The transgressive gardener : Cultivating learning-based transformations towards regenerative futures

This doctoral thesis represents a transgressive journey into the nexus between education, sustainability, and climate change. The point of departure is our shared planetary crossroads: Straight ahead we have the paved path of the status quo, replete with socio-ecological injustice, ephemeral prospects of technological salvation, and impending doom for the human race. Branching off to all other sides, however, are the more overgrown and uncertain paths representing alternative futures. In a world seemingly spinning out of control, the question of our time is whether we have the will and drive to step off the known, but destructive path we are on, and into unknown territory. The contention of this thesis is that, yes, such a collective decision is possible, but it depends on our ability to 'transgress' - move beyond - the structures, paradigms, and norms which sustain the status quo. This thesis argues that learning-based transformations are needed for such transgressions to take place, based on disruptive capacity building and action-based change across diverse sectors of society. Represented as a transformation narrative, this thesis is structured around the innovative Living Spiral Framework, co-designed by the author. This thesis follows my learning journey alongside co-researchers as we delve into the emerging theory of transgressive learning, and bring this theory to life through an action-research methodology encompassing community initiatives across Colombia, South America. Beyond providing knowledge insights into transgressive learning between academia and other actors in society, the intention of this thesis is to transgress the traditional Ph.D. thesis format, providing a useful and inspirational format for fellow early career researchers to represent their research and to promote transformations towards more regenerative worlds

Death and Rebirth of Atlántida: The Role of Social Learning in Bringing about Transformative Sustainability Processes in an Ecovillage

This paper explores the role of social learning in bringing about transformative sustainability processes among individuals and communities. At a time when sustainability is being seriously questioned in terms of what it is and how it can be implemented and evaluated, there are increasing calls to focus instead on sustainability processes. Drawing on 12 months of action-oriented research, including interviews and community-reflection meetings, and with contributions by two co-researchers from the community studied, this paper explores the triple-loop learning process of an ecovillage in Colombia called Atlántida. The findings show that disruptions in the community provided the opportunity for members to enter into a process of deep learning, because they were willing to reflect collectively on their process. This, however, took place in a tough reflective environment in which it was realised that differences in world views, ethics and leadership among members had contributed to the ‘death’ of the community, while their acknowledgement and acceptance of these differences were contributing to a process of transformative ‘rebirth.’ We therefore conclude that, when we talk about social learning as a deep transformative process, it is vital to remember that, though it may be necessary, nobody said it was going to be easy

Genotyping tool for salmonid gill pox virus (SGPV) obtained from farmed and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Poxviruses are common viruses found in vertebrate species. In 2006, the first poxvirus associated with salmon, salmonid gill poxvirus (SGPV), was identified during an outbreak of gill disease at a smolt production site in northern Norway and at two marine farms in western Norway. Poxviruses had previously been detected in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio). In all three fish species, poxviruses are associated with gill disease. It has not been possible to culture SGPV from Norway, and little is known about its virulence. However, the association between SGPV and gill disease in salmon has shown the need for molecular tools to identify reservoirs and transmission routes. Sequencing the genome of a second isolate of SGPV has made it possible to compare variable regions between two strains of the virus, showing the presence of a large number of variable regions that exhibit both variable numbers of tandem repeats and intra-ORF variation. We present eight regions that are suitable for distinguishing strains of SGPV and determining their phylogenetic relationship, and these were used to compare SGPV isolates obtained from both farmed and wild salmon in fresh and sea water. The prevalence of the virus was found to be higher in wild salmon in rivers than in returning wild salmon collected from traps in Norwegian fjords. Genotyping based on the eight selected variable regions, suggests the presence of geographically distinct isolates in freshwater among both farmed and wild salmon, while SGPV from marine farms shows high local diversity and a wide geographical distribution of similar strains of the virus.publishedVersio

From perpetrator to peacebuilder: rethinking education in conflict-affected societies

This chapter explores the nexus between education and confict, positioning education as a contested domain that shapes, and is shaped by, a broad range of social, political, economic and cultural dynamics in confict-afected societies. On the one hand, violent conficts and structural violence have detrimental efects on educational processes and outcomes. On the other hand, education itself can (re)produce structural violence in society. Bringing together the felds of social science and cognitive neuroscience, this chapter provides a multi-faceted lens through which to address the challenges of education in diferent confict contexts from around the world, highlighting that the search for a collective peaceful future is complex

Socioeconomic differentials in the immediate mortality effects of the national Irish smoking ban

