bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indigenising Knowledge Base for Consequential Education in Ethiopia – A Conceptual Model
Authors: Janetius S.T. , Workie Bekele , Mini T. C.
Published: July 2017

The uniqueness of Ethiopian socio-cultural environment creates challenges for teachers and scholars due to the questionable accuracy and applicability of Euro-American theories and concepts that are being taught in various disciplines in Ethiopia. How far cross-cultural theories have soundness for universal application? How far Euro-American theories are unassailable in Ethiopian cultural context? These are some of the exigent questions often raised by scholarly teachers, educationists as well as critical students in search of consequential education.

Consequential education is a process of learning where the teacher encourages critical examination of multiple sources of knowledge and theories in diverse learning styles with the intention that the acquired knowledge is centred, located, oriented, and grounded on the learner’s culture, which could be applied, translated appropriately by the learner and thus be well equipped to be productive locally and globally. In view of enhancing consequential education by indigenising the local knowledge base in Ethiopia, the objectives of this paper are twofold: i) Identify key constructs, components and obstacles for indigenising Ethiopian knowledge base; ii) Prepare a conceptual model of indigenization for consequential education in Ethiopia.

This qualitative study used a mixture of ethnography and phenomenology methods to collect data. Specifically, Delphi debate, brainstorming, storytelling/informal conversation and document analysis were used. The study identified many local cultural constructs that need extensive research so that local knowledge base could be established and local theories formulated. In view of this, the need for qualitative Ethiocentric (Ethiopia based) research is highlighted. A few myths were spotted out that are the barriers to indigenising knowledge base in Ethiopia. Inspired by the findings, the authors propose a Pyramid Model of Indigenization for Consequential Education in Ethiopia.
Neuron-specific enolase, histopathological types, and age as risk factors for bone metastases in lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Yang , Chen Wen-Zhao , Peng Ai-Fen , Tong Wei-Lai , Liu Jia-Ming , Liu Zhi-Li
Published: July 2017

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high metastatic ability and bone is the most common site of distant metastasis of it. However, the independent risk factors for bone metastases of lung cancer remain largely to be elucidated. Here, we conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the correlation between clinical–pathological parameters, serum levels of neuron-specific enolase and CYFRA21-1, and bone metastases in lung cancer patients. The results revealed that patients with bone metastases were younger than those without metastases. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent type of histopathology in patients with bone metastases. And the incidence of bone metastasis in patients with adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than those with other histopathological subtypes ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, the serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase was significantly higher in patients with bone lesions than those without bone metastases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients’ age (odds ratio = 1.024, p < 0.001), concentrations of neuron-specific enolase (odds ratio = 1.212, p = 0.004), and histopathological types (odds ratio = 0.995, p = 0.001) were the independent risk factors for bone metastases in patients with lung cancer. Thus, physicians should pay attention to these factors in order to identify bone metastasis earlier while patient was primarily diagnosed as having lung cancer.
Clinicopathological significance of c-MYC in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lian Yu , Niu Xiangdong , Cai Hui , Yang Xiaojun , Ma Haizhong , Ma Shixun , Zhang Yupeng , Chen Yifeng
Published: July 2017

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors. The oncogene c-MYC is thought to be important in the initiation, promotion, and therapy resistance of cancer. In this study, we aim to investigate the clinicopathologic roles of c-MYC in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue. This study is aimed at discovering and analyzing c-MYC expression in a series of human esophageal tissues. A total of 95 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma samples were analyzed by the western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques. Then, correlation of c-MYC expression with clinicopathological features of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients was statistically analyzed. In most esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases, the c-MYC expression was positive in tumor tissues. The positive rate of c-MYC expression in tumor tissues was 61.05%, obviously higher than the adjacent normal tissues (8.42%, 8/92) and atypical hyperplasia tissues (19.75%, 16/95). There was a statistical difference among adjacent normal tissues, atypical hyperplasia tissues, and tumor tissues. Overexpression of the c-MYC was detected in 61.05% (58/95) esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, which was significantly correlated with the degree of differentiation (p = 0.004). The positive rate of c-MYC expression was 40.0% in well-differentiated esophageal tissues, with a significantly statistical difference (p = 0.004). The positive rate of c-MYC was 41.5% in T1 + T2 esophageal tissues and 74.1% in T3 + T4 esophageal tissues, with a significantly statistical difference (p = 0.001). The positive rate of c-MYC was 45.0% in I + II esophageal tissues and 72.2% in III + IV esophageal tissues, with a significantly statistical difference (p = 0.011). The c-MYC expression strongly correlated with clinical staging (p = 0.011), differentiation degree (p = 0.004), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.003), and invasion depth (p = 0.001) of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The c-MYC was differentially expressed in a series of human esophageal tissues, and the aberrant c-MYC expression could be a potential factor in carcinogenesis and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There was a statistical signification for c-MYC in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients to analyze clinicopathological features. It possibly becomes a new diagnostic indicator of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
XPNPEP2 is overexpressed in cervical cancer and promotes cervical cancer metastasis
Authors: Cheng Teng , Wei Rui , Jiang Guiying , Zhou Ying , Lv Mengqin , Dai Yun , Yuan Yuan , Luo Danfeng , Ma Ding , Li Fei , Xi Ling
Published: July 2017

