Racial hierarchy and masculine space: Participatory in/equity in computational physics classrooms

ABSTRACT

Background and Context

Computing is being integrated into a range of STEM disciplines. Still, computing remains inaccessible to many minoritized groups, especially girls and certain people of color. In this mixed methods study, we investigated racial and gendered patterns of equity and inequity in high school physics classrooms incorporating computational modeling, with an emphasis on group work.     

Extracellular Methemoglobin Mediated Early ROS Spike Triggers Osmotic Fragility and RBC Destruction: An Insight into the Enhanced Hemolysis During Malaria

Malaria infection is known to cause severe hemolysis due to production of abnormal RBCs and enhanced RBC destruction through apoptosis. Infected RBC lysis exposes uninfected RBC to the large amount of pro-oxidant molecules such as methemoglobin. Methemoglobin (MetHb) exposure dose dependently makes RBCs susceptible to osmotic stress and causes hemolysis. MetHb mediated oxidative stress in RBC correlated well with osmotic fragility and hemolysis. Interestingly, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) spike at 15 min was responsible for the observed effects on RBC cells. Two natural antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine and mannitol protected the RBC from MetHb-mediated defects, which clearly indicated involvement of oxidative stress in the process. MetHb due to its pseudo-peroxidase activity produces ROS in the external microenvironment. Therefore, classical peroxidase inhibitors were tested to probe peroxidase activity mediated ROS production with defects in RBCs. Clotrimazole (CLT), which irreversibly inactivates the MetHb (CLT-MetHb) and abolishes peroxidase activity, did not produce significant ROS outside RBC and was inefficient to cause osmotic fragility and hemolysis. Hence, initiating a chain reaction, MetHb released from ruptured RBC produces significant ROS in the external microenvironment to make RBC membrane leaky and enhanced hemolysis. Together data presented in the current work explored the role of MetHb in accelerated humorless during malaria which could be responsible for severe outcomes of pathological disorders.     

Biochemical Indicator of Sickle Cell Disease: Preliminary Report from India

Blood biochemistry has significant effect on pathophysiology of human body. Recently few studies found the association of biochemical abnormalities in sickle cell patients. Sickle cell disease showed clinical variability where African ancestors have severe phenotype than Indian sicklers. Our aim was to evaluate the biochemicals in sickle cell patients and their effect on severity. Here we present the comparative biochemical levels in sickle cell patients as well as controls. Sickle cell patients diagnosed by HPLC and biochemical analysis done by Beckman-auto analyzer. T test applied for statistical analysis. Result showed the renal abnormality lesser in patients and related biochemical within the normal range and statistically not significant. Electrolytes, hepatic enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and glucose were elevated and statistically significant (P value <0.05). Observation of the study concludes the biochemical abnormality play a significant role in sickle cell patient’s physiopathology and can be used to management of the disease.     

‘We are equals’; datum or delusion: perceptions of Muslim women academics in three Malaysian universities

Islam underlines equality between women and men regarding their spiritual and intellectual potential. However, given interpretations of religious texts are often availed to suppress women in most Muslim societies, with serious implications for gender equality in the domestic and the professional spheres. This article draws on data from a study of Muslim women academics from three Malaysian universities to highlight the impact of dominant discourses on these women’s professional lives and their perceptions of gender equality, and discusses its implications for their professional journeys. The article argues that the feudal patriarchal structures of most Muslim societies, reinforced by vested interpretations of religious texts, validate a powerful discourse of male authority which contributes to the perception that submitting to male authority is a Muslim woman’s religious obligation. The seductive power of these discourses couched in religious authority influences the terms of their professional engagement and their conceptualisations and understanding of gender equality.     

Association of Vitamin D Receptor (FokI and BsmI) Gene Polymorphism with Bone Mineral Density and Their Effect on 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level in North Indian Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease with a strong genetic component. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been suggested as a candidate gene for osteoporosis. Therefore the present study was aimed to investigate the pattern of allelic variants of VDR gene polymorphism (FokI and BsmI), its influence on vitamin D levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in North Indian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis for possible genetic association. 254 postmenopausal osteoporotic women and 254 postmenopausal non osteoporotic women were included in the study. VDR FokI and BsmI gene polymorphism gene were assessed by the PCR-RFLP method. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured by the ELISA. BMD at the L₁–L₄ lumbar spine, hip, forearm and femoral neck was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The average BMD at spine and hip in postmenopausal women with bb and spine, hip, femoral neck and forearm with ff genotype had significantly low BMD. The frequency of ff genotype and f allele was significantly higher in postmenopausal osteoporotic women when compared with postmenopausal non osteoporotic women. However, no significant association was found between the genotypes and vitamin D levels. Our study reveals that VDR gene FokI and BsmI polymorphism is significantly associated with low bone mineral density. Therefore the ff genotype and f allele of VDR FokI gene may be used as an important risk factor for osteoporosis.     

Incidence of microalbuminuria in tobacco chewers

It is well established that smoking increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. From the studies in diabetic subjects it has been shown that smoking induces microalbuminuria and accelerates the progression to end stage renal disease. Little is known whether smoking is also related to microalbuminuria and renal end organ damage in non diabetic subjects. The hypothesis which was put forward that tobacco chewing is related to microalbuminuria and renal functional changes in non diabetic subjects. We therefore performed a population based study in the Anand city of Gujarat in which we studied the relation between tobacco chewing and urinary albumin excretion. Tobacco chewers had a higher urinary albumin excretion (Albumin excretion 373±13.9 mg/day: P<0.01) than those who do not consume tobacco. In conclusion tobacco chewing is associated with albuminuria.     

Effect of preoperative stress on serum lipoperoxide levels

To test the concept of intense psychogenic stress manifesting as organic lesion, effect of pre-operative stress on serum lipid peroxide levels in 30 otherwise healthy patients to undergo major abdominal elective surgery has been studied and compared with healthy controls. Significant elevations in serum lipid peroxide levels both on hospitalization and at pre-operative stage were noticed in comparison with healthy controls. However, serum lipid peroxide levels at pre-operative stage did not show significant fluctuations in comparison with those at the time of admission, suggestive of no probable further increment in autoxidation of unsaturated fatty acids of membrane lipids and proper handling by scavenging enzyme system.     

Closing the loop on student feedback: the case of Australian and Scottish universities

Universities have a long history of collecting student feedback using surveys and other mechanisms. The last decade has witnessed a significant shift in how student feedback is systematically collected, analysed, reported, and used by governments and institutions. This shift is due to a number of factors, including changes in government policy related to quality assurance, and the increased use of the results by various stakeholders such as governments, institutions, and potential students and employers. The collection, analysis, and reporting of results are systematically carried out in many institutions worldwide. However, how to use student feedback to effectively improve student learning experience remains an issue to be addressed. This paper will contribute to this debate by comparing how Australian and Scottish universities use student feedback results to inform improvements. Based on thematic analysis of external quality audit reports of all Australian and Scottish universities, this paper suggests that universities have systematic processes to collect student feedback using a range of mechanisms, but limited work is done to use the data to inform improvements. This paper argues the need for universities to genuinely listen to student voice by facilitating partnership between students and institutions to act on their feedback as part of quality assurance.