Introducing the Tri-layered Student Online Experience Framework: Moving from file repository narrative journey

Online learning environments (OLE) play a vital role in delivering quality learning outcomes. However, despite calls for improved learning environments, the practice of translating traditional face-to-face delivery into quality online offerings remains patchy. OLEs have implications for student experience, and thus student retention. In this paper we examine three domains that shape student experience, ‘relevance of online content’, ‘alignment of online content with student aspirations’, and ‘navigation with the online environment’ and propose that students evaluate online materials based on what they find interesting, and what they deem a value-add investment in exchange for their time. Drawing from the literature, as well as our experience in the field, we present a conceptual framework, the Tri-layered Student Online Experience Framework (TSOEF), which aims to act as a practical resource for academic and education technologists for informing the design of online units. To illustrate how our Framework can be operationalised, we provide an implementation case study centred on a third-year undergraduate unit at the University of Tasmania in Australia. This paper offers a practical guide for providing students with value-driven offerings

Evaluation of Cellular Phenotypes Implicated in Immunopathogenesis and Monitoring Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in HIV/Leprosy Cases

BACKGROUND: It is now evident that HAART-associated immunological improvement often leads to a variety of new clinical manifestations, collectively termed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, or IRIS. This phenomenon has already been described in cases of HIV coinfection with Mycobacterium leprae, most of them belonging to the tuberculoid spectrum of leprosy disease, as observed in leprosy reversal reaction (RR). However, the events related to the pathogenesis of this association need to be clarified. This study investigated the immunological profile of HIV/leprosy patients, with special attention to the cellular activation status, to better understand the mechanisms related to IRIS/RR immunopathogenesis, identifying any potential biomarkers for IRIS/RR intercurrence. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Eighty-five individuals were assessed in this study: HIV/leprosy and HIV-monoinfected patients, grouped according to HIV-viral load levels, leprosy patients without HIV coinfection, and healthy controls. Phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry for T cell subsets and immune differentiation/activation markers. As expected, absolute counts of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from the HIV-infected individuals changed in relation to those of the leprosy patients and controls. However, there were no significant differences among the groups, whether in the expression of cellular differentiation phenotypes or cellular activation, as reflected by the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR. Six HIV/leprosy patients identified as IRIS/RR were analyzed during IRIS/RR episodes and after prednisone treatment. These patients presented high cellular activation levels regarding the expression of CD38 in CD8+ cells T during IRIS/RR (median: 77,15%), dropping significantly (p<0,05) during post-IRIS/RR moments (median: 29,7%). Furthermore, an increase of cellular activation seems to occur prior to IRIS/RR. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest CD38 expression in CD8+ T cells interesting tool identifying HIV/leprosy individuals at risk for IRIS/RR. So, a comparative investigation to leprosy patients at RR should be conducted