XPNPEP2 is a proline hydrolytic enzyme that hydrolyzes several biologically active peptides and causes a loss of substrate activity. However, its function in cancer is still unknown. Our study showed that XPNPEP2 expression was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer tissues compared with normal cervical tissues and cervical intraepithelial neoplasm tissues. Statistical analysis showed that XPNPEP2 expression was associated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of XPNPEP2 in SiHa and HeLa cells promoted cell invasion and migration without affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that XPNPEP2 facilitated cervical cancer cell invasion and migration by inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we demonstrated that XPNPEP2 had significant effects on the metastasis of xenografted tumors in vivo. Collectively, our findings identify the novel function of XPNPEP2 in the metastasis of cervical cancer and suggest that XPNPEP2 could be a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Environmental Adventures — A One of a Kind Experience
Authors: Bachert Russel E.
Published: July 2017

Camp directors have known for a long time the value of camping for youth. Along with the home, camp is an “ideal educational setting.” Young people eager for new experiences live around the clock in small groups with a concerned and loving staff, sharing and growing together in Nature's great outdoor classroom. It is an excellent climate for social, emotional and intellectual growth. This article describes one such camp program for g/c/t youngsters.
Preventing Burnout in Teachers of the Gifted
Authors: Dettmer Peggy
Published: July 2017

The position of a gifted education staff person is high-profile. Inherent in the role are pressures, demands, and criticisms which can lead to burnout. Teacher burnout is debilitating in its personal and professional effects; therefore, teachers of the gifted must capitalize on their strengths and learn strategies for coping with high-visibility roles and often inflated expectations of others. Furthermore, administrators must support and encourage these teachers as they endeavor to provide differentiated learning experiences for gifted students.
Doodling Leads to…
Authors: Patton Rob
Published: July 2017

Our sixth grade probe class for gifted children has been studying inventors. We were to write a non-fiction article and learn the process of submitting an article. Instead of writing about my inventor, I chose to write about the connection between creative thinking and visual illustration of ideas. Many parents and teachers do not see this connection. Maybe my article will help.
From Our Readers: Not in the Garden of Eden
Authors: Perry Phyllis J. , Hoback John R.
Published: July 2017

Beginning with the Tree of Knowledge, growing in the Garden of Eden bearing its dangerous fruit, the Bible is filled with one agricultural metaphor after another. Borrowing this device can illuminate some of our current challenges in providing programming for talented and gifted students. The “school of hard knocks,” is wild and uncultivated. By contrast, formal schooling needs to be as well-planned and carried out as a modern day truck farm of multiple produce. Meeting the needs of talented and gifted students in the regular classroom in the 1980's cannot be left to the happenstances of nature. The competent truck farmer produces blue-ribbon strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables. But that farmer recognizes both the similarities and differences in the needs of each of these very distinct (and sometimes delicate) flora. In climate, some need cool shade while others need warm sunlight. In nutrition, some need alkaline soil while others need acidic. Some need fertilizer while blooming; others need to be left alone.
Discovery Ideas For the Gifted
Authors: Elgersma Robert
Published: July 2017

This is the sixth in a series of discovery ideas and projects which require that students study in depth. While the topics are generally suitable for elementary and middle school students, teachers must judge appropriateness for individual students. The following items are in an easy-to-use, “reproduce, cut, and distribute” format, and permission is granted for reproduction of this page for classroom use. Items on these pages are on a variety of topics that are math-related.
How FPS Helps Underachieving Gifted Students
Authors: Rimm Sylvia , Olenchak F. Richard
Published: July 2017

I recall very clearly Dr. Torrance's announcement at the first World Conference in London of his first plans for Future Problem Solving. At that time, I sensed that he saw FPS as a vehicle to enhance creative thinking for all gifted students, whether or not they were achieving in our schools. His concern was for disadvantaged gifted as well as for middle-class students. FPS is a route to encouraging children who may not be achieving in school. The creative and competitive dynamics of FPS provide exactly the school experiences needed to help underachievers feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence. — SR
Dialogue on Creativity
Authors: Hoogendoorn Gail E.
Published: July 2017

