Evaluating LAB@FUTURE, a collaborative e-learning Laboratory experiments platform

This paper presents Lab@Future, an advanced e-learning platform that uses novel Information and Communication Technologies to support and expand laboratory teaching practices. For this purpose, Lab@Future uses real and computer generated objects that are interfaced using mechatronic systems, augmented reality, mobile technologies and 3D multi user environments. The main aim is to develop and demonstrate technological support for practical experiments in the following focused disciplines namely: Fluid Dynamics - Science subject in Germany, Geometry - Mathematics subject in Austria, History and Environmental Awareness – Arts and Humanities subjects in Greece and Slovenia. In order to pedagogically enhance the design and functional aspects of this e-learning technology, we are investigating the dialogical operationalisation of learning theories so as to leverage our understanding of teaching and learning practices in the targeted context of deployment. To be able to evaluate the lab@future system in its entire complexity an evaluation methodology including several phases has been developed, performing formative as well as summative evaluations

Monoclonal antibodies specific for the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein define neutralizing epitopes specific for Newcastle disease virus genotype 2.VII from Egypt

Background Newcastle disease is a devastating disease in poultry caused by virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV), a paramyxovirus endemic in many regions of the world despite intensive vaccination. Phylogenetic analyses reveal ongoing evolution of the predominant circulating genotype 2.VII, and the relevance of potential antigenic drift is under discussion. To investigate variation within neutralization-sensitive epitopes within the protein responsible for receptor binding, i.e. the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) spike protein, we were interested in establishing genotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Methods An HN-enriched fraction of a gradient-purified NDV genotype 2.VII was prepared and successfully employed to induce antibodies in BalbC mice that recognize conformationally intact sites reactive by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). For subsequent screening of mouse hybridoma cultures, an NDV-ELISA was established that utilizes Concanavalin A (ConA-ELISA) coupled glycoproteins proven to present conformation-dependent epitopes. Results Six out of nine selected MAbs were able to block receptor binding as demonstrated by HI activity. One MAb recognized an epitope only present in the homologue virus, while four other MAbs showed weak reactivity to selected other genotypes. On the other hand, one broadly cross-reacting MAb reacted with all genotypes tested and resembled the reactivity profile of genotype-specific polyclonal antibody preparations that point to minor antigenic differences between tested NDV genotpyes. Conclusions These results point to the concurrent presence of variable and conserved epitopes within the HN molecule of NDV. The described protocol should help to generate MAbs against a variety of NDV strains and to enable in depth analysis of the antigenic profiles of different genotypes

Post-stroke inhibition of induced NADPH oxidase type 4 prevents oxidative stress and neurodegeneration

Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Only one moderately effective therapy exists, albeit with contraindications that exclude 90% of the patients. This medical need contrasts with a high failure rate of more than 1,000 pre-clinical drug candidates for stroke therapies. Thus, there is a need for translatable mechanisms of neuroprotection and more rigid thresholds of relevance in pre-clinical stroke models. One such candidate mechanism is oxidative stress. However, antioxidant approaches have failed in clinical trials, and the significant sources of oxidative stress in stroke are unknown. We here identify NADPH oxidase type 4 (NOX4) as a major source of oxidative stress and an effective therapeutic target in acute stroke. Upon ischemia, NOX4 was induced in human and mouse brain. Mice deficient in NOX4 (Nox4(-/-)) of either sex, but not those deficient for NOX1 or NOX2, were largely protected from oxidative stress, blood-brain-barrier leakage, and neuronal apoptosis, after both transient and permanent cerebral ischemia. This effect was independent of age, as elderly mice were equally protected. Restoration of oxidative stress reversed the stroke-protective phenotype in Nox4(-/-) mice. Application of the only validated low-molecular-weight pharmacological NADPH oxidase inhibitor, VAS2870, several hours after ischemia was as protective as deleting NOX4. The extent of neuroprotection was exceptional, resulting in significantly improved long-term neurological functions and reduced mortality. NOX4 therefore represents a major source of oxidative stress and novel class of drug target for stroke therapy

Pedagogical aims, course characteristics and their relation to students behavior: A case study on blended learning

