Perceptions Of Principal Practices Influencing Organizational Learning And Collective Teacher Efficacy

Disparities in the educational experiences of economically disadvantaged students continue into the first quarter of the 21st century. Studies on organizational learning have shown that schools have had more success with acquiring and distributing information on effective instructional structures and practices than implementing them to become a school’s learning culture. This qualitative study examined principals’ and teachers’ perceptions of leadership practices that enhance organizational learning and influence collective teacher efficacy. The following research questions guided this study: (1) What are the principal and teachers’ perceptions of principal practices that enhance organizational learning? (2) What role does collective teacher efficacy play in influencing organizational learning? The hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological study explored the perspectives of eight participants who serve as school leaders and teachers in a large urban public school district in the Southeastern United States. The study used the conceptual framework of organizational learning mechanisms (OLMs) to ground the data collection from semi-structured interviews focused on acquiring, distributing, analyzing, retrieving, and using information for decision-making. Interview questions also collected data on enactive (mastery), vicarious, and emotive (affective) states necessary for collective teacher efficacy to flourish. The interview data provided rich descriptions of participants’ lived experiences concerning changes the schools implemented to improve student learning. I maintained a reflexive journal to capture the thoughts and reactions I experienced during the interviewing process to account for my prejudices and biases regarding teaching and learning. Interview data were analyzed using the stages of the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) technique. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis. 1) Coaching promotes a culture of collaboration and learning, and 2) Participative decision-making encourages staff to contribute and solve problems. The two main themes emerged from synthesizing several sub-themes. The sub-themes such as coaching shift teacher focus to student-centered learning, PLCs engage teachers in collective ownership, district personnel, and parents are partners in learning. Intentional collaboration between new and experienced teachers combined to form one of the main themes, coaching promotes a culture of collaboration and learning for all. Similarly, the other main theme developed from the sub-themes, staff having access to relevant information, such as student data, to make instructional decisions encourage participative decision-making. During participative decision-making, staff contribute ideas and solve problems that affect student achievement. Implications of this research lead to recommendations for schools and districts. The schools and districts can use coaching structures effectively to maximize the benefits of PLC, developing collective efficacy by creating structures and practices for staff to learn with their peers collaboratively to practice participative decision-making to build collective ownership of all students

Ruptured ovarian artery aneurysm in puerperium: a rare occurrence

We present a rare case of Ovarian Artery Aneurysm in a puerperium. It was managed by endocopic banding of the ovarian artery following failed attempts at endovascular embolisation. The patient remained stable on three months follow up. The pathogenesis of this rare condition is also discussed.

A ‘never before’ presentation of a common Mullerian abnormality

Transvaginal septum is one of uncommon Mullerian anomalies which may lead to infertility. We all depend so often on HSG and MRI for investigating these infecund patients. Here we bring out how a distended vaginal cavity with contrast mimicked the uterine cavity on HSG misleading the clinician. The septum was missed on MRI too initially. A simple surgical correction and the patient was able to conceive in her very first cycle

Factors associated with survival and lost to follow-up of cervical cancer patients in a tertiary cancer centre in rural Kerala

Cancer cervix is the second common cause of cancer death in India. It is the most curable form of any human cancer if detected at the precancerous stage. Although several factors determine the survival of the disease, the clinical stage at presentation is the single most important predictor of long-term survival. The present study aimed to describe the performance and follow-up status and 5-year survival experience of the cervical cancer patients registered between 2010 and 2011 by the hospital registry of Malabar Cancer Centre, Kerala, and factors affecting lost to follow-up and survival among them. The case sheets of 227 patients retrospectively scrutinized during May–July 2014. The mean age of patients was 58.8 years (standard deviation = 11.67 years). The majority of the patients completed the initially planned treatment, but a low proportion of patients were likely to be on regular follow-up. This study revealed that most of the patients registered at the hospital only at an advanced stage. Using Kaplan–Meier method, the estimated 5 years survival rate was found to be 66.8%. It was noted that performance status before treatment and Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging were significantly associated with lost to follow-up and survival rate majority of the cervical cancer patients are observed to be highly noncomplaint to complete treatment and on follow-up. Thus, these findings stress the importance of counseling family members regarding the importance of follow-up and formulating public health policies aimed at increasing the awareness and implementation of cervical cancer screening programs in North Malabar

Efficacy of atomised local anaesthetic versus transtracheal topical anaesthesia for awake fibreoptic intubation

Background and Aims: Successful awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI) depends on adequate topical anaesthesia of the airway. We aimed to compare efficacy of atomised local anaesthetic versus transtracheal topical anaesthesia for AFOI. Methods: It was a prospective, randomised controlled study of 33 patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status 1–3 with anticipated difficult airway requiring AFOI. The primary objective was to compare the patient comfort after topical anaesthesia of the airway using atomiser with transtracheal injection of the local anaesthetic agent for AFOI in patients with anticipated difficult airway. The secondary objectives were to compare the ease of intubation, time required to intubate and the haemodynamic changes during intubation. After topical anaesthesia of nostrils, patients in Group T received transtracheal injection of 4 ml of 4% lignocaine whereas Group A patients received 4-5mL of 4% atomised lignocaine using DeVilbiss atomiser before AFOI. Patient comfort assessed objectively by the anaesthetic assistant during the procedure, ease of intubation assessed using cough and gag reflex score, time taken to intubate and the haemodynamic changes during the procedure were compared. Results: Ease of intubation, patient comfort and the time taken to intubate were significantly better in Group T patients, with P = 0.001, 0.009 and 0.019, respectively, compared with the patients in Group A. There were no significant changes in haemodynamic parameters. Conclusion: Topical anaesthesia by transtracheal injection in patients with anticipated difficult airway made AFOI easier and faster with better patient comfort compared to atomiser with no clinically significant untoward side effects

