Process Model for Differentiated Instruction using Learning Analytics

Higher education institutions seem to have a haphazard approach to harnessing the ubiquitous data that learners generate on online educational platforms, despite promising opportunities offered by this data. Several learning analytics process models have been proposed to optimise the learning environment based on this learner data. The model proposed in this paper addresses deficiencies in existing learning analytics models that frequently emphasises only the technical aspects of data collection, analysis and intervention, yet remain silent on ethical issues inherent in collecting and analysing student data and pedagogy-based approaches to the interventions. The proposed model describes how differentiated instruction can be provided based on a dynamic learner profile built through an ethical learning analytics process. Differentiated instruction optimises online learning through recommending learning objects tailored towards the learner attributes stored in a learner profile. The proposed model provides a systematic and comprehensive abstraction of a differentiated learning design process informed by learning analytics. The model emerged by synthesising steps of a tried-and-tested web analytics process with educational theory, an ethical learning analytics code of practice, principles of adaptive education systems and a layered abstraction of online learning design

Aortic arch baroreceptor stimulation in an experimental goat model: a novel method to lower blood pressure

The effect of aortic baroreceptor stimulation on blood pressure manipulation was assessed using the goat species Capra aegagrus hircus. The aim of this study was to manipulate blood pressure with future intention to treat high blood pressure in humans. The ages of the animals ranged from 6 months to 2 years. A standard anesthesia protocol was used. A lateral thoracotomy was performed to gain access to the aortic arch. Data was collected with the Vigileo system. Pre stimulation blood pressure was compared with maximum post stimulation blood pressure values. Results were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. In the study 38 animals were enrolled. Baroreceptor stimulation was performed for each animal using 3 different electrodes each of which emits an electrical impulse. In the pilot phase of the study, the median baseline blood pressure prior to stimulation of the baroreceptors was 110.8 mmHg. After stimulation the median blood pressure decreased to 88 mmHg. The average decrease in blood pressure was 22.8 mmHg. This decrease of blood pressure after stimulation of the baroreceptors is statistically significant (p < 0.0001) and the proof of concept was shown. During the extended phase all three probes had a significant effect on blood pressure lowering (p < 0.0001). The study confirmed that aortic baroreceptor stimulation has an effect on blood pressure lowering. This is a novel field of blood pressure manipulation. The hemodynamic effects of long-term aortic baroreceptor stimulation are unknown. Further investigations need to be done to determine whether a similar effect can be induced in different species such as primates and humans

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

Antibody GD3G7 Selected against Embryonic Glycosaminoglycans Defines Chondroitin Sulfate-E Domains Highly Up-Regulated in Ovarian Cancer and Involved in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Binding

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is abundantly present in the tumor stroma, and tumor-specific CS modifications might be potential targets to influence tumor development. We applied the phage display technology to select antibodies that identify these tumor-specific CS modifications. Antibody GD3G7 was selected against embryonic glycosaminoglycans, and it reacted strongly with CS-E (rich in GlcA-GalNAc4S6S units). In ovarian adenocarcinomas, strong expression of this CS-E epitope was found in the extracellular matrix, and occasionally on tumor cells. No expression was found in normal ovary and cystadenomas. Differential expression was found in ovarian carcinoma cell lines, which correlated with the gene expression of the GalNAc4S-6st enzyme, involved in biosynthesis of CS-E. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-sensitive fenestrated (in normal tissues) and tumor blood vessels were both identified by antibody GD3G7, which might implicate a role for CS-E in VEGF biology. VEGF bound to CS-E and antibody GD3G7 could compete for binding of VEGF to CS-E. In conclusion, antibody GD3G7 identified rare CS-E-like structures that were strongly expressed in ovarian adenocarcinomas. This antibody might therefore be instrumental for identifying tumor-related CS alterations

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

International audienceSub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species' population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate 'intactness scores': the remaining proportion of an 'intact' reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region's major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

bi4africa dataset - open source

The bii4africa dataset is presented in a multi-spreadsheet .ods file. The raw data spreadsheet (‘Scores_Raw’) includes 31,313 individual expert estimates of the impact of a sub-Saharan African land use on a species response group of terrestrial vertebrates or vascular plants. Estimates are reported as intactness scores - the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference (pre-industrial or contemporary wilderness area) population of a species response group in a land use, on a scale from 0 (no individuals remain) through 0.5 (half the individuals remain), to 1 (same as the reference population) and, in limited cases, to 2 (two or more times the reference population). For species that thrive in human-modified landscapes, scores could be greater than 1 but not exceeding 2 to avoid extremely large scores biasing aggregation exercises. Expert comments are included alongside respective estimates

bii4africa dataset

The bii4africa dataset is presented in a multi-spreadsheet .xlsx file. The raw data spreadsheet (‘Scores_Raw’) includes 31,313 individual expert estimates of the impact of a sub-Saharan African land use on a species response group of terrestrial vertebrates or vascular plants. Estimates are reported as intactness scores - the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference (pre-industrial or contemporary wilderness area) population of a species response group in a land use, on a scale from 0 (no individuals remain) through 0.5 (half the individuals remain), to 1 (same as the reference population) and, in limited cases, to 2 (two or more times the reference population). For species that thrive in human-modified landscapes, scores could be greater than 1 but not exceeding 2 to avoid extremely large scores biasing aggregation exercises. Expert comments are included alongside respective estimates