Feeding Tests with Indigofera endecaphylla Jacq. (Creeping Indigo) and Some Observations on Its Poisonous Effects on Domestic Animals

Leguminous plants have long been considered important as livestock feeds in Hawaii. They decrease the need for costly oil cakes and protein rich concentrates in milk and meat production. Indigofera endecapliylla Jacq. (creeping indigo or trailing indigo) seemed promising for a time as a high-rainfall-zone legume. Early experiments proved that it would grow well with a wide variety of associated grasses, and grazing tests showed that it was palatable and quite persistent under pasture conditions. Very little was known, on the other hand, of its feeding value for livestock. In 10 years of short-interval pasture trials with relatively small proportions of the legume, no adverse effects were noted on young cattle. However, when the concentration of the legume exceeded about 50 per cent of the forage, toxicity symptoms began to appear. A study of the effect of a strain of Indigofera endecapliylla Jacq. grown in Hawaii and tested as a feed for cows, heifers, sheep, and rabbits is presented

Medina in the Ayyubid period and the Shi'a influence upon it

The underlying concern of this thesis is to shed light on the history of Medina during the Ayyubid period, discussing and analysing the Shi'a emergence in the city in that time, and the transfer to them of power, the judiciary and the key religious positions. It also discusses their influence over the various facets of life there. The study comprises an introduction, six central chapters and a conclusion. The first chapter includes a general introduction, beginning with a historical background of pre-Islamic Medina, and then proceeds to present an overview of the importance of the subject and the reasons for choosing it. It then moves on to an exposition of the key issues which the study will discuss, and the methodology which it follows. The second chapter provides a concise account of the significance of Medina in the Islamic sources (the Qur'an and the hadith), discussing the role of the city and its inhabitants in their support for and propagation of Islam. It also gives a short account of the history of Medina following the death of the Prophet up until the Umayyad period, and briefly discusses the key historical events during that period. The third chapter examines the state of the Islamic World prior to and during the Ayyubid period, and discusses the key historical events that occurred in Medina at that time and their connection with what was happening in the Islamic World. The fourth chapter studies and analyses the emergence of the Shi'a in Medina during the Ayyflbid period, and examines certain accounts of this. It also tracks the history of the Shia in Medina prior to the Ayyübid period by providing critical examples of some of the accounts on the subject. The reasons behind the emergence of the Twelver Shia doctrine in Medina during the Ayyübid period will also be studied and analysed, and the chapter will explain how the Shi'a came to assume the key political and religious offices in the city. Their relations with other Shi'a sects will also be examined, and the way in which their control of Medina came to an end will be discussed. The fifth chapter discusses political life in Medina during the Ayyubid period and the influence of the Shia upon it, studies and analyses the political relations between the emirs of Medina and each of the neighbouring tribes, the emirs of Mecca, the sultans of the Ayyubid state and those of the Banü Rasül in Yemen, and explains the influence of the Shi'a on these relations and the role which they played in the political life in the city. The sixth chapter discusses social life in Medina during the Ayyubid period and the influence of the Shia upon it, by studying the composition of civil society and its groupings, the distinguishing features apparent in each grouping, and the elements of social life and its economic conditions, as well as the constructive interplay between them, in order to present an accurate picture of the city's social life. The seventh chapter discusses the state of learning in the city during the Ayyübid period and the Shia influence upon it, by examining some of the accounts mentioned by certain historians and travellers. It will also include a refutation of these negative accounts by presenting a thorough, extensive description of the state of learning in Medina, through studying the teaching lectures which were current in the Prophet's Mosque and the madrasas of that time, the kuttabs, the syllabuses, the teaching methods, the most notable 'ulama' and their key works, the role of the Sunni 'ulama' in the flourishing of learned activity and, lastly, the Shi'a influence upon it. The eighth chapter summarises and discusses the study's most important findings and draws conclusions from them, before making suggestions for future research.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Web 2.0 systems supporting childhood chronic disease management: A pattern language representation of a general architecture

