Despite the reshuffle, we are still a long way from a 50:50 gender balanced Parliament

Much has been made of the addition of a number of extra women to the Cabinet following David Cameron’s recent ministerial reshuffle. But despite the headlines, the UK still lags terribly behind other countries in terms of the levels of women in Parliament. Frances Scott, who is campaigning for a 50:50 balance in Parliament, argues that a debate in Parliament on the issue would be a decent starting point

Polyploidy among plant species extraneous in Indiana

This study was undertaken for the purpose of determining whether there is any relationship between polyploidy and geographic distribution with special reference to species extraneous in a given area. It has been maintained that a more rigorous habitat tends to produce polyploids, that plants which are on the limits of their geographic distribution in a given area should exhibit a high degree of polyploidy since they are on one of the extremes of their habitat range. Since polyploids (particularly tetraploids) usually exhibit a greater vigor and adaptability than do diploids, it has seemed a natural deduction that diploid species might tend to give rise to polyploid races where the habitat had become more rigorous than the optimum for that species. To determine whether or not such a relationship exists among extraneous Indiana species, all such extraneous species which have been studied cytologically were tabulated

Unfinished sympathy: embodiment of faith in an American fundamentalist Christian intentional community

Much previous work on Intentional Communities (ICs) tends to fail to fully understand such social forms due to an over-emphasis on the division between theory and practice. One possible methodological route out of this impasse is to apply the paradigm of embodiment.Embodiment of faith is explored in relation to one such IC, God's Way Community, in southern Missouri (USA). The extent of this embodiment is located within a range of social spheres, including everyday ritual, language, gender, work, and spatial constructs. It is argued that to achieve 'understanding' (in the sense of Weber's verstehen) of ICs, and similar types of 'extraordinary' forms of belief, it is necessary to dissolve the theory/practice (and by implication subject/object) divide inherent in much previous work on this subject.This is also made possible through the application not only of embodiment theory, but also through the use of a number of methodologies which could be loosely labelled 'post-posilivist'. This includes, for example, the application of historical analysis and cultural conlexlualisation. Such methodological approaches also affords an opportunity to challenge the prevailing steretypes of such forms of belief, and so create new levels of 'sympathy' towards them

Do historical changes in parent-child relationships explain increases in youth conduct problems?

The coincidence of historical trends in youth antisocial behavior and change in family demographics has led to speculation of a causal link, possibly mediated by declining quality of parenting and parent-child relationships. No study to date has directly assessed whether and how parenting and parent-child relationships have changed. Two national samples of English adolescents aged 16-17 years in 1986 (N = 4,524 adolescents, 7,120 parents) and 2006 (N = 716 adolescents, 734 parents) were compared using identical questionnaire assessments. Youth-reported parental monitoring, expectations, and parent-child quality time increased between 1986 and 2006. Ratings of parental interest did not change. Parenting differences between affluent and disadvantaged families narrowed over time. There was thus little evidence of a decline in quality of parenting for the population as a whole or for disadvantaged subgroups. Parent-reported youth conduct problems showed a modest increase between 1986 and 2006. Findings suggested that the increase in youth conduct problems was largely unrelated to observed change in parent-child relationships

Frances Scott and Thomas Bolton in a Faculty Recital

This is the program for the faculty recital featuring soprano Frances Scott and tenor Thomas Bolton. Ms. Scott and Mr. Bolton were assisted by pianists Dora Ann Purdy and William Bill Trantham. This recital took place on March 22, 1976, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

Semaphorin3A Increases Focal Adhesion Formation to Shift the Relationship Between Cell Migration and Substratum Concentration Through a ROCK-dependent Mechanism

Cell migration is essential for many life processes, including wound healing, embryonic development and cancer metastasis. Cells move across a surface by interacting and forming adhesions with the molecules in their environment, specifically the extracellular matrix. Past studies have shown that there is an optimal level of cell-substratum adhesive strength that allows for the most cell migration and spreading (DiMilla et al., 1993; Gaudet et al., 2003). The mechanism by which this works is not well understood, however. Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) has been shown to increase the expression of integrin receptors, which help mediate the formation of the adhesions between a cell and its substrate in breast cancer cells, but also inhibit the motility of these cells (Pan et al. 2009). We propose that Sema3A changes cell adhesion dynamics to cause the change in breast cancer cell migration on different concentrations of various ECM. First, MDA-MB-231 breast epithelial cell migration and spreading were measured on various concentrations of collagen type 1, fibronectin and laminin 1. The results demonstrate that Sema3A inhibits cell migration and spreading on high concentrations of collagen but enhances cell migration and spreading at lower collagen concentrations. In addition, analysis of cell morphology demonstrates that Sema3A-treated cells were more elongated on all concentrations of collagen. Sema3A had less robust effects on cell migration, spreading and morphology when cultured on fibronectin and laminin. Second, inhibition of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) blocks the Sema3A-mediated effects on cell migration and spreading when cultured on all concentrations of collagen. Third, Sema3A increases focal adhesion formation on all concentrations of collagen and fibronectin, but not laminin. However, inhibition of ROCK blocks Sema3A-enhanced focal adhesion formation on collagen. These results suggest that Sema3A shifts the optimal level of cell-matrix adhesions to a non-optional ECM concentration—in particular collagen, to yield maximal cell migration and spreading that is mediated through a ROCK-dependent mechanism

FACTORS INFLUENCING UNIT SELECTION OF SECOND-YEAR BIOMEDICINE UNITS

This study explored factors that influence student decision making in relation to unit selection, including factors that impact upon unit selection, identification of key times of the year at which planning decisions are made and to elucidate the major sources of information that students use to make course planning decisions. Second-year students undertaking units offered by the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) were surveyed (n=140). ‘Interest in the topics covered’ was ranked as the greatest influence for participants in their selection of units, followed by ‘I believe I can get good marks’ for Bachelor of Biomedical Science students and ‘Required for major’ for Bachelor of Science/other students. Students reported an increasing tendency to seek out information regarding prospective units from the period between mid-semester 1, peaking at the commencement of the re-enrolment period occurring mid semester 2. Online unit handbook entries were reported as the most frequently utilised source of information about prospective units, followed by information from peers who have completed the unit. ‘Face to face’ events providing unit information did not appear to be well-utilised by students. The outcomes of this study will be used to better support students in making informed course planning decisions

Pupil-led biomedical lessons for primary school children : a pilot study

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Planning Enforcement:Biodiversity Net Gain preparedness

This report presents the findings of a research project led by the University of Birmingham and drawing upon planning academics and practitioners from the University of Birmingham, South Gloucestershire Council, BCP Council, and Bournemouth University. The project was undertaken with the assistance of the RTPI NAPE Network.The report findings present a summary of research undertaken at the end of 2023 / early 2024 focused upon the preparedness of planning enforcement in England to support the roll out of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Planning Enforcement:Biodiversity Net Gain preparedness

This report presents the findings of a research project led by the University of Birmingham and drawing upon planning academics and practitioners from the University of Birmingham, South Gloucestershire Council, BCP Council, and Bournemouth University. The project was undertaken with the assistance of the RTPI NAPE Network.The report findings present a summary of research undertaken at the end of 2023 / early 2024 focused upon the preparedness of planning enforcement in England to support the roll out of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)