Using Interactive Data Visualizations for Exploratory Analysis in Undergraduate Genomics Coursework: Field Study Findings and Guidelines

Life scientists increasingly use visual analytics to explore large data sets and generate hypotheses. Undergraduate biology majors should be learning these same methods. Yet visual analytics is one of the most underdeveloped areas of undergraduate biology education. This study sought to determine the feasibility of undergraduate biology majors conducting exploratory analysis using the same interactive data visualizations as practicing scientists. We examined 22 upper level undergraduates in a genomics course as they engaged in a case-based inquiry with an interactive heat map. We qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed students’ visual analytic behaviors, reasoning and outcomes to identify student performance patterns, commonly shared efficiencies and task completion. We analyzed students’ successes and difficulties in applying knowledge and skills relevant to the visual analytics case and related gaps in knowledge and skill to associated tool designs. Findings show that undergraduate engagement in visual analytics is feasible and could be further strengthened through tool usability improvements. We identify these improvements. We speculate, as well, on instructional considerations that our findings suggested may also enhance visual analytics in case-based modules.     

Serum Vitamin D Levels in Indian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Low serum vitamin D level has an increased association with risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).There has been no published data on the levels of this vitamin in Indian population with MS. Hence we decided to undertake this study to document if there is evidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with MS in our population. 26 patients with diagnosis of MS by modified Mc Donald’s criteria were enrolled in this study. Serum vitamin D (1,25 hydroxy) levels were measured by electro-chemiluminescence in our biochemistry lab. An age-matched control group of 202 patients who did not have a diagnosis of MS were included. In our study group 76.9 % had vitamin D level less than 20 ng/ml compared to 65.5 % of control group (p value of 0.019). Our study revealed a trend towards low vitamin D values in Indian MS patients.     

Development and validation of Mobile Learning Acceptance Measure

The growth of Smartphone usage, increased acceptance of electronic learning (E-learning), the availability of high reliability mobile networks and need for flexibility in learning have resulted in the growth of mobile learning (M-learning). This has led to a tremendous interest in the acceptance behaviors related to M-learning users among the information systems researchers. Despite a large amount of significant research in the field of M-learning, the measurement of user acceptance of M-learning has not received attention. This research study intends to develop and validate a survey that measures users’ acceptance of M-learning. A total sample of 806 university and higher college students from different institutes in Oman participated in this study. This research study was conducted in two stages. The first stage using a sample size of 388 students initiated a generic questionnaire, and examined factorial validity and reliability. The second stage that was conducted using different sample of 418 students employed confirmatory factor analysis to establish factorial validity and measurement invariance. A correlated six-factor model (Flexibility, Suitability, Enjoyment, Efficiency, Economic and Social) was fit using maximum likelihood estimation. The internal consistency and item reliability of Mobile Learning Acceptance Measure was found to be at acceptable level for both samples.     

Evaluation of Interactive Media in Science Education

An evaluation of an interactive media-based science education project is reported. One of the unique features of the evaluation is the application of a general program evaluation which stresses the assessment of contextual/environmental factors. The rationale is that without adequate facilitation and support from the context, large scale projects would have limited impact on education reform. The model was applied to a major, National Science Foundation funded, science teacher education project at Vanderbilt University. The findings revealed that a number of factors must come together for project success. They are: an environment conducive to innovation and development; strong administrative interest and commitment to further the cause of the project; faculty interest and commitment to be actively involved in the project and to integrate project ideas into their own practices. In addition, strong technical support is vital for research and developments efforts in technology-based science education projects.     

Architectural Support for Context-Aware Mobile Learning Applications

Education and Information Technologies - Context-aware mobile learning applications provide learning materials to suit the needs of individual learners. Despite several applications developed,...     

Role of ethanol on aluminum induced biochemical changes on rat brain

Aluminum and alcohol, both are well-accepted neurotoxin. The plausible mechanisms for their neurotoxicity are also common. Therefore, the effect of ethanol on aluminum induced biochemical changes in rat brain is being studied. In the present study, ethanol exposure significantly affected the aluminum and protein content of brain. The activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were also changed. Aluminum exposure, on the other hand, contributed significantly in the alterations of aluminum content, acid phosphatase acivity and aspartate aminotransferase activity. Though ethanol co-exposure significantly influenced the aluminum load of brain, the interactions of these two neurotoxins were found to be significant only in case of acid phosphatase activity of brain. Therefore, it can be suggested that general neurotoxicity produced by aluminum is not modified by ethanol. However, the aluminum load caused by aluminum exposure, may be influenced by ethanol co-exposure.     

