Opportunity For Direct Contact Research Articles

The Efficiency of Telelearning

Telelearning relates to "making connections among people and resources, via communication technologies, for learning-related purposes". Telelearning as a general term includes asynchronous learning activities; in all cases efficiency is an important construct. Efficiency is defined as the relation between costs and effects/quality. An educational system is said to be "efficient" when an optimum balance is found between minimizing the costs and maximizing the effects/quality. This balance is often difficult to obtain, for an example, when the opportunity for direct contact between tutor and tutee through telecommunications facilities can lead not only to beneficial learning and social effects but also to a large amount of messages and a huge time investment by tutors/tutees, leading to an uncontrollable rise in costs. Measuring the effect/quality of telelearning has its own methodological problems and therefore it is difficult to come up with viable and reliable data. How to deal with the efficiency problem is illustrated in the article based upon literature research and data from a recent project executed in the context of the telematics research program of the European Union.

Wildlife tourism in Latin America: taxonomy and conservation status

We provide an initial insight into the extent, occurrence and characteristics of wildlife tourism involving close interactions with free-ranging, non-domesticated, animals outside of formal captive environments across Latin America. Using information provided online via TripAdvisor, we found this type of tourism was occurring across the region (advertised on 249 wildlife tourist attraction webpages across 21 countries) and involved a diverse range of wild animals (73 species, including 19 currently considered as threatened by the IUCN). Opportunities for direct contact with wild animals were particularly prevalent (54% of all surveyed webpages). Despite the potential economic benefits, studies have indicated that these types of ecotourism are potentially having net negative impacts on wildlife conservation and welfare. Mammals classified as Least Concern featured most commonly in tourist photos, but our analyses suggest that mammals and species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List were most likely to occur in these types of wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs). Amphibians and species classified on the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient or Critically Endangered were least likely. Given the growing nature of the wildlife tourism sector, we provide recommendations to help effectively balance and manage wider wildlife protection goals and growing tourist interest in wildlife.

The individual courtship behaviour of male European mink (Mustela lutreola) is a good indicator for their breeding success

Conservation breeding of the critically endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola) is a challenge, because the genetically prioritised breeding pairs often fail to mate during the staged breeding attempts. For this study the courtship and mating behaviour of 33 males and the response behaviour of 28 females was observed and recorded throughout two breeding seasons at Tallinn Zoo using an ethogram. The behavioural patterns of the male European mink differed significantly depending upon their previous reproductive success and the outcome of the breeding attempt. “Clucking”, “flehmen”, “chase”, “anal drag”, “neck bite” and “mounting” were observed significantly more often among males that sired a litter during the study (“breeding males”) and during attempts that ended with copulation. More than half (61%) of the males were “non-breeding males”: they never sired a litter or copulated with a female. Females “chirped” significantly less often in attempts with “non-breeding males”. The male “clucking” sound was the best indicator to predict 1) a males ability to sire a litter and 2) whether a breeding attempt would end with copulation. The absence of species-specific courtship and mating behaviour in the “non-breeding males” threatens the conservation goal to maintain the genetic heterozygosity of the captive population. From a practical point of view, behavioural indicators could be used as a potential screening method for identifying successful future breeders. In an experimental setup, males were presented with scent cues from an oestrous female but without the opportunity for direct contact. In this experimental context 64% of “breeding males” responded with “clucking” and also presented “flehmen”, “rubbing” and “approach to the female/her nest box door” significantly more often than the “non-breeding males”.

Effect of direct and indirect contact with mental illness on dangerousness and social distance.

This study is based on the contact hypothesis that contact with mental illness is the most effective anti-stigma strategy. This study aims to analyze which form of contact can most effectively decrease the dangerousness and social distance associated with schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism. In total, 573 Korean adults ( Mage = 43.71 years, standard deviation ( SD) = 13.41; 54.1% male, 45.9% female) were surveyed about randomly assigned vignettes of schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism. The participants were questioned on the dangerousness and social distance associated with the assigned vignette, as well as direct and indirect contact experience with the mental illness. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the main effect and interaction effect that the type of mental illness and contact experience have on the two dependent variables (dangerousness and social distance). The findings show that the type of mental illness has a significant main effect on dangerousness and social distance, but contact type only has a significant main effect on social distance. Moreover, the two independent variables (mental illness subtype and contact experience) have an interaction effect on two dependent variables (dangerousness and social distance). Therefore, the anti-stigma effect of contact varies according to the type of mental illness. Our findings suggest that appropriate anti-stigma strategies are required for each type of mental illness. Considering that opportunities for direct contact with persons with mental illness are highly limited, it is necessary to actively utilize indirect contact.

