Curriculum Innovation in Language Teacher Education:Reflections on the PGDELT Program’s Contributions to EFL Teachers’Continuing Professional Development

Initial teacher preparation and teachers’ continuing professional development are two significant pillars of the teacher education enterprise. The former encompasses a wide range of teachereducation initiatives at the levels of diploma, bachelor’s degree, postgraduate diploma, and even master’s degree for teacher licensure purposes. These are widely documented in the literature.What is important is how teacher professional development contributes to bolstering the teachereducator force, which is relatively insufficiently documented due to the very fact that different educational systems have somewhat different expectations of such programs in relation to the ideologies and theories underpinning the teacher professional development program design and curriculum offering. Taking stock of a postgraduate diploma program in English language teaching(PGDELT) for teachers’ continuing professional development with a 31-year history housed at a premier teacher education institution in Singapore, which has successfully graduated over 1, 000 English language teachers for colleges and universities in China, I intend to highlight some of its key features, as a former student and then a lecturer on the program, in order to draw implications for sustainable growth of language teacher education programs, especially those whose main purposes are to prepare teachers of English as a second or foreign language(ESL/EFL) and provide continuing professional development opportunities for such inservice teachers.

Integrated primary care-behavioral health program development and implementation in a rural context

Objective:Despite the known benefits of integrated primary care and behavioral health services,integrated behavioral health services have not been readily used in medical clinics in interior Alaska.With minimal resources,we recently developed an integrated primary care-behavioral health program in a medical clinic in interior Alaska to meet clinic and community needs.The objective of this study was to explore initial program outcomes and determine the feasibility of program development and implementation.Methods:We initially conducted a needs assessment for integrating behavioral health services into primary care.Program development was informed by specific clinic needs.Following program implementation,initial program outcomes were tracked with use of data from the electronic health record and patient and provider use and satisfaction surveys.The level of integration of primary care and behavioral health services was evaluated with the Practice Integration Profile.Results:A total of 188 patients were seen by behavioral health consultants during the initial pilot phase,including 44.0%referred for mental health symptoms,33.1%referred for physical health issues,and 22.3%referred for both mental and physical health issues.The initial program outcomes indicate modest clinical improvement(measured by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire)as well as patient and provider satisfaction with the model,and a moderate level of practice integration.Conclusion:On the basis of the initial findings,it appears that our integrated primary care-behavioral health program has the potential to serve an important role in addressing the behavioral health needs of the local population.Our implementation procedure and initial program outcomes suggest that such models are feasible in rural and small-scale settings with minimal overhead costs.

A Type-Theoretic Approach to Program Development

A paradigm of program development using type theories is given after analyzing some typical exam- ples.In order to carry this approach forward,a language ALT is designed.It is a linguistic description of a generalized higher order typed lambda calculus with Π,∑ types and Π,∑ kinds (supertypes). Four examples are given to show how ALT can be used to implement many concepts of software engi- neering and artificial intelligence.They are intuitionistic logic,Peano arithmetic,approximate reasoning and program transformations.ALT is described formally,using a structural operational approach.

Mechanisms of developmental programming of the metabolic syndrome and related disorders

There is consistent epidemiological evidence linking low birth weight, preterm birth and adverse fetal growth to an elevated risk of the metabolic syndrome (obesity, raised blood pressure, raised serum triglycerides, lowered serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and impaired glucose tolerance or insulin resistance) and related disorders. This "fetal or developmental origins/programming of disease" concept is now well accepted but the "programming" mechanisms remain poorly understood. We reviewed the major evidence, implications and limitations of current hypotheses in interpreting developmental programming and discuss future research directions. Major current hypotheses to interpret developmental programming include: (1)thrifty phenotype; (2) postnatal accelerated or catchup growth; (3) glucocorticoid effects; (4) epigenetic changes; (5) oxidative stress; (6) prenatal hypoxia; (7) placental dysfunction; and (8) reduced stem cell number. Some hypothetical mechanisms (2, 4 and 8) could be driven by other upstream "driver" mechanisms. There is a lack of animal studies addressing multiple mechanisms simultaneously and a lack of strong evidence linking clinical outcomes to biomarkers of the proposed programming mechanisms in humans. There are needs for (1) experimental studies addressing multiple hypothetical mechanisms simultaneously; and (2) prospective pregnancy cohort studies linking biomarkers of the proposed mechanisms to clinical outcomes or surrogate biomarker endpoints. A better understanding of the programming mechanisms is a prerequisite for developing early life interventions to arrest the increasing epidemic of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and other related disorders.

Developmental programming of the metabolic syndrome critical windows for intervention

Metabolic disease results from a complex interaction of many factors,including genetic,physiological,behavioral and environmental influences.The recent rate at which these diseases have increased suggests that environmental and behavioral influences,rather than genetic causes,are fuelling the present epidemic.In this context,the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis has highlighted the link between the periconceptual,fetal and early infant phases of life and the subsequent development of adult obesity and the metabolic syndrome.Although the mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated,this programming was generally considered an irreversible change in developmental trajectory.Recent work in animal models suggests that developmental programming of metabolic disorders is potentially reversible by nutritional or targeted therapeutic interventions during the period of developmental plasticity.This review will discuss critical windows of developmental plasticity and possible avenues to ameliorate the development of postnatal metabolic disorders following an adverse early life environment.

