Communication is key: a study of the development of communication key skills in China

Different countries offer alternative curricula around what might be designated language, literacy and/or communication. This paper focuses on the latter which has typically been associated with vocational education and often labelled a ‘key’ or ‘core’ skill that forms part of a wider set of life and employability skills. In recent years, as China has emerged as a global economy, education has been significant in its policy and development. This research explores staff and student responses to the introduction of a key skills communication course in three Chinese further education vocational colleges. The initiative was prompted by research in China which had suggested that communication is important not just for education (Ye and Li 2007) but also for employability, and that the ability to communicate effectively could be instrumental in individuals’ success and development (Tong and Zhong 2008). It explores what communication key skills might mean in a Chinese context and questions notions of transferability and of competence and performance in communication. It analyses how motivation could affect learner success and the relationship of pedagogy to curriculum and, finally, it considers how communication might be an element in the longer-term social and political development of critical literacies

Neighborhood-level socioeconomic and urban land use risk factors of canine leptospirosis: 94 cases (2002–2009)

Associations of housing, population, and agriculture census variables, and presence near public places were retrospectively evaluated as potential risk factors for canine leptospirosis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The sample population included 94 dogs positive for leptospirosis based on a positive polymerase chain reaction test for leptospires on urine, isolation of leptospires on urine culture, a single reciprocal serum titer of 12,800 or greater, or a four-fold rise in reciprocal serum titers over a 2–4 week period; and 185 dogs negative for leptospirosis based on a negative polymerase chain reaction test and reciprocal serum titers less than 400. Multivariable logistic regressions revealed different risk factors among different census units; however, houses lacking complete plumbing facilities [OR = 2.80, 95% C.I. = 1.82, 4.32 (census unit, block group); OR = 1.36, 95% C.I. = 1.28, 1.45 (census tract); OR = 3.02, 95% C.I. = 2.60, 3.52 (county)]; and poverty status by age (18–64) [OR = 2.04, 95% C.I. = 1.74, 2.39 (block group); OR = 1.53, 95% C.I. = 1.41, 1.67 (census tract); and OR = 1.62, 95% C.I. = 1.50, 1.76 (county)] were consistent risk factors for all census units. Living within 2500 m of a university/college and parks/forests were also significantly associated with leptospirosis status in dogs. Dogs that live under these circumstances are at higher risk for leptospirosis and pet owners should consider vaccination

Rapid expansion of popliteal artery aneurysm after lower limb graduated compression bandaging for varicose ulcer

We present the case of an 80-year-old woman who presented with rapid expansion of a right popliteal artery aneurysm. She had been treated with high-pressure graduated compression bandaging for a right lower leg ulcer prior to the sudden development of a painful swelling behind her right knee, diagnosed on ultrasound scan as a large non-ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm. She was treated successfully by reversed autologous vein graft bypass and exclusion of her popliteal artery aneurysm. This case suggests compression bandaging of the lower leg may be associated with rapid expansion of a previously undiagnosed popliteal artery aneurysm