Educational leadership….

An introduction is presented in which it discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the implications for leadership training, the exclusionary practices of educational leadership, and the standards for performance

Optimising metadata workflows in a distributed information environment

The different purposes present within a distributed information environment create the potential for repositories to enhance their metadata by capitalising on the diversity of metadata available for any given object. This paper presents three conceptual reference models required to achieve this optimisation of metadata workflow: the ecology of repositories, the object lifecycle model, and the metadata lifecycle model. It suggests a methodology for developing the metadata lifecycle model, and illustrates how it might be used to enhance metadata within a network of repositories and services

The Impact of Intestinal Helminths on Mammalian Nutritional Physiology

A critical review of the literature (Section 1) interprets evidence to show how various mammalian intestinal helminth infections have been associated with alterations in the nutritional physiology of the mammalian host. The effects have been observed during all stages of metabolism, from initial ingestion through all the intra-luminal events, including digestion and nutrient absorption, and finally to the post-absorptive events of intermediary metabolism, and the mechanisms appear to be as diverse as structural histopathologic changes and alterations in the concentrations of circulating hormones. An experimental investigation of interactions between rat host metabolism and infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda), (Section 2), was conducted. Plasma glucose concentrations were observed to fall between days 6 - 14 p. i. of a primary infection of rats with N. brasiliensis, and although food intake was also observed to fall during this intake, with marked troughs on days 3 and 9 p. i. , this is considered to be no more than contributory to the reduced plasma glucose concentrations. Measurements of the activity of the hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme alanine-amino-transferase (ALT), by in vitro assay, during N. brasiliensis infections revealed striking fluctuations. An elevation followed by a reduction in the activity of the enzyme was observed, and these alterations were found to be dose-dependent. In secondary infections similar fluctuations were observed, but appeared to be attenuated. A reduction in the activity of the enzyme was detected when the infection was initiated by oral transfer of adult N. brasiliensis worms, but when an infection initiated by subcutaneous inoculation of N. brasiliensis larvae was terminated on day 4 p. i. by anthelmintic treatment, ALT activity measured on day 10 p. i. was not found to be different from that measured in control rats. Addition of parasitic homogenate to the liver assay caused no change in the measurements, but addition of serum was associated with a decrease in the ALT activity measured, and this was particularly marked with serum from immune rats. These results suggested that an immune response of the host to the N. brasiliensis infection may be influencing ALT activity. Measurements of hepatic ALT activity in immunosuppressed rats infected with N. brasiliensis supported this theory. Accordingly measurements were made in rats during N. brasiliensis infections of parameters known to be indicators of an immune response involving cytokines, known to influence a number of aspects of metabolism (Klasing, 1988). Although body temperature, leukocyte numbers and plasma zinc concentrations provided no evidence of an immune response involving cytokines, a marked elevation in the concentration of plasma a2-macroglobulin was observed, suggesting that cytokines may be produced. Measurements of plasma corticosterone concentrations during both primary and secondary N. brasiliensis infections in rats revealed fluctuations in concentration that provided a tempting suggestion that alterations in concentrations of this immunosuppressant hormone may be contributing to the fluctuations in ALT activity described. The possibility that metabolic fluctuations may be a "trade off" for an effective immune response is discussed in terms of these results. A collaborative study of a human community in Cocle Province, Panama (Section 3) was undertaken to investigate associations between nutritional variables, in particular vitamin A status, and soil-transmitted helminth infections in primary school children, with measurements being made of nutritional parameters both before and after anthelmintic intervention. The epidemiological data collected revealed that Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura were the most common intestinal helminth infections observed, with prevalences of 18.2, 12.0 and 27.5% respectively. This data could be compared not only to results of intestinal helminth surveys conducted in the same area over the past 60 years, but also to more contemporary data from various regions of Central America. The efficacy of levamisole as a control measure was assessed, and considered to have an effective role. Plasma retinol concentrations were not found to be indicative of vitamin A deficiency, and no association between lower concentrations and intestinal helminths was detected. Over 20% of the children, however, were found to have blood haemoglobin concentrations indicative of anaemia, and concomitant infections of T. trichiura and hookworm were considered to be contributory. Heavier infections of T. trichiura were also found to be associated with lower anthropometric variables. These results suggest that even relatively light infections of soil-transmitted helminths may exert an insidious effect on the nutritional status of growing children, despite the availability of adequate nutritional resources

Sanctity in Tenth-Century Anglo-Latin Hagiography: Wulfstan of Winchester's Vita Sancti Æthelwoldi and Byrhtferth of Ramsey's Vita Sancti Oswaldi

