Assessment and Support for Basic Computer Skills at Community College Hispanic Serving Institutions in California

This cross-sectional survey study was conducted to determine if California community colleges designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) assess incoming students for basic computer skills, provide learning support for these skills, as well as assess the attitude of administrators towards basic computer skills of incoming students. Prior published research documented the false assumption in higher education incoming students are “digital natives”, capable of effectively using technology expected on college campuses; however, there was no research focused on community colleges designated as HSIs. The study adds to the body of literature about the assessment of and support for basic computer skills on college campuses. For purposes of the study, “basic computer skills” were defined in five categories: • The ability to use word processing software (most commonly Microsoft Word); • The ability to use spreadsheet software to prepare charts and graphs (most commonly Microsoft Excel); • The ability to use software for classroom presentations and speeches (most commonly Microsoft PowerPoint); • The ability to navigate the Internet for research; and • The capability of learning and participating in online classrooms using various platforms or software. The participants in this study were administrators in key academic positions representing all 55 community colleges HSIs in the state. All participants in the study held an administrator position at the time of the study. Each participant was asked a series of nine survey research questions, distributed via e-mail. All participants were asked the same questions and responses were electronically recorded and analyzed. The survey determined the following: 1. Community college HSIs in California do not assess incoming students for basic computer skills. 2. Community college HSIs in California have varying academic support for basic computer skills. 3. Basic computer skills courses are not prerequisites for non-computer skill courses or programs. 4. Most California community college HSI administrators believe computer skills are basic college level skills. 5. However, most California community college HSI administrators are not concerned about the level of basic computer skills of the student body. The responses from participants in the study emphasize the need for institutional change

Cervical radiograph of a patient with cervicogenic dizziness

Clinical image. This is a cervical X-ray of a patient suffering from long term dizziness and associated neck pain and stiffness.The X-ray showed that the C1 cervical vertebrae were in a rotated position.In some cases of dizziness, one of the causes can be attributed to pathology or dysfunction of upper cervical spine

Test-Retest Reliability of Measuring the Vertebral Arterial Blood Flow Velocity in People With Cervicogenic Dizziness

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the within-session and between-sessions reliability of measuring the vertebral artery blood flow velocities in people with cervicogenic dizziness using Doppler ultrasound at both upper and lower cervical levels. METHODS: Outcome measures were taken on 2 occasions 3 weeks apart with no active treatment provided in between the assessments on 12 participants. Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound was used to quantify time-averaged mean velocities through the vertebral artery at upper cervical (C0-1) and lower cervical vertebrae (C5-6). The clinical outcome measures were also recorded in people with cervicogenic dizziness. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine the within-session and between-session repeatability. Paired t test was used to determine the differences in the time-averaged mean velocities of blood flow at the same site of the vertebral artery and the clinical outcome measures in 2 sessions 3 weeks apart. RESULTS: In people with cervicogenic dizziness, there was no significant change in both clinical outcome measures and the time-averaged mean velocities when the patients were measured 3 weeks apart (P > .05). This study identified good within-session (ICC: 0.903-0.967) and between-session (ICC: 0.922-0.984) repeatability in measuring the vertical blood flow velocities in patients with cervicogenic dizziness when the clinical outcome measures were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the use of Doppler ultrasound to identify changes in mean vertebral arterial blood flow velocities before and after intervention in people with cervicogenic dizziness in future studies

Toxin-Based Therapeutic Approaches

Protein toxins confer a defense against predation/grazing or a superior pathogenic competence upon the producing organism. Such toxins have been perfected through evolution in poisonous animals/plants and pathogenic bacteria. Over the past five decades, a lot of effort has been invested in studying their mechanism of action, the way they contribute to pathogenicity and in the development of antidotes that neutralize their action. In parallel, many research groups turned to explore the pharmaceutical potential of such toxins when they are used to efficiently impair essential cellular processes and/or damage the integrity of their target cells. The following review summarizes major advances in the field of toxin based therapeutics and offers a comprehensive description of the mode of action of each applied toxin

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and presumed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children at Tygerberg Hospital

