Mountains, Molehills and Milestones: Participant Experiences from the WSU Mentoring Programs

This study uses a series of narratives (stories) of experiences of professional and academic staff participating in mentoring programs at Western Sydney University as either mentors or mentees in the last five years. The narratives, as prompted by open-ended questions through an online survey instrument, reflect on participants’ mentoring goals, the outcomes of the program, any challenges experienced and recommendations for future staff involved in mentoring programs at the university. In addition, the study examines the success of the mentoring program across a range of psycho-social and career development outcomes over a five-year period. The study highlights the practical implications of mentoring programs for staff and provides guidance to future participants. It also considers if there are any notable differences in the experiences of a mentoring program which may be due to demographic factors such as age, discipline, gender and years of experience. Findings suggest that proactivity, risk-taking, time management and trust are the main obstacles that mentees must overcome in order to reap the full benefits of a mentoring program. Academic mentees were found to be successful in applying for research grants, publishing research articles and substantially increasing the number of higher degree research students under their supervision. Some mentees also received awards and recognition that they attributed to being part of the mentoring program. Other less tangible benefits that were reported by mentees include improved networking skills, increased confidence and assertiveness, prioritising of work activities, and navigating ‘office politics’. Mentors participating in the study built lasting friendships with their mentees and found that being a mentor provided them an opportunity to revisit their own career and make improvements/take action where necessary. Some mentors also invited their mentees to so-supervise research students with them and to work with them on research grants and projects. Less tangible achievements of mentors included building both their own and their mentee’s confidence and contributing to succession planning for the University. The findings of this study are important for both professional and academic staff considering mentoring programs to assist in advancing their career and to higher education institutions who seek to offer successful mentoring programs for their staff. The research highlights the practical implications of mentoring programs for staff at higher education institutions and makes recommendations for future programs and participants to ensure that the programs are contributing to the developmental, career and psycho-social needs of staff from all gender groups and provide equal opportunity for all staff to advance careers through promotion and improved performance

Maternal mortality assessment in a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Objective of this study was to calculate the maternal mortality rate in our hospital and to assess the epidemiological aspects and causes of maternal mortality to further analyse ways to reduce the maternal mortality rate (MMR).Methods: This was a retrospective analytical study done in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, MLN Medical College and District Women Hospital, Prayagraj over a time period of 10 years i.e., October 2009 to October 2019. Retrospective analysis and evaluation of the medical records and statistics was done to find out and collect specific causes of maternal deaths in the give time period.Results: There were 357 maternal deaths from October 2009 to October 2019. Maternal mortality rate in the study was calculated to be 498.42 per 1 lakh live births. Maximum deaths were in 21-30 years age group with multipara, unbooked and illiterate cases. Majority of the deaths reported were from direct causes of maternal mortality i.e., hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis.Conclusions: In the selected hospitals, the mean maternal mortality rate in the study period was 498.42/100000 births. 71.4% had direct cause and 21.56% had indirect cause of maternal mortality several factors like regular antenatal visits, early identification of high-risk cases, timely referral, institutional deliveries, adequate post-partum care and follow-up can contribute to decrease the maternal mortality rate effectively

Polymorphism of cranial suture obliteration in adult crania.

Cranial sutures are fibrous joints of the skull which allow for growth in young individuals. The sutural ligament is the fibrous connective material found between the two joint surfaces which can be divided into a number of different layers. During embryonic development and growth, ossification centres in the skull allow for the growth and development of the flat bones in the skull. Sutures are the areas where these ossification centres eventually meet. Some sutures like the frontal suture normally disappear at the age of two years, but it has been shown that this suture can persist in adulthood and is then called the metopic suture. Torgersen (1950) has shown that the obliteration pattern of the metopic suture is the same for skulls belonging to common inheritance trajectories. Cranial suture closure has thus been shown to be controlled by genes. In physical anthropology, obliteration of cranial sutures has been used as an age-at-death indicator since 1542. However, in 1890, Dwight rejected the notion that there was any relationship between age and obliteration patterns. Despite this, there have been a number of studies that have continued to use this method to estimate age-at-death from skeletal remains. These methods are currently still being used. The aim of this study was to investigate cranial suture obliteration patterns in adult crania. A total of 490 randomly selected modern black and white South African skulls from the Dart Collection were used to collect data. The ages of the individuals ranged from 19 to 98 years. Two methods previously used to estimate age from skeletal remains were used to assess the final obliteration status of the sutures. The scores assigned to these sutures were then subjected to statistical analyses to explore any relationship between age, sex and population affinity. The results show that considerable polymorphism in the obliteration pattern of the cranial vault sutures exist. The endocranial scores are bimodal while the ectocranial aspects using both the Acsádi & Nemeskéri (1970) and Meindl & Lovejoy (1985) method are multimodal. Bimodality and multimodality are direct indications of polymorphism. No significant relationship was found between obliteration and age. Thereafter the two methods initially used to assess the sutures were used to estimate the age of the skulls to test these methods. The results show that both these methods are not useful as age estimators when used on individuals drawn from the South African black and white populations. Since the large majority of variation in cranial suture obliteration is not explainable by age, it is hypothesized that patterns of the cranial vault suture obliteration are the result of epigenetic variation similar to that occurring elsewhere on the skeleton, and not a regular result of aging.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 200

