The process of education and its effects oh the least academically successful pupils in the secondary school

This investigation was undertaken in order to examine the effect that the process of secondary education can shown to have on the academically less successful pupil in the secondary school. The features of the process of education which were selected for investigation were firstly the organisational structure of the secondary school and secondly, the curriculum programme which it offers. The first part, of this investigation was conducted by means of a literature search into the two features outlined above. A literature search was also conducted into previous research evidence concerned with the effect that the process of schooling, has on the least academically successful pupil. An analysis of the main features of the literature search indicated that there are five main areas of importance. These are the pattern of authority and control in the school, the organisation of teaching groups, the size of the school, the equality of opportunity for all pupils and the curriculum and system of examinations. The small scale study which was undertaken in the second part of this investigation took into account the areas of importance outlined above. This was effected by using instruments developed by Finlayson and his associates (1970), which showed the pupils questioned to indicate their feelings about both the social climate and the organisational features of the school, and also by the use of a questionnaire developed internally in the school for the purpose of this study. The results obtained from the instruments drawn up by Finlayson and his associates indicated generally negative views amongst the target group. These indications can he contrasted to some degree with those obtained from the questionnaire which WAS developed internally„This small scale study also indicated that the least academically successful pupils clearly discriminated between those members of staff whom they felt were favourably disposed and supportive towards then and those who were not. This study further indicated that the pupils reacted towards members of staff according to these judgement

Perceptions of Organisational Culture: A Case Study Set Within the Context of Recent Developments in Higher Education

Although the culture of an organisation is often regarded as a key component of its overall character as well as a determinant of its success, it is a difficult, complex and intricate concept that is hard to define. Further, its individualistic and organic nature means it is potentially hard to capture, let alone measure. This research focused on the effects of planned change on the organisational culture among staff that present HE programmes in a large mixed economy college in the United Kingdom (UK). After a critical review of the current literature on organisational culture was conducted a case study approach was used to collect the primary data. This case study comprised a two-phase research design. While Phase 1 focused on the returns to a published questionnaire by Brown [1998], Phase 2 comprised a series of follow-up open-ended, semi-structured interviews with some of the staff who had completed Phase 1 of the project. As a result a ‘snapshot’ of the changes in the culture of that part of the organisation where the research was undertaken to be captured. The findings of the follow-up interviews, based on the negative aspects elicited in phase one of this process, provided an opportunity for staff to consider these issues in greater depth and detail. Conclusions was drawn from the findings provided evidence that the two phase approach to data collection provided valuable information relating to changes in the organisational culture (and particularly its subcultures) at a time of planned change. These data supported the view expressed in the literature review that the nature of organisational culture in this setting is also complex, both overt and opaque and similarly dynamic to that found in any other large organisation. Further, and also in line with the findings of the literature review, as a result of the different perceptions (and thus the reactions of individual staff within the two Schools) the planned changes created unpredictable influences on the sub-cultures within the setting. In one of the Schools this had resulted in a much more hostile attitude to the changes than in the other

The Northern Samail Ophiolite: An Oxygen isotope, microprobe, and field study

Geological, petrological, and oxygen isotopic data are presented for 228 whole rock and mineral samples collected from a 100×20 km area of the northern Samail ophiolite in Oman. Most of these samples are from three detailed profiles through the pillow lavas, sheeted dikes, and layered gabbros of this laterally heterogeneous fragment of Cretaceous oceanic crust, down to and across the petrologic Moho. The profiles encompass a range of petrologic and tectonic styles, and each profile exhibits distinctive ^(18)/^(16)O variations compared to one another and to mid-ocean ridge basalts, as a result of pervasive seawater-hydrothermal interaction that varied in intensity along strike in the ophiolite. In general, ^(18)O depletions are observed in the layered gabbros and ^(18)O enrichments in most of the sheeted dikes and pillow lavas, similar to results previously observed in the southern part of the ophiolite (Ibra area), where ^(18)O depletions within the gabbroic section are quantitatively balanced by ^(18)O enrichments in the shallower parts of the oceanic crust. The Wadi Hilti profile, selected as an example of relatively intact crust, differs from Ibra in having more uniform and slightly higher δ^(18)O in the gabbros (+5.4 to +6.3), as well as in containing more hydrous alteration minerals (amphibole, epidote, chlorite, and prehnite). The profiles in the Wadi Kanut-Shafan and Wadi Rajmi sections are much more complex and reveal the impact of off-axis intrusions and deep crustal shearing. Plagiogranite-wehrlite intrusions in the Shafan-Kanut area superimposed a local hydrothermal aureole on the ophiolite, evident in dikes highly depleted in ^(18)O, quartz-sulfide veins, abundant epidote, thullite, and chlorite in shallower rocks, and low-temperature hydrous alteration of deeper gabbroic rocks; the latter produced an overall increase in whole rock δ^(18)O (+6.2 to +6.9). Such late stage intrusions are found throughout the northern half of the Samail ophiolite. The Wadi Rajmi area, which is a possible fossil transform or propagating rift, represents the most complex of the three profiles; it also contains the most abundant highly deformed and hydrothermally altered rocks, together with the deepest and largest zone of ^(18)O depletion yet found in any ophiolite (locally δ^(18)O < +2.0). Conduits for large volumes of high-temperature hydrothermal fluids were provided by fractures now occupied by low-^(18)O gabbro pegmatites and low-^(18)O dikes. Material balance estimates for the regional samples and from the various transects through the ophiolite give crustal bulk δ^(18)O averages (+5.9 to +6.3) that are, within sampling error, almost identical to the average MORB basalt value of about +5.8, if both vertical and lateral crustal heterogeneities are integrated into a three-dimensional model. This supports and amplifies the conclusion of earlier workers that the δ^(18)O of seawater is buffered and controlled by hydrothermal interaction with oceanic crust, as long as the cumulative effects (both spatial and temporal) of all seafloor magmatic/hydrothermal processes are considered. The very slight out-of-balance enrichment of the integrated crustal average δ^(18)O compared to MORB may be explained by the ubiquitous mineralogical and isotopic evidence for a late, low-temperature alteration event in the basal gabbros; these effects are prominent in the vicinity of the petrologic Moho and may indicate exchange with low-temperature aqueous fluids during or after detachment of the obducted slab

