Maryam Mirzakhani

The article outlines the life and work of Maryam Mirzakhani — the first and the only female winner of the Fields Medal since its inception in 1936. Mirzakhani is an inspiration to young women around the world, to believe in their own abilities and pursue their academic dreams.     

Role of HAMP Genetic Variants on Pathophysiology of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Hepcidin is a 25-amino acid peptide hormone produced by hepatocytes and plays a key role in body iron metabolism. Hepcidin deficiency is the cause of iron overload in hereditary hemochromatosis, iron-loading anemia, and its excess is associated with anemia of inflammation, chronic disease and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The aims of this study was to evaluate HAMP gene mutation, namely IVS2 + 1(–G) (c.148–150 + 1del) and Gly71 Asp (c.212G > A (rs104894696) association with iron status in IDA conditions. Our study participants were 500 IDA patients and 550 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Hepcidin, ferritin and CRP analysis was done by ELISA method while ESR analysis was done according to Wintrobe method. CBC analysis was done by auto-analyzer. Two mutations in the HAMP genes were analysed by PCR RFLP method. Among the IDA patients, 7 were heterozygous for Met50del IVS2 + 1(–G) mutation. Nine IDA patients were heterozygous for G71D G–A mutation and homozygous were not identified in both mutations.Controls were showing heterozygous frequency 1.8 and 2.1% of Met50del IVS2 + 1(–G) and G71D G–A mutations respectively. Mutation of HAMP (Met50del IVS2 + 1(–G) and G71D G–A) were clinically associated with IDA and act as modulator of disease.     

Equal Opportunity Issues in the Context of the National Curriculum: a black perspective

This article examines the context and content of the National Curriculum documentation published so far within the framework of educational debates on the education of black children (black referring to non‐white). In particular it focuses on the interpretation of equal opportunities, the proposed strategies for implementation within the National Curriculum, and the prospects for success because of the other changes brought about by the 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA). The main conclusion is that in some respects more appears to have been achieved than would have seemed possible in the early stages of the debates relating to ERA; on the other hand, there is a probability that an education system that provides true equal opportunities for groups and individuals currently being denied that will remain more of a hope than a reality. The article concludes that equality of opportunity is still a long way off, especially from a black perspective.     

Goodbye conflict, hello development? Curriculum reform in Timor-Leste

Motivations to reform curriculum in post-conflict, or post-colonial states are often driven by the need to (re) construct a cohesive and publicly legitimated national identity that is starkly different to that which existed prior. This paper explores the context behind such action in the Timor-Leste (East Timor) and some challenges which policy makers and citizens have wrestled with in developing and implementing the country's first post-independence primary curriculum. The author argues that specific aspects of this new curriculum have effectively alienated and/or divided large segments of its population, despite a desire for the reforms to result in a more inclusive, democratic and distinctly “Timorese” educational system. The assertion is that the desire to institute change rapidly after independence has in fact hampered the ability of the reforms to constructively serve the political and social project of nation building. The paper cautions that education's role in promoting human development, and reducing the triggers of conflict in this country hang in the balance as long as this new curriculum fails to deliver on its aspirations.     

Does (No) Discovery Lead to (ILL) Delivery? Comparing Transaction Logs to ILL Requests to Determine the Persistence of Library Patrons

This study looks at known-item searches within a university catalog that come up with a “no results” response to see whether patrons will then place an ILL request for that material and how persistent a user might be in order to obtain something that they want. Catalog search transaction logs were compared against interlibrary loan (ILL) requests placed during the same time frame. Overall, the rate of persistence, or the frequency with which ILL requests were placed when no results were found in the catalog is very low.     

Discovering User Behavior: Applying Usage Statistics to Shape Frontline Services

This investigation sought to develop a broad view of discovery service user behavior by analyzing vendor-provided and Google Analytics usage data from discovery service implementations at two Indiana University campuses. The results of this analysis demonstrate how usage data can communicate both intermediary and end results of user interactions within discovery services. The findings reveal user behavior trends, which may be used to develop strategies to improve information literacy instruction techniques, as well as discovery service interface enhancements.     

The Impact of Quality on Satisfaction,Revenue, and Cost as Perceived by Providers of Higher Education

Researchers have found a strong relationship between improvements in quality and satisfaction, revenue, and cost. However, no study to date investigates the same for higher education. This study investigates whether institutions of higher education have implemented quality improvement programs, and if so, if the results are similar to what has been observed with firms in the private sector. The study proposes and tests five hypotheses, and findings support four of the five hypotheses, with partial support for the fifth hypothesis. The study finds that implementing quality programs leads to an increase in satisfaction among constituent groups, increase in revenue, and a reduction in costs. The findings also show that increased satisfaction (due to improved quality) also leads to increase in revenue and reduction in costs.