The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of hip-hop culture on the communication skills of students as perceived by teachers at three high schools in Houston, Texas. Hip-hop culture consists of: rap music, breakdancing, graffiti art, and deejaying. Hip-hop is currently one of the most popular forms of music and represents the dominant culture of today's inner-city youth. The researcher issued written surveys to 30 teachers in Houston, Texas. The high schools selected for this study were: Yates High School (Houston Independent School District), Wheatley High School (Houston Independent School District), and Eisenhower High School (Aldine Independent School District). Two teachers were also interviewed for the study. The final part of the study was the production of an educational hip-hop CD by the researcher. The literature review focuses on the history and practices of hip-hop in regard to language. Once the surveys were received and the interviews were completed, the researcher compiled statistics regarding the background information of the participants and the level of influence that each teacher felt that hip-hop culture has on students. The major findings of the study were: 1. Hip-hop culture heavily influences the oral language and written communication of students based upon the opinions of teachers at selected high schools in Houston, Texas. 2. Hip-hop can be used as a tool to supplement the teaching of various academic concepts as evidenced by the practices of teachers at selected high schools in Houston, Texas. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends: 1. Teachers should acknowledge hip-hop culture and allow students to express their interest in hip-hop culture in the classroom. 2. Teachers should find ways to incorporate hip-hop culture into the curriculum to arouse students' interest in learning. For instance, allow students to learn from listening to educational rap songs. 3. Teachers should find ways to use hip-hop culture in the classroom to improve the acquisition and retention of academic concepts. Examples could include allowing students to write rap songs about academic concepts.

This study used in-depth interviews with members of Hip Hop culture nationwide currently entering adulthood; those between 21-30. Its purpose being to learn what they understand Hip Hop culture to be, what it means to them and their identity and how in contributes to assessment of its history, present and predictions about its future. The project yielded 25 interviews with participants sharing various, at times contradictory, views about what Hip Hop culture is, the current condition of the culture, and its future direction and the salience it has for their identities. This research extends the current literature on Hip Hop by suggesting that it has grown to be a multigenerational culture and furthermore, begins the process of understanding the dynamics of cultural understanding and transformation within Hip Hop while it is still a burgeoning culture.

Thesis (M.S.E.S.)--University of Toledo, 2009. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science degree in Exercise Science." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 57-61.

Universiẗat, Dipl.-Arb. 2007--Bern, 2007.

Introduction Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most effective interventions to treat patients with end-stage hip arthritis. Although the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty have already been widely studied and most of the published results are positive, the dominant outcomes measures are focused on implant survivorship, patient mortality and complication rates. Quality of life assessment is regarded as a gold standard for outcomes measurement nowadays and was more frequently adopted in researches. However, in most of the study assessing the quality of life of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty ignored the importance of quality of sexual life. Moreover, none of them are studying the Chinese population. In order to assess the quality of life of patients holistically, a study that focused on the quality of sexual life among Chinese population undergoing total hip arthroplasty is recommended. The aim of the present study is to investigate the changes in quality of sexual life in young Chinese patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. Methodology The present study is a descriptive survey adopted a retrospective design and was conducted either as a phone interview or interview in person. 118 Patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty at the Queen Mary Hospital are recruited from March 2012 to June 2012. Questionnaires assessing the pre-operation and post-operation sexual life and quality are administered. 118 subjects participated in the study finally. Results 118 subjects participated in the present study. 35 of them reported to have no sexual life due to reasons other than the condition of their hip and were analyzed separately. 83 of the subjects were included in the analysis of changes in sexual life. Preoperatively 50.6% of subjects reported having severe to extreme sexual difficulty. 64 (78.0%) and 16 (19.5%) subjects reported the cause of sexual difficulty to be joint pain and joint stiffness respectively. 61 (73.5%) subjects believed the condition of their hip caused some degree of distress in the relationship with their partner preoperatively. 83.2% of subjects rated their level of sexual difficulty from minimal to mild after having total hip arthroplasty. 23 (28%) and 47 (57.3%) of subjects reported their post-operation sexual life experience to be better and much better respectively. It is shown that greater joint pain (p<0.001) and stiffness (p=0.003) and lower Harris hip score (p=0.001) are significantly correlate with greater pre-total hip arthroplasty sexual difficulty, while only the range of motion of hip remained to be negatively correlated with sexual difficulty post-operatively (p=0.022). Subjects with ankylosing spondylitis are having significantly greater sexual difficulty than participants with other diagnosis post-operatively (p<0.001). None of the subjects have discussed post-total hip arthroplasty sexual life issue with the health care professional. 24 (28.9%) subjects reported their need of more sexual life related information and the most wanted information is safe position for sexual intercourse (75%). Conclusion Total hip arthroplasty can significantly improve the quality of sexual life experience of Chinese patients. Further studies are necessary to be done in order to obtain more relevant information and modify the current patient routine assessment and education. / published_or_final_version / Orthopaedics and Traumatology / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Background Musculoskeletal problems and falls are major contributors to disabilities, both globally and in East Asia and the Pacific. Osteoporosis and falls are common in the elderly. Their impact lies in the fragility fractures that result. Of these, hip fracture is the most costly, in terms of mortality, morbidity, and the medical and social care costs incurred. With an ageing population, the number of hip fractures is set to rise. Having a prediction model for outcomes will help risk stratification of patients, and aid planning of clinical care, rehabilitation and discharge. The objective of this study is to validate the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score for mortality prediction in Hong Kong. Methods This is a retrospective study of 2209 consecutive adult patients admitted to Caritas Medical Centre from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2012. Data was collected from the Clinical Management System, a local rehabilitation unit database, and the Hong Kong Death Registry. Variables included to predict mortality were age, sex, place of residence, presence of ≤2 comorbidities, presence of cancer, and haemoglobin level on admission. Binary logistic regression was performed. A cognitive function test score is needed for full validation of the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score. This score was only available for patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit. A sensitivity analysis was therefore done. Results Presence of cancer [odds ratio 3.67 (2.26, 5.95)], male sex [odds ratio 2.32 (1.83, 2.93)], presence ≥2 comorbidities [odds ratio 1.38 (1.09, 1.74)] and age [odds ratio 1.05 (1.03, 1.06)] were associated with 1-year mortality. Low haemoglobin level on admission was found to be a poor prognostic factor in other studies, but appeared to be protective in ours [odds ratio 0.74 (0.70, 0.79)]. Admission from old age home was not statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis assuming both best and worst case scenarios for cognitive function test scores found the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score to be a poor prediction model in Hong Kong. Conclusions The Nottingham Hip Fracture Score was a poor prediction model in Hong Kong, because of the low hip fracture mortality rates in Hong Kong. To be locally useful, the score need to be re-calibrated. To reduce the burden of disability from hip fracture, prevention is important, as is helping patients to recover from their injury. Better understanding of variations in length of stay and discharge destinations between hospitals in Hong Kong may provide some insights into areas for improvement. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

