The Development of an Instructional Leadership Model for Outcome-Based Education at Private Higher Education Institutions in Cambodia

: The main purpose of this study is to develop an instructional leadership model for outcome-based education which has to be implemented in private higher education institutions in Cambodia. An exploratory sequential mixed-method (quantitative and qualitative) was employed for the study. Five private universities in Cambodia with 211 lecturers and 10 academic administrators participated in the study. Survey was used to collect the quantitative data with lecturers and interview was held to collect qualitative data with the academic administrators. For quantitative data, means, standard deviation and multiple regression were used to analyze the data and for qualitative data, content analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings of instructional leadership and outcome-based education were consistent to the overall framework of the theories. Instructional leadership was found moderately practiced by the academic administrators of the five Cambodian private universities. The current practices of instructional leadership significantly correlated with the current outcome-based education practices. Four dimensions include Professional Development, Supervision of Curriculum Development and Instruction, and A Supportive and Collaborative Environment strongly and significantly correlated with all stages of outcome-based education. Three factors including Funding and Facilities, Cooperation, Culture, and Values, and Qualification, Skills, and Experience were found significantly affected instructional leadership practices. Outcome-based education was not found typically practiced by the selected universities though the quantitative data from survey gave greater mean score while the interviews offered in depth of the current practices. A model of instructional leadership for outcome-based education was developed with two parts: instructional leadership and outcome-based education. The new instructional leadership model is to be implemented by the students, lecturers, academic administrators, and higher education institutions in Cambodia

The Effects of Visuospatial Environment on Endurance Treadmill Running Performance, RPE, and Heart Rate

The psychobiological model of endurance exercise suggests that endurance exercise performance is determined primarily by perception of effort. Previous research has shown that inducing mental and physical fatigue affects rating of perceived exertion (RPE), ultimately affecting endurance performance. However, there is limited literature describing the effect of visual stimuli on RPE. In particular, effects of visuospatial environment, one that elicits thought processes involving visual and spatial awareness, have not been investigated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visuospatial environment on endurance exercise performance, RPE, and heart rate (HR). METHODS: 22 participants completed a self-paced 20-minute treadmill run in an open visuospatial environment (treadmill in front of an open window) and a closed visuospatial environment (treadmill surrounded by privacy curtains). A randomized cross-over design was used and each participant experienced each condition. The main outcome measures were total distance covered during the 20-minute trial and RPE, which was measured every 2 minutes. Additionally, HR was recorded throughout the trial. RESULTS: Total distance traveled was similar between groups (3.49 (0.51) km and 3.44 (0.60) km for open and closed conditions, respectively) with no differences between groups in RPE or HR (p \u3e 0.05). This suggests that open and closed visuospatial environments are not influencing factors on endurance performance, RPE, and HR. Further research is required to investigate other factors that contribute to perceived effort during endurance exercise. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that visuospatial environment has no effect on perception or performance during endurance exercise on a motorized treadmill . Future studies should consider using a non-motorized endurance test, such as a stationary bike or non-motorized treadmill. Additionally, unwanted visual stimuli should be limited

The Promise of sustainability: Student and alumni anthology

Sustainable tree; An Essay, a bullfrog, ’n me; Haunting sky glow; Living fossil; I am now the present, but I will be the past; Sustainability in a creative career; Sustainability is the future; Running on empty; Saving cake; Colony collapse disorder; Don’t give up, sustain!; What does global history say about the promise of sustainability?; The Promise of sustainability: How America holds the key; A Different perspective; Fashionably green; Programming the promise of sustainability; Perhaps the promise; A Promise, a lie; Polar barometers; The Resurrection of the detritus of humanity; What is new is old and still works; Ecotopia and the period of consequences; Sustainability; Sustaining a healthy planet; A Turn towards the infinite; To a passing related strange