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is increasing worldwide, including in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Childhood obesity is also associated with conditions like metabolic syndrome (MS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).This study looks at the prevalence of these complications and the factors that predict for them in obese children. Finally the effectiveness of the interventions implemented is assessed. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional elements performed at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital. Obese and morbidly obese children (under 18years) attending the endocrinology clinic over a 7year period (2008 to 2014) were included in the study. Demographic data, severity of obesity and data on possible predictive factors for MS and NAFLD were collected. Results: Obese (n=18) and morbidly obese (n=65) children were studied. MS occurred in 45.5 % of the study population. MS was significantly more common in the morbidly obese group (p = <0.001). Possible NAFLD occurred in 63% with no significant difference in incidence between obese and morbidly obese children. No factors predicted the presence of MS or NAFLD in this group of obese children. Factors predicting a decrease in BMI SDS were: BMI at presentation (p = 0.01), duration of follow-up (p = 0.01) and age at presentation (p = 0.08). Conclusion: MS and NAFLD are as prevalent in obese children seen at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital as demonstrated internationally. The follow-up BMI findings suggest that in order to successfully manage childhood obesity in our setting, long-term follow up and early intervention is required. Weight loss after dietary and lifestyle advice occurs more often in patients with a higher BMI.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Die voorkoms van obesiteit in kinders en tieners is wêreldwydaan die toeneem, insluitende in die lae-en middel-inkomste lande. Obesiteit in kinders word geassosieer met toestande soos metaboliese sindroom en nie-alkoholiese vetterige lewersiekte. Hierdie studie kyk na die voorkoms van die komplikasies en die faktore wat hierdie komplikasies sal voorspel in vetsugtige kinders. Ten slotte word die doeltreffendheid van die intervensies wat geïmplementeer word beoordeel. Metodes: Dit is 'n terugwerkende kohort studie met deursnee-elemente wat by Tygerberg hospitaal gedoen is. Vetsugtige kinders (onder 18 jaar) wat die endokrinologie kliniek bygewoon het oor 'n tydperk van 7 jaar (2008-2014) is ingesluit in die studie. Demografiese data, graad van vetsug en data oor moontlike voorspellende faktore vir metaboliese sindroom en nie-alkoholiese vetterige lewer siekte is ingesamel. Resultate: Vetsugtige (n = 18) en morbied vetsugtige (n = 65) kinders is bestudeer. Metaboliese sindroom is gevind in 45.5% van die studiepopulasie en is aansienlik meer algemeen in die morbied vetsugtige groep (p = <0.001). Moontlike nie-alkoholiese vetterige lewersiekteis gevind in 63% met geen beduidende verskil in voorkoms tussen vetsugtige en morbied vetsugtige kinders nie. Voorspellende faktore vir 'n suksesvolle uitkoms na intervensie was: liggaamsmassa-indeks by eerste besoek (p = 0.01), tydperk van opvolg (p = 0.01) en ouderdom by eerste besoek (p = 0.08). Geen voorspellende faktore vir die ontwikkeling van metaboliese sindroom of nie-alkoholiese vetterige lewersiekte is in die groep vetsugtige kinders gedemonstreer nie. Gevolgtrekking: Metaboliese sindroom en nie-alkoholiese vetterige lewer siekte is net so algemeen in vetsugtigekinders gesien by die Tygerberg hospitaal as wat internasionaal gedemonstreer word. Die bevindings dui daarop dat om vetsugtige kinders suksesvol te behandel daar vroeë intervensie moet plaasvind en dat hulle vir lang termyn opgevolg moet word. Kinders met ‘n hoër liggaamsmassa-indeks was meer geneig tot ‘n suksessvolle uitkoms na intervensie

Senior Recital: Franklin P. Hulswit, baritone, assisted by Wayne Hough, piano, Michelene McCarthy, piano

Funiculi, Funicula / Luigi DenzaPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarthy Nina / Giovanni PergolesiPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarthy Toreador Song (From Carmen) / George BizetPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarthy Behold, along the dewy grass (From The Seasons) / Joseph HaydnPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarthy Zur Ruh / Hugo WolfPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarthy Wohin? / Franz SchubertPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarthy Old American Songs / Aaron CoplandPerformers: Franklin P. Hulswit, Wayne Hough, Michelene McCarth