The teacher's role in supporting a learner-centred learning environment: voices from a group of part-time postgraduate students in Hong Kong

This study outlines what 29 part-time adult learners perceive as effective teacher (tutor/instructor/lecturer) practice in supporting their learning. The positive characteristics of teacher support from the students' perspective are first examined, and then what they found to be disappointing. Finally, the underlying themes that emerge are considered and the data is subjected to a holistic interpretation. Overall, the study confirmed the usefulness of a framework developed from a consideration of literature on learner-centred education and students' conceptions of learning. The investigation was able to reveal both key differences between and key similarities among the groups of students. The differences relate to conceptions of the roles and responsibilities of both students and teachers, while the similarities relate to the relationships between the parties in the teaching and learning environment. The implications for tutors/lecturers in improving their support to their students are highly significant. However, the most challenging task in establishing a learner-centred context is to influence students' learning conceptions and help them take a more active role in their learning.     

国内外优秀女子皮艇运动员单人艇划桨节奏的比较研究

为了改进和完善国家队队员的技术,分析了备战北京奥运会的国家队女皮队员单人艇一桨周期的划桨节奏,并和国外优秀女选手的相应指标进行比较。采用录像分析法对一桨周期动作的时相进行分析,水中拉桨时间比例和空中回桨时间比例国家队平均为67％比33％;国外优秀队员为68％比32％。其中曾获得雅典奥运会前3名的国外队员的数据平均为70％比30％。国外优秀队员水中拉桨比例的增大体现在后拉桨阶段比例的增大。因此,国家队队员拉桨中要注意后拉桨阶段的转体幅度,延长拉桨距离。     

Maximum oxygen uptake and body composition of healthy Hong Kong Chinese adult men and women aged 20 - 64 years

The aims of the present study were to assess the maximal oxygen uptake and body composition of adult Chinese men and women, and to determine how these variables relate to age. The cross-sectional sample consisted of 196 men and 221 women aged 20 - 64 years. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined by indirect calorimetry during a maximal exercise test on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. The correlations between VO2max and fat mass were -0.52 in men and -0.58 in women. Linear regression defined the cross-sectional age-related decline in VO2max as 0.35 ml kg(-1) min(-1) year(-1) in men and 0.30 ml kg(-1) min(-1) year(-1) in women. Multiple regression analysis showed that more than 50% of this cross-sectional decline in VO2max was due to fat mass, lean mass, and age. Adding fat mass and lean mass to the multiple regression models reduced the age regression mass from 0.35 to 0.24 ml kg(-1) min(-1) year(-1) in men and from 0.30 to 0.15 ml kg(-1) min(-1) year(-1) in women. We conclude that age, fat mass, and lean mass are independent determinants of maximal oxygen uptake in Chinese adults.     

Benefits of a physical activity intervention for men with prostate cancer

The purpose of the current study was to examine the viability of conducting a theory-based physical activity (PA) intervention on men with prostate cancer, and the impact of PA on quality of life (QOL). Participants were 31 men, average age of 67 years, with localized or metastatic prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Global QOL, fatigue, and PA measures were conducted at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. An additional follow-up testing was conducted 4 months following the intervention (n = 18). Both moderate and strenuous bouts of exercise, as well as functional capacity, increased significantly from pre- to posttest. Both fatigue severity and resting heart rate decreased significantly at posttest. A trend toward improved global QOL was also noted. It was concluded that a 12-week home-based PA intervention may provide health and QOL benefits for prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT. Practitioners are encouraged to promote PA for prostate cancer survivors.     

Cropland redistribution to marginal lands undermines environmental sustainability

Cropland redistribution to marginal land has been reported worldwide;however,the resulting impacts on environmental sustainability have not been investigated su...     

Reflections through a local lens on Muto Ichiyo's ideas of alternative practices: a Hong Kong perspective

This paper discusses the views of Muto Ichiyo, an important thinker and social activist in Japan and the Inter-Asian context, on alternative practices through reviewing the actual implementation of several community projects in Hong Kong and mainland China. Many of these community projects are informed by visions and notions of alternative practices of, say, a “Muto type”—constructing a new democratic experience, locally rooted and globally connected, which will contribute to a transformed and transformative socio-cultural structure/relation that is non-statist and non-capitalist in nature. Through scrutinizing the effectiveness of these projects in local contexts, we hope to facilitate a dialogue with Muto on his notions of “transborder alliance of people/hope” and “alternative development”.     

8周HIIT对男子赛艇公开级运动员血红蛋白和身体成分影响的研究

目的探讨8周高强度间歇训练(High Intensity Interval Training,HIIT)对男子赛艇公开级运动员血红蛋白和身体成分的影响。方法某省16名男子赛艇公开级运动员作为研究对象,采取随机抽样的方式分成对照组和高强度间歇组(HIIT组),每组各8例。连续8周对照组采用一般日常训练,HIIT组增加高强度间歇训练。比较训练前后两组血红蛋白和身体成分指标变化情况。结果 HIIT组8名队员训练前后血红蛋白水平有显著提高(P<0.05),对照组不显著(P>0.05);体重和脂肪百分比含量下降,对照组显著(p<0.05),HIIT组极显著(p<0.01);而瘦体重和去脂体重,HIIT组有显著增加(p<0.05),对照组变化不明显(p>0.05)。结论 8周HIIT训练能明显提高赛艇男子公开级运动员血红蛋白水平,并显著降低体脂,增加瘦体重和去脂体重。     

共享住宿与酒店用户评论文本的跨平台比较研究:基于LDA的主题社会网络和情感分析

[目的/意义]共享住宿与酒店预定平台可能同时存在替代性和互补性,但这种替代性和互补性分别体现在哪些产品和服务上当前文献还缺乏探讨,需要进一步开展跨平台的比较研究.[方法/过程]选取携程酒店预定平台和小猪短租平台为实验对象,采集北京市相关房源的86 635条用户评论文本,结合LDA模型、主题社会网络和主题情感分析方法对用...     

“We (Tong) Chinese”: Contemporary identity positioning through health management among Cantonese Chinese Americans

This paper explores discursive ways Chinese American older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) take ownership of their health management. Fifteen patient stakeholders with T2DM took part in four focus group interviews. We used qualitiative discourse analysis to examine how participants used the phrase, “We (Tong) Chinese,” and variants, to index models of Chinese-living-in-the-U.S. personhoods, to incorporate “Chinese” and “western” ways of doing health management, to be Chinese American, and to interact with medical practitioners. We show how terms like “Tong” distinguish transnational boundaries and position participants in claiming “Chinese-in-America-ness” in relevant ways. Findings have implications for healthcare providers, health education, and intercultural communication.