Cauda Equina Compression an Ayurvedic management w.r.s to Gridrasi and Pakwasaya Gata Vata

Cauda equina compression at the level of L4/L5 or L5/S1 level is a surgical emergency with potentially significant consequences, including motor and sensory dysfunction. The causes include disc herniation, spinal stenosis, cancer, trauma, epidural abscess. The common cause is usually a disc herniation which is most commonly due to trauma, age, connective tissue disorders and congenital disorders. Cauda equina syndrome a disorder caused by compression of the nerve roots in the cauda equina region. This can cause permanent loss of bladder and bowel control if not treated within time. The incidence of a herniated disc is about 5 to 20 cases per 1000 adults annually and is most common in people in their third to the fifth decade of life with a male to female ratio 2:1. If decompressive surgery is delayed, there can be catastrophic consequences for the patient in terms of bladder, bowel and sexual function. In the present case study, a 36 year old female patient who was diagnosed as a case of Cauda Equina compression due to an extruded L4-L5 disc refused to undergo surgery and opted for Ayurvedic treatment. She was admitted in the Kayachikitsa IPD for 45 days. She was treated with the principle of Gridrasi along with Pakwasayagata vata. Deepana pachana and Vasti or Sodhana is the main treatment choice. Rooksha and Snigdha swedas were done which also help to reduce the stiffness and pain. After the management her physical condition and quality of life improved. &nbsp

Identification and synthesis of impurities formed during sertindole preparation

Sertindole (1), an atypical anti-psychotic drug is used for the treatment of schizophrenia. During the laboratory optimization and later during its bulk synthesis the formation of various impurities was observed. The impurities formed were monitored and their structures were tentatively assigned on the basis of their fragmentation patterns in LC-MS. Most of the impurities were synthesized and their assigned constitutions confirmed by co-injection in HPLC. We describe herein the formation, synthesis and characterization of these impurities. Our study will be of immense help to others to obtain chemically pure sertindole

A Simple and Safe Technique for Pneumatic Reduction of Intussusception

Pneumatic reduction has a higher success rate and lower incidence of complications compared to barium enema and hydrostatic reductions. What is deterrent to its common use is the cumbersome technique. Our aim is to develop a simple technique that can be used in any hospital with locally available facilities. Methods: An intercostal drainage bottle and an enema can were used to pass air into the rectum at a controlled pressure determined by the height of the enema can. Water running in from the enema can displaces the air in the intercostal drainage bottle into the rectum effecting the reduction of intussusception. Results: This system was tried in 12 patients. Successful air delivery was obtained in all cases. In two cases, the intussusception could not be reduced. Laparotomy revealed these to be ileoileal intussusceptions. Conclusion: The technique described is easy to assemble, safe and effective. We recommend it for regular use in pneumatic reduction of intussusception

A new species of mealybug (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) from Tectona grandis L.f. (Lamiaceae) in southern India

A new species of mealybug, Formicococcus tectonae Joshi, Bindu & Gullan sp. n., is described and illustrated based on adult females collected from teak, Tectona grandis (Lamiaceae), in plantations in Thrissur district, Kerala, southern India. The mealybug lives in tunnels made by the teak trunk borer, Cossus cadambae (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae). Ants of a Tapinoma species were found in the tunnels, tending the mealybugs. The new mealybug is most similar morphologically to F. polysperes Williams and F. robustus (Ezzat & McConnell) comb. rev. A key to adult females of all the Formicococcus species recorded from India is provided

Efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine versus oral midazolam for paediatric premedication

Background and Aims: Premedication is an integral component of paediatric anaesthesia which, when optimal, allows comfortable separation of the child from the parent for induction and conduct of anaesthesia. Midazolam has been accepted as a safe and effective oral premedicant. Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist with sedative and analgesic effects, which is effective through the transmucosal route. We compared the efficacy and safety of standard premedication with oral midazolam versus intranasal dexmedetomidine as premedication in children undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery. Methods: This was a prospective randomised double-blinded trial comparing the effects of premedication with 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam versus 1 μg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine in children between 2 and 12 years undergoing abdominal surgery. Sedation scores at separation and induction were the primary outcome measures. Behaviour scores and haemodynamic changes were secondary outcomes. Student's t-test and Chi-square were used for analysis of the variables. Results: Sedation scores were superior in Group B (dexmedetomidine) than Group A (midazolam) at separation and induction (P < 0.001).The behaviour scores at separation, induction and wake up scores at extubation were similar between the two groups. The heart rate and blood pressure showed significant differences at 15, 30 and 45 min in Group B but did not require pharmacological intervention for correction. Conclusion: Intranasal dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1 μg/kg produced superior sedation scores at separation and induction but normal behavioural scores in comparison to oral midazolam in paediatric patients