An exploratory blended learning case study in corporate finance is presented. A detailed description of the actual use of different training materials (books / simulations / self-assessing) and scenarios (online / offline / individual / group learning) is given. This was one of the first blended learning studies integrating different evaluation methods into a systematic user behavior analysis approach. A sample of one hundred sixty one students filled in a user profile questionnaire, used an online diary after each system log out to describe their user behavior, passed a final exam and answered an exams preparation questionnaire. Furthermore we collected log file data. The results show that students preferred to study during the semester and for the exams preparation with papers, self-assessment tasks and Excel-simulations rather than to use interactive discussion forums.We conclude that future blended learning developments should focus on interactive material, clearly link multiple-choice test tasks with the final exam and train students to use blended learning concepts efficiently. (DIPF/Orig.)Eine explorative Studie in Corporate Finance wird vorgestellt. Eine detaillierte Beschreibung der konkreten Nutzung von unterschiedlichen Trainingsmaterialien (Bücher / Simulationen / Selbsttestung) und Szenarien (online / offline / individuelles / Gruppen-Lernen) wird gegeben. Dies ist eine der ersten blended learning Studien, die verschiedene Evaluationsmethoden in eine systematische Analyse von Benutzerverhalten integriert. 161 Studierende füllten einen Nutzerprofilfragebogen und ein Nutzertagebuch nach jedem Ausloggen aus und bearbeiteten eine Abschlussklausur und einen Prüfungsvorbereitungsfragebogen. Zusätzlich wurden log file Daten erhoben. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Studenten insbesondere mit Texten, Selbsttestaufgaben und Excel-Simulationen arbeiteten und weniger interaktive Gruppenelemente nutzten. Wir schlussfolgern, für die weitere Entwicklung von blended learning Kursen mehr auf interaktives Material zu fokussieren, eine klare Verbindung zwischen Multiple-Choice-Aufgaben und der Prüfung herzustellen und die Studierenden in der effizienten Nutzung von blended learning Konzepten zu unterrichten. (DIPF/Orig.

Lernen mit neuen Technologien : die Rolle der Gegenständlichkeit und Multicodierung von Informationen für die Entwicklung von Fachwissen, praktischer Kompetenz, mentalen Modellen und Problemlösestrategien

Die Studie beschäftigt sich mit der folgenden Forschungsfrage: Welche Auswirkungen hat Multicodalität in Form verschiedener Symbolsysteme (Bilder, Text) und Multimodalität in Form verschiedener Handlungsarten und Gegenständlichkeiten (real- gegenständlich/mausvermittelt/ kombiniert) auf die Entwicklung von Fachwissen, praktischem Problemlösen, mentalen Modellen und Problemlösestrategien in der technischen Berufsausbildung? In einem quasi-experimentellen Design wurden vier Gruppen jeweils 16 Stunden in Pneumatik unterrichtet. Je eine Gruppe arbeitete mit realen Komponenten, der Simulationssoftware FluidSim, dem Lernsystem CLEAR (Constructive Learning Enviornment) oder diente als Kontrollgruppe. Die Daten von 54 Schülern flossen in die Auswertung ein. Die Studie zeigt, dass unterschiedlicher Lernoutput (Fachwissen, symbolbasierte/ praktische Fehlersuche, Schaltungskonstruktion) stark von einem personenbezogenen Merkmal (physikalisch-technisches Problemverständnis) beeinflusst wird. Die in der praktischen Fehlersuche verwendeten Problemlösestrategien sind lernmedienunabhängig. Da insbesondere schlechte Schüler mit geringen kognitiven Fähigkeiten und Fachwissen eine ineffiziente Trial & Error-Strategie verfolgten, sollte ein Strategietraining im Unterricht eingeführt werden. Im Zusammenhang mit praktischen Aufgaben ist die Vollständigkeit des mentalen Modells leistungsrelevant. Die Bildung korrekter mentaler Modelle sollte im Unterricht mit Visualisierungstools gefördert werden. Lernmedien wirken sich eher qualitativ auf die Art der Wissensrepräsentation und die Erklärungsstrukturen aus. Ausserdem ergeben sich medienspezifische Komponentenschwierigkeiten. This study deals with the question “Which influence has multi-codality based on different symbol sytems (picture, text) and multi-modality based on different action types and concreteness (real/ mouse mediated/combined) on factual knowledge, practical problem solving, mental models and problem solving strategies in vocational training?” In a quasi- experimental design four groups were trained 16 hours in pneumatics. One group worked with real components, simulation software FluidSim, CLEAR (Constructive Learning Environment) and one served as control group. 54 students participated. The results showed, that different learning outputs (factual knowledge, symbol based/practical fault finding and construction) are strongly influenced by a personal factor (technical understanding). The applied problem solving strategies in the pratical fault finding are learning media independent. Students with less factual knowledge and technical understanding mainly used ineffective trial and error strategies. To support these students a problem solving strategy training is indicated. In the context of the practical fault finding task correct mental models were relevant for achieved performance. They could be fostered by using visualization tools in training. Learning technologies affect more qualitative aspects such as mental representation or explanation structure in learning and lead to specific component problems

Pedagogical aims, course characteristics and their relation to students` behavior: A case study on blended learning

An exploratory blended learning case study in corporate finance is presented. A detailed description of the actual use of different training materials (books / simulations / self-assessing) and scenarios (online / offline / individual / group learning) is given. This was one of the first blended learning studies integrating different evaluation methods into a systematic user behavior analysis approach. A sample of one hundred sixty one students filled in a user profile questionnaire, used an online diary after each system log out to describe their user behavior, passed a final exam and answered an exams preparation questionnaire. Furthermore we collected log file data. The results show that students preferred to study during the semester and for the exams preparation with papers, self-assessment tasks and Excel-simulations rather than to use interactive discussion forums. We conclude that future blended learning developments should focus on interactive material, clearly link multiple-choice test tasks with the final exam and train students to use blended learning concepts efficiently