This thesis examines central examples of sanctity in the hagiography of late tenth- and early eleventh-century England in order to determine whether or not there are any common themes to be found. It considers specific moments and examples from the broad context of 'the Benedictine Reform' in order to investigate the ways in which texts and ideas were manipulated or negotiated to promote particular political and ecclesiastical interests. These include the influence of certain types of narrative, for example, hagiography and other documentary sources such as charters, setting them in the context of, and also interrogating them for what they can show us about, the contemporary ideology. The specific focal points of the study are encapsulated by the two main thesis chapters, Winchester and Ramsey. The primary focus is on Æthelwold and Oswald, and the contemporary hagiography associated with their cults: Wulfstan of Winchester's Vita S. Æthelwoldi and Byrhtferth of Ramsey's Vita S. Oswaldi. In addition, Dunstan and Edward the Martyr are examined, and Edmund of East Anglia whose cult was promoted and received its first hagiography during this period. The texts in question are closely examined in order to determine what other figures and themes the saint in question is associated with and the ways that these associations contributed to the characterisation of the saint and thereby to the construction of their sanctity. It is evident that whilst the two primary texts under consideration - the Vita S. Æthelwoldi by Wulfstan of Winchester and the Vita S. Oswaldi by Byrhtferth of Ramsey - do have certain ideas in common, there are also significant contrasts between the two, leading to the conclusion that Winchester and Ramsey valued different qualities in the depiction of, and perhaps even qualifications for, sainthood, and constructed the sanctity of their monastic patrons accordingly. The fundamental basis for both Æthelwold's and Oswald's claim to sanctity is the same: it was their roles as Benedictine monks and promoters of Benedictine monasticism which placed them in the ranks of confessors, thereby qualifying them for sanctity

The actions of the anthelmintics pyrantel and levamisole, at the single channel level, on somatic muscle of the nematode parasite Ascaris suum

The patch-clamp technique was used to examine single channel currents activated by the anthelmintics levamisole and pyrantel in muscle vesicles from Ascaris suum. Cellattached and isolated inside-out patches were used. Levamisole (1-90 μM), applied to the extracellular surface, activated channels which had apparent mean open-times in the range 0.12-2.23 ms and linear current / voltage relationships with conductances in the range 19-46 pS. Pyrantel (0.03-100 μM) activated cation selective channels with linear current/voltage plots and mean open times in the range 0.22-4.14 ms. With pyrantel there were at least two conductance levels: main conductance 41± 2.04 pS (mean±s.e., n=28), smaller conductance 22.4 ± 0.34 pS (mean±s.e., n=8). Ion-replacement experiments for both agonists showed the channels to be cation selective. The kinetics of the channels were analysed. Generally open- and closed-time distributions were best fitted by two and three exponentials respectively, indicating the presence of at least two open states and at least three closed states. The distributions of burst-times were bestfitted by two exponentials. Channel open- and burst-times were voltage-sensitive: at low levamisole (1-10 μM) or pyrantel concentrations (0.1-10 μM), they increased with hyperpolarisation. At higher concentrations of levamisole (30 μM & 90 μM) and pyrantel (100 μM), flickering channel-block was observed at hyperpolarised potentials. Using a simple channel-block model, values for the blocking dissociation constant, KΒ were determined as: 123 μM at -50 mV, 46 μM at -75 mV and 9.4 μM at -100 mV for levamisole; and 37 μM at -50 mV and 20 μM at -75 mV for pyrantel. At the higher concentrations of levamisole (30 μM & 90 μM) and pyrantel (100 μM) long closedtimes separating "clusters" of bursts were observed, at both hyperpolarised and depolarised membrane potentials and this was interpreted as desensitisation.Although the simple channel-block model was used to describe the data, there were limitations in the use of this model: for example, the burst durations did not increase with concentration as forecast by the simple channel-block model. Limitations of this model are discussedIt was concluded that levamisole and pyrantel act in Ascaris suum by opening nicotinic ACh channels but in addition they produced open channel-block. The patch-clamp technique was also used to examine the effect of intracellular levamisole on nicotinic ACh receptors in muscle vesicle preparations from Ascaris suum. Initial experiments were performed where channels were activated with levamisole (2 μM) applied in the patch-pipette, isolated inside-out patches were used. In addition, levamisole (30-926 μM) was added to the cytoplasmic membrane surface via the bath solution. In 8 out of 9 experiments, addition of levamisole to the bath solution resulted in an increase in channel activity; a voltage-sensitive open channelblock and desensitisation. The open channel-block occurred at hyperpolarised potentials, an observation consistent with levamisole (a cationic substance) blocking the channel from the extracellular surface. Thus it was concluded that levamisole crossed from the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, via the lipid phase, to the extracellular surface of the patch. In the presence of high cytoplasmic concentrations of levamisole open channel-block was not observed at depolarised potentials suggesting channel asymmetry

Making sense and finding meaning: comparing narratives of older people with dementia and carers about the quality of an ordinary life

