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AimBackgroundDesign and methodsResultsConclusionTo assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Registered Nurses working in residential aged care facilities pertaining to pain management for residents living with dementia.Sub-optimal pain management continues for people living with dementia in residential aged care. Registered Nurses are the pivotal staff responsible for complex assessment and management of people residing in residential aged care facilities.:This integrative literature review was informed by Whittemore (2005). Searching and screening followed the PRISMA guidelines.Thirteen papers were identified, the major themes identified were gaps in knowledge and skills, uncertainty of assessment, and delays in treatment.Registered Nurses require education on pain management for people living with dementia in residential aged care. Broader issues in residential aged care contribute to the problem and require examination. Research pertaining to Registered Nurses’ roles pain management for residents living with dementia is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abstract nature of grammar makes metalinguistic thinking a challenge for both teachers and students. However, it is suggested writing conferences in which students are encouraged to reflect on grammatical choices and their impact on meaning may be an effective means to develop metalinguistic awareness. This paper draws on cognitive linguistics and mentor texts to investigate what impact a concept-led, dialogic approach to grammar teaching has in the context of student-teacher discussions. By means of writing conferences between a teacher and three Year Five students, the paper explores how students made effective grammatical choices, as a result of metalinguistic dialogue with their teacher. Six concepts, scope, action chains, deixis, attentional windowing, fictive motion, and figure and ground, provided the explicit foci for imagining narrative scenes and appropriate grammatical choices. The findings suggest these concepts may have an enduring effect on students' ability to make independent and creative choices in their writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on findings of comparative international research on students’ poetic writing about the natural environment in the context of the classroom and a naturalistic setting. The study involved 97, nine- to 10-year-olds in four classes: two classes were in an English primary school with their counterparts in a Western Australian primary school. One class in each school had vicarious contact with nature as a stimulus for writing, using a previously taught technique for writing poetry; the other class in each school used the same technique but had direct contact with nature. The study has implications for students’ literacy development, creativity and agency and suggests that students’ poetic writing is enhanced through direct contact with nature. Teachers in both England and Australia, countries where ‘high stakes’ testing dominates the literacy curriculum, may find that standards of writing improve when students are given direct contact with natural spaces and are scaffolded to elicit their poetic voice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis of English in the primary curricula of England and Australia reveals markedly different policy perspectives of the functions and purposes of language, literacy and literature in these two Anglophone countries. Whilst the Australian curriculum incorporates 'the basics' with broader socio-linguistic views of language in an attempt to construct breadth and balance, the English curriculum is predominantly a didactic adherence to 'the old basics'. Using discourse and content analysis, a systematic review of the two curricula is undertaken and evaluated by applying Cox's five models of English and Kalantzis et al.'s four paradigms of literacy. The results of this study have important implications for teachers, academics and policy-makers in all Anglophone countries, especially the two countries that are the focus of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are gene modules that appear to be horizontally mobile across a wide range of prokaryotes. It has been proposed that type I TA systems, with an antisense RNA-antitoxin, are less mobile than other TAs that rely on direct toxin-antitoxin binding but no direct comparisons have been made. We searched for type I, II and III toxin families using iterative searches with profile hidden Markov models across phyla and replicons. The distribution of type I toxin families were comparatively narrow, but these patterns weakened with recently discovered families. We discuss how the function and phenotypes of TA systems as well as biases in our search methods may account for differences in their distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article employs an autoethnographic, rhizotextual approach to analyse the compositional processes involved in the construction of two poems by the same author. What the analysis reveals is not only the internal thinking of the author in the process of composition but how the socio-cultural standpoint of the author is implicated in the texts. It is posited that, in addition to the author's own lived experience informing composition, rhizotextual analysis enables us to extend beyond the self to interrogate the 'secondary worlds' of others and to form an empathic relationship to the 'Other'. The findings of this article have implications for teachers' knowledge of the socio-cultural contexts of written composition. An authoethnographic, rhizotextual approach allows personal insights into the self, both as a writer and a person. This approach has implications for classroom practice, particularly for writing around issues of identity located in social class, gender, 'race', disability and sexual orientation, as well as the growing body of work on the teacher as a writer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the extent to which Year One B.Ed student teachers arrived at university already possessing self-confidence as writers. