The school of peace studies at the University of Bradford: The organization of applied research

This paper sets out to do two things: first, it examines the emergence and the rationale of the scientific study of peace; and secondly, it describes the work of the School of Peace Studies. It suggests that peace studies is an area study, that is, a study in which academic disciplines, focused by a concern for peace, converge in the application of their methods. It sets out the five main themes of the School's work: peace theory; the nuclear issue; development; aspects of industrial societies; and troubled regions (Northern Ireland and the Middle East). The paper then describes the degree work of the School. Later, in describing the School's research, research themes and publications are discussed. Finally, the paper argues that it would be an ultimate intellectual betrayal for academics not to apply their disciplines to the great issues of peace and war in our time.     

Continuing education at reasonable cost: a case study

Since January 1, 1995, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) has mandated that radiologic technologists earn 24 units of continuing education every 24 months. Enforcement will begin in 1997, but the credits must be earned in the two-year period preceding the technologist's birth-month in 1997. Those who have earned 24 credits between their birth-months in 1993 and 1995 will be recognized for voluntary compliance. This article describes how a local affiliate of the California Society of Radiologic Technologists and a hospital in-service program provide continuing education for technologists in a semi-rural area. In 1986 two technologists from Kaweah Delta Hospital organized the Sequoia District Study Group (now called Sequoia District Affiliate). In 1992 that group recognized the need to meet upcoming continuing education requirements and made plans to provide 12 continuing education units per year. The Kaweah Health Care District offers financial support of the group's program and pays an annual fee to the ASRT to receive designated providership of continuing education. Individuals who pay a small annual membership fee to the Sequoia District Affiliate attend meetings for free and receive a discount on registration for an annual seminar. Staff involvement in soliciting speakers generates greater interest and better attendance. Cooperation between staff and management can facilitate the implementation of a low-cost education program that meets ARRT requirements.     

Looking at the formulation of national biosecurity education action plans

In order for states to be assured of their compliance with the requirements of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, it is necessary that all those science and policy stakeholders working within that state should be aware of their responsibilities under the Convention. This can only be achieved through a comprehensive national biosecurity education programme. We propose that each state should produce a national biosecurity action plan, with accompanying resources and materials to achieve this. A number of resources are already available online to support states in this challenge. We present a model for a national biosecurity action plan and propose a number of ways in which this may be achieved.     

Online education: a survey of faculty and students

OBJECTIVE: This study examines faculty and student perspectives related to online learning. METHOD: Baccalaureate-degree radiologic technology students and graduate nursing students were surveyed to determine their support for online education. Additionally, faculty at the same institution who were experienced in online teaching were surveyed. RESULTS: The results in this study agreed with some aspects from the body of knowledge on online learning.     

Recovery of fingerprints from deceased: a DVI case study

ABSTRACT

The recovery of post-mortem fingerprints during the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process is an integral part of the identification of human remains following a mass casualty event. As part of the vetting process, decisions must be made as to what forms of identification evidence may be recovered during post-mortem examination of the deceased and, therefore, which specialists should be engaged. We present a case study in which the initial triage – undertaken as is routinely performed in small to medium DVI incidents by members without specialist fingerprint experience – suggested that fingerprint recovery would be extremely difficult. The case was taken up, with approval of the coroner, by fingerprint specialists who subsequently recovered identifiable ridge detail from all deceased. This instance highlights the importance of involving persons with specialized knowledge in triage decisions.     

A life scientist, an engineer and a social scientist walk into a lab: challenges of dual-use engagement and education in synthetic biology

The discussion of dual-use education is often predicated on a discrete population of practicing life scientists exhibiting certain deficiencies in awareness or expertise. This has lead to the claim that there is a greater requirement for awareness raising and education amongst this population. However, there is yet to be an inquiry into the impact of the 'convergent' nature of emerging techno-sciences upon the prospects of dual-use education. The field of synthetic biology, although often portrayed as homogeneous, is in fact composed of various sub-fields and communities. Its practitioners have diverse academic backgrounds. The research institutions that have fostered its development in the UK often have their own sets of norms and practices in engagement with ethical, legal and social issues associated with scientific knowledge and technologies. The area is also complicated by the emergence of synthetic biologists outside traditional research environments, the so called 'do-it-yourself' or 'garage biologists'. This paper untangles some of the complexities in the current state of synthetic biology and addresses the prospects for dual-use education for practitioners. It provides a short overview of the field and discusses identified dual-use issues. There follows a discussion of UK networks in synthetic biology, including their engagement with ethical, legal, social and dual-use issues and limited educational efforts in relation to these. It concludes by outlining options for developing a more systematic dual-use education strategy for synthetic biology.     

Role of a University Medical Center in the education of radiologic technologists: advanced education in radiologic technology.

The development of new and sophisticated imaging equipment, the rapidly changing medical diagnostic techniques, and larger and busier radiology departments put increasingly heavy demands on radiologic technologists. To cope with these demands, superficial knowledge and experience is not enough. The technologist who wished to advance on the career ladder must have more solid facts at his disposal and know how and when to use them if he is to perform efficiently and satisfactorily. The program described here provides a type of education that will permit the technologist to so advance with a feeling of security in the knowledge that he has the foundation needed to meet the challenges of his profession.     

