List of Reviewers 2014

Postlethwaite, T. N. (1971). Item Scores as Feedback to Curriculum Planners. Scand. J. educ. Res. 15, 3, 123‐136. Data for Sweden from the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) mathematics study are analysed in terms of the shift in level of performance from seventh grade to ninth grade on twenty mathematics items. In turn, the level of performance for Swedish seventh and ninth graders is compared with the average level of performance for all 13‐year‐olds in the IEA study. Relative gains and losses from seventh to ninth grade are related to the Swedish Länplan. Another more general approach is used whereby each Swedish ninth grade item performance is predicted from the average 13‐year‐old performance of all countries, taking into account the Swedish lag at age 13. In this way, it can be seen if Swedish children catch up. It is assumed that such information can and will be used by curriculum planners in reforming curricula.     

An Architecture for Case-based Learning

We report on the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a case-based instructional environment designed for learning network engineering skills for cybersecurity. We describe the societal problem addressed, the theory-based solution, and the preliminary testing and evaluation of that solution. We identify an architecture for scaffolding case-based learning for problem-solving to inform design of case-based learning environments.     

“外国友人拍浙江”摄影比赛火热启动

从2012年4月至8月底,省对外文化交流协会、省对外友好协会和省广播电视集团将联合举办＂外国友人拍浙江＂摄影比赛,向所有在浙江省或曾经访问过浙江省的外国友好人士征集参赛作品,同时择机组织＂我与浙江＂摄影采风活动,邀请部分在浙外国友人到我省各地进行现场拍摄。     

The doping self-reporting game: The paradox of a ‘false-telling’ mechanism and its potential research and policy implications

Establishing a requirement for, justifying public spending on, and evaluating the effectiveness of anti-doping policies all accentuate the need for reliable estimates of doping prevalence in sport. To date, despite considerable effort and much empirical research, this critical information is still not available. Methodological concerns that make doping epidemiology research difficult have been noted, and to some degree addressed in relation to under-reporting bias. In this paper, we use a simple game model to outline a potential responding behaviour among self-reporting athletes on the use of doping that could potentially invalidate any prevalence estimation arising from self-reports. We show a paradoxical situation in which a potential strategic behaviour inevitably leads to a game where the ‘lying’ is a dominant strategy for both doping users and non-users. A slightly more advanced look at the situation might possibly alter this seemingly absurd conclusion, however not in a direction offering any easy solutions for empirical doping research. Although we acknowledge that the proportions of respondents engaging in false telling are likely to vary across samples and differ between doping users and clean athletes, our simple model effectively draws attention to a neglected side of evasive responding in surveys. The response bias that potentially could lead to under- and over-reporting should be considered when self-reported prevalence rates are used to inform anti-doping prevention and intervention policies. Survey methodologies that are able to account for potential distortions would make a considerable contribution to doping research.     

Degradation of lead-based pigments by salt solutions

Interactions of lead-based pigments with a number of inorganic salts, one of the most dangerous degradation agents of wall paintings, were studied under laboratory conditions. The results were used to interpret colour changes observed in 11th century frescoes from the church of Saint George in Kostoľany pod Tríbečom, the oldest preserved wall paintings in Slovakia. Interactions of selected pigments (lead white, massicot, red lead) with different salt solutions were performed within long-term laboratory experiments. We used a selection of naturally occurring salts (Na₂SO₄, MgSO₄, CaSO₄, NaCl, NaNO₃, Ca(NO₃)₂, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃ and urea) and, additionally, a range of synthetic salts that are often applied to the wall paintings during their cleaning and conservation (NaHCO₃, KHCO₃, (NH₄)₂CO₃, NH₄HCO₃). The reaction products were identified by X-ray powder diffraction. Red lead (Pb₃O₄) has a tendency to darken in all salt solutions containing dissolved atmospheric CO₂ due to disproportionation to plattnerite (PbO₂) and cerussite (PbCO₃). Massicot (PbO) in a wet state reacts with atmospheric CO₂ to form hydrocerussite and finally cerussite. Lead white (PbCO₃ and Pb₂CO₃(OH)₂) reacts with sulphates, carbonates and chlorides to form their respective salts in high yield and, sometimes, without any apparent colour change. Samples taken from the dark brown parts of the wall paintings in Saint George's church were analysed using laboratory X-ray powder microdiffraction. The presence of hydrocerussite, cerussite, plattnerite and lead magnesium carbonate was revealed. According to the results of laboratory experiments, the original lead-based pigment of the now darkened parts was red lead.     

“Ming： 50 Years that Changed China”, at the British Museum

Ming is one of the world k great cultural brands. Name a Chi- nese dynasty？ It＇s got to be Ming. Found some dusty old blue-and- white porcelain in granny＇s attic？ You joke that it＇s Ming and hope that it is. No marketing department could ask for more.     

Tang Yijie： China＇s Top Philosopher and Master of Chinese Learning

Tang Yijie was born in Tanjin on February 16, 1927. He graduated from the Department of Philosophy of Peking University, in 1951. He successively served as professor and advisor to Ph.D. candidates at Peking University＇s Philosophy Department, vice chairman of China Oriental Culture Society, vice chairman of China Society on the Studies of Yan and Huang Culture, and vice chairman of Chinese Confucius Society. In 1983, he worked at Harvard University as visiting scholar. In 1986, he was engaged as research jellow by New York State University. in 1990, he was conferred with honorary doctor by McMaster University of Canada. In 2006, he was conferred with honorary doctor by Kansai University of Japan. He served as guest projessor at University of Oregon, McMaster University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Melbourne University respectively.