Design considerations for virtual laboratories: A comparative study of two virtual laboratories for learning about gas solubility and colour appearance

Building a virtual laboratory for teaching and learning is a highly complex process, incorporating diverse areas such as interaction design, visualisation, and pedagogy. This article focuses on the production and implementation issues that were found in the comparison of two different virtual laboratory projects, and discuss which design considerations can be drawn from these observations. Two web-based virtual laboratories - the Gas Laboratory and the Virtual Colour Laboratory - were developed independently of each other within two different content areas. The laboratories share considerable overlaps in goals and production circumstances. Through a comparison of production and outcome, similar problems related to design, development and implementation were observed. The research uses a mixed method approach combining quantitative pre- and post-tests for assessments, qualitative surveys, and qualitative, ethnographic observations and interviews. By comparing the background material, five design challenges for developing virtual laboratories are identified: 1) how to balance ambitions with available resources; 2) how to balance intended levels of user interaction with exploratory freedom; 3) how to find appropriate levels of realism depending on target group; 4) how to choose between mimicking real world appearance and enhanced features; and 5) how to find the best learning situation for the virtual laboratory. To meet these challenges, the following design considerations are proposed: Guide the design work with a clear understanding of purpose and context; select appropriate technology to ensure efficient design and media usage; select level of realism considering purpose and end users; and provide learning guides before and after the virtual lab session

Non-invasive diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has been implicated in a number of malignancies and non-malignant conditions including peptic ulcers, non-ulcer dyspepsia, recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding, unexplained iron deficiency anaemia, idiopathic thrombocytopaenia purpura, and colorectal adenomas. The confirmatory diagnosis of H pylori is by endoscopic biopsy, followed by histopathological examination using haemotoxylin and eosin (H & E) stain or special stains such as Giemsa stain and Warthin-Starry stain. Special stains are more accurate than H & E stain. There is significant uncertainty about the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive tests for diagnosis of H pylori. OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of urea breath test, serology, and stool antigen test, used alone or in combination, for diagnosis of H pylori infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic people, so that eradication therapy for H pylori can be started. SEARCH METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Science Citation Index and the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Database on 4 March 2016. We screened references in the included studies to identify additional studies. We also conducted citation searches of relevant studies, most recently on 4 December 2016. We did not restrict studies by language or publication status, or whether data were collected prospectively or retrospectively. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included diagnostic accuracy studies that evaluated at least one of the index tests (urea breath test using isotopes such as13C or14C, serology and stool antigen test) against the reference standard (histopathological examination using H & E stain, special stains or immunohistochemical stain) in people suspected of having H pylori infection. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened the references to identify relevant studies and independently extracted data. We assessed the methodological quality of studies using the QUADAS-2 tool. We performed meta-analysis by using the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model to estimate and compare SROC curves. Where appropriate, we used bivariate or univariate logistic regression models to estimate summary sensitivities and specificities. MAIN RESULTS: We included 101 studies involving 11,003 participants, of which 5839 participants (53.1%) had H pylori infection. The prevalence of H pylori infection in the studies ranged from 15.2% to 94.7%, with a median prevalence of 53.7% (interquartile range 42.0% to 66.5%). Most of the studies (57%) included participants with dyspepsia and 53 studies excluded participants who recently had proton pump inhibitors or antibiotics.There was at least an unclear risk of bias or unclear applicability concern for each study.Of the 101 studies, 15 compared the accuracy of two index tests and two studies compared the accuracy of three index tests. Thirty-four studies (4242 participants) evaluated serology; 29 studies (2988 participants) evaluated stool antigen test; 34 studies (3139 participants) evaluated urea breath test-13C; 21 studies (1810 participants) evaluated urea breath test-14C; and two studies (127 participants) evaluated urea breath test but did not report the isotope used. The thresholds used to define test positivity and the staining techniques used for histopathological examination (reference standard) varied between studies. Due to sparse data for each threshold reported, it was not possible to identify the best threshold for each test.Using data from 99 studies in an indirect test comparison, there was statistical evidence of a difference in diagnostic accuracy between urea breath test-13C, urea breath test-14C, serology and stool antigen test (P = 0.024). The diagnostic odds ratios for urea breath test-13C, urea breath test-14C, serology, and stool antigen test were 153 (95% confidence interval (CI) 73.7 to 316), 105 (95% CI 74.0 to 150), 47.4 (95% CI 25.5 to 88.1) and 45.1 (95% CI 24.2 to 84.1). The sensitivity (95% CI) estimated at a fixed specificity of 0.90 (median from studies across the four tests), was 0.94 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.97) for urea breath test-13C, 0.92 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.94) for urea breath test-14C, 0.84 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.91) for serology, and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.90) for stool antigen test. This implies that on average, given a specificity of 0.90 and prevalence of 53.7% (median specificity and prevalence in the studies), out of 1000 people tested for H pylori infection, there will be 46 false positives (people without H pylori infection who will be diagnosed as having H pylori infection). In this hypothetical cohort, urea breath test-13C, urea breath test-14C, serology, and stool antigen test will give 30 (95% CI 15 to 58), 42 (95% CI 30 to 58), 86 (95% CI 50 to 140), and 89 (95% CI 52 to 146) false negatives respectively (people with H pylori infection for whom the diagnosis of H pylori will be missed).Direct comparisons were based on few head-to-head studies. The ratios of diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) were 0.68 (95% CI 0.12 to 3.70; P = 0.56) for urea breath test-13C versus serology (seven studies), and 0.88 (95% CI 0.14 to 5.56; P = 0.84) for urea breath test-13C versus stool antigen test (seven studies). The 95% CIs of these estimates overlap with those of the ratios of DORs from the indirect comparison. Data were limited or unavailable for meta-analysis of other direct comparisons. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In people without a history of gastrectomy and those who have not recently had antibiotics or proton ,pump inhibitors, urea breath tests had high diagnostic accuracy while serology and stool antigen tests were less accurate for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.This is based on an indirect test comparison (with potential for bias due to confounding), as evidence from direct comparisons was limited or unavailable. The thresholds used for these tests were highly variable and we were unable to identify specific thresholds that might be useful in clinical practice.We need further comparative studies of high methodological quality to obtain more reliable evidence of relative accuracy between the tests. Such studies should be conducted prospectively in a representative spectrum of participants and clearly reported to ensure low risk of bias. Most importantly, studies should prespecify and clearly report thresholds used, and should avoid inappropriate exclusions

