Learning from graphically integrated 2D and 3D representations improves retention of neuroanatomy.

Visualizations in the form of computer-based learning environments are highly encouraged in science education, especially for teaching spatial material. Some spatial material, such as sectional neuroanatomy, is very challenging to learn. It involves learning the two dimensional (2D) representations that are sampled from the three dimensional (3D) object. In this study, a computer-based learning environment was used to explore the hypothesis that learning sectional neuroanatomy from a graphically integrated 2D and 3D representation will lead to better learning outcomes than learning from a sequential presentation. The integrated representation explicitly demonstrates the 2D-3D transformation and should lead to effective learning. This study was conducted using a computer graphical model of the human brain. There were two learning groups: Whole then Sections, and Integrated 2D3D. Both groups learned whole anatomy (3D neuroanatomy) before learning sectional anatomy (2D neuroanatomy). The Whole then Sections group then learned sectional anatomy using 2D representations only. The Integrated 2D3D group learned sectional anatomy from a graphically integrated 3D and 2D model. A set of tests for generalization of knowledge to interpreting biomedical images was conducted immediately after learning was completed. The order of presentation of the tests of generalization of knowledge was counterbalanced across participants to explore a secondary hypothesis of the study: preparation for future learning. If the computer-based instruction programs used in this study are effective tools for teaching anatomy, the participants should continue learning neuroanatomy with exposure to new representations. A test of long-term retention of sectional anatomy was conducted 4-8 weeks after learning was completed. The Integrated 2D3D group was better than the Whole then Sections group in retaining knowledge of difficult instances of sectional anatomy after the retention interval. The benefit of learning from an integrated 2D3D representation suggests that there are some spatial transformations which are better retained if they are learned through an explicit demonstration. Participants also showed evidence of continued learning on the tests of generalization with the help of cues and practice, even without feedback. This finding suggests that the computer-based learning programs used in this study were good tools for instruction of neuroanatomy

Veiled Threats

As Muslim women continue to be a focus of media-led debate, Naaz Rashid uses original scholarship and empirical research to examine how Muslim women are represented in policy discourse and how the trope of the Muslim woman is situated within national debates about Britishness, the death of multiculturalism and global concerns over international terrorism

Book review: the Muslims are coming! Islamophobia, extremism, and the domestic war on terror by Arun Kundnani

The Muslims Are Coming! contains a wealth of research into and analysis of particular cases of counter terrorist activity and interventions which can challenge the established orthodoxies prevailing on both sides of the Atlantic. Naaz Rashid finds that Arun Kundnani’s work should be required reading for officials and Ministers in the Home Office, Department of Communities & Local Government, the Department of Education, and the Department for Homeland Security, as well as for political commentators everywhere

Fabrication of chitosan based nanofibers by electrospinning and their characterisation

Electrospinning is used to produce fibers in the nanometer range by stretching a polymeric jet using electric field of high magnitude. Electrospinning leads to the formation of continuous fibers ranging from 0.01 to 10 ìm . The ultra-fine fibers produced by electro spinning are expected to have two main properties, a very high surface to volume ratio, and a relatively defect free structure at the molecular level . The development of nanofibers by electrospinning process has led to potential applications in filtration, military protective clothing, and biological applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery devices , artificial organ components etc. The present study is an attempt to fabricate composite nanofibers that can be used as tissue engineering scaffolds. The approach involves the blending of two different polymers both being biocompatible and biodegradable but one is natural and other is synthetic along with a surfactant. Composites in the form of nanofibers were formed via electrospinning technique. Different ratios of Chitosan:PEO(Polyethylene glycol:DATB(Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) blends were prepared and successfully electrospunned so that the nanofibers obtained could mimic the natural ECM(Extra Cellular Matrix). It was found that usage of DTAB in the blend yielded fibers in the range of 50-250 nm which could be suitable for tissue engineering.. The prepared composite scaffolds were characterised using several techniques such as SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, XRD(X-ray Diffraction) . Also solubility and biodegradability tests were carried out for the prepared scaffolds. It was found that at feed rate 0.5ml/hr and voltage 25kV ,Chitosan:PEO ratios of 70/30 and 80/20 with DTAB concentration of 15mM yielded better nanofibers as compared to higher DTAB concentrations

