Value-Added Modeling: The Challenge of Measuring Educational Outcomes

Provides an overview of value-added modeling, a method of measuring the effectiveness of teachers and schools by tracking student test scores at the beginning and end of the year. Outlines its history, merits, uses for teacher education, and challenges

Grading the General Chemistry Laboratory: A Constructivist Approach.

Constructivist theories of learning posit that instructors cannot transfer their knowledge to students; students must actively construct their own understanding. The Inter-Chem-Net project uses technology and instrumentation to provide an individualized experience within the large general laboratory course, effectively establishing a constructivist methodology. A grading rubric was developed to communicate course expectations and provide an easy and reliable method of evaluating student work in the general chemistry laboratory. The grading rubric separates the learning outcomes into a checklist of skills associated with each particular grade. This checklist provides detailed feedback for individualized choices of experiments, a key component of the Inter-Chem- Net model. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the impact of the grading rubric on the students and teaching assistants. The results were compared to student evaluation data from the previous year\u27s passlfail grading system. Results suggest the rubric helps students navigate course expectations and provides a consistent grading scheme across multiple sections of the course

The Simple Life

Fiction by Barbara Stewart Zic

Murder at the St. Regis

Fiction by Barbara Stewart Zic

Eating and stress at work: The need for public health promotion intervention and an opportunity for food product development?

YesGiven the large proportion of time spent at work, it is surprising that relatively little research has been devoted to understanding food selection in the work place. A growing literature suggests that stress, particularly occupation-related stress, negatively impacts upon food choice and may contribute to population ill health. The consensus is that work stress induces consumption of foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt which are likely to contribute to overweight and have long-term detriment to health. The interaction between stress and eating appears to vary by sex and type of work undertaken. This paper argues an imperative for further longitudinal and intervention research to understand interactions between food choice and stress in the work context with a view to the design of dietary health promotion and the development of nourishing food products targeted at those experiencing stress and which could be made accessible in the work place

From Dream to Reality: Conducting a Thorough Physical Exam With a Cell Phone

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a surge in the utilization of telemedicine as physicians and patients attempt to protect themselves. The art of medicine is rooted in the ability to gather subjective and objective data from patients to make accurate diagnoses and recommendations. We must rely on creativity and innovation to gather this information in the new setting of telehealth in a manner with high consistency and reliability to maintain high-quality patient care. Case Presentation: After gathering a thorough history, we work with the patient’s guardian to systematically view the patient head to toe, perform cardiopulmonary auscultation, and assess exercise tolerance through a functional examination. This method of physical examination allows for teaching to be easily integrated as both attending physician and student are viewing and listening to the same thing at the same time. Just as importantly, this method of examination strengthens the doctor-patient relationship by creating a working partnership with parent and child to gather the information needed for a successful and reliable physical examination. The lack of training physicians have in performing a virtual physical examination is a concern. There is often a perceived barrier to what can be examined virtually, creating a potential disservice to the patient. Here, we present how mobile communication devices (i.e. cellular phones) can act as the sole peripheral device necessary to conduct a thorough history and physical examination as most of these devices now come equipped with a high-quality camera, microphone, and bright light allowing for a general head-to-toe visualization of the patient and auscultation. Conclusion: Technology will continually advance and become more accessible, but what is currently widely available for both the patient and clinician is the mobile communication device. Optimization of the use of technology that is currently available needs to be prioritized. We must also take advantage of the great opportunity we have been presented with to create unique partnerships between physician, guardian, and child that make them a part of their healthcare. These unique working relationships and the opportunity for improved medical teaching are drivers for high-quality healthcare

Eclampsia

1. That the reasons 'why the incidence of eclampsia is higher in South India, than it is in Western countries are probably:- (a) the higher percentage of young primiparae. (b) the greater number of factors, which may precipitate an attack in border line cases of albuminuria.2. That the influence of climate, social conditions and caste is of some importance:— Climate, in that it is enervating and encourages sedentary habits; Social conditions, because of the superstitions and traditions, which consider as an essential part of the confinement, the presence of the untrained barber-woman as midwife-in-chief; Caste, because of the individual caste regulations, which control such conditions as diet, early marriage and its consummation, purdah and education of women.3. That the hope for the future of the young mothers of Southern India lies in the provision of an increased number of accessible ante-natal centres, with well trained health visitors and corporation nurses attached, who may be expected to supersede eventually the untrained Barber, woman class of midwife

Snapshot of RSV

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to cause bronchiolitis and other upper respiratory infections (URIs) in children. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdowns, circulation of other respiratory viruses was uncharacteristically low. Restrictions are quickly falling and with increased interaction there has been an uncharacteristic jump in cases. Purpose: To summarize the pathogenesis of RSV and the mechanisms the virus uses to evade immune responses. Additional discussion of the increased rates of RSV hospitalizations as well as the role of vaccinations in controlling infection

Case Report: Congenital Myasthenia Gravis- A case for newborn screening?

Background: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder which can result in involuntary muscle weakness. It commonly affects various muscular groups involving the eyes, face, arms, legs, and even muscles used for breathing. Most often Myasthenia Gravis affects adults, but it can occur in the pediatric population. Congenital Myasthenia Gravis (CMG) has a broad and variable presentation with many potential differential diagnoses. In rare cases, CMG can present in the first years of life with a fatigable weakness and a severe respiratory failure. In the more common, benign cases, presentation can occur later in life. Here, we present an interesting case of CMG in a male neonate. Through our findings we aim to make the case to introduce a more focused CMG genetic analysis within newborn screening testing as to avoid potential detrimental outcomes, improve quality of life, and decrease the financial burden on the families and healthcare system. Case Presentation: Our case begins with a term male neonate, who shortly after birth required resuscitation with positive pressure ventilation, then blow-by for five minutes after his delivery. Shortly after at 16 hours he became apneic with subsequent respiratory failure requiring transfer to the NICU where he was intubated and ventilated. During his stay in the NICU, the patient required a total of three days of mechanical ventilation, followed by CPAP for one day. The patient was able to tolerate oral feeds on the ninth day of life. Upon genetic testing, no inborn errors of metabolism were identified on his newborn screening, and his echocardiogram, CT and MRA imaging studies of the brain were normal. He did however display prolonged focal discharges on his EEG in the right frontal region, raising concern for seizure risk. Over the course of the next four years, he met few motor milestones, experiencing episodes of respiratory failure on six occurrences. During the next three years, the patient was tested for muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and inborn errors of metabolism, however no conclusive diagnosis could be reached. Eventually genetic testing revealed the diagnosis of congenital myasthenia gravis, displaying signature mutations in RAPSN, N88k and 373del. Pyridostigmine treatment was initiated, allowing proper development, milestone achievement, and physical activities such as walking, and running with minimal fatigue, without further respiratory failure. Discussion & Conclusions: Congenital Myasthenia Gravis is due to mutations in genes involved in the production of proteins required in signaling at the neuromuscular junction. These genetic mutations, resulting in single or multiple different defective proteins, effect various locations at the junction such as the presynaptic membrane, synaptic basal lamina, or the postsynaptic membrane. Available diagnostic panels and whole exome sequencing have allowed further classification of and expanded our understanding of CMG. However, a more rapid and accurate diagnosis of CMG is crucial and can reduce mortality and improve quality of life if caught early. Successful treatment of CMG is feasible, but requires life-altering, and lifelong medical treatment that should be initiated as soon as possible. A focused panel should be included in newborn screening to prevent delay in treatment, harm to the patient, and undue financial burden on families