Dynamic Assessment of Learners of a Signed Language

In this chapter, the authors discuss the use of dynamic language assessment with signing deaf children. This is a fairly new area, and, in spite of the growing interest on behalf of researchers and practitioners, there is very limited research. Given the lack of available studies, the authors use anecdotal information that draws on observations made by two of the authors from their own work with signing deaf children, one in a hospital and the other in a school setting. Some of the questions that will guide the discussions are: What makes dynamic assessment useful for signing deaf children? And, how do we determine that dynamic assessment is appropriate for a particular child, and how do we evaluate whether it works? The authors finish with a look at possible future directions and present recommendations on how to make dynamic assessment (more) meaningful for use with signing deaf children.

“Fear of stopping” vs “wanting to get off the medication”: exploring women’s experiences of using domperidone as a galactagogue - a qualitative study

Background Domperidone is the most frequently prescribed medicine used to increase breast milk supply. There is considerable controversy surrounding the use of domperidone in lactation, due to limited evidence about efficacy and concerns about rare but life-threatening side-effects. Despite this, in many high-income settings such as Australia, use of domperidone among breastfeeding mothers appears to be increasing. The aim of this paper was to explore women’s experiences of using domperidone during breastfeeding. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2019 with 15 women in Australia who reported using domperidone as a galactagogue during breastfeeding. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Women reported a wide variety of practices concerning the timing of initiation of domperidone use, including prophylactic use, as well as the dose and duration of use. Prolonged periods of use and unsupervised dosing were commonly reported, these practices were sometimes associated with a fear of the consequences of stopping, insufficient provision of information about the drug or feeling dismissed by health professionals. Some women indicated that when doctors refused to prescribe domperidone they responded by doctor shopping and seeking anecdotal information about benefits and risks online, leading to unsupervised practices. Women often reported high expectations surrounding the effectiveness of domperidone, and most used the medication in conjunction with food/herbal galactagogues and non-galactagogue support. Positive outcomes following domperidone use included having greater confidence in breastfeeding and pride at achieving breastfeeding goals. Conclusions This study identified a variety of practices concerning domperidone use, including potentially unsafe practices, linked in some cases to inconsistent advice from health professionals and a reliance on online, anecdotal information sources. These findings emphasise the urgent need for development of clinical practice guidelines and a greater focus on translating existing evidence concerning domperidone into clinical practice, including clinical support that is tailored to women’s needs.

Using local ecological knowledge to locate the western long-beaked echidna Zaglossus bruijnii on the Vogelkop Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

The Critically Endangered western long-beaked echidna Zaglossus bruijnii is believed to be distributed throughout the Vogelkop Peninsula in the Indonesian Province of West Papua, but there had formerly been no confirmed sightings of the species since the 1980s. We aimed to establish whether the species survives in this area. Fieldwork was carried out during January–April 2018 in Tambrauw Regency in the north and Teluk Bintuni Regency in the south. Fieldwork involved informal interviews with people, identified through chain referral sampling, who were knowledgeable about local animals and plants. Interviewees were asked about their knowledge of the western long-beaked echidna and if they had encountered them locally. Thirteen interviewees were familiar with the species and we were able to confirm informant records of one individual in Tambrauw Regency and three in Teluk Bintuni Regency. Measurements of the three individual echidnas in Teluk Bintuni Regency corroborated previous descriptions of the species. Interviewees described how echidnas are often seen in the forests around villages, especially during the wet season during January–April, when their foraging signs are easy to distinguish from those of other animals. These four records of the western long-beaked echidna are the first confirmed sightings since the 1980s. They suggest the species persists on the Vogelkop Peninsula, and anecdotal information from the interviewees suggests the species remains common. Nevertheless, detailed systematic surveys are required before any assertion about the status of this species can be made with confidence.

