Attitudes of healthcare students on gross anatomy laboratory sessions

At Chiba University, gross anatomy laboratory sessions (“laboratories”) are required for physical therapy students. Though most physical therapy schools require their students to participate in laboratories so that they will better understand the structure of the human body, few data exist on the value of these laboratories specifically for physical therapy students. We administered questionnaires to physical therapy undergraduate students both before and after they participated in laboratories. Questionnaire items focused on student attitudes toward the laboratories and on human life and dignity. Data from 83 students were analyzed, with the following results: (1) 74.7% of students had a positive attitude about attending laboratories before doing so; (2) with few exceptions, students' attitudes about upcoming laboratories grew more positive after experiencing the laboratory work (P < 0.001); (3) laboratories caused students to contemplate the topics of human life and dignity; and (4) 83.1% of students hoped to participate in laboratories at least four times. These results indicate that laboratories reinforce physical therapy students' positive attitudes about laboratory learning and promote student reflection on human life and dignity. This study provides support for the implementation of multiple laboratory sessions using cadavers into a uniform curriculum for physical therapy students in Japan. Anat Sci Educ 2: 273–279, 2009. © 2009 American Association of Anatomists.     

Habitual rowing exercise is associated with high physical fitness without affecting arterial stiffness in older men

The present study elucidated the effects of habitual rowing exercise on arterial stiffness and plasma levels of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 and the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) in older men. Eleven rowers (68.0 ± 1.6 years) and 11 sedentary control older men (64.9 ± 1.1 years) were studied. Peak oxygen uptake (36.0 ± 1.7 vs. 27.7 ±1.9 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)), leg press power (1346 ± 99 vs. 1077 ± 68 W), and HDL-cholesterol (75 ± 5 vs. 58 ±3 mg · ml(-1)) were higher and triglyceride (78 ± 9 vs. 120 ± 14 mg · ml(-1)) was lower in rowers than in control participants (all P < 0.05). Arterial stiffness indices (carotid β-stiffness and cardio-ankle vascular index) and plasma endothelin-1 and NOx (nitrite + nitrate) levels did not differ between the two groups. These results suggest that habitual rowing exercise in older men is associated with high muscle power and aerobic capacity, and favourable blood lipid profile without affecting arterial stiffness or plasma levels of endotheline-1 and NO.     

《寇变纪》的世界--李世熊与明末清初福建省宁化县的地域社会

序言《康熙宁化县志》是现存唯一的清代福建省宁化县的地方志,它出自明末清初生活在该县的士人李世熊之手。该书第七卷《寇变志》记述了唐、宋、元时期发生的叛乱以及明正统14年的邓茂七叛乱,其中大部分涉及明朝后半期发生在该县的“寇”、“贼”的活动。笔者曾在1973年、1974年和1976年发表的《关于十七世纪的福建省宁化县黄通的抗租叛乱》(一)、(二)、(三)中,①介绍了《寇变志》中有关正德5年至崇祯12年间的内容,并全文翻译了其中从崇祯13年至康熙13年的有关内容。透过李世熊的记述,笔者探讨了领导“寇变”的黄通及其周围人们的活动、以及…     

Inclusive university settings? An analysis from the perspective of students with disabilities / ¿Contextos universitarios inclusivos? Un análisis desde la voz del alumnado con discapacidad

Abstract

This article presents the partial results of a study that analysed the barriers and means of support that students with disabilities find in classrooms and other university settings (offices, departments, libraries, etc.), using the biographical narrative method. The results of this article focus exclusively on the obstacles and means of support identified by humanities students, with the information organized in relation to the institution in general, infrastructures and architectural barriers, lecturers and their teaching methods, fellow students and proposals for improving universities and classrooms. Finally, the conclusion discusses the main findings regarding how the university facilitates or hinders the participants’ learning processes in this study. From this perspective, and taking the social model of disability as a reference, it is concluded that in order to become inclusive, the university must commit to adopting proactive measures that eliminate the barriers preventing these students from learning and from participating fully.     

Citizenship education in civics textbooks in the Japanese junior high school curriculum

This article discusses the types of citizenship education that are included in a sample of Japanese junior high school civics textbooks. Seven civics textbooks that have been authorized by the Ministry of Education for use in junior high school from the 2012 academic year were analysed in the context of fundamental issues in citizenship education and the national curriculum guidelines in Japan. In contrast to some previously published research, it is argued that the textbooks encourage, to a limited extent, active, participatory approaches by students with exercises and practical tasks to help students develop skills and gain the understanding required to live in contemporary society. It is suggested that the textbooks place some limitations on active learning especially in relation to students' political participation and that they reflect the struggle Japan is experiencing in the search for an inclusive national identity. Further work may serve to clarify the nature of potential contributions to citizenship education including that associated with students' involvement in whole school issues.     

Early effects of oral administration of omeprazole and roxatidine on intragastric pH

Objective

The ideal medication for the treatment of acid-related diseases, e.g., peptic ulcers, stress-related gastric bleeding, functional dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, should have a rapid onset of action to promote hemostasis and relieve the symptoms. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibitory effects on gastric acid secretion of a single oral administration of a proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole 20 mg, and an H₂-receptor antagonist, roxatidine 75 mg.