X-Ray Diffraction and Chemical Study of Secondary Minerals from Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 51, Holes 417A and 417D

Secondary minerals found in fracture fillings and in fragments of altered basalt from Holes 417A and 417D were studied by both X-ray diffraction and chemical techniques. Minerals found in fracture fillings from Hole 417A are dominated by montmorillonite, "protoceládonite," analcite, and lesser saponite; celadonite and ferrosaponite are the characteristic secondary minerals in Hole 417D fracture fillings. Assuming that minerals found in such fracture fillings reflect the composition of the secondary fluids that produced them, it is apparent that those from Hole 417A were dominantly Al-rich, while those from Hole 417D were more enriched in Fe, Mg, and K. X-ray diffraction study of bulk samples support such fundamental differences in secondary mineralogy. In addition, the X-ray data on bulk samples suggest that primary plagioclase is the feldspar in Hole 417D rocks, and secondary potassium feldspar is the feldspar in Hole 417A altered rocks. Using available published data on secondary miner?1" found in other altered oceanic crust, it is possible to interpret the differences in secondary mineralogy that exist between the two sites. Secondary minerals present in Hole 417D rocks are believed to have formed under hydrothermally influenced, low temperature, nonoxidative diagenesis; whereas, those present in Hole 417A were produced under similarly low temperatures, but much more highly oxidizing conditions. The fundamental differences in secondary mineralogy between the two sites can be best explained by the accompanying remobilization of elements that involved plagioclase alteration in Hole 417A rocks. A comparison of the composition of Hole 417A and 417D secondary minerals with those found in younger crust suggests that the age of crust, influenced by the changing conditions of alteration, control the chemistry of secondary minerals found in available pore spaces in altered rocks. Minerals found in young crust (<15 m.y.B.P.) are highly Mg-rich; minerals found in crust of intermediate age (—15-50 m.y.B.P.) are dominantly enriched in Fe and Mg; and those found in older crust have higher contents of Al and K

The Cleft revealed: geologic, magnetic, and morphologic evidence for construction of upper oceanic crust along the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2006. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 7 (2006): Q04003, doi:10.1029/2005GC001038.The geology and structure of the Cleft Segment of the Southern Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR) have been examined using high-resolution mapping systems, observations by remotely operated vehicle (ROV), ROV-mounted magnetometer, and the geochemical analysis of recovered lavas. Bathymetric mapping using multibeam (EM300) coupled with in situ observations that focused on near-axis and flank regions provides a detailed picture of 0 to 400 ka upper crust created at the southern terminus of the JdFR. A total of 53 rock cores and 276 precisely located rock or glass samples were collected during three cruises that included sixteen ROV dives. Our observations of the seafloor during these dives suggest that many of the unfaulted and extensive lava flows that comprise and/or cap the prominent ridges that flank the axial valley emanate from ridge parallel faults and fissures that formed in the highly tectonized zone that forms the walls of the axial valley. The geochemically evolved and heterogeneous nature of these near-axis and flank eruptions is consistent with an origin within the cooler distal edges of a crustal magma chamber or mush zone. In contrast, the most recent axial eruptions are more primitive (higher MgO), chemically homogeneous lobate, sheet, and massive flows that generate a distinct magnetic high over the axial valley. We suggest that the syntectonic capping volcanics observed off-axis were erupted from near-axis and flank fissures and created a thickened extrusive layer as suggested by the magnetic and seismic data. This model suggests that many of the lavas that comprise the elevated ridges that bound the axial valley of the Cleft Segment were erupted during the collapse of a magmatic cycle not during the robust phase that established a new magmatic cycle.This research has been partially supported by a NSF grant to M. Perfit (OCE-0221541). M. Tivey acknowledges support from WHOI’s Mellon grant for Independent Study. Support for D. Stakes, T. Ramirez, D. Caress, and N. Maher and for the entire field program was provided by funds to MBARI from the Lucille and David Packard Foundation

