Benchmarking open government: An open data perspective

This paper presents a benchmark proposal for the Open Government and its application from the open data perspective using data available on the U.S. government's open data portal (data.gov). The benchmark is developed over the adopted Open Government conceptual model, which describes Open Government through data openness, transparency, participation and collaboration. Resulting in two measures, that is, one known as the e-government openness index (eGovOI) and the other Maturity, the benchmark indicates the progress of government over time, the efficiency of recognizing and implementing new concepts and the willingness of the government to recognize and embrace innovative ideas.     

Does Physical Activity of Preschool Teachers Impact the Planning and Implementation of Movement Activities in the Kindergartens？

The authors of this paper compared the views of Slovenian and Portuguese preschool teachers about the importance of play and movement for the preschool children. In the paper, they focused on the question： Does physical activity of preschool teachers （spontaneous or planned） impact the planning and implementation of movement activities in their kindergarten group？ They also analyzed the influence of subjective theories on the planning of movement activities and the realization of the curriculum objectives in the field of movement. Most of the preschool teachers in Slovenia and Portugal give priority to natural forms of movement in nature and play, allowing the movement of the fingers, palms, and hands. Research has shown a link between physical activity of preschool teachers and their views on the importance of the implementation of the movement activities of preschool children. The authors also noted that the quality of the implementation of the education process in kindergartens in the area of movement activities depends on their subjective theories to a great extent and on the level of professional competence referred to the discussed topic.     

Public and private higher education institutions in Serbia: Legal regulations,current status and opinion survey

This article provides insight into the state of higher education in Serbia, particularly in the context of reform processes based on European Higher Education Area principles. A multidimensional approach was taken, encompassing (a) a review and analysis of legal regulations relevant to the historical context of Serbia, (b) an examination of current working conditions at accredited state and private higher education institutions, (c) and a pilot survey of attitudes among the main participants in higher education teaching. The research gauged attitudes of university professors and students with work or study experiences, respectively, at both state and private higher education institutions. Specific instruments for measuring attitudes were constructed for this study. Professors' attitudes toward state and private higher education were compared through the assessment of aspects of organisational culture including work organisation, stimulating atmosphere, innovation, and creativity. Students expressed their attitudes toward state and private higher education in terms of general atmosphere, curricula, grading criteria, and student status. The results indicate that private higher education was appreciated slightly more than state higher education; both professors and students held more positive attitudes of private higher education for all dimensions investigated.     

Parents＇ views on preschool care and education in local community

In this text, the authors are analyzing preschool care and education in local community. They are focusing on the problem of information transfer between the kindergarten, parents and local community, as well as the model of relationship participation. Cooperation between parents, kindergarten and local community is an important element in the preschool institution quality, because it changes inner relationships, climate and culture. Expectations about cooperation in some authors＇ views （Resman, 1992; Schleicher, 1989; Coleman, 1998; Ryan, 1995） depend on tradition, objectives, social context, legal framework and situational demands. The research data show that Slovene kindergartens have more consumer-like relationships with parents instead of partnership. Kindergartens are clear about important information concerning their pedagogical work and organization, but they do not include parents in making decisions about the developing and executing of programs. 92.3% of parents think that the information they receive is clear, understandable only 89.6% think they are frequent. More then half of the interviewed parents frequently or always participate in kindergarten life and work, only about 43% believe that they can co-influence the development or realization of the programme. Parents also think that the local community is not giving them enough information about preschool care problems, because only 10.2% are included in solving current preschool care problems in their municipality.     

Diagnostic accuracy of heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB) in diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Introduction:

This study aimed to assess whether heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB) could be used for the accurate diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

Materials and methods:

The study included 108 ACS patients admitted to a coronary unit within 3 h after chest pain onset. AMI was distinguished from unstable angina (UA) using a classical cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay. H-FABP and GPBB were measured by ELISA on admission (0 h) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after admission; their accuracy to diagnose AMI was assessed using statistical methods.

Results:

From 92 patients with ACS; 71 had AMI. H-FABP and GPBB had higher peak value after 3 h from admission than cTnI (P = 0.001). Both markers normalized at 24 h. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was significantly greater for both markers in AMI patients than in UA patients at all time points tested, including admission (P < 0.001). At admission, the H-FABP (37%) and GPBB (40%) sensitivities were relatively low. They increased at 3 and 6 h after admission for both markers and decreased again after 24 h. It was 40% for H-FABP and approximately 2-times lower for GPBB (P < 0.01). In AMI patients, both biomarkers had similar specificities, positive- and negative-predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and risk ratios for AIM.

Conclusion:

H-FABP and GPBB can contribute to early AMI diagnosis and can distinguish AMI from UA.     

Mothers’ Reactions to the Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy: Associations with their Educational Level

The resolution of diagnosis of one’s child involves coming to terms with the child’s medical condition and accepting it both emotionally and cognitively. This study examined the relation between maternal resolution of the child’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) and their educational levels. We also aimed at understanding maternal resolution status with regard to other demographic variables. The sample consisted of mothers with children aged 2–7, being diagnosed with CP. Resolution of diagnosis was assessed using the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview. The obtained results suggested the connection between maternal level of education and their attitude toward the child’s diagnosis. Demographic variables were identified as possible protective or risk factors for the resolution process. This article points to the importance of providing adequate psychosocial aid to mothers of children with developmental disabilities.     

Exploiting ability for human adaptation to facilitate improved human-robot interaction and acceptance

This article reports findings from a usability and user experience evaluations conducted in the last 2 years of a 4-year assistive robotics research project using the Kompai robot. It focuses on the evaluations that were conducted with older adults in an assisted living studio in the United Kingdom (which was arranged as an open plan studio apartment), a UK residential care home, and an older couple's own home in the Netherlands over 2 days. It examines emergent adaptive human behaviour in human-robot interaction (HRI) to consider whether we are approaching the embodiment and functionality of service robots correctly. It discusses possible improvements that could be made at the systems level that better exploit people's natural ability to adapt and find workarounds to technologies and their limitations.