Reliability of an assessment used in formal accommodation services: Implications for adults with an intellectual disability

Background: The Revised Irrabeena Core Skills Assessment (RICSA) is used in formal accommodation services and evaluates the functional skills of adults with an intellectual disability. The assessment is used to inform training for skills development. This study focused on establishing evidence for interrater reliability of the RICSA. Method: The RICSA was completed by 101 staff members on 30 adults living in group homes. Interviews were conducted with 9 staff members in order to identify potential issues that may affect the reliability of the assessment. Interrater reliability was analysed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and thematic analysis was conducted from the interview data. Results: The ICC values ranged from .63 to .73 across the 5 main domains of the RICSA. Conclusions: The agreement found may be regarded as unsatisfactory given that the use of the RICSA is to inform skills training for people with an intellectual disability

Influence of Keeping and Milking of Cows on the Hygienic Quality of Milk

The quality and quantity of milk is significantly influenced by housing conditions, care and feeding of dairy animals. Hygienic correct milk can be obtained if the cows or other dairy cattle are kept in hygienic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of housing conditions and milking of cows on the microbiological and chemical quality of milk. We examined six samples of bulk tank milk cows from 6 different farms from the Municipality of Podgorica, where cow milking is done by machines. Chemical parameters of milk - fat, protein, lactose, free fat dry matter and somatic cells were investigated on the device Combi-Foss (Foss Electric, Denmark), and the total number of bacteria on the appliance BactoScan. All obtained data were processed using modern variation statistics. Statistical parameters: mean value, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, are calculated. In order to assess the hygienic conditions of keeping and milking of cows at these farms a certain building, microclimate and hygienic parameters were studied - by modified method of Hristov and Reljić (2009). Based on the established state, each test parameter is rated from 0 to 5 points. Average value of the fat content in bulk tank milk was 3.39 % - ranged from 2.92 % to 3.94 %, protein content 3.13% - ranged from 2.78 % to 3.65 %, lactose 4.27% - ranged from 4.14 % to 4.47%, the fat free dry substance 8.13 % - ranged from 7.75 % to 8.77 %. The value of the number of somatic cells in bulk tank milk at the first farm was 52000/mL, second 85000/mL, third 63000/mL, fourth 1920000/mL, fifth 1373000/mL and sixth 200000/mL. The total bacteria count in the bulk tank milk at the first farm amounted to 5000/mL, second 41000/mL, third 124000/mL, fourth 1002000/mL, fifth 467000/mL and sixth 31000/mL. Physical, microclimate and hygienic parameters of dairy cows housing are rated with good rating on farms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and on the farm 5 with a sufficient rating. The fourth and fifth farms did not use disinfection of teats after milking and disinfection of milking machines. The fourth and fifth farm had significantly higher number of somatic cells in bulk tank milk. The fifth farm had significantly higher total number of bacteria/mL in bulk tank milk - compared to the number that is permitted under applicable regulations. This can be linked with inadequate building, microclimate and hygiene of cows and failing disinfection of the udder and milking machine after milking

The Rossini Mezzo-Soprano

Masteroppgave i utøvende musikk 2006 - Høgskolen i Agder, KristiansandThe Rossini mezzo-soprano is presented as a special voice type through the technical and interpretative aspect. My observations based on personal experiences as well as the expertises of my professors deal with the development of the mezzo-soprano voice with the influence of pedagogy and also with the influence and comparison with their own voice possibilities. The thesis is written in the English language by myself, Ivana Milasinovic and contains 54 pages. This thesis is part of my Masters Degree programme at Agder University College, The Conservatory of Music (Classical Department) in Kristiansand, Norway. The study which I present is divided into ten sections. Key words: Rossini, mezzo-soprano, singing technique. The First Section is an introduction with methods and aim. The Second Section is short introduction of Rossini and his works. The Third Section contains general information about singing. The Fourth Section is about vocal tuition; the technical approach to developing vocal skills to perform Rossini’s music for the mezzo-soprano voice through the influence of teachers of singers throughout history and also my own professors whose guidance have given me the basis of my technique to support my professional career. The Fifth Section contains technical observations about using of breath, palatal perception, attack of tone, head tone, head resonances and chest resonance. The Sixth Section is about challenge of Rossini’s demanding music – both for the student as well 3 as the teacher. This section relates to special technical aspects – such as the trill and coloratura writing. I also include examples of technical exercises to ’warm up’ the voice in preparation for practising and performing Rossini’s music. The Seventh Section is about characteristics of the Rossini mezzo-soprano – a personal observation of the type of voice that suits the composer’s challenging music. The Eighth Section concentrates on the performance of Rossini’s operas, including three roles (Rosina from Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Angelina from La Cenerentola, and Isabela from L’Italiana in Algeri) with some annotations and music examples. The Ninth Section is about Rossini’s singers - their vocal abilities and the views of the critics. The Tenth Section contains a conclusion to my investigation

Burden of bradycardia and barriers to accessing bradycardia therapy in underserved countries

Bradycardia, a condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, poses significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment. While it is a concern world-wide, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face substantial barriers in accessing appropriate bradycardia therapy. This article aims to explore the global aetiology and incidence of bradycardia, compare the prevalence and management of the condition in high-income countries versus LMICs, identify the key reasons behind the disparities in access to bradycardia therapy in LMICs, and emphasize the urgent need to address these disparities to ensure equitable healthcare on a global scal

Age and Gender Differences in Nutritional Status of School Children According to WHO, CDC and IOTF References: A Statewide Study from Montenegro