Implementering av GUL.

Rapporten syftar till att belysa införandet av Göteborgs universitets lärplattform (GUL) och utgöra underlag för diskussion och reflektion. Göteborgs universitet beslutade införa en universitetsgemensam lärplattform och upphandlade i december 2006 programmet PingPong. Studentavdelningen utsågs till systemägare och fick i uppdrag att ansvara för ett införande projekt med start januari 2007. Projektet blev försenat och kom igång våren 2008. Lärplattformen benämndes GUL - Göteborgs universitets lärplattform – och blev tillgänglig för alla lärare i november 2008 och för studenter i januari 2009. PIL-enheten och Studentavdelningen riktade i november år 2009 förfrågningar till fakulteterna om beredskapen för och behov av stöd i anslutning till implementering av lärplattformen. Resultat från uppföljningen indikerar brister vad gäller systematiskt planering av personalens kompetensutveckling inom IT-området, tillgång till stödjande organisation för studenters och personals användning av lärplattformen, framställning av material till lärplattformen samt rutiner för uppföljning och utvärdering av användning av lärplattformen. Resultat från denna uppföljning har diskuterats i PIL:s styrgrupp samt med IT-beställarrådet vid Göteborgs universitet. Vid dessa möten konstateras bl.a. att avsaknad av en gemensam hållning på fakultets- och institutionsnivå huruvida man skulle gå över till GUL eller inte, är ett av skälen till att införandet av en lärosätesgemensam lärplattform gått långsamt

"There is always the other side". On Power and Representation in Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea

