in mainstream classrooms can influence the outcomes students\u27 experience. In addition, the review highlights the support teachers required to meet the needs of students with LD. The current review has identified methodology issues (Avramidis & Norwich, 2002; Klassen & Lynch, 2007) within the research literature. Limitations of the review and future research are noted. Students with learning difficulties (LDs) in secondary schools are taught predominately in mainstream classrooms which can have repercussions for their social and academic outcomes (Prior, 1996; Watson & Boman, 2005). Teaching students with LDs in mainstream classrooms can have ramifications for the teacher (Ashman & Elkins, 2002). This research explored the experiences of secondary school mainstream teachers who taught students with LDs within their regular classrooms to understand the issues they encountered in trying to support these students. The qualitative study within a phenomenological framework used semi-structured interviews to understand the experiences of teachers. Nine participants were recruited from three government, one independent, and two Catholic secondary schools. Audio-taped interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis to produce five themes; professional development and experience, support, attitudes and beliefs, emotions and coping, and managing individual differences. The results of the study provided an understanding of how teaching secondary students with LDs impacted on the teachers, for example, their attitudes, feelings, and teaching practices. The results of this research have implications for pre-service teachers and the professional development of current teachers. Limitations and proposed future research are discussed

Case studies: Raman implementation for process lifecycle management in fermentation based processes

Existing metabolite analyzers for several inline fermentation based vaccine processes are becoming obsolete in upcoming years. Analyzers are used to support classified parameters and attributes as well as characterization of the fermentation processes. A PAT solution is preferred as a replacement as it would allow for enhanced process understanding and control. Raman spectroscopy has been aligned as a core technology for implementation with varying challenges based on media, organism, processing parameters and attributes being measured. Implementation requires a highly collaborative approach across functions and sites to ensure effective implementation with no interruption to supply. Using a standardized approach to Raman model development and validation, robust models have been developed for 2 product lines with implementation scheduled over the next three years

Case study: Raman implementation for process lifecycle management in fermentation based processes

Existing metabolite analyzers for several inline fermentation based vaccine processes are becoming obsolete in upcoming years. Analyzers are used to support classified parameters and attributes as well as characterization of the fermentation processes. A PAT solution is preferred as a replacement as it would allow for enhanced process understanding and control. Raman spectroscopy has been aligned as a core technology for implementation with varying challenges based on media, organism, processing parameters and attributes being measured. Implementation requires a highly collaborative approach across functions and sites to ensure effective implementation with no interruption to supply. Using a standardized approach to Raman model development and validation, robust models have been developed for 2 product lines with implementation scheduled over the next three years

Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2022

The main purpose of the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (Overview) is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Overview has been prepared by HealthInfoNet staff as part of our contribution to supporting those who work in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. The Overview is a key indicator of the HealthInfoNet’s commitment to authentic and engaged knowledge development and exchange. The initial sections of this Overview provide information about the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population, and various measures of population health status. The subsequent sections are about specific health conditions and risk/protective factors that contribute to the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These sections comprise an introduction about the condition and evidence of the current status of the condition or risk/protective factor and burden of disease. Information is provided for states and territories, Indigenous Regions and remoteness, and for demographics such as sex and age when it is available and appropriate..

Adenosine Receptors Expression in Human Retina and Choroid with Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: Adenosine signaling modulates ocular inflammatory processes, and its antagonism mitigates neovascularization in both newborns and preclinical models of ocular neovascularization including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The adenosine receptor expression patterns have not been well characterized in the human retina and choroid. Methods: Here we examined the expression of adenosine receptor subtypes within the retina and choroid of human donor eyes with and without AMD. Antibodies specifically targeting adenosine receptor subtypes A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 were used to assess their expression patterns. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to confirm gene expression of these receptors within the normal human retina and choroid. Results: We found that all four receptor subtypes were expressed in several layers of the retina, and within the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. The expression of A1 receptors was more prominent in the inner and outer plexiform layers, where microglia normally reside, and supported by RNA expression in the retina. A2A and A2B showed similar expression patterns with prominent expression in the vasculature and retinal pigment epithelium. No dramatic differences in expression of these receptors were observed in eyes from patients with dry or wet AMD compared to control, with the exception A3 receptors. Eyes with dry AMD lost expression of A3 in the photoreceptor outer segments compared with eyes from control or wet AMD. Conclusion: The ocular presence of adenosine receptors is consistent with their proposed role in modulation of inflammation in both the retina and choroid, and their potential targeting for AMD treatment

Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2019

The main purpose of the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (Overview) is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Overview has been prepared by Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet staff as part of our contribution to supporting those who work in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. The Overview is a key element of the HealthInfoNet’s commitment to authentic and engaged knowledge development and exchange..

Physiological concentrations of bile acids down-regulate agonist induced secretion in colonic epithelial cells

In patients with bile acid malabsorption, high concentrations of bile acids enter the colon and stimulate Cl− and fluid secretion, thereby causing diarrhoea. However, deoxycholic acid (DCA), the predominant colonic bile acid, is normally present at lower concentrations where its role in regulating transport is unclear. Thus, the current study set out to investigate the effects of physiologically relevant DCA concentrations on colonic epithelial secretory function. Cl− secretion was measured as changes in short-circuit current across voltage-clamped T84 cell monolayers. At high concentrations (0.5–1 mM), DCA acutely stimulated Cl− secretion but this effect was associated with cell injury, as evidenced by decreased transepithelial resistance (TER) and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In contrast, chronic (24 hrs) exposure to lower DCA concentrations (10–200 μM) inhibited responses to Ca2+ and cAMP-dependent secretagogues without altering TER, LDH release, or secretagogue-induced increases in intracellular second messengers. Other bile acids – taurodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid – had similar antisecretory effects. DCA (50 μM) rapidly stimulated phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and both ERK and p38 MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases). The EGFr inhibitor, AG1478, and the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, reversed the antisecretory effects of DCA, while the MAPK inhibitors, PD98059 and SB203580, did not. In summary, our studies suggest that, in contrast to its acute prosecretory effects at pathophysiological concentrations, lower, physiologically relevant, levels of DCA chronically down-regulate colonic epithelial secretory function. On the basis of these data, we propose a novel role for bile acids as physiological regulators of colonic secretory capacity

The Long-Term Conditions Questionnaire (LTCQ): Conceptual framework and item development

Purpose: To identify the main issues of importance when living with long-term conditions to refine a conceptual framework for informing the item development of a patient-reported outcome measure for long-term conditions. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n=48) were conducted with people living with at least one long-term condition. Participants were recruited through primary care. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed by thematic analysis. The analysis served to refine the conceptual framework, based on reviews of the literature and stakeholder consultations, for developing candidate items for a new measure for long-term conditions. Results: Three main organising concepts were identified ‘Impact of long-term conditions’, ‘Experience of services and support’ and ‘Self-care’. The findings helped to refine a conceptual framework leading to the development of 23 items that represent issues of importance in long-term conditions. The 23 candidate items formed the first draft of the measure, currently named the Long-Term Conditions Questionnaire (LTCQ). Conclusions: The aim of this study was to refine the conceptual framework and develop items for a patient-reported outcome measure for long-term conditions, including single and multiple morbidities, and physical and mental health conditions. Qualitative interviews identified the key themes for assessing outcomes in long-term conditions and these underpinned the development of the initial draft of the measure. These initial items will undergo cognitive testing to refine the items prior to further validation in a survey