Metacognitive awareness consists of two components, i.e. regulation of cognition and knowledge of cognition. In earlier studies self-evaluation is aligned as a sub-component of regulation of cognition. However, in this study we point out that self-evaluation does not actually regulate the ongoing or forthcoming process but it is a tool used to reflect both knowledge and regulation. This alignment is modelled to assess to what extend self-evaluation can be predicted by the other components of the metacognitive awareness. The model is tested empirically among vocational education students (N= 578) using the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI). The results of SEM concludes that the conditions and goals appointed by the learner predict the selection of contents and strategies towards self-evaluation of one’s own learning. In other words, by measuring planning or conditional knowledge we could predict other components of knowledge or regulation and, especially, self-evaluation. The findings of this study extensively confirm that planning and knowledge of conditions predict success through the learning process. The results encourage teachers to support students in improving their metacognitive awareness, i.e. expect them to set goals for their own learning.

The purpose of the present study is to explore the utility of the compressed version of the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Teachers (MAIT-18) among in-service teachers. Knowledge of teachers' awareness of metacognition is required to support students' self-regulation, with the aim of establishing modern learning methods and life-long learning. The participants in this study were teachers (N = 208) from different sectors of vocational education. The data has been analysed using structural equation modelling. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated good/acceptable model fit and convergence of each factor. Moreover, alpha scores of the inventory signify that the inventory is internally consistent. These findings reveal the utility of the MAIT-18 in measuring the Metacognitive Awareness of in-service teachers. Now, that the utility of the inventory has been examined among in-service teachers, comparative studies between in-service teachers and teacher trainees as well as longitudinal studies are prospective.

Hundreds of different human skeletal disorders have been characterized at molecular level and a growing number of resembling dysplasias with orthologous genetic defects are being reported in dogs. This study describes a novel genetic defect in the Brazilian Terrier breed causing a congenital skeletal dysplasia. Affected puppies presented severe skeletal deformities observable within the first month of life. Clinical characterization using radiographic and histological methods identified delayed ossification and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive disorder, and we performed a genome-wide association study to map the disease locus using Illumina’s 22K SNP chip arrays in seven cases and eleven controls. A single association was observed near the centromeric end of chromosome 6 with a genome-wide significance after permutation (p genome = 0.033). The affected dogs shared a 13-Mb homozygous region including over 200 genes. A targeted next-generation sequencing of the entire locus revealed a fully segregating missense mutation (c.866C>T) causing a pathogenic p.P289L change in a conserved functional domain of β-glucuronidase (GUSB). The mutation was confirmed in a population of 202 Brazilian terriers (p = 7,71×10 −29 ). GUSB defects cause mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII) in several species and define the skeletal syndrome in Brazilian Terriers. Our results provide new information about the correlation of the GUSB genotype to phenotype and establish a novel canine model for MPS VII. Currently, MPS VII lacks an efficient treatment and this model could be utilized for the development and validation of therapeutic methods for better treatment of MPS VII patients. Finally, since almost one third of the Brazilian terrier population carries the mutation, breeders will benefit from a genetic test to eradicate the detrimental disease from the breed.

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Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon organisaatioihin kohdistuvat muutospaineet ja organisaatioiden kompleksisuus vaativat johtajuuden jatkuvaa uudistumista. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on kuvailla moniammatilliseen sosiaali- ja terveysalan johtamiskoulutukseen osallistuneiden johtajien johtajuuden sisällön osa-alueiden kehittymistä heidän omasta näkökulmastaan.  Tutkimusaineistona olivat koulutukseen osallistuvien koulutuksen aikana tuottamat johtajuuden kehittymistä kuvaavat kirjalliset portfoliot (n=21). Analyysissä soveltaen hyödynnettiin narratiivista menetelmää ja temaattista sisällön analyysiä. Analyysin tuloksena rakentui kolme johtajuuden kehittymisen kuvausta: 1. itsejohtajuuden kehittymisen kuvaus, 2. inhimillisten voimavarojen johtajuuden kehittymisen kuvaus ja 3. muutoksen ja kompleksisuuden johtajuuden kehittymisen kuvaus. Tutkimuksen perusteella johtajuuden sisällön osa-alueet kehittyivät monipuolisesti moniammatillisen johtamiskoulutuksen aikana. Etenkin itsejohtajuus kehittyi yksilöllisesti koulutuksen aikana. Myös ihmisten väliseen toimintaan keskittyvässä johtajuudessa tapahtui monipuolista kehittymistä. Johtajat havaitsivat kehittyneensä etenkin muutoksen ja kompleksisuuden johtajuuden saralla. Tutkimus tuotti lisää tietoa itsejohtajuuden sekä muutoksen ja kompleksisuuden johtajuuden kehittymisestä puolitoista vuotta kestäneen koulutuksen aikana. Johtajuuden kehittymisestä ja kehittymisprosesseista tarvitaan jatkossa syvällisempää ja monipuolisempaa tutkimustietoa.