A comparative study of educational administration in Jamaica and in the United States of America.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

A pilot

OBJECTIVE: The main aim was to establish if epidural anesthesia had an influence on new-born hearing screening results in newborns born via elective Cesarean section in healthy pregnancies. Specific objectives included determining screening results in a group of newborns born to mothers who had undergone epidural anesthesia during Cesarean section childbirth (experimental group); and comparing the findings with those of a group of newborns born to mothers who had undergone natural delivery without epidural anesthesia (comparison group); while establishing if the time of screening following delivery had any effect on the overall screening result

Assessment of Dietary Intake and Eating Attitudes in Recreational and Competitive Adolescent Rock Climbers: A Pilot Study

The dietary intake and eating attitudes of adolescent climbers has not previously been studied. To fill this knowledge gap, we administered three surveys to 22 rock climbers (13 males, 9 females, age 14.2 ± 1.9 years): climbing ability, three-day dietary recall, and Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26). The majority (82%) of climbers did not meet their target energy intake (target = 2,471 ± 493 kcal·day−1; actual = 1,963 ± 581 kcal·day−1) (p = 0.003) and 86% of climbers consumed below their target carbohydrate intake (target = 283 ± 67 g·day−1; actual intake = 226 ± 72 g·day−1) (p = 0.009). Average dietary protein intake was 95 ± 51 g·day−1, with the majority of climbers meeting their target intake of 88 ± 21 g (p = 0.580). Seventy-three percent of climbers consumed below their target dietary fat intake (target = 90 ± 21 g·day−1; actual = 69 ± 20 g·day−1) (p = 0.001). Average EAT-26 scores were 5.3 ± 4.1, indicating minimal risk of disordered eating attitudes/behaviors. There were no significant differences in boulderers vs. top rope climbers for energy/macronutrient intake, BMI, and EAT-26 score. There were no associations between energy intake and EAT-26 score (R2 = 0.245, p = 0.271) or climbing ability and EAT-26 score (R2 = p = 0.217). These data suggest that, with the exception of dietary protein intake, adolescent climbers fail to meet target dietary intakes, and exhibit minimal risk of disordered eating

Injury and illness profiles during the 2014 South African Ironman triathlon

Background: There is a need for ongoing scrutiny of injury and illness profiles of ultra-distance athletes. This study aimed to record the medical history, illness and injuries of athletes receiving medical attention during the 2014 Ironman South Africa (IMSA) triathlon, and to investigate the temporal presentation of medical encounters.Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. All athletes who required medical attention at the main medical tent and all of the medical posts or mobile units along the route were included in this study A total of 2 331 athletes started the race. Data included age, gender, time and stage of the race when medical attention was required, pre-race medical history and medication use, illness and injuries treated, special investigations performed, and weather conditions.Results: Overall, 179 athletes (7.7%) required medical attention. The incidence of medical encounters was 7.8%. A significantly higher percentage of younger participants encountered medical problems (P = 0.04). Most patient encounters (80.1%) occurred after the race. The median duration of treatment was 26 minutes. Medication was used by 35.1% of patients during the race. The most common medical encounters were exertion-related (71.2%), gastro-intestinal (16.4%), dermatological (11.9%), musculoskeletal (9.6%) and cardiorespiratory conditions (2.4%).Conclusion: Medical encounters occurred more frequently in later stages of the race. Most medical conditions were exertion-related. Potential higher risk may be associated with medication use, recent illness, and in younger participants. Temporal stacking of medical personnel, planning of resources according to expected conditions, preventative measures for high-risk behaviour, and on-going data collection with comparable methodology are recommended.Keywords: triathletes, medical encounters, medication use, treatment, event medical managemen

The influence of tempering on the corrosion resistance of newly developed steels

Bibliography: pages 105-113.This thesis deals with the effect of heat treatment on the localized corrosion resistance of the low carbon, chromium containing steels, designated 825, 102A and 122 which recently have been developed. The potentiodynamic polarization technique has been employed to determine the corrosion characteristics of the three steels. The results do not accurately reflect the effect heat treatment has on corrosion rates but scanning electron microscopy of corroded surfaces does allow a characterization. Both tempering temperature and time at temperature have a significant influence on the corrosion behaviour of chromium steels because the type, size and morphology of carbide precipitates are determined by the temperature and time of temperi ng. Localized pitting corrosion predominates for specimens tempered at temperatures below 450°C. Intergranular corrosion together with general corrosion occur after tempering at temperatures. in excess of 450°C. The resul ts of hardness tests show that secondary hardeni ng occurs after tempering between 450°C and 600°C. Secondary hardening suggests the presence of chromium carbides which deplete the surrounding matrix of chromium leaving it susceptible to active general corrosion (within the grains) and intergranular corrosion (at grain boundaries). A model showing the effect that 12% chromium, in comparison to 8% chromium, has on the corrosion resistance, is proposed. The significance of these results with regard to the application of the steels is discussed

