Exploring the construction of social class in educational discourse: the rational order of the nation state versus global uncertainties

This article aims to create intellectual space in which issues of social inequality and education can be analyzed and discussed in relation to the multifaceted and multi-levelled complexities of the modern world. It is divided into three sections. Section One locates the concept of social class in the context of the modern nation state during the period after the Second World War. Focusing particularly on the impact of 'Fordism' on social organization and cultural relations, it revisits the articulation of social justice issues in the United Kingdom, and the structures put into place at the time to alleviate educational and social inequalities. Section Two problematizes the traditional concept of social class in relation to economic, technological and sociocultural changes that have taken place around the world since the mid-1980s. In particular, it charts some of the changes to the international labour market and global patterns of consumption, and their collective impact on the re-constitution of class boundaries in 'developed countries'. This is juxtaposed with some of the major social effects of neo-classical economic policies in recent years on the sociocultural base in developing countries. It discusses some of the ways these inequalities are reflected in education. Section Three explores tensions between the educational ideals of the 'knowledge economy' and the discursive range of social inequalities that are emerging within and beyond the nation state. Drawing on key motifs identified throughout, the article concludes with a reassessment of the concept of social class within the global cultural economy. This is discussed in relation to some of the major equity and human rights issues in education today.     

Antioxidant and anticholinesterase evaluation of selected Turkish Salvia species

Since Salvia species (Lamiaceae) have been recorded to be used against memory loss in European folk medicine, we herein examined in vitro anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities of 56 extracts prepared with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol obtained from 14 Salvia species (Salvia albimaculata Hedge and Hub, Salvia aucheri Bentham var. canescens Boiss and Heldr, Salvia candidissima Vahl. ssp. occidentalis, Salvia ceratophylla L., Salvia cryptantha Montbret and Bentham, Salvia cyanescens Boiss and Bal., Salvia frigida Boiss, Salvia forskahlei L., Salvia halophilaHedge, Salvia migrostegia Boiss and Bal., Salvia multicaulis Vahl., Salvia sclarea L., Salvia syriaca L., Salvia verticillata L. ssp. amasiaca) growing in Turkey. The antioxidant activities were assessed by both chemical and enzymatic methods against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging and xanthine/xanthine oxidase (XO) system generated superoxide anion radical inhibition. Anticholinesterase effect of the extracts was tested against both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) at concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mg/ml using a microplate-reader assay based on the Ellman method. Most of the extracts did not show any activity against AChE at 0.2 mg/ml, while the chloroform extracts had noticeable inhibition against BChE between 47.7% and 74.7%. The most active extracts at 1 mg/ml for AChE inhibition were observed to be petroleum ether extract of Salvia albimaculata (89.4%) and chloroform extract of Salvia cyanescens (80.2%), whereas ethyl acetate extracts of Salvia frigida and Salvia migrostegia, chloroform extracts of Salvia candidissima ssp. occidentalis and Salvia ceratophylla, as well as petroleum ether extract of Salvia cyanescens were found to inhibit potently BChE (92.2%, 89.6%, 91.1%, 91.3%, and 91.8%, respectively). Particularly, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were observed to be highly active against both DPPH and XO. Our data indicates that nonpolar extracts of Salvia species for anticholinesterase activity and the polar extracts for antioxidant activity are worth further phytochemical evaluation for identifying their active components.     

Role of solute segregation on microstructure and mechanical properties of zircaloy-4

The Microstructure of two different lots of Zircaloy-4 was investigated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached to an energy dispersive system (EDS). The alloy containing Ni higher than the ASTM specification shows parallel plate structure with segregation of Ni, Fe, and Cr at the triple points of β-grains, and it failed during forging due to crack initiation. The second alloy having Ni content within the ASTM specification has basketweave morphology with minute segregation of Fe and Cr and was forged successfully. The absorbed energy is higher for the successfully forged alloy than for the alloy that failed during forging. It was also observed that the fracture started from the segregated area rich in Ni, Fe, and Cr, and propagated along the plate. The alloy with parallel plate structure is harder than the alloy with basketweave structure.     