This presentation was made before the faculty of education at Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Included in the discussion were Dr. Mona Abou Senna and Dr. Mourad Wahba, originators of the project in the Egyptian schools to revise the curriculum.
Gifted and Denied
Authors: Olague Diana Ortegon
Published: July 2017

My third-grade teacher reads a poem. I smile, delighted to spend the afternoon immersed in literature until the teacher comes to an unfamiliar word. What is that word? I scan my classmates. They appear content and seem to understand the lesson. Why don't I? I slide down into my desk as the others excitedly wave their arms in the air hoping to participate in an animated discussion of the story. Why do I always feel so stupid and locked out of the secrets words possess?

I am an Hispanic. I somehow extended the limited vocabulary I controlled as a child to succeed in school and college. Of course, a high aptitude and strong perseverance helped me emerge. However, my lack of useful terminology embarrassed me, and I worked twice as hard to compensate. I wanted to bridge the vocabulary gap that interfered with my opportunities to flourish, but escaping this handicap proved difficult. My brain stored information in two languages. Retrieving accurate terminology took longer for me. Some words I knew only in Spanish; some words I never experienced at all. No one in elementary school believed I was smart. Teachers only saw the deficiencies. No one gave me a chance to blossom or to share my own unique and enhanced qualities. Yet, I know now that I was smart, and all my A's in college philosophy and math verified this. Still, I was locked out of the secrets the world held.
Large-Scale Sparse Singular Value Computations
Authors: Berry Michael W.
Published: July 2017

We present four numerical methods for computing the singular value decomposition (SVD) of large sparse matrices on a multiprocessor architecture. We emphasize Lanczos and subspace iteration-based methods for determining several of the largest singular triplets (singular values and corresponding left- and right-singular vectors) for sparse matrices arising from two practical applications: information retrieval and seismic reflection tomography. The target architectures for our implementations are the CRAY-2S/4–128 and Alliant FX/80. The sparse SVD problem is well motivated by recent information-retrieval techniques in which dominant singular values and their corresponding singular vectors of large sparse term-document matrices are desired, and by nonlinear inverse problems from seismic tomography applications which require approximate pseudo-inverses of large sparse Jacobian matrices. This research may help advance the development of future out-of-core sparse SVD methods, which can be used, for example, to handle extremely large sparse matrices 0 × (106) rows or columns associated with extremely large databases in query-based information-retrieval applications.
Rickettsial Infections around the World, Part 1: Pathophysiology and the Spotted Fever Group
Authors: Wu Jashin J. , Huang David B. , Pang Katie R. , Tyring Stephen K.
Published: July 2017

Background:

The rickettsial diseases are an important group of infectious agents that have dermatological manifestations. These diseases are important to consider in endemic areas, but in certain suspicious cases, possible acts of bioterrorism should warrant prompt notification of the appropriate authorities.

Objective:

In this two part review article, we review these diverse diseases by examining established and up-to-date information about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the ricksettsiae.

Methods:

Using PubMed to search for relevant articles, we browsed over 500 articles to compose a clinically based review article.

Results:

Part one focuses on pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases and the clinical aspects of the spotted fever group.

Conclusions:

At the completion of part one of this learning activity, participants should be able to discuss all of the clinical manifestations and treatments of the sported fever group. Participants should also be familiar with the pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases.
Combination Oral Prednisone and Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Scleromyxedema
Authors: Majeski Candace , Taher Muba , Grewal Parbeer , Dytoc Marlene , Lauzon Gilles
Published: July 2017

Background:

Scleromyxedema is a clinical variant of the rare disease papular mucinosis that has both cutaneous and systemic manifestations. Treatment options are numerous and tend to be associated with serious potential side effects and frequent relapse.

Objective:

We report a case of scleromyxedema treated with low-dose oral prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). This is followed by a review of the literature.

