Possibilities for pedagogy in Further Education: Harnessing the abundance of literacy

In this report, it is argued that the most salient factor in the contemporary communicative landscape is the sheer abundance and diversity of possibilities for literacy, and that the extent and nature of students' communicative resources is a central issue in education. The text outlines the conceptual underpinnings of the Literacies for Learning in Further Education project in a social view of literacy, and the associated research design, methodology and analytical framework. It elaborates on the notion of the abundance of literacies in students' everyday lives, and on the potential for harnessing these as resources for the enhancement of learning. It provides case studies of changes in practice that have been undertaken by further education staff in order to draw upon students' everyday literacy practices on Travel and Tourism and Multimedia courses. It ends with some of the broad implications for conceptualising learning that arise from researching through the lens of literacy practices

A potential library for primary MFL pedagogy: the case of Young Pathfinders

As readers of this journal will know very well, 2010 will see all KS2 (ages 7-11) pupils in England entitled to learn a modern foreign language in normal curriculum time. This development of the commitment to primary language learning should provide an excellent opportunity and experience for pupils, whilst at the same time requiring some radical changes for many teachers, schools and much of the wider language learning community. Recent research has indicated general trends suggesting an increase in primary languages already, in anticipation of this development and even beforehand. One of the most recent studies indicates that 43% of primary children currently learn a foreign language at KS2, either in class or as an extra-curricular activity, although the extent of this learning varies considerably (Driscoll, Jones and Macrory, 2004). It has also been suggested (Muijs et al, 2005) that there are certain aspects of the process that will be particularly demanding if the challenge of providing this entitlement are to be met

Forming a Young Advisory Group for Natural England's Children's People and Nature Survery (C-PaNS)

The Children’s People and Nature Survey is a social survey that collects information from Children and Young People (CYP) aged 8–15 on their feelings, beliefs and behaviours relating to the natural environment. Data is collected twice a year (once during school summer holidays and once during term time) and published as Official Statistics. This report discusses the formation and implementation of NE’s first Young Advisory Group (YAG) for C-PaNS. The group was set up to work with CYP to improve the survey and improve NE’s understanding of how they view the environment. Facilitated by researchers at the University of Central Lancashire and the University of East London, the group comprised of 24 CYP from North-West England and London representing diverse ethnicities and sociocultural backgrounds. Over three-months each subgroup met for a series of workshops, both in-person and online. During workshops the YAG scrutinised and provided feedback on C-PaNS survey design, analysis, and how findings are reported. Additional insights into CYP’s gaps in knowledge, environmental concerns, environmental interests, perceptions of outdoor spaces and recommendations about how young people’s voices can inform future work also emerged during discussions. This project highlights the value of working directly with CYP. The YAG provided unique insights and have improved the validity of the survey. Additionally, the project empowered young people to think about their own relationship with the natural environment and outdoor spaces, as well as engage in discussions and actions that benefit nature

Quantitative phospho-proteomics reveals the Plasmodium merozoite triggers pre-invasion host kinase modification of the red cell cytoskeleton

The invasive blood-stage malaria parasite - the merozoite - induces rapid morphological changes to the target erythrocyte during entry. However, evidence for active molecular changes in the host cell that accompany merozoite invasion is lacking. Here, we use invasion inhibition assays, erythrocyte resealing and high-definition imaging to explore red cell responses during invasion. We show that although merozoite entry does not involve erythrocyte actin reorganisation, it does require ATP to complete the process. Towards dissecting the ATP requirement, we present an in depth quantitative phospho-proteomic analysis of the erythrocyte during each stage of invasion. Specifically, we demonstrate extensive increased phosphorylation of erythrocyte proteins on merozoite attachment, including modification of the cytoskeletal proteins beta-spectrin and PIEZO1. The association with merozoite contact but not active entry demonstrates that parasite-dependent phosphorylation is mediated by host-cell kinase activity. This provides the first evidence that the erythrocyte is stimulated to respond to early invasion events through molecular changes in its membrane architecture.</p

‘It’s my back…’; developing the coming to spinal clinic resource to improve the health literacy of young people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and their parents

