PSXIV-29 Influence of prerequisite courses on performance of students in an animal nutrition course: A one-year summary

Abstract Anecdotes abound in departmental curriculum committees surrounding the purpose and necessity of prerequisite courses for major subjects. Some believe that a student should have as much exposure as possible to subject matter prior to attempting to gain a full understanding of the material. Others believe that prerequisite courses put an undue burden on students to take excessive coursework and that most of the students’ needs can be provided in a single course. The objective of this study was to ascertain the influence of prerequisite courses in animal science, biology, and chemistry on performance of students in an undergraduate animal science course. In the spring semester of 2019, students taking the animal nutrition course at Tarleton State University were enrolled in the experiment. On the second day of class, students were given a comprehensive exam resembling a final examination to assess knowledge on entry to the course. Subsequently, students completed an online survey to record demographics and educational background in relevant courses. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and PROC CORR of SAS v. 9.4. Females had an average score of 39 and males had an average score of 35 on the pre-test, but these numbers were statistically similar (P = 0.16). Student scores on the pre-tests were positively correlated the number of biology (r = 0.52; P < 0.01) and chemistry (r = 0.46; P < 0.01) courses taken, but showed no association (r = 0.14; P = 0.37) with the number of previous animal science courses. Similarly, the number of previously taken biology and chemistry courses were positively correlated (r = 0.70; P < 0.01). Results are interpreted to mean that prior experience in biology and chemistry, but not animal science, are major factors for student performance in animal nutrition and should be considered for prerequisite courses.

Download Full-text

The effects of course format, sex, semester, and institution on student performance in an undergraduate animal science course

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txac004 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

James R Vinyard ◽

Francisco Peñagaricano ◽

Antonio P Faciola

Keyword(s):

Student Performance ◽

Linear Models ◽

Spring Semester ◽

Animal Science ◽

University Of Florida ◽

High Performing ◽

Time Of Year ◽

Online Format ◽

Course Format ◽

The Impact

Abstract The transition of courses from in-person to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have potentially affected overall student performance in lecture-based courses. The objective of this case study was to determine the impact of course format, as well as the effects of student sex, time of year at which the course was taken, and the institution it was taken at on student performance in an undergraduate animal science course. The course used for this study was taught at two institutions (University of Florida; UF and University of Nevada, Reno; UNR) over seven years (2014-2017 at UNR and 2018-2021 at UF). Student performance (n = 911) was evaluated using both quizzes and exams from 2014 through the spring semester 2020 and only exams were used for summer and fall semesters of 2020 and the spring and summer semesters of 2021. The final score (out of 100%) for each student was used to evaluate student performance. In addition, students were classified as high performing students if they scored ≥ 95% and low performing students if they scored ≤ 70%. The variables that were evaluated were the effects of semester (spring, summer, or fall), institution (UF or UNR), sex (male or female), number of teaching assistants (TAs; 0 to 13), and course format (online or in-person). The course was taught in-person at UNR and in-person and online at UF. The spring semester of 2020 was taught in-person until March but was switched to online approximately nine weeks after the semester started and was considered an online semester for this analysis. As the course was only taught online at UF, the variable course format was assessed using UF records only. Data was analyzed using both linear models and logistic regressions. The probability that students were high performing was not affected by sex or institution. Interestingly, both fall semester, and the online format had a positive, desirable effect on the probability that students were high performing. The probability that students were low performing was not affected by sex. However, if a student performed poorly in the class, they were more likely to have taken the course at UNR, or at UF with many TAs. Thus, student performance was impacted by changing the course format, as well as institution, the number of TAs, and the semester in which the course was taken.