Methods

Ten Helicobacter pylori-negative male subjects participated in this randomized, two-way crossover study. Intragastric pH was monitored continuously for 6 h after single oral administration of omeprazole 20 mg and roxatidine 75 mg. Each administration was separated by a 7-d washout period.

Results

During the 6-h study period, the average pH after administration of roxatidine was higher than that after administration of omeprazole (median: 4.45 vs. 2.65; P=0.0367). Also during the 6-h study period, a longer duration of maintenance at pH above 2, 5, and 6 was observed after administration of roxatidine 75 mg than after administration of omeprazole 20 mg (median: 90.6% vs. 55.2%, P=0.0284; 43.7% vs. 10.6%, P=0.0125; 40.3% vs. 3.3%, P=0.0125; respectively).

Conclusions

In Helicobacter pylori-negative healthy male subjects, oral administration of roxatidine 75 mg increased the intragastric pH more rapidly than that of omeprazole 20 mg.     

Understanding project‐based learning in Second Life with a pedagogy,training, and assessment trio

This paper presents an empirical study of how Second Life (SL) was utilized for a highly successful project‐based graduate interdisciplinary communication course. Researchers found that an integrated threefold approach emphasizing project‐based pedagogy, technical training and support, and assessment/research was effective in cultivating and understanding learning in SL. Based on research findings, a project‐based application of SL that fully accommodates student experiential learning is recommended. It is suggested that teachers who are new To Whom It May Concern: SL and are preparing to “take the plunge” adopt a systematic team approach to integrate this trio of components. The students participating in this study formed an interdisciplinary team for their required SL project in which they chose to initiate a collaboration with the Basic Initiative and a group of architecture students to create a virtual presence for two green, sustainable, urban housing designs called the Alley Flats. Preliminary survey results suggest that the use of SL substantially enhanced the quality and experiences of student learning. Specific areas for improvement in future use are also identified.

Comprendre l’Apprentissage basé sur les projets dans le cadre de Second Life avec le trio Pédagogie‐Formation et Evaluation.

Le présent article présente une étude empirique sur la façon dont Second Life (SL) a été utilisé dans le cadre d’un cours de communication interdisciplinaire avancé fondé sur la réalisation de projets, cours qui a connu un grand succès. Les chercheurs ont trouvé qu’une approche intégrée en trois points, mettant l’accent sur la pédagogie des projets, la formation et le soutien techniques et l’évaluation/recherche se révélait efficace pour cultiver et comprendre l’apprentissage dans le cadre de SL. Les résultats de la recherche conduisent à recommander une application de Second Life fondée sur les projets, application qui prend pleinement en compte l’apprentissage des étudiants par l’expérience. On suggère que les professeurs qui sont nouveaux dans SL et qui se préparent à “faire le plongeon”, adoptent de façon systématique un mode d’approche en équipe, ceci pour intégrer ce trio de composantes. Les étudiants qui ont participé à cette étude formaient une équipe interdisciplinaire pour le projet SL qu’ils devaient réaliser et dans ce cadre, ils ont choisi de mettre en route une collaboration avec “The Basic Initiative” et un groupe d’étudiants d’architecture dans le but de créer une présence virtuelle pour concevoir deux projets d’habitat urbain vert et gérable appelés les Appartements de l’Allée. Une enquête préliminaire permet de penser que l’utilisation de SL a fortement amélioré le vécu et la qualité de l’apprentissage chez les étudiants. On a également identifié des zones spécifiques pour les améliorations à apporter pour des usages futurs.

Verstehen Projektbasierten Lernens in Second Life im Kontext von Pädagogik, Training und Beurteilung

Mit diesem Beitrag wird eine empirische Studie präsentiert, die berichtet wie Second Life (SL) sehr erfolgreich in einem projektorientierten und interdisziplinären Kommunikationskurs für Studenten genutzt worden ist. Unsere Untersuchung ergab, dass ein integrierter dreistufiger Ansatz – projektbasierte Pädagogik, technische Ausbildung und Unterstützung, sowie Beurteilung – zum besseren Verständnis über das Lernen mit Hilfe von SL führte. Auf Grundlage von Forschungsbergebnissen wird empfohlen, dass einer projektbasierten Ausarbeitung wird auf Erfahrung beruhendes Lernen zur Anwendung von SL empfohlen. Es wird geraten, dass Lehrer, die noch keine Erfahrung mit SL haben, einen systematischen Teamansatz übernehmen, um diese drei Bestandteile zu integrieren. Die Studenten, die an dieser Studie teilnahmen, bildeten ein interdisziplinäres Team, damit ihr angestrebtes SL Projekt, worin sie eine Kollaboration mit der Grundinitiative und einer Gruppe von Architekturstudenten initiieren wollten, eine virtuelle Gegenwart für zwei “the Alley Flats” genannte grüne, nachhaltige, städtische Unterbringungspläne schaffe. In vorläufigen Umfrageergebnissen wird festgestellt, dass die Verwendung von SL die Qualität der Arbeit und die Möglichkeit der Erfahrungen der Studenten zu lernen, beträchtlich verbesserte. Bestimmte Bereiche zur Verbesserung zukünftiger Verwendungen wurden ebenfalls identifiziert.

