Regulatory Role of Voltage-Gated Na+ Channel β Subunits in Sensory Neurons

Voltage-gated sodium Na+ channels are membrane-bound proteins incorporating aqueous conduction pores that are highly selective for sodium Na+ ions. The opening of these channels results in the rapid influx of Na+ ions that depolarize the cell and drive the rapid upstroke of nerve and muscle action potentials. While the concept of a Na+-selective ion channel had been formulated in the 1940s, it was not until the 1980s that the biochemical properties of the 260-kDa and 36-kDa auxiliary β subunits (β1, β2) were first described. Subsequent cloning and heterologous expression studies revealed that the α subunit forms the core of the channel and is responsible for both voltage-dependent gating and ionic selectivity. To date, 10 isoforms of the Na+ channel α subunit have been identified that vary in their primary structures, tissue distribution, biophysical properties, and sensitivity to neurotoxins. Four β subunits (β1–β4) and two splice variants (β1A, β1B) have been identified that modulate the subcellular distribution, cell surface expression, and functional properties of the α subunits. The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of β subunit expression and function in peripheral sensory neurons and examine their contributions to neuropathic pain

Seasonal changes in water quality and Sargassum biomass in southwest Australia

Sargassum C. Agardh is one of the most diverse genera of marine macro-algae and commonly inhabits shallow tropical and sub-tropical waters. This study aimed to investigate the effect of seasonality and the associated water quality changes on the distribution, canopy cover, mean thallus length and the biomass of Sargassum beds around Point Peron, Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Southwest Australia. Samples of Sargassum and seawater were collected every three months from summer 2012 to summer 2014 from four different reef zones. A combination of in situ observations and WorldView-2 satellite remote-sensing images were used to map the spatial distribution of Sargassum beds and other associated benthic habitats. The results demonstrated a strong seasonal variation in the environmental parameters, canopy cover, mean thallus length, and biomass of Sargassum, which were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the nutrient concentration (PO43-, NO3-, NH4+) and rainfall. However, no variation in any studied parameter was observed among the four reef zones. The highest Sargassum biomass peaks occurred between late spring and early summer (from September to January). The results provide essential information to guide effective conservation and management, as well as sustainable utilisation of this coastal marine renewable resource

Measuring Teachers’ Assessment for Learning (AfL) Classroom Practices in Elementary Schools

Assessment for Learning (AfL) may be conceptualized as minute-to-minute, day-by-day interactions between learners and teachers with the improvement of learning as the principal focus. This paper traces the development of an AfL measurement instrument (scale) that can be used for research purposes prior to, during and following professional development in the area. Rasch measurement procedures were applied to data drawn from a convenience sample of 594 teachers from 44 elementary schools in Ireland to create a scale consisting of 20 items distributed across four key AfL assessment strategies: learning intentions and success criteria, questioning and classroom discussion, feedback, and peer-and self-assessment.&nbsp; This scale, the Assessment for Learning Measurement instrument (AfLMi), has good psychometric properties and is interpretable in a way that makes it potentially useful during system wide improvement initiatives focused on AfL

A validity perspective on interviews as a selection mechanism for entry to initial teacher education programmes

Across the world, teacher quality has come to be recognised as one of the most important variables affecting student outcomes; consequently, the regulation of entry into the profession is the subject of iterative review. The traditional ‘one-off’ interview, involving an interviewee and two or more interviewers, is a common, but not unproblematic, selection mechanism in the field. In particular, the modest positive correlation between performance at interviews and in clinical settings raises questions about using interviews as a selection mechanism for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. In this paper, we draw on validity theory and some key commentaries and studies in the research literature to offer a perspective on the extent to which the traditional interview provides data that can be used to make good decisions about applicants for ITE. The paper proposes a validity-based framework for use by practitioners to enhance the conceptualisation, design and evaluation of interviews in the process of teacher selection

Animated videos in assessment: comparing validity evidence from and test-takers’ reactions to an animated and a text-based situational judgment test

The linguistic complexity of many text-based tests can be a source of construct-irrelevant variance, as test-takers’ performance may be affected by factors that are beyond the focus of the assessment itself, such as reading comprehension skills. This experimental study examined the extent to which the use of animated videos, as opposed to written text, could (i) reduce construct-irrelevant variance attributed to language and reading skills and (ii) impact test-takers’ reactions to a situational judgment test. The results indicated that the variance attributed to construct-irrelevant factors was lower by 9.5% in the animated version of the test. In addition, those who took the animated test perceived it to be more valid, fair, and enjoyable, than those who took the text-based test. They also rated the language used as less difficult to understand. The implications of these findings are discussed

