Lipid abnormalities,lipoprotein (a) and apoprotein pattern in non-dialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease

The present study was carried out to explore the altered lipid, lipoprotein and apoprotein abnormalities along with lipoprotein (a) in chronic kidney disease patients with stage I to V which were further divided into group 1 (stage I and II), group 2 (stage III and IV) and group 3 (stage V). 50 chronic kidney disease patients with stage I to V and 20 healthy normal subjects as controls were recruited for this study. Among the various parameters tested triglyceride levels were high in group 1 and 2, whereas VLDL cholesterol, Lp (a) and apo B levels were significantly high in all the groups when compared to controls (P<0.05). However, LDL cholesterol level was significantly low in group 3 only as compared to control group (P<0.05). Apoprotein AI values also showed significant decrease in all groups as compared to controls (P<0.05). Though total cholesterol levels in group 1 and LDL levels in group 1 and 2 were higher than controls, but the values attained not statistically significant (P>0.05). In conclusion high levels of VLDL cholesterol, Lp (a), apo B and low levels of apoprotein AI as reported in this study are the major lipid disorders in the development of cardiovascular complications at all the stages in these patients.     

Changes in antioxidant enzyme levels and DNA damage during aging

Multiple mechanisms underlie the human aging process, but interest continues in the role that free radicals and antioxidants may play. The concentrations of lymphocyte free radical generation (O₂ ⁻& H₂O₂), DNA damage and antioxidant enzyme levels (glutathione Stransferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) were evaluated in 110 healthy individuals with an age range of 20–80 years. The antioxidant enzyme levels were significantly less in very old age when compared to young. Moreover, the levels of free radical concentration and DNA damage were increased in the same age group with respect to younger group. Cigarette smoking had a positive relation with free radicals and DNA damage, and inverse relation with antioxidants. On the other hand, body mass was found to have positive relation with free radical generation only. The data indicate that depletion of antioxidant enzyme levels would render the older people more susceptible to free radical stress and DNA damage.     

Partial derivative properties of multivariable cascaded networks1

Some partial derivative properties of the impedance function of a resistively-terminated network which is a cascade of m lossless two-ports of variables p₁ to p_m dre established. Those cases where some of the lossless two-ports are lowpass or highpass ladder networks with all of their transmission zeros at the origin or at infinity are also examined. Necessary and sufficient conditions involving partial derivatives and under which an m-variable reactance or positive real function can be realized as the impedance function of a p_i-variable lowpass or highpass ladder network, with all of its transmission zeros at p_i = 0 or p_i = ∞, and terminated in a reactance or positive real impedance function in the other variables are derived.     

Exploring equity and quality education in South Africa using multilevel models

Educational reform in South Africa envisions schooling where all students, irrespective of their background characteristics, have the opportunity to succeed. To achieve this vision, the South African education system needs to function in such a way that students’ success does not depend on their backgrounds; that is, if school processes and policies in South Africa were inclusive and supportive of the learning of all students then we would expect high-quality schools to compensate for socio-economic disadvantage such that the achievement gap associated with the socio-economic status (SES) would be minimised. The main objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between school quality and socio-economic disadvantage. Our analysis, employing multilevel statistical models, indicates that:

1. schools do make a difference over and above the socio-economic backgrounds of learners they enrol;

2. learners are most successful in schools where they and their parents are actively engaged in the learning processes;

3. schools with these characteristics tend to compensate for learners’ socio-economic disadvantage;

4. learners from disadvantaged backgrounds are less successful in schools; and

5. the impact of SES on learners’ achievement levels is particularly prominent in high-achieving schools.

These findings call for the need to rethink the current schooling processes and policies to include structures that allow schools to provide opportunities to engage learners and their parents in the schooling processes with the objective of compensating for learners’ socio-economic disadvantage. We argue that this objective can be achieved through a capability framework where inclusion, democratic participation and child centredness serve as the major principles of the provision of quality education for all.     