Comprender el aprendizaje basado en proyectos dentro de Second Life con el trio Pedagogía, Formación/Evaluación.

Este artículo presenta un estudio empírico sobre la manera en que Second Life fue utilizado para un curso de comunicación avanzado, interdisciplinario y altamente exitoso basado en proyectos. Los investigadores han descubierto que un abordaje integrado triple con énfsis en la pedagogía basada en proyectos, en la formación y el soporte técnico y en evaluación/investigación, resultaba efectivo para cultivar y comprender el aprendizaje en SL. Basandose en los resultados de la investigación, se recomienda una aplicación de Second Life basada en proyectos integrando completamente la experiencia de aprendizaje por parte de los estudiantes. Nuestra sugestión es que los profesores que son nuevos en SL y listos a zambullirse, adopten una metodología de trabajo en equipo para integrar este trio de componentes. Los estudiantes que participaron en este proyecto formaban equipos interdisciplinarios para sus proyectos SL y decidieron de iniciar una colaboración con “The Basic Initiative” y un grupo de estudiantes de arquitectura de modo a crear una presencia virtual para dos diseños de viviendas urbanas verdes y sostenibles llamadas Los Apartamentos de la Alameda. Los resultados de las encuestas preliminarias indican que el uso de SL realzó fuertemente la calidad y la vivencia del aprendizaje estudiantil. Se identificó también sectores específicos para futuras mejoras.     

Voices from Spanish students with disabilities: willpower and effort to survive university

This article analyses the university experiences of 44 students with disabilities. The voices of Spanish students describe the reasons that lead them to choose a given university degree, their transition in the university, the perception they have of themselves as students and how they evaluate their academic results. This study was done with the biographical-narrative methodology using several different data collection techniques, such as narrative interviews, lifelines and photographs. Data analysis was based on an inductive coding system. The results of this study have enabled us to conclude that most of the students chose their degree course because they had a vocation for it, although their disability also influenced their decision. Some students had such a hard time during their first year that they had to change their course of studies. They thought they had to make a stronger effort than the rest of their fellow students, defined themselves as fighters and survivors, and valued this willpower as their main personal asset, above the outcome achieved.     

Physical activity levels in American and Japanese men from the ERA-JUMP Study and associations with metabolic syndrome

Background:Metabolic syndrome(MetS) is a global health problem.Physical activity(PA) is a known modifiable risk factor for MetS and individual MetS components.However,the role of PA could differ between sub-populations due to differences in the variability of PA and other MetS risk factors.To examine these differences,multi-country studies with standardized outcome measurement methods across cohorts are needed.Methods:Cross-sectional PA levels(total and domain specific) in healthy middle-aged(44-56 years) men in the Risk Factor Assessment among Japanese and U.S.Men in the Post-World War Ⅱ Birth Cohort(ERA-JUMP) Study(n=730;American:n=417;Japanese:n=313;from population-representative samples in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,USA,and Kusatsu,Shiga,Japan) were compared.The relationships between PA levels and MetS(overall and specific components) in/across the American and Japanese sub-cohorts(adjusting for age,smoking,and alcohol consumption)were also assessed using the same instruments(pedometer and validated questionnaire) to measure PA in both cohorts.Results:A total of 510 individuals provided complete data on PA(American:n=265;Japanese:n=245).The American cohort had significantly lower mean±SD steps/day(7878±3399 steps/day) vs.the Japanese cohort(9055±3797 steps/day)(p <0.001) but had significantly higher self-reported moderate-vigorous leisure PA(American:15.9(7.4-30.3) metabolic task equivalent hours per week(MET-b/week) vs.Japanese:4.0(0-11.3) METh/week,p <0.0001).In both sub-cohorts,each 1000 steps/day increase was associated with lower odds of having MetS(American:OR=0.90,95%CI:0.83-0.98;Japanese:OR=0.87,95%CI:0.79-0.95) and the individual MetS component of high waist circumference(American:OR=0.86,95%CI:0.79-0.94;Japanese:OR=0.87,95%CI:0.80-0.95).In the American cohort only,higher self-reported leisure PA(Met-b/week) was associated with lower odds of MetS and high waist circumference(OR=0.98,95%CI:0.97-0.99 for MetS and waist circumference,respectively).Conclusion:Higher total step counts/day had an important protective effect on MetS prevalence in both the Japanese and American cohorts,despite differences in PA levels and other MetS risk factors.The effect of steps/day(across all intensity levels) was much greater than domainspecific moderate-vigorous PA captured by questionnaire,suggesting the need for measurement tools that can best capture total movement when examining the effects of PA on MetS development.