A reality check: Taking authentic e-learning from design to implemntation

Tampere University of Applied Sciences has developed a postgraduate certificate program for teaching in higher education that is currently being implemented at Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates. In the design of the program, the principles of authentic e-learning (Herrington, Reeves, & Oliver 2010) have been used as a guideline. This paper examines how the design principles have been transferred into practice and how the elements of authentic learning have been realized from the student perspective. The experiences of the students have been mapped in a survey conducted after the first semester of the program. The data was analyzed with the help of the authentic e-learning framework in order to identify the challenges and successes regarding the implementation of the elements of authentic e-learning and thus draw guidelines for future development

A revision of the Sphaeriidae of North America (Mollusca: Pelecypoda)

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56362/1/MP118.pd

Does the Powers™ strap influence the lower limb biomechanics during running?

Previous research has reported a prevalence of running related injuries in 25.9% to 72% of all runners. A greater hip internal rotation and adduction during the stance phase in running has been associated with many running related injuries, such as patellofemoral pain. Researchers in the USA designed a treatment device 'the PowersTM strap' to facilitate an external rotation of the femur and to thereby control abnormal hip and knee motion during leisure and sport activities. However, to date no literature exists to demonstrate whether the PowersTM strap is able to reduce hip internal rotation during running. 22 healthy participants, 11 males and 11 females (age: 27.45 ±4.43 years, height: 1.73 ± 0.06m, mass: 66.77 ±9.24kg) were asked to run on a 22m track under two conditions: without and with the PowersTM strap. Threedimensional motion analysis was conducted using ten Qualisys OQUS 7 cameras (Qualisys AB, Sweden) and force data was captured with three AMTI force plates (BP600900, Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc.USA). Paired sample t-tests were performed at the 95% confidence interval on all lower limb kinematic and kinetic data. The PowersTM strap significantly reduced hip and knee internal rotation throughout the stance phase of running. These results showed that the PowersTM strap has the potential to influence hip motion during running related activities, in doing so this might be beneficial for patients with lower limb injuries. Future research should investigate the influence of the PowersTM strap in subjects who suffer from running related injuries, such as patellofemoral pain

Influence of the Powers™ strap on pain and lower limb biomechanics in individuals with patellofemoral pain

Background: Abnormal biomechanics, especially hip internal rotation and adduction are known to be associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP). The PowersTM strap was designed to decrease hip internal rotation and to thereby stabilise the patellofemoral joint. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether the PowersTM strap influenced pain and lower limb biomechanics during running and squatting in individuals with PFP. Methods: 24 individuals with PFP were recruited using advertisements that were placed at fitness centres. They were asked to perform a single leg squat task (SLS) and to run on an indoor track at their own selected speed during two conditions: with and without the PowersTM strap. Immediate pain was assessed with the numeric pain rating scale. Three-dimensional motion and ground reaction force data were collected with 10 Qualisys cameras and 3 AMTI force plates. Results: Immediate pain was significantly reduced with the PowersTM strap (without the PowersTM strap: 4.04±1.91; with the PowersTM strap: 1.93±2.13). The PowersTM strap condition significantly increased hip external rotation by 4.7° during the stance phase in running and by 2.5° during the single leg squat task. Furthermore, the external knee adduction moment during the SLS and running increased significantly. Conclusion: This study assessed the effect of the PowersTM strap on lower limbs kinematics and kinetics in individual with PFP. The results suggest that the PowersTM strap has the potential to improve abnormal hip motion. Furthermore, the PowersTM strap demonstrated an ability to significantly reduce pain during functional tasks in patients with PFP

How does acute pain influence biomechanics and quadriceps function in individuals with patellofemoral pain?

Objectives: Beside pathophysiological factors, pain is believed to play a crucial role in the progression of patellofemoral pain (PFP). However, the isolated effect of pain on biomechanics and quadriceps function has not been investigated in PFP. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of pain on quadriceps function and lower limb biomechanics in individuals with PFP. Methods: Twenty-one individuals with PFP (11 males and 10 females, age: 29.76 ±6.36 years, height: 1.74 ± 0.09m, mass: 70.12 ±8.56kg) were measured at two different occasions: when not and when experiencing acute pain. Peak quadriceps torque (concentric, eccentric and isometric) and arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) was assessed. Three-dimensional motion analysis and surface electromyography of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles were collected during running, a single-leg-squat and step-down task. The normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and a MANOVA was performed at the 95% confidence interval. Results: AMI increased significantly in acute pain. The net muscle activation of the knee extensors and flexors decreased during running in acute pain. The lower limb biomechanics and the quadriceps torque did not change in acute pain. Discussion: It appears that even if individuals with PFP experience pain they can still deliver maximal quadriceps contractions and maintain their moving patterns without biomechanical changes. However, the overall reduced activation of the quadriceps and the increased AMI indicate the presence of quadriceps inhibition in acute pain. Key words: patellofemoral pain, knee, PFP, AKP, inhibition, quadriceps, strength, pai

Can child injury prevention include healthy risk promotion?

