Australia's population as estimated at 30 June 1997 was 18.5 million of which 23.3 percent were born overseas. People from non-English speaking countries account for 14.2 percent of the Australian population. The 1996 Census shows that 2.6 million in Australia speak a language other than English at home. Therefore, no one can deny that Australia's society is characterised by cultural and linguistic diversity. In this context, migrant health services, and policies and the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds in the area of health have been addressed since the early 1980s. This thesis draws attention to the concept of 'health' as a fundamental dimension embedded in the area of health care and its related policies, services, programs, and health instruments. This current study questions the idea of universality in the concept of 'health' which suggests that a certain meaning and construction of health can be applied to any culture and society. For this purpose, a qualitative study was designed to explore the concept of health within a group of Iranians in Australia and to examine the appropriateness of the aspects and constructs of health identified in the SF-36, a self-report health status questionnaire developed in the United States, for an Iranian population. The methodology used in this research sought to collect qualitative data with a sample of 21 Iranians- 10 females, and 11 males. The NUD.IST program was used to organise and manage the data for the first time in the Persian language. Findings from the research provided evidence of the ways a sample of Iranians understood health and its embedded dimensions. The themes that emerged from the transcripts as significantly reflecting participants' conceptualisation of health included harmony, health as a concept which is both emotional and physical; integrated, spiritual aspect of health; tranquillity, physical and emotional aspects of health; social and familial relationships; and absence of disorder. Using these themes, a framework consisting of the components of health was developed. The components of the framework include holistic, spiritual, dualistic, social, operational, oppositional, and comparative and relative dimensions. Findings provide evidence which supports the assumption that a group of Iranians have certain views of 'concepts of health'. The results from the research provided evidence that some of the items and constructs relating to health included in the SF-36 seem to be problematic when administered to an Iranian population. The findings of the thesis suggest that a qualitative inquiry into Iranians' discourse of health and its dimensions should be made with an Iranian group before administering an instrument such as the SF-36. Analysis of findings suggests a number of recommendations and modifications when the SF-36 is translated from English into Persian and administered to a group of Iranians.

The classroom learning environment has increasingly been recognised as an important factor in education. However, over recent years the increasing research in this area has focussed on humanities or science classrooms. Virtually no investigations have been reported into the learning environment of the secondary mathematics classroom.The study reported in this thesis focusses on the perceptions of 490 grade 9 mathematics students in 23 classrooms in 14 schools in Adelaide, South Australia. Students' perceptions of their mathematics learning environment were measured using a new classroom environment instrument which has been developed in both a Personal Form (which focusses on students' perceptions of their personal interaction with the learning environment) and a Class Form (which focusses on students' perceptions of the class's interactions with the learning environment).This study confirmed the reliability and validity of both forms of the new instrument in its use with this sample of students, and examined the differences between the Personal and the Class Forms of the instrument. The sub-populations of male and female students were also profiled and differences between their perceptions of the classroom learning environment were examined. Differences between students' perceptions of their teacher's interpersonal behaviour in the classroom were also explored.The study identified associations between students' perceptions of their mathematics classroom learning environment, their perceptions of their teacher's interpersonal behaviour, and student outcomes. The association between students' perceptions of their mathematics classroom environment and attitudinal outcomes was stronger than the association with cognitive outcomes.Finally, the commonality and uniqueness of the two instruments measuring classroom learning environment and teacher's interpersonal behaviour ++ / in terms of predicting outcome variance were established, as were associations between the perceptions of students in these two areas.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2007. / Title from screen (viewed on September 21, 2007). School of Nursing, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Tamilyn Bakas, Sharon Sims, Mary L. Fisher, Janet Welch. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-244).