Towards a framework to support the implementation of digital formative assessment in higher education

This paper proposes a framework to support the use of digital formative assessment in higher education. The framework is informed by key principles and approaches underpinning effective formative assessment and, more specifically, by approaches to formative assessment that leverage the functionalities of technology. The overall aim is to provide a structured conceptualisation of digital formative assessment that supports the planning of lectures and other teaching and learning activities in higher education classrooms. At the heart of the framework, as presented in this paper, is a 12-cell grid comprising 4 key formative assessment strategies (sharing learning intentions and success criteria, questioning and discussion, feedback, and peer- and self-assessment) crossed with 3 functionalities of technology (sending and displaying, processing and analysing, and interactive environments). These functionalities of technologies are used as the basis to integrate digital tools Citation: Kaya-Capocci, S.; O’Leary, M.; Costello, E. Towards a Framework to Support the Implementation of Digital Formative Assessment in Higher Education. Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, 823. https:// doi.org/10.3390/educsci12110823 Academic Editors: Sandra Raquel Gonçalves Fernandes, Marta Abelha, Ana Teresa Ferreira-Oliveira and Eleanor Dommett Received: 22 July 2022 Accepted: 13 November 2022 Published: 17 November 2022 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). into formative assessment for effective teaching and learning processes. For each cell in the grid, an exemplary digital formative assessment practice is described. This paper highlights the framework’s potential for enhancing the practice of digital formative assessment and its significance in light of the ongoing digital transformation. This paper concludes with suggesting a programme of research that might be undertaken to evaluate its utility and impact in higher education contexts

Combined data analysis of fossil and living mammals: a Paleogene sister taxon of Placentalia and the antiquity of Marsupialia

The Cretaceous–Paleogene (KPg) boundary, one of Earth’s five major extinction events, occurred just before the appearance of Placentalia in the fossil record. The Gobi Desert, Mongolia and the Western Interior of North America have important fossil mammals occurring just before and after the KPg boundary (e.g. Prodiacodon, Deltatheridium) that have yet to be phylogenetically tested in a character-rich context with molecular data. We present here phylogenetic analyses of >6000 newly scored anatomical observations drawn from six untested fossils and added to the largest existing morphological matrix for mammals. These data are combined with sequence data from 27 nuclear genes. Results show the existence of a new eutherian sister clade to Placentalia, which we name and characterize. The extinct clade Leptictidae is part of this placental sister clade, indicating that the sister clade survived the KPg event to co-exist in ancient ecosystems during the Paleogene radiation of placentals. Analysing the Cretaceous metatherian Deltatheridium in this character-rich context reveals it is a member of Marsupialia, a finding that extends the minimum age of Marsupialia before the KPg boundary. Numerous shared-derived features from multiple anatomical systems support the assignment of Deltatheridium to Marsupialia. Computed tomography scans of exquisite new specimens better document the marsupial-like dental replacement pattern of Deltatheridium. The new placental sister clade has both Asian and North American species, and is ancestrally characterized by shared derived features such as a hind limb modified for saltatorial locomotion

Weekend effect: analysing temporal trends in solid organ donation

Background: Research suggests patients treated over weekends experience poorer outcomes. Only one US-based study explored this weekend effect in organ donation, specifically the kidney discard rate. In Australia potential donors are referred to a donation service, and donation proceeds if family consent is granted and the donor is deemed medically suitable to donate. Organ procurement occurs when utilization is almost certain hence discard rates are much lower than in the USA. We aimed to characterize the effect of weekend referral on organ donation in Australia. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all New South Wales Organ and Tissue Donation Service logs from 2010 to 2016. Our primary outcome was progression to organ procurement, and secondary outcomes were family consent and meeting medical suitability thresholds. We used logistic regression with random effects adjusting for clustering of referral hospitals. Results: Of 3496 potential donors referred for consideration, 694 (20%) progressed to organ procurement. There were fewer referrals on weekends (average 415 versus 588 for weekdays). However, donation rates were no lower for weekend compared to weekday referrals (adjusted OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.95, 1.44). Family consent (adjusted OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.00, 1.44) and medical suitability (adjusted OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.96, 1.38) were not lower for weekend compared to weekday referrals. Similar results were found for all sensitivity analyses conducted. Conclusions: In Australia, the donation pathway operates consistently throughout the week, with donation no less likely to proceed on weekends and holidays. This finding contrasts with findings in the USA