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Introducing undergraduate students to animal science: a discovery course for non-majors.

A discovery course titled "Living with Animals and Biotechnology" was taught to first-year students enrolled in disciplines other than Animal Science during the fall semesters of 1994 and 1995 at the University of Illinois. The course provided freshman students with an overview of how animals and biotechnology interact with our global society. It focused on technological achievements involving animals and how they influence the development of agriculture, medicine, and industry in our world. The course was conducted in a discussion format and met once a week. Upon successful completion of the course, students received one credit towards graduation. A total of 17 and 19 students completed the course for the two semesters that the course was offered. Most of the students (86%) were majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Science. Students rated the course high (4.85 +/- .06 with 5 = exceptionally high) and found the course a valuable learning experience (4.57 +/- .11 with 5 = very valuable). When surveyed 93% of the students said the discovery course gave them a much better impression of the Department of Animal Sciences. Most of the students (86%) said they would consider taking another animal science course. Offering one credit animal science discussion courses by faculty with diverse expertise introduces students to animal science. It also may stimulate student curiosity and excitement about the field of animal science.

Animal Husbandry↗

Sources of animal science research information: usefulness and reliability.

Fifty-two animal scientists (8 private consultants, 22 feed industry representatives, 22 university personnel) were surveyed regarding frequency of use and reliability of information from 27 different publications and information sources. Among the information sources, these scientists (6 dairy specialists, 25 beef cattle specialists, 17 swine specialists, 4 dealing with multiple species) most frequently scanned Feedstuffs, the Journal of Animal Science, National Research Council (NRC) species bulletins, abstracts from regional and national meetings of either ASAS or ADSA, annual reports from experiment stations, and proceedings from state nutrition conferences. Differences among species specialties were detected: dairy specialists read the Journal of Dairy Science, abstracts from ADSA meetings, Dairy Herd Management, Hoard's Dairyman quite extensively; beef specialists read Beef and National Cattleman frequently; and swine specialists used the Pfizer Conference, National Hog Farmer, and Pork 95. Frequency of use rankings of publications were surprisingly similar for feed industry and university specialists; however, private consultants tended to use certain publications (Professional Animal Scientist, Feed Management, Beef Today) to a greater degree. For reliability, Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Dairy Science, NRC bulletins, the Professional Animal Scientist, Pfizer Report, and reports from ASAS and ADSA meetings received the highest rankings, and university workers ranked reliability of NRC publications and Animal Feed Science and Technology higher than feed industry personnel. Regarding timeliness of information, Feedstuffs, National Hog Farmer, Pork 95, and reports from state nutrition conferences ranked best, and NRC bulletins, Journal of Animal Science, and Journal of Dairy Science ranked lowest. Applicability of information was correlated with frequency of use (r = .38**) and presumed reliability (r = .59**). Asked whether some formal appraisal of articles appearing in the popular press by a panel of specialists would be desirable, 88% of the scientists, especially private consultants and university personnel, favored or were neutral toward pre- or postpublication appraisal. Mechanisms to institute such an appraisal system are outlined and ethical responsibilities of researchers, reviewers, administrators, and societies related to research information are discussed.

Animal Husbandry↗

Experience of King Abdul-Aziz City for science and technology in funding medical research in Saudi Arabia.

Funding scientific research is important for accelerating the progress of science and technology, to fulfill the development objectives of the country. King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) was established in 1977 to support and promote applied scientific research and coordinate the activities of the scientific research institutions and centers in line with requirements of development plans of the Kingdom. King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology also cooperates with other concerned institutions in formulating strategies and national policies for the development of science and technology. King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology has started several research grants programs, which include; Annual General Grants Program, National Grants Program, Limited Grants Program, Humanities Grants Program, Graduate Students Grants Program and Production Sectors Grants Program for the promotion of science and technology in the Kingdom. The process of funding follows a systematic scientific mechanism based on predetermined research priorities. Selection of the research proposals is accomplished on the basis of strict scientific criteria. The funding of medical research projects is considered most important among all scientific fields, as these are related to human health. The medical field is classified into specific sub fields constituting the major branches of medicine. Since 1979, KACST has funded 430 medical research projects at an estimated cost of 185.9 million Saudi Riyals representing approximately 31.2% of the grants total funding. King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology puts much emphasis on publishing results obtained from the research projects through different channels. Seven hundred and thirty-eight scientific papers have been published in all fields whereas 243 research papers out of them are in the medical field. This paper highlights the establishment, aims and tasks associated with KACST. Also, the paper reviews research funding by KACST grants programs with a focus on funded medical research projects and publications of research papers originating from different funded projects.