55 Is whole genome sequencing necessary to exclude cross infection with Mycobacterium abscessus ST26 in paediatric cystic fibrosis patients?

Objective Patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) can be colonized or infected with M. abscessus. Our centre along with others in the UK has seen an increase in patients with this organism. We have reviewed M. abcessus cases since 2011 to attempt to ascertain whether there is a genuine increase in the incidence of this infection and whether there is any possibility of cross infection within our patient group. Methods Retrospective data on paediatric M. abscessus isolates were retrieved from the microbiology laboratory computer system and historical CF databases. Isolates of M. abscessus were sent to PHE, Colindale, for genetic analysis. Results There has been a genuine increase in M. abscessus colonization amongst our paediatric CF population over time. Sampling patterns have varied but isolation rates were independent of numbers of sputum samples and patients tested. Five of 13 paediatric patients colonized with M. abscessus harboured strains belonging to clonal lineage ST26. Of these 5, no patients had any recorded opportunity for direct contact within the hospital and we could find no epidemiological evidence of any periods when cross infection could have occurred. Remaining patient isolates were distinct. The isolates from the ST26 patients were sequenced and whole genome analysis was performed. Conclusion The control of cross infection is an important aspect of CF care. Since diverse ST26 strains have been reported in the context of CF, further genetic analysis including whole genome sequencing may be required to determine any relatedness between isolates and exclude the possibility of hospital acquired M. abscessus infection.

Experiential learning: changing student attitudes towards learning disability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reflective journals kept by 62 students researching and interviewing people with learning disabilities. The aim was to explore the content and discover any themes that were generated throughout the journals as a result of the pre-, during- and post-interview process. Design/methodology/approach – The method used to analyse the journals was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith and Osborn, 2008). Findings – The results showed that there was a shift from negative to positive reflections as the frequency of contact with people with learning disabilities increased and that the majority of students reported a change in attitude towards this group of individuals after experiencing direct contact (two to three meetings over a period of two months). Research limitations/implications – Implications of the findings are for government policies, promoting social inclusion through education, to offer the opportunity for direct contact with people with learning disabilities, (in keeping with Allport's, 1954 Contact Theory) at an earlier stage in education, fostering an environment for earlier attitude change and increased social inclusion. Social implications – Changing society's attitude through our education system may decrease marginalisation by the public as well as discriminatory and abusive behaviour found in some social and community care settings. Originality/value – This piece of research may add value to social, government and educational policies. Finding an evidence base to continue to build policies for decreasing marginalisation and promoting social inclusion for people with learning disabilities.

Students' expectations of ageing: An evaluation of the impact of imagined intergenerational contact and the mediating role of ageing anxiety

Positive attitudes towards the aged and expectations of the ageing process have been recognised as important drivers of healthy ageing. Utilising novel methods previously used to improve attitudes towards older adults, the current article reports the impact of imagined contact with an older adult on expectations of ageing and ageing anxiety compared to a control. Two hundred and one undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions; (1) imagined contact with a 75year old male, (2) imagined contact with a 75year old female, or (3) a control. Results revealed that imagined contact with either an older male or female was associated with more positive expectations of ageing in male participants, both immediately after the intervention and at a four week follow-up, compared to the control. No such results were found for female participants. Among male participants, the relationship between imagined intergenerational contact and expectations of ageing was mediated by ageing anxiety, indicating that males in the imagined contact conditions experienced significantly better expectations of ageing through reduced anxiety about ageing, compared to the control. No indirect effect of ageing anxiety on the relationship between imagined intergenerational contact and expectations of ageing was found for female participants. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research will be discussed. Overall, the findings of the current study suggest that imagined contact may be an efficacious alternative for decreasing ageing anxiety and for producing more positive expectations of ageing when the opportunity for direct contact is unavailable.

