title: Investigation of respiratory surfactant A protein in middle ear epithelium

authors: Cecire, Anthony

subjects: Surfactant A protein

abstract: Introduction: The middle ear of mammals is an air-chamber required for sound transmission. It is lined by an epithelium which is variable but which resembles that of the lungs. Lung function depends upon surfactant which is a family of surfactant proteins which have an important role in breathing as well as infection control. Given that both the middle ear and the lungs can suffer collapse as well as infection, it is worth exploring whether surfactant protein is expressed throughout the middle ear in any manner analogous to that in the lung.
Materials and methods: Our study has used simple histological stains to study cell and tissue morphology of the rodent middle ear. We used immunohistochemistry and protein electrophoresis to identify surfactant A protein as well as four cytokeratins expressed in lung cells.
Results: We have demonstrated that surfactant protein A is indeed expressed in the middle ear and that there are cells which have a protein cytokeratin expression consistent with surfactant production and other cells whose cytokeratin expression reflects a likely role in gas exchange. Our research has also confirmed the presence of surfactant in the bone marrow spaces adjacent to the middle ear as well as other tissues reflecting its diverse roles. This also suggests a role in local and innate immunity. A novel finding was the presence of communications between the marrow spaces and the mouse middle ear cavity.
Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a need for further work to assess the anatomical and topographical distribution of surfactant A protein throughout the variety of cell types within the middle ear. This will help to understand better the interaction of the various cell types in regard to the local and innate immunity of the middle ear as well as its gas exchange function.

text: Investigation of respiratory surfactant A protein in middle ear epithelium Introduction: The middle ear of mammals is an air-chamber required for sound transmission. It is lined by an epithelium which is variable but which resembles that of the lungs. Lung function depends upon surfactant which is a family of surfactant proteins which have an important role in breathing as well as infection control. Given that both the middle ear and the lungs can suffer collapse as well as infection, it is worth exploring whether surfactant protein is expressed throughout the middle ear in any manner analogous to that in the lung.
Materials and methods: Our study has used simple histological stains to study cell and tissue morphology of the rodent middle ear. We used immunohistochemistry and protein electrophoresis to identify surfactant A protein as well as four cytokeratins expressed in lung cells.
Results: We have demonstrated that surfactant protein A is indeed expressed in the middle ear and that there are cells which have a protein cytokeratin expression consistent with surfactant production and other cells whose cytokeratin expression reflects a likely role in gas exchange. Our research has also confirmed the presence of surfactant in the bone marrow spaces adjacent to the middle ear as well as other tissues reflecting its diverse roles. This also suggests a role in local and innate immunity. A novel finding was the presence of communications between the marrow spaces and the mouse middle ear cavity.
Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a need for further work to assess the anatomical and topographical distribution of surfactant A protein throughout the variety of cell types within the middle ear. This will help to understand better the interaction of the various cell types in regard to the local and innate immunity of the middle ear as well as its gas exchange function.

year: 2020

title: The crisis in food price data

authors: Gibson, John

subjects: price

abstract: Many studies estimate impacts of higher food prices on consumer welfare. Yet reliable data on real welfare levels in poor countries are rare since surveys prioritize collecting nominal living standards data over price data. Narrower questions about the impacts of prices on food quantity consumed and on the availability of nutrients are poorly answered. Most studies ignore coping responses that involve downgrading food quality to maintain quantity and therefore overstate nutritionally harmful effects of rising prices. A full accounting for the impacts of food prices on food security requires spatially detailed food price data and household survey data on both the quantity and the quality of foods. Surprisingly few developing countries have these required data.

text: The crisis in food price data Many studies estimate impacts of higher food prices on consumer welfare. Yet reliable data on real welfare levels in poor countries are rare since surveys prioritize collecting nominal living standards data over price data. Narrower questions about the impacts of prices on food quantity consumed and on the availability of nutrients are poorly answered. Most studies ignore coping responses that involve downgrading food quality to maintain quantity and therefore overstate nutritionally harmful effects of rising prices. A full accounting for the impacts of food prices on food security requires spatially detailed food price data and household survey data on both the quantity and the quality of foods. Surprisingly few developing countries have these required data.

year: 2013

title: A critical analysis of Section 27 of the Sentencing Act (2002)

authors: Oakley, Tara Joan

subjects: Section 27

abstract: This thesis analyses the effectiveness of Section 27 of the Sentencing Act (2002) in achieving its primary objective of addressing the high rate of Māori incarceration. This problem largely stems from the destruction of Māori culture through colonisation and is held in place by systemic and institutional racism in the contemporary context. Theoretically, Section 27 provides a mechanism to off-set the societal dislocation and disadvantage Māori have experienced as a result of colonialism, crime control policies and urbanisation.

Analysis of the operational reality of Section 27 focused on the following questions:
•	Is Section 27 being utilised as intended by legislation?
•	What are the underlying rationale and reasons why the Section is utilised by Court officials?
•	What are the underlying rationale and reasons why the Section is not utilised by Court officials?
•	What changes to legislation, policy or institutional practice are required to enhance the use of Section 27?
The research involved qualitative interviews of eight lawyers from two different geographic locations in New Zealand, and four cultural consultants (those employed to write professional Section 27 reports). Their responses were analysed and grouped into three different themes: benefits, barriers, and improvement to legislation and practice.  

Major findings of the research include positive outcomes such as improved community re-engagement for offenders and improved sentencing outcomes. On the other hand, however, there is an inconsistency of use of Section 27, as well as a variable impact when it is used during the sentencing process. This inconsistency appears due to a lack of cultural knowledge and understanding within the court system. Thus, there is a need for cultural education of those working within the court system and for the development of a framework and guidelines.  For this to be imbedded as a consistent practice for use in sentencing decisions it needs to be backed up with adequate government funding and legislative and policy support.

text: A critical analysis of Section 27 of the Sentencing Act (2002) This thesis analyses the effectiveness of Section 27 of the Sentencing Act (2002) in achieving its primary objective of addressing the high rate of Māori incarceration. This problem largely stems from the destruction of Māori culture through colonisation and is held in place by systemic and institutional racism in the contemporary context. Theoretically, Section 27 provides a mechanism to off-set the societal dislocation and disadvantage Māori have experienced as a result of colonialism, crime control policies and urbanisation.

Analysis of the operational reality of Section 27 focused on the following questions:
•	Is Section 27 being utilised as intended by legislation?
•	What are the underlying rationale and reasons why the Section is utilised by Court officials?
•	What are the underlying rationale and reasons why the Section is not utilised by Court officials?
•	What changes to legislation, policy or institutional practice are required to enhance the use of Section 27?
The research involved qualitative interviews of eight lawyers from two different geographic locations in New Zealand, and four cultural consultants (those employed to write professional Section 27 reports). Their responses were analysed and grouped into three different themes: benefits, barriers, and improvement to legislation and practice.  

Major findings of the research include positive outcomes such as improved community re-engagement for offenders and improved sentencing outcomes. On the other hand, however, there is an inconsistency of use of Section 27, as well as a variable impact when it is used during the sentencing process. This inconsistency appears due to a lack of cultural knowledge and understanding within the court system. Thus, there is a need for cultural education of those working within the court system and for the development of a framework and guidelines.  For this to be imbedded as a consistent practice for use in sentencing decisions it needs to be backed up with adequate government funding and legislative and policy support.

year: 2020