Updating the Secondary Transition Research Base: Evidence- and Research-Based Practices in Functional Skills

Transition education should be grounded in quality research. To do so, educators need information on which practices are effective for teaching students with disabilities transition-related skills. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to identify evidence-based and research-based practices in secondary special education and transition for students with disabilities. This systematic review resulted in the identification of nine secondary transition evidence-based practices and 22 research-based practices across more than 45 different transition-related skills. The range of effects for each of the secondary transition evidence-based and research-based practices identified are also included. Limitations and implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed

Updating the Secondary Transition Research Base: Evidence - and Research - Based Practices in Functional Skills

Transition education should be grounded in quality research. To do so, educators need information on which practices are effective for teaching students with disabilities transition-related skills. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to identify evidence-based and research-based practices in secondary special education and transition for students with disabilities. This systematic review resulted in the identification of nine secondary transition evidence-based practices and 22 research-based practices across more than 45 different transition-related skills. The range of effects for each of the secondary transition evidence-based and research-based practices identified are also included. Limitations and implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed

Do Indigenous health workers improve chronic care for high risk adults in remote communities

Prevalence of diabetes and complex chronic conditions is greater, and complications higher for Indigenous people living in remote communities than the general Australian population. Outcomes can be improved greatly with appropriate primary care which includes local Indigenous health workers (IHWs) as key members of the team. IHWs provide language and cultural brokerage between non-Indigenous staff and clients that supports effective self-management. We undertook a trial of a model of diabetes care where IHWs received training and ongoing support for clinical diabetes and chronic disease management in 12 remote communities. We devised a mixed methods evaluation of clinical outcomes, care processes and implementation fidelity. The trial was modestly successful in in1proving clinical outcomes and reducing complications requiring hospital care. However implementation of the model of care was compromised by major health service restructure and a lack of systems in some services to appropriately accommodate the IHWs as key care coordinators. We conclude that the trial showed that IHWs contributed to improved outcomes in these settings despite these barriers, and that services and other health team members would benefit from a better understanding of the unique cultural and professional role of these workers if the best outcomes are to be achieved

Do Indigenous health workers improve chronic care for high risk adults in remote communities

Prevalence of diabetes and complex chronic conditions is greater, and complications higher for Indigenous people living in remote communities than the general Australian population. Outcomes can be improved greatly with appropriate primary care which includes local Indigenous health workers (IHWs) as key members of the team. IHWs provide language and cultural brokerage between non-Indigenous staff and clients that supports effective self-management. We undertook a trial of a model of diabetes care where IHWs received training and ongoing support for clinical diabetes and chronic disease management in 12 remote communities. We devised a mixed methods evaluation of clinical outcomes, care processes and implementation fidelity. The trial was modestly successful in in1proving clinical outcomes and reducing complications requiring hospital care. However implementation of the model of care was compromised by major health service restructure and a lack of systems in some services to appropriately accommodate the IHWs as key care coordinators. We conclude that the trial showed that IHWs contributed to improved outcomes in these settings despite these barriers, and that services and other health team members would benefit from a better understanding of the unique cultural and professional role of these workers if the best outcomes are to be achieved

Identification of Estrogenic Compounds Emitted from the Combustion of Computer Printed Circuit Boards in Electronic Waste

Rapid changes in technology have brought about a surge in demand for electronic equipment. Many of these products contain brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) as additives to decrease the rate of combustion, raising concerns about their toxicological risk. In our study, emissions from the combustion of computer-printed circuit boards were evaluated in the T47D-KBluc estrogen-responsive cell line at a series of concentrations. There was significant activity from the emission extract when compared to the positive control, 0.1 nM estradiol. After HPLC fractionation, GC/MS identified ten chemicals which included bisphenol A; the brominated derivates mono-, di-, and tribisphenol, triphenyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphine oxide, 4′-bromo-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol, 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybiphenyl, 3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybiphenyl, and the oxygenated polyaromatic hydrocarbon benzanthrone. Commercially available samples of these ten compounds were tested. The compound 4′-bromo-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol resulted in dose-dependent significant increases for luciferase activity at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 µM in the T47D-KBluc assay. The chemical also demonstrated an affinity for binding to the estrogen receptor (ER) with an IC50 of 2 × 10−7 M. To determine the uterotrophic activity, three doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) of 4′-bromo-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol were administered to adult ovariectomized Long–Evans rats for 3 days. Treatment of the animals with 200 mg/kg/day showed an increase in uterine weight. Hence one new chemical, released by burning of electrical wastes, was identified which displays estrogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, it was about 1000-fold less potent than ethynyl estradiol