Exploring Community Partners’ Perspectives of the Nature of Service-Learning Partnerships in Egypt

While some attention has been paid to service-learning partnerships as the unit of analysis, past research on such partnerships focused primarily on the impacts of the collaborations and was based mostly in U.S. contexts.  The underrepresentation of community voice in existing literature further complicates the problem.  This qualitative study addressed these gaps by exploring community partners’ perspectives on the nature of service-learning relationships in Egypt in light of Enos and Morton’s (2003) framework.  Findings indicated current transactional relationships with aspirations for transformation.  Community partners’ voices provided lively examples of how transactional and transformative service-learning relationships may become actualized in practice.  The outcomes of this study promote an enhanced understanding of the barriers to developing transformative partnerships between university and community partners.  Data provided can be used by partners to enhance the design and implementation of service-learning collaborations.  The outcomes of this study are especially useful for partners wanting to elevate their partnerships to transformation.

Lokalrezedivrate nach laserunterstützter pulmonaler Metastasektomie

Objective Indications for surgery and resection techniques for pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) are controversial. However, a recent consensus favoured pulmonary parenchyma-sparing resection as it preserves functionally healthy lung tissue, although this can increase the risk of local recurrence at the surgical margin. Laser-assisted PM (LPM) is a relatively recent innovation that is particularly useful when applied for multiple metastatic pulmonary nodules. This study investigated the rate of local recurrence after LPM and evaluated the influence of various clinical and pathological factors. Methods Retrospectively, a total of 280 metastatic nodules with different histopathological entities in 101 patients were studied after LPM between 2010 and 2018. All nodules were resected using a diode-pumped neodymium-yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) 1,318-nm laser maintaining a safety margin of 5 mm. The patients were observed postoperatively on average for 44 ± 17 months. Cox regression model was used to investigate the risk of local recurrence per nodule. Results Local recurrence at the surgical margin following LPM was found in 7 of the 101 patients (6.93%) and 9 nodules out of 280 nodules (3.21%). Local recurrence at the surgical margin occurred postoperatively after 20 ± 8.5 months. Two nodule features were associated with a significantly increased risk of local recurrence at the surgical margin: incomplete resection (p = <0.01) and the size of the nodule (p = <0.01). The histology of the primary disease showed no impact on local recurrence. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 84% and 49%, respectively. Local recurrence had no significant influence on survival (p = 0.9). Conclusion Following LPM, the rate of local recurrence was low. This was influenced by the size of the metastatic nodules and the completeness of the resection. A safety margin of 5 mm seemed to be sufficient.Ziel und Hintergrund Die pulmonale Metastasektomie (PM) ist eine häufig durchgeführte Operation. Allerdings ist der Evidenz ihrer Wirksamkeit auf Register-Daten und chirurgische retrospektive Serien basiert. Trotz der fehlenden randomisierten Studien deuten mehrere Fallberichte und kleine Serien darauf hin, dass eine Resektion das Überleben verlängert und dass bei einigen Patienten mit isolierter Lungenbeteiligung ein langfristiges rezidivfreies Überleben (oder sogar eine Heilung) möglich ist. PM kann mit verschiedenen chirurgischen Techniken durchgeführt werden. Beim Nd:YAG-Laser ist eine vollständige Resektion in einer signifikanten höheren Anzahl von Metastasen möglich. Bezüglich eines akzeptablen Sicherheitsabstandes zur Vermeidung von Lokalrezidiven, gibt es jedoch bisher keine Daten. Methoden Retrospektiv wurde von 2010 bis 2018 insgesamt 280 metastasierte Herde unterschiedlicher Primarien in 101 Patienten nach laserunterstützter Lungenmetastasektomie untersucht. Alle Herde wurden mit einem diodengepumpten Nd:YAG 1.318 nm Laser mit einem Sicherheitsabstand von 5 mm reseziert. Die eingeschlossenen Patienten wurden durchschnittlich 44 ±17 Monate nach der Operation beobachtet. Das CoxRegressionsmodell wurde verwendet, um das Risiko eines Lokalrezidivs pro Herd und pro Patient zu untersuchen. Ergebnisse Bei 9 aus 280 Herde (3,21%) und bei 7 von 101 Patienten (6,93%) wurde ein lokales Rezidiv nach laserunterstützter Lungenmetastasektomie festgestellt. Ein lokales Rezidiv trat durchschnittlich 20 ±8,5 Monate nach der Operation auf. Zwei Merkmale, waren mit einem signifikant erhöhten Risiko eines Lokalrezidivs am Operationsrand verbunden: eine unvollständige Resektion (p=<0,01) und die Größe des Herdes (p=<0,01). Die Histologie der Primarius zeigte keinen Einfluss auf das Lokalrezidiv. Das Drei- und Fünfjahresüberleben betrug 84% bzw. 49%. Das Antreten eines Lokalrezidivs hatte keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf das Überleben (p=0,9). Schlussfolgerungen Nach einer laserunterstützten Lungenmetastasektomie ist die Lokalrezidivrate niedrig. Dies wird durch die Größe des Herdes und die Vollständigkeit der Resektion beeinflusst. Ein Sicherheitsabstand von 5 mm scheint ausreichend zu sein

