Transfer of academic staff learning in a research-intensive university

In both Australia and abroad, there is an increasing pressure towards professionalisation of university teaching, with the expectation that academic development courses, such as the Graduate Certificate in Education Studies (higher education), lead to better teaching and learning practices. However, the knowledge, skills and/or attitudes that educators intend students to learn may not transfer successfully back to the workplace. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including individual characteristics of the learner (e.g. ability, motivation), and situational characteristics (e.g. the climate for transfer, including adequacy of resources and peer/manager support). The present study investigates the impact of these factors on teaching staff in a research-intensive university. Two in-depth case studies, followed by thematic analysis of 15 Graduate Certificate alumni interviews regarding post-course experiences, revealed that qualities of the work environment played significant roles in interviewees’ postcourse attitudes, intentions and activities related to the transfer of learning. Implications for encouraging transfer under similar circumstances are discussed.postprin

Cardiac arrest associated with surgical procedures: a review of 300 cases

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La inserción de Argentina en el mercado mundial entre dos siglos. Consideraciones sobre las exportaciones y los exportadores del país desde una mirada de mediano plazo (1991-2015)

El presente trabajo indaga sobre los cambios y continuidades en el perfil exportador de la Argentina en el último cuarto de siglo. Las ventas en los mercados externos tienen un papel clave en economías como la de este país, fuertemente dependientes del ingreso de divisas, y por ello suelen ocupar un lugar destacado en los debates sobre los modos de desarrollo. Para este fin, se realiza un análisis comparativo del perfil exportador argentino entre la Convertibilidad y la posconvertibilidad (1991-2015) a partir de dos dimensiones principales: la composición sectorial de la canasta exportadora y la fisionomía de la porción de empresas que operan en el país y explican la mayor parte de las ventas externas. A partir de ello, se reflexiona sobre los alcances y los límites de la clásica división por sectores económicos, relevante en la discusión sobre la llamada “desindustrialización” y/o “reprimarización” a nivel nacional y latinoamericano. Asimismo, se problematiza sobre la relación entre economía y política respecto de la inserción económica internacional desde una mirada de mediano plazo. Finalmente, y en base a lo anterior, se comentan algunas de las interpretaciones más difundidas sobre el desempeño exportador en los años más recientes.Fil: Kitay, Iván. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Centro de Investigaciones sobre Economía y Sociedad en la Argentina Contemporánea; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaX Jornadas de Sociología de la Universidad Nacional de La PlataLa PlataArgentinaUniversidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Departamento de Sociologí

Social process in a voluntary organisation: a study of adult membership in the Scout Association of New Zealand

This thesis examines social processes in a large, voluntary organisation. The investigation was concerned with the activities and retention of lower-level adult members in the Scout Association of New Zealand. The demographic, socio-economic and organisational background of members, their attitudes, and the organisational context within which activity occurs were examined with reference to the relationship of these variables with the satisfaction, commitment and participation of members. Particular attention was given to five organisational variables: size, communication, control, support and effectiveness. Attitudinal variables such as solidarity, ideology, prestige and orientation were also examined. It was found that the organisational variables were most clearly related to differences in satisfaction, commitment and participation. This was described firstly in terms of an association between larger size, better and more frequent communication, and higher levels of control, support, and effectiveness. The latter in turn was related to higher levels of satisfaction, commitment, and participation. Background variables, particularly age, also proved important. This suggested that the life cycle plays a part in voluntary association membership and activity. It was concluded that the main organisational variables are affected by the peripheral structural position of voluntary associations in New Zealand society. The sanctions available to senior officials are few and generally weak, and there is often little pressure to pursue some of the more intangible formal goals. Adherence to official procedures varies, with frequent blockages of control, communication and support. This results in considerable differences in the organisational environment within which members operate. The study was carried out over two years. Observation, semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used, as well as a lengthy questionnaire

Federal conciliation and arbitration in Australia 1967-1981

This thesis examines major developments in the determination of wages and conditions by the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission between 1967 and 1981. A theoretical framework based on contemporary Marxist theories of the state is used to analyse changes in the Commission's decision-making strategies. It is argued that the Commission's activities are limited by the conditions of existence of different policy forms. These limits are explained in terms of the contradictions encountered by state apparatuses in capitalist social formations. The major contradiction is derived from the conflict betweenthe reproduction of private accumulation and capitalist relations, and the maintenance of the legitimacy of existing political and economic relations. The theoretical framework suggests that state apparatuses which are central to class struggle in capitalist social formations will be characterised by inconsistent, opportunistic policies. While seeking to pursue policies which maintain conditions favourable to capital accumulation, state apparatuses at times take actions in response to struggles between capital and labour or within classes which are injurious to or.e or more parties, who may seek remedies which contradict the original action. It is argued that this theoretical framework provides considerable insight into the long term development of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. Although the Commission pursued an overall policy of wage restraint, its high degree of internal autonomy allowed rapid escalation to occur in response to industrial action by key sectors of the subordinate classes. The Commission sought to maintain considerable flexibility in order to deal with the incompatible demands made by trade unions, private employers and governments, and discouraged attempts to limit its options. It is shown that seeking to manage class conflict, the Commission is prepared to contravene its own decisions, and that when the Commission works within rigidly defined principles, its effectiveness is reduced. A detailed analysis is made of both national and industry decisions in order to trace the development of policy through the different "tiers" of wage fixation. Special attention is given to the relationship between the Commission and the federal government, in order to demonstrate the operation of contradictions within the state. It is concluded that although the state seeks to manage class conflicts in order to maintain capitalist social relations, it does not invariably act in favour of capital in specific conflicts, and that inconsistent actions are a regular, normal aspect of state activities

