anna brown - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by anna brown

North Carolina Medical Journal, 2009

IASL Annual Conference Proceedings, 2021

Before 1994 education in South Africa was divided along racial lines. There were separate departm... more Before 1994 education in South Africa was divided along racial lines. There were separate departments of education for whites, coloureds (people of mixed decent), Indians (people of East Indian decent), and blacks (black Africans). Education for white children was much better funded than any of the others. The quality of the education that white children enjoyed was also much better as schools were better equipped, teachers were better qualified and classes were smaller. This inequality also applied to school library provision. All white schools had well-equipped libraries and full-time teacher-librarians. A start was made with libraries in the other departments, but , for example, only secondary schools for black learners had libraries. Black primary schools were just provided with classroom collections.

North Carolina Medical Journal, 2004

Integrating the concerns of stakeholders into the decision process can be particularly important ... more Integrating the concerns of stakeholders into the decision process can be particularly important when adopting a new technology. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) offers many potential benefits to the healthcare industry. However, hospital administrators who are examining this technology may not be considering the concerns of some secondary stakeholders (e.g, patients). A consumer survey found that support for two RFID applications in hospitals varied both across respondents and across applications. Privacy attitudes and behaviors were linked with RFID support levels. Increased two-way communications between healthcare management and both primary and secondary stakeholders may help improve the technology adoption decisions.

Optimisation strategies based around removing the assumption that a copy of the full field array ... more Optimisation strategies based around removing the assumption that a copy of the full field array needs to be present on every process. Includes performance visualisation such as timelines of MPI calls per process, using Paraver.

Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2021

Germline RUNX1 variants have been identified in relation to myeloid malignancy predisposition, wi... more Germline RUNX1 variants have been identified in relation to myeloid malignancy predisposition, with lymphoid hematological malignancies present at a lower frequency in families. In this issue of the JCI, Li and Yang et al. examined the frequency and type of germline RUNX1 variants in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients with T cell ALL (T-ALL) harbored rare, damaging RUNX1 mutations that were not seen in patients with B cell ALL (B-ALL). Further, several of the T-ALL-associated RUNX1 variants had potential dominant-negative activity. RUNX1-mutated T-ALL cases were also associated with somatic JAK3 mutations and enriched for the early T cell precursor (ETP) leukemia subtype, a finding that was validated when RUNX1 and JAK3 mutations were combined in mice. This study confirms germline RUNX1 predisposition beyond myeloid malignancy, demonstrates the importance of examining both germline and somatic mutations in malignancy cohorts, and demarcates the ETP ALL subtype as a flag for germline predisposition in patients.

Handbook of Item Response Theory Modeling, 2014

The ultimate goal of measurement is to produce a score by which individuals can be assessed and d... more The ultimate goal of measurement is to produce a score by which individuals can be assessed and differentiated. Item response theory (IRT) modeling views responses to test items as indicators of a respondent’s standing on some underlying psychological attributes (van der Linden & Hambleton, 1997) – we often call them latent traits – and devises special algorithms for estimating this standing. This chapter gives an overview of methods for estimating person attribute scores using one-dimensional and multi-dimensional IRT models, focusing on those that are particularly useful with patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. To be useful in applications, a test score has to approximate the latent trait well, and importantly, the precision level must be known in order to produce information for decision-making purposes. Unlike classical test theory (CTT), which assumes the precision with which a test measures the same for all trait levels, IRT methods assess the precision with which a test measures at different trait levels. In the context of patient-reported outcomes measurement, this enables assessment of the measurement precision for an individual patient. Knowing error bands around the patient’s score is important for informing clinical judgments, such as deciding upon significance of any change, for instance in response to treatment etc. (Reise & Haviland, 2005). At the same time, summary indices are often needed to summarize the overall precision of measurement in a research sample, population group, or in the population as a whole. Much of this chapter is devoted to methods for estimating measurement precision, including the score-dependent standard error of measurement and appropriate sample-level or population-level marginal reliability coefficients. Patient-reported outcome measures often capture several related constructs, the feature that may make the use of multi-dimensional IRT models appropriate and beneficial (Gibbons, Immekus & Bock, 2007). Several such models are described, including a model with multiple correlated constructs, a model where multiple constructs are underlain by a general common factor (second-order model), and a model where each item is influenced by one general and one group factor (bifactor model). To make the use of these models more easily accessible for applied researchers, we provide specialized formulae for computing test information, standard errors and reliability. We show how to translate a multitude of numbers and graphs conditioned on several dimensions into easy-to-use indices that can be understood by applied researchers and test users alike. All described methods and techniques are illustrated with a single data analysis example involving a popular PRO measure, the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28; Goldberg & Williams, 1988), completed in mid-life by a large community sample as a part of a major UK cohort study.