This research addressed two areas of interest: the contemporary role of American public diplomacy in the post-9/11 world and the formal and informal role of hip-hop music in 21st century American public diplomacy. This study examined the formal and informal role of hip-hop music in American public diplomacy to determine the degree to which the U.S. government is formally employing hip-hop music as a tool for public diplomacy. The researcher hypothesized that the U.S. government uses hip-hop music as means to champion its foreign policy objectives and American democratic values vis-à vis cultural imperialism. This study employed the case study model as its principal research method and used three data analysis techniques: content analysis, process model analysis, and voice analysis. The conclusion whether hip-hop reflects or champions American cultural imperialism is mixed. From a formal perspective, the answer is no for three reasons: the stated objectives of the Rhythm Road program, the types of artists that are chosen to serve as cultural diplomats, and the prior existence of hip-hop communities throughout the world. On the other hand, when considering informal hip-hop diplomacy from an economic and political perspective, it is feasible to argue that it does reflect what James Petras describes as American cultural imperialism. In the final analysis, the researcher concludes that the U.S. government does in fact practice and promote cultural imperialism vis-à-vis public diplomacy: however, the use of hip-hop music in the formal process plays no significant role in this process.

Acetabular labral tears are associated with hip osteoarthritis. A current surgical treatment strategy for a torn labrum, labral resection, has recently shown poor patient outcomes with radiographic signs of osteoarthritis two-years post-operation. Since mechanical factors play a role in the etiology of osteoarthritis, identifying the mechanical role of the labrum may enhance current surgical treatment strategies. In this pilot study, we assessed the relationship between mean cartilage strain, maximum cartilage strain and the three-dimensional cartilage strain distribution in six human cadaver hips with various pathologic conditions of the labrum. We developed a novel technique of mapping cartilage strain using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRl). qMRl provides a non-invasive means of quantifying the cartilage strain distribution in the hip in three dimensions. Each specimen was assessed first with an intact labrum, then after surgically simulating a longitudinal peripheral labral tear, then after arthroscopically repairing the tear, and after labral resection. We validated the precision of the technique through use of an additional specimen which served as a control. To minimize motion artifact in the high-resolution MR images, we determined that 225 minutes was required for cartilage to reach a steady-state thickness under load. We also determined 16.5 hours was required for cartilage to recover to a steady-state unloaded thickness. The difference in mean and maximum cartilage strain when the labrum was repaired and resected was assessed using a paired t-test. We found that the resected group had an increased mean and maximum cartilage strain of 4% and 6%, respectively and the 3D cartilage strain distribution was elevated throughout the region of interest. When the condition of the intact labrum was compared to the torn labrum, we found no change in mean and maximum cartilage strain, and little obvious change in the 3D pattern of cartilage strain distribution. Based on our findings of increased cartilage strain after labral resection when compared to labral repair, we hypothesize that the labrum’s contribution of additional surface area assists in load distribution, which spares cartilage from excessive loads. We therefore recommend that the longitudinal peripheral torn labrum should not be resected if it is possible to be repaired, because in vivo, labral resection may create an environment with increased articular cartilage strain, which is thought to be associated with cartilage degeneration.

Hip fracture trials have used a wide range of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) suggesting a lack of consensus among clinicians on what are considered the most relevant functional outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to identify the outcomes used in hip fracture randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We hypothesized that there had been an increase in numbers of PROs over time and the health status measure, SF-36, would be used the most. A database search and screening yielded 86 original trials. The mean Detsky score (and standard error) for quality was: 75.8% ± 1.76%. There was a trend in the increase of functional outcome; however, the SF-36 was used only in (10 out of 86) 11.6% trials. Both the ADL-Katz Index and HHS have lower respondent burden than the SF36 which may contribute to their frequent use in hip RCTs. There is a lack of applicable measures suitable for patients with dementia.

This thesis examines and analyzes the controversy around white rapper Eminem to inspect the way in which black and white theories of belonging function within an American context. The assumption behind the racial dichotomy that defines whites and blacks in oppositional positive and negative terms presumes that identity is structured along race stereotypes. This belief is evident in the differing responses to Eminem's affiliation with hip-hop culture and through the extent in which he employs hip-hop cultural forms, styles, and traits into his rap image. Although a popular mainstream artist, Eminem (and his "thug" Slim Shady alter ego) maintains his credibility within hip-hop circles by using elements of parody, play, and persona to depict his satirical views of American life. Finally, the systematic attacks against Eminem that label him as deviant are rarely levelled against other black rappers, exposing the different societal expectations that exist for whites and blacks.