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Background: Consistent evidence has demonstrated that smoking ban policies save lives, but impacts on health inequalities are uncertain as few studies have assessed post-ban effects by socioeconomic status (SES) and findings have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the national Irish smoking ban on ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality by discrete and composite SES indicators to determine impacts on inequalities. Methods: Census data were used to assign frequencies of structural and material SES indicators to 34 local authorities across Ireland with a 2000–2010 study period. Discrete indicators were jointly analysed through principal component analysis to generate a composite index, with sensitivity analyses conducted by varying the included indicators. Poisson regression with interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to examine monthly age and gender-standardised mortality rates in the Irish population, ages ≥35 years, stratified by tertiles of SES indicators. All models were adjusted for time trend, season, influenza, and smoking prevalence. Results: Post-ban mortality reductions by structural SES indicators were concentrated in the most deprived tertile for all causes of death, while reductions by material SES indicators were more equitable across SES tertiles. The composite indices mirrored the results of the discrete indicators, demonstrating that post-ban mortality decreases were either greater or similar in the most deprived when compared to the least deprived for all causes of death. Conclusions: Overall findings indicated that the national Irish smoking ban reduced inequalities in smoking-related mortality. Due to the higher rates of smoking-related mortality in the most deprived group, even equitable reductions across SES tertiles resulted in decreases in inequalities. The choice of SES indicator was influential in the measurement of effects, underscoring that a differentiated analytical approach aided in understanding the complexities in which structural and material factors influence mortality

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children and Adolescents: Progress Through Effective Collaboration, Current Knowledge, and Challenges Ahead

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the fourth most common malignancy in children, has an even higher incidence in adolescents, and is primarily represented by only a few histologic subtypes. Dramatic progress has been achieved, with survival rates exceeding 80%, in large part because of a better understanding of the biology of the different subtypes and national and international collaborations. Most patients with Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are cured with short intensive pulse chemotherapy containing cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and high-dose methotrexate. The benefit of the addition of rituximab has not been established except in the case of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. Lymphoblastic lymphoma is treated with intensive, semi-continuous, longer leukemia-derived protocols. Relapses in B-cell and lymphoblastic lymphomas are rare and infrequently curable, even with intensive approaches. Event-free survival rates of approximately 75% have been achieved in anaplastic large-cell lymphomas with various regimens that generally include a short intensive B-like regimen. Immunity seems to play an important role in prognosis and needs further exploration to determine its therapeutic application. ALK inhibitor therapeutic approaches are currently under investigation. For all pediatric lymphomas, the intensity of induction/consolidation therapy correlates with acute toxicities, but because of low cumulative doses of anthracyclines and alkylating agents, minimal or no long-term toxicity is expected. Challenges that remain include defining the value of prognostic factors, such as early response on positron emission tomography/computed tomography and minimal disseminated and residual disease, using new biologic technologies to improve risk stratification, and developing innovative therapies, both in the first-line setting and for relapse

The Digital Support Platform: a qualitative research study investigating the feasibility of an internet-based, post-diagnostic support platform for families living with dementia.

Objectives  To establish the feasibility of the Digital Support Platform (DSP), an internet-based, post-diagnostic tool designed for families living with a diagnosis of dementia. Design  Qualitative methods, using Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) as an analysis framework for semi-structured interview transcriptions. Setting  A community care setting in the South-East Scotland. ParticipantsWe interviewed ten dyads of people with Alzheimer’s, vascular or mixed dementia (PWD), and their family carers, who had been given and had used the DSP for at least 2 months. Results  Our analysis revealed that the DSP was predominantly understood and used by the carers rather than PWD, and was used alongside tools and methods they already used to care for their relative. The DSP was interpreted as a tool that may be of benefit to those experiencing later stages of dementia or with physical care needs. Carers stated that the DSP may be of benefit in the future, reflecting a disinclination to prepare for or anticipate for future needs, rather than focus on those needs present at the time of distribution. PWD spoke positively about an interest in learning to use technology more effectively and enjoyed having their own tablet devices. Conclusions  The DSP was not wholly appropriate for families living with dementia in its early stages. The views of carers confirmed that post-diagnostic support was valued, but emphasised the importance of tailoring this support to the exact needs and current arrangements of families. There may be a benefit to introducing, encouraging, providing and teaching internet-enabled technology to those PWD who do not currently have access. Training should be provided when introducing new technology to PWD

Immature acute leukaemias: lessons from the haematopoietic roadmap

Funder: European Hematology Association; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100008594Funder: La Ligue contre le cancer; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004099Funder: Wellcome Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100004440Funder: Association Laurette Fugain; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100007394Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000268Funder: Assistance Publique ‐ Hôpitaux de Paris; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002738Funder: Medical Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265Funder: Institut National Du Cancer; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100006364It is essential to relate the biology of acute leukaemia to normal blood cell development. In this review, we discuss how modern models of haematopoiesis might inform approaches to diagnosis and management of immature leukaemias, with a specific focus on T‐lymphoid and myeloid cases. In particular, we consider whether next‐generation analytical tools could provide new perspectives that could improve our understanding of immature blood cancer biology