Microstructure and hardness studies of the electron beam welded zone of Hastelloy C-276

Electron beam welding (EBW) technique is becoming popular in nuclear, chemical and aerospace industries due to its high penetration depth and fast cooling rate. Samples of Hastelloy C-276 have been welded by electron beam (EB). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) having the attachment of an energy dispersive system (EDS) has been employed to study the resulting microstructure and micro-eutectic phases. The microstructure of the molten zone (MZ) is found to be of fine lamellar type. The hardness of the MZ is found to be 35% higher compared to as-received alloy. The micro-eutectoids are rich in Mo and W. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the MZ show shifting of peaks towards higher angle compared to the diffraction pattern of the as-received alloy. Broadening of the peaks is also observed in the diffraction pattern of the MZ. Formation of the μ-phase was observed in the MZ after a tempering treatment at 950 °C.     

Short-term effects of nicotine on bone and calciotropic hormones in adult female rats

Quantitative measurement of sound-induced discomfort and pain thresholds showed that migraineurs (n = 65) were significantly more sensitive than headache-free controls (n = 80), both during and outside attack (p < 0.0001). Patients tested with head pain had lower thresholds than those tested without pain (p < 0.01). Migraine with and without aura did not differ as to sound sensitivity. There were no significant differences in thresholds between the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic sides (p > or = 0.78). Patients with unilateral headache or pain of pulsating character were more sensitive than those with bilateral headache or pressing pain (p < 0.05). Phonophobia did not correlate significantly with duration, frequency, or severity of attacks. The main results were in accordance with a questionnaire study concerning subjective evaluation of sound sensitivity. Similarities between phonophobia and photophobia in migraine provide evidence that both phenomena share a common pathophysiological mechanism in this condition.     

Mycorrhizal colonization and grain Cd concentration of field‐grown durum wheat in response to tillage,preceding crop and phosphorus fertilization

BACKGROUND: A 3‐year field trial was conducted to investigate the effect of agricultural management practices including tillage, preceding crop and phosphate fertilization on root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and grain cadmium (Cd) concentration of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). The relationship between grain Cd and soil and plant variables was explored to determine the primary factors affecting grain Cd concentration. RESULTS: Mycorrhizal colonization of the roots was reduced by conventional tillage or when the preceding crop was canola (Brassica napus L.), compared to minimum tillage or when the preceding crop was flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). In contrast, grain Cd was not consistently affected by any treatment. Grain Cd was generally below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of 100 µg Cd kg^?1 proposed by WHO. Grain Cd varied substantially from year to year, and could be predicted with 70% of variance accounted for by using the model: grain Cd concentration = ? 321.9 + 44.5× ln(grain yield) + 0.26× soil DTPA‐Cd + 182.5× soil electrical conductivity (EC)? 0.98× grain Zn concentration. CONCLUSIONS: These common agricultural management practices had no effect on grain Cd concentration in durum wheat though they impacted mycorrhizal colonization of roots. Grain yield and to a lesser extent soil conditions of EC and DTPA‐Cd and grain Zn influenced grain Cd, whereas mycorrhizal colonization levels did not. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Validation of the performance of a GMO multiplex screening assay based on microarray detection