Conclusion:

IVIg is being used for a growing number of inflammatory and immune disorders. It is being increasingly reported as a successful treatment for scleromyxedema. Although our patient succumbed to the disease, combination therapy with prednisone and IVIg provided temporary symptomatic, laboratory, and clinical improvement of the condition. Optimization of this therapeutic strategy is thus indicated for the management of scleromyxedema.
Remaking Guangzhou: Geo-Identity and Place-Making on Sina Weibo
Authors: Wang Wilfred Yang
Published: July 2017

This study uses the concept of ‘place-making’ to consider the formation of geo-identity on Sina Weibo, one of the most popular microblogging services in China. Besides articulating state-public confrontation during major social controversies, Weibo has been used to recollect and re-narrate the memories of a city, such as Guangzhou, where dramatic social and cultural changes took place during the economic reform era. This study aims to explore how Weibo sustains political engagement through maintaining Guangzhou people's sense of belonging to their city. By collecting data from a Weibo group over a period of twelve months, I argue that Weibo politics not only takes place during a contentious events, but is sustained within the realm of everyday life. This study has the potential to contribute to the limited knowledge of Weibo use during non-contentious period in China, hence broadening the notion of popular polity in the age of social media.
Revisiting the Scenario of Representation of Politics
Authors: Reilly Susan Smith
Published: July 2017

In the first democratic election after 25 years of military rule, Brazilians elected a young unknown politician who was impeached for corruption before his first term of office was over. Based on Stuart Hall's concept of scenarios of representation in media that play a constitutive role in social life, Venicio de Lima, a professor of political science and communication at the University of Brasilia, proposed that Collor's campaign was built around the dramatic narratives in popular telenovelas in which young heroes successfully challenged authority. Lima contends that scenarios of representation of politics are effective in media-centric consumer cultures that rely on advertising for both products and politics. In this article, New York Times journalist Frank Rich demonstrates that the themes of popular drama can provide counter-hegemonic readings of political events, called for by Lima as part of the democratic process. Rich, a former theatre critic, used his knowledge of popular culture to critique the US war in Iraq.
The Proprietorial Model
Authors: Day Mark
Published: July 2017

Mark Day puts the case for the proprietorial model of newspaper publishing, starting with a very simple proposition: that without Rupert Murdoch as an old-fashioned proprietor, we wouldn't have had The Australian 50 years ago and we wouldn't have it today.
The Revolution in Political Cartoons and the Early Australian
Authors: Phiddian Robert
Published: July 2017

In the 1960s, Australian political cartoons were transformed by three events: the arrival of Les Tanner at The Bulletin after Donald Horne was put in charge by Frank Packer; the radically new style and content of Bruce Petty's cartoons during The Australian's first decade; and the later development of a stable of cartoonists at The Age. In this period, the now common assumption that cartoonists are ‘always left-wing’ came into being – an obvious irony given the career arcs of proprietors like Packer and Rupert Murdoch. This article focuses on the middle part of this narrative, the impact of Bruce Petty's visually and politically radical cartooning for The Australian from day one. In what ways does Petty's work incarnate the anti-establishment ‘ethos’ of the young newspaper? What were the visual and political consequences for other broadsheets? How did this ‘left-wing’ impetus end at The Australian and live on in other papers?
Media Histories
Authors: O'Regan Tom , Walmsley-Evans Huw
Published: July 2017

If the first section of this Australian Media History issue of MIA focused on the first 50 years of The Australian newspaper, this second section, Media Histories, provides a general selection of articles covering different aspects of Australian media history. Designed to represent the several contemporary trends in Australian media history scholarship, this state-of-the-discipline collection covers a range of media and time periods. It shows how capacious and heterogeneous media history can be, and how indispensible – whether for the examination of media institutions and their regulation, media's intersections with politics and memories, media coverage of racial and ethnic differences across sport, food and national policy, or media's taking up of science with weather forecasting.
Implicit polyphony: A framework for understanding cultural complexity
Authors: Klempe Sven Hroar
Published: July 2017

Musical terms like ‘polyphony’ are often applied in psychology and other disciplines in a more or less metaphorical way. However, this article investigates how polyphony can be applied in a non-metaphorical manner, i.e. in the same way, as it is understood in musicology. The fundamental hypothesis is that music represents a basic capacity of the human mind, and that this has impact on other human capacities, like language. If so, this should be traceable in different ways in different cultures. To investigate this, ‘implicit polyphony’ is launched as a term that refers to music, which is melodic, but at the same time reveals a more or less hidden polyphonic structure. This musical phenomenon is demonstrated by examples from Bach and Ravel. It is demonstrated that polyphony is at the core of music, not only in Western classical music, but also African and other ethnical music. Implicit polyphony defined as two voices condensed into one is also found in Norwegian Sámi music. The latter leads to a conclusion, which says that continuity in music is related to verticality. Investigations in linguistics show that the oral use of language is highly comparable with implicit polyphony in music. The same is modernistic literature where the aim has been to turn language into music, as in parts of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. By bringing in examples of lexical and conceptual blending, the final conclusion is that ‘implicit polyphony’ may serve as a tool for understanding the complexity in human thinking and culture.
Birth Weight Distribution as an Indicator of Environmental Effects on Fetal Development
Authors: Ericson Anders , Eriksson Margareta , Källén Bengt , Meirik Olav
Published: July 2017

