Representations of swine flu: perspectives from a Malaysian pig farm

Novel influenza viruses are seen, internationally, as posing considerable health challenges, but public responses to such viruses are often rooted in cultural representations of disease and risk. However, little research has been conducted in locations associated with the origin of a pandemic. We examined representations and risk perceptions associated with swine flu amongst 120 Malaysian pig farmers. Thirty-seven per cent of respondents felt at particular risk of infection, two-thirds were somewhat or very concerned about being infected. Those respondents who were the most anxious believed particular societal "out-groups" (homosexuals, the homeless and prostitutes) to be at higher infection risk. Although few (4%) reported direct discrimination, 46% claimed friends had avoided them since the swine flu outbreak. Findings are discussed in the context of evolutionary, social representations and terror management theories of response to pandemic threat.     

The analytic hierarchy process of the decision-making factors of African students in obtaining higher education in the United Arab Emirates

The mobility of African students beyond national territories has become common worldwide. However, the underlying reasons motivating students to leave their countries of origin in pursuit of higher education in other developing nations and why these factors are important have not been fully explored. This study attempts to explore why and how African students travel to the United Arab Emirates for higher education. A push-pull factor theory of the international student’s choice of destination is developed to identify factors influencing the choices made by these students. The analytic hierarchy process is used to examine the relative importance of these factors. The findings of this quantitative study indicate that learning environment and geographic proximity are the two most important factors for African students, while other factors have a moderate impact. The findings contribute to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the needs and choices of existing and potential students from this continent, with a view to applying a segmentation approach to attract these students.     

Golden ratio

Our attraction to another body increases if the body is symmetrical and in proportion. If a face or a structure is in proportion, we are more likely to notice it and find it beautiful. The universal ratio of beauty is the ‘Golden Ratio’, found in many structures. This ratio comes from Fibonacci numbers. In this article, we explore this concept along with its applications.     

Assessing Community College Student Learning Outcomes: Where are We? What's Next?

The Community College Leadership Consortium is building the Bellwether Coalition for Instructional Leadership toward the development of a voluntary system of accountability for community colleges. In response to the Spellings Commission's national call for accountability in higher education, the consortium and its partners convened an Independent Policy Forum at the 2008 Community College Futures Assembly in Orlando, Florida. The Independent Policy Forum began to develop a set of recommendations to be communicated to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) during its 2009 annual meeting. Recommendations put forth by the forum will contain the founding principles for the nascent voluntary system of accountability for community colleges.     

Method for the drawing of Newman projections: Understanding Newman projections with the help of hands

The interconversion between the perspective formulae and Newman projections is illustrated here. The method describes how students can look at their own hands as models for the visualization and interconversion. The procedure is also applicable for drawing Newman projections of chair conformations.     

A Level与中国高中化学新课程标准之比较研究

本文将英体系下的A Level课程中化学课程目标,课程内容以及课程评价等几方面和国内目前的高中新课标进行对比研究,找出其设置特点,以期对我国新课程化学课程教学研究提供借鉴和启示。     

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of the lipid extract from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mantidis ootheca</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>

The aim of this study is to assess the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of the lipid extract from Mantidis ootheca against the gentamycin resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The chemical composition of the lipid extract and its relative proportion were determined using the technique of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial susceptibility tests were performed using a disc diffusion assay and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was determined by way of the agar dilution method. The anti-biofilm test was carried out with crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There were 16 compounds detected, and the most abundant components were sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenes, and trace aromatic compounds. The MIC for P. aeruginosa was 4 mg/ml and the eradication effect on preformed biofilms was established and compared with a ciprofloxacin control. The results of our study indicated that a lipid extract from M. ootheca could be used as a topical and antibacterial agent with anti-biofilm activity in the future.     

Nostalgic Emotional Appeals for Smoking Prevention

Nostalgia-evoking messages are used to promote consumer products, but their use for encouraging healthy behaviors is not well understood. This study examines the use of nostalgia as an emotional appeal to influence attitudes and reduce smoking behavior. The study hypothesized that exposure to a nostalgic public service announcement (PSA) will result in (a) more negative attitude toward smoking; and (b) increased intention to limit smoking, relative to a control. Participants exposed to the nostalgia-evoking PSA expressed more negative attitudes toward smoking and stronger intentions to limit smoking than did participants exposed to nonnostalgic messages. The findings suggest nostalgic appeals as a promising strategy for smoking prevention messages.     

Choices of destination for transnational higher education: “pull” factors in an Asia Pacific market

Traditional assumptions favouring native English language countries in transnational higher education (TNHE) overlook experiences of international students in new emerging Asian education hubs. Specifically, there has been limited research relating to international students’ choice for studying in Malaysia. Drawing from the “push-pull” model of factors influencing the movement of international student destination choice, this study identifies determinants of student destination decision for TNHE. While acknowledging perceived qualities and values of individual institutions as important criteria, findings from interviews with students that are currently enrolled at international branch campuses also indicated key influences driven by “pull” factors of country image – attractive features of Malaysia, i.e. comparatively low cost of living, low tuition fees, safe country for living, stable government, modern amenities, proximity in culture and religion and freedom from discrimination – as focal motives in their choice decision. These findings provide implications for policy-makers to deploy their educational resources as well as develop effective promotional and marketing strategies in promoting the local reputation and amenities in order to attract more international students.     

Scandix pecten-veneris L.的植物素、生物学潜力及酶抑制活性研究（英文）

目的:本研究旨在测定Scandix pecten-veneris L.的植物素和评价其生物学潜力。方法:测定S.pecten-veneris提取物中植物素的含量,包括生物碱、黄酮、多酚和单宁。使用2,2-二苯基-1-苦肼基(DPPH)测定抗氧化活性;同时通过铁还原/抗氧化能力(FRAP)测定还原能力;使用琼脂扩散测定法评价对七种细菌和四种真菌菌株的抗微生物活性。同时,对脲酶、磷酸二酯酶-Ⅰ和过氧化氢酶-Ⅱ进行酶抑制研究。结论:沙门氏菌显示出适度的抗自由基活性;羟基自由基的潜能降至初始值的20%左右。S.pectenveneris多种提取物的抗氧化活性与总酚含量呈线性相关。S.pecten-veneris叶对金黄色葡萄球菌表现出最高的抑制活性;对白色念珠菌表现出到最高的抗真菌活性。植物提取物对脲酶的活性最有效;对磷酸二酯酶-Ⅰ和碳酸酐酶-Ⅱ显示出中等活性。结果表明,S.pecten-veneris具有良好的药用潜力,可用于治疗一些特定的疾病。