Despite the value of technology integration for educational equity and quality being emphasized by numerous studies, many gaps exist about how technology integration can be approached in policy... Show moreDespite the value of technology integration for educational equity and quality being emphasized by numerous studies, many gaps exist about how technology integration can be approached in policy plans, implemented in pedagogical practices, and embraced by teachers, students, and parents. In the current dissertation, the focus is on teachers’ pedagogical practices with technology in primary and secondary education, contributing to a more detailed understanding of what happens to integrate technology into the teaching and learning processes. Given this goal, we examined the different teaching and technology practices considering the concerted efforts of various stakeholders at different levels and contexts. Five studies were performed on: (1) an overview of the link between local information and communications technology (ICT) policy plans and the ICT practices of rural schools; (2) rural teachers’ use of digital educational resources aimed at promoting digital equity and education for all; (3) rural teachers’ sharing of digital educational resources aimed at promoting teacher professional learning opportunities and development; (4) (a meta-analysis on) the effectiveness of various mobile technology usage on learning outcomes in primary and secondary education; (5) the relationships among teacher beliefs, classroom process quality, and student engagement in smart classroom learning environments in secondary education. Show less
This thesis collects six empirical studies regarding the developments of social assistance benefits, their determinants and the impact of the benefit changes on income polarization. The... Show more This thesis collects six empirical studies regarding the developments of social assistance benefits, their determinants and the impact of the benefit changes on income polarization. The first study suggests that the real minimum income benefit levels increased in many OECD countries whilst minimum income replacement rates declined on average. The increased benefit levels reflect policy changes while the declined replacement rates do not reflect benefit cuts but larger wage increases. The second study shows that globalization, soaring levels of unemployment and trade unions have triggered social assistance and minimum income benefit reforms. The third study indicates that the Lisbon Strategy has been positively associated with minimum income benefit developments since 2005. The findings in the fourth study suggest that in China, minimum income benefit programs vary considerably across regions and the benefit generosity has been increasing over the decade although still at low levels in an international perspective. The fifth and sixth studies focus on the indicator of income polarization to analyze income distribution. The fifth study shows that income polarization is stable in European countries and Europe as a whole. The sixth study further indicates that tax-benefit systems are essential in reducing initial market income polarization. Show less
Spiking neural P systems are a class of distributed and parallel computing models inspired by the neurophysiological behavior of neurons sending electrical impulses (spikes) along axons to other... Show moreSpiking neural P systems are a class of distributed and parallel computing models inspired by the neurophysiological behavior of neurons sending electrical impulses (spikes) along axons to other neurons. In this thesis, we consider that the spiking neural P systems are universal even if the systems work in limited asynchronous mode. And we also investigated different variants of spiking neural P systems with other additional features, such as the axon functioning, the growth of dendritic trees in neurons, the positive or negative weights on synapses, and the astrocytes having excitatory and inhibitory influence on synapses. Show less
This thesis consists of two parts, focusing on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) (Part I) and IgG glycosylations (Part II), respectively. Part I (Chapter 2-5) is mainly dedicated to a better... Show moreThis thesis consists of two parts, focusing on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) (Part I) and IgG glycosylations (Part II), respectively. Part I (Chapter 2-5) is mainly dedicated to a better identification/characterization and generation of functional human Tregs in vitro. In Chapter 2, we investigated the dynamics of endogenous FOXP3 expression and its relation to the suppressive function in activated human CD4+ T cells. In Chapter 3, we discovered an inverse correlation between membrane-bound TNF-alpha expression and cell suppressive abilities within human CD4+CD25++ T-cell compartment. In Chapter 4 & 5, we developed efficient approaches to consistently convert effector T cells into Tregs both in mice and humans. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the inconsistency in Treg conversion were unraveled as well. Part II (Chapter 6-7) aims to analyze the glycosylation pattern of antigen-specific antibodies and to obtain more insights on how glycosylation is regulated during an active immune response. Chapter 6 describes a method for the microscale purification and Fc-glycosylation analysis of auto-antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In Chapter 7, we identified, by using an in vitro culture system, some factors that can influence the gylcan pattern of secreted IgG1 during the activation and differentiation of B cells. Show less
