Contributions to this collection explore the relationship between education and assessment in the context of the British National Curriculum and mandated nationally standardized assessment ...procedures. The chapters are: (1) "Concepts of Assessment: An Overview" (Vic Kelly); (2) "Progression, Observation and Assessment in Early Education: The Context" (Geva Blenkin); (3) "Assessment and the Nursery Curriculum" (Victoria Hurst and Margaret Lally); (4) "Assessment in Nursery Education: A Review of Approaches" (Lally and Hurst); (5) "Assessment at Key Stage 1: Core Subjects and the Developmental Curriculum" (Marian Whitehead); (6) "Assessment at Key Stage 1: Teacher Assessment through Record-Keeping" (Sue Pidgeon); (7) "Bilingualism and Assessment" (Eve Gregory and Clare Kelly); and (8) "In Conclusion" (Geva Blenkin and Vic Kelly). (Contains 198 references, and name and subject indexes.) (SLD)
Our purposes were (1) to examine resting arterial blood pressure following an acute bout of resistance exercise and submaximal dynamic exercise, (2) to examine the effects of these exercises on the ...plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and (3) to evaluate the potential relationship between ANP and post-exercise blood pressure. Thirteen males 24.3+/-(2.4) years performed 15 min of unilateral leg press exercise (65% of their one-repetition maximum) and, I week later, approximately 15 min of cycle ergometry (at 65% of their maximum oxygen consumption). Intra-arterial pressure was monitored during exercise and for 1 h post-exercise. Arterial blood was drawn at rest, during exercise and at intervals up to 60 min post-exercise for analysis of haematocrit and alphaANP. No differences occurred in blood pressure between trials, but significant decrements occurred following exercise in both trials. Systolic pressure was approximately 20 mmHg lower than before exercise after 10 min, and mean pressure was approximately 7 mmHg lower from 30 min onwards. Only slight (non-significant) elevations in alphaANP were detected immediately following exercise, with the concentrations declining to pre-exercise values by 5 min post-exercise. We conclude that post-exercise hypotension occurs following acute bouts of either resistance or submaximal dynamic exercise and, in this investigation, that this decreased blood pressure was not directly related to the release of alphaANP.
With the approval and development of narrow-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), the primary endpoint for treatment success of CDI antibiotic treatment ...trials has shifted from treatment response at end of therapy to sustained response 30 days after completed therapy. The current definition of a successful response to treatment (three or fewer unformed bowel movements UBMs per day for 1–2 days) has not been validated, does not reflect CDI management, and could impair assessments for successful treatment at 30 days. We propose new definitions to optimise trial design to assess sustained response. Primarily, we suggest that the initial response at the end of treatment be defined as (1) three or fewer UBMs per day, (2) a reduction in UBMs of more than 50% per day, (3) a decrease in stool volume of more than 75% for those with ostomy, or (4) attainment of bowel movements of Bristol Stool Form Scale types 1–4, on average, by day 2 after completion of primary CDI therapy (ie, assessed on day 11 and day 12 of a 10-day treatment course) and following an investigator determination that CDI treatment can be ceased.
CYP2D6
and
CYP2C19
polymorphisms affect the exposure, efficacy and safety of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), with some drugs being affected by CYP2D6 only (e.g., nortriptyline and desipramine) and ...others by both polymorphic enzymes (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, and trimipramine). Evidence is presented for
CYP2D6
and
CYP2C19
genotype-directed dosing of TCAs. This document is an update to the 2012 Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guideline for
CYP2D6
and
CYP2C19
Genotypes and Dosing of Tricyclic Antidepressants.
Summary
In June 2005, an ad hoc Expert Committee formed by the Pituitary Society convened during the 9th International Pituitary Congress in San Diego, California. Members of this committee consisted ...of invited international experts in the field, and included endocrinologists and neurosurgeons with recognized expertise in the management of prolactinomas. Discussions were held that included all interested participants to the Congress and resulted in formulation of these guidelines, which represent the current recommendations on the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas based upon comprehensive analysis and synthesis of all available data.
The objective of this study is to explore the possibility of synthesizing MgO with controlled luminescence and thermoluminescence (TL) properties using the Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) method ...by doping with different lanthanides (Ln) and co-doping with lithium (Li). The goal is to further establish the SCS technique as a new route for developing new TL and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetric materials. Undoped and doped MgO samples were synthesized by SCS and characterized using radioluminescence (RL) and TL. The data obtained showed that Li doping can increase considerably the intensity of the RL and TL from Ln-doped MgO produced by SCS. In MgO:Ln,Li the introduced lanthanides are responsible for the emission during both RL and TL processes, although other emission bands are also observed (e.g., ∼700–750nm). The incorporation of lanthanides also introduces trapping centers as indicated by different peaks in the TL curves. The results in this study show that the SCS technique can potentially produce materials with TL intensity comparable to commercial dosimetric materials, although further optimizations are still required.
