Correlates of sedentary behaviour in youths with Down syndrome: the UP&DOWN study

The aim of this study was to identify potential correlates of sedentary time and television (TV) viewing time in youth with Down syndrome (DS). A total of 98 adolescents with DS (63 males) aged 11–20 years old participated in this study. Total sedentary time was measured using accelerometers, while total TV viewing time and potential correlates were measured using proxy-report questionnaire. Analyses of covariance and a stepwise multiple linear regression were performed to examine correlates of total sedentary time and total TV viewing time. Different potential correlates were associated with total sedentary time (mother age, mother TV viewing time, perceived benefits of physical activity, birth order and having nearby shops in the neighbourhood) and total TV viewing time (father TV viewing time, TV viewing time with parents, family dietary habits during watching TV and weekend days time indoor). The identification of correlates associated with sedentary behaviour, principally those considered modifiable such as social and environmental factors, may contribute to development strategies to decrease sedentary behaviour in adolescents with DS and consequently promote a healthier lifestyle.     

《穆斯林的葬礼》与伊斯兰文化探究

伊斯兰文化,无论在回族形成初期还是在其长期的历史发展中,都是回族穆斯林的信仰来源,也是回族穆斯林的民族心理积淀。《穆斯林的葬礼》就与伊斯兰文化紧密相关,作品中包含较多伊斯兰文化元素,既关涉回族穆斯林的基本功修、取名习俗、婚葬礼仪等丰富的信仰礼俗,又涉及回族作家霍达对本民族文化历史的感触与对民族文化冲突的思考。这对于理解回族穆斯林与伊斯兰文化的关系,进一步认识与反思伊斯兰文化都具有重要意义。     

The impact of polytechnic institutes on the local economy

Tertiary Education and Management - Higher education institutions and, particularly, polytechnic institutes in Portugal are, generally speaking, recognized as the key stakeholders in regional...     

School effectiveness research findings in the Portuguese speaking countries: Brazil and Portugal

This paper provides findings of research on school effectiveness and discusses implications for evaluation in Brazil and Portugal. Most findings reported over the last decade have been published in Brazilian or Portuguese refereed journals. Thus, a brief literature review of such studies enables that knowledge to reach international scholars and researchers. The magnitude of school effects obtained from longitudinal and cross-sectional data modelling is presented and discussed. In particular, a value-added approach based on multilevel models is used to explore consistency across models with different controlling variables and across different curricular contents, and stability over time. The results show a great deal of regional disparities regarding educational outcomes that are related to pupils’ socioeconomic and prior achievement heterogeneity. In addition, evidence is given for stronger school effects in primary than in lower secondary education, larger amplitude of the variance partition coefficient in primary than in lower secondary education, stronger consistency of value-added estimates across models with different controlling variables and moderate consistency across different curricular contents. Weak-to-moderate stability of value-added estimates is also shown when yearly measured compared to when measured by cycles of education, and moderate-to-strong stability when measured in different curricular contents. Recommendations are outlined in terms of how the results could be used to mentoring evaluation in Portuguese speaking countries and enhance school improvement.     

Fluid intelligence as a predictor of learning: A longitudinal multilevel approach applied to math

The association between fluid intelligence and inter-individual differences was investigated using multilevel growth curve modeling applied to data measuring intra-individual improvement on math achievement tests. A sample of 166 students (88 boys and 78 girls), ranging in age from 11 to 14 (M = 12.3, SD = 0.64), was tested. These individuals took four math achievement tests, which were vertically equated via Item Response Theory, at the beginning and end of the seventh and eighth grade. The cognitive abilities studied were Numerical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Spatial Reasoning (as measured by the Differential Reasoning Test). The general cognitive factor was significantly associated with the parameters of initial level (intercept) and rate of change (slope). A high level of intelligence was associated with higher initial scores, as well as a steeper rise in math scores across the two years.     

Velocity observer design for the consensus in delayed robot networks

The consensus problem for networks of multiple agents consists in reaching an agreement between certain coordinates of interest using a distributed controller. It may be desirable that all the agents find a consensus at a given desired leader coordinate (Leader Follower Consensus Problem LFCP), or it may be only necessary that they agree at a certain coordinates value (Leaderless Consensus Problem LCP). Consensus has many practical applications in robot networks systems, where the interconnection of the agents may present variable time delays, hence rendering the stability analysis and control design more complex. Another problem that may arise is the possible lack of velocity measurements. In this work, a Proportional plus damping injection (P + d) controller together with a linear velocity observer is introduced. Our approach is able to solve both the LFCP and the LCP in networks of robots modeled as undirected weighted graphs with unknown asymmetric (bounded) variable time delays. Local (semi global) asymptotic stability is proven and simulation results are provided to test the performance of the proposed scheme.     

Superintendent’s leadership: the cultural aspects of the role enactment

This qualitative study seeks to create a better understanding of the work of school superintendents. This study was conducted using ethnographic techniques as a way to describe the practice of a Latino superintendent in a borderland community in south Texas. Guiding questions for this study were: What goes on in the workday life of a superintendent? and how does the superintendent enact his role as superintendent? Field study for this qualitative inquiry occurred over a period of seven months. Data for this study, including transgressive data, were collected primarily through participant observations, semi-structured ethnographic interviews, from artefacts and journal notes.