Engaging Diversity And Marginalization Through Participatory Action Research: A Model For Independent School Reform

Authored by a university researcher, school practitioner, and high school student, this article examines how independent schools can utilize participatory action research (PAR) to bolster diversity and inclusion efforts. A case study approach was taken to showcase a two-year PAR project at a progressive independent school that sought to: (a) enrich institutional knowledge of student diversity, (b) capture the present-day schooling experiences of historically marginalized students in independent school settings, and (c) develop a dynamic action plan to ameliorate school issues that emerged through the PAR inquiry process. Committed to institutional research that informs school policy and practice, we argue that PAR provides a rigorous, student-centered, and democratic model for independent school reform

Report and commentary on cases treated in the University clinical medical wards, 1903-04

Rupture of UterusSclerodermaPneumonia with Pneumococcal MeningitisPneumonia with Pneumococcal PeritonitisChronic.and Acute NephritisExophthalmic Goitre under AntithyroideinCerebral. TumourChronic NephritisDysmenorrhoea and Anteflexion of Uteru

Maternal fluoxetine exposure alters cortical hemodynamic and calcium response of offspring to somatosensory stimuli

Epidemiological studies have found an increased incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in populations prenatally exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Optical imaging provides a minimally invasive way to determine if perinatal SSRI exposure has long-term effects on cortical function. Herein we probed the functional neuroimaging effects of perinatal SSRI exposure in a fluoxetine (FLX)-exposed mouse model. While resting-state homotopic contralateral functional connectivity was unperturbed, the evoked cortical response to forepaw stimulation was altered in FLX mice. The stimulated cortex showed decreased activity for FLX versus controls, by both hemodynamic responses [oxyhemoglobin (Hb

Podoconiosis: A Disease of the Voiceless

Podoconiosis or “Podo” is a non-filarial form of foot elephantiasis that affects the poorest of the poor. It is caused by direct contact with the soil and therefore can be prevented by wearing shoes. It is primarily found in rural Ethiopia because of the extreme poverty and the high concentration of volcanic ash in the soil. Silica in this volcanic ash microscopically cuts the foot and eventually disrupts the lymph flow, resulting in lymphedema. Many people in the affected regions cannot afford shoes and many do not understand the importance of wearing them. The local people neglect education on the true cause of Podo because they hold strongly to their traditional beliefs that it is directly correlated with the persons favor with God. Tropical Health Alliance Foundation (THAF) is a foundation that funds clinics in Ethiopia to fight against Podo. THAF not only focuses on the education, treatment and prevention of Podo, but also financially supports the local clinics with fighting other health issues such as fistulas, uterus prolapses, cataracts, and polio. TOMS provides shoes to children at risk of Podo, however this does not serve as a solution but rather a temporary fix. To eradicate the disease awareness of the cause must be spread, a cultural importance must be placed upon wearing shoes and a constant supply of shoes must be provided

Examining the reversibility of long-term behavioral disruptions in progeny of maternal SSRI exposure

Serotonergic dysregulation is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders. Serotonin plays widespread trophic roles during neurodevelopment; thus perturbations to this system during development may increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Epidemiological studies have examined association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment during pregnancy and increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in offspring. It is unclear from these studies whether ASD susceptibility is purely related to maternal psychiatric diagnosis, or if treatment poses additional risk. We sought to determine whether maternal SSRI treatment alone or in combination with genetically vulnerable background was sufficient to induce offspring behavior disruptions relevant to ASD. We exposed C57BL/6J or Celf6(+/-) mouse dams to fluoxetine (FLX) during different periods of gestation and lactation and characterized offspring on tasks assessing social communicative interaction and repetitive behavior patterns including sensory sensitivities. We demonstrate robust reductions in pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and alterations in social hierarchy behaviors, as well as perseverative behaviors and tactile hypersensitivity. Celf6 mutant mice demonstrate social communicative deficits and perseverative behaviors, without further interaction with FLX. FLX re-exposure in adulthood ameliorates the tactile hypersensitivity yet exacerbates the dominance phenotype. This suggests acute deficiencies in serotonin levels likely underlie the abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, while the social alterations are instead due to altered development of social circuits. These findings indicate maternal FLX treatment, independent of maternal stress, can induce behavioral disruptions in mammalian offspring, thus contributing to our understanding of the developmental role of the serotonin system and the possible risks to offspring of SSRI treatment during pregnancy