Integrating design science research and design based research frameworks for developing education support systems

Education and Information Technologies - This paper proposes an integrated research framework that takes advantage of the similarities of design science research (DSR) and Design-based research...     

Physicochemical characteristics of various milk samples available in Pakistan

We report physicochemical characteristics of various kinds of liquid milk commercially available in Pakistan in comparison with those of fresh natural milk from animals. Milk samples were collected from local markets at Peshawar, Pakistan,and analyzed for their physical features, including moisture, total solids, specific gravity, conductivity, viscosity and titratable acidity (lactic acid equivalent), and chemical components and macro-minerals, including total protein, casein, lactose, ash and minerals (Na, K and Mg). These items were compared with the physicochemical characteristics of the fresh natural milk samples from buffalo, cow and goat. The results were also compared with reported nutritional quality of milk from various countries and World Health Organization (WHO) standards. We found that all the physical features and chemical components of commercially available milk in Pakistan markets meet WHO's requirements, except for Na, K, Ca and Mg, which are below the standards.     

Adapting an Interprofessional Training Model for Social Work Field Placements: An Answer for Better Mental Health Care Outreach for Older Adults in Primary Care

Professional shortages of geriatrically trained social workers pose a barrier to mental health care for older adults. Integrating graduate social work interns into primary care settings may increase the availability of trained social workers. However, few studies provide guidance on how to develop an interprofessional healthcare placement focused on the needs of older adults. This article discusses a model training program created by a psychology department (with input from social work faculty) that can be adapted by schools of social work. Client outcomes (n = 47) indicate significant improvement when using this model.     

语境是检验与评价言语活动的唯一依据

我们说话或写文章时常出现表达不清的现象,而在领会别人的话语或文章的时候又会存在理解不透的问题,所有这些都与语境有关。本文据此提出了语境是检验与评价言语活动的唯一依据这个观点,主要展开内容有:语境能帮助我们使用尽量少的语言材料传达出尽可能多的言语信息;语境能帮助我们铺设条件,排除歧义,准确理解言语;语境能帮助我们在言语交际中使多义语词的语义具体化;言语意义往往不等于语词意义的简单加合,语境能帮助我们选择信息;语境能对语词意义施加影响,甚至改变语词的一些意义;根据语境,筛选出表达真正所需的语词。     

Effects of concomitant diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism on testicular and epididymal histoarchitecture and steroidogenesis in male animals

This study evaluated the effects of comorbid disorders of diabetes and hyperthyroidism in the adult male mice. In total, 32 ICR strain mice were equally distributed into four groups: control (C), diabetic (D), diabetic-plushyperthyroid (DH), and hyperthyroid (H). Mice allocated for diabetes received a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 200 mg/kg body weight. At the onset of diabetes, one group of mice was concomitantly injected levothyroxine (LT4; 0.3 mg/kg body weight) and the other set of animals received the same treatment independently on a daily basis. The body weight, as well as the testicular and epididymal weights, was reduced markedly in D and DH mice. Higher trends of blood glucose levels were seen in the DH group, in comparison to euthyroid diabetic mice. Thyroid hormones could exert a transient effect on blood glucose homeostasis by altering the serum blood glucose level in diabetic patients. Histomorphometric analysis showed increased luminal sizes of seminiferous tubules, along with decreased epithelial height and atrophic changes in germinal stem cells in the testis of DH and H mice. Caput epididymis of DH mice showed extensive compaction of principal cells, loss of stereocilia, lipid vacuolization, and inflammatory infiltrations; however, damaged tubular integrity, packed clear cells, exfoliated cells, and round spermatids were profoundly noticed in the cauda epididymis. Hyperthyroidism elevated the serum testosterone levels in H and DH mice and produced critical damages to the histoarchitecture of the epididymis. Collectively, this experiment endeavored to mimic the polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, which will be helpful to better understand the reasons for male infertility in diabetic-cum-hyperthyroid patients.     