Raised Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase associated with gangrenous small bowel volvulus: A case report

Usually CPK, CK-MB and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes are measured in blood during the period of myocardial infarction. The changes in LDH assay indicates duration of the infarction. The level of lactate dehydrogenase is 500 times greater in tissue than those found in serum. A small mass of damaged tissue causes leakage of enzyme and increases its level in serum. Any cause of tissue break down/hemolysis which is sufficiently severe can produce LDH pattern similar to that in myocardial infarction. We report this case of small bowel volvulus showing significant increase in LDH. It may be due to tissue necrosis which increases the level of LDH in serum.     

Implications of a comparative assessment of exemplary and novice elementary teachers

Conclusion This study points to the fact that it would be practical to compare and assess the instructional strategies of exemplary and novice elementary science teachers using a set of criteria derived from published teacher effectiveness studies. According to this study there are differences ranging from significant to null between the instructional behaviors of exemplary and novice teachers, and it indicates that it may not be appropriate to rely entirely upon the findings of individual teacher effectiveness studies to prepare effective preservice teachers. Science teacher educators need to focus more directly on the differences in instructional strategies between the exemplary and novice teachers and inquire further into determining the causes for the differences. Hurd (1982) reported that about half of the elementary teachers studied believe that their preservice education failed to prepare them to teach science in real classrooms. If what separates exemplary teachers from novices can be clearly identified, then the science teacher educator’s task of preparing effective preservice teachers will be an easier one. Then it would be also possible to develop effective preservice science teacher education programs more congruent with exemplary science teaching practices and augment the existing science teacher education knowledge base through further research.     

Lack of Circadian Pattern of Serum TNF-α and IL-6 in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis of a circadian variation in circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured at 4 h intervals of the day in 50 women with FMS satisfying American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS (age 36.68 ± 9.89) as well as 50 healthy control women (age 32.82 ± 10.53). Serum TNF-α levels were substantially increased in patients with FMS but showed no circadian variation. In contrast, no difference in the levels of IL-6 was found. Moreover, there was also no circadian variation in both the groups of patients and controls. We conclude that no circadian pattern exists in the circulating levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with FMS, although TNF-α levels are found raised in patients with FMS.     

Cardioprotective response to chronic administration of vitamin E in isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis: Hemodynamic,biochemical and ultrastructural studies

The present study evaluated the cardioprotective potential of vitamin-E by studying its effect on hemodynamic parameters, lipid peroxidation, myocyte injury marker and ultrastructural changes in model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis in rats. Wistar albino male rats (150–200 g) were randomly divided into saline, ISP control, and vit E groups. Vitamin E group was administered vitamin E at a dose of 100mg/kg/day while saline and ISP control groups received saline orally for one month. On 29^th and 30^th day, ISP (85 mg/kg, sc) was administered at an interval of 24 h to vit E and ISP control rats. On 31^st day, rats of all groups were anesthetized and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. At the end of experimentation, animals were sacrificed; hearts were excised and processed for biochemical and ultrastructural studies. ISP administration produced marked cardiac necrosis as evidenced by significant decrease in my ocardial creatine kinase-MB as well as increase in malonaldialdehyde levels. ISP-induced myocardial necrosis resulted in myocardial dysfunction as evidenced by significant depression in heart rate and mean arterial pressure in the ISP control group as compared to saline control. Salient ultrastructural changes including extensive loss of myofibrils, muscle necrosis, loss of mitochondria, and formation of several intracytoplasmic vacuoles and lipid droplets further confirmed the ISP-induced myocardial damage. However, subsequent to ISP challenge, vit E treatment significantly preserved the myocardium by restoring myocardial CK-MB activity, inhibiting the ISP-induced lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural changes. Additionally, pre-and co-treatment of vit E prevented the deleterious ultrastructural changes caused by ISP. These beneficial effects of chronic vit E treatment also translated into significant restoration of the altered hemodynamic parameters. The present study clearly demonstrated the cardioprotective potential of vit E at dose of 100 mg/kg in ISP-induced model of myocardial necrosis in rats. The significant restoration of altered hemodynamic parameters, myocardial CK-MB activity, prevention of ISP-induced rise in lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural changes may confirm its cardioprotective effect.