Advancing Intercultural Understanding and Personal Development Outcomes Through Service-Learning: Insights from an International Student

Knowledge, experience, and reflection are mutually dependent and interconnected. The things people do comprise their experiences which then become the source of their knowledge. Unless people reflect on their experiences, they are less likely to learn from them (McCarthy, 2003). With this in mind, this essay is a critical reflection account of my experience in a service- learning course I took as a graduate student in a U.S research-based university. The essay is organized into four main sections. The first provides an operational definition of service learning and briefly discusses past research pertaining to the effects of this pedagogy on student service-learners. The second describes my experience, introducing the goal, nature, and structure of the service-learning course. The third highlights my engagement in the service-learning experience, providing examples of the course activities. The final section of the essay discusses the significance of this service-learning experience, elaborating on some academic, social, and personal gains

Hezbollah: Ideology, Practice, and the Arab Revolts - Between popular legitimacy and strategic interests

In the years prior to what became known as the Arab Spring, regional public opinion strongly favored Hezbollah due to its principled commitment to the liberation of Palestine. As popular upheavals swept through the Arab Middle East in 2011, this sentiment continued as the movement gave its support to the initial uprisings. However, as the protests reached Syria the image of Hezbollah as a champion of the oppressed shifted when it decided to side with the regime of Bashar al-Assad and thus raising the question of what it is that actually drives and determines the actions and policy decisions of Hezbollah. As such, this thesis focuses on the relationship between Hezbollah’s ideology and practice in the context of the Arab revolts of 2011 and beyond. It argues that Hezbollah is a deeply rational and pragmatic movement that when necessary does not hesitate to disregard its doctrinal principles in favor of its material interests. This relationship is analyzed using the Social Movement Theory known as ‘framing’ as well as a perspective on ideology influenced by materialism

Staff Retention in Non-Profits Operating within Regions with Ongoing Conflict: The Case of Syria

Syrian non-profits are a relatively new phenomena which emerged after the Syrian revolution of 2011. The new institutions are face a variety of challenges, including staff retention. The thesis delves into the growing pains of community groups transforming into formal institutions and how this has posed challenges to retaining staff in an ongoing conflict. With the voice of staff from Syrian non-profits in Turkey, the research provides a glimpse to the various factors that influence their decision to continue work.Master's Thesis in Public AdministrationAORG351MASV-PUBA

Molluscum contagiosum infection with features of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

CD30+ T cell pseudolymphomas (CD30+ PSL) are a group of benign inflammatory cutaneous disorders that can develop in settings of viral infections or drug reactions. Owing to their histological similarities to malignant lymphomas, these benign infiltrates are occasionally misdiagnosed as malignant, causing significant concerns for patients and physicians. Herein, we report a patient with CD30+ PSL associated with molluscum contagiosum whose initial biopsy revealed atypical large CD30-expressing cells, leading to a misdiagnosis of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma and referral to our cutaneous lymphoma clinic. We report this case to demonstrate that reactive CD30+ infiltrate associated with molluscum contagiosum can be mistaken for T-cell lymphomas and patients should be reassured in these cases

An assessment of teachers\u27 perceptions of bullying in an Egyptian school

Egyptian children are no exception to their peers worldwide in facing bullying. However, bullying has been poorly researched in Egypt (Goryl, Neilsen & Sweller, 2013). Bullying is commonly defined as an aggressive behavior that is intentional, repeated for a long time and involves an imbalance of power. It can have negative effects on children\u27s physical and psychological health and can even escalate to the tragedy of suicide. Teachers often serve as students\u27 first line of defense against bullying. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine Egyptian teachers\u27 perceptions of bullying in order to better understand how they deal with it, specifically how teachers view bullying, what kind of bullying interventions they employ at school, and how strongly are they committed to take an action towards bullying prevention in schools. Elementary teachers in a private school in Cairo responded to a survey on knowledge and attitudes towards bullying (n = 90, return rate = 60%). The study used the Bullying Attitude Questionnaire Modified (BAQ-M) (Yoon & Kerber, 2003) to create five vignettes that assessed teachers\u27 attitudes towards bullying. In addition, six female teachers and seven male teachers were interviewed to gain a deeper understanding of teachers\u27 perceptions of bullying identification, intervention and prevention. Findings showed that most teachers had misunderstandings about the criteria of bullying and how to define it, but they showed good awareness of the factors that influence bullying behaviors. Teachers implemented a variety of bullying intervention strategies with punishment being the most common strategy. They experienced many challenges, such as lack of support from parents, that made them hesitant to intervene in bullying situations. While the school did not have anti-bullying policies, teachers were eager to attend training workshops about bullying and gave many suggestions for improving bullying prevention. Based on these findings, a bullying prevention program that involves a training was developed to create social change by providing education and promoting self-efficacy for teachers faced with the challenges dealing with school bullying. Further research is needed to gain deeper understanding of the perceptions of all entities involved in bullying from different backgrounds