The Changing Shape of International Education

Globalization is a major force driving the demand for international higher education. Organizations are seeking potential employees who possess the ability to interact globally, and University faculty is emphasizing the importance of international experience. Still, there are both advantages and disadvantages associated with studies abroad. This objective of this research is to identify and understand the key reasons why students study abroad. Findings from this study may provide helpful direction for developing future international programs, and explore partnerships between Universities in different countries that best fits student expectation and demands. Specifically, this report answers the following questions; “What are the biggest barriers for students towards studying abroad?” “What are the advantages of international higher education?”, and “How should the future international higher education programs be designed?”. In order to answer these questions, a mixed-method research approach was taken. This includes a review of existing academic literature and databases, individual in-depth interviews with relevant University faculty in the U.S., Sweden and Italy, followed by survey research. This paper presents the analysis and findings for data collected in the U.S only. The research will help add new knowledge, and provide useful direction for the design of educational curriculum that expands both the reach and efficacy of cross-cultural, transnational higher education in the U.S. At present, the biggest barriers towards students studying abroad seem to be monetary issues and having to leave friends and family. However, one of the gains for students choosing to study abroad can be a competitive advantage in the labor market. Findings from the research show that most students are valuing the practical experience just as high as the academic content of international education. Students also seem to think that the time spent on academia and practical experience, such as field trips and case studies, should be divided thereafter. This indicates that if universities want to attract more international students, the future design of international higher education should, besides having a good academic standing, take a more practical approach in order to better fit student demand. Universities should also further develop classes with strong international features to those who do not wish to study abroad in the traditional sense

Importance of Integrating Effective Teaching Methods in Business English Classroom

The paper will highlight the importance of integrating effective teaching methods in teaching English for Specific Purposes, in particular Business English. Based on the survey, where 48 BE instructors participated from different countries, the article will demonstrate the significance of Lexical Approach, Task-Based and Project-based Learning by evaluating the outcomes of integrating them in teaching practice and beyond. The results once again confirmed the hypothesis. The survey consisted of both open and close-ended questions and aimed at voicing the opinion of BE Course Instructors globally. The target audience was exposed to the above-mentioned teaching methods. At the same time, the survey provides recommendations for beginner BE Lecturers on how to ensure maximal approximation to the authentic environment via practicing most useful teaching methods and making the learning process more result-driven, engaging and enjoyable

Importance of Integrating Effective Teaching Methods in Business English Classroom

The paper will highlight the importance of integrating effective teaching methods in teaching English for Specific Purposes, in particular Business English. Based on the survey, where 48 BE instructors participated from different countries, the article will demonstrate the significance of Lexical Approach, Task-Based and Project-based Learning by evaluating the outcomes of integrating them in teaching practice and beyond. The results once again confirmed the hypothesis. The survey consisted of both open and close-ended questions and aimed at voicing the opinion of BE Course Instructors globally. The target audience was exposed to the above-mentioned teaching methods. At the same time, the survey provides recommendations for beginner BE Lecturers on how to ensure maximal approximation to the authentic environment via practicing most useful teaching methods and making the learning process more result-driven, engaging and enjoyable

The Importance of Integrating Effective Teaching Methods in Business English Classroom

The paper highlights the importance of integrating effective methods in teaching English for Specific Purposes, in particular Business English.  According to the survey, which includes the contribution from 48 BE instructors worldwide, the article demonstrates the significance of lexical approach, task-based and project-based learning by evaluating the outcomes of integrating them in teaching practice and beyond. The results once again confirmed the hypothesis that task-based learning, lexical approach and project-based learning are the most effective teaching methods in BE classroom. The survey consisted of both open and close-ended questions and aimed at voicing the opinion of BE Course Instructors globally. The target audience was exposed to the above-mentioned teaching methods.  At the same time, the survey provides recommendations for novice BE Lecturers on how to ensure maximal approximation to the authentic environment via practicing most useful teaching methods and making the learning process more result-driven, engaging and enjoyable.&nbsp