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic disease management is a global health concern. By the time they reach adolescence, 10–15% of all children live with a chronic disease. The role of educational interventions in facilitating adaptation to chronic disease is receiving growing recognition, and current care policies advocate greater involvement of patients in self-care. Web 2.0 is an umbrella term for new collaborative Internet services characterized by user participation in developing and managing content. Key elements include Really Simple Syndication (RSS) to rapidly disseminate awareness of new information; weblogs (blogs) to describe new trends, wikis to share knowledge, and podcasts to make information available on personal media players. This study addresses the potential to develop Web 2.0 services for young persons with a chronic disease. It is acknowledged that the management of childhood chronic disease is based on interplay between initiatives and resources on the part of patients, relatives, and health care professionals, and where the balance shifts over time to the patients and their families.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participatory action research was used to stepwise define a design specification in the form of a pattern language. Support for children diagnosed with diabetes Type 1 was used as the example area. Each individual design pattern was determined graphically using card sorting methods, and textually in the form <it>Title, Context, Problem, Solution, Examples and References</it>. <it>Application references </it>were included at the lowest level in the graphical overview in the pattern language but not specified in detail in the textual descriptions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The design patterns are divided into functional and non-functional design elements, and formulated at the levels of organizational, system, and application design. The design elements specify access to materials for development of the competences needed for chronic disease management in specific community settings, endorsement of self-learning through online peer-to-peer communication, and systematic accreditation and evaluation of materials and processes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of design patterns allows representing the core design elements of a Web 2.0 system upon which an 'ecological' development of content respecting these constraints can be built. Future research should include evaluations of Web 2.0 systems implemented according to the architecture in practice settings.</p

Young Patients’ Views on the Open Web 2.0 Childhood Diabetes Patient Portal: A Qualitative Study

Little is known about the views of young patients themselves on interactive Web portal services provided by pediatric practitioners. We aimed to explore their perceptions of a real-world diabetes portal that offers facts and contact with peers and practitioners; e.g., discussion forums, blog tools, self-care and treatment information, research updates and news from local practitioners. Twelve young patients (ages 12–21, median 15 years), one boyfriend, 7 mothers and one father each wrote an essay on their experience from use of the portal. Their essays underwent qualitative content analysis. A major theme was “Helping and facilitating daily life with diabetes”, the portal was perceived as a place where contents are interesting, inspiring and may trigger users’ curiosity. There were three subthemes; “Ease of use in my everyday life,” which includes the perception that the portal was perceived as smooth and easy to enter and navigate whenever needed; that information was easy to understand for different groups of users. “Support via an exchange of experience,” includes the ability to contact peers being regarded advantageous. Some said that just reading others’ experiences can be helpful in terms of persevering; children could find peers in the same age group. “Evidence based information,” includes the perception of the portal being a useful and trustworthy source of facts on e.g., physical activity, blood glucose, medical devices, emotional wellbeing, food and nutrition, and other aspects that impact living with diabetes. Young users expressed positive perceptions towards the interactive web portal. Such services seem to have great potential for supporting young patients and significant others - intergrading for confidence