Download Full-text

Associations between level of interest in nutrition, knowledge of nutrition, and prevalence of orthorexia traits among undergraduate students

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/02601060211067644 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026010602110676

Author(s):

Elizabeth King ◽

Heidi J. Wengreen

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

General Education ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Spring Semester ◽

Social Impairments ◽

Nutrition Course ◽

The Subject

Background: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is an unhealthy obsession wit “proper”, “clean”, or “healthful” eating that can potentially lead to serious physical, psychological, and social impairments. Aim: We aimed to examine associations between level of interest in nutrition, knowledge of nutrition, and prevalence of orthorexia traits in a population of college students enrolled in a general education nutrition course. Methods: Of the 579 students enrolled in the class during Spring semester of 2018, 221 (38%) completed an online survey. The survey was completed during weeks 8–9 of the 15-week semester. Results: The average nutrition knowledge score was 8.7 out of 12 (standard deviation (SD) 1.4, range 0–12). The average of the summed 29 orthorexia traits was 63.4 (SD 12.4; range = 41–102); lower scores indicated less agreeance with practicing ON behaviors. The degree of interest in the subject of nutrition was positively associated with prevalence of orthorexia traits (r = 0.43, p < 0.0001), but not nutrition knowledge ( p > 0.05). Nutrition knowledge was inversely associated with prevalence of orthorexia traits (r = −0.19, p = 0.005). No associations were found between age, sex, year in school, or BMI and orthorexia traits. Conclusions: Interest in nutrition is associated with increased prevalence of orthorexia traits, however, higher levels of nutrition knowledge are associated with decreased prevalence of orthorexia traits. Additional studies should further examine these associations in prospective studies of nutrition/dietetics students as they progress in their programs and gain additional knowledge of nutrition.

Download Full-text

Polarized nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: associations with population age structure and behaviours

Tropical Medicine and Health ◽

10.1186/s41182-021-00324-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Junko Okumura

Keyword(s):

Age Structure ◽

Public Transportation ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cumulative Number ◽

Population Age Structure ◽

Major Factors ◽

Drinking Places

Abstract Background Although the scale of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was relatively small in Japan compared with the rest of the world, the polarisation of areas into high- and low-COVID-19-incidence areas was observed among the 47 prefectures. The aims of this study were not only identifying the factors associated with the polarised COVID-19 pandemic in Japan but also discussing effective preventive measures. Methods This was an ecological study using online survey data which was cross-sectionally conducted by the author. A total of 6000 respondents who resided in 10 low- and 10 high-COVID-19 incidence prefectures, with a wide gap in terms of COVID-19 incidence, in Japan were recruited. Data on COVID-19 cases and geodemographic information were obtained from official government sites. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare variables between the two areas and age groups. Results This study revealed that that age influenced people’s behaviours and perceptions, except one behaviour of ‘wearing facemasks’. The major factors significantly associated with the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people were ‘commuting by private automobile’ (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.444; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.394–0.501), ‘commuting by public transportation’ (AOR, 6.813; 95% CI, 5.567–8.336), ‘washing hands’ (AOR, 1.233; 95% CI, 1.005–1.511), ‘opening windows regularly’ (AOR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.104–1.412), ‘avoiding crowded places (AOR, 0.757; 95% CI, 0.641–0.893), ‘non-scheduled visits to drinking places’ (AOR, 1.212; 95% CI, 1.054–1.392) and ‘perceived risk of contracting COVID-19’ (AOR, 1.380; 95% CI, 1.180–1.612). These factors were strongly associated with age groups. Conclusions Effective preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission can be developed by understanding the characteristics of populated areas, such as public transportation infrastructure and younger people’s movements and behaviours in relation to the population age structure to contain the current epidemic and protect the most vulnerable elderly people.

Download Full-text

Quality of Life of Brazilian Vegetarians Measured by the WHOQOL-BREF: Influence of Type of Diet, Motivation and Sociodemographic Data

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082648 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2648

Author(s):

Shila Minari Hargreaves ◽

Eduardo Yoshio Nakano ◽

Heesup Han ◽

António Raposo ◽

Antonio Ariza-Montes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Vegetarian Diet ◽

