The institutionalization of comparative education in Asia and the Pacific: Roles and contributions of comparative education societies and the WCCES

The institutional framework of the field of comparative education has developed significantly in recent decades. One manifestation of development has been the establishment and activities of professional societies. This paper focuses on 12 societies that operate in Asia and the Pacific. Some of these societies have long histories while others are recent creations. The paper considers the geographic and conceptual remits of these societies, and their activities including organisation of conferences and publication of journals. Patterns are viewed through the lenses of literature on intellectual fields and on academic tribes and territories.postprin

Influence of the oral status on cardiovascular diseases in an older Italian population

Oral diseases have been adversely associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are also the most frequent cause of death in older population. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among oral status indexes and CVD in patients aged more than 65 years attending in the Oral department of a public hospital Policlinico Umberto 1 of Rome. The study population consisted of 533 patients. Dental status was detected measuring the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) indexes. The chi-square test with a 95% confidence level was used to assess qualitative variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and stepwise logistic regression were used to calculate risk estimates; the independent variables: age, gender, DMFT, CPI index, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) score, and tooth loss were included in the statistical model. P value <0.05 was considered a statistically significant cut-off. No differences were found between females and males for DMFT and CPI. GOHAI data were worst for females. Patients with CVD had less education and oral care (P < 0.05), and higher CPI index and number of missing teeth (P < 0.05). Data show that patients with more than 18 missing teeth have 2.5 times greater risk of CVD. CVDs are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, underweight, and obesity (P < 0.05). From the findings of this study, it can be confirmed a significant link between CVD and oral health. A cooperation among geriatrician, cardiologist, and dentist is suitable to counteract the development of CVD and to early identify patients at risk of CVD

Comparative Education at Universities World Wide

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Obesity and physical activity in children of immigrants.

Childhood overweight and obesity have increased in recent decades, reaching alarming proportions. Children with a migrant background seem to be particularly at risk of developing overweight and obesity. This article provides an overview of the prevalence of overweight or obesity among North African (NA) children living in their own countries or as immigrants in Europe. The aim is to show the effect of the migration process on this trend and to discuss its possible contributing factors. Publications were identified by a systematic search of PubMed and the existing literature. Original longitudinal or cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity and of physical activity among ethnic groups from North Africa compared with the native population were reviewed. The results confirmed that children of NA origin in Europe have higher levels of overweight and obesity than the native ones, especially girls. However, this trend can also be detected in urban areas of NA countries. Important factors contributing to the increase of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are discussed, in particular the westernization of eating habits, the level of physical activity and body image perception. The review shows that factors linked to acculturation in the host society and others maintained from the country of origin come into play in determining childhood overweight and obesity among NA immigrants in Europe. The importance of health promotion targeting the groups most at risk of childhood overweight and obesity, i.e. aspects of a healthy diet and the benefits of physical activity, is underlined

The Many Faces of God:Monotheism, Religious Symbols and Theogony in Schelling's Berlin Lectures

Often forgotten by the secondary literature, Schelling’s Berlin lectures represent the last stage of the German philosopher’s work, as well as an immense source of intuitions and hints. In this paper I shall discuss a few connections regarding some crucial concepts developed by Schelling in this series of lectures. In particular, I shall show how the analysis of the concept of monotheism is the ground upon which Schelling build his interpretation of Theogony, namely the development of religious consciousness, from its beginning to when it reaches its peak in Christianity. Furthermore, I will discuss how in relation to this same concept Schelling reads our religious representations as symbols of the divine, the results and marks of the participation of human beings of the divine

The Wisdom of Dionysus:Metaphysics in the early and late Nietzsche, with particular respect to The Birth of Tragedy

A study on the relationship between Nietzsche's stance on and usage of the word Metaphysics. In particular, the essay shows Nietzsche's appreciation of the concept of Metaphysics in his early writings, and how, notwithstanding the change of attitude concerning the word itself, this appreciation lasts well into his late production

Management of osteonecrosis of the jaws induced by radiotherapy in oncological patients: preliminary results

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a bone aseptic necrosis which develops on post-irradiated bone tissue of patients who underwent radiotherapy for head-neck tumors. The mandible presents a higher risk to develop ORN, if compared to the maxillary bone, due to its lower vascularization. The aim of the present study is to clinically assess the regenerative ability by the epithelial and connective tissues, in response to ORN onset. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Authors have verified the importance of the surgical-pharmacological treatment, as an effective protocol for eliminating the exposed bone sequestration, as well as the teeth eventually damaged by the radiotherapy, assessing that the epithelium can regenerate only on healthy and vital tissues. RESULTS: The reported patient underwent resection of a portion of the left mandible with an incomplete healing after the surgery. A second curettage was scheduled in order to remove the bands of necrotic tissue and to obtain a clinical remission of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing radiotherapy, the dental surgeon should be able to give an early diagnosis of the dental and maxillofacial related pathologies; he should also detect all the possible infective sources and administer any possible treatment in a short time, before the beginning or the prosecution of radiotherapy

Audit fees and book-tax differences

We investigate whether book-tax differences are associated with higher audit fees, a proxy for auditor risk assessments and auditor effort. Our evidence suggests that there is a significantly positive relation. Further, this association is larger for firms that appear to have managed earnings (i.e., have high accruals) relative to those that are tax avoiders (i.e., have low cash effective tax rates). Our evidence is consistent with large book-tax differences representing an observable proxy for earnings management that is associated with auditor decisions. Our study contributes to capital market research that examines audit fees, as well as other research that examines the usefulness of book-tax differences for market participants.Ernst & Young (Faculty Fellowship in Accounting

Researching shadow education: Methodological challenges and directions

Research on shadow education has considerably increased in volume and has helped to improve understanding of the scale, nature, and implications of the phenomenon. However, the field is still in its infancy. Literature on shadow education reflects confusion over terms and parameters, and data suffer from challenges in securing evidence from actors who may be unwilling or unable to respond to enquiries in a clear manner. Particular care is needed in cross-national and cross-cultural comparisons. Nevertheless, the trajectory of improvement in both conceptualisation and instrumentation gives ground for confidence that shadow education will be progressively better documented and better understood. © Education Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea 2010.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 01 Dec 201