► Li doping can increase considerably the intensity of the RL and TL from MgO:Ln. ► In MgO:Ln,Li lanthanides are responsible for emission during RL and TL processes. ► The incorporation of lanthanides introduces trapping centers as indicated by TL curves. ► SCS can produce TL materials with sensitivity comparable to commercial dosimeters
The role of the Adventure Sports Coach (ASC) has recently become the focus of academic interest. Although research emerging from the field is beginning to diversify, the majority is limited in terms ...of sampling and methodology. The current study broadened the participant base by providing a demographic analysis of ASCs. An online survey of 504 participants captured key demographics, 'coaching category' and 'coaching level'. Chi-square analysis investigated differences between genders. ASCs were predominantly male, relatively young, well-educated and well qualified. Despite many coaches holding high-level awards, their main practice was coaching beginners. A marked asymmetry existed between genders, with two-thirds of the sample being male. Female coaches were younger, less well qualified, and significantly under-represented in the higher coaching echelons. The lack of female coaches, and their clear under-representation in higher coaching categories is concerning. Recruitment, retention, and development of female ASCs is therefore a priority.
: High-quality pre-registration student nurse training and development is integral to developing a sustainable and competent global nursing workforce. Internationally, student nurse recruitment rates ...have increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, attrition rates for student nurses are high. During the pandemic, many student nurses considered leaving the programme due to academic concerns, feeling overwhelmed, and doubting their clinical skills. Little was known about the extent to which nursing education prior to COVID-19 had prepared students for their role in managing the healthcare crisis or the impact on their resilience. Thus, this study aimed to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the resilience levels of student nurses across the United Kingdom.
: Data were collected as part of a multi-site qualitative study named ‘COV-ED Nurse’ and involved pre-placement surveys, placement diaries, and post-placement interviews with nursing students. Student nurse participants were recruited from across the United Kingdom, from all years of study, and from all four nursing branches: children, adult, mental health, and learning disabilities. Participants were asked to complete a pre-placement survey that collected demographic details and information about their placement expectations. They were also asked to record a weekly audio-visual or written diary to describe their placement experiences, and, on completion of their placements, students were interviewed to explore their experiences of this time. Data were thematically analysed using the Framework Approach. Ethical approvals were obtained.
: Two hundred and sixteen students took part in the wider study. The current study involved a subset of 59 students’ data. Four main themes were identified: ‘coping with increased levels of acuity’, ‘perceived risks of the pandemic’, ‘resilience when facing uncertainty and isolation’, and ‘the importance of coping mechanisms and support structures.’
: From this study, we have generated insights that can be applied to nursing research, education, policy, and practice and identified the wide-ranging impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on student nurses and their abilities to remain resilient in an unstable environment. The value of communication and support networks from a wide range of sources was highlighted as key to navigating many uncertainties. In addition, the extent to which students were able to navigate their personal and professional roles and identities influenced their ability to cope with and continue along their training pathways.
Understanding the mechanical properties of human teeth is important to clinical tooth preparation and to the development of "tooth-like" restorative materials. Previous studies have focused on the ...macroscopic fracture behavior of enamel and dentin. In the present study, we performed indentation studies to understand the microfracture and deformation and the microcrackmicrostructure interactions of teeth. It was hypothesized that crack propagation would be influenced by enamel rods and the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ), and the mechanical properties would be influenced by enamel rod orientation and tooth-to-tooth variation. Twenty-eight human third molars were used for the measurement of hardness, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and energy absorbed during indentation. We examined the effect of enamel rod orientation by propagating cracks in the occlusal surface, and in the axial section in directions parallel and perpendicular to the occlusal surface. The results showed that the cracks in the enamel axial section were significantly longer in the direction perpendicular to the occlusal surface than parallel. The cracks propagating toward the DEJ were always arrested and unable to penetrate dentin. The fracture toughness of enamel was not single-valued but varied by a factor of three as a function of enamel rod orientation. The elastic modulus of enamel showed a significant difference between the occlusal surface and the axial section. It is concluded that the cracks strongly interact with the DEJ and the enamel rods, and that the mechanical properties of teeth are functions of microstructural orientations; hence, single values of properties (e.g., a single toughness value or a single modulus value) should not be used without information on microstructural orientation.
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