The Other ◽

Average Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Domain 3 ◽

Domain 4

This study aimed to evaluate the general quality of life (QoL) of Brazilian vegetarians. A cross-sectional study was conducted with Brazilian vegetarian adults (18 years old and above). Individuals were recruited to participate in a nationwide online survey that comprised the WHOQOL-BREF as well as sociodemographic and characterization questions related to vegetarianism. The WHOQOL-BREF is composed of 24 items which are divided into four domains (domain 1: physical health; domain 2: psychological well-being; domain 3: social relationships; and domain 4: environment), plus two general items which were analyzed separately, totaling 26 items. The answers from the questionnaire were converted into scores with a 0–100 scale range, with separate analyses for each domain. Results were compared among groups based on the different characteristics of the vegetarian population. A total of 4375 individuals completed the survey. General average score results were 74.67 (domain 1), 66.71 (domain 2), 63.66 (domain 3) and 65.76 (domain 4). Vegans showed better scores when compared to the other vegetarians, except in domain four, where the statistical difference was observed only for semi-vegetarians (lower score). Individuals adopting a vegetarian diet for longer (>1 year) showed better results for domains one and two, with no difference for the other domains. Having close people also adopting a vegetarian diet positively influenced the results for all domains. On the other hand, it was not possible to distinguish any clear influence of the motivation for adopting a vegetarian diet on the scores’ results. Adopting a vegetarian diet does not have detrimental effects on one’s QoL. In fact, the more plant-based the diet, and the longer it was adopted, the better the results were.

Download Full-text

136 Reflections on the foundational scientific knowledge of undergraduate animal science students: a three-year study

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.180 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 79-79

Author(s):

Lauren R Thomas ◽

Jeremy G Powell ◽

Elizabeth B Kegley ◽

Kathleen Jogan

Keyword(s):

Student Performance ◽

Scientific Knowledge ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Undergraduate Teaching ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Student Knowledge ◽

Animal Science ◽

Muscle Foods ◽

Assessment Scores ◽

Percentage Points

Abstract In 2015, the University of Arkansas Department of Animal Science developed a strategy for assessing student-learning outcomes within its undergraduate teaching program. The first recognized outcome states that students will demonstrate foundational scientific knowledge in the general animal science disciplines of physiology, genetics, nutrition, muscle foods, and production animal management. Subsequently, a 58-item assessment tool was developed for direct assessment of student knowledge—focusing primarily on freshmen and senior students. Over the past 3 academic calendar years, 381 students (196 freshmen, 48 sophomores, 19 juniors, 113 seniors, 5 graduates) were assessed, either during an introduction to animal science course or by appointment with outgoing seniors majoring in animal science. Scores were categorized using demographic data collected at the beginning of the assessment tool. Comparison categories included academic class, major, and general student background (rural or urban). Data analysis were performed using the Glimmix procedure of SAS, with student serving as the experimental unit and significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Generally speaking, animal science majors performed better (P < 0.01) than students from other majors, and students with a rural background performed better (P < 0.01) than their urban-backgrounded peers. Overall, senior assessment scores averaged 23-percentage points greater (P < 0.01) than freshmen assessment scores, and the average scores for freshmen and seniors were 43% and 66% respectively. In regards to student performance within each discipline, there was an average improvement of 24 percentage points between freshmen and seniors in all of the measured disciplines except for muscle foods, which only saw a 10-percentage point improvement between the two classes. While the overall improvement in scores is indicative of increased student knowledge, the department would like to see greater improvement in all discipline scores for seniors majoring in animal science.

Download Full-text

Workplace nutrition habits in Slovenian small and middle sized enterprises

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.438 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

S Percic ◽

M Stubelj

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Productivity Loss ◽

Premature Death ◽

Average Score ◽

Workplace Health ◽

Nutritional Habits ◽

Healthy Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Habits

Abstract Background Premature death, chronic diseases, productivity loss and other social and economic concerns can be influenced by healthy lifestyle workplace promotion programs, including healthy nutrition habits. In Slovenia a project called >>STAR-VITAL-healthy ageing at workplace << has been going on since September 2017. Methods The survey results are based on an analysis of 805 respondents from 20 different small and middle sized enterprises in Slovenia. The survey was carried out via both a paper questionnaire and an online survey during the period from June 2019 to February 2020. The screening questionnaire was completed before interventions. We estimated the average score for the eight questions concerning nutritional habits. Results Nutritional habits are the following: 62% respondents eat three or more meals a day, 64% respondents eat vegetables each day, 59,8% respondents eat fruits each day, 31,9% respondents eat fish or see fruits at least once a week, 45,7% respondents eat whole wheats at least once a week, 54,1% respondents eat red meat not more than twice a week, 62,1% respondents eat fried food not more than three times a month and 79,1% respondents drink sweet drinks less than three times a week. The results on question >>What is the most common form of meal you eat while at work? << are the following: purchase meal at restaurant 45,3%, bring from home 32,7%, delivery/carry out 6,2%, do not eat 5,2%, other 4,7%, employer cafeteria 3,9% and vending machine 1,2%. Conclusions The results of our survey show that a significant percentage of the workers in Slovenia still has unhealthy nutritional habits. Assessment of nutritional habits before workplace promotion program interventions allow us to compare which combinations of interventions are the most effective. The results will indicate the strength and weakness of each intervention and how it could be improved. Key messages The population is growing old and chronic diseases increases, which is part of the bad nutritional habits. Healthy lifestile promotion is needed to improve quality of life. The workplace health promoting programs have been shown to be an efficient way of improving workerś health. Implementing promotional program of nutritional habits are proper for Slvenian enterprises.