Discriminating sex in South African blacks using patella dimensions

The patella is the largest sesamoid bone that develops within the quadriceps femoris muscle tendon. Since the shape and size of the patella relies on the strength of the muscle mass, it is likely that stronger muscle masses could alter the shape and size of this bone. Given that females have a smaller build than males, it can be hypothesized that some measurements of the patella will display sexual dimorphism. A total of 120 (60 males and 60 females) patellae of South African Blacks were measured. The age range was between 18 and 70 years. Since it has been previously shown that there are no statistically significant intertribal differences in osteometric dimensions of the South African Black population group, data were collected from two large groups, the Zulu and Xhosa tribes. Only the left patellae were measured, and patellae that had any signs of pathology or abnormality were excluded from the study. Six features were measured for each patella. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) program was used to derive the equations. Stepwise and direct analyses were performed. The highest rate of classification was 85 percent, thereby making the patella useful for sex determination; however, the equations developed from this study should be used with caution in forensic cases and only when the patella is the only bone available with sexual dimorphic features. Also, the equations should only be applied to the South African Black population.Manisha R. Dayal & Mubarak Ariyo Bidmo

Using a model to understand the symptoms of ophthalmoplegia

When the term muscular paralysis is used, most people will think of large muscle groups such as the upper and lower limbs or life-dependent muscles such as the diaphragm. However, the extrinsic extraocular muscles can also succumb to paralysis (whether partial or otherwise). Ophthalmoplegia can arise from a number of neural conditions, and in conjunction with the complex anatomy of the ocular orbit, it can be difficult to teach such syndromes. The range of existing physical models for the eye are limited in their functional ability, prohibiting the understanding of the structure and its function especially with regards to muscles. Only one eye model has been developed which is tangible and functional by design in relation to rotational movements (Williams, 1965). The aim of this study was to ultimately build a modern version of Williams’ model and via means of a Likert-type, cross-sectional questionnaire, determine the model’s capacity to assist students in learning the function and anatomy of the extrinsic muscles of the eye. This foundational knowledge could then be transferred to better understand the internal causes of the visible symptoms of ophthalmoparesis and ophthalmoplegia. In much the same way that different diagnostic scans are used to observe different bodily materials, functional models may not necessarily replace the range of anatomical resources which exist, but it is hoped that models such as this will instead provide insight into an alternative aspect of anatomical learning which is yet to be considered

A qualitative assessment of student attitudes to the use of body painting as a learning tool in first year human anatomy : a pilot study

Background: The use of body painting as a method of engaging students in the learning of anatomy has been demonstrated as being beneficial to knowledge retention amongst medical students. However, the benefit of the use of body painting as an educational tool for non-medical students learning anatomy is relatively understudied. Aims: This research aimed to assess the perceptions of first year non-medical tertiary students on the use of body painting as an engaging and useful tool for learning human anatomy. A secondary aim was to determine if students’ assessment of the activity differed between those enrolled in a generalised Medical Science degree compared to those in a Clinical Health Science degree with a specific career path. Materials and Methods: A total of two hundred first-year students divided between a Medical Science degree (n=101) and the Clinical Health Sciences (n = 99) were surveyed using a combination of Likert scale and openended responses to determine if students thought body painting had a place in anatomy teaching. Results: Quantitative results found no significant difference in the reported level of enjoyment experienced during body painting activities, with students finding the activity reasonably enjoyable (3.6-3.8/5), however Clinical Health Science students found the activity most useful as a learning tool (3.9/5; p d” 0.01). Thematic inductive analysis revealed that students from both cohorts found the activity fun and interactive and that it promoted engagement and information retention. Students also recognised the benefit of the activity for visual and kinaesthetic learners. Clinical Health science students were the only cohort to report on how body painting helped linked to their future in clinical practice. Conclusions: Student feedback supports the use of body painting as a learning tool in human anatomy in nonmedical degree programs, and contributes to the development of a stronger undergraduate anatomy teaching program

