Technology for social work education

The intention of this paper is to examine aspects of the role of information technology in social work education in relation to existing developments within an international context, conceptual issues concerning the application of CAL to the teaching of social work, and the implication of these issues for the development of integrated teaching modules in Interpersonal Skills and Research Methods, together with some of the practical issues encountered and solutions being adopted The context for the paper is joint work by the authors as members of the ProCare Project, a partnership between Southampton and Bournemouth Universities, and part of the UK Government‐funded Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) in Higher Education. ProCare is developing courseware on Interpersonal Skills and on Research Methods for use in qualifying‐level Social Work and Nursing education. While the emphasis is on the social work version of the Interpersonal Skills module, limited reference is made to the nursing component and the differential approaches that proved necessary within the subject areas under development

The RNA-binding protein LARP1 as potential biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy, responsible for over 4,000 deaths each year in the UK. There is growing evidence that mRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can be post-transcriptional drivers of cancer progression. Here, I investigated the expression of the RBP LARP1 in ovarian malignancies and role of the protein in ovarian cancer cell biology. LARP1 is highly expressed at both an mRNA and protein level in ovarian cancers compared with benign tumours and normal ovarian tissue. I show that higher levels of LARP1 in tumour tissue are predictive of poor patient survival. Consistent with this clinical finding, in xenograft studies knockdown of LARP1 expression causes a dramatic reduction in tumour growth. In vitro, LARP1 knockdown is associated with increased apoptosis, and is sufficient to restore platinum sensitivity in chemotherapy-resistant cell lines. Furthermore, LARP1 is required to maintain cancer stem cell marker-positive populations, and knockdown decreases tumour-initiating potential, as demonstrated by in vivo limiting dilution assays. Transcriptome deep-sequencing following LARP1 knockdown revealed altered expression of multiple genes linked to survival and evasion of apoptosis, including BCL2 and BIK. Transcripts of both genes are in complex with LARP1 protein, and LARP1 maintains the stability of BCL2 mRNA, whilst actively destabilising BIK transcripts. This effect is mediated at the level of the 3’ untranslated region. I therefore conclude that by differentially regulating mRNA stability, LARP1 is a key post-transcriptional driver of tumourigenicity and cell survival in ovarian cancer.Open Acces

Problematising upstream technology through speculative design: the case of quantified cats and dogs

There is growing interest in technology that quantifies aspects of our lives. This paper draws on critical practice and speculative design to explore, question and problematise the ultimate consequences of such technology using the quantification of companion animals (pets) as a case study. We apply the concept of ‘moving upstream’ to study such technology and use a qualitative research approach in which both pet owners, and animal behavioural experts, were presented with, and asked to discuss, speculative designs for pet quantification applications, the design of which were extrapolated from contemporary trends. Our findings indicate a strong desire among pet owners for technology that has little scientific justification, whilst our experts caution that the use of technology to augment human-animal communication has the potential to disimprove animal welfare, undermine human-animal bonds, and create human-human conflicts. Our discussion informs wider debates regarding quantification technology

Reaganomics and the Welfare State

Supply-side tax and spending policies have intensified poverty, unemployment and inequality, especially for women, minorities and organized labor. At the same time Reaganomics is shrinking and weakening the welfare state. To better understand and resist this conservative assault it is necessary to demystify the economics and politics of supply-side doctrine. This paper (a) defines the basic assumptions of supply-side economics; (b) identifies some of its problems and contradictions; (c) discusses its impact on the welfare state; and (d) analyzes it as part of a broader plan for coping with the current economic crisis. It argues that the supply-side tax cut not only lowers government revenues, but provides a justification for cutting domestic programs. Domestic cutbacks, in turn, are achieved by new laws that change program rules and regulations, transfer federal social welfare responsibility to the states, that weaken the political support for the programs themselves. This legislated conservative legacy will be more difficult to reverse than if the cuts were achieved by just lowering appropriations. As a domestic strategy, Reaganomics is part of a broader response to the current economic crisis that involves redirecting larger amounts of capital into the private sector and weakening the political strength of women, minorities and organized labor whose demands for an adequate standard of living have become to costly for business and government to absorb

A systems approach framework for coastal zones

This Special Feature Volume examines the potential value of the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) as a methodological framework for the transition to sustainable development in coastal zones. This article provides insight on the Systems Approach, the theory behind it, and how its practical application to coastal zone systems (CZSs) was developed. The SAF is about information for management through a focus on how to generate a higher, dynamic level of information about complex CZSs and how to render this information more useful to end users through a participatory suite of communication methods. The SAF is an open research methodology that investigates the function of systems in order to simulate specific issues or questions concerning their function. The research articles that are included in this Volume demonstrate examples of coupled multidisciplinary methods integrated into SAF simulations appropriate to a selected policy issue and to the social-environmental conditions of each Study Site Application. Their findings are not the result of funded research projects; instead, they are by-products of pilot applications conducted to develop and improve the SAF methodology. The final article of this Volume synthesizes these results in the context of the SAF as a higher level instrument for integrated coastal zone management

Problematising upstream technology through speculative design: the case of quantified cats and dogs

There is growing interest in technology that quantifies aspects of our lives. This paper draws on critical practice and speculative design to explore, question and problematise the ultimate consequences of such technology using the quantification of companion animals (pets) as a case study. We apply the concept of "moving upstream" to study such technology and use a qualitative research approach in which both pet owners, and animal behavioural experts, were presented with, and asked to discuss, speculative designs for pet quantification applications, the design of which were extrapolated from contemporary trends. Our findings indicate a strong desire among pet owners for technology that has little scientific justification, whilst our experts caution that the use of technology to augment human-animal communication has the potential to disimprove animal welfare, undermine human-animal bonds, and create human-human conflicts. Our discussion informs wider debates regarding quantification technology

Mechanical Properties of Kentucky Oil Shales as Related to Mine Design Application

To develop oil shales as an alternate energy resource, it will be necessary to develop appropriate mining techniques. In this regard, the mechanical properties of the ore must be determined. Section I of this paper presents data from a laboratory study to determine these properties. Uniaxial compression tests, longitudinal frequency tests, indirect tensile tests, and triaxial tests were performed. Section II uses data from section I to design an example underground mine. Strength properties are considered in the design of roof spans and pillars. It is concluded that underground mining of Kentucky oil shale is feasible with a possible extraction rate of 70 percent or more through an aggressive rock mechanics program and good mining practices

A companion to the Cavendishes writing, patronage, and material culture

The noble Cavendishes were one of the most influential families in the politics and culture of early modern England and beyond. A Companion to the Cavendishes offers a comprehensive account of the Cavendish family's creative output and cultural significance in the seventeenth century. It discusses the writings of individuals including William and Margaret Cavendish, and William's daughters Jane and Elizabeth; family members' work and patronage in other media such as music, architecture, and the visual arts; their participation in contemporary developments in politics, philosophy, and horsemanship; and the networks in which they moved both in England and in continental Europe. It also covers the work of less well-known family members such as the poet and biographer George Cavendish and the composer Michael Cavendish. This volume combines path-breaking scholarship with discussion of existing research, making it an invaluable resource for all those interested in this fascinating and diverse group of men and women