Download Full-text

Australian Foster Carers’ Views and Concerns Regarding Maternal Drug Use and the Safety of Breastmilk

Children ◽

10.3390/children8040284 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 284

Author(s):

Stacy Blythe ◽

Kath Peters ◽

Emma Elcombe ◽

Elaine Burns ◽

Karleen Gribble

Keyword(s):

Home Care ◽

Child Protection ◽

Online Survey ◽

Infant Health ◽

Health Issues ◽

Child Protection Workers ◽

Out Of Home Care ◽

Maternal Caregiving ◽

Health And Development ◽

Major Factors

Parental substance misuse and mental health issues are major factors associated with infant placement into out-of-home care. Such placements may result in disruption and/or cessation of breastfeeding. Provision of breastmilk to infants in out-of-home care (OOHC) is desirable in terms of infant health and development, and also in supporting maternal caregiving. However, little is known about how breastfeeding is supported for infants in out-of-home care. This study used an online survey to explore the facilitation of breastfeeding in the context of OOHC and foster carers’ management of expressed breastmilk (EBM). Foster carers were generally open to the idea of maternal breastfeeding and infants in their care receiving EBM from their mothers. However, the majority of respondents expressed concern regarding the safety of EBM for infant consumption due to the possibility of harmful substances in the milk. Concerns regarding the safety of handling EBM were also prevalent. These concerns caused foster carers to discard EBM. Findings suggest foster carers’ may lack knowledge related to maternal substance use and breastmilk. Better integration between health care and social service systems, where the voices of mothers, foster carers and child protection workers are heard, is necessary to develop solutions enabling infants living in OOHC access to their mother’s breastmilk.

Download Full-text

Perangkat Perkuliahan Terpadu Berbasis KPS untuk Meningkatkan Kompetensi Mahasiswa Pendidikan Fisika Mengembangkan Lembar Kerja Siswa

Jurnal Penelitian & Pengembangan Pendidikan Fisika ◽

10.21009/1.03114 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Wirda Nilawati ◽

Desnita Desnita ◽

Nurdi Akbar

Keyword(s):

Student Performance ◽

Physics Education ◽

Average Score ◽

Education Student ◽

Development Research ◽

Education Students ◽

Teaching Materials ◽

Educational Tools ◽

The Subject

Abstract Developing Student Worksheet is one of the competences that must be mastered by Physics Education Student of FMIPA Universitas Negeri Jakarta. An integrated lecture tool has been developed to train students' writing competencies in the Physics Worksheet. This development research applies the ASSURE model. Lecture devices have been tested against physics education students. Students give very good appreciation to the lecture, by giving average score equal to 83.97. Students' performance in preparing the Student Worksheet physics subjects is also very good, which is shown by the average of student performance compiled the Subject Student Worksheet 84.52. Based on the results of testing the use of educational tools to students of education students FMIPA Universitas Negeri Jakarta showed that the lecture tools are worthy to be used as teaching materials. Keywords: Integrated lecturing tools, KPS, Student Worksheet. Abstrak Mengembangkan Lembar Kerja Siswa merupakan salah satu kompetensi yang harus dikuasai oleh Mahasiswa Pendidikan Fisika FMIPA UNJ. Telah dikembangkan perangkat perkuliahan terpadu untuk melatih kompetensi mahasiswa menulis Lembar Kerja Siswa mata pelajaran fisika. Penelitian pengembangan ini menerapkan model ASSURE. Perangkat perkuliahan sudah diujicoba terhadap mahasiswa pendidikan fisika. Mahasiswa memberikan apresiasi sangat baik terhadap perangkat perkuliahan, dengan memberikan skor rerata sebesar 83,97. Kinerja mahasiswa menyusun Lembar Kerja Siswa mata pelajaran fisika juga sangat baik, yang ditunjukan oleh rerata nilai kinerja mahasiswa menyusun Lembar Kerja Siswa mata pelajaran sebesar 84,52. Berdasarkan hasil ujicoba penggunaan perangkat pekuliahan terhadap mahasiswa pendidikan mahasiswa FMIPA UNJ menunjukan bahwa perangkat perkuliahan terpadu layak digunakan sebagai bahan ajar. Kata-kata Kunci: Perangkat Perkuliahan Terpadu, KPS, Lembar Kerja Siswa.