Uppsatsens syfte är att visa hur Jean Rhys i sin roman Sargassohavet ifrågasätter de narrativa strategier och diskurser som avgör vilka romanpersoner och perspektiv som får komma till uttryck. Rhys gör detta bland annat genom att placera en icke-västerländsk kvinna, som dessutom påstås vara galen, i protagonistens position. På så vis legitimeras romanpersonens perspektiv och detta är ett sätt att låta den Andras röst få komma till uttryck, från det fria subjektets position. Rhys lyfter också fram att det alltid finns fler än en sida av en berättelse. Den mångstämmighet som kännetecknar romanen visar att en berättelse kan framföras från flera olika perspektiv; genom att utrymme ges åt flera röster försvåras en reducerande läsart av romanpersonerna. Romanens polyfoni är också ett sätt att belysa de olika positionerna i de konflikter som strukturerar romanen, exempelvis konflikten mellan det västerländska och det icke-västerländska, mellan kvinnor och män och mellan rationalitet och fantasi.The aim of this thesis is to show how Jean Rhys in her novel Wide Sargasso Sea questions the narrative strategies and the discourses that decide which characters are allowed to speak. Rhys does this by placing a non-western woman, who is also allegedly insane, in the position of the protagonist. By doing so, this perspective is legitimized and it is a strategy that lets the voice of the Other be expressed. Rhys also emphasizes the existence of multiple versions of a story. The polyphony that characterizes the novel shows that a story can be told from different points of view. By letting several voices be heard, a reductive reading of the characters is prevented. The polyphony in the novel is also a way of bringing out the different positions in the conflicts that structure the novel, for example the conflict between the western and the non-western, between women and men and between rationality and fantasy

Un penchant pour l'opacité : de l'identité rhizomatique à la résistance langagière et narrative dans Solibo Magnifique et Traversée de la mangrove

This thesis analyses two novels taking place in the Caribbean context, Traversée de la mangrove (1989), written by Maryse Condé, and Solibo Magnifique (1988), written by Patrick Chamoiseau. Focus is on the themes of identity and resistance and how these themes are represented and problematised in the novels. Some narrative aspects are also given attention, such as how the use of different narrative techniques mirrors the themes in the novels. Objecting to the French/European obsession with rationality, transparency and linearity, the novels propose other ways of expressing identity as well as writing literature. The French language, associated with Western and colonial discourses and with the ideals of Enlightenment, is used as a tool to dominate and suppress others. Identity is described in terms of rhizomatic relationships and diversity, rather than as stable entities. Opacity is a way of resisting the violence of rational descriptions and the linear, causal narrations. By refusing to tell all, and by claiming that certain things cannot be explained in rational ways, the novels problematise the act of representing and insist upon complexity. The penchant for opacity is reflected in the narration for example in the tendency to pose questions rather than provide answers for the reader.

