Streaming : knowledge and attitudes

Recently, there have been a number of contributions to the local press as to whether Government primary schools should be streamed or not. These letters discussed various issues such as the role of the teacher, the relationship between pupils and teachers; and the relationship between teachers and pupils of different abilities. Unfortunately, these opinions were only expressed by University lecturers, politicians and researchers. The voices of the teachers, parents and children involved in streaming were not heard. On 14 June 1988, the Department of Information, in a Press Release, stated that a committee set up by the Ministry of Education was attempting to investigate the opinions of parents and teachers on the system. However, no results have been published as yet. It was for this reason that in our study we concentrated on such an issue in order to open a new field where such attitudes are given primary importance. It was not the purpose of our study to make a case for or against streaming. The study was designed to gather ethnographical material on the knowledge and attitudes that the pupils and their parents have towards streaming. It also attempted to trace out the part played by these attitudes in determining the success of failure of a pupil's academic performance.peer-reviewe

Stability and change in risky driving from the late teens to the late twenties

This paper examines patterns of risky driving from the late teens to the late twenties and identifies factors associated with persistence and change in risky driving tendencies.Key findings: Rates of risky driving remained fairly stable between the ages of 19-20 and 23-24 years, but had significantly decreased by 27-28 years. While there was a general trend for levels of risky driving to decrease, considerable variability was found in the risky driving patterns of individuals over this period. Antisocial behaviour appeared to be strongly linked to persistence and change in risky driving, adding support to the view that risky driving may form part of a broader underlying propensity to engage in problem behaviour(s). Low social skills were associated with an increasing propensity for risky driving among some young drivers. Binge drinking, gender, and parental status also differentiated between drivers who exhibited different across-time patterns of risky driving. These findings add to a growing body of research, which suggests that risky drivers are not identical - the factors that underlie their behaviour may differ

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a very common and under-appreciated eyelid margin condition which causes non-specific ocular irritation, significant patient distress. Chronic blepharitis is often difficult to manage. The true prevalence of blepharitis is difficult to estimate; figures cited in the literature range from 12%-79% due to the different ways how blepharitis may manifest itself and ill-defined diagnostic criteria.peer-reviewe

Sudden bilateral loss of vision in a 19-year-old man

Introduction: Posterior Reversible Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is caused by ischaemia commonly affecting the posterior cerebral vasculature. It presents with sudden decreased vision, headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and altered mental status. Case presentation: A 19-year-old male presented to the ophthalmic emergency complaining of sudden bilateral loss of vision, which was down to light perception He reported headaches, nausea, and drowsiness since the previous day. He was a known case of hypertension secondary to IgA nephropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with STIR and FLAIR sequences showed foci of hyperintensity within the occipital lobes bilaterally. This confirmed the suspected diagnosis of PRES. Discussion: Aetiological factors of PRES include sudden increase in blood pressure, eclampsia, porphyria, renal disease, and Cushing syndrome. These lead to blood-brain barrier injury either by hyper- or hypoperfusion, endothelial dysfunction, changes in blood vessel morphology, hypocapnea, or immune system activation. Histopathological changes in PRES include activated astrocytes, scattered macrophages and lymphocytes, often in the absence of inflammation or neuronal damage. Conclusion: PRES is usually a reversible neuroophthalmological condition, however prompt recognition and appropriate management is important to prevent permanent brain injury or even death.peer-reviewe

30 Years on : some key insights from the Australian Temperament Project

In 2013, the Australian Temperament Project (ATP) longitudinal study celebrated its 30th anniversary. This article provides a brief overview of the ATP, and highlights some key findings that have emerged over the past three decades. From amongst the many research areas explored in the ATP, topics covered here include temperament, learning problems, mental health, risk-taking, bullying, positive development, and relationships with parents in adulthood. Future plans for the study are also presented, including the new ATP Generation 3 Study which commenced in 2011 - a unique longitudinal study of the children of the ATP participants

Can pterygium excision with mitomycin C leaving bare sclera be salvaged?

Purpose The aim of this study was to analyze the recurrence rate of pterygium following excision with intra-operative mitomycin C (MMC) and post-operative scraping of the perilimbal conjunctival defect, and the patients’ satisfaction with this technique. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 33 eyes of 28 patients with primary or recurrent pterygium who underwent simple excision with MMC. They were followed up after a mean of 27.8 months. The main outcomes considered were the recurrence rate and patient satisfaction. A recurrence was defined as any regrowth of conjunctiva over the limbus and any complications were considered significant. The patients were interviewed with a standard questionnaire and examined. Results An objective recurrence was noted in 55% (18 out of 33 eyes). The recurrence rate after excision of primary pterygia was 46% (13 out of 28 eyes), and for recurrent pterygia it was 80% (four out of five eyes). In this study the complications included: six eyes that developed a granuloma, one case of bleeding which persisted for three days post-op, and one eye in which there was a suspected scleral melt at five weeks. 79% of the procedures resulted in a good patient satisfaction (26 out of 33 eyes), and only in 15% (five eyes) was there a subjective recurrence. Conclusions This technique in our study resulted in an unacceptably high recurrence rate, especially in the case of recurrent pterygia. However patients still tended to be satisfied with the outcome.peer-reviewe

The Australian temperament project: the first 30 years

The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) is a longitudinal study of the psychosocial development of a large and representative sample of Australian children born in the state of Victoria, Australia between September 1982 and January 1983.The study aims to trace the pathways to psychosocial adjustment and maladjustment across the lifespan, and to investigate the contribution of personal, family and environmental factors to development and wellbeing.<br /

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

A vision for science education in Malta : the national curriculum framework 2011 : consultation document 2011

The current document was prepared by a working group of science and science education experts set up in November 2008 by Prof Grace Grima, Director General for Quality and Standards. The brief was to analyse the current situation of science education in Malta and to suggest a way forward that adequately addresses current as well as future national needs in the area.peer-reviewe