Community-Based Activity and Sedentary Patterns Are Associated With Cognitive Performance in Mobility-Limited Older Adults

Over the last few decades, considerable evidence shows that greater levels of aerobic exercise and cardiovascular fitness benefit cognitive performance. However, the degree to which free-living activity in community settings is related to cognitive performance remains unclear, particularly in older adults vulnerable to disability. Also, it is unknown whether the manner in which daily physical activity (PA) and sedentary time are accumulated throughout the day is associated with cognition. Cross-sectional associations between accelerometer-characterized PA and sedentary patterns and cognitive performance were examined in 1,274 mobility-limited older adults. Percent time spent in various bout lengths of PA (≥1, ≥2, and ≥5 min) and sedentary (≥1, ≥30, and ≥60 min) was defined as the number of minutes registered divided by total wear time × 100. Percent time was then tertiled for each bout length. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between accelerometer bout variables and separate cognitive domains that included processing speed (Digit Symbol Coding; DSC), immediate and delayed recall (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test; HVLT), information processing and selective attention (Flanker), working memory (n-back), reaction time (switch and non-switch reaction time), and a composite score that averaged results from all cognitive tests. After adjusting for demographics, behavioral factors, and morbid conditions, more time spent in PA was associated with higher DSC for all bout lengths (p < 0.03 for all). Higher PA was associated with higher HVLT and global cognition scores but only for longer bout lengths (p < 0.05 for all). The association was largely driven by participants who spent the lowest amount of time performing activity while awake (p < 0.04). An inverse linear relationship was observed between total sedentary time and DSC (p = 0.02), but not for other measures of cognition. These results suggest that, while higher PA was associated with higher cognitive performance, PA’s association with memory was sensitive to bout duration. The time, but not the manner, spent in sedentary behaviors showed a minor association with executive function. Further research is warranted to characterize longitudinal changes in daily activity and sedentary patterns as potential biophysical markers of cognitive status in older adults

An Analysis of the current middle level engineering technology education programmes in Sri Lanka

Basic technical education provided to fresh school leavers can be divided into four main categories according to the depths of subject matter taught and the skills involved: craft level, certificate level, diploma level and the degree level, In the Engineering fields of technical education these four categories could be distinctly identified. However, the entire workforce engaged in an engineering project is usually categorized into three levels. The personnel holding a degree or equivalent qualifications are categorized as upper level, the skilled craftsmen are categorized as the lower level. The diploma holders and the certificate holders fall into the category of middle level. This category accounts for all the jobs in between the other two levels and require both theoretical knowledge of the subject matter sufficient to interpret and appreciate designs, and skills needed in the relevant job to turnout a quality assured final product. The careers starting from foreman grades up to junior assistant engineer level could be accommodated in this group. This research aims to analyse such currently available programme

An Analysis of the current middle level engineering technology education programmes in Sri Lanka

Basic technical education provided to fresh school leavers can be divided into four main categories according to the depths of subject matter taught and the skills involved: craft level, certificate level, diploma level and the degree level, In the Engineering fields of technical education these four categories could be distinctly identified. However, the entire workforce engaged in an engineering project is usually categorized into three levels. The personnel holding a degree or equivalent qualifications are categorized as upper level, the skilled craftsmen are categorized as the lower level. The diploma holders and the certificate holders fall into the category of middle level. This category accounts for all the jobs in between the other two levels and require both theoretical knowledge of the subject matter sufficient to interpret and appreciate designs, and skills needed in the relevant job to turnout a quality assured final product. The careers starting from foreman grades up to junior assistant engineer level could be accommodated in this group. This research aims to analyse such currently available programmes

Global Citizenship Extended Course Summary

End of course presentations for INTA 2083 - Meaning of Global Citizenship. Presented on December 4, 2013 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm in A French building room 104.Runtime: 26:28 minutesThroughout the class, we focused on a series of learning outcomes that were identified as critical to the evaluation and understanding of good global citizenship. These outcomes include expectations of good global citizenship, the application of global citizenship to the strategic vision of Georgia Tech, the adoption of global citizenship practices by global institutions, and how citizenship is intrinsically linked with globalization. We have studied and debated the ideas and arguments of a multitude of philosophers on a variety of subjects that are of great relevance to these core ideas of globalization and citizenship and how they fulfill our learning goals. Our learning goals and our explication of how they were accomplished are included in this summary document of our experience in this class