A history of the convergence of ethnography, cultural studies and digital media

Book review: A history of the convergence of ethnography, cultural studies and digital medi

Algorithms for polycyclic-by-finite groups

A set of fundamental algorithms for computing with polycyclic-by-finite groups is presented. Polycyclic-by-finite groups arise naturally in a number of contexts; for example, as automorphism groups of large finite soluble groups, as quotients of finitely presented groups, and as extensions of modules by groups. No existing mode of representation is suitable for these groups, since they will typically not have a convenient faithful permutation representation. A mixed mode is used to represent elements of such a group, utilising either a power-conjugate presentation or a polycyclic presentation for the elements of the normal subgroup, and a permutation representation for the elements of the quotient

Effect of Iron Chelators on Methemoglobin and Thrombin Preconditioning.

Cell loss immediately adjacent to an intracerebral hemorrhage may be mediated in part by the toxicities of extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) and thrombin. However, at low concentrations, these proteins induce tolerance to hemin and iron that may limit further peri-hematomal injury as erythrocyte lysis progresses. The mechanisms mediating these preconditioning effects have not been completely defined, but increased expression of both heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and iron binding proteins likely contributes. In the present study, we hypothesized that iron chelator therapy would attenuate this protective response. Pretreatment of cortical glial cultures (\u3e 90 % GFAP+) with 3 μM methemoglobin (metHb) or 5 units/ml thrombin for 24 h was nontoxic per se, and increased HO-1 and ferritin expression. When challenged with a toxic concentration of hemin, the increase in cellular redox-active iron was attenuated in preconditioned cultures and cell survival was increased. However, if cultures were pretreated with metHb or thrombin plus deferoxamine or 2,2\u27-bipyridyl, ferritin induction was prevented and cellular redox-active iron increased with hemin treatment. Preconditioning-mediated cytoprotection was consistently reduced by deferoxamine, while 2,2\u27-bipyridyl had a variable effect. Neither chelator altered HO-1 expression. A cytoprotective response was preserved when chelator therapy was limited to 11 hours of the 24 h preconditioning interval. These results suggest a potentially deleterious effect of continuous iron chelator therapy after ICH. Intermittent therapy may remove peri-hematomal iron without negating the benefits of exposure to low concentrations of Hb or thrombin

Novel scaffolds for tissue engineering of human skeletal muscles

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary approach aimed at producing new organs and tissues for implantation in order to circumvent the limitations imposed by current techniques such as surgical tissue transfer. Structure begets function and highly ordered skeletal muscle (SkM) consists of elongated, multinucleate muscle cells (fibres) that are arranged in bundles surrounded by connective tissue sheaths. It is therefore of no surprise that tissue engineered SkM complexes are often designed around fibre containing scaffolds. This work is the natural continuation of strategies introduced at TCES 200

Moral Distress: The Importance Of Support For Black And Brown Nurses After Encountering Racism From Patients And Peers In The Acute Care Setting

Purpose: This DNP project developed and implemented an online training program to support Black and Brown nurses’ post-racism encounters in the acute care inpatient setting. Background: Nationally, it is estimated that 25% of nurses experience mistreatment by patients each year, but many fail to report these episodes (Campbell, 2016). The retention of Black and Brown nurses is essential, as cultural congruence or shared experiences among patients and members of their healthcare team can, be an important bridge for promoting safety and the best clinical outcomes (Moceri, 2014). Methods: Approximately 400 RNs were invited to participate in a 15-minute online training program over 12 weeks. The curriculum comprised of education of key definitions of anti-racism terminology, a video on allyship, review of the organization’s antiracism policy and companion pocket guide, peer and patient/family racism case studies, identification of reporting structures and available support services post racism encounter. Pre- and Post -Self-efficacy surveys consisting of 17 five-point Likert scale questions and one open ended question measured the participant’s level of confidence in managing and feeling supported after experiencing a racist encounter in the acute care setting. Results: Paired-samples t-tests indicated that post-test scores (M= 76.82, SD= 10.03) were significantly higher than pre-tests (M= 67.19, SD= 13.305), t(84) = -5.167, p\u3c.004. Conclusion: The results support the presence of improvements in self-efficacy post-intervention and indicated that the online training module was successful in raising nurses’ self-efficacy for awareness of reporting and support mechanisms after experiencing racism encounters in the acute care settin

Human muscle-derived cell populations isolated by differential adhesion rates: Phenotype and contribution to skeletal muscle regeneration in Mdx/SCID mice

Muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) isolated from murine skeletal tissue by the preplate method have displayed the capability to commit to the myogenic lineage and regenerate more efficiently than myoblasts in skeletal and cardiac muscle in murine Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy mice (mdx). However, until now, these studies have not been translated to human muscle cells. Here, we describe the isolation, by a preplate technique, of candidate human MDSCs, which exhibit myogenic and regenerative characteristics similar to their murine counterparts. Using the preplate isolation method, we compared cells that adhere faster to the flasks, preplate 2 (PP2), and cells that adhere slower, preplate 6 (PP6). The human PP6 cells express several markers of mesenchymal stem cells and are distinct from human PP2 (a myoblast-like population) based on their expression of CD146 and myogenic markers desmin and CD56. After transplantation to the gastrocnemius muscle of mdx/SCID mice, we observe significantly higher levels of PP6 cells participating in muscle regeneration as compared with the transplantation of PP2 cells. This study supports some previous findings related to mouse preplate cells, and also identifies some differences between mouse and human muscle preplate cells