Oxygen isotope composition of a section of lower oceanic crust, ODP Hole 735B

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95244/1/ggge964.pd

Geochemistry, faunal composition and trophic structure in reducing sediments on the southwest South Georgia margin

Despite a number of studies in areas of focused methane seepage, the extent of transitional sediments of more diffuse methane seepage, and their influence upon biological communities is poorly understood. We investigated an area of reducing sediments with elevated levels of methane on the South Georgia margin around 250 m depth and report data from a series of geochemical and biological analyses. Here, the geochemical signatures were consistent with weak methane seepage and the role of sub-surface methane consumption was clearly very important, preventing gas emissions into bottom waters. As a result, the contribution of methane-derived carbon to the microbial and metazoan food webs was very limited, although sulfur isotopic signatures indicated a wider range of dietary contributions than was apparent from carbon isotope ratios. Macrofaunal assemblages had high dominance and were indicative of reducing sediments, with many taxa common to other similar environments and no seep-endemic fauna, indicating transitional assemblages. Also similar to other cold seep areas, there were samples of authigenic carbonate, but rather than occurring as pavements or sedimentary concretions, these carbonates were restricted to patches on the shells of Axinulus antarcticus (Bivalvia, Thyasiridae), which is suggestive of microbe–metazoan interactions

Contrasting rift and subduction-related plagiogranites in the Jinshajiang ophiolitic mélange, southwest China, and implications for the Paleo-Tethys

The Jinshajiang ophiolitic mélange zone in southwest China represents a remnant of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Field, geochronological and geochemical studies have identified two distinct suites of plagiogranites within the mélange, the Dongzhulin trondhjemite and Jiyidu tonalite, which represent rift and subduction settings, respectively, related to opening and closing of the ocean. SHRIMP U-Pb analysis on zircons extracted from the Dongzhulin trondhjemite yields a mean 206Pb/238U age of 347 ± 7 Ma. REE and isotopic characteristics suggest an origin from low pressure partial melting of an amphibolitic protolith. Highly variable Hf isotopic compositions for zircons from this body may indicate a heterogenous source involving both depleted mantle and enriched continental components. This, together with geologic relations, suggests formation near an embryonic spreading center in a continent-ocean transition setting. The Jiyidu tonalite has a U-Pb zircon age of 283 ± 3 Ma, and geochemical data indicates high Sr/Y, (La/Yb)N, Nb/Ta and low Y, and marked heavy REE depletion. These signatures suggest derivation from low degree partial melting of subducted slab at pressure high enough to stabilize garnet and rutile. A slab-melt origin is also supported by in situ Hf and O data for zircon that show isotopic compositions comparable with typical altered oceanic crust. Thus, the crystallization age of the Jiyidu high Sr/Y tonalite provides a constraint for the subduction of the Jinshajiang ocean floor. The rift-related Dongzhulin trondhjemite and subduction-related Jiyidu high-Sr/Y tonalite constrain the timing and setting of opening and closing of this segment of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean

Oral Health Care Reform in Finland – aiming to reduce inequity in care provision

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Finland, dental services are provided by a public (PDS) and a private sector. In the past, children, young adults and special needs groups were entitled to care and treatment from the public dental services (PDS). A major reform in 2001 – 2002 opened the PDS and extended subsidies for private dental services to all adults. It aimed to increase equity by improving adults' access to oral health care and reducing cost barriers. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of the reform on the utilization of publicly funded and private dental services, numbers and distribution of personnel and costs in 2000 and in 2004, before and after the oral health care reform. An evaluation was made of how the health political goals of the reform: integrating oral health care into general health care, improving adults' access to care and lowering cost barriers had been fulfilled during the study period.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>National registers were used as data sources for the study. Use of dental services, personnel resources and costs in 2000 (before the reform) and in 2004 (after the reform) were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2000, when access to publicly subsidised dental services was restricted to those born in 1956 or later, every third adult used the PDS or subsidised private services. By 2004, when subsidies had been extended to the whole adult population, this increased to almost every second adult. The PDS reported having seen 118 076 more adult patients in 2004 than in 2000. The private sector had the same number of patients but 542 656 of them had not previously been entitled to partial reimbursement of fees.</p> <p>The use of both public and subsidised private services increased most in big cities and urban municipalities where access to the PDS had been poor and the number of private practitioners was high. The PDS employed more dentists (6.5%) and the number of private practitioners fell by 6.9%. The total dental care expenditure (PDS plus private) increased by 21% during the study period. Private patients who had previously not been entitled to reimbursements seemed to gain most from the reform.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study indicate that implementation of a substantial reform, that changes the traditionally defined tasks of the public and private sectors in an established oral health care provision system, proceeds slowly, is expensive and probably requires more stringent steering than was the case in Finland 2001 – 2004. However, the equity and fairness of the oral health care provision system improved and access to services and cost-sharing improved slightly.</p