Sustainability practices at higher education institutions in Asia

Purpose: It is still unclear how Asian universities incorporate the theory or practice of sustainable development (SD) in their research and education programmes. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to report on a study that has examined how universities in Asian countries handle and address matters related to SD. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a bibliometric analysis and an online survey-method. The online survey data were analysed through descriptive analysis and one-sample student’s t-test. Findings: The study indicates that there is considerable variation among the Asian countries regarding sustainability practices in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEIs in far eastern countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are perceived to demonstrate more sustainability practices. Research limitations/implications: Even though a substantial number of participants participated in the survey, it did not cover all Asian countries. The online survey was carried out over a limited period of time, and not all HEIs in the field may have received information about the study. Practical implications: Asia is the largest continent facing a number of sustainability challenges. In this context, the contribution of HEIs is very important. The findings of the current study may serve as a baseline for Asian HEIs to take more initiatives towards SD goals, as HEIs are responsible for the education and training of hundreds of thousands of students who will be occupying key positions in industry, government or education in the coming years. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature in two distinct ways. First, it was possible to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure sustainability practices in HEIs. Second, this study has filled the gap of the scarcity of studies regarding sustainability practices in HEIs in Asia

In silico modeling of the specific inhibitory potential of thiophene-2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine against BChE in the formation of β-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alzheimer's disease, known to be associated with the gradual loss of memory, is characterized by low concentration of acetylcholine in the hippocampus and cortex part of the brain. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase has successfully been used as a drug target to treat Alzheimer's disease but drug resistance shown by butyrylcholinesterase remains a matter of concern in treating Alzheimer's disease. Apart from the many other reasons for Alzheimer's disease, its association with the genesis of fibrils by β-amyloid plaques is closely related to the increased activity of butyrylcholinesterase. Although few data are available on the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase, studies have shown that that butyrylcholinesterase is a genetically validated drug target and its selective inhibition reduces the formation of β-amyloid plaques.</p> <p>Rationale</p> <p>We previously reported the inhibition of cholinesterases by 2,3-dihydro-1, 5-benzothiazepines, and considered this class of compounds as promising inhibitors for the cure of Alzheimer's disease. One compound from the same series, when substituted with a hydroxy group at C-3 in ring A and 2-thienyl moiety as ring B, showed greater activity against butyrylcholinesterase than to acetylcholinesterase. To provide insight into the binding mode of this compound (Compound A), molecular docking in combination with molecular dynamics simulation of 5000 ps in an explicit solvent system was carried out for both cholinesterases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Molecular docking studies revealed that the potential of Compound A to inhibit cholinesterases was attributable to the cumulative effects of strong hydrogen bonds, cationic-π, π-π interactions and hydrophobic interactions. A comparison of the docking results of Compound A against both cholinesterases showed that amino acid residues in different sub-sites were engaged to stabilize the docked complex. The relatively high affinity of Compound A for butyrylcholinesterase was due to the additional hydrophobic interaction between the 2-thiophene moiety of Compound A and Ile69. The involvement of one catalytic triad residue (His438) of butyrylcholinesterase with the 3'-hydroxy group on ring A increases the selectivity of Compound A. C-C bond rotation around ring A also stabilizes and enhances the interaction of Compound A with butyrylcholinesterase. Furthermore, the classical network of hydrogen bonding interactions as formed by the catalytic triad of butyrylcholinesterase is disturbed by Compound A. This study may open a new avenue for structure-based drug design for Alzheimer's disease by considering the 3D-pharmacophoric features of the complex responsible for discriminating these two closely-related cholinesterases.</p

Environmental Behaviours and Attitudes of University Teachers in Pakistan

The current study has investigated the environmental practices (a complex of behaviours and attitudes) of the university teachers in Pakistan. To achieve the study purpose, a questionnaire was developed in light of the literature on environmental education, consumption behaviours and attitude towards the environment. The researcher developed a 52- item Likert scale in the light of the literature on pro-environmental teaching behaviours, conservation and consumption behaviours, and attitude towards the environment (Item 39-48). The instrument had four sections: Section A) Practices related to the Use of Materials in Teaching (Item 1-14); Section B) Conservation Practices (Item 15-29); Section C) Consumption Practices (Item 30-38), and Section D) Relationship with the Environment (Item 39-48). The questionnaire was pilot tested two times to find its reliability. The final questionnaire had 48 items. The data came from 78 private sector university teachers and 53 public sector university teachers. The data were analyzed in terms of descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results indicated that the public sector university teachers have a relatively stronger relationship with the environment as compared to the private sector university teachers. The results further indicated that female university teachers undertake more pro-environmental practices as compared to their male colleagues. In addition, the results indicate that the environmental practices of the university teachers are not influenced by their age or academic disciplines