This research examines narratives about the quality of everyday life with dementia. The aim of the study is to compare and contrast differing perspectives about the impact of ageing and dementia upon the lives of older people with dementia. A total of 50 interviews with six older people with dementia and ten family and paid carers were conducted over a two-year period. Narrative analysis was used to examine the content and structure of their accounts to understand their perspectives on what matters most to people living with dementia. This in-depth analysis enabled an exploration of different social concepts and narrative constructions that people draw upon in making sense of their experiences of caring and living with dementia. The analysis demonstrated that older people incorporate ageing and dementia into a continuing sense of self. Positive constructions of living with dementia involve the ability to lead a meaningful life that supports pre-existing social roles and relationships and active engagement within the family and community. The emphasis is on living an ordinary life while responding to the challenges associated with cognitive impairment and social stigma. For family and paid carers, perceptions of a meaningful life depend on how the identity of the older person with dementia is positioned relative to past social roles and relationships. Positive constructions assume continuity as opposed to focusing on disruption in the person’s identity and life. Carer perspectives are also influenced by how the person is perceived to conform to social standards of normality. The narratives of older people with dementia reflect their active struggle to find meaning in terms of realising their sense of self within a social world that largely defines them as different and out of the ordinary. The narratives of carers resonate with emotional difficulty, reflecting their struggle to make sense of a life that is not represented as essentially normal. These findings show that, for all, finding meaning in everyday life depends upon making sense of that life as normal and ordinary

Beyond ethics to morality: Choices and relationships in bicultural research settings

Knowledge of ourselves as cultural beings, of the values and beliefs of those with whom we work, and of the history of relations among those in our work settings are essential for community and applied social psychologists. In New Zealand, research by non-Maori involving Maori has often mirrored the harmful colonising practices of the nation’s wider history. In response, several frameworks have been developed setting out conditions and guidelines in which non-Maori might conduct research in Maori settings responsibly and usefully. Nevertheless, views differ on the ways, and extent to which, non-Maori might be involved. Most guidelines do not provide answers to ethical nuances that may arise. This article discusses the experiences of a non-Maori community psychologist engaging in research with Maori participants in a bicultural, but predominantly Maori, school-based community education setting. Insight is provided into how kaupapa Maori approaches were applied in research that was valuable to the community

Studies on the role of GPR55 in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology.

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial, chronic inflammatory condition characterised by endothelial dysfunction, hyperlipidaemia and the accumulation of fatty deposits within the tunica intima of medium-to-large sized muscular arteries. This disease can prove fatal with patients suffering lethal myocardial infarction or stroke. Recently, two studies investigating the role of G-protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) in atherosclerosis reported conflicting results; one reported a pro-atherogenic role for GPR55 and the other, an anti-atherogenic role for this receptor. Interestingly, another study demonstrated that the activation of GPR55 by lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) in cultured rat neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes provokes distinct cellular functions that are dependent on the location of GPR55, leading to suggestions that GPR55 may regulate cardiomyocyte function at two cellular sites and be a potential therapeutic target for cardiac disorders. While it has been demonstrated that GPR55 is important in the maintenance of cardiac function of healthy mice, what is currently unknown is if GPR55 has a role in the cardiovascular remodelling and cardiac function of atherosclerosis prone mice. To address this, the present studies were conducted to investigate 1) the role of GPR55 in atherogenesis, 2) if GPR55 has a role in the cardiac function of mice suffering from atherosclerosis, 3) the signalling pathway by which LPI activates cardiomyocytes, 4) the impact of GPR55 activation on the outcome of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and, 5) the signalling mechanisms by which GPR55 elicits any observed effects on the myocardium in response to such injury. Using C57BL/6 (wildtype; WT), apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-; mouse model of atherosclerosis), GPR55 knockout (GPR55-/-) and novel ApoE-/-/GPR55-/- mice, this study has established that in the presence of high fat feeding (to accelerate atherosclerosis), GPR55 has a complex role whereby it both regulates risk factors associated with atherosclerosis (i.e. body weight and fat mass) yet promotes the development of fatty streaks within the vasculature, via a lipid independent mechanism. In terms of cardiac function, GPR55 exerted a protective role by maintaining the systolic function of high fat fed ApoE-/- mice, yet negatively affected the contractile reserve of these mice. With regard to infarct size, the present study established that LPI-induced activation of GPR55 (pre-global ischaemia) exacerbates myocardial tissue injury via a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) dependent mechanism. Finally, this study established that LPI signals through the same signalling pathway as it did in the isolated heart, in both mouse and human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes thus suggesting a translational role for GPR55 in the human heart. In conclusion, despite further research being required, the data presented within this thesis provides evidence that GPR55 may have the potential to be targeted for therapeutic gains in atherosclerosis and myocardial I/R injury

What (actually) matters in literacy education: Contributions from community psychology

This paper describes the critical role community psychology theories played in reframing literacy research involving mainly Māori and Pacific peoples’ extended families and communities. Within a critical social constructionist paradigm, ecological systems theory and holistic, integrative theories of wellbeing brought much-needed new thinking to how family-focused adult literacy education might be theorised and practiced. This reframing marks a challenge to and movement away from still-dominant Western individualistic, behavioural orientated, skills-based and formal economy-focused ways of thinking about people’s literacy abilities. It highlights the important role of community psychology in developing theory, informing policy and enhancing practices in culturally diverse education settings to achieve both educational and quality of life aims. Improving quality of life is not possible through literacy education in and of itself, but rather through the inculcation in programme design and delivery of those things which are fundamental and critical to the participants’ overall wellbeing and welfare