Outcomes for ten adult males who used the SpeechEasy fluency device for one year were investigated. Outcomes were determined from qualitative analysis of responses to open-end questions developed from a content analysis of the Perceptions of Stuttering Inventory (PSI) and the Locus of Control of Behavior (LCB) and portions of the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Third Edition (SSI-3). These survey instruments are commonly administered to adults who stutter to determine their levels of struggle, avoidance, anticipation of stuttering and personal locus of control of behavior. The results of the survey instruments were triangulated with interview responses to establish reliability of responses. Changes in stuttering severity following treatment with the SpeechEasy fluency device were compared to changes in perceptions of struggle, avoidance, anticipation of stuttering and personal locus of control of behavior. Data from the interviews and survey instruments revealed patterns of responses that may assist clinicians who treat individuals who stutter in determining those clients who might benefit from treatment using the SpeechEasy fluency device.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Sandra D. Sloan, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Workforce Education and Development, presented on October 23, 2008 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: ENROLLMENT, ATTAINMENT, AND OCCUPATIONAL OUTCOME PATTERNS OF SUBBACCALAUREATE BUSINESS STUDENTS: A NATIONAL ANALYSIS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. MARCIA A. ANDERSON Participation in postsecondary education has increased in the last few decades, and subbaccalaureate career and technical education (CTE) is an important part of that educational system. By federal mandate, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has collected data and compiled statistical reports regarding participation in subbaccalaureate CTE through the Career and Technical Education Statistics System. Within subbaccalaureate CTE, one of the most popular programs is business. Although data is collected on subbaccalaureate CTE business students, and even though there are some reports that have specifically included findings regarding these students, very little extensive research has been done on their enrollment, attainment, and occupational outcomes leaving a gap in the research for shareholders in business education. This study attempted to fill that gap. Conclusions from this study indicated that the most significant change in subbaccalaureate CTE business programs over a 15-year period was the decrease in overall enrollment. However, aside from a few exceptions, the composition of subbaccalaureate CTE business students remained stable. The majority population enrolling into subbaccalaureate CTE business programs over a 15-year period were unmarried, White females under the age of 24. The few significant changes included a decrease in the proportion of the White population, an increase in the proportion of the Black population, an increase in the proportion of the Asian/Pacific Islander population, and an increase in the proportion of students 24 and older. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of Black, non-Hispanics attaining associate degrees and/or bachelor's degrees. Recommendations for practice included suggesting that shareholders in subbaccalaureate CTE business programs have discussions about the current population being served by subbaccalaureate CTE business programs and determines whether efforts to encourage and recruit members from populations not currently being served should be made in order to diversify the population in this field of study.

As demand for employees with a professional master’s degree increases, and accountability to show both learning outcomes/graduate competencies and career outcomes for alumni of these programs increases, it is becoming more important to develop measures of these outcomes. The purpose of this survey- based research study was to develop a measure of self-reported competencies and career outcomes, in order to interpret the perceived value of these programs, determine if some programs meet alumni needs better than others, and to see if there are additional measures to be considered. Results indicate high construct validity, significant differences in human capital outcomes, career development skills, and personal agency between the three large programs at the college study, but no differences in goals to maintain careers, satisfaction, or course evaluation ratings. Validity of these measures could be important for future assessment, program evaluation, and mixed methods studies at the graduate level as it pertains to non-traditional students and professional master’s degree programs.

The long-term effects of total dietary protein and individual food sources of dietary protein on cardiometabolic risk are not clearly understood. The effects of the amount consumed and the timing of dietary protein intake as well as the contribution of overall dietary patterns on various cardiometabolic outcomes are largely unknown, particularly in children. The objective of this dissertation is to estimate the effects of patterns of dietary protein intake and egg consumption on cardiometabolic risk in adolescents and adults. Prospective data from two studies were used: the National Growth and Health Study (NGHS) with 2105 pre-adolescent girls followed for 10 years and the Framingham Offspring Study (FOS) with 2054 middle-aged adults followed for 12 years. Diet was assessed in both cohorts via 3-day diet records. NGHS outcomes included %body fat, %truncal fat, waist circumference, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass (SMM), fasting glucose (FG), insulin resistance, blood pressure (BP), and lipids. FOS outcomes included FG and BP. Multivariable models including analysis of covariance, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards models were used. Girls consuming ≥75 g/day of total protein (vs. less) had less body fat (p<0.0001) and more SMM (p<0.0001) by late adolescence. Girls consuming more morning protein had the highest total protein intakes, perhaps contributing to the observed beneficial effects of morning protein on body composition. Consumption of ≥3.5 eggs/week in 9-17 year-old girls was associated with lower %body fat (p=0.019) and higher %SMM (p=0.026) by later adolescence. There was no evidence that higher egg intake was detrimental to any cardiometabolic outcomes. Girls who consumed more eggs (ages 9-17 years) in combination with more fiber, fruits/vegetables, or physical activity led to statistically significant 43-58% reduced risks of becoming overweight by late adolescence. Adults who consumed ≥5 eggs/week had lower FG (p=0.0004) and systolic BP (p=0.0284) over time. Higher egg intakes were associated with a 27% lower risk of IFG or T2D (95% CI:0.51-1.04) and 30% lower risk of HBP (95% CI:0.52-0.96). In summary, total protein intake, including regular egg consumption, has no adverse effects on cardiometabolic risk in adolescence or adults and may benefit body composition over time.

