83 research outputs found
Making connections science and mathematics: The MCSAM Project
No full textA major connecting theme across both mathematics and science is proportional reasoning, underpinning many topics in the middle years‟ curriculum, such as scale drawing, surface area, percentages, density, probability, molarity, force and motion, algebra, and fractions. Proportional reasoning refers to the capacity to understand the relationships in proportional situations and to work meaningfully with them (Lesh, Post, & Behr, 1988). For example, determining the better value out of 200 grams for 4; or understanding why a baby locked in a car on a hot day suffers more than an adult would in the same circumstances, both involve proportional reasoning. In this paper, we describe the MC SAM project, the acronym for „Making Connections in Science and Mathematics‟. The project aims to take a “conscious, systematic and explicit…. structured and goal-oriented” learning by design approach (Kalantzis & Cope, 2004, p. 39) to support the careful design of an integrated curriculum to promote students‟ connected knowledge development across these two disciplines. In this project, researchers and teachers are collaboratively developing, implementing and documenting innovative, relevant and connected learning in mathematics and science, and hence redefining classroom culture as well as redefining curriculum. This paper outlines findings of the project to date, including results of a proportional reasoning pretest that highlight great variance of proportional reasoning in students across Years 5 to 9, and simultaneously underscores the importance of a more systematic and structured approach to promoting proportional reasoning across mathematics and science
Aerosol delivery of nebulised budesonide in young children with asthma
No full textBACKGROUND: Lung deposition of inhaled steroids, likely to be of benefit in the anti-inflammatory treatment of asthma in young children, is low. This is explained by age specific anatomical and physiological characteristics as well as poor cooperation with aerosol therapy. However, total lung deposition and the ratio of lung deposition to oropharyngeal deposition are key determinants of clinical efficacy and of systemic side effects of aerosolized drugs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine lung deposition and ratio of lung deposition to oropharyngeal deposition using a modified vibrating membrane nebuliser to deliver budesonide with a small particle size, taking into account the needs of young children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten asthmatic children (5 males), mean age 20.3 months (range 6-41 months) inhaled radiolabelled budesonide (MMD 2.6microm) through a modified vibrating membrane nebuliser (modified PARI e-Flow). Lung deposition expressed as a percentage of the emitted dose was measured using scintigraphy and the ratio of lung deposition to oropharyngeal deposition was calculated. RESULTS: Mean lung deposition (SD) expressed as percentage of emitted dose and mean lung to oropharyngeal deposition ratio (SD) in quietly breathing children (n=5) and in children crying during inhalation were 48.6% (10.5) versus 20.0% (10.9), and 1.0 (0.3) versus 0.3 (0.2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that by using an improved age-adjusted complementary combination of delivery device and drug formulation to deliver small particles, lung deposition and ratio of lung deposition to oropharyngeal deposition in young asthmatic children is highly improved. But the main factor limiting aerosol delivery in this age group remains cooperation
First record of <i>Turbinaria patula</i> (Scleractinia) from Palk Bay, India
No full text190-191A new patch coral area has been recorded first time during a recent survey by Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Insti-tute (SDMRI) Reef Research Team (RRT) in the northern region of Palk Bay near Thamodharanpattinam fishing village which is about 70 km away from Pamban. Among the four species recorded in the patch coral area, Turbinaria patula is a new record for the Palk Bay and has been listed as vulnerable in IUCN red list. The current findings provide an insight in to more new coral patches and probably new species in Palk Bay which are to be explored yet
Evaluation of asthma control, parents’ quality of life and preference between AeroChamber Plus and AeroChamber Plus Flow-Vu spacers in young children with asthma
No full textObjective: The AeroChamber Plus (AC) valved holding chamber has been enhanced to include the Flow-Vu (FV) inspiratory flow indicator that provides visual inhalation feedback during use. We have investigated if FV alters asthma control and whether parents accept it. Methods: At visit 1, children with asthma, age 1–5 years, used an AC with their pressurised metered dose inhaler and 2 weeks later (visit 2) they were randomised to use either AC or FV. Subjects returned 6 (visit 3) and 12 (visit 4) weeks later. The Asthma Control (ACQ) and Paediatric Asthma Caregiver’s Quality of Life (PACQLQ) questionnaires were scored at each visit, and their peak inhalation flow (PIF) when they used their spacer was measured. Results: Forty participants in each group completed the study. There was no difference in the ACQ scores from visits 2 to 4 between the two groups. The improvements in the PACQLQ scores were greater in the FV group (p = 0.029). The mean difference (95% confidence interval) for the change from visits 2 to 4 between FV and AC groups was 0.05 (−0.33, 0.43) and 0.39 (0.035, 0.737) for the ACQ and PACQLQ, respectively. Most parents preferred the FV (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the PIF rates at each visit and between the two spacers. Conclusions: There was no change in asthma control of the young children but that of their parents improved. Parents preferred the FV and this could be related to their improved perception of their children’s asthma control by better PACQLQ scores.
Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/02770903.2014.96611
Differences in therapeutic approaches and outcomes in paediatric and adult onset Crohn's disease with perianal fistula: comparison of 2 multicentre fistula cohorts
No full textDIFFERENCES IN THERAPY APPROACHES AND OUTCOMES IN PAEDIATRIC AND ADULT ONSET CROHN'S DISEASE WITH PERIANAL FISTULA: COMPARISON OF 2 ECCO COLLABORATIVE MULTICENTRE FISTULA COHORTS
No full textHarmonization of food trade standards and regulations in ASEAN: the case of Malaysia's food imports
No full textRegulatory heterogeneity continues to be identified as a challenge for food trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the progress of harmonization of food standards among member states remains slow. Using a new and comprehensive database on nontariff measures (NTMs), this article examines the coverage, frequency, and diversity of NTMs for the food sector in Malaysia, and then estimates their impact on food imports from ASEAN. The food sector in Malaysia is found to be highly regulated, dominated by technical measures, namely, labeling for sanitary and phytosanitary and technical barriers to trade reasons, product quality, and restricted substances. The empirical results subsequently verify that, overall, technical measures are import restrictive. This article therefore contends that harmonization of food standards and regulations at the regional level is important for enhancing trade. However, building common ground for food safety regulations should be NTM- and sector-specific, to realize progress in terms of regulatory convergence. This is particularly true for the food sector, since complete harmonization is not practical and not politically feasible
What the pulmonary specialist should know about the new inhalation therapies
No full textA collaboration of multidisciplinary experts on the delivery of pharmaceutical aerosols was facilitated by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the International Society for Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM), in order to draw up a consensus statement with clear, up-to-date recommendations that enable the pulmonary physician to choose the type of aerosol delivery device that is most suitable for their patient. The focus of the consensus statement is the patient-use aspect of the aerosol delivery devices that are currently available.
The subject was divided into different topics, which were in turn assigned to at least two experts. The authors searched the literature according to their own strategies, with no central literature review being performed. To achieve consensus, draft reports and recommendations were reviewed and voted on by the entire panel.
Specific recommendations for use of the devices can be found throughout the statement. Healthcare providers should ensure that their patients can and will use these devices correctly. This requires that the clinician: is aware of the devices that are currently available to deliver the prescribed drugs; knows the various techniques that are appropriate for each device; is able to evaluate the patient's inhalation technique to be sure they are using the devices properly; and ensures that the inhalation method is appropriate for each patient
Sino–LAC Ties:Trade Relationships, Trade Potentials, and Asymmetric Dependency
No full textPrevious studies have emphasized the asymmetry in the Sino–LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) partnership, solely based on their trade exchanges. This article extends the boundaries of understanding structural asymmetries in the Sino–LAC trade, by considering unequal opportunities in this partnership. The latter is accounted for by deriving two-way export potentials from the Sino–LAC partnership. On average, the gravity of LAC’s trade promise with China appears to lie in continuing to grow the level of exports in agriculture. The export potentials observed for LAC to China, instead of China to LAC, not only imply untapped possibilities for the former relative to the latter connection, but indicate their disparate opportunities for further integration.</p
Theoretical framework to analyze human capital – Performance relationship
No full textThis study reviews the literature on human capital firm performance with special focus to the influence of human capital (HC) on various dimensions of a firm. Combining the arguments from human capital theory and resource based theory; study proposes a framework to test the HC-performance relationship. The prominent point of this framework is to focus on the linkage of human capital dimensions with various firm performance cords. After scanning the literature, we focused on five performance cords namely productivity, technological progress, export, innovation and survival. The proposed framework highlights two aspects for further research. Firstly, it provides a concept to develop human capital measure that can account for its various dimensions. Secondly, it provides trajectory to link various HC dimensions to the selected firm performance dimensions. By developing such index and incorporating in the framework to further test its suitability, we can clear some of the main issues, like, whether all the dimensions of HC are equally important for firm performance or their relative importance differ. Also, which of the performance dimension is important for a specific firm performance dimension? Since the framework has been deduced from theories and evidences from various countries, it is testable in any economy.</p
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