A methodological framework for understanding and describing discipline‐based scholarship of teaching in higher education through design‐based research

Since their inception in 1993 at an Australian university, the workshop tutorials in physics have evolved and grown beyond the initiating department. In this paper, we adopt an interpretive perspective to: (i) reflect on why the tutorials continue to be successful; (ii) use models from literature to understand that success; and (iii) abstract key features that can inform scholarly inquiry into teaching and learning in higher education in other contexts and discipline areas. Practitioner (action) research and design‐based research not only provide useful methodological frameworks that support the success of the workshop tutorials, but they also offer a worthwhile methodological strategy for fostering scholarly inquiry into university teaching and student learning.     

Struggling toward a transformative model of instruction: It's not so easy!

This article is about the moving toward a new instruction style—a transformative model of instruction. One university instructor attempts to change her teaching strategies, and she encounters her own belief as obstacles, self-labeled her pedagogical discrepancies. Through peer feedback, reflective journal writing, and readings she uncovers the obstacles and discovers how the beliefs need to change in order to implement transformative teaching strategies. The change is incorporated into five lessons: it is easier to tell than to listen; modeling needs to go beyond a monologue; be humble and learn from the students; there are more ways to the same end; and, grading the end product or acknowledging the risk. Her lessons take on a spiral nature of learning, and incorporate detailed emotional–psychological resistance. In doing so, she gains a deeper understanding of her instruction, and becomes better equipped to prepare other reflective practitioners. The study takes place in the continental United States of America.     

An easy, rapid and cost-effective method of microtitration

An economical and less time consuming microtitration method is presented. The method has been applied to two types of titration, viz., neutralization and complexometric. The results obtained by the new method are comparable to those obtained by conventional method using burette and pipette. It is proposed that this method can be implemented in high school and undergraduate classes as the quantities of chemicals consumed are far less and the experiment can be completed within the given laboratory period.     

Space allocation to academic departments in a high rise building of an Australian educational institution

This study examines an important aspect of the college space planning problem for an institution which has a high density development on the campus site. A model is developed which minimizes the vertical student pedestrian movements within the building. The optimal solution obtained from the model was adjusted marginally to alleviate space dispersal problems which tend to militate against departmental coordination and interaction. The resulting assignment of space was found to be better than the existing deployment of teaching department accommodation from the perspective of minimization of student pedestrian traffic and intradepartmental interaction and administration. The study is concluded by suggesting that future investigators should consider a multiobjective approach to the resolution of space allocation problems. It indicates that academic interaction should be maximized whilst costs of relocation of occupants from existing building floors should be minimized. The consideration of these goals, together with the objectives examined in this study, appear to be central to the solution of the college space allocation problem.     

TPMS: A performance support tool for cisco training program managers

Conclusion This paper has explored the impact of TPMS, a performance management and support tool for trainers, on the work of Training Project Managers on the Customer Advocacy Training team within Cisco Systems. TPMS was shown to support the work of PMs through all stages of the ADDIE model. While its focus on the management of the training development process makes it different from other ID tools, TPMS is nonetheless a tool that supports the work of instructional designers. Depending on the route the CA team chooses to follow, TPMS could evolve to a Knowledge Management System (KMS) ID that not only manages the development process but also provides more advanced capabilities for collaboration.     

Hyperinsulinemia predisposes to NAFLD

Metabolic syndrome contributes to pathogenesis of Type-2 diabetes and CAD. Insulin Resistance is the key factor of metabolic syndrome implicated in development of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). In present study we have investigated the prevalence of NAFLD in metabolic syndrome and contribution of metabolic risk factors in causation of NAFLD in non-diabetic North Indian male population. The study was conducted on 495 non-diabetic, nonalcoholic subjects (age 30–65 years). Metabolic Syndrome was assessed by using ATP III and ADA (2005) criteria. Anthropometric factors-Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. Fasting serum samples were analyzed for Glucose, Triglycerides, Cholesterol and its fractions, Insulin, Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase, Gamma glutamyl transferase and free fatty acids. Insulin resistance was estimated by Homeostasis Model and Insulin sensitivity by QUICKI Index. Liver ultrasonographic scanning was used for assessing fatty liver. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD was 24% and 14.8% respectively in non-alcoholic population and 27% of metabolic syndrome had NAFLD which was associated with hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, insulin insensitivity along with elevated levels of waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride, FFA and decreased HDL-Cholesterol. The prevalence of NAFLD increased with insulin resistance and clustering of metabolic risk factors.     

CRISPR/Cas-New Molecular Scissors in Diagnostics and Therapeutics of COVID-19

The current pandemic of COVID-19, with its climbing number of cases and deaths, has us searching for tools for rapid, reliable, and affordable methods of detection on one hand, and novel, improved therapeutic strategies on the other. The currently employed RT-PCR method, despite its all-encompassing utility, has its shortcomings. Newer diagnostic tools, based on the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas(CRISPR-Cas) system, with its better diagnostic accuracy measures, have come up to fill that void. These assay platforms are expected to slowly take up the place of COVID-19 diagnostics. Further, the current therapeutic options focus mainly on counteracting the viral proteins and components and their entry into host cells. The CRISPR-based system, especially through the RNA-guided Cas13 approach, can identify the genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and provide a novel inhibition strategy for coronaviruses. In this mini-review, we have discussed the available and upcoming CRISPR-based diagnostic assays and the potential of the CRISPR/Cas system as a therapeutic or prevention strategy in COVID-19. CRISPR-Cas system shows promise in both diagnostics as well as therapeutics and may as well change the face of molecular diagnosis and precision medicine.