How Teachers Experience Learning and Change: a Phenomenographic Study of Internationalized Teacher Professional Development

This dissertation explores the internationalization of teacher professional development by investigating the experiences of teachers who have undergone an internationalized teacher professional development program and focusing on how teachers learn and change, what they learn and change and the conditions that support teachers learning and change. This dissertation is motivated by three specific research questions: (1) What personal and professional transformations do teachers report as a result of internationalized teacher professional development? (2) How do teachers learn and change as a result of internationalized teacher professional development? What conditions support and promote this learning and change? and (3) What can be said about the importance of internationalized teacher professional development for teacher learning and change? What makes for effective internationalized teacher professional development? Previous research has focused largely on experiences of internationalized pre-service teacher education while experiences of internationalization of teacher professional development are less addressed in the literature. This study aims to address this gap by advancing our understanding of internationalized teacher professional development and its impact on in-service teachers. I conducted a phenomenographic study using a sample of eleven teachers who underwent an internationalized teacher professional development program. The findings from the research support the literature on teacher learning that intensive programs with sustained support after teachers return to their local contexts are most effective in teachers experiencing transformational learning and change; challenge the literature that states teacher professional development does not change beliefs and attitudes of the teachers and it is ineffective in teachers implementing changes to their classroom practices; and add to the literature by showing that important personal and professional learning can occur within a culturally diverse group of teachers learning in a culturally new environment, leading to significant changes to relationships in the classroom and to classroom practice, and that dissonance in teacher thinking can be a very strong motivator for learning and change, lead to important shifts in perspective. This study concludes that internationalized teacher professional development is a highly effective, transformational form of teacher professional development in need of further research

The Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Memory Performance

The effects of depression and anxiety, as assessed by MMPI D and Pt scales, on memory performance was examined in 3999 veterans who completed the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Depressive symptoms (without anxiety) had an adverse effect on immediate recall of new information and the total amount (but not rate) of acquisition; however, retrieval and retention were unaffected. On the other hand, high levels of anxiety did not have significant detrimental effects on any aspect of memory functioning assessed including immediate recall, total amount acquired, retention, and retrieval of novel information. However, when depression was compounded by anxiety, there was not only an adverse effect on immediate recall and amount (but not rate) of acquisition, but also on the retrieval of newly learned information. We conclude that the presence of comorbid anxiety may, in part, account for the variability in previous research findings regarding the effects of depression on memory functioning

Increasing Trend of Counterfeiting in Consumers' Products

This study clearly describes the current trend of counterfeiting in the sub-urban and urban areas of Pakistan and specifically Karachi. The problem of counterfeiting can not be studied in isolation, and thus this study is linked with the counterfeiting practices carried throughout the world since the last eight to nine years, and it was found out that the increasing trend of counterfeiting began for the last four to five years and especially the magnitude of growth in counterfeiting targeted to urban areas reached an enormous height for the last two years. This study also highlights the various ways through which counterfeiters make fake versions of original brands and then these ways are analyzed individually to determine which way being the most successful for counterfeiters. Moreover, the retailers’ contribution towards the availability and promotion of counterfeits is also mentioned, clearly illustrating the impacts of retailers’ influence of different areas according to class segments. Another important topic being described is the reasons of counterfeiting and the illustration of difference between deceptive and non-deceptive counterfeiting practices. The protection tools used by the innovators and original companies are also being described in detail, and like the ways of counterfeiting each protection method is analyzed to find the most appropriate tool depending on the specific counterfeiting situation and the popularity of the original brand. Also, the Government’s role in support of original brands from counterfeiting is highlighted. Finally, the consumers’ perception towards counterfeits is also being interpreted, and important findings are solicited

Benchmarking guide : integrating public sector accounting and government finance statistics: addressing the differences between international public sector accounting standards, government finance statistics, & the European system of accounts

The PULSAR Program, launched in 2017, is a regional and country level program for 13 beneficiary countries in Europe and Central Asia. Its objective is to support the enhancement of public sector accounting and financial reporting frameworks, in line with international standards and in accordance with good practices, in order to improve government accountability, transparency, and performance. The objectives and scope of the PULSAR Program are jointly determined by the PULSAR Partners - Austria, Switzerland, and the World Bank – who also provide institutional support for its implementation and mobilize the resources needed for its activities. Beneficiary countries help shape the Program through regional cooperation platforms and input to two Communities of Practice focused on financial reporting frameworks and on education. The FINCOP supports government officials in developing reform strategies & roadmaps, and helps to define and implement improved legislation, standards, IT systems, and tools in the respective countries. The Benchmarking Guide for Integrating Public Sector Accounting and Government Finance Statistics aims to inform practitioners and public sector accounting reforms by highlighting the similarities and differences between International Public Sector Accounting Standards and Government Finance Statistics reporting guidelines such as the Government Finance Statistics Manual of the International Monetary Fund (GFSM 2014) and the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). This Guide facilitates an integrated view of the two sets of reporting guidelines and outlines a process to more closely align them. It also discusses fundamental challenges and corresponding mitigation strategies. In the Guide’s presentation of key conceptual issues, care was taken to maintain consistency with the technical guidelines of the reference frameworks. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the original sources are consulted with regards to specific technical questions related to recognition, measurement, and disclosure under IPSAS and ESA 2010 or GFSM 2014

