The role of cognitive style in educational computer conferencing

This paper reports an investigation of the impact of students’ cognitive style on their effective use of educational text‐based computer‐mediated conferences. The research centres on an empirical study involving students from three courses run by the British Open University. Statistical analysis of the data does not suggest that cognitive style has a strong influence on student participation in the conference, but does suggest that, contrary to expectations, ‘imagers’ may send more messages to conferences than ‘verbalisers’. The data also suggest a possible link between certain cognitive styles and course completion, and that the interaction of different styles within a group, as described by Riding and Rayner's (1998 ) team roles, may have an indirect influence on task completion.     

Sexual abuse of English boys and girls: the importance of anal examination

Child sexual abuse is attracting increasing attention in the United Kingdom. In Leeds this is reflected in the work of two pediatricians who receive multiagency, direct referrals for children of all ages. Over two years 1,368 referrals were received for all kinds of abuse and neglect, including 608 for suspected sexual abuse (Hobbs & Wynne, 1987a), of which 337 (243 girls, 94 boys) were confirmed or probable cases. The abuses included genital touching, masturbation, oral, vaginal and anal penetration. Of these abuses, 30% (which were frequently multiple) involved and penetration by finger or penis; and 42% of 337 children exhibited one or more anal findings, rising to 60% of 115 children in the 0-5 years of age group. The diagnosis of abuse was made from results of multidisciplinary assessment including medical examination. Genital findings were present in 3% of boys and 50% of girls. Anal findings included erythema; swelling (tyre); laxity; shortening or eversion; reflex anal dilatation (dilatation); fissures; venous congestion; reversible and permanent skin changes; twitching; funnelling; hematoma and bruising; as well as signs of infection. The pattern of anal signs varied with the age of the child and chronicity of abuse, as judged from the history. Healing and resolution of anal physical findings on follow-up were observed from days to months after initial examination. The general absence of these findings in the group of children judged not to have been sexually abused supports a cause and effect hypothesis, but further research is required. Medical examination of every child where symptoms, signs, or situation raise the possibility of abuse or neglect must include anal inspection, but instrumental or digital examination is not recommended.     

The Diversification of Scholarship in Higher Education

Along with the massification of higher education has come a heightened awareness of its responsibilities in regard to the whole of society and of the need for it to diversify its role. The research role, traditionally at the centre of the higher education effort, has been broadened so as to increase the emphasis on application. Constituency interest has also been diversified with increased societal emphasis on the outcome of higher education. An increasing diversity of partnerships is driving the further structural diversity of higher education. The overall importance of higher education to economic and social development worldwide is recognized everywhere.     

TEACHING ‘OUT-OF-FIELD’ AS A BOUNDARY-CROSSING EVENT: FACTORS SHAPING TEACHER IDENTITY

Teaching ‘out-of-field’ occurs when teachers teach a subject for which they are not qualified. The issues around this increasingly common practice are not widely researched and are under-theorised. A qualitative pilot study using teacher interviews in 3 rural schools examined meanings, support mechanisms and teacher identities associated with out-of-field teaching. A thematic analysis isolated factors influencing whether teachers self-assessed their practice and identities as out-of-field. The ‘boundary between fields’ model was developed to emphasise support mechanisms, contextual factors and personal resources that influenced the nature of teachers’ negotiation of subject boundaries and its impact on professional identity. These findings provide insight for policy makers, school leaders and teacher educators into the conditions required for such teaching to be considered learning opportunities.     

The State of Media Literacy: A Rejoinder

Based on the uses and gratifications framework, this study examined associations between motivations for using Facebook among college students, their concern for impression management, Facebook intensity, and psychological outcomes including sense of belonging and satisfaction with campus life. Using data from an online survey (N = 246), the study found that four motivations—entertainment, relationship maintenance, self-expression, and communication—together with impression management, were significantly associated with Facebook intensity. However, the impacts of Facebook intensity on psychological consequences were relatively limited. Theoretical implications of the study were discussed.     

“即时”女友

本文是美国《纽约时报》举办的一个面向大学生关于现代青年男女恋爱观的征文比赛的获奖作品。几年来,我都有着一个于网络极客而言甚为难得的问题:我追求女孩的成功率太高了。我将网络作为和线下见过面的女孩们交流的工具,以此克服社交障碍,和她们建立起恋爱关系。     

The MMP3 gene in musculoskeletal soft tissue injury risk profiling: A study in two independent sample groups

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) is a mediator of matrix remodelling and a proposed susceptibility locus in the genetic profile of musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the MMP3 gene as a risk marker for these injuries by conducting a case control genetic association study in two independent samples groups. Three previously investigated MMP3 variants (rs679620, rs591058 and rs650108) in addition to the functional promoter variant (rs3025058) were genotyped in 195 Australian control participants and 79 Australian individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Similarly, 234 South African individuals with acute anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and 232 matched control participants were also analysed. Based on high linkage with the previously associated MMP3 variant rs679620, rs3025058 was inferred and found to be associated with increased risk for Achilles tendinopathy within the South African group (P = 0.012; OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.4 to 6.1). Lastly, the 6A-G-C-G haplotype, constructed from the investigated variants, was significantly associated with reduced risk for Achilles tendinopathy (29% CON vs. 20% TEN, P = 0.037) in the Australian group. In conclusion, a signal surrounding MMP3 is apparent with respect to Achilles tendinopathy. However, whether the investigated variants are contributing to injury susceptibility or whether they are merely linked to the risk conferring variants mapping elsewhere within the MMP gene cluster on chromosome 11, still requires refining.     

Bayesian hierarchical modelling of basketball tracking data - a case study of spatial entropy and spatial effectiveness

ABSTRACT

Spatio-temporal data in sport is increasing rapidly, however suitable statistical methods for analysing this data are underdeveloped. The current study establishes the need for spatial statistical methods, propose a Bayesian hierarchical model as an appropriate method for comparing spatial variables, and test this model across three spatial scales. The need for spatial statistical methods was established through the identification of spatial autocorrelation. This necessitated the use of a Bayesian hierarchical model to test for an association between spatial ball movement entropy and spatial effectiveness. Posterior distribution results showed a generally positive association such that increases in entropy were associated with increases in effectiveness. The strength and confidence of the associations were impacted by the spatial scale, with the 6 × 6 grid showing the most conclusive evidence of a positive relationship; the 4 × 4 grid was mostly positive, however with a large variation; and finally, the basket-centric scale results were less conclusive. The results of the current study demonstrate the suitability of a Bayesian hierarchical model for testing for associations or differences between spatial variables. With the increase in spatial analyses in sport, this study presents an appropriate statistical method for dealing with complex problems associated with spatial analyses.