An Investigation of Mathematics Self-Efficacy, the Sources of Mathematics Self-Efficacy, and Mathematics Achievement Among Primary School Students in Trinidad and Tobago

Purpose of the Study This dissertation addressed two problems in the literature. Firstly, while many study findings have highlighted the critical role of self-efficacy in students\u27 achievement, additional research was needed about the four hypothesized sources that influence the improvement of students\u27 mathematics self-efficacy. Many studies on self-efficacy sources were conducted with measures not closely tied to social cognitive theory and have not demonstrated sufficient reliability. Using the Sources of Mathematics SelfEfficacy Scale, Usher and Pajares (2009) addressed this problem. They suggested several recommendations for future research (Usher & Pajares, 2008b, 2009), including exploring the validity of their scale in different contexts, examining changes in students\u27 self-efficacy across significant transition periods, and clarifying gender differences in the sources of self-efficacy. The very first part of my dissertation addressed each of those recommendations. This scale was validated with pupils in Standards 4 and 5 (Grades 5-6) because this context has gained less attention in studying mathematics self-efficacy sources. Gender and other demographic differences in pupils\u27 scores on the sources of Middle School Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale were analyzed, and the independent contribution of each source to predicting mathematics self-efficacy. Method Data were collected from 277 primary school students in four North Eastern Education District schools in Trinidad. Two survey instruments and a mathematics achievement test were used to gather the data. The surveys were analyzed through descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling (SEM), exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Pearson correlation coefficient statistical programs. Exploratory factor analysis on a content-specific mathematics skills self-efficacy scale showed a two-factor scale. The scale had content validity and acceptable reliability. A four-factor confirmatory factor model demonstrated the best fit for the SMMSE scale for the primary school samples. As predicted, mastery experience was the strongest predictor of mathematics skills self-efficacy. Slight or moderate differences were observed between gender and age groupings. The analysis results verified the factor structure of the Sources of Middle School Mathematics Self-Efficacy with a new primary school sample. Contrary to previous research, neither mathematics skills self-efficacy nor any of the sources of mathematics self-efficacy were statistically significant predictors of mathematics achievement. Results Student perceptions of their ability to perform basic math operations were positive (M=3.74, SD=0.53). Student perceptions of using math concepts were also positive (M=3.2, SD=1.63). Pairwise comparison using the Bonferroni procedure suggested that 11-year-olds (M=16.79, SD=3.64) reported significantly higher mastery experience than 12-year-olds (M=14.88, SD=4.09) and 13-14-year olds (M=14.27, SD=3.67). A comparison of the means suggested that males (M=17.82, SD=4.83) reported significantly higher physiological states than females (M=15.05, SD=5.46). There were no statistically significant predictors of mathematics achievement. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the surveys for mathematics skills self-efficacy and the Sources of Middle School Mathematics Self-Efficacy scale could be considered valid and reliable measures of those concepts among a Trinidad primary school population. Previously, research on the sources of mathematics self-efficacy focused on middle school students in the United States. This structural equation modeling found neither mathematics skills self-efficacy nor any of the sources of self-efficacy were statistically significant in predicting mathematics achievement among the primary school sample. These findings substantially contribute to the knowledge of mathematics achievement among primary school students in Trinidad and Tobago

Sense Make Before Book

“Sense Make Before Book” is an Indo-Caribbean turn of phrase which refers to common sense being more important than book smarts. My sister sent me a post the other day on Instagram of an Trinidadian woman using this phrase, saying it was one of Indo-Caribbean origin. I was interested and asked my mom about it. My mom says that when she was younger my grandpa said it often around their house in Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago. This adage feels charged thinking about the history of indenture and its effects on the Indo-Caribbean diaspora. The written word of archival history claiming its authority against the illiterate non-English speaking indentured laborer. History passes through orality, through utterance, through experience, through recollections on the porch, through a sense. Sense is made before book, sense predates the written word. In the absence of a record, we perform. In the absence of an archive, we provide a repertoire. A book is a sequence of spaces, a book is a series of moments, a grid organizes not just space but also time. How will you read the pages of my movements? The sentences of my gesture? The words of my body? Reading in a way that doesn’t desire mastery or capture or linearity. A non-teleological reading, a glimpse. Welcome in. You can sit anywhere you’d like. Thank you for coming

Public Libraries: Serving LGBTQ Homeless Youth

This is a review of the session Public Libraries: Serving LGBTQ Homeless Youth, presented by Julie Ann Winklestein, PhD, at the 2013 BC Library Conference