Social Capital and Educational Attainment: A Study of Undergraduates in a Faculty of Education

This research examines the effects of social capital on the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes among a sample of undergraduate university students. A theoretical model containing 14 variables including university and social background, social capital, time management, and educational attainment is presented. The data obtained from questionnaires completed by 269 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education at a western Canadian university are used to test the model. Structural equation modeling tests the relationships among the variables. The results indicate that when other variables are taken into account, students' perceptions of social capital resources have direct and indirect effects on their developing self-concepts and their educational achievement. Students' perceptions of support, specifically support derived from interactions with other students, are an important resource that relates positively to their academic self-concepts and their grades.Cette recherche étudie les effets du capital social sur le développement de connaissances, d'habiletés et d'attitudes d'un échantillon d'étudiants du premier cycle. Dans cet article, les auteurs présentent un modèle théorique compose de 14 variables dont la formation universitaire, le contexte social, le capital social, la gestion du temps et le niveau de connaissance. Ce modèle est mis à I’ épreuve par les résultats des questionnaires complétés par 269 étudiants du premier cycle à la faculté d'éducation d'une université dans l'Ouest du Canada. On a teste les rapports entre les variables par le biais de la modélisation par équation structurelle. Les résultats indiquent que, lorsqu'on tient compte d'autres variables, les perceptions qu'ont les étudiants des ressources de capital social agissent directement et indirectement sur le développement de leur concept de soi et sur leur niveau de connaissance. Les perceptions des étudiants sur l'appui, surtout celui découlant de leur contact avec d'autres étudiants, constituent une ressource importance qui a une influence positive sur leur concept de soi et sur leurs notes

Time Use and Educational Attainment: A Study of Undergraduate Students

This research examines the effects of students' time use in academically related activities and paid employment on their educational attainment. A theoretical model containing fourteen background, social psychological, time use, and educational attainment variables was formulated. The data were obtained from questionnaires administered to 308 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education at a Western Canadian University. A stratified random cluster sampling procedure was used to select classes of students. Structural equation modelling is used to test the relationships among the variables. Results indicate that when other variables are taken into account, the time students spend in academically related activities and paid employment has little effect on their educational achievement and their educational expectations.Cette recherche examine les effets de la répartition du temps d'étude et du temps alloué à un emploi sur le succès académique des étudiants. Un modèle théorique comportant quatorze variables de type général, socio-psychologique, d'utilisation du temps, et portant sur les résultats de l'expérience éducative, a été développé. Les données ont été obtenues d'une enquête effectuée auprès de 308 étudiants non diplômés de la faculté d'éducation d'une université canadienne. Une méthode d'échantillonnage stratifié par groupe a été utilisée pour sélectionner les groupes-cibles d'étudiants. Une modélisation par équation structurale a été effectuée pour analyser les résultats. Ils indiquent, qu'une fois l'effet des autres variables pris en compte, le temps dédié aux activités académiques et à un emploi rémunéré a peu d'impact sur le succès académique des étudiants et sur leurs attentes en matière de formation

A Service Delivery Model for Addressing Activity and Social Participation Needs of People Living with HIV

Background: Occupational therapy can contribute to the health and well-being of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are experiencing health consequences of living long term with this disease. However, there are no comprehensive rehabilitation service delivery models to guide this emerging area of practice. The purpose of this study was to obtain critical feedback about a service delivery model to address the activity and social participation needs of people living with HIV. Method: We developed a service delivery model from a synthesis of the literature. Using a qualitative research design, we conducted individual and focus group interviews with 35 informants from diverse backgrounds and involvement in HIV-related research, service provision, and policymaking to provide critical feedback about the model. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive qualitative methods. Results: The informants identified the strengths and limitations of the model and supports and barriers to its implementation. They highlighted the importance of principle-based services, increasing resources for service navigation, building capacity of rehabilitation services to address the needs of people with HIV, and increasing research and program evaluation targeted to achieving activity and social participation outcomes. Conclusions: The model provides a framework for occupational therapists to design and evaluate services for this population

El extracto de Momordica charantia modula la respuesta inflamatoria en linfocitos humanos a través de la supresión de TNF-α