Biomedical Research↗

Complementary competencies: public health and health sciences librarianship.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to identify opportunities for partnership between the communities of public health workers and health sciences librarians. METHODS: The authors review competencies in public health and health sciences librarianship. They highlight previously identified public health informatics competencies and the Medical Library Association's essential areas of knowledge. Based on points of correspondence between the two domains, the authors identify specific opportunities for partnership. RESULTS: The points of correspondence between public health and health sciences librarianship are reflected in several past projects involving both communities. These previous collaborations and the services provided by health sciences librarians at many public health organizations suggest that some health sciences librarians may be considered full members of the public health workforce. Opportunities remain for productive collaboration between public health workers and health sciences librarians. CONCLUSIONS: Drawing on historical and contemporary experience, this paper presents an initial framework for forming collaborations between health sciences librarians and members of the public health workforce. This framework may stimulate thinking about how to form additional partnerships between members of these two communities.

Community-Institutional Relations↗

Students' perceptions of laboratory science careers: changing ideas with an education module.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a Web-based education module in changing students' perceptions of laboratory science careers. DESIGN: Perception was measured with a short examination and then a Web-based exercise was presented. Following the exercise, the test was administered again. Frequency data from the pre-test and post-test were compared for changes in perception. The correlated pre-test/post-test pairs were also examined for opinion changes and these were analyzed for significance. SETTING: Large parochial high schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. A small team visited the schools during their appointed class times for biology. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants were high school biology students in grades 9-10. Two-hundred-forty-five students participated (149 male and 96 female). INTERVENTIONS: A Web-based exercise on blood film examination was presented to the students in a classroom setting (www.mclno.org/labpartners/index_03.htm). The exercise contained focused messages about: (1) the numbers of healthcare workers acquiring AIDS from on-the-job exposure and (2) common career paths available to the laboratory science workforce. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The shift in perception of: What medical service generates the most diagnostic data. Which professional group performs laboratory tests. The risk of acquiring AIDS while working in the healthcare setting. Interest in a science-related career. How much education is required to work in a science-related field. RESULTS: The intervention significantly shifted perception in all areas measured except that of interest in a science-related career. CONCLUSIONS: Many students perceive that the risk of acquiring AIDS while working in the healthcare setting is "high". Web-based presentations and similar partnerships with science teachers can change perceptions that might lead to increased interest in clinical laboratory science careers.

Adolescent↗

Food science instruction in undergraduate dietetic education.

To assess the current status of food science instruction in undergraduate dietetic education, a survey was conducted of those persons responsible for teaching this subject in 267 Plan IV and 65 Coordinated Undergraduate Programs. Responses were received from 155 institutions offering a total of 177 programs. Factors examined included the number and academic background of faculty members teaching food science, the structure of the first course in food science, the structure of advanced food science courses required or offered to undergraduate dietetic students, and perceived adequacy of course content. Fifty-eight percent of the respondents had or were candidates for doctoral degrees, and 37% had master's degrees. The results indicated that although all programs offered a beginning course in food science, the required prerequisites and level of difficulty of subject matter varied. Fifty-three percent of the programs required at least one advanced food science course. More than 95% of both beginning and advanced courses are structured to include both lecture and laboratory. Although a majority of respondents indicated satisfaction with the adequacy of course content currently being offered, many made recommendations for improvements. Other concerns included difficulty in locating textbooks and other suitable instructional materials, isolation from others teaching food science, and a lack of standards for content to be included in basic and advanced courses.

Dietetics↗

[Undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the biological sciences in Chile (1985)].

