Using process-oriented, sequencing educational technologies: Some important pedagogical issues

In recent times, sequencing technologies are becoming increasingly used, both by the university and the industry sectors. In essence, these complex systems support sequencing of, and navigation through units of content. They come in two different types: SCORM-based and workflow-based systems. Current research efforts related to sequencing technologies concentrate mostly on technical issues, while the associated pedagogical issues remain unexplored.The main objective of this paper is to describe the most important pedagogical issues that need to be taken into account when implementing any type of sequencing educational technologies (either SCORM- or workflow-based). These issues were identified during an action-learning project related to the practical implementation of a workflow-based educational system. During the reflection phase of this project, these issues were then genarised, so they could be applied to any type of sequencing technology and in any application domain (teaching discipline). The paper describes how sequencing technology can be used to enable a more flexible learning experience (especially in terms of time and flexible learning pathways) and then proceeds with the detailed analysis of the associated pedagogical issues.     

Regulation of S100As Expression by Inflammatory Cytokines in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The calcium-binding proteins S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 are upregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), while the S100A9 promotes NF-κB activity during disease progression. The S100-protein family has been involved in several malignancies as mediators of inflammation and proliferation. The hypothesis of our study is that S100A proteins are mediators in signaling pathways associated with inflammation-induced proliferation, such as NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT. The mononuclear cells (MNCs) of CLL were treated with proinflammatory IL-6, anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines, inhibitors of JAK1/2, NF-κB, and PI3K signaling pathways, to evaluate S100A4, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 expression as well as NF-κB activation by qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblotting. The quantity of S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 positive cells (p < 0.05) and their protein expression (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in MNCs of CLL patients compared to healthy controls. The S100A levels were generally increased in CD19⁺ cells compared to MNCs of CLL. The S100A4 gene expression was significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in MNCs. IL-6 stimulated S100A4 and S100A8 protein expression, prevented by the NF-κB and JAK1/2 inhibitors. In contrast, IL-10 reduced S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 protein expressions in MNCs of CLL. Moreover, IL-10 inhibited activation of NF-κB signaling (4-fold, p < 0.05). In conclusion, inflammation stimulated the S100A protein expression mediated via the proliferation-related signaling and balanced by the cytokines in CLL.     

A Wave Approach to Signal and Noise Modeling of Dual-Gate MESFET

A new procedure for signal and noise modeling of dual-gate MESFET is described in this paper. The small-signal model is based on two cascoded single-gate MESFET intrinsic equivalent circuits embedded in a network representing device parasitics. The wave interpretation of noise is used for defining the noise parameters of each single gate MESFET. Applying this approach, a CAD oriented procedure for extracting the dual-gate MESFETmodel parameters as well as the noise wave temperatures is developed. Modeled scattering and noise parameter characteristics are comparedto the measured ones and quite a good agreement is observed.     

Response surface methodology for predicting quality characteristics of beef patties added with flaxseed and tomato paste

Response surface methodology was used to study the effect of flaxseed flour (FS) and tomato paste (TP) addition, from 0 to 10% and 0 to 20% respectively, on beef patty quality characteristics. The assessed quality characteristics were color (L*, a*, and b*), pH and texture profile analysis (TPA). Also, sensory analysis was performed for the assessment of color, juiciness, firmness, and general acceptance. FS addition reduced L* and a* values and decreased weight loss of cooked products (P < 0.05). An opposite effect was observed when TP was added (P < 0.05). All TPA parameters decreased when percentages of FS and TP were increased in the formulation of beef patties. Furthermore, FS and TP addition adversely affected the sensory characteristics of the cooked product (P < 0.05); nevertheless, all sensory characteristics evaluated had an acceptable score (> 5.6). Thus FS and TP are ingredients that can be used in beef patty preparation.     

Heterologous Expression and Partial Characterization of a Putative Opine Dehydrogenase from a Metagenomic Sequence of Desulfohalobium retbaense

The aim of this research was to prove the function of the putative opine dehydrogenase from Desulfohalobium retbaense and to characterize the enzyme in terms of functional and kinetic parameters. A putative opine dehydrogenase was identified from a metagenomic library by a sequence-based technique search of the metagenomic library, and afterward was successfully heterologously produced in Escherichia coli. In order to examine its potential for applications in the synthesis of secondary amines, first the substrate specificity of the enzyme towards different amino donors and amino acceptors was determined. The highest affinity was observed towards small amino acids, preferentially L-alanine, and when it comes to α-keto acids, pyruvate proved to be a preferential amino acceptor. The highest activity was observed at pH 6.5 in the absence of salts. The enzyme showed remarkable stability in a wide range of experimental conditions, such as broad pH stability (from 6.0–11.0 after 30 min incubation in buffers at a certain pH), stability in the presence of NaCl up to 3.0 M for 24 h, it retained 80 % of the initial activity after 1 h incubation at 45 °C, and 65 % of the initial activity after 24 h incubation in 30 % dimethyl sulfoxide.     

Different measures of sensitivity of recipe colour to random and proportional dye concentration error. Part 2: An example of target-position dependence and span

A regularity of the predicted sensitivities to random and proportional dye concentration errors in regard to the position of target colour has been observed for the case of dyeing acrylic with basic dyes. The sensitivity of the recipe colour to random dye concentration errors is highest for light neutral target colours and is almost negligible for dark-shade recipes. Recipes for less saturated targets are slightly more sensitive than recipes for more saturated targets of equal lightness. The span of the sensitivities to weighing error of the recipes matching a given target varies with the position of the target in colour space. By contrast, the sensitivity of recipes to dye strength error is the highest at medium to low lightness for neutral and near neutral target shades. The span of sensitivities of the recipes for any such particular target is broad, with some having low sensitivity to strength errors. Recipes for the target colours at the 'lighter' part of the gamut border were the least sensitive to strength errors. Received: 10 June 2005; Accepted: 11 July 2005.     

Kinetics of sunflower oil methanolysis catalyzed by calcium oxide

The methanolysis of sunflower oil was studied in the presence of CaO previously calcined at various temperatures and the optimal temperature for CaO calcination was determined. The sigmoidal process kinetics was explained by the initial triglyceride (TG) mass transfer controlled region, followed by the chemical reaction controlled region in the latter reaction period. The TG mass transfer limitation was due to the small available active specific catalyst surface, which was mainly covered by adsorbed molecules of methanol. In the later phase, the adsorbed methanol concentration decreased, causing the increase of both the available active specific catalyst surface and the TG mass transfer rate, and the chemical reaction rate become smaller than the TG mass transfer rate.     

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment and learning must not be considered as two separate processes. In fact, assessment is an integral part of the learning process; it can be learning experience in itself. Active assessment strategies help students better understand the content they learn and develop skills that will be useful to them throughout their lives. Some of those skills are the ability to prepare effective oral and written reports and the ability to cooperate successfully with peers. Action research represents the process of systematic inquiry and it helps teachers to assess learning from the perspective of what they do in the classroom. The purpose is to find out ＂why＂ or ＂how＂ something happened the way it did. Therefore, a situation or problem should be carefully examined by a teacher. Teachers should analyze their own beliefs, values, and assumptions about teaching and learning, knowledge and curriculum, and how these impact the way they interact with students. Feedback should be used as part of assessment activities. Learning experience of students facilitated by teachers can be assessed through feedback.