Were we ready? New Zealand high school students' experiences of online learning during school closures of Covid-19, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 resulted in New Zealand schools closing and teaching moving to online. This paper reports research which investigated senior high school students experience of learning from home during these school closures and anything about the experience that they would like continued in the future. High school students in their final two years of schooling (n=1975) responded to a questionnaire consisting of quantitative and qualitative questions with qualitative data analysed thematically and quantitative data with descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that a variety of learning activities, feedback on learning, positive social interactions and effective use of technology supported students. A lack of motivation and daily structure were the major hinderances. The key experience they would like continued was greater flexibility in their learning. Schools demonstrated varying degrees of readiness for the crisis, but findings showed the need for resilience plans which include policies and practices for student and teacher digital readiness in preparation for future crises which result in emergency online learning

Integration: Too Much of a Bad Thing?

Integrated and/or multidisciplinary working has become a central guiding principle of addiction treatment throughout the Western world. Indeed, the notion has become virtually synonymous with good practice in intervening in a complex disorder like addiction. There has been surprisingly little analysis or evaluation of the efficacy of this approach. Rather, it is effectively taken for granted that integrated and/or multidisciplinary working is without question a “good thing.” But for complex interventions such as the therapeutic community, it is equally possible that these developments can threaten the underlying principles of the approach. This short literature review considers three areas of integrated working: integrating professional staff into therapeutic community teams; integrating new treatment approaches into existing therapeutic community frameworks; and the issue of therapeutic communities co-working with other treatment services with different philosophies and working practices. The work originated in an evaluative study of a network of Scottish addiction treatment services and the initial findings are that although there are some advantages to broadening the horizons of the therapeutic community movement, there is equally a danger of undermining some core principles

Exploring justice tensions in the Barnahus model

Barnahus is to support children and their families during the justice and recovery process from experiencing abuse or violence. Yet, many perspectives of justice exist in the multi-disciplinary systems involved in Barnahus. The intersection of these systems can cause tension, which affects service delivery and, ultimately, the experience of the justice and recovery journey. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the needs, rights, and responsibilities of those involved in Barnahus as key stakeholders, including children, their families, criminal justice professionals, social and health care professionals, and professionals working in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that support children and families. We also discuss the justice-related tensions that arise in the Barnahus model and how Barnahus can situate and advance a child-friendly justice model

Onset of collective motion in locusts is captured by a minimal model

We present a minimal model to describe the onset of collective motion seen when a population of locusts are placed in an annular arena. At low densities motion is disordered, while at high densities locusts march in a common direction, which may reverse during the experiment. The data are well captured by an individual-based model, in which demographic noise leads to the observed density-dependent effects. By fitting the model parameters to equation-free coefficients, we give a quantitative comparison, showing time series, stationary distributions, and the mean switching times between states

Factors controlling the net ecosystem production of cryoconite on Western Himalayan glaciers

Ikke OAIn situ experiments were conducted to determine the net ecosystem production (NEP) in cryoconite holes from the surface of two glaciers (Patsio glacier and Chhota Shigri glacier) in the Western Himalaya during the melt season from August to September 2019. The study aimed to gain an insight into the factors controlling microbial activity on glacier surfaces in this region. A wide range of parameters, including sediment thickness, TOC %, TN %, chlorophyll-a concentration, altitudinal position, and grain size of the cryoconite mineral particles were considered as potential controlling factors. From redundancy analysis, the rate of Respiration observed in cryoconite at Chhota Shigri glacier was predominantly explained by sediment thickness in cryoconite holes (37.1% of the total variance, p < 0.05) with Photosynthesis largely explained by the chlorophyll-a content of the sediment (39.6%, p < 0.05). NEP was explained primarily by the TOC content and sediment thickness in cryoconite holes (35.8% and 22.1% respectively, p < 0.05). The altitudinal position of the cryoconite is strongly correlated with biological activity, suggesting that the stability of cryoconite holes was an important factor driving primary productivity and respiration rate on the surface of Chhota Shigri glacier. We calculated that the number of melt seasons required to accumulate organic carbon in thin sediment layers (< 0.3 cm), based on our measured NEP rates, ranged from 11 to 70 years, indicating that the organic carbon in cryoconite holes largely derives from allochthonous inputs, such as elsewhere on the glacier surface. Phototrophic biomass in the same thin sediment layer of cryoconite was estimated to take atleast 4 months to be produced in situ (with mean estimated time upto 1.7 ± 1.5 years). Organic matter accumulated inside the cryoconite holes both through allochthonous deposition and via biological activity on the glacier surface in these areas may have the potential to export dissolved organic matter and associated nutrients to downstream ecosystems. Given the importance of Himalayan glaciers as a vital water source for millions of people downstream, this study highlights the need for further investigation in aspects of the quantification of in situ produced organic matter and its impact on supraglacial melting in the Himalay

Promoting influenza vaccine for children

This autumn influenza vaccine will again be offered to all 2- and 3-year-olds in general practice. In addition, all children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months and above should be offered the vaccine. Children in primary school years from reception class to year 4 will also be offered the vaccine as part of the on-going extension of influenza vaccination to healthy children. Since the start of the paediatric programme, transmission of influenza has reduced across all age groups in those parts of the country vaccinating all children of primary school age. Children under 5 years of age have the highest rate of hospital admissions for influenza. However, many parents do not think that influenza is a serious illness and it is the vaccine they are most likely to decline. Health professionals are the most trusted source of advice and information about vaccination, so staff in general practice have a crucial role to play in recommending this vaccine to parents. Health professionals are the most trusted source of advice and information about vaccination, so practice nurses have a crucial role to play in recommending the influenza vaccine to parents and increasing uptake </jats:p