Effect of final state interactions on neutrino energy reconstruction at DUNE

We quantitatively study the percentage of fake events present in CCQE and CCRes interactions and the impact of final state interactions on the neutrino oscillation parameters at Dune. Resonance interaction will be the most dominant interaction in the oscillation sensitive region of DUNE. The effect of final-state interactions for DUNE oscillation physics is analysed in an ideal and realistic detector scenario. The $\nu_{\mu}$-disappearance Oscillation channel is studied using LAr detector. We find that nuclear effects and detector thresholds plays an significant role in CCQE and CCRes interactions and these nuclear effects induces a significant bias in the determination of atmospheric oscillation parameters. The impression of nuclear effects on the determination of $\theta_{23}$ is quantified in this work.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Veiled Threats

As Muslim women continue to be a focus of media-led debate, Naaz Rashid uses original scholarship and empirical research to examine how Muslim women are represented in policy discourse and how the trope of the Muslim woman is situated within national debates about Britishness, the death of multiculturalism and global concerns over international terrorism

Pandemic (COVID-19) Killing Thousands by the Hour-What the Community Need to Know

Since the first reports of novel Pneumonia (COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei province, China , there has been considerable discussion on the origin of the causative virus, SARS-CoV-23 (also referred to as HCoV-19) (Wu, F. et al.2020). Infections with SARS-CoV-2 are now widespread, and as of 11 March 2020, 121,564 incidents have been verified in more than 110 nations, with 4,373 deaths. SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus known to affect human being; SARS-CoV, MERS CoV and SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe disease, whereas HKU1, NL63, OC43 and 229E are linked with mild symptoms Purpose: The aim of this study is to gather current literature whilst bringing together the relevant information in a sequential order to identify the routes the virus takes to spread amongst the communities, along with the preventive measure that can be taken to break the chain of spread. Implications: This paper intends to provide a bird eye view on the review of the literature on perspective on the notable features of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and discuss scenarios by which they could have arisen. Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemic DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/73-12 Publication date: April 30th 202

Women of Afghanistan Mirrored through Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns

Literature forms the backbone as well as the mouthpiece of almost all historical events and consequently presents the readers with a clear representation of the problems associated with the foretold incidents. Gender has been a powerful topic, capable enough of grasping the attention of the society in every age. Women have been considered as subordinate, invaluable and minority citizens. This has been constructed by the societal norms wherein women have always been dragged to the pedestal of all sorts of discussions. Women have been deliberately suppressed to an extent that their lives turned out to be miserable in the so-called patriarchal society. The Feminist theory focuses on the understanding of the gender inequality by highlighting the most prominent themes such as sexual objectification, oppression, patriarchy and so on. Afghanistan has the same root problems. The deteriorated condition of women still persists with the passing years without any considerable change. The novel is a very clear and crisp depiction of the sufferings of female characters namely Nana, Maryam and Laila who suffer mercilessly at the hands of their male dominants. These women are tortured and threatened sexually, psychologically and mentally. The agony and anxiety involved in such practices shape the female characters of the novel and provides the readers with an overview of the gender inequality through lack of education, exemption from their rights, marital problems, unhealthy medical conditions and so on

Current Challenges in Understanding the Story of Skin Pigmentation — Bridging the Morpho-Anatomical and Functional Aspects of Mammalian Melanocytes

Melanocytes are specialized dendritic melanin producing pigment cells, which have originated from the pluripotent embryonic cells and are termed as neural crest cells (NCC). The primary locations of these cells are basal layer of epidermis and hair follicles. Besides this, they are also found in the inner ear, nervous system, and heart with spatial specific functions. There are other cells able to produce melanin but of different embryonic origin (pigmented epithelium of retina, some neurons, and adipocytes). Melanocytes of the epidermis and hair are cells which share some common structural features but in general they form biologically different populations living in unique niches of the skin. Ultra structurally, melanocytes differ from each other on the basis of their locations and function. Principal function of epidermal melanocytes is photoprotection and thermoregulation by packaging melanin pigment into melanosomes and delivering them to neighboring keratinocytes. It is unfair to think that melanocytes reap all the glory for their role in pigmenting the skin and providing it critical protection against UV damage. They probably play a significant role in diverse physiological functions and their particular functions in all target places are much wider than the melanin synthesis only. Alternation in any structure and function of these pigmentary cells affects the process of pigmentation/melanogenesis which leads to pigmentary disorders like hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation