How we created a shelter of belonging in a developing multicultural Irish primary school through participatory action research

We are one of a disproportionately small number of schools that educate the majority of students from non-Irish backgrounds. In drawing inspiration from a heritage of Celtic thought, I appreciated that as a new school community we all, albeit in differing ways, experienced that as our old shelter collapsed, we lost what it held and we had to enter into the beginnings of a new shelter of belonging that would slowly build around us (O’Donohue, 1998). This belonging implies a growth, which would afford new experiences. In this research, I inquired into how we invoked and awakened our shelter of belonging. Hence, I viewed this as a collaborative form of inquiry, in which all involved would have the opportunity to engage in democratic dialogue as co-researchers and cosubjects, influencing our lives and our work through critical participatory action research. A boxset of three related action research narratives, presented chronologically as discrete pieces of work, allows the reader to experience the communicative spaces of this educational journey. This thesis shows that in an affinity of thought and an openness to exploration, a community of spirit has grown and a shelter of belonging has come alive. Social and professional relationships have been nurtured, in which leadership is valued as a collective activity across members of the community. Resultingly, there is a willingness to take risks, and to be resilient and push boundaries. Essential sustained interaction is facilitated by structures that give sufficient time for effective collaborative planning, reflection, and professional learning to take place. Democratic professional relationships are emerging in dialogue with parents in which our complementary experience and knowledge work to enhance the education of the children in our care. An enactment of O’Donohue’s shelter of belonging is seen in our integrity, creativity and receptivity, which has invoked the creation of a forward-thinking, collaborative culture of interdependence in the school

Photocontrol of Upper and Lower Rim Complexation of Neutral and Cationic Species by p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene Tetraethyl Ester

A number of sodium salt complexes of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetraethyl ester, 1, were isolated both with and without upper-rim encapsulated solvent. Selective decomplexation of lower rim bound sodium cations and upper rim encapsulated solvent molecules could be successfully achieved using low pressure light sources. Oxidation of the counter anion at the lower rim of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetraethyl ester triggered both the upper and lower rim decomplexation process. The extent of decomplexation at both rims is controlled both by the nature of the counter-anionic species at the lower rim and by the fate of the photoproducts generated. The calixarene host molecule, 1, remains intact during the decomplexation process

Irish research response to dairy quality in an era of change

peer-reviewedThe Irish dairy sector is recognised for its very significant contribution to the national economic status; it is now worth ∼€5 billion annually and represents the largest food and drink export category, which, in turn, represents one of the four largest manufacturing industries in the country. Given anticipated further growth in global demand for dairy products and the positive attributes and capabilities that Ireland has to meet that demand, in terms of pasture-based production and cost competitiveness, it is incumbent for the sector to attain the highest quality milk and dairy products. The combined collaborative approach between research and industry has ensured significant progress and enabled Ireland to remain at the forefront globally in terms of production of quality milk and dairy products. This paper highlights some specific scientific platforms and technologies currently shaping the industry in this regard and discusses current research activity as well as anticipating key requirements for future progress. While research, and farm and processing plant management have accomplished very significant advances in milk and dairy product quality, some overarching emerging challenges include product substitution and sustainability. Some key pillars for the future have been identified on which a strong, efficient dairy sector can be maintained and progressed. Specifically, the use of evidence-based information and real-time measures in prediction and decision-making will be a crucial pillar for the dairy sector of the future. This can promote an approach of proactive maintenance and optimisation of production through improved predictability and control of manufacturing processes

Effect of a web-based chronic disease management system on asthma control and health-related quality of life: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Asthma is a prevalent and costly disease resulting in reduced quality of life for a large proportion of individuals. Effective patient self-management is critical for improving health outcomes. However, key aspects of self-management such as self-monitoring of behaviours and symptoms, coupled with regular feedback from the health care team, are rarely addressed or integrated into ongoing care. Health information technology (HIT) provides unique opportunities to facilitate this by providing a means for two way communication and exchange of information between the patient and care team, and access to their health information, presented in personalized ways that can alert them when there is a need for action. The objective of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of using a web-based self-management system, My Asthma Portal (MAP), linked to a case-management system on asthma control, and asthma health-related quality of life.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The trial is a parallel multi-centered 2-arm pilot randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two conditions: a) MAP and usual care; or b) usual care alone. Individuals will be included if they are between 18 and 70, have a confirmed asthma diagnosis, and their asthma is classified as not well controlled by their physician. Asthma control will be evaluated by calculating the amount of fast acting beta agonists recorded as dispensed in the provincial drug database, and asthma quality of life using the Mini Asthma Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Power calculations indicated a needed total sample size of 80 subjects. Data are collected at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months post randomization. Recruitment started in March 2010 and the inclusion of patients in the trial in June 2010.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Self-management support from the care team is critical for improving chronic disease outcomes. Given the high volume of patients and time constraints during clinical visits, primary care physicians have limited time to teach and reinforce use of proven self-management strategies. HIT has the potential to provide clinicians and a large number of patients with tools to support health behaviour change.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN34326236">ISRCTN34326236</a>.</p

Response to Malcolm Parker

Malcolm Parker is right to insist that the ethical issue at the heart of the debate about embryonic stem cells concerns moral status of a human embryo. Is it, or is it not, an entity to whom we owe the kind of respect that excludes deliberately destroying it? And he is right that both 'sides' to the debate sometimes obfuscate that issue. If a human embryo is the kind of entity that is a limit to our will, then discussions about the relative therapeutic potential of adult v embryonic stem cells cannot reasonably arise. So his frustration with both 'sides' is understandable

Guest Editorial

[Extract] Megan-Jane Johnstone argues in this issue (Vol. 12/3, pp. 213–224) that healthcare ethics needs to be revisited, revisioned and revitalized.1 Its practitioners have systematically failed to recognize and respond appropriately to the processes that have contributed to, created and/or compounded the vulnerability and suffering of whole groups of disadvantaged people (indigenous people, people with mental health problems, people who are disabled, people who are very old, children, amongst others). And they have failed to motivate both individuals and systems to engage personally in activities that will genuinely promote and protect the significant moral interests, welfare and wellbeing of the people belonging to these disadvantaged groups. Johnstone identifies five aspects of healthcare ethics which require sustained attention if the field of enquiry is to overcome these current failures: its nature, its goals, its purposes, its modus operandi and its significance