Diversity and inclusion in digital scholarship and pedagogy: the case of The Programming Historian

This article presents several inclusion and diversity policies and strategies for digital scholarship and pedagogy, using The Programming Historian as a case study. By actively supporting and working towards gender diversity, as well as multilingualism, cultural inclusivity and open access, The Programming Historian aims to further enhance what is meant to be open in the context of access, diversity and inclusion in digital scholarship and pedagogy

Patched receptors sense, interpret and establish an epidermal Hedgehog signalling gradient

By using the sensitivity of single-molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization, we have precisely quantified the levels and defined the temporal and spatial distribution of Hedgehog signaling activity during embryonic skin development and discovered that there is a Hedgehog signaling gradient along the proximal-distal axis of developing hair follicles. To explore the contribution of Hedgehog receptors Ptch1 and Ptch2 in establishing the epidermal signaling gradient, we quantitated the level of pathway activity generated in Ptch1- and Ptch1; Ptch2-deficient skin and defined the contribution of each receptor to regulation of the levels of Hedgehog signaling identified in wild-type skin. Moreover, we show that both the cellular phenotype and level of pathway activity featured in Ptch1; Ptch2-deficient cells faithfully recapitulates the Peak level of endogenous Hedgehog signaling detected at the base of developing follicles, where the concentration of endogenous Shh is predicted to be highest. Taken together, these data show that both Ptch1 and Ptch2 play a crucial role in sensing the concentration of Hedgehog ligand and regulating the appropriate dose-dependent response

Illicit drug use and cerebral microbleeds in stroke and transient ischemic attack patients

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) signal cerebral small vessel disease and are associated with ischemic stroke (IS) incidence, recurrence, and complications. While illicit drug use (IDU) is associated with cerebral small vessel disease, the association between CMB and IDU is understudied. We sought to delineate differences in vascular risk factors between IDU and CMB and determine the effect of this relationship on outcomes in IS/transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients. Methods: We included 2001 consecutive IS and TIA patients (years 2009-2018) with a readable T2*gradient-echo MRI sequence. CMB rating followed standardized guidelines and CMB were grouped topographically into lobar, deep or infratentorial. IDU data (history and/or urine toxicology) was available for 1746 patients. The adverse composite outcome included pneumonia, urinary tract infection, deep venous thrombosis or death during hospitalization. Good functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale score < 3 and ambulatory on discharge. Univariate analysis was used to assess vascular risk factors and multivariable logistic regression was used to characterize the IDU/CMB relationship on outcomes. Results: We observed IDU in 13.8 % (n=241), and CMB in 32.9% (n=575, 53.8% lobar, 27.3% deep and 18.8% infratentorial). Patients with IDU and at least one CMB were older (53.6±10.5 vs. 56.9±11.5, p=0.04), had a lower BMI (28.1±5.9 vs. 26.6±4.4, p=0.04), and were more likely to have had a previous IS/TIA (25.1% vs. 41.9%, p=0.01). IDU trended higher for those with severe CMB (10+) compared with those without CMB and 1-9 CMB (25% [n=9] vs 14.3% [n=1171] and 12.1% [n=65] respectively; p=0.07) without individual drug deviations from this pattern. Adverse and good functional outcomes were observed in 177 and 905 total patients, respectively. No significant interaction was observed between IDU and CMB with either adverse or functional composite outcomes. Conclusion: IDU prevalence was high in our urban study population, and showed a borderline association with increasing CMB burden. Patients with CMB and IDU history were older and more likely to have had a previous IS/TIA. Further studies are required to clarify the clinical consequences related to the relationship between IDU and CMB.Author Disclosures: B. Petrie: None. H. Lau: None. F. Cajiga-Pena: None. S. Abbas: None. B. Finn: None. K. Dam: None. A. Cervantes-Arslanian: None. T.N. Nguyen: None. H. Aparicio: None. D. Greer: None. J.R. Romero: Speakers' Bureau; Modest; Received speaker honoraria from Ferrer Group