PRESERVICE TEACHERS’ EPISTEMOLOGICAL BELIEFS IN PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, AND BIOLOGY: A MIXED STUDY

The purposes of the study were to assess preservice teachers’ domain-specific epistemological beliefs and to investigate whether preservice teachers distinguish disciplinary differences (physics, chemistry, and biology) in domain-specific epistemological beliefs. Mixed-method research design guided the present research. The researcher explored three epistemological dimensions: certainty and simplicity of knowledge, justification for knowing, and source of knowledge. Both quantitative and qualitative results suggested that a domain-specific epistemological beliefs system is a valid model to describe preservice teachers’ epistemological beliefs. In terms of epistemological beliefs, disciplinary differences in physics, chemistry, and biology were discussed in the last parts of the study.     

Cooperation Between University and Industries in Organizing a ‘Diploma Universitario’ Curriculum: The Politecnico di Milano-Assolombarda Experience

The Politecnico di Milano first introduced the ‘Diploma Universitario’ 3-year curriculum in its off-Milan campuses; the experiments having proven successful, the Faculties of Engineering and Architecture decided to activate Diploma courses on the main campus in Milan. In order to select the specific courses that should be introduced, to focus the curricula and to prepare the ground for intensive university-industry interaction in teaching as well as in industrial training activities, a cooperation was set up between the Milan Industrial Association (Assolombarda) and the Politecnico itself. This paper describes this experience, analyzing the activities performed and the results obtained.     

Identification of novel catalytic features of endo-β-1,4-glucanase produced by mulberry longicorn beetle Apriona germari

Mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari, has been reported to produce two endo-β-l,4-glucanases or AgEGases (accession Nos. Q6SS52 and Q5XQD1). AgEGase sequence contains catalytic motif (amino acid residues 37～48), which is the characteristic of family Glycohydrolase 45 and is identified as the substrate binding site. The application of bioinformatics approaches includes sequence analysis, structural modeling and inhibitor docking to relate the structure and function of AgEGases.We have dissected the sequence and structure of AgEGase catalytic motif and compared it with crystal structure of Humicola insolens endoglucanases Ⅴ. The results show an involvement of sulfur containing amino acid residues in the active site of the enzyme. Cys residues and position of disulfide bonds are highly conserved between the two structures of endoglucanases of A.germari. Surface calculation of AgEGase structure in the absence of Cys residues reveals greater accessibility of the catalytic site to the substrate involving Asp42, a highly conserved residue. For the inhibition study, tannin-based structure was docked into the catalytic site of AgEGase using ArgusLab 4.0 and it resulted in a stable complex formation. It is suggested that the inhibition could occur through formation of a stable transition state analog-enzyme complex with the tannin-based inhibitor, as observed with other insect cellulases in our laboratory.     

Engineering Education in Palestine: An Analytical Study

This study describes the situation of engineering colleges in Palestine (i.e. Palestinian Territories occupied by Israel since 1967). It presents data relating to the gradual progress of engineering education from 1980 to 1996, and discusses the main objectives (general and specific) set for engineering education at the time of its establishment. Factors that have affected engineering education during the last 16 years are also discussed. The study focuses on analyzing the main aspects that would clarify the reality of engineering education during the specified period. These aspects are the faculty members, curricula and syllabuses, students and admission policies, specializations and sponsorship, material capabilities, buildings and equipment, administration, institutional organization, funding and linkage to society. The study concludes by arriving at possible approaches for the development of engineering education in the future based on the anticipated changes and progress in the comprehensive national development.     

Motivational Factors in Academia: The Case of a Large University in the Arabian Gulf

The purpose of this study is to explore possible motivational factors in academia at a large university in the Arabian Gulf. The study used a slightly modified questionnaire containing 37 attitudinal items developed by Sylvia and Hutchison [1]. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, and only 73 were received back (24.3% response rate). The study found that the most important items affecting the university professors' motivation are: sense of self-achievement and internal reward, cooperative work relationships among professionals, freedom in performing work tasks, the opportunity for presenting new ideas and development, and finally, the opportunity for promotion and going higher in the organization.