The Ax Fight on CD‐ROM

In The Ax Fight [1975], Timothy Asch and Napoleon Chagnon introduced many innovative techniques that have since become standard in nonlinear multimedia. Yanomamö Interactive, a CD‐ROM for computer use, extends these techniques to enhance understanding of the film. The CD contains a copy of the film as well as analytical essays, photographs, maps, genealogies and raw genealogical data from the village where the film was made. Features of the CD are described in relation to five sections of The Ax Fight. Then research exercises with the CD version of the film are proposed. Exercises explore difficulties of fieldwork, selective perception, and debates that surround Yanomamö studies.     

Virtual laboratories in science education: students’ motivation and experiences in two tertiary biology courses

Potential benefits of simulations and virtual laboratory exercises in natural sciences have been both theorised and studied recently. This study reports findings from a pilot study on student attitude, motivation and self-efficacy when using the virtual laboratory programme Labster. The programme allows interactive learning about the workflows and procedures of biological and biochemical experiments, the operation of relevant apparatuses, including the ability to adjust parameters, and the production of results. The programme was used as supplement to mandatory laboratory exercises in two undergraduate courses (i. microbiology and ii. pharmaceutical toxicology) at the University of Southern Denmark. With a theoretical basis in motivational theories, students’ (n = 73) motivation and attitude towards the virtual exercises were evaluated. After completing virtual laboratory cases, the students felt significantly more confident and comfortable operating laboratory equipment, but they did not feel more motivated to engage in virtual laboratories compared to real laboratories. Teachers observed that students were able to participate in discussions at higher levels than in previous years where the programme was not used. The study concludes that virtual laboratories have the potential to improve students’ pre-laboratory preparation.     

健康藏族与汉族大学生肠道细菌多样性研究

【目的】探究生活在相同环境下,同年龄段健康藏族人群和汉族人群肠道细菌组成的多样性特征及其可能的成因。【方法】入选同专业的20–24岁男性健康藏族学生和汉族学生各20名,同一时间段收集新鲜粪便,提取新鲜粪便细菌总DNA,通过高通量测序和生物信息学分析,结合对饮食习惯的问卷调查,研究健康藏族学生与汉族学生肠道细菌多样性与饮食习惯之间的关系。【结果】从40份样本中,测序共得到2880个OTU,alpha和beta多样性分析表明,生活在相同环境下,不同民族男性学生的肠道细菌组成有明显差异。Prevotella 9、Bacteroides和Lachnoclostridium等18个属为两民族学生共有,同时,Prevotella 9、Faecalibacterium和Succinivibrio等10个属细菌为对两民族学生肠道细菌组成差异具有显著性影响的标志性菌属。进一步聚类分析表明,所有学生样本分为ET F型、ET P型、ET F和ET B混合型3种不同肠型,随访调查结果显示不同类型分别对应以脂肪为主和以淀粉为主的不同饮食习惯。【结论】生活在相同环境下,健康藏族和汉族学生的肠道细菌组成特征及其差异可能与遗传因素及饮食习惯密切相关。     

Forward head posture is associated with pressure pain threshold and neck pain duration in university students with subclinical neck pain

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study are to investigate the association between: (i) forward head posture (FHP) and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs); (ii) FHP and maladaptive cognitive processes; and (iii) FHP and neck pain characteristics in university students with subclinical neck pain.

Materials/methods: A total of 140 university students, 90 asymptomatic and 50 with subclinical neck pain, entered the study. Demographic data, anthropometric data, FHP, and PPTs were collected for both groups. In addition, pain characteristics, pain catastrophizing, and fear of movement were assessed for participants with neck pain. FHP was characterized by the angle between C7, the tragus of the ear, and the horizontal line. Correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis were conducted.

Results: Participants with subclinical neck pain showed significantly lower PPTs than participants without neck pain (p?<?.05), but similar FHP (p?>?.05). No significant association was found between FHP and PPTs in the asymptomatic group. In the group of participants with subclinical neck pain, PPTs at the right trapezius and neck pain duration explained 19% of the variance of FHP (R²?=?0.23; adjusted R²?=?0.19; p?<?.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that FHP is not associated with PPTs in asymptomatic university students. In university students with subclinical neck pain, increased FHP was associated with right trapezius hypoalgesia and with neck pain of shorter duration. These findings are in contrast with current assumptions on the association between neck pain and FHP.     

Back extension exercises decompress the spinal root and improve standing mobility in patients with sub-acute lumbosacral radiculopathy

Purpose: Repeated back extension exercises (RBEEs) have been reported to cause changes in the distribution and intensity of radicular symptoms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of RBEEs on the neurophysiology of the compromised nerve root and on standing mobility and pain intensity in patients with sub-acute and chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR).

