Student interpretations of the terms in first-order ordinary differential equations in modelling contexts

A study of first-year undergraduate students′ interpretational difficulties with first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in modelling contexts was conducted using a diagnostic quiz, exam questions and follow-up interviews. These investigations indicate that when thinking about such ODEs, many students muddle thinking about the function that gives the quantity to be determined and the equation for the quantity's rate of change, and at least some seem unaware of the need for unit consistency in the terms of an ODE. It appears that shifting from amount-type thinking to rates-of-change-type thinking is difficult for many students. Suggestions for pedagogical change based on our results are made

Contextualising Apartheid at the End of Empire: Repression, ‘Development’ and the Bantustans

This article examines the global dynamics of late colonialism and how these informed South African apartheid. More specifically, it locates the programmes of mass relocation and bantustan ‘self-government’ that characterised apartheid after 1959 in relation to three key dimensions. Firstly, the article explores the global circulation of idioms of ‘development’ and trusteeship in the first half of the twentieth century and its significance in shaping segregationist policy; secondly, it situates bantustan ‘selfgovernment’ in relation to the history of decolonisation and the partitions and federations that emerged as late colonial solutions; and, thirdly, it locates the tightening of rural village planning in the bantustans after 1960 in relation to the elaboration of anti-colonial liberation struggles, repressive southern African settler politics and the Cold War. It argues that, far from developing policies that were at odds with the global ‘wind of change’, South African apartheid during the 1960s and 1970s reflected much that was characteristic about late colonial strategy

General anaesthetic and airway management practice for obstetric surgery in England: a prospective, multi-centre observational study

There are no current descriptions of general anaesthesia characteristics for obstetric surgery, despite recent changes to patient baseline characteristics and airway management guidelines. This analysis of data from the direct reporting of awareness in maternity patients' (DREAMY) study of accidental awareness during obstetric anaesthesia aimed to describe practice for obstetric general anaesthesia in England and compare with earlier surveys and best-practice recommendations. Consenting patients who received general anaesthesia for obstetric surgery in 72 hospitals from May 2017 to August 2018 were included. Baseline characteristics, airway management, anaesthetic techniques and major complications were collected. Descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression modelling and comparisons with earlier data were conducted. Data were collected from 3117 procedures, including 2554 (81.9%) caesarean deliveries. Thiopental was the induction drug in 1649 (52.9%) patients, compared with propofol in 1419 (45.5%). Suxamethonium was the neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in 2631 (86.1%), compared with rocuronium in 367 (11.8%). Difficult tracheal intubation was reported in 1 in 19 (95%CI 1 in 16-22) and failed intubation in 1 in 312 (95%CI 1 in 169-667). Obese patients were over-represented compared with national baselines and associated with difficult, but not failed intubation. There was more evidence of change in practice for induction drugs (increased use of propofol) than neuromuscular blocking drugs (suxamethonium remains the most popular). There was evidence of improvement in practice, with increased monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular blockade (although this remains suboptimal). Despite a high risk of difficult intubation in this population, videolaryngoscopy was rarely used (1.9%)

Computer-based system to assess efficacy of stuttering therapy techniques

This paper presents a computer-based system tool used to assess efficacy of stuttering therapy techniques. The software assists Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in determining suitable techniques for each client. The project implements Digital Signal Processing (DSP)techniques to analyze speech signals and incorporates standard speech fluency shaping techniques that can be used as part of fluency rehabilitation regimen. The software provides real-time visual and audio feedbacks for clients to be aware of their speech patterns. It provides self training aid for clients that motivates them to practice at home. The software runs under Windows XP on a computer equipped with multimedia capabilities. Real-time visual and audio displays enable the clients to compare their average magnitude profiles (AMPs) with clinician’s and alter their speech to match clinician’s AMP. The start and end alignment, maximum magnitude and duration of two AMPs are compared. A score is assigned to each category. The software is developed using Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0. Software is designed as graphic user interface (GUI), which makes therapy user friendly. Three techniques that are implemented in the project have been decided through the discussion with SLP in Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA). The techniques are Shadowing, using a Metronome (Taping) and Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF). This project is done in collaboration with HSA where the hospital assists in the clinical trial

The Lidcombe Program: A client report 7 years post-treatment

The Lidcombe Program (Onslow et al., 2020) is a treatment designed for pre-school children who stutter. To date, there has been no published account from a child of early stuttering experiences with Lidcombe Program treatment. Such an account may (1) inform clinicians when they are considering the timing of intervention, (2) assist with the choice of a treatment, and (3) provide resources to supplement treatment with the Lidcombe Program. Consequently, this report is a record of separate interviews with a child and parent about their Lidcombe Program treatment experience, seven years after the conclusion of successful treatment. It is intended that this report and the accompanying video interview in the supplemental material can be a useful resource for clinicians when considering Lidcombe Program treatment