Inclusion of students with disabilities : a case study of a private, primary school in an urban city in Southern India

textSignificant changes have been observed in educational reforms in the Indian subcontinent over the last two decades. During this time period, educational policies began to be influenced by international developments in education (Hodkinson & Devarakonda, 2011). According to Singal (2006a), the Indian government endorsed the objective of the Salamanca Declaration (UNESCO, 1994), which was to ensure policy changes to “promote the approach of inclusive education, namely enabling schools to serve all children, particularly those with special educational needs”. This time period also marked the beginning of the usage of the term “inclusive education” in educational policies in India; however, a guideline to defining inclusion and actual implementation of inclusion in schools has not yet been realized (Singal & Rouse, 2003). There are few schools implementing inclusion in India; many practices are reflective of those developed and used in schools in developed countries. Inclusive practices developed in schools in Western countries may not suit the needs of schools in the Indian context. This case study was designed to explore how one primary school in India adapted and implemented inclusion. The perceptions and experiences of the principal, teachers and parents regarding inclusion were also explored in the context of inclusive practices of the school. Multiple sources of data collection including in-depth interviews, observations, document review and focus group were used to answer research questions. Data analyses were used to identify themes and categories to answer research questions using techniques identified by Glaser and Strauss (1967). Findings are presented as follows: (1) an introduction to the school, (2) implementation of inclusion in India, and (3) knowledge and perceptions of stakeholders regarding inclusion. Findings indicate that the school practiced a social model of inclusion to suit their needs and based on the availability of resources. Parents of children with disabilities played an important role in implementing inclusion. Goals for inclusion, school and classroom practices, as well as participants’ perceptions regarding inclusion were consistent with their experiences and implementation of social inclusion. Participants’ had mostly positive perceptions, but expressed some limitations about inclusion. Implications for future research, practice and policy are also discussed.Special Educatio

A successful pregnancy outcome in a testicular cancer survivor: case report

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men. We report a successful pregnancy that was achieved by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using cryopreserved semen from a man with testicular cancer. He was treated for left testicular mixed germ cell tumor with left radical orchiectomy followed by chemotherapy. Three years post chemotherapy, the couple had two successive failures of intrauterine insemination (IUI) with cryopreserved semen. The couple then underwent Assisted reproduction with ICSI. Ten oocytes were retrieved following stimulation of which six oocytes fertilized and progressed. She had transfer of two healthy embryos and the remaining four embryos cryopreserved. Singleton pregnancy was achieved and she delivered a healthy girl baby at 38 weeks of gestation. Assisted reproduction with ICSI is a boon to the male patients with cancer and offers them a chance of fathering their own biological offspring

The NIH-NIAID Schistosomiasis Resource Center

A bench scientist studying schistosomiasis must make a large commitment to maintain the parasite's life cycle, which necessarily involves a mammalian (definitive) host and the appropriate species of snail (intermediate host). This is often a difficult and expensive commitment to make, especially in the face of ever-tightening funds for tropical disease research. In addition to funding concerns, investigators usually face additional problems in the allocation of sufficient lab space to this effort (especially for snail rearing) and the limited availability of personnel experienced with life cycle upkeep. These problems can be especially daunting for the new investigator entering the field. Over 40 years ago, the National Institutes of Health–National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH-NIAID) had the foresight to establish a resource from which investigators could obtain various schistosome life stages without having to expend the effort and funds necessary to maintain the entire life cycle on their own. This centralized resource translated into cost savings to both NIH-NIAID and to principal investigators by freeing up personnel costs on grants and allowing investigators to divert more funds to targeted research goals. Many investigators, especially those new to the field of tropical medicine, are only vaguely, if at all, aware of the scope of materials and support provided by this resource. This review is intended to help remedy that situation. Following a short history of the contract, we will give a brief description of the schistosome species provided, provide an estimate of the impact the resource has had on the research community, and describe some new additions and potential benefits the resource center might have for the ever-changing research interests of investigators

AgNPs doped TEOS sol–gel coatings to prevent the adhesion of marine fouling organisms

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plants is considered to be cost effective and more eco‐friendly than conventional techniques. In the authors’ previous study, they reported the biosynthesis of AgNPs using fruit extract of Aegle marmelos which were of spherical shape and high crystallinity. In order to achieve enhanced synthesis, optimisation of process parameters influencing the yield of AgNPs has been carried out in this study. Box–Behnken design has been employed to optimise the parameters in order to enhance the synthesis of AgNPs. The antimicrofouling activity of the optimised AgNPs was determined by preparing AgNPs doped TEOS sol–gels (SNSGs) and evaluating their antibiofilm activity. In addition to this, antimacrofouling activity of the AgNPs was studied against molluscs viz. Patella sp. and Trochus sp. as model organisms. Anticrustacean assay was also performed with the larvae of brine shrimp (Artemia salina) as a model crustacean fouling organism. The results indicated that the AgNPs could completely inhibit the attachment of molluscs and significantly increased the percentage of mortality against crustacean fouling larvae. Thus, this study gives scope for the possible development of formulations containing AgNPs as effective antifouling agents that could prevent the adhesion of micro and macrofoulers thereby preventing marine biofouling

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aegle marmelos (Bael) Fruit Extract and Its Application to Prevent Adhesion of Bacteria: A Strategy to Control Microfouling

Marine biofilms formed due to adhesion of bacteria and other microorganisms on submerged surfaces are generally considered to be a major form of microfouling. Subsequent attachment of larvae of higher organisms like barnacles, mussels, and so forth, on marine biofilms, causes macrofouling. Several approaches have been used to prevent micro- and macrofouling. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to exhibit strong inhibitory and antimicrobial activity. Biological synthesis of AgNPs is rapidly gaining importance due to its growing success. Hence, the present study is focused on the biosynthesis of AgNPs using fruit extract of Aegle marmelos and its characterization through UV-Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Further isolation and identification of marine biofilm forming bacteria were carried out through 16S rDNA analysis. The antimicrofouling effect of the biosynthesized AgNPs was tested against marine biofilm forming bacteria and the results suggested that it could effectively inhibit biofilm formation. This preliminary study has proved that AgNPs may be used as antimicrofouling agent for the prevention of biofouling in the early stages

The Geographic Location of Recipient Laboratories of Snails and/or Mammals Provided by the NIH-NIAID Schistosomiasis Resource Center.

<p>The Geographic Location of Recipient Laboratories of Snails and/or Mammals Provided by the NIH-NIAID Schistosomiasis Resource Center.</p