Reading on Screen: Exploring Issues in Reading for Information with CD-ROM

This article describes the insights gained by a group of primary teachers investigating the implications of CD-ROM for English with their KS2 pupils. As part of the IT in English project, they researched pupils' use of the CD-ROM and its effect on their learning. They developed effective strategies to help pupils cope with the reading demands and edit their own texts. Positive effects on critical reading, collaboration, and use of conventional information books were observed.     

“Hello,How May I Offend You Today?” NBC's Outsourced and the Discourse of Cultural Authenticity

Cultural authenticity is a fluid construct in an era in which globalization is celebrated and vilified. The author examines how cultural authenticity is discursively ascribed, legitimized, and negotiated among creators and viewers of the short-lived NBC series Outsourced within the overlapping contexts of globalization, outsourcing, and fake Indian accents. Findings indicate that authenticity materialized around country of origin, and the author explores whether cultural artifacts conformed to iconic signifiers. The implications are contextualized within Arjun Appadurai's globalization framework.     

Academic Publishing in India: Sites of Reform and Resistance

Concentrates on the academic publishing sector within India, promoting three sites of resistance to historical (colonial) publishing processes identified as deficiencies for India’s growing academic publishing market. For a framework, the research draws on postcolonial theory, particularly the body of work assessing the means by which large academic publishers tightly control access to scientific output in many developing countries. It argues that although the historical constraints to academic publishing in India are diminishing, careful socioeconomic planning, recognising the development of a unique digital culture in India, are pivotal for a revitalised, local academic publishing program to grow and succeed.     

Psychosocial correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in overweight and obese post-menopausal women: A MONET study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness ([Vdot]O_2peak) and muscle strength in overweight and obese sedentary post-menopausal women. The study population consisted of 137 non-diabetic, sedentary overweight and obese post-menopausal women (mean age 57.7 years, s = 4.8; body mass index 32.4 kg · m^?2, s = 4.6). At baseline we measured: (1) body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; (2) visceral fat using computed tomography; (3) insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp; (4) cardiorespiratory fitness; (5) muscle strength using the leg press exercise; and (6) psychosocial profile (quality of life, perceived stress, self-esteem, body-esteem, and perceived risk for developing chronic diseases) using validated questionnaires. Both [Vdot]O_2peak and muscle strength were significantly correlated with quality of life (r = 0.29, P < 0.01 and r = 0.30, P < 0.01, respectively), and quality of life subscales for: physical functioning (r = 0.28, P < 0.01 and r = 0.22, P < 0.05, respectively), pain (r = 0.18, P < 0.05 and r = 0.23, P < 0.05, respectively), role functioning (r = 0.20, P < 0.05 and r = 0.24, P < 0.05, respectively), and perceived risks (r = ?0.24, P < 0.01 and r = ?0.30, P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, [Vdot]O_2peak was significantly associated with positive health perceptions, greater body esteem, and less time watching television/video. Stepwise regression analysis showed that quality of life for health perceptions and for role functioning were independent predictors of [Vdot]O_2peak and muscle strength, respectively. In conclusion, higher [Vdot]O_2peak and muscle strength are associated with a favourable psychosocial profile, and the psychosocial correlates of [Vdot]O_2peak were different from those of muscle strength. Furthermore, psychosocial factors could be predictors of [Vdot]O_2peak and muscle strength in our cohort of overweight and obese sedentary post-menopausal women.     

高校排名

介绍全球各主要媒体和学术机构的排行榜,收集归纳各方面对排行榜的反应和评论,分析排行榜对各方面的作用和影响。着重剖析各排行榜所存在的问题,以及由于排行榜引发的各校之间的不健康竞争等。并列举各种原因,说明为什么各个质量保证机构一般都不做排行榜。同时,也指出公众对质量保证机构及其工作非常陌生,质量论证对公众的作用极小。而排行榜却以通俗的形式容易为公众所接受。如果大学的质量靠排行榜设置的标准来评判其好坏,并力求符合这些标准的话,那么,这样发展下去,我们究竟是离开优质教育更近了,还是更远了呢?