A medical birth registry was used for a geographical analysis of birth weight distribution. Nearly 900 000 Swedish singleton births, 1973–1981, were used for an analysis of the effect of some variables and for standardization for these variables. A marked change in the rate of low birth weight infants (LBW, <2 500 g) was seen in the country between 1976 and 1977. A U-formed effect of maternal age and of parity was demonstrated. A marked interaction between the effects of these two variables existed. Two social groups were compared and the well-known high rate of LBW infants associated with low socioeconomic conditions was demonstrated. Standardization for the variables mentioned influenced this effect only little but reduced the difference between the social groups concerning infants above 3.5 kg weight. The background data were used for analysis of restricted geographical areas.
Home Accidents among Children and Teenagers in a Swedish Rural Municipality
Authors: Jacobsson B. , Schelp L.
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate home accidents among children and teenagers with regard to incidence and severity and to compare the accident rate at home with that of nursing homes/day-care centres. All accidents in the age group 0–19 years, in a defined population, were, during a period of one year, registered at public care centres. Our findings show that home accidents contributed to 26% of all accidents in the age group 0–19 and about 10% of all health care consumption. The accident rate decreased with age. The severity was about the same as in other accidents. 10% were hospitalized. When time of exposure had been taken into consideration there was no difference as to incidence between the accident rate at home as compared with the rate in nursing homes/day-care centres. When comparing with studies in the past there seems to be a lower rate of home accidents which can be explained by secular changes and local preventive measures.
Ben Wallace
Authors: McMullan Ed
Published: July 2017

The Case Study section of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves two purposes. First, the case studies presented are concerned with problematical issues that are pertinent to students of entrepreneurship. Thus they constitute appropriate teaching and learning vehicles on a variety of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Each case study is accompanied by a set of guidelines for the use of tutors. Second, it is envisaged that those engaged in entrepreneurial activities will find the cases both interesting and useful.
How neoliberal globalization is shaping early childhood education policies in India, China, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Authors: Gupta Amita
Published: July 2017

In rapidly globalizing systems of schooling around the world, economic considerations have led to a push to impose neoliberal reforms in the field of education. Under this influence early childhood education and teacher education in Asia have increasingly become positioned as regulated markets governed by neoliberal policies, leading to peak activities in privatization, consumerism, standardization and high-stakes testing. This article, based on a series of qualitative inquiries, presents a review of recent early childhood policies in India, China, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The impact of the policies on pedagogy is discussed within the frameworks of neoliberal globalization and postcolonial theory, emphasizing the growing need to recognize the third space of pedagogical hybridity in classrooms that are becoming increasingly multicultural and global.
Prospective Pilot Study Comparing the Need for Adaptive Radiotherapy in Unresected Bulky Disease and in Postoperative Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Mahmoud Omar , Reis Isildinha M. , Samuels Michael M. , Elsayyad Nagy , Bossart Elizabeth , Both Joseph , ELGhoneimy Ehsan , Moustafa Magda , AbdAllah Mohamed , Takita Cristiane
Published: July 2017

Background:

Adaptive radiotherapy is being used in few institutions in patients with head and neck cancer having bulky disease using periodic computed tomography imaging accounting for volumetric changes in tumor volume and/or weight loss. Limited data are available on ART in the postoperative setting. We aim to identify parameters that would predict the need for ART in patients with head and neck cancer and whether ART should be applied in postoperative setting.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty patients with stage III–IV head and neck cancer were prospectively accrued. A computed tomography simulation was done prior to treatment and repeated at weeks 3 and 6 of concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The final plan was coregistered with the subsequent computed tomography images, and dosimetric/volumetric changes at weeks 1 (baseline), 3, and 6 were quantified in high-risk clinical target volumes, low-risk clinical target volumes , right parotid , left parotid , and spinal cord . An event to trigger ART was defined as spinal cord maximum dose >45 Gy, parotid mean dose >26 Gy, and clinical target volume coverage <95%.

Results:

Comparing the 2 groups, the proportion of patients with at least 1 event triggering ART was higher in bulky disease than in postoperative group: 72.7% versus 18.2% ( P = .03) overall; 54.6% versus 1.8% ( P = .064) at week 3; and 63.6% versus 18.2% ( P = .081) at week 6. In the bulky disease group, 8 of 11 patients had events at week 3 and/or 6 as follows: overdose in spinal cord (n = 2), right parotid (n = 3), left parotid (n = 5), coverage < 95% seen in low-risk clinical target volumes (n = 3), and high-risk clinical target volumes (n = 5). In the postoperative group, 2 of 11 patients had events: spinal cord (n = 1) and low-risk clinical target volume (n = 1).