Glaubenssätze überwinden dank People Analytics : auch in KMU möglich

People Analytics schafft Mehrwert durch eine bestimmte Denkart, welche implizite Annahmen und Entscheidungsmuster sichtbar und überprüfbar macht. Auch ein KMU kann mit geringer Datenmenge ein solch wertschöpfendes, unternehmensspezifisches Human Capital Management installieren. Denn bereits solide deskriptive Datenauswertungen und kritisches Denken ermöglichen, aus Personaldaten Mehrwert für das Unternehmen wie auch die Mitarbeitenden zu schaffen

Rare Drosha Splice Variants Are Deficient in MicroRNA Processing but Do Not Affect General MicroRNA Expression in Cancer Cells12

Drosha is a key enzyme in microRNA biogenesis, generating the precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) by excising the stem-loop embedded in the primary transcripts (pri-miRNA). The specificity for the pri-miRNAs and determination of the cleavage site are provided by its binding partner DGCR8, which is necessary for efficient processing. The crucial Drosha domains for pri-miRNA cleavage are the middle part, the two enzymatic RNase III domains (RIIID), and the dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD) in the C-terminus. Here, we identify alternatively spliced transcripts in human melanoma and NT2 cell lines, encoding C-terminally truncated Drosha proteins lacking part of the RIIIDb and the entire dsRBD. Proteins generated from these alternative splice variants fail to bind to DGCR8 but still interact with Ewing sarcoma protein (EWS). In vitro as well as in vivo, the Drosha splice variants are deficient in pri-miRNA processing. However, the aberrant transcripts in melanoma cells do not consistently reduce mature miRNA levels compared with melanoma cell lines lacking those splice variants, possibly owing to their limited abundance. Our findings show that alternative processing-deficient Drosha splice variants exist in melanoma cells. In elevated amounts, these alternatively spliced transcripts could provide one potential mechanism accounting for the deregulation of miRNAs in cancer cells. On the basis of our results, the search for alternative inactive splice variants might be fruitful in different tumor entities to unravel the molecular basis of the previously observed decreased microRNA processing efficiency in cancer

Prozessbegleitender Erwerb meta-reflexiver Fertigkeiten im universitären, ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Projektstudium

In diesem Beitrag wird ein universitäres Lehr-Lern-Projekt vorgestellt, dem die arbeits- und organisationspsychologische Fragestellung zugrunde lag: „Wie kann ein studentisches Innovationsprojekt (aus dem Lehrgebiet des Maschinenbaus) so unterstützt werden, dass meta-reflexive Lernprozesse bei den Studierenden eingeleitet werden?“ Während dieses arbeitspsychologische Thema in industriellen Konstruktions- und Entwicklungsprojekten zunehmend an Bedeutung und an Beachtung gewinnt, fanden wir es in der universitären Ausbildung noch nicht verankert und entwickelten daher das nachfolgend begründete und beschriebene Konzept

The cancer-associated microprotein CASIMO1 controls cell proliferation and interacts with squalene epoxidase modulating lipid droplet formation

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Small open reading frame (sORF)-encoded proteins or microproteins constitute a new class of molecules often transcribed from presumed long non-coding RNA transcripts (lncRNAs). The translation of some of these sORFs has been confirmed, but their cellular function and importance remains largely unknown. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel microprotein of 10 kDa, which we named Cancer-Associated Small Integral Membrane Open reading frame 1 (CASIMO1). CASIMO1 RNA is overexpressed predominantly in hormone receptor-positive breast tumors. Its knockdown leads to decreased proliferation in multiple breast cancer cell lines. Its loss disturbs the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, leads to inhibition of cell motility, and causes a G(0)/G(1) cell cycle arrest. The proliferation phenotype upon overexpression is observed only with CASIMO1 protein expression, but not with a non-translatable mutant attributing the effects to the sORF-derived protein rather than a lncRNA function. CASIMO1 microprotein interacts with squalene epoxidase (SQLE), a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis and a known oncogene in breast cancer. Overexpression of CASIMO1 leads to SQLE protein accumulation without affecting its RNA levels and increased lipid droplet clustering, while knockdown of CASIMO1 decreased SQLE protein abundance and ERK phosphorylation downstream of SQLE. Importantly, SQLE knockdown mimicked the CASIMO1 knockdown phenotype and in turn SQLE overexpression fully rescued the effect of CASIMO1 knockdown. These findings establish CASIMO1 as the first functional microprotein that plays a role in carcinogenesis and is implicated in the cell lipid homeostasis