A design science research methodology for developing a computer-aided assessment approach using method marking concept

Assessment has been defined as an authentic method that plays an important role in evaluating students’ learning attitude in acquiring lifelong knowledge. Traditional methods of assessment including the Computer-Aided Assessment (CAA) for mathematics show limited ability to assess students’ full work unless multi-step questions are sub-divided into sub questions. This issue persisted significant drawback especially within the notion of method marking approach. To address this issue, the aim of the study is to develop a methodological framework that will create an information and communications technology (ICT) artefact prototype. The prototype (termed as method marking assessment (MMA) artefact) implements a method-marking assessment concept to assess through multi-step questions. Extensive literature reviews have revealed that there are features in common between complex-problem solution characteristics and multi-steps questions assessment using ICT; therefore complex problems paradigm is used in the study for developing the MMA prototype.     

An immunological based study of monoclonal gammopathies among suspected individuals in Kashmir region

Serum and urine samples from 513 patients clinically suspected of monoclonal gammopathies over a period of five years (1992–97) were subjected to various immunological procedures viz, electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and immunoglobulin estimations. Laboratory investigations confirmed gammopathies in 10.33%. It was observed that overall age of incidence for monoclonal gammopathies in both sexes was between 42–72 years with a male to female ratio of 1.4∶1. Predominant paraprotein detected was IgG type (75.47%) followed by IgA (16.98%) and Bence Jones proteins (7.55%). Amongst positive patients, 64.16% were having kappa (k) type light chains and 35.84% lambda (δ) type light chains. 69.39% patients with serum M component (IgG and IgA) had Bence Jones proteinuria. Densitometric scanning revealed that majority of IgG type paraprotein was found in the slow gamma globulin region and majority of IgA type paraprotein was found equally distributed between beta and fast gamma globulin regions. Both types had decreased albumin and alpha-2-globulin concentrations as compared to normal controls. Immunoglobulin levels in patients with paraprotein had very high levels of serum IgG (6467.0 mg%) and IgA (2714.0 mg%) in respective types of monoclonal gammopathies; the rest of immunoglobulin classes were either at normal or decreased levels.     

Circulating thrombotic and haemostatic components in patients with coronary artery disease

The study aimed to analyze the circulating levels of thrombotic and haemostatic components; tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in patients with acute myocardial infarction at presentation (Group 1, n=49), unstable angina and Non-ST elevated MI after treatment (Group 2, n=22), stable angina (Group 3, n=18) and healthy individuals (Group 4, n=31). Significant finding was increase in tissue factor not only in Group 1 (2.0 fold, P=0.001), Group 2 (2.2 fold, P=0.015) but also in Group 3 (1.8 fold, P=0.018) as compared to controls. In Group 1 Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 increased significantly (35.8%, P=0.02). Tissue factor pathway inhibitor and tissue plasminogen activator demonstrated increase in Group 1 of age<40 years while insignificant changes in elder patients. Increased thrombotic and decreased fibrinolytic conditions in acute myocardial infarction patients were observed. Increase TF in stable angina demonstrates procoagulant status in these patients as well.     

Preparation of carbon encapsulated iron nanoparticles with very thin shells by DC arc discharge

Carbon encapsulated iron nanoparticles(CEINPs) with very thin shells and good core-shell structures were prepared by DC arc discharge at argon intake temperature(AIT) of 800 ℃. The results of high resolution transmission electron microscope(HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray(EDX) spectroscope, X-ray diffraction(XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope(XPS) characterizations on the product B show that the thickness of the carbon shells of CEINPs in the product B is in the range of ca. 0.5—5.3 nm, i. e., which can be as thin as only two layers of graphite. The average diameter of the CEINPs is about 24. 7 nm. The total content of Fe element in the product B is 77.0 wt%. The saturation magnetization(Ms) and coercivity(Hc) of the product B are 107.4 emu/g and 143 Oe, respectively. The formation of the CEINPs in the product B is discussed briefly.     

Trends in private higher education in Australia

The last decade has witnessed a significant growth of private higher education around the world. The growth included the number of private education providers, and also the growing number of students. While some countries are experiencing trend growth, others are witnessing decline. Some of the reasons for the decline include increased regulation and stringent accreditation and reaccreditation of higher education institutions and courses, government policies to encourage the growth of public universities, and acquisition of small providers by large private education institutions. The growth of private higher education has increased competition, and it has also established collaboration with public institutions. The growth of private higher education has also raised concerns about ethical governance, maintenance of academic standards, and mechanisms to plan, review, and improve educational outcomes. This paper focuses on Australia where despite growth, there is limited research about private higher education. This paper reviews literature on the global growth and decline of private higher education. It then analyses the trends in Australia and possible scenarios for the future of private higher education in the country.