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Social emotional learning (SEL) aims to promote student well-being, including healthy relationships that are free from harm like gender-based-violence (GBV). We investigated U.S. SEL policy through the lens of GBV, and how policy in the New York State (NYS) context operates to actualize or constrain SEL aims. To do so, we developed and applied a novel feminist critical policy analysis (FCPA) heuristic. Key findings revealed that the NYS policy neglected to address GBV experienced by adolescent girls, and the overall absent presence of gender within the policy underscores concern for implementable SEL best practices. We conclude with implications for research, policy, and practice.

The late December sun blushes on the western horizon as I walk home along Toronto's Don River trail. 2020 will be over in a few days--my first year back after [...]

AbstractThis paper explores the definition of, and perceived community attitudes, toward kudanga, a Swahili street term for a type of transactional sex practised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Rooted in economic and gender disparity, transactional sex increases adolescent girls’ and young women’s vulnerability to HIV and gender-based violence. We sought to understand perceived community attitudes about kudanga, and how the internalisation of norms surrounding gender-based violence relate to the experiences of young women who practise kudanga. Using qualitative data from focus group discussions with 37 young women, we found that community perceptions of kudanga were largely negative, and those who engaged in it were looked down upon and despised. Violence and lack of sexual agency were normalised when doing kudanga. However, young women understood kudanga to often be their best option to obtain economic stability and felt strongly that those who practised kudanga should not be stigmatised. Our research provides further evidence that transactional sex exists on a continuum and highlights the importance of reducing community stigma surrounding transactional sex as a means of decreasing risk of HIV and gender-based violence for young women. To our knowledge, this article is the first to explore kudanga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Social emotional learning (SEL) aims to promote student well-being, including healthy relationships that are free from harm like gender-based-violence (GBV). We investigated U.S. SEL policy through the lens of GBV, and how policy in the New York State (NYS) context operates to actualize or constrain SEL aims. To do so, we developed and applied a novel feminist critical policy analysis (FCPA) heuristic. Key findings revealed that the NYS policy neglected to address GBV experienced by adolescent girls, and the overall absent presence of gender within the policy underscores concern for implementable SEL best practices. We conclude with implications for research, policy, and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elizabeth Greene Toronto: Inanna Publications and Education, 2018. REVIEWED BY KATE ROGERS In its first sentence, the novel A Season Among Psychics entices the reader with empathy, wit, and anticipation: [...]

We investigated responses of adult, novice practitioners (n = 9) to an 8-week traditional mat Pilates program (P) that met 1 hr/day three times/week. Classes consisted primarily of beginner and intermediate level exercises. Compared to an active control group (C; n = 13) that showed no improvements, those in P significantly (p less than 0.05) improved relative body fat (-1.2%BF), sit-and-reach (+7.5 cm), shoulder reach (+6.9 cm), curl-up (+14 reps), and low back extension (+7 reps) scores, as well as circumferences at the waist (-2.7 cm), chest (-1.7 cm), and arm (-0.5 cm). Baseline differences were noted only for curl-ups and low back extensions, with P being lower than C. Body composition, muscular endurance, and flexibility significantly improved after 8 weeks of traditional mat Pilates. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Box 1 The Global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health (2016-2030) Objectives of the global strategy: * Survive: end preventable mortality; * Thrive: promote health and well-being; and * [...]

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF), an autoimmune reaction to Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes; Strep A) infection, can cause rheumatic heart disease (RHD). New formulations of long-acting penicillins are being developed for secondary prophylaxis of ARF and RHD.Objectives: To evaluate the penicillin G concentrations required to suppress growth of Strep A.Methods: Broth microdilution MIC and MBC for Strep A strains M75611024, M1T15448 and M18MGAS8232 were determined. All strains were studied in a hollow fibre model (initial inoculum 4 log10 cfu/mL). Constant penicillin G concentrations of 0.008, 0.016 and 0.05 mg/L were examined against all strains, plus 0.012 mg/L against M18MGAS8232. Viable counts were determined over 144 h. Subsequently, all penicillin G-treated cartridges were emptied, reinoculated with 5 log10 cfu/mL and counts determined over a further 144 h. Mathematical modelling was performed.Results: MIC and MBC were 0.008 mg/L for all strains; small subpopulations of M75611024 and M1T15448, but not M18MGAS8232, grew at 1× MIC. Following the first inoculation, 0.008 mg/L achieved limited killing and/or stasis against M75611024 and M1T15448, with subsequent growth to ∼6 log10 cfu/mL. Following both inocula, concentrations ≥0.016 mg/L suppressed M75611024 and M1T15448 to <1 log10 cfu/mL from 6 h onwards with eradication. Concentrations ≥0.008 mg/L suppressed M18MGAS8232 to <1 log10 cfu/mL from 24 h onwards with eradication after both inoculations. Mathematical modelling well described all strains using a single set of parameter estimates, except for different maximum bacterial concentrations and proportions of bacteria growing at 1× MIC.Conclusions: In the absence of validated animal and human challenge models, the study provides guidance on penicillin G target concentrations for development of new penicillin formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the mid-20th century activities of three Western eugenists, this paper will demonstrate that there was a concerted, and ultimately successful, transnational effort to keep the eugenics movement alive during its most socially unacceptable period. I will argue that this success rested on the ability of eugenists to fuse the mid-century image and ideology of eugenics with respectable medical and public health agendas, and align this new adaptation of eugenics with the then increasingly fashionable social issues of democracy, environmentalism and family. Further to this, I will tentatively question the future bio-ethical implications of this historical reinterpretation., What became of the eugenics movement? For the great majority of us, the comfortable answer is that the ideology died a death some time during the mid-20th century. Supporting evidence [...]

Sonia Di Placido Toronto: Guernica Editions, 2018 REVIEWED BY KATE ROGERS At its best, poet Sonia Di Placido's Flesh is visceral. Associations tumble loose like the innards of a gutted [...]