On Severe Hypoglycaemia in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Background: For people with type 1 diabetes, there is no alternative to treatment with insulin. The major side effect of insulin is severe hypoglycaemia (SH), when the patient needs help or even becomes unconscious. Material: We have studied a geographic population of yearly 130-140 unselected type 1 diabetes patients aged 1-18 years during 1992-1999. They were intensively treated with 87-96% on 4-7 daily insulin doses, combined with active self-control, psychosocial support and problem-based education from onset. Average HbA1c was 6.5 with Mono-S standard (1.15% beow DCCT level). Methods: We evaluated use of a prospective patient questionnaire for continuous long-term registration of treatment and outcome data and analysed HbA1c, SH and other variables. Over years, 95-100% response rate was achieved. We used also temporary questionnaries. Results: We found SH with unconsciousness reported from on average 11% of patients yearly, SH without unconsciousness but needing assistance from on average 36% yearly and weak associations to HbA1c, such as reletive risk of SH 1.24 for yearly mean HbA1c &lt;7.0% compared to ≥7.0% There was a seasonal variation in HbA1c (p=0.023) and incidence of SH. The strongest predictor for SH was SH during the previous year (r=9.38, p&lt;0.0001). The impact from SH showed great variation, and 20-30% of events led to practical disturbancies for parents and/or other people. Hospital visits took place only at 5% and hospitalisations at 3% of events. Social activities for patients were cancelled after 10% of events. Increased worry for patients was reported after 8% of events, bad sleep after 7%. We estimated the average socio-economic cost for SH at EURO 239 per event of SH with unconsciousness, and EURO 63 per event of SH without unconsciousness but needing assistance. Mass-distributed self-study material (brochures and videos) aimed at the prevention of SH without compromising metabolic control reached high dissemination and was widely appreciated by patients. The material copy cost was only EURO 7 per patient. It also seems to have contributed to a decrease in SH with unconsciousness from yearly 13% of patients before to 9% after intervention (3-years average), but controlled studies are needed. Conclusions: We conclude that SH remains a very serious problem of multifactorial aethiology. It causes considerable discomfort and costs. Systematic patient education mgiht reduce the incidence. Interventions using mass-distribution of high quality self-study material such as videos and brochures seem to have a potential to be cost-effective. There is a great patient/consumer interest in high quality- and advanced information/education materials

Some effects of different nutrients upon the digestibility of roughages in farm live stock

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Young Patients' Views on the Open Web 2.0 Childhood Diabetes Patient Portal : A Qualitative Study

Little is known about the views of young patients themselves on interactive Web portal services provided by pediatric practitioners. We aimed to explore their perceptions of a real-world diabetes portal that offers facts and contact with peers and practitioners; e.g., discussion forums, blog tools, self-care and treatment information, research updates and news from local practitioners. Twelve young patients (ages 12–21, median 15 years), one boyfriend, 7 mothers and one father each wrote an essay on their experience from use of the portal. Their essays underwent qualitative content analysis. A major theme was “Helping and facilitating daily life with diabetes”, the portal was perceived as a place where contents are interesting, inspiring and may trigger users’ curiosity. There were three subthemes; “Ease of use in my everyday life,” which includes the perception that the portal was perceived as smooth and easy to enter and navigate whenever needed; that information was easy to understand for different groups of users. “Support via an exchange of experience,” includes the ability to contact peers being regarded advantageous. Some said that just reading others’ experiences can be helpful in terms of persevering; children could find peers in the same age group. “Evidence based information,” includes the perception of the portal being a useful and trustworthy source of facts on e.g., physical activity, blood glucose, medical devices, emotional wellbeing, food and nutrition, and other aspects that impact living with diabetes. Young users expressed positive perceptions towards the interactive web portal. Such services seem to have great potential for supporting young patients and significant others - intergrading for confidence

Sjukvårdens och skolans insatser för barn med AD/HD - föräldrars erfarenheter. : En intervjustudie

