Pedagogies of Design and Multiliterate Learner Identities

In an era of multiliteracies, teaching and learning have become knowledge performances at multiple levels. Instead of a singular, linear focus upon print technologies, the techno-oriented philosophy of teaching aims at providing a rhizomatic network of texts where there is a close link between, and often an overlap of, different designs—linguistic, visual, spatial, and gestural—to construct the multiliterate learner. In this paper, I discuss the role of multimodal literacies in a primary classroom, affirming the role of multiliteracies and decentring the pre-dominance of linguistic at the cost of other designs. While the print media are acknowledged as significant to literacy, the multimodality of print is enhanced through visual and spatial design (Kenner, 2004). Through graphic examples of ICT applications of designs in a primary classroom, I demonstrate that students are operating through multitextual and digitextual (Everett, 2003) practices. What follows is the complex positioning and re-situating of teacher and learner identities engaged in learning through the knowledge processes of experiencing, identifying, applying and critiquing concepts (Kalantzis & Cope, 2004). In particular, I argue that within the diversity of present day classrooms, the digital oriented, multiliterate learner is implicated in constant identity construction by drawing upon macro and micro social practices. I conclude by reiterating the significance of new technologies and new literacy practices as essential to the construction of new learner identities

Literacy models across nations: Literacy and critical literacy in teacher training programs in India

The thrust towards constructivist learning and critical thinking in the National Curricular Framework (2005) of India implies shifts in pedagogical practices. In this context, drawing on grounded theory, focus group interviews were conducted with 40 preservice teachers to ascertain the contextual situation and the likely outcomes of applying critical literacy across the curriculum. Central themes that emerged in the discussion were: being teacher centred/ learner centred, and conformity/autonomy in teaching and learning. The paper argues that within the present Indian context, while there is scope for changes to pedagogy and learning styles, yet these must be adequately contextualised

Design of stable Di and tetraradical nitroxides as magnetic resonance imaging agents

Several nitroxides have been prepared in the Biotechnology Laboratory at NJIT to study their image enhancement capability. These nitroxides contain different moieties within one molecule and their paramagnetism is found to be initially increasing proportionally to the number of their radical centers. It is found that the addition of nitroxides at very close distances causes interference and a reduction of intensity due to the interaction of the two paramagnetic centers with each other. Thus MRI contrast agents are not improved by simple addition of nitroxide centers to a given molecule and drug designers must pay special attention to intramolecular spacing. To demonstrate techniques, rigorous controls and more detailed studies are being undertaken. In this research, methods for the synthesis of multiradical nitroxides by structural modification as well as the synthesis of nitroxides with a functional group in close proximity to the radical center have been developed. Specifically, two methods for synthesis of the multiradical nitroxide [bis-(2,2,6,6 tetramethyl-1-oxyl-4-piperidyl) phthalate] have been tested and their overall effect on the yield evaluated. The compounds intended for synthesis were bis (2,2,6,6 tetramethyl-1-oxyl-4-piperidyl) phthalate (by two different routes) and tetrakis (2,2,6,6 tetramethyl-l-oxy1-4-piperidyl) pyromellitate focusing on molecular structure and multi paramagnetic centers

Microarray-Based Comparative Genomic and Transcriptome Analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, is maintained in nature in a cycle involving a tick vector and a mammalian host. Adaptation to the diverse conditions of temperature, pH, oxygen tension and nutrient availability in these two environments requires the precise orchestration of gene expression. Over 25 microarray analyses relating to B. burgdorferi genomics and transcriptomics have been published. The majority of these studies has explored the global transcriptome under a variety of conditions and has contributed substantially to the current understanding of B. burgdorferi transcriptional regulation. In this review, we present a summary of these studies with particular focus on those that helped define the roles of transcriptional regulators in modulating gene expression in the tick and mammalian milieus. By performing comparative analysis of results derived from the published microarray expression profiling studies, we identified composite gene lists comprising differentially expressed genes in these two environments. Further, we explored the overlap between the regulatory circuits that function during the tick and mammalian phases of the enzootic cycle. Taken together, the data indicate that there is interplay among the distinct signaling pathways that function in feeding ticks and during adaptation to growth in the mammal

Ensuring student success: Establishing a community of practice for culturally and linguistically diverse preservice teachers

This paper discusses the primacy of communities of practice within learning contexts at university and during practicum for culturally and linguistically diverse preservice teachers. The study illustrates that learning occurs when there are adequate opportunities for participation and practice. Data from interviews with 28 culturally and linguistically diverse preservice teachers illustrate that tensions created by social, cultural differences impact upon modes of identification and dimensions of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Wenger, 1998). The study concludes by reiterating the importance of establishing proactive communities of practice to ensure success in learning and practice for this group of preservice teachers

Becoming an inclusive educator: Applying Deleuze and Guattari to teacher education