A study group of scientists was convened by the Sociedad de Biología de Chile (Biological Society of Chile) and the Regional Program for Graduate Training in Biological Sciences, PNUD-Unesco, RLA 78/024, to assess undergraduate and graduate studies in life sciences in Chile. The group presented this report at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Society. Discussion centered on the features that should characterize the studies leading to the academic degrees of Licenciado (Licenciate), Magíster (Master) and Doctor (Ph. D) in Sciences, and also on the qualifications that the universities should satisfy in order to grant them. After analyzing the present situation of undergraduate and graduate studies in Biological Sciences in Chilean universities, the group made the following main suggestions: 1. It is recommended that Chilean universities agree on a 4-year plan for the Licenciado degree, without the requirement of a thesis. The importance of providing the students with good laboratory exercises and field experience and with the opportunity to perform short research projects is stressed. In addition, a sound theoretical training on mathematics, physics and chemistry in the education of a modern Biologist is important. Licenciate studies ought to be the basis for professional careers and the universities should offer to the Licenciados free access to their professional schools. 2. It is considered appropriate for Chile and its universities to develop graduate programs in those disciplines that have reached a level of excellence. To accomplish this aim, adequate finance of the universities is necessary to permit them to provide the essential facilities for doing research, and to create a wide system of fellowships for graduate students. Direct government support for research and graduate student fellowships is requested. 3. Research experience of the kind needed for the preparation of a doctoral thesis is recommended as the academic level appropriate for those engaged in teaching undergraduate students in sciences. Teachers in graduate programs should be qualified active researchers. 4. The creation is proposed of a Consejo Nacional de Universidades (National Council of Universities), to be autonomous and composed primarily of outstanding scientists. One of the main functions of this Council would be to licence universities to grant undergraduate and graduate academic degrees in science. 5. The Sociedad de Biología de Chile must maintain an interest in the evaluation of undergraduate and graduate studies in life sciences.

Academic Dissertations as Topic↗

[The role of the Academy of Science in health care during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina].

Academy of science and art of RBH with its section for medical science (OMN) took part in health protection during this war. Its way of working was in organisation of science work in medicine and direct science-researching work. The Academy was coorganizator 5 great project and direct realizator of three. First group are projects called war projects: 1) Surgery, 2) Psychiatrics, 3) Social medicine, 4) Refugees, 5) Internal medicine. Second group: 1) Therapy of poisoning, 2) Galen medicine, 3) Circulation. Although the Academy had many other activities, most important activity is about health protection in war. Some members of OMN took part in activities like science researching, medical education, important parts of health protection and consultations. In medical researching science observations, descriptions and classifications, and some researching should be noticed in this kind of war and isolation. Concerning the science discoveries it is definite and formulate and ready publications of polytraumatism, treating with oxygenation solutions mass therapy, new doctrines etc. We also got experiences for medical education, its changing and consider about theory, practice and opinion. It is necessary for medical worker to know that health protection is defence of war desert, and not the way of war and its weapon. Earlier warnings of some philosophers, and their self-killing prognoses are going on and started in BIH. War is not only between people, but with nature and spirit and world cataclysm is very near. Activity of health protection people give us some hope, because there are men who will try to stop destroying. They defended the dignity of their profession and other educated people.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Academies and Institutes↗

Unity within psychology, and unity between science and practice.

The unity of psychology as a science is to be found in its definition as the science of mental life, and its explanation of individual behavior in terms of mental states. This disciplinary focus will help negotiate psychology's relations with other disciplines, such as neuroscience and cognitive science. The unity within psychology between science and practice is to be found in a focus on scientific evidence as the source of the status, autonomy, and privileges of professional practitioners. Psychology should avoid the temptations of reductionism, and assert (and enjoy) its twin status as both a biological science and a social science.

Animals↗

Relevant behavioural and social science for medical undergraduates: a comparison of specialist and non-specialist educators.

AIM: To compare what medical educators who are specialists in the behavioural and social sciences and their non-specialist counterparts consider to be core concepts that medical graduates should understand. BACKGROUND: Previously perceived as 'nice to know' rather than 'need to know', the General Medical Council (GMC) now places behavioural and social sciences on the same need-to-know basis as clinical and basic sciences. Attempts have been made to identify what components of these topics medical students need to know; however, it remains unknown if decisions over programme content differ depending on whether or not educationalists have specialist knowledge of the behavioural and social sciences. METHODS: In a survey of medical educationalists within all UK medical schools, respondents were asked to indicate from a comprehensive list of psychological, sociological and anthropological concepts what they considered a minimally competent graduate should understand. Comparisons were made between the concepts identified by specialist behavioural and social science (BSS) educators and those without such training. RESULTS: Despite different disciplinary backgrounds, non-specialist educators largely concurred with BSS specialist educators in the concepts they considered tomorrow's doctors should know about. However, among BSS specialists there remained disagreement on what BSS content was relevant for graduates. Differences reflect specialist knowledge and recognition of the role of theoretical underpinning of BSS and reveal gaps in non-specialists knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Educationalists with formal training in the full range of behavioural and social sciences should be involved in the development of BSS curriculum content at both national and school levels.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

The hard sciences and the soft: some sociological observations.