Nutritional status of school children has been discussed over the past decade, focusing on timely and adequate response that can positively affect the reduction of the health risks of overweight, obesity, and malnutrition. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate a nutritional status of healthy children from Montenegro according to three most common worldwide references. The sample of 1480 healthy school children was consisted of girls (N=733), mean age=10.98±1.38 years, mean body height BH=152.25±10.22 cm, and mean body mass BM=43.93±11.51 kg, and boys (N=747), mean age=10.95±1.41, mean BH=153.26±11.18 cm, and mean BM=46.16±13.21 kg. A nutritional status was defined by body mass index (BMI) and compared to the references developed by World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Prevalence differences relative to age and gender were analyzed as well. Results suggest that IOTF is the most appropriate method in absence of national references for growth and nutritional status. Furthermore, increase in prevalence of overweight and obese in boys was relatively high considering the time frame (5 years), while increase in girls was somewhat smaller, but nevertheless present. In total, every third (WHO) or every fourth (CDC and IOTF) child in Montenegro aged 9-13 years is either overweight or obese

Mogućnosti primene zrna hibrida kukuruza u proizvodnji hrane za ljude i životinje

The paper examined the suitability of maize hybrids kernels and dried distillers grains (DDGS), the by-product from the production of bioethanol, as a raw material for the production of food and feed. The dry matter digestibility of of maize kernels determined by enzymatic in vitro method was higher than the digestibility of DDGS. As a high-quality raw materials for the production of food, all investigated hybrids showed good quality. All DDGS samples showed favorable characteristics regarding the chemical composition, content of lignocellulosic fibers and energy. Increased content of NDF and ADF in comparison to maize kernel can have a positive impact on ruminant nutrition.U radu je ispitivana podobnost zrna ZP hibrida kukuruza i suve kukuruzne džibre, sporednog produkta iz proizvodnje bioetanola, kao sirovine za proizvodnju hrane za ljude i životinje. Svarljivost suve materije zrna kukuruza određena enzimskom in vitro metodom bila je viša od svarljivosti uzoraka suve kukuruzne džibre. Kao kvalitetna sirovina za proizvodnju hrane za ljudsku ishranu, svi ispitani hibridi su pokazali odlične karakteristike. Svi uzorci džibre ispitanih hibrida pokazali su povoljne karakteristike koje se tiču hemijskog sastava, sadržaja lignoceluloznih vlakana i energije. Povećan sadržaj NDF-a i ADF-a u džibri u odnosu na zrno kukuruza može pozitivno uticati na ishranu preživara

Cohort profile: the ESC EURObservational Research Programme Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infraction (NSTEMI) Registry.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) Registry aims to identify international patterns in NSTEMI management in clinical practice and outcomes against the 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without ST-segment-elevation. Consecutively hospitalised adult NSTEMI patients (n = 3620) were enrolled between 11 March 2019 and 6 March 2021, and individual patient data prospectively collected at 287 centres in 59 participating countries during a two-week enrolment period per centre. The registry collected data relating to baseline characteristics, major outcomes (in-hospital death, acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, bleeding, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, and 30-day mortality) and guideline-recommended NSTEMI care interventions: electrocardiogram pre- or in-hospital, pre-hospitalization receipt of aspirin, echocardiography, coronary angiography, referral to cardiac rehabilitation, smoking cessation advice, dietary advice, and prescription on discharge of aspirin, P2Y12 inhibition, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), beta-blocker, and statin. The EORP NSTEMI Registry is an international, prospective registry of care and outcomes of patients treated for NSTEMI, which will provide unique insights into the contemporary management of hospitalised NSTEMI patients, compliance with ESC 2015 NSTEMI Guidelines, and identify potential barriers to optimal management of this common clinical presentation associated with significant morbidity and mortality.Since the start of EORP, the following companies have supported the programme: Abbott Vascular Inc. (2011–20), Amgen Cardiovascular (2009–18), AstraZeneca (2014–21), Bayer AG (2009–18), Boehringer Ingelheim (2009–19), Boston Scientific (2009–12), Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance (2011–19), Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH (2011–20), the Alliance Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH and Eli Lilly and Company (2014–17), Edwards (2016–19), Gedeon Richter Plc. (2014–16), Menarini Int. Op. (2009–12), MSD-Merck & Co. (2011–14), Novartis Pharma AG (2014–20), ResMed (2014–16), Sanofi (2009–11), Servier (2009–21), and Vifor (2019–22).S

Cohort profile: the ESC EURObservational Research Programme Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infraction (NSTEMI) Registry

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) Registry aims to identify international patterns in NSTEMI management in clinical practice and outcomes against the 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without ST-segment-elevation.Consecutively hospitalised adult NSTEMI patients (n = 3620) were enrolled between 11 March 2019 and 6 March 2021, and individual patient data prospectively collected at 287 centres in 59 participating countries during a two-week enrolment period per centre. The registry collected data relating to baseline characteristics, major outcomes (in-hospital death, acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, bleeding, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, and 30-day mortality) and guideline-recommended NSTEMI care interventions: electrocardiogram pre- or in-hospital, pre-hospitalization receipt of aspirin, echocardiography, coronary angiography, referral to cardiac rehabilitation, smoking cessation advice, dietary advice, and prescription on discharge of aspirin, P2Y12 inhibition, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), beta-blocker, and statin.The EORP NSTEMI Registry is an international, prospective registry of care and outcomes of patients treated for NSTEMI, which will provide unique insights into the contemporary management of hospitalised NSTEMI patients, compliance with ESC 2015 NSTEMI Guidelines, and identify potential barriers to optimal management of this common clinical presentation associated with significant morbidity and mortality