Environmental Behaviours and Attitudes of University Teachers in Pakistan

The current study has investigated the environmental practices (a complex of behaviours and attitudes) of the university teachers in Pakistan. To achieve the study purpose, a questionnaire was developed in light of the literature on environmental education, consumption behaviours and attitude towards the environment. The researcher developed a 52- item Likert scale in the light of the literature on pro-environmental teaching behaviours, conservation and consumption behaviours, and attitude towards the environment (Item 39-48). The instrument had four sections: Section A) Practices related to the Use of Materials in Teaching (Item 1-14); Section B) Conservation Practices (Item 15-29); Section C) Consumption Practices (Item 30-38), and Section D) Relationship with the Environment (Item 39-48). The questionnaire was pilot tested two times to find its reliability. The final questionnaire had 48 items. The data came from 78 private sector university teachers and 53 public sector university teachers. The data were analyzed in terms of descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results indicated that the public sector university teachers have a relatively stronger relationship with the environment as compared to the private sector university teachers. The results further indicated that female university teachers undertake more pro-environmental practices as compared to their male colleagues. In addition, the results indicate that the environmental practices of the university teachers are not influenced by their age or academic disciplines

Environmental Behaviours and Attitudes of University Teachers in Pakistan

The current study has investigated the environmental practices (a complex of behaviours and attitudes) of the university teachers in Pakistan. To achieve the study purpose, a questionnaire was developed in light of the literature on environmental education, consumption behaviours and attitude towards the environment. The researcher developed a 52- item Likert scale in the light of the literature on pro-environmental teaching behaviours, conservation and consumption behaviours, and attitude towards the environment (Item 39-48). The instrument had four sections: Section A) Practices related to the Use of Materials in Teaching (Item 1-14); Section B) Conservation Practices (Item 15-29); Section C) Consumption Practices (Item 30-38), and Section D) Relationship with the Environment (Item 39-48). The questionnaire was pilot tested two times to find its reliability. The final questionnaire had 48 items. The data came from 78 private sector university teachers and 53 public sector university teachers. The data were analyzed in terms of descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results indicated that the public sector university teachers have a relatively stronger relationship with the environment as compared to the private sector university teachers. The results further indicated that female university teachers undertake more pro-environmental practices as compared to their male colleagues. In addition, the results indicate that the environmental practices of the university teachers are not influenced by their age or academic disciplines.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Students' affect during Lock-down

The excel file contains data about 10-18 years old students' affect/ well-being during lock-down in Pakistan. The cells in the top row contain the items. The numbers in the columns 'C' to 'J' represent following. 1 = Very Often; 2 = Often; 3 = Sometimes; 2 = Rarely; 1 = Never The numbers in the column 'K' have been coded in reverse order. Column 'L' contains response of the question "Have you started fighting more with your siblings?" Column 'M' and 'N' include open-ended, short responses

Teachers and Students' Perceptions about Social Media News and Online Teaching & Learning

The data were collected from 116 students and 88 teachers from Pakistan. The data were gathered to serve two purposes: 1) To understand respondents perceptions about online teaching and learning; 2) To know about teachers and students perceptions about social media information

Environmental Behaviours and Attitudes of University Teachers in Pakistan

The current study has investigated the environmental practices (a complex of behaviours and attitudes) of the university teachers in Pakistan. To achieve the study purpose, a questionnaire was developed in light of the literature on environmental education, consumption behaviours and attitude towards the environment. The researcher developed a 52- item Likert scale in the light of the literature on pro-environmental teaching behaviours, conservation and consumption behaviours, and attitude towards the environment (Item 39-48). The instrument had four sections: Section A) Practices related to the Use of Materials in Teaching (Item 1-14); Section B) Conservation Practices (Item 15-29); Section C) Consumption Practices (Item 30-38), and Section D) Relationship with the Environment (Item 39-48). The questionnaire was pilot tested two times to find its reliability. The final questionnaire had 48 items. The data came from 78 private sector university teachers and 53 public sector university teachers. The data were analyzed in terms of descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results indicated that the public sector university teachers have a relatively stronger relationship with the environment as compared to the private sector university teachers. The results further indicated that female university teachers undertake more pro-environmental practices as compared to their male colleagues. In addition, the results indicate that the environmental practices of the university teachers are not influenced by their age or academic disciplines.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV