The Better Beginnings, Better Futures project: findings from grade 3 to grade 9

Although comprehensive and ecological approaches to early childhood prevention are commonly advocated, there are few examples of long-term follow-up of such programs. In this monograph, we investigate the medium- and long-term effects of an ecological, community-based prevention project for primary school children and families living in three economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Ontario, Canada. The Better Beginnings, Better Futures (BBBF) project is one of the most ambitious Canadian research projects on the long-term impacts of early childhood prevention programming to date. Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of human development informed program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Using a quasi-experimental design, the BBBF longitudinal research study involved 601 children and their families who participated in BBBF programs when children were between 4 and 8 years old and 358 children and their families from sociodemographically matched comparison communities. We collected extensive child, parent, family, and community outcome data when children were in Grade 3 (age 8–9), Grade 6 (age 11–12), and Grade 9 (age 14–15). The BBBF mandate was to develop programs that would positively impact all areas of child's development; our findings reflect this ecological approach. We found marked positive effects in social and school functioning domains in Grades 6 and 9 and evidence of fewer emotional and behavioral problems in school across the three grades. Parents from BBBF sites reported greater feelings of social support and more positive ratings of marital satisfaction and general family functioning, especially at the Grade 9 follow-up. Positive neighborhood-level effects were also evident. Economic analyses at Grade 9 showed BBBF participation was associated with government savings of $912 per child. These findings provide evidence that an affordable, ecological, community-based prevention program can promote long-term development of children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and produce monetary benefits to government as soon as 7 years after program completion.     

构建数字化学习的维度

信息技术的进步及学习科学的发展为创建设计良好、以学习者为中心、引人入胜、互动、价格公道、高效、接入方便、灵活、分布合理、便捷的数字化学习环境提供了机遇。在数字化学习的每一发展阶段,周密的分析和调查如何运用互联网的潜能是必要的,以使之与教学设计的原理相一致。 一个有意义的网络学习环境是由许多因素构成的,这些因素既相互关联又相互独立。在思考过建立有效的数字化学习环境必须衡量的因素后,我提出了一个基于Web的学习或数字化学习的基本架构。数字化学习架构的想法起源于这样一个问题:为世界范围的学习或提供最好最有意义的开放灵活的分布式学习环境需要什么?这一架构有八个维度:制度的、教育学的、技术的、界面设计、评价、管理、资源支持以及伦理的（见图）。每一维度又有数     

Implicit higher-order moment matching technique for model reduction of quadratic-bilinear systems

We propose a projection based multi-moment matching method for model order reduction of quadratic-bilinear systems. The goal is to construct a reduced system that ensures higher-order moment matching for the multivariate transfer functions appearing in the input-output representation of the non-linear system. An existing technique achieves this for the first two multivariate transfer functions, in what is called the symmetric form of the multivariate transfer functions. We extend this framework to an equivalent and simplified form, the regular form, which allows us to show moment matching for the first three multivariate transfer functions. Numerical results for three benchmark examples of quadratic-bilinear systems show that the proposed framework exhibits better performance with reduced computational cost in comparison to existing techniques.     

Implications of Institutional Repositories on Contributors' Professional and Publishing Practices: A Survey

An institutional repository is a system for dissemination and stewardship of the intellectual life and scholarship of an institution. It has become a new way for the institutions to contribute to the broader world of scholarship (Giesecke, 2011 Giesecke, J. (2011). Institutional repositories: Keys to success. Journal of Library Administration, 51(5–6), 529–542. Retrieved January 3, 2013, from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libraryscience/255[Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). In spite of the global recognition of institutional repositories as an open access scholarly communication channel, institutional repositories are still struggling with the problem of non-participation from contributors in developing countries like India. This study conveys the results of a survey conducted at a minority university of India. The study is an expression of the opinion of 542 faculty members and research scholars pertaining to the possible implications of institutional repositories on their professional and publishing practices. The study is undertaken to: Determine the level of awareness of institutional repository among contributors; identify the reasons for participation and non-participation of contributors; examine the implications of institutional repository on contributors professional and publishing practices; analyze the major obstacles/hindrances in the growth of an institutional repository; and suggest measures for better implementation and development of an institutional repository in future. With the help of the statistical techniques such as chi-square test and weighted mean the study resulted that the majority of the contributors are well aware about the concept of institutional repository, the majority of contributors have not deposited in an institutional repository so far, long term preservation of research materials is the first ranked reason for participation in an institutional repository, copyright and plagiarism concern is the main reason behind contributors’ non-participation in institutional repository, increased accessibility of research output is the major implication of the institutional repository on contributors professional practices, saved cost of publishing in a journal is the biggest implication of institutional repository on contributors publishing practices, and contributors demand more control on ownership, access and security in future for an institutional repository. This article is aimed at the institutions that report low-use and low-deposit repositories. It may be used to convince the contributors about the value of institutional repositories, importance of participating in an institutional repository and possible implications on their professional and publishing practices. The study is also intended at the management of the institutions to take notice of the contributors’ demands for future participation and develop policies accordingly for removing major barriers in the growth of institutional repositories and improving contributions and quality of content in the institutional repositories.     