The next step in social networking software – the global coffee machine

The development of both computer mediated communication and social networking software have changed our way of connecting with people profoundly. Consider the impact such a simple communication tool as e-mail, and of course the last years development of Web 2.0 concepts. Even a very simple tool such as MSN Messenger have interesting effects on the social connection with friends and co-workers; that such a simple tool can create the feeling of sharing a virtual space together. That such a simple icon as the “friend icon” in Messenger can be so loaded with emotional connotations.But still, from another viewpoint, these technologies are just pale imitations, troublesome clones, of their real world equivalents. Consider the infamous chance meeting at the coffee machine, consider all the social networking that occurs in that physical space. Colleagues keeping track of each others work days, chance encounters triggering ideas for collaboration, and other chance encounter connecting to new acquaintances. Our idea is simple; what would happen if you combined the power of the coffee machine chance meetings, with the connecting-with-the-world concept of MSN Messenger, Facebook and all other similar tools? A strong picture forms in our minds; with all the hundreds of digital connections professionals manage online, and with all million potential acquaintances available online, a cross-breeding between the coffee machine and the Mesenger could be – metaphorically – like having the coffee machine in stadium filled with thousands of people…Imagine the potentials! Imagine the obstacles, the threats! What would actually happen to our way of being online with such a capability? Would we stand it? Would we be so information overloaded that we would hate it? Would we be addicted to it? How would the visual representation and the interaction interface actually be designed? Can it be designed with current technology?What we suggest is to explore these questions by building a digital mock-up – a partly functional prototype – of such a tool. We imagine it being a demonstration of a tool which might be developed, or which might prove to be a nightmare. We do not have a clear idea how the tool would work or how it would be designed. The actual design of the prototype would be the core of this proposed project. But we have a dream image of how it possibly could work.Imagine a computer interface with much larger screen area than today, and with an interface not using the mouse, but using touch screen or motion tracking of hand motions in the air instead. Imagine for example that your whole physical desktop was a computer screen. Imagine a windows-like interface, but using a much more layered, deeper and much more visually rich graphical display. The recent development of both the standard Windows and Macintosh operative systems have gone a few steps in this direction, and future developments have been tentatively hinted at both in actual prototypes and in science fiction scenarios such as Minority report and The Island. Imagine that when using this computer interface, you have access to a combined communication based on for example Messenger, Skype and Facebook, but with souped-up capabilites; a social networking software on steroids. Instead of simple icons as in Messenger, you see live video feeds or photographic images of the people you are connected with. You have for each person a diversity of information presented. Instead of just seeing of the person is online, you see different visual representations of for example how long time the person have been online, what documents the person is working on, and maybe most important, what web site does the person use right now, what keywords have the person recently used in Google, and so on. The closeness of your own latest keyword searches and the other persons keywords searching could for example be represented by “distance”; the more close the web usage is, the closer the person appears to be on screen. Finally, you do not only see the persons directly connected to you, but in a fashion similar to LinkedIn and similar social networking softwares, you see people connected to your connections. As a sea of faces, constantly shifting, everyone constantly available for a quick chat via text, audio or video.The purpose would not be surveillance, even if the risks of improper usage looms large. The purpose would be to attempt a digital re-creation of the chance meetings at the coffee machine. Instead of meeting around the coffee, you meet around a web site that you suddenly visit at the same time as a second-connection to one of your own colleagues, and that triggers a connect.That is actually what it would be all about; triggering contacts. That is the advantage of the coffee machine; it constantly triggers old and new contacts with people close. And it is also the disadvantage with the current social networking softwares; when your social network have been established on Facebook, on LinkedIn and in Messenger, what happens then? Usually not much. So the question is, could social networking be transformed into a new shared virtual space, where online social interactions actually becomes even more fluent, dynamic and fruitful

En frakturerad identitet : En studie av Garçon manqué och Je ne parle pas la langue de mon père

Denna uppsats har som syfte att studera hur identitet skildras i de självbiografiska romanerna Garçon manqué (2000), skriven av Nina Bouraoui och Je ne parle pas la langue de mon père (2003), skriven av Leïla Sebbar. Utifrån postkoloniala och feministiska perspektiv visar jag hur romanerna, skrivna av fransk-algeriska, kvinnliga författare, gestaltar erfarenheter av splittrad identitet och utanförskap. Dessa erfarenheter lyfts fram som resultatet av bland annat nationalistiska och misogyna diskurser. Minnena av våldet i de koloniala relationerna mellan Frankrike och Algeriet lever starkt kvar i protagonisternas medvetanden. På så sätt länkas deras personliga upplevelser av våld till en kollektiv historia. Samtidigt artikulerar romanerna motstånd mot de diskurser som genom sina ansatser att bemäktiga sig subjektet påminner om en kolonial logik.

Environmental Science Investigation – Challenges and opportunities

Swedish high school students are generally well informed about the threat of global warming to our planet. However, in order to understand the scientific challenge we are facing, students need to learn how to do scientific research. Emerging and innovative information and communication technologies offer new possibilities to present scientific facts and to teach scientific methods in contemporary school settings.In our paper, we present and discuss pedagogical issues and the design development preceding the production of a virtual laboratory destined to become a tool for students when learning about the impact of global warming on fish reproduction. A number of challenging issues arose during the development phase and the formative evaluation sessions that were held during spring 2008. Some examples: What are we trying to transmit when teaching students “to do science”? Are the proposed experiments most efficient when showing ambiguous and thought-provoking results or is a pedagogical approach where the user is guided through the experiments and given clues in order to “reveal” an explicit result, more useful