Subjects and methods: A total of 40 patients with unilateral sub-acute/chronic LSR voluntarily participated in the study; the patients performed three sets of 10 RBEEs in the prone position with 1?min of rest between the sets. The soleus H-reflex, standing mobility, and pain intensity were recorded before and after the RBEEs.

Results: The results of the study showed that the RBEEs significantly improved the H-reflex, standing mobility, and pain intensity in patients with sub-acute LSR (p?p?Conclusion: RBEEs in the prone position are recommended for improving the neurophysiological function of the compromised nerve root and standing mobility in patients with sub-acute LSR.     

The effect of tactile and verbal guidance during scapulothoracic exercises: An EMG and kinematic investigation

BackgroundClinician-led training through tactile and verbal guidance to improve muscle activity and joint motion are a common but understudied focus of therapeutic interventions for shoulder pain. The purpose of this study was to determine if clinician guidance changes scapulothoracic muscle activity and kinematics compared to unguided shoulder exercises.MethodsEleven participants with shoulder pain were studied. Electromyographic (EMG) sensors were placed on the serratus anterior and upper and lower trapezii. Scapulothoracic and sternoclavicular kinematics were collected using electromagnetic sensors. Five common resisted shoulder exercises were performed with the following guidance: unguided, combined (verbal and tactile cues), and verbal guidance only. One-way repeated measures ANOVAs determined the effect of guidance versus unguided conditions for each exercise.ResultsNine of ten combinations of exercise and guidance techniques demonstrated a significant effect of guidance for either muscle activity or joint kinematics. The guidance condition with the most frequent significant improvements across all variables was the combined condition. The exercises with the most frequent significant improvements across all variables were the external rotation exercises. Variables improved most frequently were: upper:lower trapezius EMG ratio (up to 11%), sternoclavicular elevation (up to 6°) and scapulothoracic internal rotation positioning (up to 8°), and sternoclavicular retraction displacement (up to 5°).ConclusionShoulder muscle activity and kinematics during exercises can be modified by tactile and verbal guidance. Most improvements in muscle activity occurred with verbal guidance during external rotation exercises. Most improvements in joint positioning and movement occurred with combined guidance during external rotation exercises.     

360度评价法在住培学员岗位胜任能力评价中

目的 运用360度评价法对2015级住培学员岗位胜任力进行评价,对2015级住培学员岗位胜任力现状进行探讨分析。方法 采用问卷调查评价表分别从专业基地主任、学员指导教师、轮转带教教师、同学、自我评价5个角度,对202名住培学员岗位胜任力进行360度反馈评价,岗位胜任力评价内容包含基本能力、职业素养、医患沟通、医学知识等8个方面核心能力;应用EpiData3.02建立数据库,采用SPSS19.0软件进行统计分析,统计分析方法主要为描述性统计分析、单因素方差分析。结果 5类评价主体在基本能力和医学知识2项能力打分较高,在职业精神、沟通能力、职业道德、团队合作、学术研究等其他几项能力打分偏低;在基本能力、职业精神与素质、沟通能力、团队合作和学术研究几方面能力评分,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;本人各方面打分均偏高,轮转带教教师和同专业基地同学打分居中,专业基地主任、指导导师在各方面打分偏低 结论 360度评价法客观公正地评价住培学员岗位胜任能力,有助于提高住培学员岗位胜任能力,有利于加强团队意识,增强团队建设。     

对完善我国公立医院药品采购机制的建议

目的 为完善公立医院药品集中采购机制提供参考。方法 通过文献分析法和对比分析法总结并分析国内外公立医院药品集中采购模式和基药采购模式特点。结果 国内外不同的药品采购模式在采购目录、采购机构、采购方式、评标方式等方面都存在差异。结论 公立医院药品集中采购办法尚不完善，通过借鉴国际和基本药物采购经验，不断完善机构建设能力，发挥批量优势、实现招采合一，提高市场集中度、建立现代化物流系统等。     

Electromyography activation of shoulder and trunk muscles is greater during closed chain compared to open chain exercises

BackgroundTo compare the activation of shoulder and trunk muscles between six pairs of closed (CC) and open chain (OC) exercises for the upper extremity, matched for performance characteristics. The secondary aims were to compare shoulder and trunk muscle activation and shoulder activation ratios during each pair of CC and OC exercise.MethodsTwenty-two healthy young adults were recruited. During visit 1, the 5-repetition maximum resistance was established for each CC and OC exercise. During visit 2, electromyography activation from the infraspinatus (INF), deltoid (DEL), serratus anterior (SA), upper, middle and lower trapezius (UT, MT, LT), erector spinae (ES) and external oblique (EO) muscles was collected during 5-repetition max of each exercise. Average activation was calculated during the concentric and eccentric phases of each exercises. Activation ratios (DEL/INF, UT/LT, UT/MT, UT/SA) were also calculated. Linear mixed models compared the activation by muscle collapsed across CC and OC exercises. A paired t-test compared the activation of each muscle and the activation ratios (DEL/INF, UT/LT, UT/MT, UT/SA) between each pair of CC and OC exercises.ResultsThe INF, LT, ES, and EO had greater activation during both concentric (p = 0.03) and eccentric (p < 0.01) phases of CC versus OC exercises. Activation ratios were lower in CC exercises compared to OC exercises (DEL/INF, 3 pairs; UT/LT, 2 pairs; UT/MT, 1 pair; UT/SA, 3 pairs).ConclusionUpper extremity CC exercises generated greater activation of shoulder and trunk muscles compared to OC exercises. Some of the CC exercises produced lower activation ratios compared to OC exercises.     