Denna rapport är framtagen i ett samarbete mellan CMT, avdelningen för Barnoch ungdomspsykiatri vid IMK, Hälsouniversitetet i Linköping och Elevhälsan inom Specialverksamheter i Linköpings kommun. Tidigare har AD/HD och relaterade tillstånd belysts vad gäller epidemiologi, behandling och hälsoeffekter i CMT-rapport 2003:4. Nyligen har området studerats mer från ett samhällsperspektiv i CMT-rapport 2005:3. I denna tredje rapport tillförs ett anhörigperspektiv från intervjuer med anhöriga i Östergötland. I litteraturen har få utvärderingar från ett anhörigperspektiv av insatser vid AD/HD och relaterade tillstånd kunnat återfinnas. Det är vår förhoppning att denna rapport kan bidra till ett bredare perspektiv. Vi vill rikta ett varmt tack till alla deltagande familjer. Vi tackar även skolpsykiater Ann Fristedt och Elevhälsan i Linköpings kommun, docent Per Gustafsson och avdelningen för Barn- och Ungdomspsykiatri vid Hälsouniversitetet i Linköping, samt Landstinget i Östergötland som på olika sätt stöttat arbetet.Since 1996-97, the Municipality of Linköping has been using a structured model for investigation and intervention in children with learning difficulties. In this model   pedagogical,   psychological,   and   child-   and   adolescent   psychiatric competences are linked to the child in the school environment. The main purpose of this report has been to illustrate how such interventions from school and healthcare have worked for children with AD/HD and related disorders. A second purpose has been to increase knowledge on the situation of the  families  in  the  fields  of  work,  family  life  and  social  life.  Data  from interviews with 14 parents are summarised. It appears  from the literature  that AD/HD  in a societal  perspective  has been sparsely  studied.  Life  with  an AD/HD  child  has been  described  by some  as chaotic,  filled  with  conflicts  and  exhausting.  Variations  between  countries, ethnical groups and between the sexes (boys are investigated more often than girls) are seen in help-seeking, aetiological explanations, other peoples’ attitudes and in intervention patterns. We have found only few scientific studies on how interventions were perceived by relatives. In this study, time elapsed from onset of symptoms  until investigations  were undertaken was as long as 4-8 years in 9 out of 14 cases. Otherwise, a general impression is that in most cases diagnosing was helpful and that interventions facilitated   schooling,   maturation   and  development.   Today,   13  of  the  14 adolescents  are in upper secondary school. Most parents experience  that their child  performs  well.  Their  thoughts  on  how  the  situation  would  have  been without early interventions are quite pessimistic. Most parents describe various impacts from their AD/HD child on their working hours, economy, family life and social life. In many cases both the family and a third person were extra involved in the supervision and care of the child. This  study  shows  the  need  for  schools  and  healthcare  providers  to establish competence and efficient working methods for early diagnostics and treatment of  children  with  AD/HD  and  related  disorders.  Long  and  time-consuming admittance  procedures  should  be  avoided  when  efficient  interventions  and treatments  are  available.  The  model  in  the  Municipality  of  Linköping  is  a positive example that should be disseminated and further developed

Att lyckas med ADHD – en skolbaserad utrednings- och stödmodell

Att lyckas i skolan är en stark skyddsfaktor för utsatta barn. Artikeln beskriver en skolbaserad utrednings- och stödmodell för elever med inlärningsproblem. Modellen underlättar samverkan nära eleven och förstärker neuropsykiatrisk kompetens hos pedagogerna. En stor andel av elever med ADHD-problematik kan upptäckas och få pedagogiskt stöd i sin ordinarie klass när neuropsykiatrisk kompetens finns hos pedagogerna, färre elever behöver då specialklass. Deskriptiva data från 198 elever med diagnosen talar för att skolprestationer kan förbättras med sådana insatser, oberoende av medicinering för ADHD. Skolbaserade interventioner för målgruppen bör utvecklas och utvärderas i större utsträckning

Views on Information and Communication Needs and Internet Use. A Qualitative Study

Background: Little is known about parents ’ views on the use of online resources for information, education and support regarding childhood type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Considering the rapidly evolving new communication practices, parents’ perspectives need to be explored. The main purpose of this paper was to explore parents ’ perceptions of their informationseeking, Internet use, and social networking online. This applied to their everyday life, including the contexts of T1DM and contact with peers. A second aim was to identify implications for future development of Internet use in this respect. Methodology/Principal Findings: Twenty-seven parents of 24 young persons aged 10–17 with T1DM participated in eight focus group interviews during their regular visits to a county hospital. Focus group discussions were video/audio-taped