Supporting Catholic Education through Effective School/University Partnerships: Two Models from the 2012 Catholic Higher Education Collaborative Conference

This essay was developed from a panel presentation by Henk and Maney, as well as other key professional colleagues, delivered at the 2012 CHEC Conference. The essay describes the formation and initial work of a consortium of five institutions of higher education in the greater Milwaukee area, including Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch University, Marian University, Marquette University, and Mount Mary College

Explaining Political Violence Against Civilians in Northern Ireland: A Contention-Oriented Approach

In contrast to prevalent theories of terrorism, this study develops a contention-oriented approach where levels and forms of political violence against civilians depend upon: (1) the strategies of combatants; (2) the means of contention; (3) the locations of allies and opponents; (4) the collective identities of combatants; and (5) the dynamics of contention, including whether or not representatives of paramilitary organizations are included in formal peace processes. Quantitative analyses of a multi-source database of civilian deaths taking place in Northern Ireland between 1966 and 2006 offer preliminary support for this approach. The study underscores the insights provided by theories and methods used in the fields of social movements research and peace and conflict studies

Supporting Catholic Education through Effective School/University Partnerships: Two Models from the 2012 Catholic Higher Education Collaborative Conference

The following article contains two essays based on presentations to the 2012 CHEC conference on Catholic school governance held at Marquette University in October 2012. The essays outline two models of deep collaboration between Catholic institutions of higher education and Catholic K-12 schools designed to support and foster improvements in Catholic education. The first essay, “Higher Education Working Together to Help Catholic Schools: The Greater Milwaukee Catholic Education Consortium,” written by William A. Henk and Jennifer A. Maney, provides an overview of the Greater Milwaukee Catholic Education Consortium (GMCEC), an ongoing collaborative effort between the archdiocese of Milwaukee and the region’s five Catholic colleges and universities. Building a strong partnership among multiple institutions has allowed the GMCEC to leverage the individual strengths of each member institution to provide a variety of supports to Catholic schools within the diocese. The essay outlines the early history of the collaboration, the key areas of engagement, and some emerging outcomes and ongoing challenges associated with efforts to scaffold supports for diocesan schools. Following this essay are excerpts from a panel discussion among the five presidents of the institutions of higher education that are part of the consortium

One-year implant survival following lateral window sinus augmentation using plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) : a retrospective study

The aim of this study was to assess one-year implant survival after lateral window sinus augmentation using PRGF combined with various bone grafting materials. This was a retrospective chart review and radiographic analysis of patients that had undergone lateral window sinus augmentation with PRGF and had dental implants placed at least 6 months post augmentation. All implants included were followed up for at least one year after placement. Demographic, sinus and implant related characteristics (residual ridge height, sinus membrane perforation, type of graft material, implant length and width and ISQ at placement) were analyzed. A total of 31 patients with 39 sinus augmentations and 48 implants were included. The mean follow up was 22.8 ± 9.9 months. Implant survival was 95.8%, with 2 implants overall failing. Among all the variables assessed, the only one found to be associated with an increased risk for implant failure was the use of xenograft as bone grafting material in the sinus. Within the limitations of this study, dental implants placed in maxillary sinuses grafted with PRGF in combination with bone grafting materials, exhibit high implant survival rates after at least one year follow up

The Tobacco-Related Behavioral Risks of a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents

The study\u27s purpose was to determine which factors were the strongest predictors of tobacco smoking behaviors among U.S. adolescents. The population included a nationally representative sample of 6,504 adolescents residing in the U.S. Data were collected in respondents \u27homes using trained interviewers. Weighted population estimates showed that over half (55.6%) of adolescents had ever tried smoking, nearly half of whom (48.2%) reported regular smoking. Those whose closest friends smoked were twice as likely to ever smoke (OR = 2.24, p\u3c.001), twice as likely to be a regular smoker (OK = 2.28, p \u3c.OO1), and more likely (b = 5.15p \u3c.OO1) to have smoked daily than those whose friends do not smoke. Results show the very strong influence of friendships on tobacco initiation and continuance among this national sample of adolescents. Recommendations for primary and secondary prevention are noted

Cerebral Arterial Oxygen Saturation Measurements Using a Fiber-Optic Pulse Oximeter

Background A pilot investigation was undertaken to assess the performance of a novel fiber-optic cerebral pulse oximetry system. A fiber-optic probe designed to pass through the lumen of a cranial bolt of the type used to make intracranial pressure measurements was used to obtain optical reflectance signals directly from brain tissue. Methods Short-duration measurements were made in six patients undergoing neurosurgery. These were followed by a longer duration measurement in a patient recovering from an intracerebral hematoma. Estimations of cerebral arterial oxygen saturation derived from a frequency domain-based algorithm are compared with simultaneous pulse oximetry (SpO2) and emoximeter (SaO2) blood samples. Results The short-duration measurements showed that reliable photoplethysmographic signals could be obtained from the brain tissue. In the long-duration study, the mean (±SD) difference between cerebral oxygen saturation (ScaO2) and finger SpO2 (in saturation units) was -7.47(±3.4)%. The mean (±SD) difference between ScaO2 and blood SaO2 was -7.37(±2.8)%. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrated that arterial oxygen saturation may be estimated from brain tissue via a fiber-optic pulse oximeter used in conjunction with a cranial bolt. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical utility of the technique

Pilot study in neonatal and pediatric oesophageal pulse oximetry

The primary objective of this proof-of-concept pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of detecting photoplethysmographic(PPG) signals and estimating blood oxygen saturation (Spo2) values from the esophagus of children and neonates. This vital measurement can be impossible to obtain at times when it is most needed during septic shock, circulatory collapse, or cardiac arrest

Evaluation of a Fiber-optic Esophageal Pulse Oximeter

A dual-wavelength fiber-optic pulse oximetry system was developed for the purposes of estimating oxygen saturation from the esophagus. A probe containing miniature right-angled glass prisms was used to record photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals from the esophageal wall. Signals were recorded successfully in 19 of 20 patients, demonstrating that PPG signals could be reliably obtained from an internal vascularized tissue site such as the esophageal epithelium. The value of the mean oxygen saturation recorded from the esophagus was 94.0plusmn4.0%. These results demonstrate that SpO2 may be estimated in the esophagus using a fiber-optic probe and this may be the first report of such measurements