Impairment of Mitochondrial–Nuclear Cross Talk in Neutrophils of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Increased leukocyte apoptosis is intrinsically linked to disease patho-physiology, susceptibility to and severity of infections in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. A consistent defect in neutrophil function is considered central to this increased risk for infections. Although redox imbalance is considered a potential mediator of these associated complications, detailed molecular evidence in clinical samples remains largely undetected. The study consisted of three groups (n = 50 each) of Asian Indians: early diagnosed diabetic patients, cases with late-onset diabetic complications and age and gender-matched healthy controls. We evaluated mitochondrial oxidative stress, levels of nuclear DNA damage and apoptosis in peripheral blood neutrophils isolated from T2DM patients. We observed that in both early and late diabetic subjects, the HbA1c levels in neutrophils were altered considerably with respect to healthy controls. Increased oxidative stress observed in both early and late diabetics imply the disentanglement of fine equilibrium of mitochondria-nuclear cross talk which eventually effected the augmentation of downstream nuclear γH2AX activation and caspase-3 expression. It would be overly naïve to refute the fact that mitochondrial deregulation in neutrophils perturbs immunological balance in type 2 diabetic conditions. By virtue of our data, we posit that maneuvering mitochondrial function might offer a prospective and viable method to modulate neutrophil function in T2DM. Nevertheless, similar investigations from other ethnic groups in conjunction with experimental evidences would be a preeminent need. Obviously, our study might aid to comprehend this complex interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and neutrophil homeostasis in T2DM.     

Aging and social security system in Pakistan: policy challenges,opportunities, and role of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to highlight the aging and elderly care in Pakistan, a country considered the seventh most populous country in the world with an estimated population of 220 million people (citation, 2017). In 2013, Pakistan signed a MoU with China for 56 billion in US$ to create opportunities for the youngsters, but there was no story of opportunity included for the senior citizens. An attempt has been made to raise awareness of the plight of seniors to the Pakistan Government’s attention; however since there is no formal policy dedicated to elders from the Chinese mega MoU and political instability, only little has been accomplished to better the lives of older adults. Modernization has had a major impact on the life of older Pakistani, and not always a positive effect. This research focuses on the important issues that are making the lives of senior citizens more difficult. The issues include psychological factors, anxiety, physical issues, and environmental issues. The research concludes while many factors are making the lives of senior citizens problematic, seniors are still living a satisfied life because they are not depending on their children or others. Senior citizens demand and desire time with their children and grandchildren. Increases found in elders’ psychological problems are likely correlated with modernization. Unfortunately, the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the mega project remain totally for the younger population with no economic prospects for elders to directly benefit. Thus, the question remains what will be the outcome for Pakistani seniors?     

Rates of Self-reported Delinquency among Western Australian Male and Female High School Students: The male–female gender gap

The Adapted Self-Report Delinquency Scale (ASDS) was administered to 328 adolescents (174 males and 154 females) from eight high schools in Perth, Western Australia. The ages of the sample ranged from 13 to 17 years. Males reported a greater percentage level of involvement than females in 36 of 40 individual delinquent behaviours comprising the ASDS. A between-subjects multivariate analysis of variance using a Bonferroni adjusted alpha revealed a significant multivariate main effect of gender, F(6, 318) = 3.98, p?η ²?=?0.08. No significant main effect of age was evident. Univariate F-tests revealed that males scored significantly higher than females on only one of seven delinquent factors (physical aggression). These data are discussed in light of established evidence showing male predominance in delinquency, recent reports suggesting a male–female gender gap, and theories that have attempted to explain this disparity in offending among males and females.     

Rewarding academics: Experiences of the Tenure Track System in Pakistan

Pakistan introduced the Tenure Track System (TTS) as a new performance-based reform in public universities in 2005. The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of higher education authorities, university leaders and tenure-track faculty about the implementation of this reform. This is a qualitative interpretive study and utilised a nested case study design, focusing on two cases—Science Faculty and Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty in a large provincial university. It utilises three perspectives taken from organisation theory—instrumental, cultural and myth perspectives. The main results show instrumental problems of hierarchical authority and horizontal coordination, lack of expertise to implement, cultural compatibility problems through active resistance from some groups and active use of symbols to modify the impression of a challenging reform implementations. Summing up, this is a Western-inspired reform that meet challenging conditions in Pakistan, making is rather less successful.     

Predictors of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Complications in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in an Eastern Indian Population

The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive values of central obesity and hyperandrogenemia in development of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients in our region. Differences of fasting blood glucose level, insulin resistance index HOMA-IR, lipid parameters, waist hip ratio (WHR), body mass index, LH/FSH ratio and testosterone levels between 45 PCOS cases and 35 age matched controls were obtained. Strength of association between different parameters in the case group was assayed by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Dependence of insulin resistance and WHR on different predictors was assessed by multiple linear regression assay. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, LH, FSH, LH/FSH ratio, WHR and insulin resistance were significantly higher in the case group (p < 0.05). Serum testosterone showed strong correlation with insulin resistance and LH/FSH ratio (r = 0.432 and 0.747, p = 0.01 and 0.001 respectively) in the PCOS patients while WHR and serum testosterone level stood out to be most significant predictors for the insulin resistance (β = 0.361 and 0.498; p = 0.048 and 0.049 respectively). Hyperandrogenemia and central obesity were the major factors predicting development of insulin resistance and its related metabolic and cardiovascular complications in our PCOS patients. We suggest early monitoring for androgen level and WHR in these patients for predicting an ensuing insulin resistance and modulating the treatment procedure accordingly to minimise future cardiovascular risks.