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used to identify students' self perceptions and confidence as writers and their understanding of processes of written composition. The article argues that to consciously engage student teachers in the writing process and to require them to reflect on that process can lead to their self efficacy as writers. Evidence from this study suggests one's self-confidence, as a writer, is enhanced by explicitly engaging in self reflection of one's own approaches to writing. The findings have implications for course design of literacy components in teacher education internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the value of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) using brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring to predict and/or prevent postoperative neurological deficits during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES). Methods: We retrospectively identified 138 consecutive patients who had BAEP monitoring in addition to SSEP monitoring during EES at our institution. We reviewed the postoperative clinical outcomes and neurophysiological changes independently. Results: The total of number of patients with any IONM changes was 10. The incidence of BAEP changes was 3.62%. The incidence of SSEP changes was 3.62% as well. One patient had changes in both BAEPs and SSEPs. Majority of the changes were observed during changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) without any postoperative neurological deficits. There were two postoperative neurological deficits. Discussion: BAEPs and SSEPs provide unique information about integrity of brainstem function during EES procedures involving tumors in the and around clival region. We advocate a comprehensive multimodality approach to IONM during EESs including BAEPs and SSEPs depending on the location of the neural structures at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics, intraoperative findings, complications, and outcomes in these patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) caused by venous compression. Methods: We analyzed 15 patients who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) for HFS caused by venous compression performed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2007. Thirteen of 15 patients underwent repeat MVD, and two patients underwent their first MVD. Clinical data were collected to verify vein as real offending vessel for all of 15 patients with HFS. The mean follow-up period was 4.13 years (range: 1.29-6.76 years). Results: Thirteen patients with repeat MVDs had vein as the offending vessel, such as series of small venule, small veins, and dilated venous stump. The remaining two patients who underwent the first MVD had vein as the only offending vessel. In the first MVD for 13 patients, lateral spread response (LSR) disappeared in five patients (38.5%). In the repeat MVD for these 13 patients, LSR disappeared after the vein was decompressed completely in nine patients (69.2%). An excellent surgical outcome was observed in all the 11 patients with four patients lost during the follow-up period. Post-operative complications were observed in 12 patients included hearing loss, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, worsening facial palsy, difficulty swallowing, dilpopia, and ataxia. Conclusions: Vein can play an important role and can be the offending vessel in MVD for HFS. Women with platysmal involvement and tonus seem to have higher chance of vein as an offending vessel. These patients that have residual LSR at the end of the procedure should undergo exploration for a vein to prevent persistent HFS. Intraoperative monitoring with LSR is an effective tool to evaluate adequate decompression to vein. Although the long-term outcome is excellent for venous compression, the complication rate is much higher. To decrease the complication rate, gentle retraction of the cerebellum and 'low-power' coagulation of the vein might be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis of systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) and the intensive teaching of high frequency words (HFW) revealed the latter had greater impact on pupils’ reading attainment and fluency. Data were collected using multiple methods, including miscue analysis, Salford Reading Test, a phoneme skills test and HFW audits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is a surgical technique where a small aperture, the nostrils, can give access to the whole ventral skull base. Its principles differ from the ones of traditional skull base approaches where a wide external opening is often accompanied by a relatively small working area. Most of the results of EEAs published in the literature come from retrospective case series and the follow-up is still limited, however the consensus is that this technique is safe and effective in selected cases and when performed within dedicated skull base centres. This article sets to give an overview of the current state of endoscopic skull base surgery, based on the recent evidence and our centre's experience with nearly 2000 EEAs. The team's experience with endoscopic as well as open approaches plays a critical role in achieving satisfactory results when treating pathologies of the skull base. Guided by the principle of least neural and vascular manipulation, the team should be able to select the least traumatic route (open or endoscopic) and be able to approach the skull base from all angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on research funded by the Bedford Charity (Harpur Trust) in which the narrative writing of reluctant writers in 10 Lower Schools (pupils aged 5-9) was levelled using, firstly, the Assessment of Pupil Progress (APP) criteria used in English primary and secondary schools and, secondly, criteria devised by the researcher. The latter were specifically designed for the assessment of narrative writing, whereas the APP criteria are generic. Findings resonate with the contrasting paradigms critiqued in D'Arcy's paper on the teaching and assessment of writing (D'Arcy 1999). Evidence suggests that levels assigned to individual texts can vary between one assessment criteria and another. In many cases, pupils achieved