The effects of maturation on self-induced dynamic body sway frequencies of girls performing acrobatics or classical dance

We investigated the effects of maturation on the dynamic body sways of healthy girls. Prepubertal and postpubertal girls practising professional physical activities requiring a good ability to maintain equilibrium (acrobats and dancers) were asked to stand on a free seesaw platform and the results compared to those for untrained age-matched girls. This platform (stabilometer) allows self-induced body sways. Stabilograms were obtained by a double integration of the angular acceleration from the recordings of the platform sways made with an accelerometer. Fast Fourier transform processing of stabilograms allowed spectral frequency analysis. The total spectrum energy and the energies of three frequency bands (0–0.5 Hz, 0.5–2 Hz, 2–20 Hz) were determined. ANOVA showed that, for all groups of different equilibrium activity and independent of visual input, prepubertal girls had higher energy values than postpubertal girls in the 0- to 0.5-Hz band whereas the opposite was true for 0.5- to 2-Hz band. Ballet dancers were more dependent than acrobats on visual inputs for the regulation of their postural control but were less dependent than untrained girls at both ages. Maturation seemed to shift body sways towards higher frequencies and the utilization of the cues of postural control was different according to the type of equilibrium activity practised by the subjects. Accepted: 7 February 1997     

Latino/a professionals as entrepreneurs: how race,class, and gender shape entrepreneurial incorporation

ABSTRACT

This paper examines how race, class, and gender intersect to shape professional Latinos’ entrepreneurial incorporation, as observed by the conditions that prompt professional Latinos to start a business, including access to capital and experiences with discrimination. In-depth interviews with professional Latino business owners in Los Angeles reveal that individual human capital – via resources and wealth accrued through corporate careers – facilitates entrepreneurial activity. Race, ethnicity, and gender, as intersectional social group identities, combine with class to shape variegated impacts on access to capital and business experiences by gender and target market. Ethnicity is a resource for those serving the coethnic community and is more significant in shaping business ownership experiences for men who target a racially/ethnically diverse clientele, whereas gender and race are more salient for women outside the coethnic community. This study contributes to the ethnic enterprise literature by going beyond ethnicity to demonstrate that multiple dimensions of identity shape professional Latino/as’ entrepreneurial incorporation.     

Formación de cuidadores en un programa de estimulación cognitiva: efectos diferenciales según el tipo de cuidador

Background and objectivesThe ageing population and the increasing dependency associated with it, makes the caregiver a highly relevant figure nowadays. The present study analyzes the socio-demographic differences between family and professional caregivers and their satisfaction and implication in a training program for caregivers.MethodsThe sample consisted of 59 caregivers of older people (37 were family caregivers and 22 professional caregivers) which received and implemented a caregivers training program in their daily care functions. These caregivers were trained in communication skills and cognitive stimulation strategies so they could use them in their daily care activities with the older adults under their care during a period of 3 months. All the participants were assessed with a socio-demographic questionnaire, 2 questionnaires to analyze their satisfaction with their work and the training received and one questionnaire to analyze their ability to detect and react to memory and behavior problems in the older adults they attended.ResultsThe results showed socio-demographic differences, improvements in satisfaction in family caregivers and a greater commitment in their daily work after the treatment in both groups although these effects could be due to different reasons.ConclusionsThe research shows the benefits of carrying out training programs for caregivers as they significantly increase the quality and satisfaction with caregiving. The study also displays the need to adjust such programs taking into account that the socio-demographic characteristics and training needs are different depending on whether de caregiver is a family member or a professional.     

A Note on the Use of Objective Tests in Physiology

The use of objective tests in the examination of pharmacy undergraduates in physiology is described, and examples are given. These tests have produced examinations of high reliability and discriminating power, and are at least as acceptable to the examinees as traditional essay-type questions.     

食品微生物学三段式实践教学模式的探索

根据食品微生物学的教学目的与内容,建立基础实验训练阶段–专业技能训练阶段–自主设计实验训练阶段的三段式教学模式,初步构建了以能力培养为目的的食品微生物学综合实践教学体系。教学过程中突出学生的主体作用,进一步提高学生创新思维能力、强化学生动手能力,使学生在实践中掌握食品微生物学综合实验技能。     

What Is the Future for Zoos and Aquariums?

ABSTRACT

Animal welfare concerns have plagued the professional zoo and aquarium field for decades. Societal differences remain concerning the well-being of animals, but it appears a shift is emerging. Scientific studies of animal welfare have dramatically increased, establishing that many previous concerns were not misguided public empathy or anthropomorphism. As a result, both zoo and aquarium animal welfare policy and science are now at the center of attention within the world’s professional zoos and aquariums. It is now possible to view a future that embraces the well-being of individual captive exotic animals, as well as that of their species, and one in which professional zoos and aquariums are dedicated equally to advancing both. Though the ethics of keeping exotic animals and animals from the wild in captivity are still a contentious subject both outside and even within the profession, this study argues. We argue that this path forward will substantially improve most zoo and aquarium animals' welfare and could significantly reduce societal concerns. If animal welfare science and policy are strongly rooted in compassion and embedded in robust accreditation systems, the basic zoo/aquarium paradigm will move toward a more thoughtful approach to the interface between visitors and animals. It starts with a fundamental commitment to the welfare of individual animals.     

生物信息学本科人才培养的调研与思考

近年来,生物信息学已经逐步发展成为现代生物学和医学等领域的关键技术方法,社会对生物信息学专业人才的需求不断扩大,生物信息学的本科教育也受到了越来越多的关注和重视。为了探索更加合理的人才培养模式、完善课程设置和教学计划,本文以中美两国开设生物信息学本科专业的高校为对象,分别选取一些代表高校并进行深入调研,对比分析课程设置和人才培养现状。结果显示,生物信息学的跨学科性质在各高校中均得到一定体现,培养学生具有多元化的知识结构已经成为生物信息学人才培养的一项共识。同时,根据调研的结果,也对国内生物信息学本科教育提出一些启发与建议。