\u3cb\u3eBook Review:\u3c/b\u3e \u3cem\u3eThirteen Strategies to Measure College Teaching\u3c/em\u3e by Ron Berk (Stylus, 2006)

Excerpt: The evaluation of teaching is something that is done virtually wherever teaching itself is done. At the college level, it factors into annual evaluations, merit raises and promotion and tenure decisions. At too many places, though, it is done in a shallow, haphazard fashion. Why is this, when there is a large body of research about and standards for the measurement of effective teaching? Very possibly, the existence of those methods have not gotten to the people making decisions on how teaching is evaluated at individual colleges – i.e. faculty in disciplines other than that of educational measurement. Ron Berk’s book, Thirteen Strategies to Measure College Teaching, aims at evangelizing the rest of academia with the good news of how to do it right

Managing for Results to Enhance Government Accountability and Achieve Environmental Justice

The authors explain how government accountability studies conducted by the National Academy of Public Administration may address environmental justice and enhance environmental protection for all United States citizens, regardless of race or income

Bound q2qˉ2q^2\bar q^2 states in a constituent quark model

We consider the existence of bound systems consisting of two quarks and two antiquarks ($q^2\bar q^2$) within the framework of a constituent quark model. The underlying quark dynamics is described by a linear confinement potential and an effective $q^2\bar q^2$ interaction which has its origin in instanton effects of QCD. We calculate the spectra and examine the internal structure of the states found.Comment: 11 pages, needs epsf.st

Cytotoxic effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in apical cells of onion roots (Allium cepa L.)

Páginas 97-104.El hipoclorito de sodio (NaClO), es un compuesto químico altamente tóxico y ampliamente utilizado por sus propiedades desinfectantes. Una de las especies vegetales más usadas para la detección de diferentes tipos de cambios genéticos causados por sustancias químicas es Allium cepa L. mediante la cual se hacen pruebas para la vigilancia del medio ambiente. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto citotóxico del hipoclorito de sodio (NaClO) en células apicales de raíces de cebolla (Allium cepa L.). Se prepararon cinco soluciones de hipoclorito de sodio a diferentes concentraciones más una solución control con tres réplicas para cada tratamiento; se midió el crecimiento de las raíces durante 3 días, se cortaron los ápices sumergiéndose en ácido clorhídrico, posteriormente fueron teñidos con Aceto-Orceina y se observaron al microscopio; se calculó el índice mitótico (IM) y se observaron las anomalías celulares (cromosómicas). Se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y prueba de rangos múltiples mediante el método de diferencia mínima significativa (LSD). Los resultados mostraron que no existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los tratamientos (P>0,05). La concentración donde se presentó un mayor IM fue de 1 ppm. Se evidenciaron las anomalías celulares: en anafase, evidenciando puentes entre cromosomas, hipercromasia, lesiones nucleares y rompimiento de cromosomas en anafase y metafase. Los resultados evidenciaron que Allium cepa es una especie que ofrece un modelo experimental para evaluar el efecto citotóxico, en este caso del hipoclorito de sodio, el cual generó anomalías celulares (cromosómicas) en todas las concentraciones.ABSTRACT: (NaClO) sodium hypochlorite is a highly toxic chemical compound widely used because of its disinfectant properties. One of the most commonly used plants to detect different types of genetic changes caused by chemical substances is Allium cepa L., in tests for environmental monitoring. The objective of this research was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in apical cells of onion roots (Allium strain L.). Five sodium hypochlorite solutions were prepared at different concentrations, in addition to a control solution, with three replications for each treatment; for 3 days, the growth of the roots was measured; the apices were cut submerging them into hydrochloric acid, subsequently dyed with Aceto-Orcein and were observed under a microscope; the mitotic index (MI) was calculated and the cell anomalies were observed (chromosomal). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple range tests using the Least Significant Difference method (LSD) were performed. The results showed that there was not a statistically significant difference between the treatments (P0.05). The concentration with the highest MI was 1 ppm. The following cellular abnormalities were evidenced: bridge between chromosomes in anaphase, chromatin, nuclear injuries, chromosome breakage in anaphase and metaphase. The results showed that Allium cepa L. is a species that offers an experimental model to evaluate the cytotoxic effect, in this case sodium hypochlorite, which generated cellular abnormalities (chromosomal) in all concentrations.Bibliografía: página 104.Artículo revisado por pares

A transient homotypic interaction model for the influenza A virus NS1 protein effector domain