higher levels against criteria designed to evaluate creativity and the ability to tell a story. Appropriate assessment criteria are critical not only to summative evaluations but also to the planning of future teaching and learning. However, it is suggested that the dominant assessment paradigm and concomitant approaches to the pedagogy of writing in England have been influenced by discourses over which teachers have had little control. However, the future for the teaching and assessment of writing necessitates a paradigmatic shift. A retrospective of D'Arcy's paper may provide teachers and academics with the impetus for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the nature of the relationships between science and technology. It offers an explanation of why the development of understanding of science-technology relationships is important. It discusses the meanings attached to the terms 'science' and 'technology', and outlines four views of the nature of their relationship: the 'idealist' view (technology as applied science), the 'demarcationist' view (separate fields), the 'materialist' view (technology as a necessary precursor to science) and the 'interactionist' view (scientists and technologists working together). Five Canadian senior high school physics textbooks are then analysed to examine the ways in which they represent the nature of the relationships between technology and science. The books display numerous positive features: a recognition of the human face of science and technology; frequent reference to careers in which a knowledge of physics might be useful; and many illustrations of interesting technological artefacts. However, with minor exceptions, the texts are dominated by an idealist storyline which presents a limited view of the history and philosophy of science-technology relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to measure facial sweating and quantifies its effects on fit factors of negative pressure, full-facepiece respirators. Extent to which sweat accumulation inside respirators affects respirator fit; Statistical analysis of the treadmill fit factor results; Average of sweat accumulation inside the respirator facepiece.

This paper explores the relationship between the general principles set out in section 1 of the Children Act 1989 and what may be identified as the ‘relevant criteria’ about which a court must be satisfied before it makes an order to place, or more usually to keep, a young person in secure accommodation under section 25 of the Act. This area has seen contradictory decisions in appeals from the Family Proceedings Courts and confusion about the role of the Guardian ad Litem in secure accommodation proceedings. An attempt to clarify the position proceeds by reference to an historical analysis, Department of Health Guidance, case-law and Parliamentary debate. It is argued that the ambiguity inherent in legislation relating to secure accommodation, and the role of the Guardian ad Litem, reflects society's ambivalence with regard to the care and control of young people with difficult and challenging behaviour [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summated rating scales to measure attitudes (and other human characteristics) commonly consist of numerous items whose scores are summed to yield a total score. A central assumption underlying the use of this technique is that the items in the scale reflect a common construct. If this assumption is not met, the scoring procedure produces largely meaningless, uninterpretable data. Although this important psychometric principle has been known for a long time, numerous studies in the research literature demonstrate a neglect of this principle. Some studies make no attempt at all to conceptualise the construct to be measured; others conceptualise the construct but then ignore the possibility that it may be multi‐dimensional; still others actually contain evidence which indicates that the construct is multi‐dimensional and then proceed to ignore that evidence. A possible contributor to the confusion is the widespread misunderstanding about the related yet distinct concepts of internal consistency and uni‐dimensionality. This paper presents case studies of poor and good instrument design, in the (forlorn?) hope that clarification of the issues might make a difference in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract Background Observations Lessons Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) typically occurs in the facial bones and anterior cranial vault and can produce both disfigurement and functional limitations for patients disfigurement. Treatment consists of reducing the abnormal bone. Bone contouring can become challenging when the exposure does not extend to the corresponding normal contralateral structures for comparison or when normal landmarks are not available, which may compromise the overall aesthetic outcome. We describe a technique using dynamic mirroring to accurately contour the involved part of the cranium in a case of giant CFD.A 49-year-old male presented with a giant deforming fibrous dysplasia of the right mastoid and parieto-temporo-occiput that was causing functional limitations due to the size of the bony mass. This was managed with multidisciplinary bony reduction. Several neurovascular structures were in proximity to the areas of planned drilling of the expansile lesion, and dynamic mirroring of the uninvolved left skull was utilized to maximize safety and symmetry of reduction. High-speed drilling of the right occipital bone was performed until the navigation system alerted the surgeon that symmetric depth had been achieved. There were no complications from the procedure and this technique maximized the limits of symmetric reduction without significantly increasing surgical complexity or duration.Dynamic mirroring of bony structures in the posterior cranium is not commonly employed in neurosurgical practice. This technique may help improve the aesthetic outcomes of bony reduction in craniofacial dysplasia and a variety of similarly managed bony lesions, contour cranioplasties, and in unilateral craniosynostosis surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]