Administration of an intravenous perfluorocarbon contrast agent improves echocardiographic determination of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: comparison with cine magnetic resonance imaging

AbstractObjectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography improves the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF).Background. Echocardiographic assessment of LV volumes and EF is widely used but may be inaccurate when the endocardium is not completely visualized. Recently the intravenous (IV) administration of perfluorocarbon microbubbles has been shown to enhance opacification of the LV cavity, but the utility of these agents to improve the echocardiographic assessment of LV systolic function is unknown.Methods. In 40 subjects (29 men and 11 women, aged 24 to 81 years) an assessment of LV volumes and EF was performed with a magnetic resonance imaging examination, followed immediately by a transthoracic echocardiogram before and after the intravenous administration of 2% dodecafluoropentane emulsion (EchoGen; Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Bothell, Washington).Results. Contrast enhanced the echocardiographic assessment of LV end diastolic volume (p < 0.02), end systolic volume (p < 0.01) and LVEF (p < 0.03). The percentage of subjects in whom the correct echocardiographic classification EF was normal, mild to moderately depressed or severely reduced improved significantly after contrast enhancement (from 71% before contrast to 94% after, p < 0.03). These findings were most striking in the subjects with two or more adjacent endocardial segments not visualized at baseline.Conclusions. Administration of an intravenous contrast agent improves the ability to accurately assess LV volumes and EF in humans. Contrast enhancement is most useful in subjects with two or more adjacent endocardial segments not seen at baseline

Researching practice, practicing research: Impact on teaching and learning

This paper shares the findings of an action research study on the use of whole class discussion (WCD) in the classroom and will concentrate on the benefits and learning that accrue to students and teachers from the use of action research to facilitate discussion. It was observed that teachers appreciated enlarging their instructional repertoire and they also acknowledged that stepping back during discussion, however difficult, had enabled them to learn more from the students and also develop key academic and social skills. During this project, teachers learned how to identify and address specific problems in their classrooms and students displayed a higher understanding of concepts and issues. These and more benefits and learnings will be discussed in detail within this paper

Mechanism of the antidiabetic action of Nigella sativa and Thymoquinone: a review

IntroductionLong used in traditional medicine, Nigella sativa (NS; Ranunculaceae) has shown significant efficacy as an adjuvant therapy for diabetes mellitus (DM) management by improving glucose tolerance, decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis, normalizing blood sugar and lipid imbalance, and stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells. In this review, the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of NS as a herbal diabetes medication are examined in depth, demonstrating how it counteracts oxidative stress and the onset and progression of DM.MethodsThis literature review drew on databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed and various gray literature sources using search terms like the etiology of diabetes, conventional versus herbal therapy, subclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, physiology, behavior, and clinical outcomes.ResultsThe efficiency and safety of NS in diabetes, notably its thymoquinone (TQ) rich volatile oil, have drawn great attention from researchers in recent years; the specific therapeutic dose has eluded determination so far. TQ has anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties but has not proved druggable. DM’s intimate link with oxidative stress, makes NS therapy relevant since it is a potent antioxidant that energizes the cell’s endogenous arsenal of antioxidant enzymes. NS attenuates insulin resistance, enhances insulin signaling, suppresses cyclooxygenase-2, upregulates insulin-like growth factor-1, and prevents endothelial dysfunction in DM.ConclusionThe interaction of NS with mainstream drugs, gut microbiota, and probiotics opens new possibilities for innovative therapies. Despite its strong potential to treat DM, NS and TQ must be examined in more inclusive clinical studies targeting underrepresented patient populations

The association of heart rate recovery immediately after exercise with coronary artery calcium: the coronary artery risk development in young adults study

We tested whether slower heart rate recovery (HRR) following graded exercise treadmill testing (GXT) was associated with the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC). Participants (n = 2,648) ages 18–30 years at baseline examination underwent GXT, followed by CAC screening 15 years later. Slow HRR was not associated with higher odds of testing positive (yes/no) for CAC at year 15 (OR = 0.99, p = 0.91 per standard deviation change in HRR). Slow HRR in young adulthood is not associated with the presence of CAC at middle age