Analysis of stature prediction from foot anthropometry: a South Korean case study

The investigation of footprints or dismembered foot dimensions from the scene of a crime or disaster plays a crucial role in the effort to determine some characteristics of the suspects or victims. Previous studies have shown the importance of foot dimensions for that purpose. However, the foot length and foot breadth were frequently studied; the present research investigated the relationship between stature and diverse foot dimensions such as of the heel, metatarsal edge, instep, metatarsal, and lateral malleolus – in addition to the foot length and foot breadth. The feet of 461 subjects (175 male & 286 Female) were scanned and measured. The mean age of the male participants was 41.6 (from 20 to 69) and 38.4 for female participants (from 20 to 68). A t-test was used to compare the gender difference in each dimension. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to identify correlations among various part measurements and heights. Regression equations were derived using single or multiple variables. Foot length showed the highest relationship in males (R = 0.753) and females (R = 0.433). For males and females, prediction accuracy was highest in the linear regression equation using foot length alone (R² = 0.567 for males, R² = 0.188 for females; SEE ± 4.332 cm for males, ±4.825 cm for females). In addition to foot length, length-related variables such as the distance from the heel to both ends of the metatarsal were also reliable predictors. These research results are expected to be useful information for forensic medicine, and for medical appliance and sports manufacturers.     

Implementation of a restraint policy: a case study

A no-restraint policy was implemented for 50 elderly residents of a small nursing home to determine if decreasing the use of restraints would increase falls. The decision not to restrain posed a conflict between protection of the patient and staff beliefs. The results of the study seem to contradict popularly held beliefs concerning restraining the institutionalized elderly to decrease falls. During the 2-year period, only two patients sustained minor abrasions due to falls, and one patient experienced a fractured hip.     

Implementing filmless ultrasound: a case study

Several years ago, Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, considered converting to a filmless radiography system. Enthusiastic but cautious, the hospital looked into the technology to be sure it was appropriate for their institution. With the first phase representing a trial run, choosing the right area for the initial implementation was critical. Ultimately we selected the area that would most benefit from the transition and save the most money along the way. Ultrasound was our first choice, particularly since the hospital has three ultrasound units that are staffed 24 hours a day, and six ultrasound units in a doctor's building across the street. Butterworth was performing 25,000 ultrasound films annually. An additional reason for selecting ultrasound was a high level of interest and support from the hospital's ultrasound radiologists. Enthusiastic about the project this group's support gave the project a good chance for success. The hospital considered different vendors, basing its selection on the radiologists' satisfaction. It was essential that they be satisfied with any system they would eventually use. One criteria was to find a vendor willing to customize their product for the hospital's use. Compatibility with the existing network was also important. One goal at implementation was to be 80 percent filmless after several weeks. Even greater savings than anticipated were realized when the radiologists went 98 percent filmless almost immediately. The successful first phase has laid the groundwork for upcoming phases of the project, which will include transitioning to CT and MRI.     

Juvenile homicide: a case control study

Studies describing the profile of juveniles charged or guilty of homicide have been inconsistent in their findings. For instance, Sendi and Blomgren found that 60 per cent of their adolescent murderers sample suffered from schizophrenia, while Cornell, Benedek, and Benedek identified only 6.9 per cent of psychotic subjects among the homicide group. Important gaps can also be noticed among studies describing the prevalence of personality disorders among homicidal adolescents. Rosner, Wiederlight, Horner-Rosner, and Wieczorek indicate that 50 per cent of the population they studied were diagnosed as having a personality disorder, while Fiddes found no more than 5 per cent of such cases.     

Traumatic deaths in Jamaica: a coroner's (medico-legal) autopsy study from the University Hospital of the West Indies

This study reviewed the trauma-related deaths in a coroner's (medico-legal) autopsy series at the University Hospital of the West Indies and represents only the second such study reported from Jamaica. The autopsy protocols of all coroner's autopsies performed during the 15-year period January 1, 1983 to December 31, 1997 were reviewed retrospectively, and the clinico-pathological characteristics of trauma-related deaths were analysed. Trauma accounted for 470 (28.7%) of the 1,640 coroner's autopsies and the causes of death in descending order of frequency were motor vehicle accidents [MVAs] (44.9%), blunt injuries (17.7%), burns (16.8%), firearm injuries (13.6%) and stab injuries (7.0%). The 21-30 age group was the most commonly affected and the overall male: female ratio was 4:1. The distribution of injuries (excluding burns) by anatomical region was head and neck (43.8%), chest (8.9%), abdomen and pelvis (4.3%), extremities (0.9%) and multiple sites (25.3%). Forty-nine (23.2%) of the victims of MVAs were documented to have been pedestrians. Blunt trauma was most commonly due to accidental falls followed by assaults. Flame burns accounted for 90% of burn cases. There were seven (1.5%) cases of suicide overall. In this series the majority of trauma-related deaths occurred in young males and were due to MVAs. Strategies aimed at reducing trauma-related mortality should therefore emphasize road traffic safety programmes, particularly targeting the young.