The paper focuses on the implications of the terms "hard" and "soft" as they are used to characterize different branches of science; this is one approach to understanding some of the relations between knowledge and social organization. Given the importance to scientists of having their work evaluated accurately, it can be seen that the more rigorously a body of knowledge is organized, the more readily professional recognition can be appropriately assigned. The degree of rigor seems directly related to the extent to which mathematics is used in a science, and it is this that makes a science "hard." Data are presented in support of the hypothesis that "harder" sciences are characterized by more impersonality in their members' relationships where impersonality is indexed by the frequency that only first initials are used in footnotes. Finally, some parallels between the economic and the scientific sectors of society are suggested, viewing money and professional recognition as "generalized media" and noting certain analogies in science to inflation and deflation in the economic system. Implications for the obsolescence of parts of the literature of science are discussed, and the relevance of this analysis to Kuhn's work on scientific revolutions is briefly noted.

Science↗

Transforming the present--discovering the future: the University of Pittsburgh's NLM grant on education and training of health sciences librarians.

BACKGROUND: The University of Pittsburgh was awarded a grant by the National Library of Medicine to study the education and training needs of present and future medical librarians and health information specialists through a collaboration of the university's School of Information Sciences and Health Sciences Library System. Goals and objectives for the year-long project included (1) assessment of education and training needs of medical librarians, (2) development of a master of library science curriculum and an internship program that would prepare graduates to take leadership roles in medical librarianship or information management, (3) development of continuing education programs for medical librarians in different formats, and (4) development of targeted recruitment efforts to attract minority group members and individuals with undergraduate science majors. The importance of this project, present practice, and success factors for programs seeking excellence in the preparation of health sciences information professionals are reviewed. A needs assessment involving a national advisory panel and a follow-up study of individuals who have participated in previous specialized training programs in health sciences information, compared with a peer group of medical librarians who did not participate in such programs, is described. This paper presents the goals and objectives of the project, describes the methods used, and outlines a curriculum, continuing education initiatives, and recruitment activities.

Career Choice↗

Behavioral science in translational research and cancer control.

Behavioral science plays an integral, essential role in cancer control. This review examines that role in two broad areas: (1) in the development and implementation of cancer control technologies, and (2) in the emerging focus on the process of translating cancer research into clinical practice. In developing and implementing cancer control technologies, what we know of human processes as a result of behavioral science is identified as the common link in all stages of the cancer process (prevention, detection, treatment, rehabilitation, terminal care). The value of behavioral science is shown in conservative projections (incorporating likely rates of patient noncooperation) of the health benefits obtainable by the year 2000 if effective behavioral strategies in three key areas were broadly implemented. Smoking prevention and cessation programs could lead to 7.2 million fewer smokers; application of cancer screening programs might result in 45,000 additional 5-year cancer survivors each year; and behavioral programs could lead to improved quality of life in 150,000 patients per year who experience treatment side effects despite the use of antiemetics. Behavioral science also is shown to contribute to translational science by providing a pragmatic conceptual model for clinical practice and facilitating collaborative research between basic scientists and clinical researchers. As an example of behavioral science's contribution to translational research, behavioral issues in genetic screening for cancer risk are outlined based on the experience of several families with the BRCA1 genetic marker and patients with Huntington's disease.

Behavioral Sciences↗

Geneticists' views on science policy formation and public outreach.

Though much research about the public's views of scientists, genetic research and its moral, ethical, and social implications exists, little has been done to investigate how scientists view their own role(s) in public discussions and policy formation related to genetic research and technologies. We interviewed 20 academic geneticists in the United States about their perceptions of the roles they and others (e.g., professional societies, the public, ethicists, and elected officials) do and should play in the formation of science policy, the communication of science to the public, and the public discussions of moral and ethical issues raised by scientific advances. The participants in our study thought that scientists should be more actively involved in public outreach and science policy formation, but frequently they felt ill-equipped and unsupported by their peers and institutions to pursue these activities. Furthermore, many were skeptical of or did not trust elected officials--who they consider uninformed about the issues and too driven by political agendas--to formulate sound science policy. They do, however, have faith in the ability of scientific societies to influence policy effectively, and some thought that societies should play a larger role, both in science policy and as a liaison between scientists and the public. Finally, participants offered suggestions for increasing the involvement and influence of scientists in science-policy formation and public discourse.