This study focussed on identifying the key concerns and information needs of young people with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and their parents and examined what resources might help improve young people’s ‘participativeness’ and health literacy during clinic consultations. A qualitative participatory design underpinned the study. Workshops involving multiple methods were used to engage with young people with AIS and their parents, who were recruited through a regional children’s hospital. The study design was informed by patient and public consultation with eight young people and two parents. 10 young people (aged 14–16 years) and 11 of their parents participated in the study. Young people and their parents reported uncertainty and anxiety before coming to clinic and faced issues participating in the consultation, being involved in decision-making and understanding the information and language. These challenges resulted in unmet information needs. Young people’s health literacy relating to an AIS diagnosis and treatment is facilitated by them being prepared and informed before coming to clinic and be actively supported to be involved during the consultation. We collaboratively developed the ‘Coming to Spinal Clinic’ resource to help young people with AIS and parents prepare for and get the most out of their visit

Regional calendars and seasonal statistics for the United Kingdom's main pollen allergens

Pollen calendars are an effective way of bringing seasonal information to patients, healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies.1 Until now, there has only been one generalized pollen calendar available for the United Kingdom and very limited access to any recent seasonal statistics.3 Here, we present a set of regional pollen calendars and associated statistics to bring up-to-date information to patients and other users and to demonstrate spatial variation in the pollen seasons

Air mass trajectories and land cover map reveal cereal crops as major local sources of Alternaria spores in Worcester and Leicester, UK.

Alternaria is a plant pathogen and human allergen. Agricultural areas are known sources of Alternaria spores. Transport of Alternaria spores may occur between such geographical regions. This study examined Alternaria spore abundance and potential pathways for atmospheric transport of the spores between the cities of Worcester and Leicester in the UK, both surrounded by agricultural land. Alternaria spores were sampled using Burkard volumetric samplers for the period 2016-2018 at Worcester and Leicester, located ~90 km apart. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model and UK’s land cover map for crops were used to examine the relationship between air mass trajectories and potential source areas of Alternaria spores at the two locations during an episode (27 Jul-07 Aug 2017) of high spore concentrations. During the 3 years of observation, 61 and 151 days of clinical relevance were recorded at Worcester and Leicester, respectively. Spore concentrations at Leicester were considerably higher than in Worcester. Analysis of the crop map showed higher amounts of winter barley and oilseed rape near to Leicester than Worcester. HYSPLIT calculations showed that during the episode, the air masses arrived at both stations from Ireland and the Atlantic Ocean. Long distance transport probably had a small and equal contribution to the observations at both sites. The hypothesis is therefore that the substantially higher concentrations of Alternaria spores at Leicester are caused by specific local sources with high emission potential: potentially winter barley and oilseed rape. Local sources of winter barley and oilseed rape likely contributed to Alternaria spore concentrations of clinical significance in the urban areas of Leicester and Worcester. The strength of the local sources likely resulted in higher emissions of spores at Leicester than at Worcester. Long distance transport probably had a small but equal contribution to the total spore load at the two stations

Development of machine learning support for reading whole body diffusion-weighted MRI (WB-MRI) in myeloma for the detection and quantification of the extent of disease before and after treatment (MALIMAR): protocol for a cross-sectional diagnostic test accuracy study.

INTRODUCTION: Whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence as the first-line imaging tool for diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Reporting WB-MRI scans requires expertise to interpret and can be challenging for radiologists who need to meet rapid turn-around requirements. Automated computational tools based on machine learning (ML) could assist the radiologist in terms of sensitivity and reading speed and would facilitate improved accuracy, productivity and cost-effectiveness. The MALIMAR study aims to develop and validate a ML algorithm to increase the diagnostic accuracy and reading speed of radiological interpretation of WB-MRI compared with standard methods. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This phase II/III imaging trial will perform retrospective analysis of previously obtained clinical radiology MRI scans and scans from healthy volunteers obtained prospectively to implement training and validation of an ML algorithm. The study will comprise three project phases using approximately 633 scans to (1) train the ML algorithm to identify active disease, (2) clinically validate the ML algorithm and (3) determine change in disease status following treatment via a quantification of burden of disease in patients with myeloma. Phase 1 will primarily train the ML algorithm to detect active myeloma against an expert assessment ('reference standard'). Phase 2 will use the ML output in the setting of radiology reader study to assess the difference in sensitivity when using ML-assisted reading or human-alone reading. Phase 3 will assess the agreement between experienced readers (with and without ML) and the reference standard in scoring both overall burden of disease before and after treatment, and response. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: MALIMAR has ethical approval from South Central-Oxford C Research Ethics Committee (REC Reference: 17/SC/0630). IRAS Project ID: 233501. CPMS Portfolio adoption (CPMS ID: 36766). Participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part. MALIMAR is funded by National Institute for Healthcare Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation funding (NIHR EME Project ID: 16/68/34). Findings will be made available through peer-reviewed publications and conference dissemination. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03574454