Reading the water table: The interaction between literacy practices and groundwater management training in preparing farmers for climate change in South India

This article focuses on farmers’ use of literacy for individual decision-making on crop-water management and crop choices and investigates how farmer participants perceive the usefulness of Farmer Water School (FWS) training. It draws upon a study conducted with farmers of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This study has demonstrated that literacy skills, while valued, are not a prerequisite for all farmers to improve their groundwater and crop management, as long as training includes (1) the presence of at least some literate farmers, (2) activities that involve learning by doing, and (3) learning in small mixed groups of literate and non-literate participants. The study outcomes are of increasing relevance in the context of climate change and variability, as small and marginal farmers constitute over 87 per cent of Indian farmers. Their inability to cope with consequences of climate change could adversely affect the food security in the country.     

Concurrent Validity of the Classroom Strategies Scale–Teacher Form: A Preliminary Investigation

The present study investigated the concurrent validity of the Classroom Strategies Scale–Teacher Form (CSS-T), a multidimensional teacher formative assessment of instructional and behavioral management practices. The CSS-T is compared with the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), a well-known teacher assessment of overall classroom quality. A sample of 126 kindergarten through 5th-grade general education teachers self-reported on their usage of empirically supported instructional and behavioral management strategies as measured by the CSS-T while a certified independent observer completed the CLASS. Correlational analyses were used to compare CSS-T frequency and discrepancy scores and the CLASS scores. As hypothesized, results demonstrated significant positive (CSS-T frequency scale scores) and negative (CSS-T discrepancy scale scores) correlations between specific CLASS domains and dimensions, thus providing initial evidence for the concurrent and discriminant validity of the CSS-T. Implications of findings are discussed.     

A critical review of self‐regulated learning interventions for children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

School practitioners and educators are frequently challenged by the diverse and pervasive academic and behavioral needs of children at risk for and with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This paper examines the outcome literature on self‐regulated learning (SRL) interventions for youth with ADHD by systematically reviewing the key intervention components and methodologies used. A total of 34 investigations, including 297 children and adolescents, were reviewed and coded on 34 variables across two dimensions (i.e., intervention components and methodology). In general, SRL interventions can be represented in terms of a three‐phase model of SRL that includes forethought, performance control, and self‐reflection processes. In this review, the vast majority of the published literature used single‐case design studies with a singular focus on the phase of performance control. Weaknesses of the existing literature include a lack of follow‐up data, attrition data, demographic information about teachers or other adult participants, and diversity in the sample. Strengths of the outcome literature are that a majority of the studies reported inclusion/exclusion criteria for samples, the criteria used to diagnose children as ADHD, and clinical significance for assessing treatment outcomes. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research, as well as directions for research and practice.     

Evaluation of serum adenosine deaminase and 5′-nucleotidase activities as probable markers in ovarian cancer

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT) activities were measured in sera of patients with ovarian cancer and patients with benign ovarian tumour. The results were compared with that of a control group consisting of healthy women. ADA levels were significantly increased (P<0.001) in the ovarian cancer group (n=50) but not in the benign group (n=28) when compared to the controls (n=20). The results indicate that ADA and 5′-NT levels may help to differentiate malignant conditions from benign tumours of the ovary in addition to the existing tests such as serum CA-125 levels and histopathological study.     

Effect of some antitubercular drugs on the calmodulin content ofMycobacterium tuberculosis

The effect of the antitubercular drugs isoniazid (10 μg/ml), ethambutol (10 μg/ml), rifampicin (0.5 μg/ml) and streptomycin (1 μg/ml) on the calmodulin like protein (CAMLP) content ofMycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇R_v andM. tuberculosis H₃₇R_a was investigated. The drugs were added to actively growing cells at their mid log phase of growth (14 days) and after 12 more hours of incubation, CAMLP was estimated. In both the mycobacteria, all the four antitubercular drugs CAMLP.