Influenza A virus NS1 protein is a multifunctional virulence factor consisting of an RNA binding domain (RBD), a short linker, an effector domain (ED), and a C-terminal 'tail'. Although poorly understood, NS1 multimerization may autoregulate its actions. While RBD dimerization seems functionally conserved, two possible apo ED dimers have been proposed (helix-helix and strand-strand). Here, we analyze all available RBD, ED, and full-length NS1 structures, including four novel crystal structures obtained using EDs from divergent human and avian viruses, as well as two forms of a monomeric ED mutant. The data reveal the helix-helix interface as the only strictly conserved ED homodimeric contact. Furthermore, a mutant NS1 unable to form the helix-helix dimer is compromised in its ability to bind dsRNA efficiently, implying that ED multimerization influences RBD activity. Our bioinformatical work also suggests that the helix-helix interface is variable and transient, thereby allowing two ED monomers to twist relative to one another and possibly separate. In this regard, we found a mAb that recognizes NS1 via a residue completely buried within the ED helix-helix interface, and which may help highlight potential different conformational populations of NS1 (putatively termed 'helix-closed' and 'helix-open') in virus-infected cells. 'Helix-closed' conformations appear to enhance dsRNA binding, and 'helix-open' conformations allow otherwise inaccessible interactions with host factors. Our data support a new model of NS1 regulation in which the RBD remains dimeric throughout infection, while the ED switches between several quaternary states in order to expand its functional space. Such a concept may be applicable to other small multifunctional proteins

The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health: practical applications for interdisciplinary care

Global health organizations have provided recommendations regarding exercise for the general population. Strength training has been included in several position statements due to its multi-systemic benefits. In this narrative review, we examine the available literature, first explaining how specific mechanical loading is converted into positive cellular responses. Secondly, benefits related to specific musculoskeletal tissues are discussed, with practical applications and training programmes clearly outlined for both common musculoskeletal disorders and primary prevention strategies

Erziehung und Wissenschaft, Erklären und Verstehen

Zusammenfassung: Erziehungswissenschaft scheint gegenwärtig weltweit, besonders in englischsprachigen Ländern, zunehmend von der Übernahme, gar der Imitation, naturwissenschaftlicher Methoden bestimmt zu sein. Ein Beispiel hierfür ist die gegenwärtige Begeisterung für randomisierte kontrollierte Studien (randomised controlled trials, RCTs), die oft als der Goldstandard in der medizinischen Forschung gelten. Ein anderes Beispiel ist die bislang unerfüllte Erwartung, dass die Neurowissenschaften uns alles darüber sagen könnten, wie Menschen lernen und wie sie besser, d. h. schneller und effektiver, lernen könnten. Zuweilen scheint es, als befinde sich die Erziehungswissenschaft im Griff einer neuen Rhetorik und ihrer Schlagworte von rigour´ und robustness´. Damit verbunden ist auch die Annahme, dass eigentliche´ Forschung im Wesentlichen empirische Forschung sei. Angesichts dieser Entwicklungen geht es darum, erneut die Bedeutung von Erziehung´ zu betonen. Die in der Wissenschaft altbekannte Unterscheidung zwischen Erklären´ und Verstehen´ kann hierfür erneut von Nutzen sein. Beide Perspektiven schließen sich nicht wechselseitig aus. Sie können uns aber daran erinnern, dass uns Fragen über Bildung und Erziehung zunächst eher zu philosophischen Problemen von Sinn und Bedeutung führen als zu quasi-wissenschaftlichen, empirischen Untersuchungen. = Educational research, throughout the developed world but especially in the English-speaking countries, seems increasingly determined by adopting - or perhaps simply imitating - the methods of the natural sciences. One example is the current enthusiasm for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which are often considered the ´gold standard´ in medical research. Another example is the expectation, so far largely unfulfilled, that neuroscience will tell us all we need to know about how people learn and how they can come to learn better, that is more quickly and effectively. Sometimes it seems that educational research is simply in the grip of a new rhetoric, whose shibboleths are ´rigour´ and´robustness´. The assumption thus grows that proper research is essentially empirical. In the face of these tendencies it is important to re-emphasise the meanings of ´education´. The familiar distinction between erklären (scientific explanation) and verstehen (humane understanding of a less technical kind) is helpful to us here. The two perspectives are not mutually exclusive. But this framework is useful in reminding us that questions about the development and education often lead us towards philosophical problems about sense and meaning rather than towards quasi-scientific, empirical investigations