Download Full-text

A study of consumers’ pre-purchase evaluation of apparel products in Ethiopia

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management ◽

10.1108/jfmm-08-2020-0162 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Berihun Bizuneh ◽

Shalemu Sharew Hailemariam ◽

Selam Tsegaye

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Developing Country ◽

Social Factors ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Online Survey ◽

Educational Background ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Content Type ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Garment Fit

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore pre-purchase apparel evaluation cues and examine the effect of demographic variables empirically in the context of a developing country. The initiation for the study was driven by the absence of such prior research and supplemented by the big market opportunity for clothing products in the country under investigation.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered online survey was used for data collection. Demographic questions, 23 apparel measurement items composed of 17 product-based and 6 sustainability-based items, and an open-ended question were included in the questionnaire. Factor analysis was used for dimension reduction and one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for hypotheses testing.FindingsGarment fit, design features, colour, fabric type and seasonality are the five important characteristics most Ethiopian consumers consider while buying apparel products. Factor analysis resulted in five important factors used for pre-purchase apparel evaluation amongst which the design and extrinsic cue is found to be the most important. Environmental factors in the apparel industry got higher emphasis than social factors. While age and educational background made differences in apparel evaluation, gender did not show a significant difference.Originality/valueThe paper provides a founding insight in exploring apparel evaluation cues by considering product- and sustainability-based cues in a developing country context. It also examines the effect of three demographic variables which are rarely studied in such combination.

Download Full-text

Attitude of Saudi Plastic Surgery Residents Towards Pursuing Burn Practice

Journal of Burn Care & Research ◽

10.1093/jbcr/irab156 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Khalid Asem Arab ◽

Faisal Ahmad Alfaqeeh ◽

Fahad Abdullah Alowais

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Plastic Surgery ◽

Online Survey ◽

Burn Care ◽

Relative Paucity ◽

Humanitarian Mission ◽

Emotional Aspects ◽

Major Factors ◽

Surgery Resident ◽

Academic Year

Abstract Burn injuries comprise the most common accidents world-wide. The delivery of burn care has been adversely impacted by the absence of effective burn management and aesthetic services. This study attempts to address the attitude of Saudi residents of plastic surgery towards obtaining a burn fellowship, and to examine the factors that might influence their decisions in this regard. An online survey was sent to 39 plastic surgery residents in Saudi Arabia including levels from PGY 1-6 in the academic year of 2019. The questionnaire conducted to demonstrate interest, knowledge and major factors influencing or discouraging residents from choosing Burn as a sub-specialty in their future career. Residents responded to knowledge questions on a scale of three (below average/ average/ above average). The response rate was 84%. A 33 residents completed the questionnaire. The age group was between 30 and 34 years. only 27% of the respondents expressing interest in burn practice. The main factors that make the plastic surgery resident refrain from pursing burn as fellowship were: multiple operations sessions, lifestyle, financial outcome and emotional aspects. On the other hand, the paucity of burn surgeons and being involved humanitarian mission were an attracting factors. Most of the residents believe that burn must be obligatory and continue to be part of all plastic surgery training programs (100%). In Saudi Arabia, the relative paucity of specialist mentors on plastic surgery programs may limit residents’ exposure to subspecialties such as burn during plastic surgery rotational experiences. The findings from this survey may help plastic surgery program directors or burn surgeons in particular to find out strategies to attract future trainees.

Download Full-text