From imagery to intention: A dual route model of imagined contact effects

Imagined intergroup contact (Crisp & R. Turner, 2009) is a new indirect contact strategy for promoting tolerance and more positive intergroup relations. In this chapter, we review existing research on imagined contact and propose two routes—cognitive and affective—through which it can exert a positive influence on contact-related attitudes and intentions. We first review research that has established the beneficial impacts of imagined contact on intergroup attitudes via reduced intergroup anxiety, supporting its efficacy as an intervention where there exists little or no opportunity for direct contact. We then review more recent research showing that imagined contact not only improves attitudes, but can also enhance intentions to engage in future contact. These studies suggest that contact imagery provides a behavioural script that forms the cognitive basis for subsequent judgements about future contact intentions. Collectively, the findings from this research programme support the idea that imagined contact can complement more direct forms of contact—providing a way of initially encouraging an interest in engaging positively with outgroups before introducing face-to-face encounters. We discuss the implications of these findings for future theory and research, and how they can inform prejudice-reduction interventions seeking to capitalise on the beneficial effects of mental imagery.

Moral Dilemmas of the Pharmacist -Ways of Coping with Ethical Problems in Light of Case Studies-

Pharmacological education in Japan has focused less on the cultivation of medical care providers than on fostering personnel who could develop and manufacture medical products. Pharmacists who passed the national board were able to take part in providing medical treatment even if they lacked the knowledge or capabilities required in a clinical setting. Given both this educational background and the systematic problem that there was no division of labor in the pharmacological field, and given that they operated in a work environment where there was almost no opportunity for direct contact with patients, pharmacists for many years lacked self-awareness as persons who handle medical products that can affect human lives, and failed to take full account of their role as administrators of these products. However, there has been a significant change in the role of pharmacists and in the environment in which they operate since the pharmacist discipline was first established. Whereas in the past the job of pharmacists was simply to deal with the materials of medical products, the job has changed to involve dealing directly with patients. Currently, most pharmacists are engaged in work that provides direct support to people. Ethical behavior is demanded in clinical situations that involve people's interaction with one another. The need is urgent, therefore, for us to apply an understanding of ethical theory and conduct systematic case method-based ethical education to cultivate an ethical outlook among pharmacological students and pharmacists.

Mobility and Displacement

Mobility and Displacement

Extended Contact through Story Reading in School: Reducing Children's Prejudice toward the Disabled

The aim of this study was to develop and assess a prejudice‐reduction intervention for young children based on a relatively recent psychological concept, extended contact. A number of extended contact interventions were tested based on different models of generalized intergroup contact. A 3 (type of extended contact: neutral, decategorization, and “intergroup”) × 2 (time of interview: pre‐ vs. post‐extended contacts) mixed design was used, with the latter variable being within participants. Non‐disabled children (N= 67) aged 5–10 years took part in a 6‐week intervention involving reading stories featuring disabled and non‐disabled children in friendship contexts. The main dependent variables were children's attitudes and intended behavior toward non‐disabled and disabled people. Results showed that extended contact led to increased positivity toward the disabled, and this was most pronounced in the intergroup‐extended contact condition. These findings suggest that extended contact can provide a prejudice‐reduction intervention tool that can be used with young children in contexts in which the opportunity for direct contact is low. The findings also add to the psychological literature, providing support of the Hewstone and Brown (1986)“intergroup” model in the context of extended contact.

Breaking the Mold

SUMMARY Fiedler Engineering Library at Kansas State University opened in October 2000. A generous donation enabled the design of a new branch library focusing on electronic delivery of scholarly information to in-house and remote patrons. Selected print reference and serial resources are housed in the library, but most research information is accessed via 24 computer workstations. The positive synergistic results of a new physical library providing electronic information yield a win-win situation in which library personnel have greater opportunity for direct contact with students, faculty, and other patrons. An electronic information literacy component is being built into the engineering curriculum through cooperative efforts with engineering faculty.