Medical students’ use of caffeine for ‘academic purposes’ and their knowledge of its benefits, side-effects and withdrawal symptoms

Background: Caffeine is often used for its benefits, which include increased vigilance. It does have side-effects, however, such as palpitations andwithdrawal symptoms that include headaches and drowsiness. Tertiary education often requires students to study for extended hours, especiallyduring periods of increased workload prior to tests and examinations. Medical students, who have to master a very large volume of academic work ina limited period of time, are no exception. This cross-sectional study investigated caffeine use for ‘academic purposes’ by first- to third-year medicalstudents at the University of the Free State in 2006, and their knowledge of its benefits, side-effects and withdrawal symptoms.Methods: Data were collected by means of an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that was completed by students during formal classtime, arranged in advance with the relevant lecturers. Questionnaires were available in Afrikaans and English. A pilot study was conducted on20 physiotherapy students to test the questionnaire. Chi-squared and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to compare categorical and numerical variables,respectively. Ethical approval to perform the investigation was granted by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of theFree State.Results: A 90.5% (360/389) response rate was obtained. Ninety-four per cent of participants used caffeine, with academic purposes (62.6%) amongthe three most frequent reasons given for its consumption. Other reasons included social consumption (70%) and preference for the taste (72.4%).Coffee (88.2%) was the most commonly consumed caffeinated product among these students, followed by energy mixtures and tablets (37.9%),and soft drinks (36%). Third-year students were the heaviest consumers of coffee for academic purposes. An increase in caffeine consumptionfor academic purpose was directly related to progression from first- to third- year of the medical course. The average scores for questions on thebenefits, side-effects and withdrawal symptoms were all below 1.5 out of 5. Misconceptions about caffeine were also identified. With regard to thebenefits of caffeine, the most commonly cited misconception was that it could be used as a substitute for sleep (26.7% of respondents). The mostcommon misconception regarding its side-effects was that it caused hot flushes (21.9%), while aggression (27.2%) was cited as the most commonmisconception regarding caffeine withdrawal.Conclusions: The high percentage of caffeine usage and low scores in the caffeine knowledge test indicated that most participants were usingcaffeine without having sufficient knowledge of its benefits, side-effects and withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended that awareness programmeson the side-effects and symptoms of caffeine withdrawal should be implemented by the student health and counselling facilities on campus. Thedisplay of posters in strategic venues and distribution of pamphlets could assist in the dissemination of information on this extensively consumedsubstance

The relationship between dietary factors and serum cholesterol values in the coloured population of the Cape Peninsula

A cross-sectional study of 976 coloured subjects aged 15 -64 years identified a population consuming a typical Western diet. Nutrient intake, determined by the 24-hour dietary recall method, reflected a diet high in fat (37% of total energy intake) and animal protein and a polyunsaturated/saturated fatly acid ratio of 0,85. Only 32,2% of men and 27,5% of women consumed a prudent diet (Keys score < 28). The influence of this Western diet on serum total cholesterol (TC) levels was seen to be marked whe'n participants with a high risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) were compared with those with a TC level putting them at low risk; the former consumed significantly more saturated fat and had a higher mean Keys score. Multiple linear regression analysis on TC levels of men identified six variables that explained 26,9% of the variation of TC. These were body mass index, age, the inverse of the polyunsaturated fat intake, saturated fat intake, polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio and cholesterol intake. For women only three variables (age, the inverse of the polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio, and body mass index) explained 30,2% of the variation of TC. Promotion of the prudent diet to lower TC levels of the coloured population of the Cape Peninsula is an increasingly urgent priority.S Afr Med J 1990; 78: 63-67

Risk factors for coronary heart disease in the Indians of Durban

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major problem in migrant Indians throughout the world. In South Africa it has reached 'epidemic' proportions. A field survey was conducted among Indians in the metropolitan area of Durban to determine the prevalence and known risk factors for CHD. In a study of 778 subjects aged 15 - 69 years (408 men), 15,3% (sex and age adjusted 13,4%) had a history of CHD. The important risk factors in men were hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, diabetes, and smoking, and in women diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and hypertriglyceridaemia. The minor risk factors were hyperuricaemia, sedentary occupation, obesity in women and a positive family history of CHD. A study of the major risk factors leading to CHD showed that 52% (sex and age adjusted 45,5%) had at least one major risk factor at the higher (level A) and 68% (sex and age adjusted 61,9%) at the lower (level B) risk levels. Diabetes mellitus was strongly associated with a positive history of CHD. In 47,6% (sex and age adjusted 48,2%) of the total group resting ECG abnormalities were found that could be coded. Because of the severe nature of CHD in the migrant Indian, an immediate and intensive programme of primary prevention of CHD risk factors should be instituted