Electroconvulsive Therapy:a Video-Based Educational Resource Using Standardized Patients

Objective Video-based depictions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be useful for educational purposes, but many of the readily available resources may worsen already stigmatized views of the procedure. Educators' common reliance on such material highlights the paucity of equipoised depictions of modern ECT well suited for the training of health professionals. The authors developed and tested a new educational module enhanced by videotaped depictions of a simulated patient undergoing the consent, treatment, recovery, and follow-up phases of ECT. Methods The didactic intervention interspersed 7 short video clips (totaling 14 min) into a 55-min lecture on treatment-resistant depression. The session, part of an intensive course of preclinical psychiatry, was delivered online through synchronous videoconferencing with Zoom. The primary outcome measure was change in theQuestionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge of ECT(QuAKE). Results Fifty-three out of 63 (87%) eligible second-year medical students completed assessments at baseline and after exposure to the didactic intervention. QuAKE scores improved between baseline and endpoint: the Attitudes composite increased from 49.4 +/- 6.1 to 59.1 +/- 5.7 (pairedt10.65,p <0.001, Cohen'sd0.69), and the Knowledge composite from 13.3 +/- 1.2 to 13.9 +/- 0.8 (pairedt3.97,p <0.001, Cohen'sd0.23). Conclusions These video-based educational materials proved easy to implement in the virtual classroom, were amenable to adaptation by end-use instructors, were well received by learners, and led to measurable changes in students' knowledge of and attitudes toward ECT

Addressing Electroconvulsive Therapy Knowledge Gaps and Stigmatized Views Among Nursing Students Through a Psychiatrist-APRN Didactic Partnership

BACKGROUND:Knowledge gaps and stigmatized perceptions regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among patients and health providers contribute to the underutilization of an important therapeutic modality. The proactive education of future advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) provides an opportunity to optimize the use of this evidence-based clinical practice.AIMS:As part of a general course in psychiatry during the first year of nursing school, we dedicated 1 hour to treatment-refractory depression, including ECT, and a second hour to a summary discussion of mood disorders. We evaluated the efficacy of this didactic offering, which was co-taught by a psychiatrist and a psychiatric APRN.METHOD:At baseline, consenting students (n= 94) provided three words they associated with ECT and then completed three validated instruments: (a) Questionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge of ECT, (b) Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers, and (c) Self-Stigma of Seeking Help. Among the 67 students who repeated the assessment at endpoint, 39 attended the ECT didactic (Intervention group, 58%) and 28 did not (Control, 42%).RESULTS:After completion of the 3-month course, students showed improvement across all measures (p<.001). The only outcomes that improved differentially between the Intervention and Control groups were the Questionnaire on Attitudes and Knowledge of ECT Attitudes and Knowledge scales (p= .01). Word choice valence associated with ECT shifted favorably by endpoint (p<.001).CONCLUSIONS:An educational intervention co-led by a psychiatric-mental health APRN had a significant impact on nursing students' knowledge and perceptions of ECT. This approach can be readily implemented at other institutions. Future refinements will include the videotaped depiction of a simulated patient undergoing the consent, treatment, and recovery phases of ECT

DNA binding capability of nano-C 60 to pBR322 and phenotypic analysis of potential binding effects

Nano particles, particularly nano-C 60 , have been part of a growing research initiative due to their unique properties. These particles are being investigated for medically relevant purposes, such as drug delivery. Disturbingly, part of this research has suggested the binding of these particles to DNA, which could be detrimental if used in vivo. In this study, we used spectroscopy to test the ability of nano-C 60 to bind to pBR322 plasmid, as well as the phenotypic effect of this binding on transformed E. coli DH5α cells. Although we showed that the nano-C 60 did interact with DNA, as measured by a significant decrease in absorbance at 260nm, no phenotypic effects of this change were measurable when the plasmid was introduced into the E. coli cells. As such, no conclusion could be drawn concerning the in vivo effects of nano-C 60 on cells; however, the presence of nano-C 60 was conclusively shown to alter the DNA in vitro