To reflect on the role of risk-taking and risky play in child development and consider recommendations for the injury prevention field, a symposium was held prior to the November 2013 Canadian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference. Delegates heard from Canadian and international researchers, practitioners and play safety experts on child development, play space design and playground safety, provision of recreation, and legal and societal perceptions of risk and hazard. The presenters provided multidisciplinary evidence and perspectives indicating the potential negative effect on children’s development of approaches to injury prevention that prioritise safety and limit children’s opportunities for risky play. Delegates considered the state of the field of injury prevention and whether alternative approaches were warranted. Each presenter prepared a discussion paper to provide the opportunity for dialogue beyond attendees at the symposium. The resulting discussion papers provide a unique opportunity to consider and learn from multiple perspectives in order to develop a path forward

Frontal plane projection angle predicts patellofemoral pain: prospective study in male military cadets

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a major source of knee pain. Identifying who may develop PFP is of paramount importance. Purpose: To assess whether Frontal plane projection angles (FPPA) and hand held dynamometry (HHD) strength measures can predict development of PFP Study Design: Prospective evaluation of individuals undertaking a military training programme Methods: Male military recruits were enrolled and prospectively followed up from enrolment to completion of 12-weeks training. Lower limb kinematics (FPPA, Q-angle, hip adduction angle, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, and rearfoot eversion angle) measured during running, single leg squatting (SLS), and single leg landing (SLL) and isometric muscle strength of hip abductors and knee extensors. Results: Body mass, hip abductor muscle strength, Q-angle during SLS and SLL, FPPA during SLL all significantly different between the PFP and non-injured groups and predicted PFP, highest predictor variable was FPPA during SLL (Odds Ratio=1.13, P=0.01). A FPPA≥5.2° during SLL predicting PFP with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 70%. Conclusion: Participants who developed PFP had a number of physical factors significantly different than the non-injured group, most predictive was a larger FPPA during SLL, with angles greater than 5.2° associated with a 2.2x greater risk

Oldest known pantherine skull and evolution of the tiger

The tiger is one of the most iconic extant animals, and its origin and evolution have been intensely debated. Fossils attributable to extant pantherine species-lineages are less than 2 MYA and the earliest tiger fossils are from the Calabrian, Lower Pleistocene. Molecular studies predict a much younger age for the divergence of modern tiger subspecies at <100 KYA, although their cranial morphology is readily distinguishable, indicating that early Pleistocene tigers would likely have differed markedly anatomically from extant tigers. Such inferences are hampered by the fact that well-known fossil tiger material is middle to late Pleistocene in age. Here we describe a new species of pantherine cat from Longdan, Gansu Province, China, Panthera zdanskyi sp. nov. With an estimated age of 2.55–2.16 MYA it represents the oldest complete skull of a pantherine cat hitherto found. Although smaller, it appears morphologically to be surprisingly similar to modern tigers considering its age. Morphological, morphometric, and cladistic analyses are congruent in confirming its very close affinity to the tiger, and it may be regarded as the most primitive species of the tiger lineage, demonstrating the first unequivocal presence of a modern pantherine species-lineage in the basal stage of the Pleistocene (Gelasian; traditionally considered to be Late Pliocene). This find supports a north-central Chinese origin of the tiger lineage, and demonstrates that various parts of the cranium, mandible, and dentition evolved at different rates. An increase in size and a reduction in the relative size of parts of the dentition appear to have been prominent features of tiger evolution, whereas the distinctive cranial morphology of modern tigers was established very early in their evolutionary history. The evolutionary trend of increasing size in the tiger lineage is likely coupled to the evolution of its primary prey species

Efficacy of Online Training for Improving Camp Staff Competency

Preparing competent staff is a critical issue within the camp community. This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of an online course for improving staff competency in camp healthcare practices among college-aged camp staff and a comparison group (N = 55). We hypothesized that working in camp would increase competency test scores due to opportunities for staff to experientially apply knowledge learned online. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyse the cross-level effects of a between-individuals factor (assignment to experimental or comparison group) and within-individual effects of time (pre-test, post-test #1, and post-test #2) on online course test scores. At post-test #2, the difference in average test scores between groups was ~30 points, with the treatment group scoring lower on average than the comparison group. Factors that may have influenced these findings are explored, including fatigue and the limited durability of online learning. Recommendations for research and practice are discussed