Potential impacts of the use of data analytics to improve the student experience

Student experience and learning analytics have been growing areas of interest for higher education practice and debate. Yet, little research has focused on the intersection of these topics: the use of analytics to improve the student experience. In order to support further investigation in this area, this study adopted an exploratory design research approach to identify potential benefits and concerns related to the use of analytics to enhance student experience in higher education. To achieve this, a prototype was designed and evaluated based on tests and discussions with academics and student representatives from nine Scottish universities. These exploratory results suggest four main potential benefits and nine possible problems and issues. A theoretical and critical analysis offers additional interpretation of the possible implications of these potential impacts. Important areas for future research are suggested

Learning analytics in European higher education–trends and barriers

Learning analytics (LA) as a research field has grown rapidly over the last decade. However, adoption of LA is mostly found to be small in scale and isolated at the instructor level. This paper presents an exploratory study on institutional approaches to LA in European higher education and discusses prominent challenges that impede LA from reaching its potential. Based on a series of consultations with senior managers from 83 different higher education institutions in 24 European countries, we observe that LA is primarily perceived as a tool to enhance teaching and institutional management. As a result, teaching and support staff are found to be the main users of LA and the target audience of training support. In contrast, there is little evidence of active engagement with students or using LA to develop self-regulated learning skills. We highlight the importance of grounding LA in learning sciences and including students as a key stakeholder in the design and implementation of LA. This paper contributes to our understanding of the development of LA in European higher education and highlights areas to address in both practice and research. © 2020 Elsevier LtdThis work was supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union [562080-EPP- 1-2015-1-BE-EPPKA3-PI-FORWARD]. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission will not be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. We would like to thank the participant of this study for their generous contributions

Uliginosin B presents antinociceptive effect mediated by dopaminergic and opioid systems in mice

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that uliginosin B inhibits dopamine reuptake in rat brain. This compound occurs in Hypericum polyanthemum and H. caprifoliatum for which was reported to have antinociceptive effect sensitive to naloxone. The aim of this study was to assess the antinociceptive effect of uliginosin B and to evaluate the involvement of opioid and dopaminergic receptors activation. Uliginosin B presented antinociceptive effect in hot-plate and abdominal writhing tests, in mice, at doses that did not impair the motor coordination (15mg/kg, i.p.). Uliginosin B in high dose (90mg/kg, i.p.) presented ataxic effect in the rotarod apparatus. These effects seem to be mediated by distinct receptors since the effect on the hot-plate was completely abolished by naloxone and sulpiride, but it was unaffected by SCH 23390. On the other hand, the motor impairment induced by uliginosin B was completely prevented by naloxone and partially prevented by sulpiride and SCH 23390. However, the receptors' activation appears to be indirect since uliginosin B did not bind to opioid and dopaminergic receptors. Thus, uliginosin B effects probably are due to its ability to inhibit monoamine reuptake with consequent activation of dopamine receptors and indirect stimulation of opioid system

Data for: Learning Analytics in European Higher Education-Trends and Barriers

This dataset contains responses to an institutional survey that investigated existing learning analytics initiatives, institutional infrastructures for learning analytics, adopted strategies and policies for learning analytics, considerations of legal and ethical issues, existing evaluation frameworks, and evaluations of the engagement of key stakeholders (i.e., teaching staff, students, and managers), success of learning analytics, institutional culture, data and research capabilities, legal and ethical awareness, and existing training

Modern venom profiling: mining into scorpion venom biodiversity

Scorpions and their sting are infamous for causing pain, morbidity, and, in some cases, death. However, research into scorpion venoms has revealed the presence of components that potentially have beneficial properties for humans. Such components may be developed into therapeutics or bioinsecticides. In order to assess the biodiversity of components present in scorpion venoms, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches have been applied to numerous scorpion species. This chapter presents our current knowledge in the field of venom-wide studies of scorpions. Discussions on the pros and cons of several proteomic and transcriptomic techniques used to investigate scorpion venoms are also included

Venom characterization of the bark scorpion Centruroides edwardsii (Gervais 1843): composition, biochemical activities and in vivo toxicity for potential prey

In this study, we characterize the venom of Centruroides edwardsii, one of the most abundant scorpions in urban and rural areas of Costa Rica, in terms of its biochemical constituents and their biological activities. C. edwardsii venom is rich in peptides but also contains some higher molecular weight protein components. No phospholipase A2, hemolytic or fibrinogenolytic activities were found, but the presence of proteolytic and hyaluronidase enzymes was evidenced by zymography. Venom proteomic analysis indicates the presence of a hyaluronidase, several cysteine-rich secretory proteins, metalloproteinases and a peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase like-enzyme. It also includes peptides similar to the Kþ-channel blocker margatoxin, a dominant toxin in the venom of the related scorpion C. margaritatus. MS and N-terminal sequencing analysis also reveals the presence of Naþ-channel-modulating peptides with sequence similarity to orthologs present in other scorpion species of the genera Centruroides and Tityus. We purified the hyaluronidase (which co-eluted with an allergen 5-like CRiSP) and sequenced ~60% of this enzyme. We also sequenced some venom gland transcripts that include other cysteine-containing peptides and a Non-Disulfide Bridged Peptide (NDBP). Our in vivo experiments characterizing the effects on potential predators and prey show that C. edwardsii venom induces paralysis in several species of arthropods and geckos; crickets being the most sensitive and cockroaches and scorpions the most resistant organisms tested. Envenomation signs were also observed in mice, but no lethality was reached by intraperitoneal administration of this venom up to 120 μg/g body weight.Universidad de Costa Rica/[741-A5-048]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de MedicinaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí