Spreadsheet modeling for research and teaching: Programming without programming

Spreadsheets can be used to focus academic research and teaching on theoretical models. Examples of models from learning, social psychology, and perception are presented to illustrate how spreadsheet techniques work. Two strengths of this approach are emphasized: (1) Spreadsheets provide a relatively user-friendly alternative to some kinds of instructional and research programming; and (2) the linked tables and graphs of modern spreadsheets provide a powerful display medium and a fast way to examine the behavior of models as parameters change. I suggest some models for which spreadsheets may be appropriate

Goodness-of-fit patterns in a computer cross-validation procedure comparing a linear and a threshold model

Cross-validation is the process of comparing a model’s predictions to data that were not used in the estimation of model parameters. Cross-validation may have some value in identifying source models, especially in cases where the corresponding fitted models require the estimation of different numbers of parameters. Some of the information available from cross-validation is illustrated using a linear and a threshold model, and goodness-of-fit patterns are contrasted with those of conventional model-fitting

Taking time to appreciate the scenery: an exploration of PhD supervision as pedagogy

A PhD generates new knowledge and builds new links with existing research literature – by definition a ‘mind-bending’ exercise, even without the additional challenges brought on by Covid-19 restrictions. As an undertaking, it is both self-directed and requiring of sustained independence (a part-time PhD may require sustained investment for up to eight years) and demanding of trust and effective communication between candidate and supervisor. This project used visual and creative methodologies to explore an emerging PhD supervisory relationship as it developed during the lockdown restraints of the pandemic. It sought to understand this relationship through the development of a visual and creative methodology designed to help both parties understand the ontological and epistemological assumptions underpinning the research project. Visual artefacts and literary extracts were discussed as metaphors for the supervisor/supervisee relationship and the PhD ‘journey’, providing an exploration that proved valid and valuable to both supervisor and candidate

Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response Enhances Motor Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major cause of paralysis, and involves multiple cellular and tissular responses including demyelination, inflammation, cell death and axonal degeneration. Recent evidence suggests that perturbation on the homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is observed in different SCI models; however, the functional contribution of this pathway to this pathology is not known. Here we demonstrate that SCI triggers a fast ER stress reaction (1–3 h) involving the upregulation of key components of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a process that propagates through the spinal cord. Ablation of X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) or activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) expression, two major UPR transcription factors, leads to a reduced locomotor recovery after experimental SCI. The effects of UPR inactivation were associated with a significant increase in the number of damaged axons and reduced amount of oligodendrocytes surrounding the injury zone. In addition, altered microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression were observed in ATF4 deficient mice after SCI. Local expression of active XBP1 into the spinal cord using adeno-associated viruses enhanced locomotor recovery after SCI, and was associated with an increased number of oligodendrocytes. Altogether, our results demonstrate a functional role of the UPR in SCI, offering novel therapeutic targets to treat this invalidating condition

Enhancing the Messages Displayed on Dynamic Message Signs

A human factors study was carried out to help enhance ways tocommunicate with highway motorists through dynamic message signs (DMS).Overhead mounted DMSs have been increasingly used by highway authorities inthe United States to present real-time traffic information and travel advice tomotorists. It is critical to post sign messages that can be quickly and clearlyunderstood by motorists, especially in high-volume traffic and construction/repairzones. Properly worded and formatted sign messages could spell the differencebetween comprehension and confusion. Message display factors investigated inthe study include display effects, color schemes, wording, and formats. Twoapproaches were employed in this study. First, a questionnaire survey wasdeveloped to collect motorists’ preferences regarding various message displayfactors. Second, a series of lab driving simulation experiments were set up toassess the effects of these factors and their interactions on motorists’comprehension of DMS messages. Study results suggested that static, one-framedmessages with more specific wording and no abbreviations were preferred.Amber or green or a green-amber combination were the most favored colors.Younger subjects took less response time to the DMS stimuli with higheraccuracy than older subjects. There were no significant gender differences

‘Howling at the scrabble-board’: Exploring classroom literature from an autistic viewpoint

There has, to date, been little discussion of how autism may affect the experience of the reading of fiction for pupils in the classroom, other than through a deficit model. One of the researchers in this study (‘Celia’) is training to be a secondary school English teacher and identifies as autistic. Her experience provides an enriched understanding of the subject and enables the study to be undertaken in line with best practice for autism research. Her experiences are explored within the concepts of Theory of Mind, empathic regulation, language awareness and local rather than global processing bias. Impact on managing authentic engagement with texts for all pupils is discussed, together with specific questions for teachers regarding appropriate support for – and celebration of – autistic pupils’ reactions to fiction

Tin-containing zeolites are highly active catalysts for the isomerization of glucose in water

The isomerization of glucose into fructose is a large-scale reaction for the production of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS; reaction performed by enzyme catalysts) and recently is being considered as an intermediate step in the possible route of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Here, it is shown that a large-pore zeolite that contains tin (Sn-Beta) is able to isomerize glucose to fructose in aqueous media with high activity and selectivity. Specifically, a 10% (wt/wt) glucose solution containing a catalytic amount of Sn-Beta (1∶50 Sn:glucose molar ratio) gives product yields of approximately 46% (wt/wt) glucose, 31% (wt/wt) fructose, and 9% (wt/wt) mannose after 30 min and 12 min of reaction at 383 K and 413 K, respectively. This reactivity is achieved also when a 45 wt% glucose solution is used. The properties of the large-pore zeolite greatly influence the reaction behavior because the reaction does not proceed with a medium-pore zeolite, and the isomerization activity is considerably lower when the metal centers are incorporated in ordered mesoporous silica (MCM-41). The Sn-Beta catalyst can be used for multiple cycles, and the reaction stops when the solid is removed, clearly indicating that the catalysis is occurring heterogeneously. Most importantly, the Sn-Beta catalyst is able to perform the isomerization reaction in highly acidic, aqueous environments with equivalent activity and product distribution as in media without added acid. This enables Sn-Beta to couple isomerizations with other acid-catalyzed reactions, including hydrolysis/isomerization or isomerization/dehydration reaction sequences [starch to fructose and glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) demonstrated here]

Variables Affecting Shoot Growth and Plantlet Recovery in Tissue Cultures of Drug-Type Cannabis sativa L.

Tissue culture approaches are widely used in crop plants for the purposes of micropropagation, regeneration of plants through organogenesis, obtaining pathogen-free plantlets from meristem culture, and developing genetically modified plants. In this research, we evaluated variables that can influence the success of shoot growth and plantlet production in tissue cultures of drug-type Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana). Various sterilization methods were tested to ensure shoot development from nodal explants by limiting the frequency of contaminating endophytes, which otherwise caused the death of explants. Seven commercially grown tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing cannabis genotypes (strains) showed significant differences in response to shoot growth from meristems and nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing thidiazuron (1 μM) and naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 μM) plus 1% activated charcoal. The effect of Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut (DKW) or MS basal salts in media on shoot length and leaf numbers from nodal explants was compared and showed genotype dependency with regard to the growth response. To obtain rooted plantlets, shoots from meristems and nodal explants of genotype Moby Dick were evaluated for rooting, following the addition of sodium metasilicate, silver nitrate, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), kinetin, or 2,4-D. Sodium metasilicate improved the visual appearance of the foliage and improved the rate of rooting. Silver nitrate also promoted rooting. Following acclimatization, plantlet survival in hydroponic culture, peat plugs, and rockwool substrate was 57, 76, and 83%, respectively. The development of plantlets from meristems is described for the first time in C. sativa and has potential for obtaining pathogen-free plants. The callogenesis response of leaf explants of 11 genotypes on MS medium without activated charcoal was 35% to 100%, depending on the genotype; organogenesis was not observed. The success in recovery of plantlets from meristems and nodal explants is influenced by cannabis genotype, degree of endophytic contamination of the explants, and frequency of rooting. The procedures described here have potential applications for research and commercial utility to obtain plantlets in stage 1 tissue cultures of C. sativa

'Harder than other lessons but good': the effect of colleague collaboration on secondary English pupil engagement

Research examining the effects of collaborative planning in British secondary schools relates primarily to the effect it has on a teacher’s professional development. Researchers seldom focus on the impact it has on the pupils. This study was designed to understand the effect collaboratively planned lessons had on pupil engagement in a British secondary school. Transcripts from lessons observations, reflective diaries and field notes were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). One theme was identified: ‘Pupils’ Engagement with Differentiated Instruction’. This research concludes that the collaboratively planned lessons allowed some pupils to engage in learning better than individually planned lessons. The professional learning occurring from the planning process allowed teachers to collaboratively plan a lesson that was stronger than an individually planned lesson; the most successful teaching and learning took place when teachers adopted their colleagues’ suggestions, thus supporting some of the pupils’ engagement with learning. This is significant as the UK’s Independent Teacher Workload Review Group promotes collaborative planning as a method of reducing workload (Independent Teacher Workload Review Group, 2016). However, collaborative planning is only worth doing if evidence implies that it maintains and improves outcomes for pupils. Authors discuss implications and outline areas for future research