PURPOSE: To investigate relationships between preoperative and intraoperative characteristics with outcome variables in patients suffering from primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) or traction retinal detachment (TRD) complicated by serous choroidal detachment (CD). Choroidal detachment is a rare complication of retinal detachment and the current literature cites generally poor visual outcome variables. By investigating a retrospective case series, we hope to elucidate new relationships and embolden existing ones so that future physicians can make more educated decisions regarding the care for these complicated patients. METHODS: A retrospective case series analyzed 18 patient’s medical records (18 eyes) who had been diagnosed and surgically treated for RRD or TRD associated with a CD at the Longwood Medical Eye Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Patients with RDCD who had undergone 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade were selected. Exclusionary criteria included ocular complications such as phthisis bulbi and open globe trauma. Patients experienced a variety of surgical procedures including by not limited to relaxing retinotomy (n=12 eyes), choroidal drainage (n=10 eyes), endoscopy-assisted PPV (n=10 eyes), and ERM peeling (n=8 eyes). Primary outcome variables tabulated were primary and final anatomic success, defined as successful reattachment of the retina to the underlying choroid, and final visual acuity. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample group was 69 with 8 patients (44%) diagnosed with preoperative hypotony (IOP <= 6 mmHg). A total of 12 patients were pseudophakic (67%). With a mean follow-up of 21.6 months, patients exhibited expected visual outcomes with 6 patients (33%) improving visual acuity and 7 patients (39%) decreasing visual acuity. Final anatomic success was seen in 17 cases (94%). A significant correlation was found between decreased number of previous surgeries and better visual outcomes (change in BCVA). Another significant relationship correlates choroidal drainage with worse visual outcomes (change in BCVA). Finally, patients who received ERM peeling had better rates of primary anatomic success. CONCLUSION: The advanced age of the sample lends itself to increased risk for cataracts and thus pseudophakia. In addition, high rates of diabetes and macular degeneration follow. The pathophysiology of RDCD in relation to the risk factors of hypotony and macular holes is possibly based on the Starling forces and favorable fluid transudation into the suprachoroidal space. Although the outcomes of this study were similar to previous literature, the visual outcomes are still poor at best. Reducing the number of previous, invasive, ocular surgeries was seen to be correlated with better visual outcomes. In addition, performing ERM peels is seen to be correlated with improved rates of primary anatomic success. More research is required on the etiology of the disease process and a case-controlled longitudinal study may be helpful in determining more relationships with outcome variables.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem affecting the adult and pediatric population. Scientists and clinicians are working diligently to discover possible therapeutics for the treatment of TBI. Two possible treatments to deal with TBI include sleep and the administration of progesterone. Yet, there are conflicting results from studies regarding the efficacy of either treatment. Sleep appears to reduce neuroinflammation and reduce axonal damage in the brain following TBI. Sleep deprivation, however, may have neuroprotective effects after TBI. Progesterone has also been shown to have neuroprotective effects following TBI. But, there are no sufficient data from animal studies to determine if progesterone is an effective therapeutic. More research studies will have to be conducted to further understand the role of sleep and progesterone in alleviating TBI.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation) / Due to inadequacy of data on the effectiveness of medicines regulatory systems in Zambia, this study was framed. The aim was to evaluate legislative provisions for medicines regulation under three legalregulatory- frameworks in place over the period from 1995 to 2015. The study was structured in two distinct phases: the first involved document review of available legislation and secondary data relevant to the subject matter, covering the study period; the second involved a questionnaire survey for health practitioners to gather opinions on the effectiveness of the medicines regulatory systems in Zambia. Assessment of secondary data reported by Ministry of Health, and World Health Organisation on treatment outcomes and medicines regulation was conducted. Reviewed data showed relative reduction in incidence of some selected diseases of national importance. It was also evident that the regulatory systems had improved considerably over the study period. Responses from Health Practitioners and other players in the health and pharmaceutical sectors indicated that they were aware of medicines regulatory requirements, supported the need for medicines regulation, and indicated the need for regional collaboration and increased public awareness raising as means for improving current medicines regulatory systems. It was recommended that more comprehensive studies be undertaken to establish causal relationships between medicines regulatory systems, and disease outcomes. A further recommendation was made to implement more integrated information management systems in the Ministry of Health, and the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority.