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The use of mobile learning continues to gain strong acceptance as a social technology facilitation medium in many tertiary institutions around the world. Its use as the platform in blended courses is an innovation in modern educational technology delivery methodology and strategy. This study employed WhatsApp mobile learning to explore the perceptions of 50 learners at a Caribbean university. The learners were from two Bachelor of Education mathematics courses for pre and in-service primary school teachers. These mathematics courses are compulsory and the students were either from their first or second year of their four-year degree or have been teaching for no more than five (5) years. Interviews were conducted in this qualitative research and the data analyzed. The results demonstrated that mobile social learning has a place in the future of higher education and that learners are not only easily connected synchronously but the geographical gap is greatly diminished. The interaction in such a collaborative learning environment was highlighted and the communication tool of WhatsApp exploited to the delight of the users. The learners' gained a better perspective of the objectives of the course from the collaborative sessions. Their communicative skills improved and the continual interaction with their peers and facilitator accounted for them obtaining excellent grades, enjoying the class and learning in a friendly and fun environment. Online distance learning (ODL) was attained despite the challenges of access and cost to some learners. The WhatsApp groups also gave support to colleagues who were unable to attend class(es) and this was done in their own creative style.

IntroductionThe pathophysiology of both PD and PSP is characterized by a pro-oxidant state. Uric acid is an oxidative stress marker. High uric acid blood levels have been associated with a reduced risk of PD and a decreased rate of disease progression. We investigated whether a low serum concentration of uric acid is also associated with PSP.MethodsWe measured serum uric acid concentrations in a subsample of the ENGENE PSP Cohort that included 75 cases and 75 frequency-matched-by-sex healthy controls (69 spouses, 6 in-laws) from four centers willing to participate (Case Western, Rush University, University of Utah, and University of Louisville). Case severity was characterized using the total PSP-Rating Scale, UPDRS, and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. Unconditional logistic regression, Pearson's chi-squared test, and analysis of variance were used, as appropriate.ResultsThe mean uric acid level among cases (4.0 mg/dL) was not significantly lower than that of controls (4.1 mg/dL). When controlling for sex, there were no between-group statistical differences in uric acid levels. Uric acid levels were not correlated with disease severity.ConclusionsThe results of this study do not provide evidence of uric acid having a protective role in PSP, even if oxidative injury is important in the pathophysiology of this disorder. The lack of statistical significance suggests that there is no direct association between uric acid levels and PSP. However, a small inverse association cannot be excluded. © 2016 Movement Disorder Society.

Although combat has been found to be associated with adverse health outcomes, little is known about the impact of specific combat exposures, particularly among specialized personnel. This study examined the association of different types of combat exposures with behavioral health outcomes, and whether these associations differed by Army occupational specialization: General Purpose Forces infantrymen (n = 5,361), Ranger Qualified infantrymen (n = 308), and Special Forces personnel (n = 593). Multivariable regression models estimated the association of combat severity, type of combat event (fighting, killing, threat to oneself, death/injury of others), and type of killing with mental health disorders, trouble sleeping, and problem drinking. Combat severity, each type of combat event, and killing noncombatants were associated with adverse health outcomes after adjusting for covariates and other combat exposures. Except for trouble sleeping, these associations did not differ by occupational specialization, though the prevalence and odds of outcomes were generally lower for Special Forces personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]