Why do extracurricular activities prevent dropout more effectively in some high schools than in others? A mixed-method examination of organizational dynamics

Abstract

This study describes policies and practices implemented in 12 high schools (Quebec, Canada) that more or less effectively leveraged extracurricular activities (ECA) to prevent dropout among vulnerable students. Following an explanatory sequential mixed design, three school profiles (Effective, Ineffective, and Mixed) were derived based on quantitative student-reported data. Qualitative interviews with frontline staff revealed that in Effective schools, ECA had a unique overarching goal: to support school engagement and perseverance among all students, including vulnerable ones. Moreover, in these schools staff had access to sufficient resources—human and material—and implemented inclusive practices. In Ineffective schools, ECA were used as a means to attract well-functioning students from middle-class families, and substantial resources were channeled toward these students, with few efforts to include vulnerable ones. Schools with a Mixed profile had both strengths and weakness. Recommendations for school-level policies that bolster ECA’s ability to support students’ perseverance are provided.     

Stories,fun and games: Teaching genetics in primary school

Nuggets are suggestions with practical advice to help in communicating biology to students. They are shorter than the formal papers and have not been peer-reviewed, but may provide ideas for the classroom. Please send contributions to the editor at: jbe@iob.org     

硕士研究生对高校附属医院教育管理满意度调查研究

??????? 目的 分析高校附属医院研究生对医院教育管理的满意度,为完善医院研究生教育和管理工作提供参考。方法 制定研究生对医院、科室及导师的评价指标,对中山大学附属第一医院522名硕士研究生进行现场问卷调查。结果 研究生对医院管理、科室教育和导师三个层面的整体满意度高于95%,发现了研究生对医院管理和教育不满意的具体方面。结论 高校附属医院要重视硕士生教育工作,改善医院和科室内人际关系,加强科室教学氛围,适当增加导师课题经费。     

Isozyme and allozyme markers distinguishing two morphologically similar, medically important Mastomys species (Rodentia: Muridae)

Background  

Two common southern African mice species, Mastomys coucha and M. natalensis, are widely distributed throughout the subregion and overlap in many areas. They also share a high degree of morphological similarity, making them impossible to distinguish in the field at present. These multimammate mice are documented carriers of serious disease vectors causing Lassa fever, plague and encephalomyocarditis, which coupled to their cohabitation with humans in many areas, could pose a significant health risk. A preliminary study reported the presence of isozyme markers at three loci (GPI-2, PT-2, -3) in one population each of M. coucha and M. natalensis. Two additional populations (from the Vaal Dam and Richards Bay) were sampled to determine the reliability of these markers, and to seek additional genetic markers.     

Sampling bias in the determination of first and last occurrences

Background: Past studies of first and last occurrence dates of phenological events have revealed close associations with climatic parameters. Consequently, it is widely acknowledged that recent shifts in the beginning, duration or ending of such events are a response to present climate change. In addition, in recent times, there have tended to be many more observers than in earlier times, especially in urban areas. Furthermore, the number of individuals (plants or animals) observed has often changed markedly. In many situations it is not possible to obtain the average first or last occurrence date of a group of individuals, and only the most extreme occurrence is recorded. This common observational difficulty leads to sampling bias that needs to be taken into account.

Aim: Our aim is to use statistical models to quantify the sampling bias and its dependence on sample size and the variability and correlation amongst the individuals under consideration.

Methods: n-dimensional multivariate normal distribution and two-way fixed-effects analysis of variance models were developed to examine the dependence of the sampling bias on the above factors. Our results are compared with real data.

Results: For first and last occurrence observations, which are the most common index in many phenological studies, we found that changes in observational practice and sample size can, in certain circumstances, easily produce changes in bias that can swamp (or indeed reverse) any climatic change effects.

Conclusions: Our new, realistic statistical models allow the sampling bias to be quantified and calculated in terms of the number of individuals under observation, their variability and the degree of correlation between individuals.     