Conclusion:

Our study confirmed the need for ART in patients with head and neck cancer having bulky disease due to target under dosing and/or spinal cord/parotids overdosing in weeks 3 and 6. In contrast, the benefit of ART in postoperative patients is less clear.
Ultrasound of Tendon Disease
Authors: O'Connor P J
Published: July 2017

Tendon diseases are a protean group of conditions resulting from a number of aetiologies. Overuse syndromes related to sporting activity are the most common causes with the lower limb more frequently affected than the upper limb. Inflammatory arthritides and entheseal disorders should also be considered in the differential diagnosis when imaging tendon disease. The course of mechanical tendon disease varies somewhat dependant on the aetiological factors present, once these are appreciated the pattern of progression becomes more predictable. This article aims to give the reader an understanding of the disease process and its ultrasound Imaging appearances with discussion of the relative merits of ultrasound verses MRI.
Ultrasound Assessment of the Liver in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Williams Stuart M , Lindsell David RM
Published: July 2017

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic multi-system disorder in which there is an underlying defect in the transport of ions across cell membranes. A variety of mutations in the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene result in a failure of chloride channel activity in epithelial tissues.[1,2] Clinical effects are manifest in lung, pancreas, liver, gastrointestinal tract and the male reproductive system. In the past, the pulmonary manifestations have predominated in terms of morbidity and mortality. However, the treatment of progressive lung disease in CF has improved greatly in recent years, with a resultant increase in patient life expectancy. This has lead to an increased focus on evaluating and delaying disease-related damage to other organs[3].
Controlled Active Extension Programme in Association with Dynamic Splinting for Extensor Tendon Reconstruction Zones III–VIII
Authors: Ranelli Sonia
Published: July 2017

This case study outlines the surgical and physiotherapy management of a delayed extensor tendon reconstruction of the right hand in zones III–VIII
Okihiro Syndrome
Authors: Peck Fiona , Kennedy Sue
Published: July 2017

Okihiro Syndrome is the name given to an autosomal dominant, inherited congenital syndrome, characterised by Duane anomaly (a limitation in ocular mobility) and radial ray defects, ranging from thenar hypoplasia to complete absence of the thumb and radial dysplasia. Other associated anomalies include urino-genital and other skeletal spinal abnormalities and deafness. This paper illustrates the syndrome in two generations, i.e. father and two of his offspring and describes the therapeutic management of the radial dysplasia.
Manpower Survey of Australian Medical Record Administrators
Authors: Booker Carolyn I.
Published: July 2017

A survey was carried out of all graduates of NSW and Victorian Schools of medical record administration prior to 1985. Manpower statistics were collected on three groups: Those respondents employed in positions in which their medical record skills were used, those not using medical record skills in their employment, and those not employed. Information collected included age, retention rates for each graduating year, area of employment and position, State in which employed, reasons for leaving the medical record field, and intention to return to the field. Figures collected also allowed MRA to population and MRA to public hospital bed ratios to be calculated.
The Introduction of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries in Queensland
Authors: Walker Sue , Lloyd Sheree , Parisi Josie , Sirvio Sari
Published: July 2017

The management of cancer data is an expanding area of interest and employment for medical record administrators in Queensland. This is largely due to the software package and support network for hospital-based cancer registries that has been developed by the Data Management Unit of the Epidemiology and Prevention Unit in the State Health Department. The package is offered to any hospital interested in setting up and maintaining their own cancer data base and is completely compatible with the information requirements of the Queensland population-based registry. This paper describes the development of a hospital-based cancer registry system and the involvement of medical record administrators in cancer registry data management. (AMRJ 19(1), 6–8).
Adapting DRGs: The British, Canadian and Australian Experiences
Authors: Pilla John , Hindle Don
Published: July 2017

The DRG classification was developed in the United States, and has been widely used there for analytical and resource allocation purposes. Its utility has been recognised in other countries. Some have adopted US versions without change, and others have chosen to develop their own adaptations.

This paper discusses the processes and outcomes of adaptation in Canada, Britain and Australia. An attempt is made to generalise the trends. It is concluded that there is a high degree of similarity of intent, although different solutions have been adopted in some cases. Where major differences remain, they are mostly a consequence of the lack of resources to pursue all opportunities for refinement at the same time.