Pulmonary Circulation, 2021

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a chronic, progressive, and life-threatening disease in childr... more Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a chronic, progressive, and life-threatening disease in children with diverse causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The most severe cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension require aggressive treatments with systemic administration of continuous prostacyclin therapy, including treprostinil and epoprostenol. The successful use of continuous subcutaneous treprostinil therapy eliminates the need for an indwelling central venous catheter and its associated risks. However, pain at the subcutaneous infusion site, an expected side effect of this therapy, is often a deterrent to its widespread use. Effective subcutaneous treprostinil site maintenance and pain management is essential to achieve success with this therapy, but strategies surrounding site maintenance and pain control vary significantly between pediatric pulmonary hypertension treatment centers. In an attempt to standardize practice, a survey on the use of subcutaneous treprostinil and sit...

Teaching children mathematics, 1995

EJ503943 - Early Childhood Corner: Communicating with Young Children in Mathematics: A Unique Cha... more EJ503943 - Early Childhood Corner: Communicating with Young Children in Mathematics: A Unique Challenge.

Critical Care Medicine, 2019

History of education researcher, 2009

Maternity service provision in the UK includes midwife-led care for low-risk women, and the quali... more Maternity service provision in the UK includes midwife-led care for low-risk women, and the quality and safety of health care attracts political interest and a continuing level of public concern. Current challenges in the provision of maternity services are evident due to workforce and financial pressures (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists 2016). Although evidence from the literature suggests that low-risk women would greatly benefit from midwife-led care, in terms of outcomes for both mother and baby (Birthplace in England Collaborative Group 2011, Delgado Nunes et al 2014, National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2014), these challenges continue to impact as to how these services can improve in the future. More recently, recommendations have been made to improve outcomes and ensure a more personalised birthing experience can be made available to every childbearing woman and her family (NHS England 2016).

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 2021

Objective. The objective of this review is to maximize the utility of in administering peer asses... more Objective. The objective of this review is to maximize the utility of in administering peer assessments in teamwork settings in professional pharmacy curricula.Findings. There is a lack of best practices for using peer assessments in the academic setting. The studies reviewed used peer assessments of team for formative and summative assessment, assessing teamwork at limited number of time points to multiple time points; attaching student names to the assessment or being anonymous, and with explanation of why the tool was being used to no explanation.Conclusion. To get the best use of peer assessments, instructors must define the purpose for their use, explain the purpose of teamwork, orient students to the tool being used, assess teamwork over time and provide feedback, minimize grades associated with the assessment, and use partial anonymity when collecting feedback.

Cell and Gene Therapy Insights, 2019

Sleep and Breathing, 2019

Background Obesity is a common risk factor for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obstructive s... more Background Obesity is a common risk factor for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Both PCOS and OSA are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Hence, it is important to determine the burden of OSA in women with PCOS. Methods We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, OpenGrey, CENTRAL), conference abstracts, and reference lists of relevant articles, up to January 2019. No restriction for language or publication status. Studies that examined the presence of OSA in women with PCOS using polysomnography and/or level III devices were eligible for inclusion. Results Seventeen studies involving 648 participants were included. Our meta-analysis showed that 35.0% (95% CI 22.2-48.9%) of women with PCOS had OSA. This prevalence was not affected by variation in PCOS definition between studies. Approximately one-tenth of the variation in OSA prevalence was related to differences in study population (higher in adults than adolescents and mixed populations), and around one-tenth was related to sample size (higher in smaller studies). OSA prevalence was markedly higher in obese versus lean women with PCOS, and in women with PCOS compared to controls (odds ratio = 3.83, 95% CI 1.43-10.24, eight studies, 957 participants (349 PCOS and 608 controls)). However, most of the studies were at high risk Abd A. Tahrani and Harpal S. Randeva are joint senior authors and contributed equally to the manuscript.