Integration of laboratory exercises in developmental biology and neurobiology courses using the Xenopus oocyte expression system

This collaborative laboratory exercise integrates two upper division laboratory courses (Developmental Biology and Neurobiology) offered to biology majors at Wake Forest University. The laboratory exercise involves the use of the Xenopus oocyte expression system to study the function of specific membrane receptors and ligand-activated channels. cDNA or mRNA for receptor proteins is injected into Xenopus oocytes. The oocytes are assayed for expression of receptor proteins and two-electrode voltage clamping is done to determine whether the expressed proteins are functional in the oocyte system. This series of laboratory exercises is innovative in its interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to undergraduate teaching, and in its use of sophisticated molecular biological and physiological techniques in the undergraduate teaching laboratory. Students learn first-hand how these techniques have been used to achieve a new level of understanding of both development and neurobiology. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 353–358. Received 02 April 1999/ Accepted in revised form 10 November 1999     

Evaluating Sex and Gender Competencies in the Medical Curriculum: A Case Study

BackgroundSex and gender differences exist in the manifestation and prevalence of many conditions and diseases. Yet many clinician training programs neglect to integrate this information across their curricula.ObjectiveThis study aimed to measure the sex and gender medical knowledge of medical students enrolled in a program without an explicit directive to integrate sex and gender differences across a block system of core subjects.MethodsA forced-choice instrument consisting of 35 multiple-choice and true or false questions was adapted from an evaluation tool used in the European Curriculum in Gender Medicine held at Charité Hospital, Berlin, in September 2010.ResultsFourth-year (response rate 93%) and second-year (response rate 70%) students enrolled in Mayo Medical School completed the instrument. More than 50% of students in both classes indicated that topics related to sex and gender were covered in gynecology, cardiology, and pediatrics, and <20% of students indicated inclusion of such topics in nephrology, neurology, and orthopedics. More than twice as many second-year students indicated that topics dealing with sex and gender were included in immunology course material compared with fourth-year students. A consensus of written comments indicated that concepts of sex and gender-based medicine need to be embedded into existing curriculum, with an emphasis on clinically relevant information.ConclusionsAlthough this study represents only one medical school in the United States, information regarding sex and gender aspects of medicine is not consistently included in this curriculum without an explicit directive. These results can provide guidance for curriculum improvement to train future physicians.     

Weight-Bearing and Mobilization in the Postoperative Care of Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Cohort Studies

PurposeTo determine the effectiveness and safety of interventions used for rehabilitation after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using both randomized trials and cohort studies. The effect of mobilization, weight-bearing, and unprotected weight-bearing as tolerated on postoperative recovery was compared using the Olerud Molander score, return to work/daily activities, and the rate of complications.ResultsA total of 25 articles were included. Ankle exercises resulted in earlier return to work and/or daily activities compared to immobilization (mean difference (MD) -20.76 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) -40.02 to -1.50). There was no difference in the rate of complications between exercises and immobilization (risk ratio (RR) 1.22; 95% CI 0.60 to 2.45) or between early and late weight-bearing (RR 1.26; 95%CI 0.56 to 2.85).InterpretationResults of this meta-analysis show that following ankle surgery, 1) active exercises accelerate return to work and daily activities compared to immobilization, 2) early weight-bearing tends to accelerate return to work and daily activities compared to late weight-bearing. Active exercises in combination with immediate weight-bearing may be a safe option.     

A DNA fragment fromStreptomyces fradiae increases the production of a metalloprotease inStreptomyces lividans

Streptomyces fradiae produces several extracellular proteases and many of these are inducible. An 8.8 kb DNA fragment of Streptomyces fradiae cloned on pIJ699 caused increased protease activity in Streptomyces lividans.Clones carrying this recombinant plasmid showed a significant delay in sporulation. A protein of 18 kDa was purified from the extracellular proteins secreted by the host carrying the recombinant plasmid. Further characterization showed that this protease is a metalloprotease.     

Sex differences in oxidative stress after eccentric and concentric exercise

Objectives: Comparison of redox balance changes in the blood of women and men as a result of submaximal eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CONC) efforts.

Methods: 10 women and 10 men performed three 45-minute submaximal treadmill runs at constant velocities (downhill run – ECC, uphill run – CONC and level run). Prior to the 45-minute exercises, after their completion and following 24 hours of recovery, the concentration of lactate, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), 3-nitrotyrosine, uric acid (UA) and the white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil (NEUT), lymphocyte (LYMPH) and monocyte content in the blood were determined.

Results: In women, the ox-LDL increased significantly 10 minutes and 24 hours following ECC (P?P?P?P?Discussion: ECC cause impaired redox balance only in women. Due to the increase in antioxidant capacity of the blood without accompanying oxidative damage to macromolecules, for both sexes, it is recommended to perform concentric running efforts at the highest possible subliminal intensity.