Introducción: Momordica charantia L. es ampliamente utilizada para consumo y medicina tradicional debido a sus actividades biológicas. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre los efectos del melón amargo en las células sanas. Por lo tanto, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar los efectos del extracto de Momordica charantia en linfocitos humanos aislados, especialmente en aspectos inflamatorios, citotóxicos, genotóxicos y mutagénicos. Método: Para ello se preparó un extracto hidroetanólico con frutos y semillas y se procedió a la identificación y cuantificación fitoquímica. Los linfocitos humanos purificados se expusieron a 12,5, 25 y 50 µg/mL de extracto de Momordica charantia durante 24 horas y después de este período. Resultados: Los datos mostraron que el extracto de Momordica charantia no indujo citotoxicidad, alteraciones en la frecuencia de micronúcleos, ni actividad de interleucina-6, interleucina-10 ciclooxigenasa-2 y producción de óxido nítrico; sin embargo, causó daño en el ADN y una disminución de TNF-α en las condiciones experimentales y células aplicadas. Conclusiones: Nuestros datos proponen un proceso antiinflamatorio generado por Momordica charantia mediado por la reducción de TNF-α.Introduction: Momordica charantia L. is widely used for consumption and traditional medicine due to its biological activities. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of bitter melon on healthy cells. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia extract in human isolated lymphocytes, especially on inflammatory, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity aspects. Method: For this, we prepared a hydroethanolic extract with fruits and seeds and proceeded with phytochemical identification and quantification. The human purified lymphocytes were exposed to 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL of Momordica charantia extract for 24h and, after this period. Results: The data showed that the Momordica charantia extract did not induce cytotoxicity, micronucleus frequency alterations, or interleukin-6, interleukin-10 cyclooxygenase-2 activity and the production of nitric oxide; however, it caused DNA damage and a decrease of TNF-α under the experimental conditions and cells applied. Conclusions: Our data propose an anti-inflammatory process generated by Momordica charantia mediated by TNF-α reduction

El extracto de Momordica charantia modula la respuesta inflamatoria en linfocitos humanos a través de la supresión de TNF-α

Introduction: Momordica charantia L. is widely used for consumption and traditional medicine due to its biological activities. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of bitter melon on healthy cells. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia extract in human isolated lymphocytes, especially on inflammatory, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity aspects. Method: For this, we prepared a hydroethanolic extract with fruits and seeds and proceeded with phytochemical identification and quantification. The human purified lymphocytes were exposed to 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL of Mo mordica charantia extract for 24h and, after this period. Results: The data showed that the Momordica charantia extract did not induce cytotoxicity, micronucleus frequency alterations, or interleukin-6, interleukin-10 cyclooxygenase-2 activity and the production of nitric oxide; however, it caused DNA damage and a decrease of TNF-α under the experimental conditions and cells applied. Conclusions: Our data propose an anti-inflammatory process generated by Momordica charantia mediated by TNF-α reduction.Introducción: Momordica charantia L. es ampliamente utilizada para consumo y medicina tradicional debido a sus actividades biológicas. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre los efectos del melón amargo en las células sanas. Por lo tanto, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar los efectos del extracto de Momordica charantia en linfocitos humanos aislados, especialmente en aspectos inflamatorios, citotóxicos, genotóxicos y mutagénicos. Método: Para ello se preparó un extracto hidroetanólico con frutos y semillas y se procedió a la identificación y cuantificación fitoquímica. Los linfocitos humanos purificados se expusieron a 12,5; 25; 50 µg/mL de extracto de Momordica charantia durante 24 horas y después de este período. Resultados: Los datos mostraron que el extracto de Momordica charantia no indujo citotoxicidad, alteraciones en la frecuencia de micronúcleos, ni actividad de interleucina-6, interleucina-10 ciclooxigenasa-2 y producción de óxido nítrico; sin embargo, causó daño en el ADN y una disminución de TNF-α en las condiciones experimentales y células aplicadas. Conclusiones: Nuestros datos proponen un proceso antiinflamatorio generado por Momordica charantia mediado por la reducción de TNF-α