BMC Public Health, 2019

Background: This study explored primary healthcare provider and HIV/contraception expert stakehol... more Background: This study explored primary healthcare provider and HIV/contraception expert stakeholder perspectives on South Africa's public sector provision of contraceptive implants to women living with HIV. We investigated the contraceptive service-impact of official advice against provision of implants to women using the HIV antiretroviral drug, efavirenz, issued by the South African National Department of Health (NDoH) in 2014. Methods: Qualitative data was collected in Cape Town in 2017 from primary healthcare contraceptive providers in four clinics that provide implants, as well as from other expert stakeholders selected for expertise in HIV and/or contraception. In-depth interviews and a group discussion explored South Africa's implant introduction and implant provision to women living with HIV. Data was analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Results: Interviews were conducted with 10 providers and 10 stakeholders. None of the four clinics where the providers worked currently offered the implant to women living with HIV. Stakeholders confirmed that this was consistent with patterns of implant provision at primary healthcare facilities across Cape Town. Factors contributing to providers' decisions to suspend provision of the implant to women living with HIV included: inadequate initial and ongoing provider training; interpretation of NDoH communications about implant use with efavirenz; provider unwillingness to risk harming clients and concerns about professional liability; and other pressures related to provider capacity. Conclusions: All South African women, including those living with HIV, should have access to the full range of contraceptive options for which they are medically eligible. Changing guidance should be initiated and communicated in consultation with primary-level providers and service beneficiaries. Guidance issued to providers needs to be clear and fully evidence-informed, and its correct interpretation and implementation facilitated and monitored. Guidance should be accompanied by provider training, as well as counselling messages and tools to support providers. Generalized retraining of providers in rights-based, client-centred family planning, and in particular implant provision for women with HIV, is needed. These recommendations accord with the right of women living with HIV to access the highest possible standard of sexual and reproductive healthcare, including informed contraceptive choice and access to the contraceptive implant.

British Educational Research Journal, 2019

Despite profound influence of selection-by-ability on children's educational opportunities, empir... more Despite profound influence of selection-by-ability on children's educational opportunities, empirical evidence for validity of 11-plus tests is scarce. This study focused on secondary selection in Kent, the largest grammar school area in England. We analysed scores from the 'Kent Test' (the 11-plus test used in Kent), Cognitive Assessment Tests (CAT4), and Key Stage 2 Standardised Assessment Tests (KS2) using longitudinal data of two year cohorts (N1=95, N2=99) from one primary school. All the assessment batteries provided highly overlapping information, with the decisive effect of content area (e.g. verbal versus maths) over task type (e.g. knowledge-loaded versus knowledge-free). Thus, the value in differentiating 'pure' (i.e. knowledge-free) ability in 11-plus testing is questionable. KS2 and Kent Test aggregated scores overlapped very strongly, sharing nearly 80% of variance; moreover, KS2-based eligibility decisions had higher sensitivity than the Kent Test in predicting the actual admissions to grammar schools after Head Teacher Assessment (HTA) panels have taken place. This study provides preliminary evidence that national examinations could be a good basis for selection to grammar schools, and questions the value of 11-plus tests.

Leukemia & lymphoma, Jan 6, 2017

Natural Killer/T cell (NK/T cell) lymphoma is a rare, yet aggressive T cell lymphoma, which often... more Natural Killer/T cell (NK/T cell) lymphoma is a rare, yet aggressive T cell lymphoma, which often displays resistance to traditional chemotherapies. Asparagainse (ASNase), through its unique mechanism of action, has become a vital component in the treatment of NK/T cell lymphoma. However, because ASNase is of bacterial origin, antibody formation can render the therapy ineffective, even in the absence of clinical hypersensitivity, which has been coined 'silent inactivation.' While the phenomenon of silent inactivation of PEG-ASNase is well documented in the treatment of ALL, it has not been described in NK/T cell lymphoma patients. Herein, we report a case series of six patients treated for NK/T cell lymphoma with PEG-ASNase who subsequently developed silent inactivation identified using therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). The goal of this manuscript is to alert clinicians of this phenomenon, and review the importance of TDM in NK/T cell lymphoma patients receiving ASNase.

Educational and Psychological Measurement, 2016

A fundamental assumption in computerized adaptive testing is that item parameters are invariant w... more A fundamental assumption in computerized adaptive testing is that item parameters are invariant with respect to context—items surrounding the administered item. This assumption, however, may not hold in forced-choice (FC) assessments, where explicit comparisons are made between items included in the same block. We empirically examined the influence of context on item parameters by comparing parameter estimates from two FC instruments. The first instrument was composed of blocks of three items, whereas in the second, the context was manipulated by adding one item to each block, resulting in blocks of four. The item parameter estimates were highly similar. However, a small number of significant deviations were observed, confirming the importance of context when designing adaptive FC assessments. Two patterns of such deviations were identified, and methods to reduce their occurrences in an FC computerized adaptive testing setting were proposed. It was shown that with a small proportion...