Career preferences of the 1984 medical graduates of Sri Lanka.

A total of 196 graduates from the four medical schools in Sri Lanka responded to a postal questionnaire on their career preferences and factors influencing the choice of specialty. Medicine (38%), surgery (21%), paediatrics (15%) and obstetrics (12%) were the most popular choices. 'Service' specialties such as anaesthesia (1.5%), pathology (1.5%) and radiology (1%) were strikingly less attractive. Community medicine (2%) and general practice (2%) were similarly unattractive; medical administration (0.5%) was the least popular choice. In the choice of a career, opportunity for direct contact with patients (59%) was the most important determinant when compared to financial reward (12%), social prestige (10%) and fixed hours of work (12%). Research prospects (6%) and teaching opportunity (5%) were relatively unimportant considerations. The graduates preferred employment in the state health service (65%) to teaching in the clinical departments of medical schools (26%) and full-time private practice (7%). Pre- and paraclinical departments of medical schools attracted only 2% of the graduates. A total of 80% of the graduates wished to practise in the capital city or a major provincial city, while 10% chose to seek employment overseas. These results will be useful in planning undergraduate and postgraduate education, and in designing policies to attract manpower to the scarcity and high priority disciplines, so that the imbalances encountered would be minimal in the future.

Kinetics and mass transport

During the past few years there have been strong indications that workers in fields as far apart as mineralogy, physics, ceramics, petrology, metallurgy and glass technology have interests in similar processes and problems. Opportunities for direct contact between such diverse disciplines are rare but a joint meeting on the kinetics and mass transport of silicate and oxide systems held (at the Geological Society, London, on 13–14 September 1984) under the auspices of The Institute of Physics, Mineralogical Society, British Ceramic Society and Polar Solids Discussion Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry provided an ideal platform for all interested parties.

An epidemiological, clinical, and mycological study of human ringworm due to Trichophyton verrucosum in Japan.

ABSTRACTEpidemiological, clinical, and mycological studies based on a total of fifty‐eight cases of human ringworm caused by Trichophyton verrucosum were made. They consisted of thirty‐nine epidemically occurring cases in the Tono area of Iwate prefecture in 1962 and nineteen cases occurring sporadically in Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures from 1970 through 1973. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The majority of the patients were farm workers or their family members, who had opportunity for direct contact with infected cattle. 2) The infection was most frequent during the winter months. 3) Familial occurrence was noted in twenty‐six members of eleven families. 4) The most commonly affected sites were the exposed areas of the body, particularly the forearm of an adult and the face of a child. 5) The clinical features of the lesions were classified into the following six types: agminate folliculitis, tinea circinata, kerion celsi, sycosis trichophytica, granuloma trichophyticum Majocchi, and a hyperkeratotic form of tinea manum which may be previously unreported. 6) In general, lesions showed a marked inflammation with intense erythema, edema, and pustule formation, and without central clearing. 7) The causative organism easily invades the hair follicle, so that a deep‐seated lesion may not be uncommon. 8) On comparative studies, the brain heart infusion agar (Difco) containing dextrose, peptone, thiamine HCl and antibiotics was found to be adequate for the isolation and the identification of Trichophyton verrucosum. 9) The fungus grew more easily at 37 °C than at room temperature (25 °C), and growth was inhibited by the addition of actidione. 10) The lesions of the agminate folliculitis type and of the hairy parts should be treated orally with griseofulvin because of a possible aggravation due to topical medication.Outside of the Tohoku district of Japan a total of thirty‐eight cases have been observed in Hokkaido from 1967 to 1972 and four cases were seen in southwestern Japan in two recent years.

Aseptic meningitis associated with echovirus type 9' on Oahu, Hawaii.

outbreak of 174 cases of aseptic meningitis was reported in Oahu, Hawaii. Forty-four of these were associated with a mouse pathogenic, serologic variant of the prototype echo 9. Incidence was greatest in male infants and was uniform by race and socioeconomic status. Spread occurred throughout Oahu by contiguous areas and with frequent family illness. The findings illustrate that occurrence of an epidemic in susceptible groups may depend primarily on opportunity for direct contact, regardless of season, latitude, or socioeconomic status.