All three countries have correctly focused on involvement of their own clinician groups. However, they have tended to restrict their view to US experiences when looking overseas. It is argued that greater attention should be paid to sharing their ideas with countries with which they have a greater degree of similarity.
Where to Now? Future Directions for the Health Information Management Journal
Authors: Luxford Karen
Published: July 2017

This article summarises the outcomes of a strategic planning workshop conducted in July 1995 which aimed to identify problem areas for the journal, envisage the future directions and approaches and to develop strategies to ensure that change would be actioned. Specific strategies to address the following problem areas are outlined: focus; contributions; editorial board role; timeliness; production and design; and budget/financial reporting. Once in place, the planned changes will improve the quality of the journal for all readers, guaranteeing that the publication is an essential professional tool for individuals involved in the ever-changing world of health information management.
A Postgraduate Certificate Course in Clinical Data Management at the University of Sydney
Authors: Lange Angelika
Published: July 2017

The School of Health Information Management at the University of Sydney commenced a new postgraduate Certificate course in clinical data management in 1996.
The WA Hospital Morbidity Data System: An Evaluation of its Performance and the Impact of Electronic Data Transfer
Authors: Unwin Elizabeth , Codde James , Gill Louise , Stevens Suzanne , Nelson Timothy
Published: July 2017

This paper evaluates the performance of the Hospital Morbidity Data System, maintained by the Health Statistics Branch (HSB) of the Health Department of Western Australia (WA). The time taken to process discharge summaries was compared in the first and second halves of 1995, using the number of weeks taken to process 90% of all discharges and the percentage of records processed within four weeks as indicators of throughput. Both the hospitals and the HSB showed improvements in timeliness during the second half of the year. The paper also examines the impact of a recently introduced electronic data transfer system for WA country public hospitals on the timeliness of morbidity data. The processing time of country hospital records by the HSB was reduced to a similar time as for metropolitan hospitals, but the processing time in the hospitals increased, resulting in little improvement in total processing time.
Recent Developments in Information Management for Primary and Community Health Services
Authors: Britt Helena , Miller Graeme
Published: July 2017

While health services provided outside the hospital environment are utilised by the majority of the community, until recently there has been little interest in developing a standard approach to information management in community health settings. With greater accountability for health services expected in the future, State and Federal governments have begun to set the necessary standards by the design of a common data model and data definitions for Primary and Community Health Services. This model will affect the manner in which the National Health Data Dictionary develops — from a primarily institution-based document to a broader approach which encompasses non-institutional care. Two new high level concepts have been introduced: “issue” and “activity”. Four States have also formed a consortium to design and implement an information management system for Community Health Services. This necessitates adoption of standard classification systems which could be applied in this environment, especially to the two new high level concepts. This paper outlines recent developments in information management for Community Health and provides a brief summary of available classification systems.
A New Continuous Quality Improvement Model for the Coding Process
Authors: Callen Joanne , Meehan Jodee , Tomornsak Saranuj
Published: July 2017

The following paper describes the development and evaluation of a Continuous Quality Improvement Model (CQIM) applied to the coding process of a public metropolitan teaching hospital. The evaluation was carried out by measuring changes to the accuracy, timeliness and quantity of the outputs of the coding process before and after the CQIM was implemented.

For all three indicators of quality and productivity, improvements were observed after the CQIM was implemented. Continuous Quality Improvement methods are one strategy which health information managers can use to improve the quality of the coding process to support the provision of accurate coded data in a timely manner.
Establishing Electronic Patient Record Standards Using Paper-Based Record Functions and Standards
Authors: Carine Fiona , Walker Anita
Published: July 2017

The South Australian Health Commission has embarked on a long term project to establish an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) for South Australia. The process requires extensive evaluation at the conclusion of each phase of development using a range of existing and purpose-developed evaluation tools. This paper describes a purpose-developed evaluation tool that uses the functional aspects of, and existing standards for, paper-based medical records in hospitals as its basis. The resulting EPR Standards are a tool which can be used to establish a benchmark against which to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of an electronic patient record.
The Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997
Authors: Elliott Jenny
Published: July 2017

Discussions have been held between representatives from the Medical Record Departments of the Canberra Hospital, John James Memorial Hospital and Calvary Hospital in regard to the legislation
The Art and Science of Developing and Applying Competency Standards
Authors: Carine Fiona
Published: July 2017

Competence of the beginning practitioner in any profession or occupation is a crucial issue, not only for the professional group but for employers, governments and the community at large: (Australian Nurse Registering Authorities Conference, 1990)
The Economic Evaluation of Health Care
Authors: Haas Marion , Hall Jane
Published: July 2017

Economic evaluation is the comparative analysis of alternative courses of action in terms of both costs and consequences. Economic evaluation can also be called economic appraisal or the cost-benefit approach. The basis of economic evaluation lies in comparing costs and benefits of an intervention, program or service. The most important reasons for undertaking an economic evaluation are that resources (e.g., money, time, staff, equipment) are scarce compared with the demands made on them, and that such resource constraints require choices to be made. In this paper, four types of economic evaluations (cost-minimisation, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses) are described.
Case Studies in Health Information Management
Authors: Lloyd Sheree
Published: July 2017

This is the eighth management case study in our series. Each one highlights situations and problems that health information managers may face in their work.