New ways of thinking are required in teacher education to promote beginning teachers as change agents in education. Twenty years after the Salamanca Statement (UNESCO, 1994) that called for schools to provide equitable opportunities for all children, teaching practices in many classrooms are informed by the deficit view of learning. Beginning teachers need to be prepared to challenge the ideological influences that operate in schools. Deleuze and Guattari’s (1987) model of the rhizome is used to report one beginning teacher’s journey as she learnt to negotiate structural and personal obstacles to create an inclusive learning environment. Data from reflective diaries, semi-structured interviews and classroom observations highlight contextual and personal factors in one case study that contributed to the nonlinear, complex process of becoming an inclusive educator. The paper concludes by arguing the voice of beginning teachers is essential for the ongoing movement towards the creation of just, inclusive schools

Preservice Teachers as Document Detectives

Literacy today relies on a readers’ ability to analyse text critically. This case study investigated preservice teachers’ critical analysis of media text containing visuals and representations. In particular, the analysis focused on mathematical factors that impact on readers’ interpretation of diverse visuals. Data was gathered from the 23 preservice teachers, enrolled in the Graduate Diploma program at one Australian university. They participated in a series of mathematics learning sessions focused on the critical analysis of a selection of media items. The paper argues that the ability to critically analyse graphs and visuals relies on mathematical knowledge and that the ability to critically analyse such representations is a necessary component of mathematical literacy and everyday literacy. Mathematics teachers require well-developed critical analysis competencies to enable them, and ultimately their students, to critically analyse representations in everyday text. The paper illustrates that drawing on diverse visuals from the media can be productively used to develop critical analysis competencies

The Role of Serum Interleukin-6 Levels in Prognosticating Postoperative Complications After Cytoreductive Surgery for Ovarian Cancers: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been associated with adverse prognosis in ovarian cancer. Cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer has a higher risk of postoperative surgical complications (POCs). We aimed to find out if serum IL-6 is elevated preoperatively in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer and if it can predict POCs. We also compared its trend with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in the early postoperative period. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients between 18–75 years, posted for elective ovarian cytoreductive surgery at a tertiary cancer hospital were included after taking informed consent. Serum IL-6 and CRP were done the day before surgery and repeated 24 and 72 hours post-surgery. All parameters that affect POCs were captured. POCs were graded using the Clavein Dindo classification. We recorded the length of the intensive care unit (ICU), hospital stay, and 30-day mortality. Appropriate statistical tests were used and p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 51 enrolled patients, 46 were included for data analysis after exclusions. The mean age of patients in this study was 49.76 +/- 12.42 years with a mean surgical duration of 302.39 +/- 127.04 minutes and mean blood loss of 332.6 +/- 274.71 mL. The incidence of POCs in our study was 21.7% (10/46 patients). Preoperative IL-6 was raised and was able to predict POCs with 70% sensitivity and 86% specificity at a cutoff value of 23.56 pg./mL (R2 = 0.71; AUC = 0.79). In patients who developed POCs, IL-6 values (1196.7+/-1461.4 pg./mL) peaked at 24 hours whereas CRP values (360 +/- 430.1 mg/L) peaked at 72 hours; thus, allowing early prognostication with IL-6. The cut-off value of serum IL-6 at 24 hours to predict POCs is 480 pg./mL (R2 = 0.50; AUC = 0.79) with 80% sensitivity and 89% specificity. Two patients died - on postoperative days 5 and 28 respectively. Conclusion: Preoperative IL-6 is raised in patients with ovarian cancer posted for cytoreductive surgery. A cut-off value of 23.56 pg./mL preoperatively and 480 pg./mL at 24 hours after surgery could predict postoperative surgical complications

Characterization of the Rel(Bbu) Regulon in Borrelia burgdorferi Reveals Modulation of Glycerol Metabolism by (p)ppGpp

The bacterial stringent response is triggered by deficiencies of available nutrients and other environmental stresses. It is mediated by 5\u27-triphosphate-guanosine-3\u27-diphosphate and 5\u27-diphosphate-guanosine-3\u27-diphosphate (collectively (p)ppGpp) and generates global changes in gene expression and metabolism that enable bacteria to adapt to and survive these challenges. Borrelia burgdorferi encounters multiple stressors in its cycling between ticks and mammals that could trigger the stringent response. We have previously shown that the B. burgdorferi stringent response is mediated by a single enzyme, RelBbu, with both (p)ppGpp synthase and hydrolase activities, and that a B. burgdorferi 297 relBbu null deletion mutant was defective in adapting to stationary phase, incapable of down-regulating synthesis of rRNA and could not infect mice. We have now used this deletion mutant and microarray analysis to identify genes comprising the rel regulon in B. burgdorferi cultured at 34 degrees C, and found that transcription of genes involved in glycerol metabolism is induced by relBbu. Culture of the wild type parental strain, the relBbu deletion mutant and its complemented derivative at 34 degrees C and 25 degrees C in media containing glucose or glycerol as principal carbon sources revealed a growth defect in the mutant, most evident at the lower temperature. Transcriptional analysis of the glp operon for glycerol uptake and metabolism in these three strains confirmed that relBbu was necessary and sufficient to increase transcription of this operon in the presence of glycerol at both temperatures. These results confirm and extend previous findings regarding the stringent response in B. burgdorferi. They also demonstrate that the stringent response regulates glycerol metabolism in this organism and is likely crucial for its optimal growth in ticks