Reduced plasma homocysteine levels in elderly Australians following mandatory folic acid fortification – A comparison of two cross-sectional cohorts

© 2017 Objective In 2009, Australia implemented mandatory folic acid fortification in wheat flour for bread-making. The primary aim was to improve folate status in reproductive-aged women to reduce neural tube defect incidence. However, folic acid consumption has consequently increased in all demographics. Blood folate is inversely associated with homocysteine levels, a risk factor for multiple diseases. Therefore, we assessed the impact of mandatory folic acid fortification on homocysteine levels in elderly Australians. Methods Homocysteine and blood folate levels were compared between two elderly cross-sectional cohorts (pre-versus post-mandatory folic acid fortification). Importantly, dietary habits were assessed to evaluate the confounding influence of altered dietary patterns not related to fortification. Results Post-fortification, plasma homocysteine levels (10.6 vs. 14.5 μmol/L) and hyperhomocysteinemia incidence (27.2% vs 56.3%) were significantly reduced, relative to the pre-fortification subjects. This was associated with increased blood folate (red cell: 1243 vs 1066 nmol/L, serum 28.0 vs 23.9 nmol/L), and increased intake of synthetic folic acid (366.8 vs 231.0 DFE/day) but not natural folate (332.7 vs 323.6 DFE/day). Limited other differences were detected in dietary intake patterns between groups. The positive relationship between homocysteine levels and age was abrogated post-fortification (p = 0.3 vs p = 0.0003). Conclusions A potential off-target benefit of mandatory folic acid fortification in Australia was demonstrated. With many countries still considering the merits and consequences of mandatory fortification policies, it is important to unravel the off-target effects including dietary context

Writings: Transcript - A Bold New Revolution: Jacksonville Before Consolidation

Speeches: A transcription of A Bold New Revolution: Jacksonville Before Consolidation - A Panel Discussion Commemorating 38 Years of Consolidated Government October 21, 2006

Relationship between methylation status of Vitamin D-related genes, Vitamin D levels, and methyl-donor biochemistry

© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. Vitamin D is known for its role in the regulation of gene expression via the Vitamin D receptor, a nuclear transcription factor. More recently, a role for Vitamin D in regulating DNA methylation has been identified as an additional mechanism of modulation of gene expression. How methylation status influences Vitamin D metabolism and response pathways is not yet clear. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) and the methylation status of Vitamin D metabolism enzyme genes (CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and the Vitamin D receptor gene (VDR). This analysis was conducted in the context of dietary Vitamin D, and background methyl donor related biochemistry, with adjustment for several dietary and lifestyle variables. Percentage methylation at CpG sites was assessed in peripheral blood cells using methylation sensitive and dependent enzymes and qPCR. Standard analytical techniques were used to determine plasma 25(OH)D and homocysteine, and serum folate and B12, with the relationship to methylation status assessed using multi-variable regression analysis. CYP2R1 and VDR methylation were found to be independent predictors of plasma 25(OH)D, when adjusted for Vitamin D intake and other lifestyle variables. CYP24A1 was related to plasma 25(OH)D directly, but not in the context of Vitamin D intake. Methyl-group donor biochemistry was associated with the methylation status of some genes, but did not alter the relationship between methylation and plasma 25(OH)D. Modulation of methylation status of CYP2R1, CYP24A1 and VDR in response to plasma 25(OH)D may be part of feedback loops involved in maintaining Vitamin D homeostasis, and may explain a portion of the variance in plasma 25(OH)D levels in response to intake and sun exposure. Methyl-group donor biochemistry, while a potential independent modulator, did not alter this effect

Airborne In-Situ Measurements of Formaldehyde Over California: One Year of Results from the Compact Formaldehyde Fluorescence Experiment (COFFEE) Instrument

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is one of the most abundant oxygenated volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere, playing a role in multiple atmosphericprocesses, such as ozone (O3) production in polluted environments. Due toits short lifetime of only a few hours in daytime, HCHO also serves astracer of recent photochemical activity. While photochemical oxidation ofnon-methane hydrocarbons is the dominant source, HCHO can also be emitteddirectly from fuel combustion, vegetation, and biomass burning. The CompactFormaldehyde FluorescencE Experiment (COFFEE) instrument was built forintegration onto the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) payload, basedout of NASAs Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA). Using Non-ResonantLaser Induced Fluorescence (NR-LIF), trace concentrations of HCHO can bedetected with a sensitivity of 200 parts per trillion.Since its first research flight in December 2015, COFFEE has successfullyflown on more than 20 science missions throughout California and Nevada.Presented here are results from these flights, including boundary layermeasurements and vertical profiles throughout the tropospheric column.Californias San Joaquin Valley is a primary focus, as this region is knownfor its elevated levels of HCHO as well as O3. Measurements collected inwildfire plumes, urban centers, agricultural lands, and on and off shorecomparisons will be presented. In addition, the correlation of HCHO to othertrace gases also measured by AJAX, including O3, methane, carbon dioxide,and water vapor will also be shown. Lastly, the implications of these HCHOmeasurements on calibration and validation of remote sensing data collectedby NASAs OMI (Aura) and OMPS (SuomiNPP) satellites will be addressed