Sex determination from the talus of South African whites by discriminant function analysis

The field of forensic anthropology involves the building of an antemortem profile of an individual from skeletal remains. This includes sex and race determination and age and stature estimation. Since most bones that are conventionally used for sex determination are often recovered either in a fragmented or incomplete state, it has become necessary to use denser bones that are often recovered intact, eg, the patella, calcaneus, and talus. Thus the aim of this study is to assess the sex-determining ability of each of the measurements of the talus and derive discriminant function equations for sex determination in the South African white population. Sixty male and 60 female tali of South African whites obtained from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons were used. Nine measurements were taken on each talus. Descriptive statistics and discriminant function analysis were performed on the acquired data. The basic statistics showed that all measurements were sexually dimorphic. Univariate, stepwise, and direct discriminant function equations were generated for use in sex determination. The level of average accuracy of sex classification was 80% to 82% for the univariate method, 85% to 88% for the stepwise method, and 81% to 86% for the direct method. It is concluded that the talus of South African whites is useful for sex determination

The Brachial Plexus model : a novel interactive model using 3D printing

During the physical examination of patients suffering from trauma to the upper extremity, mapping of injuries can aid in diagnosis of brachial plexus injuries. Thus, an understanding of the distribution and function of the brachial plexus and its individual nerves is of essence in clinical practice to ensure accurate assessment of injury, to prevent further damage and assess any remaining function. The current brachial plexus model aimed to assist students in understanding the formation of the brachial plexus through creating and labelling each of the parts of the brachial plexus. Ethics approval was received from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) at Western Sydney University (H12966). Students enrolled in two units (Appendicular Skeleton, Functional Anatomy) which run in different course streams, were given access to the model during their time in the anatomy lab. Students were then asked to provide feedback through a three point Likert scale questionnaire and two open-ended questions. 56 responses were eventually returned. 91% of the students agreed that the model was a valuable learning tool while 85% thought that is was an effective model in translating the information between theory and cadaver thus deepening their understanding. Qualitatively, the themes that emerged included the positive aspects of colour, structural arrangement, and kinaesthetic involvement, while some suggested a larger model. Our current brachial plexus model has assisted students in their learning of the formation of the brachial plexus, and has ultimately been effective in providing an understanding of structures and relationships within the nerve plexus thus allowing a deep learning approach and negating pure memorization

Stature estimation from bones of South African whites

Stature reconstruction from skeletal remains forms part of the forensic anthropological analysis for the purpose of identification of the individual. The aim of this study was to derive regression formulae for the estimation of total skeletal height, and thereafter to predict stature in South African whites using long bone lengths. The sample comprised 98 white male and 71 white female skeletons from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons and the Pretoria Bone Collection. For each individual, total skeletal heights and maximum long bone lengths were measured and used to produce univariate regression formulae, with resulting correlations (r) ranging between 0.56 and 0.96. The lowest standard error of estimate (1.75 for females, 1.92 for males) was obtained when the lumbar spine, femur and tibia were used in combination, while the highest SEE (5.21 for females, 5.54 for males) was found when the lumbar spine was used on its own. Recently published corrections for soft tissue additions to obtain living height from total skeletal height make these kinds of formulae more usable, and will reduce the problem of underestimation. The derived formulae are population specific and are designed for use in forensic skeletal analyses of South African whites, but are also generally relevant to theoretical and practical issues in forensic anthropology

Stature estimation from bones of South African whites

Stature reconstruction from skeletal remains forms part of the forensic anthropological analysis for the purpose of identification of the individual. The aim of this study was to derive regression formulae for the estimation of total skeletal height, and thereafter to predict stature in South African whites using long bone lengths. The sample comprised 98 white male and 71 white female skeletons from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons and the Pretoria Bone Collection. For each individual, total skeletal heights and maximum long bone lengths were measured and used to produce univariate regression formulae, with resulting correlations (r) ranging between 0.56 and 0.96. The lowest standard error of estimate (1.75 for females, 1.92 for males) was obtained when the lumbar spine, femur and tibia were used in combination, while the highest SEE (5.21 for females, 5.54 for males) was found when the lumbar spine was used on its own. Recently published corrections for soft tissue additions to obtain living height from total skeletal height make these kinds of formulae more usable, and will reduce the problem of underestimation. The derived formulae are population specific and are designed for use in forensic skeletal analyses of South African whites, but are also generally relevant to theoretical and practical issues in forensic anthropology