The series is interactive: readers are invited to comment on the case study and suggest strategies for dealing with the problems it reveals.
A Critique of Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Haas Marion
Published: July 2017

Measures of patient satisfaction have been developed primarily so that patients could furnish health care providers and services with feedback on the quality of health care provided to them. However, the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of patient satisfaction are under-developed and the framework within which patient satisfaction has evolved is considered by some to be in need of review and overhaul. In this article, the concept and measurement of patient satisfaction is critically reviewed. Potentially better ways of asking patients (and their families and carers) to describe and/or assess their care are suggested.
The Ivory Tower in a Flat World the University and Applied Sociology in the Global Economy
Authors: Finkelstein Marvin
Published: July 2017

This paper focuses on the image and the role of higher education and the university in an increasingly globalized context. The recent popular book by Thomas Friedman, The World Is Flat, provides an opportunity to apply a growing literature on “globalization ” to raise questions about the traditional view of the university as an ivory tower, or an institution elevated and separate from the community and the society it serves. Specifically, the paper explores a perspective of applied sociologists who have long been concerned about the implications of the ivory tower model for higher education and for applied research and related activities.
Understanding the Patient-Physician Interaction: Potential for Reducing Health Disparities
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Carr Nicole T.
Published: July 2017

Racial differences in health and health care persist. These differences can be linked, in part, to physician-patient communication. This study examined the effect of race concordance and communication comfort on the patient's level of general satisfaction and their intent to adhere to physician instructions. Results indicate that patient satisfaction and likelihood of adherence are related to communication comfort. Additionally, patients seeing a physician of their own race are more likely to adhere to instructions than those seeing a physician of a different race, although the effect of race-concordance is not as strong as communication comfort. In-terestingly, race-concordance is not related to patient satisfaction. We conclude that both communication comfort and race-concordance play major roles in the patient-physician relationship. Given that communication comfort appears to play a more important role than race concordance, our findings suggest that increasing awareness of racial differences and effective communication can increase patient satisfaction and adherence intent. Increasing adherence with treatment regimes should increase positive health outcomes.
Accredited Programs: Models for Training the Next Generation of Social Change Agents
Authors: Lehnerer Melodye
Published: July 2017

Practicing applied, clinical, and more recently public sociologists have most often become involved in social change activities because of a learning environment that combined a change oriented classroom experience with a positive field experience. How does a sociology program create such a learning environment? In this paper, I will cover three models used by practice programs in sociology accredited by the Commission on Applied and Clinical Sociology to train change oriented students. Although accreditation is not essential for training the next generation of social change agents, it is one means by which like minded sociologists can pursue their common educational interests. Accreditation is also a way by which the discipline of sociology can return to its practice oriented roots.
The Expanding Role of Clinical Sociology in Australia
Authors: Spencer Les
Published: July 2017

This paper introduces clinical sociology as a humanistic, multidisciplinary specialty seeking to improve the quality of people's lives. It traces the emergence of clinical sociology in the United States in 1931, and in Australia in the late 1950s in the context of the pioneering clinical sociology research into social transformation at Australian society's margins by Neville Yeomans. A contemporary illustration is given demonstrating how a biopyschosocial model of health is now being implemented as world best-evidence-based practice within the Australian health care delivery system. Further arguments, citing national and international evidence based on sociotherapeutic models of intervention, support a proposal for the Australian Sociology Association to engage in dialogues with health care agencies with the view of establishing clinical sociologists as an integral part of the Australian health-care delivery system.
It's Not Just Black and White: The Emergence of the Hispanic and Asian Communities in Northeast Florida
Authors: Milligan Tracy A. , Will Jeffry A. , Cheney Timothy J.
Published: July 2017

In 2005–2006 the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives carried out a series of research efforts with the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission (JHRC) to 1) understand how dramatic demographic changes will affect the local community in the future, 2) identify creative ways that the city could prepare for this opportunity, and 3) plan how to limit potential problems that other communities have experienced from demographic shifts. In this paper, we present a condensed version of our report to the JHRC.