A learning object success story

This paper outlines an approach to designing a course entirely in learning objects. It provides a theoretical basis for the design and then presents evaluation data from a master’s level course using this design. It also describes several re-uses of the learning objects on other courses and in different contexts. Each learning object is conceived as a whole learning experience, thus avoiding many of the problems associated with assembling components of disparate kinds

Technical innovation changes standard radiographic protocols in veterinary medicine: is it necessary to obtain two dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique views of the equine foot when using computerised radiography systems?

Since the 1950s, veterinary practitioners have included two separate dorsoproximal–palmarodistal oblique (DPr–PaDiO) radiographs as part of a standard series of the equine foot. One image is obtained to visualise the distal phalanx and the other to visualise the navicular bone. However, rapid development of computed radiography and digital radiography and their post-processing capabilities could mean that this practice is no longer required. The aim of this study was to determine differences in perceived image quality between DPr–PaDiO radiographs that were acquired with a computerised radiography system with exposures, centring and collimation recommended for the navicular bone versus images acquired for the distal phalanx but were subsequently manipulated post-acquisition to highlight the navicular bone. Thirty images were presented to four clinicians for quality assessment and graded using a 1–3 scale (1=textbook quality, 2=diagnostic quality, 3=non-diagnostic image). No significant difference in diagnostic quality was found between the original navicular bone images and the manipulated distal phalanx images. This finding suggests that a single DPr–PaDiO image of the distal phalanx is sufficient for an equine foot radiographic series, with appropriate post-processing and manipulation. This change in protocol will result in reduced radiographic study time and decreased patient/personnel radiation exposure

The varying role of the GP in the pathway between colonoscopy and surgery for colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Extent: 11p.Objectives: To describe general practitioner (GP) involvement in the treatment referral pathway for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Design: A retrospective cohort analysis of linked data. Setting: A population-based sample of CRC patients diagnosed from August 2004 to December 2007 in New South Wales, Australia, using the 45 and Up Study, cancer registry diagnosis records, inpatient hospital records and Medicare claims records. Participants: 407 CRC patients who had a colonoscopy followed by surgery. Primary outcome measures: Patterns of GP consultations between colonoscopy and surgery (ie, between diagnosis and treatment). We investigated whether consulting a GP presurgery was associated with time to surgery, postsurgical GP consultations or rectal cancer cases having surgery in a centre with radiotherapy facilities. Results: Of the 407 patients, 43% (n=175) had at least one GP consultation between colonoscopy and surgery. The median time from colonoscopy to surgery was 27 days for those with an intervening GP consultation and 15 days for those without the consultation. 55% (n=223) had a GP consultation up to 30 days postsurgery; it was more common in cases of patients who consulted a GP presurgery than for those who did not (65% and 47%, respectively, adjusted OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.50 to 4.89, p=0.001). Of the 142 rectal cancer cases, 23% (n=33) had their surgery in a centre with radiotherapy facilities, with no difference between those who did and did not consult a GP presurgery (21% and 25% respectively, adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.27 to 2.63, p=0.76). Conclusions: Consulting a GP between colonoscopy and surgery was associated with a longer interval between diagnosis and treatment, and with further GP consultations postsurgery, but for rectal cancer cases it was not associated with treatment in a centre with radiotherapy facilities. GPs might require a more defined and systematic approach to CRC management.David Goldsbury, Mark Harris, Shane Pascoe, Michael Barton, Ian Olver, Allan Spigelman, Justin Beilby, Craig Veitch, David Weller, Dianne L O'Connel

Dispersive magnetic excitations in the S=1 antiferromagnet Ba3_3Mn2_2O8_8

We present powder inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the S=1 dimerized antiferromagnet Ba$_3$Mn$_2$O$_8$. The $T=1.4$ K magnetic spectrum exhibits a spin-gap of $\Delta \approx 1.0$ meV and a dispersive spectrum with a bandwidth of approximately 1.5 meV. Comparison to coupled dimer models describe the dispersion and scattering intensity accurately and determine the exchange constants in Ba$_3$Mn$_2$O$_8$. The wave vector dependent scattering intensity confirms the proposed S=1 dimer bond. Temperature dependent measurements of the magnetic excitations indicate the presence of both singlet-triplet and thermally activated triplet-quintet excitations.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, Submitted to Physical Review B, Resubmited versio

Selected Physical Properties of Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host.)

Selected physical properties of jointed goatgrass samples collected in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado were determined. Measured properties were spikelet dimensions (length 10.8 ± 0.35 mm; width 2.59 ± 0.25 mm), particle density (0.761 ± 0.016 g/m3), bulk density (351 ± 26.9 kg/m3), terminal velocity (301 ± 25.9 m/min), angle of repose (26.3 ± 0.286°), internal coefficient of friction (0.494 ± 0.007), and equilibrium moisture contents at 10% RH (6.56 ± 1.03% w.b.), 30% RH (7.43 ± 1.21% w.b.), 50% RH (9.01 ± 0.67% w.b.), 70% RH (11.89 ± 0.61% w.b.), and 90% RH (20.39 ± 2.38% w.b.). Jointed goatgrass had substantially lower particle density and bulk density values than those reported in the literature for hard red winter wheat

Selected Physical Properties of Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host.)

Selected physical properties of jointed goatgrass samples collected in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado were determined. Measured properties were spikelet dimensions (length 10.8 ± 0.35 mm; width 2.59 ± 0.25 mm), particle density (0.761 ± 0.016 g/m3), bulk density (351 ± 26.9 kg/m3), terminal velocity (301 ± 25.9 m/min), angle of repose (26.3 ± 0.286°), internal coefficient of friction (0.494 ± 0.007), and equilibrium moisture contents at 10% RH (6.56 ± 1.03% w.b.), 30% RH (7.43 ± 1.21% w.b.), 50% RH (9.01 ± 0.67% w.b.), 70% RH (11.89 ± 0.61% w.b.), and 90% RH (20.39 ± 2.38% w.b.). Jointed goatgrass had substantially lower particle density and bulk density values than those reported in the literature for hard red winter wheat