Lion (Panthera leo) ecology and survival in protected areas of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is renowned for its cultural and biological diversity and covers an important share of lion habitat in Africa, providing connectivity between East and Central Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of lions and human–lion conflict in several protected areas of Ethiopia and to present an overview on lion distribution nationally. We used call-ups and semi-structured interviews with 809 randomly selected pastoralists to investigate human–lion conflict and pastoralist perceptions towards lions in five priority sites and collected further anecdotal information for all other known or possible lion range. We had chance encounters with six lions, but we observed no lion responses to the call-ups. We recorded 145 spotted hyaena and 23 jackal responses at, respectively, 25 and 13 of the 46 call-up stations. Overall, respondents viewed lions as dangerous carnivores, but nonetheless responded that lions should be present regionally, preferably in restricted areas. Most respondents disagreed that the killing of lions should be allowed, but we note that a small minority strongly agreed to killing. A large majority of respondents agreed that more people need to be given information about lions. Respondents mentioned spotted hyaena and leopard as the main predators on all livestock followed by jackal (shoats) and lion (mainly cattle). The impact of depredation on livestock mortality was nearly twice that of disease. Our results strongly suggest that lion densities are low and may have substantially decreased in Awash, Nechisar, Chebera-Churchura, and Mago National Parks and in Kaffa Biosphere Reserve due to conflict, habitat loss and especially ineffective protection. Anecdotal information suggests that lions are widespread but rare and that there is no stronghold in Ethiopia. Considering the unique evolutionary background of Ethiopia as the bridge between Central and East African lion populations, and the significant role of the lion in Ethiopian history and culture, we argue that more emphasis should be given to the protection of prioritized lion populations.

The Challenges of Closing Construction Projects Final Accounts in Botswana Local Authorities

Anecdotal information in the construction industry in Botswana indicated that the process of closing financial accounts for construction projects within a stipulated period is inefficient and ineffective. This is a serious industry problem because a project with an unclosed account is not a successful project as there are unfinished issues and claims left in abeyance to the detriment of both the client and contractor. This motivated a study aimed at investigating this aspect, including identifying the major causes of delays in formally closing final accounts of construction projects in local authorities. A multimethod approach consisting of a review of project documents which were beyond the end of the defect liability period were used in the study. Also, a questionnaire survey was administered to parties dealing with construction projects in the selected local authorities. Lastly, a focus discussion was held with key stakeholders who implement projects in some selected local authorities. Results indicated that while the final account closure process was inefficient (as only 42% of the accounts which were closed were finalised in the stipulated contractual time). Secondly, it was marginally effective (as only 54% of the sampled project accounts were closed). Common reasons for inefficiency and ineffectiveness include (i) contractors abandoning the project when they realise that the cost of rectifying the defects far exceeds the outstanding balance; (ii) clients taking too long to agree and approve final accounts; and (iii) loss of information when key personnel leave the project on the contractor's side before the final account is finalised. Despite the limitation of considering a selected number of local authorities’ projects, the findings have confirmed anecdotal information circulating in the industry about the substantial numbers of project accounts that are usually left unclosed. The following recommendations based on the study results are made. That all adopted contract conditions be modified to focus on nipping the challenge in the bud as well as deterring instrument to future defaulters. The suggested modification: 'it shall be mandatory for contractors to bring the project under tender to a formal closure through final account documentation within a specified period, defaulting contractors to be blacklisted from future contract awards in Botswana LAs'. Ordinarily, since contractors can hardly suffer financial losses, the paper suggests that consultants and clients should objectively entertain contractors' claims arising from defects rectifications in the liability period. This is provided such defects were neither caused by poor materials nor are traceable to poor workmanship. These hopefully will mitigate the challenge if followed.

Social media for the regional anesthesiologist: can we use it in place of medical journals?

The regional anesthesia community regularly uses social media for advocacy and education. Well-known leaders in the field are willing to share their opinions with colleagues in a public forum. Some visionaries predict that the influence of social media will soon transcend that of the traditional academic journal. While physicians support the use of social media, an trend may exist toward anecdotal information. Does a lack of online regulation along with a bias towards self-promotion cloud meaningful discussion? In order to avoid the pitfalls of social media, thoughtful communication will help regional anesthesiologists promote their subspecialty. Mindful dialog, promotion of academic journals, and professional etiquette will help maintain a collegial environment.

Direct observations of vertebrate killing and consumption by the endangered Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus)

The Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a globally endangered semiaquatic mammal species restricted to Southwest Europe. It is thought to mostly predate on aquatic prey, particularly macroinvertebrates; yet anecdotal information and recent genetic-based findings suggest higher flexibility in its trophic niche. Here, we report on direct observations of wild-caught Pyrenean desmans attacking, killing and consuming live fish (trout – Salmo trutta fario) and amphibians (Iberian frog – Rana iberica) in semi-captivity conditions providing unquestionable evidence (photos and videos) of vertebrate attack, killing, handling and consumption by the species. This illustrates the species’ ability to kill and eat vertebrates, corroborating recent evidence on its trophic flexibility.