Connecting practice,theory and method: Supporting professional doctoral students in developing conceptual frameworks

From an instrumental view, conceptual frameworks that are carefully assembled from existing literature in Educational Technology and related disciplines can help students structure all aspects of inquiry. In this article we detail how the development of a conceptual framework that connects theory, practice and method is scaffolded and facilitated in an online doctoral program in Educational Technology. For online professional practice students, conceptual frameworks provide a lens to critically examine experiential knowledge and a solid foundation for the implementation of interdisciplinary research at a distance from their university campus and faculty mentors.     

Investigating the factors influencing teachers’ use of ICT in teaching in Bruneian secondary schools

The primary focus of the research study described in this paper was to assess the status quo of teachers’ use of Information and Communication Technology in teaching in terms of the factors that influence their use. Using a survey questionnaire, data was collected from a total of 1,891 secondary school teachers in all government schools in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Structural equation modelling, using AMOS 5.0 software, was employed as the major statistical analytic technique for a series of data analyses and assessment of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the theoretical model that underpinned the study. Findings presented in this paper indicate that Bruneian teachers’ use of ICT in teaching was influenced by their personal (attitude), social (subjective norms), and control (perceived behavioural control) factors.     

When is a South Indian Really Anemic?

To determine the normal range of Hemoglobin and cutoff values in healthy adults of Southern India, blood samples were analyzed for parameters of RBC and iron metabolism in 177 male and 203 female medical students. The data were compared with the American white population (NHANES III) and the WHO criteria for detection of anemia. The mean values for hemoglobin and hematocrit in male students differed minimally from American white males. However, values for parameters of iron metabolism were lower except total iron binding capacity (TIBC) which was higher. In female students, hemoglobin, hematocrit and parameters of iron metabolism were lower than American white females, except TIBC which was higher. Lower 5th percentile cutoff point (Mean − 1.645 SD) in males and females were 13.5 and 10 g/dl respectively. In conclusion, South Indian adult males have Hb values similar to American male adults, but South Indian females have considerably lower Hb levels than American females, raising the questions about appropriateness of WHO or US criteria for detection of anemia in Indian females.     

Ethical considerations in an online community: the balancing act

With the emergence and rapid growth of Social Media, a number of government departments in several countries have embraced Social Media as a privilege channel to interact with their constituency. We are exploring, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Human Services, the possibility to exploit the potential of social networks to support specific groups of citizens. To this end, we have developed Next Step, an online community to help people currently receiving welfare payments find a job and become financially self-sufficient. In this paper, we explore some ethical issues that arise when governments engage directly with citizens, in particular with communities in difficult situations, and when researchers are involved. We describe some of the challenges we faced and how we addressed them. Our work highlights the complexity of the problem, when an online community involves a government department and a welfare recipient group with a dependency relationship with that department. It becomes a balancing act, with the need to ensure privacy of the community members whilst still fulfilling the government’s legal responsibilities. While difficult, these issues must be addressed if governments are to engage with their citizens using Social Media.     

Impacts of Climate Change on Leisure Sports Golf Tourism For the World Leisure Sports Foundation Congress

According to the International Association of Golfing Tour Operators,the global golf tourism market is worth over $20 billion per year,countries are promoting golf as an important tourism activity, and golf tourism expanding rapidly. This study investigated the consumer trends and current situation ofgolf real estate in Caribbean area,revealed the impacts of climate change on golf course construction and on leisure sports golf tourism     

Impact of Covishield Vaccination in Terms of SARS CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Expression

The vaccination efficacy can indirectly be assessed through the quantification of neutralizing antibodies. Very few data are available on Covishield efficacy in terms of neutralizing antibody expression upon vaccination. This study is focused on profiling of neutralizing antibody expression during and after the Covishield two shot vaccination and observing COVID-19 infection in vaccinated participants during the period. SARS CoV-2 neutralizing antibody concentrations in samples were estimated using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay kit for Lifotronics eCL8000. The sampling had been done sequentially at 45th, 85th day after 1st dose and 15th day after 2nd dose Covishield vaccination. Parallelly, in order to confirm the total SARS CoV-2 IgG response in COVID-19 infection, measured the IgG using SARS CoV-2 IgG lateral flow immunoassay test kit. The subjects previously infected with COVID-19 before 1st dose vaccination demonstrated high neutralizing antibody (> 10AU/ml). In COVID-19 uninfected subjects, there was a sudden incline in neutralizing antibody after the 2nd dose. Infection with SARS CoV-2 between 1st and 2nd dose of Covishield vaccination implicate that the level of neutralizing antibody in serum after 1st dose was not adequate to combat the virus and prevent infection. We observed COVID-19 infection in participants even after 2nd dose of vaccination. Interestingly, there was no protection against SARS CoV-2 even with a high neutralizing antibody expression of 188.5 AU/mL after the 2nd dose. Findings of Covishield efficacy in different cohort samples before and after 2 doses of Covishield vaccination provide impetus for improvement or development of next generation vaccines.     

Comparative Study of Serum Amylase and Lipase in Acute Pancreatitis Patients

To establish utility of single enzymatic marker for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. This is a cohort study. Tertiary care centre proven cases of acute pancreatitis (n = 50) admitted in surgery ward between December 2011 and May 2013 were included in the study. Serum amylase and lipase were performed along with many analytes. All relevant data including serum lab values and imaging were collected. All 50 patients included in the study had raised serum lipase, 42 patients had both amylase and lipase raised, 8 patients had amylase normal but lipase raised. In smaller hospitals where limited lab and radiological facilities are available, estimation of serum lipase will be a better choice over serum amylase in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.     

Effects of chronic ethanol exposure on renal function tests and oxidative stress in kidney

After administration, ethanol and its metabolites go through the kidneys and are excreted into urine. The kidney seems to be the only vital organ generally spared in chronic alcoholics. Therefore, we investigated the multiple effects of chronic ethanol exposure on renal function tests and on oxidative stress related parameters in the kidney. Chronic ethanol (1.6 g ethanol/ kg body weight/ day) exposure did not show any significant change in relative weight (g/ 100g body weight) of kidneys, serum calcium level or glutathione s-transferase activity. However, urea and creatinine concentration in serum, and TBARS level in kidney elevated significantly, while reduced glutathione content and activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase diminished significantly after 12 weeks of ethanol exposure. Catalase activity showed increased activity after 4 weeks of ethanol exposure and decreased activity after 12 weeks of ethanol exposure. Genesis of renal ultrastructural abnormalities after 12 weeks of ethanol exposure may be important for the development of functional disturbances. This study revealed that chronic ethanol exposure for longer duration is associated with deleterious effects in the kidney.     

A study of thyroid status in hyperemesis gravidarum

Study was undertaken to assess thyroid status in hyperemesis gravidarum. 150 women pregnant with <20 weeks of gestation were selected randomly and out of these 100 women presenting with hyperemesis formed study group while 50 normal pregnant women served as controls. 53% of hyperemetic pregnant women were primigravidae and 82% of pregnant women presented with vomiting at less than 12 weeks of gestation. Statistically significant, 22% of hyperemetic women had increased serum T₃ levels while T₄ levels were increased in 67% of women in study group as compared to 8% and 16% respectively in control group. TSH levels were decreased in 18% of hyperemetic women as compared to 8% in control group with decrease in mean TSH level statistically significant. 22% of hyperemetic women had electrolyte disturbances and 7% were ketonuric. In clinically euthyroid women, biochemically altered thyroid function can attribute to vomiting and its prolongation to second trimester