Cereal FACTS: Evaluating the Nutrition Quality and Marketing of Children's Cereals

Evaluates cereal companies' marketing practices in 2008-09, immediately before and after full implementation of their pledges to reduce unhealthy marketing to children. Ranks brands with combined scores for nutrition quality and marketing exposure

Odon device: a promising tool to facilitate vaginal delivery and increase access to emergency care

The last innovation in operative vaginal delivery happened centuries ago with the invention of the forceps and the vacuum extractor. The World Health Organization Odon Device Research Group recently published a protocol for a feasibility and safety study for a new device (Odon device) which aims to revolutionize assisted vaginal delivery. This editorial discusses the device and its pathway to global use. Although preliminary results look promising, the rigorous three-phased WHO protocol needs completion before the device can be determined, based on the evidence, to be safe and effective.Fil: Belizan, Jose. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Harris Requejo, Jennifer. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Institute for International Programs; Estados Unido

Predicting the Success of Invasive Species in the Great Bay Estuarine Researve

The University of New Hampshire Zoology Department reports on a study designed to continue monitoring the distribution of invasive species in the Great Bay Estuary and to carry out laboratory experiments designed to test the effects of salinity on ascidian mortality and determine predators of ascidian species. Researchers collected presence/absence and abundance data of invasive species at four sites within the Great Bay Estuarine System. The report gives a brief description of the results of the monitoring program to compare results obtained from 2006 to 2007 and to assess the response of ascidians to varying salinity and predators. This report specifically includes monitoring data from 2007 and results of laboratory and field experiments examining the effects of salinity and predators on ascidian distribution

Implementation Research to Catalyze Advances in Health Systems Strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa: the African Health Initiative (Preface)

The importance of strengthening health systems has gained increased attention in recent years, and there have been renewed calls for a focus on health systems as part and parcel of meeting the health related Millennium Development Goals. Despite the growing focus on health systems, the largest global health initiatives -- suchas PEPFAR, PMI, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, and GAVI -- continue to have a disease specific focus. The divergence in opinion on what constitutes health systems strengthening and the scarcity of rigorous evaluations of various approaches undermine efforts to focus on health systems as a means of improving population health. In response to this challenge, the Doris DukeCharitable Foundation (DDCF) launched the African Health Initiative (AHI) to catalyze significant advances instrengthening health systems by supporting Population Health and Implementation Training (PHIT) Partnerships in five diverse sub-Saharan African contexts. Each Partnership is implementing and evaluating an innovative project designed to address key health systems constraints and improve service delivery and health outcomes. This article is a preface to a series of reports

Oligosaccharide profiles of Asian commercial honeys

As part of the development of a method to detect honey in imported materials, a database of the oligosaccharide composition of a range of Asian commercial honeys has been prepared. Low maltose contents were detected compared with literature values for honey from Europe, North Africa and South America; with this exception oligosaccharide contents were similar to those in the literature. Moisture contents were slightly high compared with literature values for Europe and North America but comparable with literature values for Asia. Moisture, monosaccharide and sucrose contents were generally within the limits applied by the Codex. Four honeys were apparently adulterated

Surviving Ethnography: Coping with Isolation, Violence, and Anger

This article concentrates upon the intensities of emotion experienced by a novice ethnographer. The argument is that acknowledging the emotional impact of events in the field enables the ethnographer to analyse reflexively the differences between the values of the self and those of the other. Seeing beyond the emotions generated at times of crisis can permit and facilitate an analysis of the everyday social relations between participants. Dealing with the personal impact of these emotions is an entirely different matter; very few others (supervisors, academics, peers) although well-intentioned, will appreciate the depths of these emotions and the problems that they produce for an individual ethnographer. The argument is illustrated by reflexive field notes, experiences and poetry from the author\u27s ethnographic study of British Deaf people

24. An active and creative approach to learning: tangible/alternative projects encourage student success

Tangible/alternative projects in literature-based courses help students understand difficult subject matter more thoroughly and from a different perspective. Tangible/alternative projects (TAPs) are hand-constructed, physical representations of researched material that reflect the time period and literature being studied. TAPs facilitate a creative learning experience through alternative, hands-on approaches to research and support innovative teaching practices in the application of a more thorough, active learning model. Examples of TAPs include, but are not limited to, paintings made with homemade paint, period-accurate representations of weaponry, hand-sewn clothing, and handmade chainmail armor. While a hands-on approach is not the traditional route in humanities courses, TAPs foster a growth mindset and offer students the opportunity to take an active and creative approach to their educations. Growth mindset helps students make the transition from focusing on grades to focusing on the learning process, thereby deepening their understanding of the subject at hand. TAPs allow students to engage in different research methods and develop skills that translate into real-world experience. For example, a student interested in Medieval clothing might research different hand-stitching techniques. In starting and completing a garment, the student experiences first-hand the effort it takes to make fine clothing and learns about the importance of the Medieval working-class. Approaching research through a creative outlet provides students the opportunity to strengthen analytical and problem-solving skills while developing an understanding and appreciation for the time period being studied. Incorporating TAPs into a traditional curriculum aligns with University System of Georgia’s Complete College Georgia initiative to restructure instructional delivery by “improving the quality of student learning through effective teaching, facilitation and innovative modes of learning.” TAPs improve on traditional education practices by embracing a creative approach to research. Allowing students to pursue individual interests in a classroom setting gives students more control over the way they learn. This individualized approach creates a positive learning environment and encourages student success. Our poster presentation includes pictures of completed TAPs and presents the correlation among TAPs, growth mindset and student success using engaging images and text

TILTing the Vanguard: Applying Transparency Framework to Improve Student Learning

The Vanguard, the student-run news organization of the University of North Georgia, is nontraditional in that it functions as both a class and a club. While class members meet twice each week in a traditional setting, club members are encouraged but not required to attend in person. As the Vanguard makes the delicate transition between faculty advisers, there is an opportunity to improve upon current practices. Despite the uneasiness and confusion that is present during a change to the infrastructure of both the class and the club, incorporating transparency framework into the syllabi for News Production I and II (JOUR2000/3000) and into the guidelines for club members will help ensure student success. This proposal aims to serve as a guide for the new faculty adviser, giving him or her the opportunity to implement parts or whole sections at his or her discretion. The information I have presented is based on not only research, but also on my two years of experience. I have participated in the Vanguard as both a member of the class and the club. As the editor, I have worked closely with the former adviser and students alike, and because of this, I am uniquely qualified to identify and address issues on both sides. Creating transparent instructional documents for students in the Vanguard class and club will provide structure while increasing student confidence and motivation. Clear instructions and expectations can make a lasting impact in terms of student success in the classroom