Service-Learning as a Counter-Hegemonic Practice: Evidence Pro and Con

Service-learning is a wide-spread educational strategy in K-16 education. Currently 64% of all public schools and 83% of public high schools have community service. Half of all public schools have service-learning programs (Billig, 2000). Service-learning programs benefit from the support of both Republican and Democratic political leaders, conservatives and liberals, and business and activists, all who find common ground in the concept of service to the community

A high speed telemetry data link for an autonomous roving vehicle

A data link system used on a prototype autonomous roving vehicle is described. This system provides a means of acquiring, formatting, and transmitting information on board the vehicle to a controlling computer. Included is a statement of requirements and the design philosophy. Additionally, interfacing with the rover systems is discussed, along with the overall performance of the telemetry link

Thromboprophylaxis for trauma patients.

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of thromboprophylaxis in trauma patients on mortality and incidence of DVT and PE. To compare the effects of different thromboprophylaxis interventions and their relative effects according to the type of trauma

A pilot study to assess the practicality, acceptability and feasibility of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist complex intervention on patients with stroke in their own homes

Objective To test the practicality, acceptability and feasibility of recruitment, data collection, blood pressure (BP) monitoring and pharmaceutical care processes, in order to inform the design of a definitive randomised controlled trial of a pharmacist complex intervention on patients with stroke in their own homes. Methods Patients with new stroke from acute, rehabilitation wards and a neurovascular clinic (NVC) were randomised to usual care or to an intervention group who received a home visit at 1, 3 and 6 months from a clinical pharmacist. Pharmaceutical care comprised medication review, medicines and lifestyle advice, pharmaceutical care issue (PCI) resolution and supply of individualised patient information. A pharmaceutical care plan was sent to the General Practitioner and Community Pharmacy. BP and lipids were measured for both groups at baseline and at 6 months. Questionnaires covering satisfaction, quality of life and medicine adherence were administered at 6 months. Results Of the 430 potentially eligible patients, 30 inpatients and 10 NVC outpatients were recruited. Only 33/364 NVC outpatients (9.1%) had new stroke. 35 patients completed the study (intervention=18, usual care=17). Questionnaire completion rates were 91.4% and 84.4%, respectively. BP and lipid measurement processes were unreliable. From 104 identified PCIs, 19/23 recommendations (83%) made to general practitioners were accepted. Conclusion Modifications to recruitment is required to include patients with transient ischaemic attack. Questionnaire response rates met criteria but completion rates did not, which merits further analysis. Lipid measurements are not necessary as an outcome measure. A reliable BP-monitoring process is required

Hepatic Angioembolization in Trauma Patients: Indications and Complications.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic angiography (HA) and hepatic angioembolization (HAE) are increasingly used to diagnose and treat intrahepatic arterial injuries. This study was performed to review indications, outcomes, and complications of HA/HAE in blunt trauma patients who underwent HAE as adjunct management of hepatic injury. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive cases of HA/HAE at a Level I trauma center during an 8-year period. Data include demographics, physiologic condition, liver injury grade, HA/HAE indications, outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients underwent diagnostic HA; 31 (39%) had subsequent HAE. Fifty-eight hemodynamically stable patients had computerized axial tomographic (CT) scan followed by HA. HA was performed for contrast blush on CT in 30 (52%) of 58 patients, high-grade liver injury in 4 (7%), subsequent hemodynamic instability in 15 (27%), and angiography planned for other purpose in 9 (17%). HA confirmed arterial injury and led to HAE in 50% of patients with contrast blush on CT or high-grade liver injury. HA was negative when performed for hemodynamic instability or for other primary purposes. Twenty-one hemodynamically unstable patients underwent emergent laparotomy followed by postoperative HA with 11 (50%) requiring HAE. Overall mortality in HAE group was 16%, and liver-related morbidity was 29% usually presenting as gallbladder or liver necrosis. CONCLUSION: HA/HAE should be used when CT scan suggests associated intrahepatic arterial or high-grade injury in the management of hepatic injuries and should also be considered after laparotomy and perihepatic packing to control inaccessible intrahepatic hemorrhage. Mortality related to HAE is uncommon, but morbidity occurs frequently