Integrated Cross System Framework: Assessing Needs of Child Welfare Involved Youth and Families

poster abstractNearly half (47.9%) of youth , ages 2 to 14, in the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being who had experienced abuse or neglect had clinically significant behavioral health problems (Burns, et al., 2004). Yet, inconsistent identification of parental risks and unmet treatment needs (Libby, et. al., 2005) and underreporting of mental health problems by foster parents, social workers and providers (Raghavan, Inkelas, Franke & Halfon, 2007) are common in the child welfare system. Possible solutions include integrating policies and practices across child welfare, behavioral health and Medicaid agencies (Bai, Wells & Hillemeier, 2009) including comprehensive assessment of vulnerable youth’s and parents’ needs to help plan appropriate interventions (Kisiel, Fehrenbach, Small & Lyons, 2009). Since 2007, Indiana behavioral health providers have used the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS, Lyons, 2009) assessment. In 2010 child welfare implemented the tool, linking referrals for behavioral health services and placements to ratings for youth and caregivers. Simultaneously, Medicaid services were linked to CANS ratings. The CANS tool includes six dimensions (youth behavioral health symptoms, functioning, risk behaviors and strengths and caregiver strength and needs). The ongoing evaluation of an intensive community based services Medicaid demonstration grant provides a window to view the impact of cross system integration of a common assessment tool and the relationship of substance use and mental health needs of caregivers on youth with behavioral health needs and child welfare involvement. Levels of fidelity to the wraparound services model (Bruns et al., 2010), youth and family satisfaction (Brunk & Innes, 2003), claims service information and outcomes (based on CANS) for 1051 grantees, including 494 youth involved with child protective services, have been collected. Differences between urban and rural settings were examined. Findings. Satisfaction for youth and families and fidelity to the wraparound services models were similar in rural and urban areas. An independent samples T-Test found significant differences for caregiver needs for families with child welfare involvement than for non child welfare involved families. Specifically, higher substance use and developmental needs, less involvement in treatment and residential stability and military transitions were significantly higher (p < .01). Consistent with earlier trends (Effland, Walton & McIntyre, 2011), a hierarchical multiple linear regression model involving 377 CPS involved youth found that higher beginning youth needs [symptoms (anxiety and conduct disorders), functioning issues (school achievement and social functioning) and risk behavior (delinquency)], initial caregiver needs (specifically substance abuse) and high wraparound fidelity (particularly community based and outcome wraparound elements) predict improvement in youth needs. On a youth/family level, using common assessment tools helps service providers and families reach consensus about needs, develop individualized intervention plans and monitor progress. At a macro level, using a common language and assessment information across service systems can improve access to needed services. Such strategies build an integrated framework to provide individualized services for vulnerable youth and families (Burns, et al., 2004)

Metabolic characteristics of human hearts preserved for 12 hours by static storage, antegrade perfusion, or retrograde coronary sinus perfusion

ObjectiveMachine perfusion of donor hearts is a promising strategy to increase the donor pool. Antegrade perfusion is effective but can lead to aortic valve incompetence and nonnutrient flow. Experience with retrograde coronary sinus perfusion of donor hearts has been limited. We tested the hypothesis that retrograde perfusion could support myocardial metabolism over an extended donor ischemic interval.MethodsHuman hearts from donors that were rejected or not offered for transplantation were preserved for 12 hours in University of Wisconsin Machine Perfusion Solution by: (1) static hypothermic storage; (2) hypothermic antegrade machine perfusion; or (3) hypothermic retrograde machine perfusion. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), and lactate accumulation were measured. Ventricular tissue was collected for proton and phosphorus 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate the metabolic state of the myocardium. Myocardial water content was determined at the end of the experiment.ResultsStable perfusion parameters were maintained throughout the perfusion period with both perfusion techniques. Lactate/alanine ratios were lower in perfused hearts compared with static hearts (P < .001). Lactate accumulation (antegrade 2.0 ± 0.7 mM, retrograde 1.7 ± 0.1 mM) and MVO2 (antegrade 0.25 ± 0.2 mL, retrograde 0.26 ± 0.3 mL O2/min/100 g) were similar in machine-perfused groups. High-energy phosphates were better preserved in both perfused groups (P < .05). Left ventricular myocardial water content was increased in retrograde perfused hearts (80.2 ± 0.8%) compared with both antegrade perfused hearts (76.6 ± 0.8%, P = .02) and static storage hearts (76.7 ± 1%, P = .02).ConclusionsMachine perfusion by either the antegrade or the retrograde technique can support myocardial metabolism over long intervals. Machine perfusion seems promising for long-term preservation of human donor hearts

