Book Review - Rebuilding the Education Sector in East Timor During UNTAET: International Collaboration and Timorese Agency

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Adopting online lecturing for improved learning: A case study from teacher education

This paper presents the results of a study that examined the integration of video lectures into a pre-service teacher unit of study. The aim of the research was to ascertain how students used the pre-recorded videos to complement their learning. The focus was on the pedagogy, and explored three factors: convenience, self-regulation of learning and design to aid learning. A mixed method approach to the data collection was used. Data sources included reflective journals, surveys and semi-structured interviews. An analysis of the data indicates that the pre-service teachers viewed the use of pre-recorded lectures positively and that they were a useful resource for self-study. The use of a webcam was also viewed positively as a design feature of the lectures. Overall, the responses to the innovation were positive

Testing an integrated behavioural and biomedical model of disability in N-of-1 studies with chronic pain.

Background. Previous research has supported an integrated biomedical and behavioural model explaining activity limitations. However, further tests of this model are required at the within-person level, because while it proposes that the constructs are related within individuals, it has primarily been tested between individuals in large group studies. We aimed to test the integrated model at the within-person level. Method. Six correlational N-of-1 studies in participants with arthritis, chronic pain and walking limitations. Daily measures of theoretical constructs were collected using a handheld computer (PDA), activity was assessed by self-report and accelerometer, and data analysed using time-series analysis. Results. The biomedical model was not supported as pain-impairment did not predict activity, so the integrated model was supported partially. Impairment predicted intention to move around while perceived behavioural control (PBC) and intention predicted activity. PBC did not predict activity limitation in the expected direction. Conclusions. The integrated model of disability was partially supported within individuals, especially the behavioural elements. However, results suggest that different elements of the model may drive activity (limitations) for different individuals. The integrated model provides a useful framework for understanding disability and suggests interventions, and the utility of N-of-1 methodology for testing theory is illustrated

Comparison of Reported Job Satisfaction Levels of Nurses: Flextime Vs Traditional

Occupational and Adult Educatio

Establishment of detailed reference values for luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, and progesterone during different phases of the menstrual cycle on the Abbott ARCHITECT® analyzer

During a normal menstrual cycle, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and progesterone can vary widely between cycles for the same woman, as well as between different woman. Reliable reference values based on the local population are important for correct interpretation of laboratory results. The purpose of our study was to determine detailed reference values for these hormones throughout the menstrual cycle using the Abbott ARCHITECT system. From 20 volunteers (age 20-36years) with normal cycles and no use of oral contraceptives, samples were taken every day during their cycle. Volunteers received three vaginal ultrasound examinations (days 10 and 13, and 1 or 2days after ovulation) to measure follicular and corpus luteum development. Hormone levels were measured using the corresponding ARCHITECT assay and were synchronized to the LH peak. Median, and 5th and 95th percentile values were determined for each day of the cycle, as well as for early follicular (days −15 to −6), late follicular (days −5 to −1), LH peak (day 0), early luteal (+1 to +4), mid-luteal (days +5 to +9), and late luteal (days +10 to +14) phases of the cycle. Based on our data, we were able to establish detailed reference values for LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone, which should aid in the interpretation of results for these reproductive hormones in a variety of circumstances. Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:883-

Analyzing kinetic signaling data for G-protein-coupled receptors

In classical pharmacology, bioassay data are fit to general equations (e.g. the dose response equation) to determine empirical drug parameters (e.g. EC50 and Emax), which are then used to calculate chemical parameters such as affinity and efficacy. Here we used a similar approach for kinetic, time course signaling data, to allow empirical and chemical definition of signaling by G-protein-coupled receptors in kinetic terms. Experimental data are analyzed using general time course equations (model-free approach) and mechanistic model equations (mechanistic approach) in the commonly-used curve-fitting program, GraphPad Prism. A literature survey indicated signaling time course data usually conform to one of four curve shapes: the straight line, association exponential curve, rise-and-fall to zero curve, and rise-and-fall to steady-state curve. In the model-free approach, the initial rate of signaling is quantified and this is done by curve-fitting to the whole time course, avoiding the need to select the linear part of the curve. It is shown that the four shapes are consistent with a mechanistic model of signaling, based on enzyme kinetics, with the shape defined by the regulation of signaling mechanisms (e.g. receptor desensitization, signal degradation). Signaling efficacy is the initial rate of signaling by agonist-occupied receptor (kτ), simply the rate of signal generation before it becomes affected by regulation mechanisms, measurable using the model-free analysis. Regulation of signaling parameters such as the receptor desensitization rate constant can be estimated if the mechanism is known. This study extends the empirical and mechanistic approach used in classical pharmacology to kinetic signaling data, facilitating optimization of new therapeutics in kinetic terms

Increase Employee Engagement by Using the Finding Joy at Work Framework to Identify and Remedy Items that Remove Joy from our Work Life

Improving engagement scores within MaineHealth Corporate has been a focus for a number of years. The most recent data has shown a marked improvement from 2014 to 2017, moving us to the 49th percentile, but the MaineHealth goal is to bring us to the 75th percentile so there is still work to be done. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement offers training in “Finding and Creating Joy at Work”, a framework for identifying “pebbles in your shoes” that detract from your joy at work, finding and addressing the underlying root causes. We would like to use that framework to find and alleviate things that remove joy in our daily work lives in our department, therefore improving engagement and happiness at work