Transformation of Cookbook Practicals into Inquiry Oriented Learning

Educators are being implored to revitalise science teaching by engaging students as active participants in science, encouraging curiosity and linking the classroom to the real world. We introduced a 5-week team-based inquiry oriented learning project into a first-semester advanced human physiology program to replace four stand-alone exercise physiology cookbook laboratories. The project was designed to promote fundamental research skill development (hypotheses, aims, data presentation in the form of graphs, and conclusions) and foster authentic collaboration between students. Student-teams designed simple experiments, collected and statistically analysed data, and presented the results in scientific format. The project significantly (

A model of investigative project work to teach research skills to students studying advanced human physiology and lead them into a culture of professional practice

Leading biological and life-sciences experts recently put out a call to educators to action change in the way we deliver undergraduate biology education worldwide. Overall, the plea urged educators to engage students as active participants in the scientific process so they could be better prepared for the biology-related challenges of the 21st century (AAAS, 2011). Educators were urged to introduce learning activities designed to enhance core competencies in the sciences such as communication and collaboration, team participation, and visual, written, and oral scientific communication skills (AAAS, 2011). Furthermore, evidence suggests that undergraduate students exposed to authentic research experiences increase their interest in pursuing a graduate career in science (AAAS, 2011), and those students who may not decide to pursue graduate study have reported substantial gains in their understanding of research and the scientific process, laboratory skills, and their resilience (Lopatto, 2007). Designed from a constructivist approach, we introduced a model of investigative project work in human physiology into a final-year human biosciences capstone program designed for approximately 100 students. To encourage the utmost of authenticity, students were required to take on the role of a scientist in its entirety across a semester-long independent research project. Students self-selected their teams of 5-6 members, and each team was assigned a staff member who acted as an advisor for the project. This support system was adopted as it has been reported that students can become anxious in situations when teaching styles are excessively student-centred and lack structure, guidance, and support (Felder & Brent, 1996). Students decided on a research topic, read the relevant literature, and developed a research question and hypothesis. Students subsequently submitted a research proposal which comprised of the following: project overview (title, hypothesis, aim, experiment design, statistical analysis, and methods), ethical considerations, team member tasks, resources required, schedule for data collection, and information and consent forms. Advisors provided feedback on the proposal and made suggestions for fine-tuning the study where necessary. Data collection occurred over a 2-3 week period; all students were required to act as a participant for their own team and another team; advisors were present to assist students when required. After statistical analysis was completed teams worked together on preparing a team poster in the same format as for an annual meeting for The Physiological Society. Individually students worked on a 1200-1500 word journal article in the same format as for The Journal of Physiology, and an oral presentation in the same format as for an annual meeting for The Physiological Society. Effective communication is an essential skill for all scientists, and it is suggested that practicing the communication of science through a variety of formal and informal written, visual, and oral methods should a standard part of undergraduate education (AAAS, 2011). Preliminary evidence indicates that the project promotes the development of scientific research skills, and as such, helps lead the students into a culture of professional practice. We believe that the model described could be adapted by academics across a range of science disciplines

Prediction of Long-Term Sickness Absence Among Employees with Depressive Complaints

Introduction To study the properties of a screening instrument in predicting long-term sickness absence among employees with depressive complaints. Methods Employees at high risk of future sickness absence were selected by the screening instrument Balansmeter (BM). Depressive complaints were assessed with the depression scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The total study population consisted of 7,401 employees. Sickness absence was assessed objectively and analyzed at 12 and 18 months of follow-up using company registers on certified sick leave. Results The relative risk (RR) for long-term sickness absence, for employees at high risk versus not at high risk, was 3.26 (95% CI 2.54–4.22) in men and 2.55 (1.98–3.35) in women, when the BM was applied in the total study population. The RR of long-term sickness absence of employees with depressive complaints compared with employees without depressive complaints was 3.13 (2.41–4.09) in men and 2.45 (2.00–3.00) in women. The RR of long-term sickness absence for the BM applied in employees with depressive complaints was 5.23 in men and 3.87 in women. When the BM with a cut-off point with a higher sensitivity was applied in employees with depressive complaints, the RR for long-term sickness absence was 4.88 in men and 3.80 in women. Conclusions The screening instrument Balansmeter is able to predict long-term sickness absence within employees with depressive complaints. The total prediction of long-term sickness absence proved better in employees with depressive complaints compared with employees of a general working population

Experience of Health Complaints and Help Seeking Behavior in Employees Screened for Depressive Complaints and Risk of Future Sickness Absence

Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the associations between on the one hand depressive complaints and risk of future sickness absence and on the other hand experience of health complaints and help seeking behavior in the working population. Methods Cross-sectional data were used from employees working in the banking sector (n = 8,498). The screening instrument included measures to examine the risk of future sickness absence, depressive complaints and help seeking behavior. Results Of employees reporting health complaints, approximately 80% had already sought help for these complaints. Experience of health complaints and subsequent help seeking behavior differed between employees with mild to severe depressive complaints and employees at risk of future sickness absence. Experience of health complaints was highest in employees identified with both concepts (69%) compared with employees identified at risk of future sickness absence only (48%) and with mild to severe depressive complaints only (57%). In those employees identified with one or both concepts and who had not sought help already, intention to seek help was about 50%. Conclusions From a screening perspective, employees who do not experience health complaints or who do not have the intention to seek help may refuse participation in early intervention. This might be a bottleneck in the implementation of preventive interventions in the occupational health setting

Stability and sensory assessment of emulsions containing propolis extract and/or tocopheryl acetate

The prevention of skin aging has been one of the main aims of cosmetic products. Propolis and tocopheryl acetate can be promising substances because of their antioxidant properties. In this study, propolis extract was obtained and associated with tocopheryl acetate in a cream formulation, which then underwent stability and sensory assessment. The formulation containing propolis extract and tocopheryl acetate proved to be stable in the preliminary stability study, demonstrating gradual darkening and slight pH decrease when subjected to 60ºC for 28 days, but showing stability on rheological study. In the sensory analysis, the formulation containing these two components was preferred by the product testers over the base cream and creams containing propolis extract or tocopheryl acetate alone. In conclusion, given the stability of the formulation and the preference of the product testers for this formulation, this association proved promising for use in cosmetic formulations.A prevenção do envelhecimento cutâneo tem sido um dos principais focos dos produtos dermocosméticos. A própolis contém substâncias com atividade antioxidante, bem como o acetato de tocoferila é conhecido por apresentar esta atividade. Porém, a própolis apresenta odor muito característico e intenso, que pode interferir no sensorial do produto. Assim, no presente trabalho, obteve-se o extrato de própolis, que foi associado ao acetato de tocoferila em uma formulação de uso tópico, que foi avaliada quanto à estabilidade e às características sensoriais. Conduziu-se um estudo de estabilidade, no qual as formulações contendo ambos os compostos apresentaram escurecimento gradual e ligeira queda no pH após 28 dias sob 60 °C, tendo sido estável no estudo reológico. Na análise sensorial, realizada com 28 provadores, a formulação contendo extrato de própolis em associação com acetato de tocoferila foi a preferida, quando comparada com o creme base e o creme contendo somente extrato de própolis ou acetato de tocoferila. Em conclusão, devido à preferência dos provadores e ao estudo de estabilidade, a associação de extrato de própolis e de acetato de tocoferila mostrou ser promissora para uso em produtos dermocosméticos