Glucose production, gluconeogenesis, and hepatic tricarboxylic acid cycle fluxes measured by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of a single glucose derivative

A triple-tracer method was developed to provide absolute fluxes contributing to endogenous glucose production and hepatic tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle fluxes in 24-h-fasted rats by 2H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of a single glucose derivative. A primed, intravenous [3,4-13C2]glucose infusion was used to measure endogenous glucose production; intraperitoneal 2H2O (to enrich total body water) was used to quantify sources of glucose (TCA cycle, glycerol, and glycogen), and intraperitoneal [U-13C3] propionate was used to quantify hepatic anaplerosis, pyruvate cycling, and TCA cycle flux. Plasma glucose was converted to monoacetone glucose (MAG), and a single 2H and 13C NMR spectrum of MAG provided the following metabolic data (all in units of [mu]mol/kg/min; n=6): endogenous glucose production (40.4 ± 2.9), gluconeogenesis from glycerol (11.5 ± 3.5), gluconeogenesis from the TCA cycle (67.3 ± 5.6), glycogenolysis (1.0 ± 0.8), pyruvate cycling (154.4 ± 43.4), PEPCK flux (221.7 ± 47.6), and TCA cycle flux (49.1 ± 16.8). In a separate group of rats, glucose production was not different in the absence of 2H2O and [U-13C]propionate, demonstrating that these tracers do not alter the measurement of glucose turnover.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6W9V-4BWYNW7-2/1/140b73c9df39bb7829a8519979c37a6

Improving Housing Instability to Reduce Adverse Health Outcomes for Honorably Discharged Veterans and Their Families Through the Creation of an Accountable Care Community in Cumberland County, North Carolina

Housing instability is a well-recognized social determinant of health (SDOH). Housing costs can force individuals to spend large portions of income on housing and lead to issues paying rent, mortgages, overcrowding, and moving frequently and is associated with negative health outcomes. Veterans are at a higher risk of housing instability than the general population. In addition, veterans are overrepresented in the population within Cumberland County. An Accountable Care Community will be established in Cumberland County, to address the SDOH of economic instability which exacerbates housing instability. This will be accomplished through housing support initiatives, as well as mental, physical, and rehabilitative services. This includes direct subsidies to alleviate housing costs and a case management referral program. The ACC partners include, but are not limited to, the Department of Public Health, the Cumberland County Veteran Services Office, Fayetteville City Council, Salvation Army Emergency Shelters, Fayetteville Housing Authority and VA Healthcare Providers.Master of Public Healt

Young Men's Experiences of Counselling: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The mental health of Australian young people has received increased national attention in recent years. Social and psychological indicators suggest a higher than historical incidence of mental health problems in this vulnerable age group. Australian young people often do not seek support for mental health concerns; however, when they do choose to attend, young men seek support at much lower rates than young women and are unlikely to attend counselling. This lower rate is of concern because cumulatively, young men experience higher rates of suicide, depression, alcohol and other drug use compared with other members of the Australian community. When Australian young men do access counselling, they prove difficult to engage and retain in treatment. Despite these realities, researchers and practitioners alike know very little about the counselling experiences of young men. Limited research has been primarily theoretically driven and often based on practitioner experience. Consequently, the voices of young men are missing from the literature. This study investigated the counselling experiences of seven Australian young men, using a qualitative approach to explore why they chose to attend, engage in or exit from therapy. The young men participated in in-depth interviews, and their stories were analysed using Narrative Inquiry. This analysis was underpinned by the a posteriori application of a conceptual framework: the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). This assisted in deepening the examination and understanding of the young men's counselling experiences. Four core themes emerged from the young men's narratives: Therapeutic Engagement; Connections with the Counsellor and Others; Masculinity; Stereotype and Stigma. Overall, these core themes reflect the complexity of the young men's counselling experiences and highlight the tenacity required by them to navigate their therapeutic journeys. Implications for future practice and research that arise from this work include challenging hegemonic masculinity and focusing on the need to represent young men as both capable and committed to their counselling experiences. A strength-based approach that steers away from representing young men as having many deficits in the counselling space is required to ensure that young men will be encouraged to use therapy as a means of support when needed