Designing a Comprehensive Skill Evaluation and Vocational Ability Development Program for FTTH Installer

Recently, FTTH （fiber to the home） is spreading rapidly, and communication technology has become an indispensable part in our lives. FTTH installers who build the infi＇astructure must correspond to the progress of technology while ensuring a high quality of installation, and it is struggling to its counterpart. The present study is undertaken in order to propose effective vocational ability development program for FTTH installers from the approach of their skill. They are information network cabling-related qualification system and competitions as the ability evaluation system. Then the author concludes that this program makes a contribution to improving their skill and maintaining the quality of the optical fiber network in analyzing some example of actual installation work and the measurement result of the OTDR（optical time domain reflect） meter.

China's Biotechnology Development Program during the Tenth Five-Year Plan Period (2001-2005)

Bioengineering TechnoIogy(Ⅰ)1. Crop molecular marker-assisted selection and pyramiding breeding technology2. Super hybrid

The Program for the Development of Chinese New and Renewable Energy (1996-2010) Worked Out

The State Science and Technology Commission, State Economic and Trade Commission, and State Planning Commission of China have jointly worked out the Program for the Development of Chinese New and Renewable Energy recently.

A Glimpse at Program for Children's Development in China

Continuedonpage20Notes:1.Datain1990forinfant.andunderfivemortalityratesaredatain1991.2.Datumin1997forincidenceofunderweightofchildrenisthatin1995.3.Datain1997foruniversalizationofsafedrinkingwaterandsanitarytoiletsaredatain1998.4.Datain1997forHIVcarr...

Gender Equality:Now a Basic State Strategy——On the Salient Features of the National Program on the Development of Chinese Women(2011-2020)

The National Program on the Development of Chinese Women （2011-2020）, herein- after referred to as the ＂NewProgram,＂ was published in August 2011. This is an important document designed to ensure implementation of the basic state strategy of gender equal- ity and the all-round development of Chinese women. The New Program is a part of China＇s policy program for the protection of human rights. It sets 57 major targets to be attained over the decade. The targets cover seven fields, namely, health, education, economy,

China's Biotech Achievements——Development of China's 863 Program in the Ninth Five-Year Plan Period

Modern biotechnology booms in the molecular life science. It brings about a promising future for improving human health, foodstuff, environment and energy and is of significance to improve traditional agriculture, druamakins and other

Application of Mindsets to Health Education and Behavior Change Programs

Successful health promotion programs are characterized in part, by the willingness of audiences to engage, participate, and adopt healthier behaviors. But presentation of messages that reach and resonate with the intended audience remains challenging. This is due in part to the variety of mindsets—viewpoints, attitudes, and beliefs—within a population. These mindsets play an essential role in understanding and predicting behaviors and lifestyle factors associated with health or chronic diseases. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how a specific survey-based method of mindset segmentation can distinguish predominant mindsets and then be used to create, adapt, and/or market health programs to appeal to these mindsets. Steps in survey construction, distribution, and analysis are described. Interpretation of the results, yielding three primary mindsets, is the critical outcome of this segmentation method. The applications of this interpretation to community health education programs are suggested. This approach has potential to inform, enhance, or customize programs, tailoring activities, methods, and messages to the preferences of the community.

Fetal programming of obesity and type 2 diabetes

The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has increased rapidly over the past few decades,and prevention efforts have not been successful.Fetal programming involves the earliest stage of obesity development,and provides a novel concept to complement other strategies for lifelong prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.The World Health Organization now advocates a life-course approach to prevent/control obesity,starting with pre-conceptional and antenatal maternal health.Maternal overnutrition,gestational diabetes mellitus and excessive gestational weight gain lead to fetal overgrowth,and“programs”the offspring with an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in childhood and adulthood.This review summarizes current data on fetal programming of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus including potential causative factors,mechanisms and interventions to reduce its impact.

The Elite Strategies in the CIMS Subject of China 863 Program (1986-2000)

Manpower is the key factor to the success of the CIMS Subject of China 863 Program. Many manpower strategies have been used in the CIMS Subject, which include elite strategies, training and practicing strategies, and culture strategies. This paper is mainly about the elite strategies such as to discover the talents, to cultivate the elites and to establish the mechanism for the expert groups to work in team, echelon and vigor.

Need for education of psychiatric evaluation of offenders with mental disorders:A questionnaire survey for Japanese designated psychiatrists

BACKGROUND The management of offenders with mental disorders has been a significant concern in forensic psychiatry.In Japan,the introduction of the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act in 2005 addressed the issue.However,numerous psychiatric patients at risk of violence still find themselves subject to the administrative involuntary hospitalization(AIH)scheme,which lacks clarity and updated standards.AIM To explore current as well as optimized learning strategies for risk assessment in AIH decision making.METHODS We conducted a questionnaire survey among designated psychiatrists to explore their experiences and expectations regarding training methods for psychiatric assessments of offenders with mental disorders.RESULTS The findings of this study’s survey suggest a prevalent reliance on traditional learning approaches such as oral education and on-the-job training.CONCLUSION This underscores the pressing need for structured training protocols in AIH consultations.Moreover,feedback derived from inpatient treatment experiences is identified as a crucial element for enhancing risk assessment skills.

The Program of Fish Culture in rice fields has been developed in Zhejiang Province

1996 is the first year for realizing the object of fish culture in 66,600 ha of rice field in Zhejiang Province. The provincial government has appropriated $ 24,000 per ha for starting capital. Starting from this year, counties with the tradition of fish culture in rice fields as Youngjia and Qingtian have put stress on popularizing the new technique of fish culture in ditches and puddles to raise the yield for per unit area. In areas of Central Zhejiang and North Zhejiang with hilly land and plain area with double—season rice, people have changed traditional fish varieties into special and excellent fish varieties.