Adult↗

Why Paul Meehl will revolutionize the philosophy of science and why it should matter to psychologists.

Paul Meehl was a person of remarkable genius who made many seminal contributions to psychology and other fields. One of his most important, but less widely known potential contributions is the codevelopment, and the extension and elaboration of meta-science, or the science of science. Meta-science involves applying more rigorous methods (than are usually used) to the study of episodes in the history of science, or the historical track record, in order to address long-standing questions in the philosophy and history of science, aid in the selection of optimally effective methodology, and assist the scientist in higher level and complex integrative judgments (e.g., theory evaluation). Psychologists, given their methodological sophistication, can be major contributors to meta-scientific efforts and to the development of this field.

History, 20th Century↗

The proliferation of prizes: Nobel complements and Nobel surrogates in the reward system of science.

In the last two decades, prizes in the sciences have proliferated and, in particular, rich prizes with large honoraria. These developments raise several questions: Why have rich prizes proliferated? Have they greatly changed the reward system of science? What effects will such prizes have on scientists and on science? The proliferation of such prizes derives from marked limitations on the numbers and types of scientists eligible for Nobel prizes and consequent increases in the number of uncrowned laureate-equivalents. These would-be surrogates for Nobel prizes extend the reward system of science in its upper reaches but this change is not fundamental. The spread of rich prizes to new fields provides added incentives to potential winners, which has its own disutilities; it reinforces competitiveness, concern for priority and attendant secrecy, all this amplifying ambivalence toward the reward system in science. There may also be modest positive effects of such new awards in the form of heightened popular esteem for science and interest in it.

Awards and Prizes↗

Change and permanence: reflections on the ethical-social contract of science in the public interest.

Modern science, dedicated since its 17th century origins to the mastery and possession of nature for the relief of man's estate, is a source of great social change, affecting our opinions, practices, and ways of life. It thus exists necessarily in tension with law and morality, our institutions of stability and order. This tension between change and permanence, between science and law or morals, was institutionalized by the American Founders who sought to encourage, under law, the progress in science and the useful arts, by means of the copyright and patent laws. American science and technology have flourished under the patent law, an ingenious ethical and social contract between scientists and the polity, through which private right and interest and public good generally coincide. Nevertheless, this contract has its limitations. Some of these limitations are vividly seen through the recent Supreme Court decision (in the Chakrabarty case) to permit the patenting of living microorganisms. Analysis of this case shows why the contract between science and the polity embodied in the Patent Laws may not always serve the public good and may also be harmful to science itself. Also, permitting ownership of living species shows how close we have come in our thinking to overstepping the sensible limits of the project for the mastery and possession of nature.

Contracts↗

Science, technology and ethics: from critical perspective to dialectical perspective.

It has been agreed upon, according to critical perspective, to distinguish the problems raised by scientific issues on the one hand and the problems raised by moral issues on the other. This distinction, at the genesis of theoretical ideology, postulates that experimental science is mere knowledge which, since it has nothing to do with action, cannot raise a moral problem. Yet the use of experimental techniques turns out to be a necessary means, although an insufficient one, to put to the test and to confirm the theoretical hypothesis of science. Thus, those techniques produce perceptible effects which can be assimilated to genuine transformation and are consequently capable of raising moral problems. It follows that the technical imperative of science can be conditioned by a moral imperative of technique, which leads to modification of the object of the research and dubs it, a dialectical object. It is, however, advisable to effect a demarcation between that which, within the frame work of research in experimental science, can pose a moral problem and which cannot. The criterion of refusability of practical projects, by analogy with Popper's criterion of refutability of theoretical conjectures, allows for this demarcation to be implemented. It postulates that only the technical projects of science, apart from scientific theories, can pose a moral problem or can be recognized as moral, providing that the conditions of a possible ethical refusal can be expressed. From the analysis and the synthesis of heterogeneous possibilities, dialectical perspective thus outlined represents an endeavour to go beyond critical perspective, while trying to seek an intermediary channel between the "progressist dogmatism" of science and the obscurantist scepticism" of morals.

Ethics↗