A new screening method for the detection and identification of GMO, based on the use of multiplex PCR followed by microarray, has been developed and is presented. The technology is based on the identification of quite ubiquitous GMO genetic target elements first amplified by PCR, followed by direct hybridisation of the amplicons on a predefined microarray (DualChip^® GMO, Eppendorf, Germany). The validation was performed within the framework of a European project (Co-Extra, contract no 007158) and in collaboration with 12 laboratories specialised in GMO detection. The present study reports the strategy and the results of an ISO complying validation of the method carried out through an inter-laboratory study. Sets of blind samples were provided consisting of DNA reference materials covering all the elements detectable by specific probes present on the array. The GMO concentrations varied from 1% down to 0.045%. In addition, a mixture of two GMO events (0.1% RRS diluted in 100% TOPAS19/2) was incorporated in the study to test the robustness of the assay in extreme conditions. Data were processed according to ISO 5725 standard. The method was evaluated with predefined performance criteria with respect to the EC CRL method acceptance criteria. The overall method performance met the acceptance criteria; in particular, the results showed that the method is suitable for the detection of the different target elements at 0.1% concentration of GMO with a 95% accuracy rate. This collaborative trial showed that the method can be considered as fit for the purpose of screening with respect to its intra- and inter-laboratory accuracy. The results demonstrated the validity of combining multiplex PCR with array detection as provided by the DualChip^® GMO (Eppendorf, Germany) for the screening of GMO. The results showed that the technology is robust, practical and suitable as a screening tool.     

Removal of lead and cadmium ions by single and binary systems using phytogenic magnetic nanoparticles functionalized by 3-marcaptopropanic acid

The present research study is focused on green fabrication of superparamagnetic Phytogenic Magnetic Nanoparticles(PMNPs), and then its surface functionalization with 3-Mercaptopropionic acid(3-MPA). The resulting material(i.e. 3-MPA@PMNPs) characterized by FTIR, powder XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, VSM, BET and TGA techniques and then further employed for the investigation of the adsorptive removal of lead(Pb~(2+)) and cadmium(Cd~(2+)) ions from aqueous solutions in single and binary systems. The material showed fastest adsorptive rate(98.23%) for Pb~(2+) and(96.5%) Cd~(2+)within the contact time of 60 min at pH 6.5 in the single system. The experimental data were fitted well to Langmuir isotherm, indicated monolayer adsorption of both metal ions onto 3-MPA@PMNPs and an estimated comparable adsorptive capacity of 68.41 mg·g~(-1)(Pb~(2+)) and 79.8 mg·g~(-1)(Cd~(2+)) at p H 6.5. However, kinetic data agreed well with pseudo-second-order model, and indicated that the removal mainly supported chemisorption and/or ion-exchange mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters such asΔGo, ΔHo, and ΔSo, were-3259.20, 119.35 and 20.73 for Pb2+, and-1491.10, 45.441 and 7.87 for Cd~(2+) at temperature 298.15 K, confirmed that adsorption was endothermic, spontaneous and favorable. The material demonstrated higher selectivity of Pb~(2+) and its removal efficiency was(98.20 ± 0.3)% in binary system experiments. The material persisted performance up-to seven(07) consecutive treatment cycles without losing their stability and offered comparable fastest magnetic separation(35 s) from aqueous solutions. Therefore, it is recommended that the prepared material can be employed to remove toxic heavy metal ions from water/wastewaters and this "green" method can easily be implemented at large scale in low economy countries.     

Boosted hydrogen evolution activity from Sr doped ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite as visible light driven photocatalyst

CNTs were decorated onto Sr doped ZnO nanoparticles to construct an efficient photocatalyst via a facile sol-gel method. The as-fabricated Sr doped ZnO/CNTs with recyclability exhibits Sr and CNTs content dependent hydrogen evolution activit under visible light illumination. The Sr doped ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst shows the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 2732.2 μmolh^?1g^?1, which is 33.7 and 2.83 times higher than pure ZnO and Sr doped ZnO photocatalysts, respectively. The improved hydrogen evolution activity of Sr doped ZnO/CNTs is primarily assigned to high surface area, Sr doping and construction of heterojunction, which can extend the light absorption, decrease the optical band gap and improve the charge separation. Moreover, the underlying photocatalytic mechanism is proposed on the basis of Mott-Schottky study and explains the interfacial charge transfer process from ZnO to CNTs and Sr. This work open new strategies to synthesize CNTs based nanocomposite for hydrogen evolution.