Motivation to Learn: The pedagogical nexus in the Russian school: Some implications for transnational research and policy borrowing

Earlier research had shown that in some Russian schools, pupils were significantly more highly motivated to learn in school than in some American and English schools. Further inquiry was conducted to ascertain to what extent such high motivation might be attributed to schooling-related factors. It is suggested that Russian schools exhibit a 'pedagogical nexus' - a set of linked, interactive and mutually reinforcing influences on pupils' motivation to learn within and because of the schooling process- in which continuity of school, class and teacher - inter-generational continuity; closeness of home-school relations; readiness and preparation for schooling; the articulation of a national curriculum in school texts and in a critical pedagogics; the extent and character of inter-relation between lesson, textbook, homework and assessment; and the role of memorisation in learning - play highly inter-related and mutually attuned roles. It is argued that the terms of explanation of an unfamiliar education system cannot be reliably used for the identification of isolable practices for transnational export to other systems. Explanations of unfamiliar systems can, however, raise powerful and pointed evaluative questions of general interest.     

Cross-sectional comparison of body composition and resting metabolic rate in Premier League academy soccer players: Implications for growth and maturation

ABSTRACT

For the first time we aimed to: (1) assess fat-free mass (FFM) and RMR in youth soccer players, (2) compare measured RMR to estimated RMR using previously published prediction equations, and (3) develop a novel population-specific prediction equation. In a cross-sectional design, 99 males from a Premier League academy underwent assessments of body composition (DXA) and RMR (indirect-calorimetry). Measured RMR was compared to estimated values from five prediction equations. A novel RMR prediction equation was developed using stepwise multiple regression. FFM increased (P<0.05) between U12 (31.6±4.2 kg) and U16 (56.3±5.3 kg) after which no further increases occurred (P>0.05). RMR in the U12s (1655±195 kcal.day^?1), U13s (1720±205 kcal.day^?1) and U14s (1846±218kcal.day^?1) was significantly lower than the U15s (1957±128 kcal.day^?1), U16s (2042±155 kcal.day^?1), U18s (1875±180 kcal.day^?1) and U23s (1941±197 kcal.day^?1) squads (P>0.05). FFM was the single best predictor of RMR (r²=0.43; P<0.01) and was subsequently included in the novel prediction equation: RMR (kcal.day^?1) = 1315 + (11.1 x FFM in kg). Both FFM and RMR increase from 12-16 years old, thus highlighting the requirement to adjust daily energy intake to support growth and maturation. The novel prediction RMR equation developed may help to inform daily energy requirements.     

Measurements of DNA barcode label separations in nanochannels from time-series data

We analyzed time-series data for fluctuations of intramolecular segments of barcoded E. coli genomic DNA molecules confined in nanochannels with sizes near the persistence length of DNA. These dynamic data allowed us to measure the probability distribution governing the distance between labels on the DNA backbone, which is a key input into the alignment methods used for genome mapping in nanochannels. Importantly, this dynamic method does not require alignment of the barcode to the reference genome, thereby removing a source of potential systematic error in a previous study of this type. The results thus obtained support previous evidence for a left-skewed probability density for the distance between labels, albeit at a lower magnitude of skewness. We further show that the majority of large fluctuations between labels are short-lived events, which sheds further light upon the success of the linearized DNA genome mapping technique. This time-resolved data analysis will improve existing genome map alignment algorithms, and the overall idea of using dynamic data could potentially improve the accuracy of genome mapping, especially for complex heterogeneous samples such as cancer cells.     

Cybertroopers and tea parties: government use of the Internet in Malaysia

The advent of the Internet has enabled a disruption of the Malaysian government's long-standing control of media content. However, there are also opportunities for the government to extend into the Internet what Cherian George has called ‘narrow tailoring’ policies, designed to ensure ‘hegemonic consensus.’ Demonstrating the interconnections of intraparty factional rivalry, blogging and newspaper management, as well as the extension of government influence into online content, this paper discusses three cases: the transformation of a bloggers association; the organisation of ‘cybertroopers’ by the dominant governing party; and, the use of a blog, Facebook, and Twitter by the prime minister (PM), Najib Razak. Each of the cases highlights particular ‘blog affordances’, a concept used to parse the potentials and limitations of blogs and other social media with regards to state hegemonic control through media ownership. In addition, an adapted concept of ‘extended parasocial relations’ is proposed in relation to Najib's blog and social media presence. Overall, these cases demonstrate the continuity and complementarity of on- and offline activities, which form a relatively stabilised assemblage of political activity.