Comparison of two surgical approaches for petroclinic lesions

Objective:to compare the methods of petrous apical bone removal and to explore the applicable scope of Kawase approach and retrosigmoid sinus-internal auditory canal approach.Methods:one group of cadaveric head specimens simulated Kawase approach to measure the data of“Kawase triangle”,the other group simulated retrosigmoid sinus-internal auditory canal approach to measure the safety range of the grinding bone window.Then we explored the clinical indications of the two surgical approaches.Result:the grinding depth of Kawase triangle was 11.6±0.14 mm,and the range of clival exposed after grinding Kawase triangle was 22.4±1.22 mm,which could effectively expose the ventrolateral brainstem,the midline of clivus and the area above the facial acoustic nerve.The diameter of the anterior and posterior of the grinding bone window in the retrosigmoid sinus-internal auditory canal approach was 21.95±2.23 mm.In front of the exposure area were the internal carotid artery,the cavernous sinus,and the upper trigeminal nerve;the lower part was the connection between the facial acoustic nerve and the abducent nerve.Conclusion:Kawase approach is suitable for lesions of ventrolateral brainstem,middle superior clivus,with or without invasion of middle cranial fossa;the retrosigmoid sinus-superior internal auditory canal approach is suitable for lesions mainly in cerebellopontine angle area and only slightly invading Meckel’s cavity.

Contribution of International and Comparative Approach to the Policy and Practice of Teacher Education

This study intends to identify the value and pitfalls of international and comparative approach for the policy and practice of teacher education.The structure of this article proceeds as follows:the first section focuses on explaining the meaning and the values of international and comparative approach;based on previous discussions,the second section makes a more in-depth analysis of the values of international and comparative approach to teacher education from five key themes;the final section of this article proposes and interprets the drawbacks of international and comparative approach in teacher education.

Kuhnian Understanding of Incommensurability and Implications of Paradigmatic Conception of Knowledge in International Relations

In international relations theory （maybe more than in any other discipline of social sciences）, the paradigmatic construction of Thomas Kuhn and his model of incommensurability might be applied to the theoretical interpretation of phenomena; and it is one of the cornerstones of the methodological toolkit for the interpretation in this field. The paper explores the reason why Kuhn＇s understanding of incommensurability seems to be necessary for the conception of knowledge in international relations： the concept of incommensurability can be considered typical as it is meant to indicate a conflict, of one form or another, between theories. And the discipline of international relations is more than a perfect ground for considering this concept when one is having in mind the high degree of polarized debate among rivalry theoretical schools （for interpreting and describing the identical phenomena） that is present from the very beginning of the discipline. Recalling the Kuhnian conception of science in paradigmatic view with an aim for understanding--international relations theory, the paper analyzes furthermore his rejection of the traditional dichotomy between “objectivisn”and ＂subjectivism.＂

Corporate Probability of Default(PD)Modelling for Banks in Emerging Economies:A Case Study of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange(ZSE)Listed Counters

The paper extends Merton’s Probability of Default(PD)model to the case for transaction costs or market friction for estimation of the PDs of listed banking corporations.A closed form formula for the PD model is obtained and validated using financial data drawn from banks listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange(ZSE).It has been observed that most corporations in emerging economies have been finding it extremely difficult to list,continue listed or manage risk emanating from credit exposures undertaken.In the absence of risk the role of the financial sector of an economy to efficiently and effectively allocate resources between the public and private sectors would be simplified,economically and rationally determined.Reliable or precise computation of the Probability of Default(PD)of a borrower is one of the most critical tasks in credit risk management for commercial banks that were applying the Internal Rating Based Approach(IRBA)under the Basel Capital Accords Ⅱ and Ⅲ frameworks.The study sought to develop a Probability of Default(PD)model that banking corporations in emerging economies such as Zimbabwe could adopt and implement in the Multiple Currency System(MCS)in their desire to grow and develop through their lending businesses.The research study adopted a PD model similar to the Asset Valuation Model(AVM)by Merton(1974)and initially extended by Black-Scholes(1973)and Crouhy et al.(2000)and applied it on a basket of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed counters after having adjusted the model for the transaction cost variable.The study therefore succeeded in coming up with a PD model that was worth adopting and implementing by Zimbabwe Stock Exchange(ZSE)listed corporations in their desire to grow towards sustainable development.It was realised that a contemporary PD model adjusted for transaction cost is pertinent for reflection of practical conditions banks face in estimation of their risk metrics such as PD.Transaction costs faced by banks in emerging economies are very huge that they cannot be assumed to be insignificant when it comes to valuation of PDs of banking corporations.The inclusion of transaction costs in estimation of PDs of ZSE listed banks is likely to create a paradigm shift in financial theory on risk metrics in the modern world.The study ends by recommending the need for all Zimbabwean listed corporations to adopt and implement an AVM adjusted for transaction costs if they were to successfully measure and manage both their investment and credit exposure endeavours in the multiple currency system period.

Australia’s Engagement with Asia in the National Curriculum

The 2014 national curriculum of Australia is a significant initiative that the Australian government has taken in proposing a curriculum that stresses Australia’s engagement with Asia.In practice,this means that Asian cultures,beliefs,environments and the connections between Australia and Asia are embedded in the learning processes of Australian schools.This article provides an analysis of Australia’s engagement with Asia,which is a cross-curriculum priority in the Australian curriculum.In particular,using the example of China,the article examines the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities and threats(SWOT)analysis involved in Australia’s engagement with Asia from an educational perspective,especially during the global pandemic with the spread of COVID-19 affecting the world so significantly.The intent of this analysis is to map out the educational factors involved and consider what might happen to Australian students and schools as a result of their engagement with the educational cultures,beliefs and practices of China.This is connected to the two countries’economic engagements and people-to-people ties.By considering some of the current discourses that shape the Australia-China relationships,possibilities are opening up to rethink educational positions.