Online Test Presentation Modes, Student Self-perceived Learning Styles, and Student Performance on Factual/Conceptual and Applied Problems

Online courses have created a different testing environment. A test in an online setting can be easily presented in multiple modes (i.e., all at once, one at a time). However, there are no established guidelines to date on how the test presentation modes should be used in an online test. Using a sample of sixty-five undergraduate students, this study examined if test presentation modes (i.e., all at once, one at a time), student self-perceived learning styles (i.e., surface style, deep style), and types of test problems (i.e., factual/conceptual questions, applied questions) have an effect on student achievement in four unit tests. Findings from one-way MANOVA and repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that test presentation modes alone did not influence student test performance. However, when the variables of student self-perceived learning styles and types of test problems were added, students with a surface style scored significantly higher on the factual/conceptual problems in the one-at-a-time test presentation mode than in the all-at-once test presentation mode. No significant differences were found for students with a deep style in test performance based upon test presentation modes and types of questions. This study suggests test presentation modes can be set according to students’ learning styles. Students with a surface style may benefit from the one-at-a-time test presentation mode over time. Furthermore, it is recommended that technical issues and test security should be considered in determining an optimal test presentation mode

Enhancing Teachers’ Knowledge of Core Academic Standards through a Digital Content Development Workshop

There is an immediate need to help classroom teachers understand the common core standards so they can more effectively teach the content to students of the digital generation. This study summarized the activities in a digital content development workshop for empowering teachers to develop standards-based digital content for K-8 students in need of accelerated learning. Using a pretest-posttest design, the study also examined the impact of the digital content development workshop on participating teachers’ knowledge of core academic standards. A self-developed Knowledge of Core Academic Standards (KCAS) survey was used to measure teachers’ recall of core academic standards, teachers’ awareness of possible changes expected from the implementation of core academic standards, and teachers’ understanding of the differences between the previous standards and the new core academic standards. Paired-samples t-tests were used to evaluate the mean differences before and after the KCAS survey in teachers’ recall scores, teachers’ awareness ratings, and the ratings of teachers’ understanding of the differences. Findings indicated that participating teachers in the digital content development workshop gained significantly in the recall of core academic standards scores on the KCAS survey. Moreover, participating teachers also gained significantly in ratings of the awareness of possible changes and understanding of differences. The digital content development workshop offered a content-embedded pathway for enhancing teachers’ knowledge of core academic standards. Limitations to the study are also discussed

Studies on gene transfer of shoot apical meristems by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in a progeny of Chinese wild Vitis pseudoreticulata

Shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes, containing shoot apical meristems (SAM) were presented, of Vitis '6-12-2', derived from a Chinese wild V. pseudoreticulata 'Baihe-35-1' × V. vinifera 'Carignane' cross, were used for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. In order to achieve Glyoxal oxidase (VpGLOX) overexpressing plants, the propagation and gene transfer system of shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes undergoing either micropropagated (starting with microshoot- tips) or callus induced (starting with stems with single bud) in vitro plants were optimized. The results show that the most effective way to gain shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes undergoing micropropagation procedure was to keep micro-shoot-tips in liquid C2D4B medium at 80 rpm constant orbital shaking with light, then placed on solidified C2D4B medium with 2.9 μM Gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) for elongation. In vitro stems with single buds gave best results for callus formation and adventitious buds induction on half-strength MS medium with 9.0 μM Thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2.9 μM mg·L-1 α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest gene transfer frequency was obtained when explants were infected for 10 min with the concentration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens with an optical density at 600 nm of 0.4, and then co-cultivated for 3 days. Incubation of shoot tips and/or single-bud-internodes in darkness for 3 days is helpful for enhancing gene transfer efficiency. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-Southern blot analyses were utilized to confirm putative transgenic plants. Up to 45 clones have proven to be transformed, and one of them has been planted out. This method opens a door for the gene transfer of recalcitrant Chinese wild V. pseudoreticulata.

Identification and evaluation of the role of the manganese efflux protein in Deinococcus radiodurans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Deinococcus radiodurans </it>accumulates high levels of manganese ions, and this is believed to be correlated with the radiation resistance ability of this microorganism. However, the maintenance of manganese ion homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans </it>remains to be investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we identified the manganese efflux protein (MntE) in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The null mutant of <it>mntE </it>was more sensitive than the wild-type strain to manganese ions, and the growth of the <it>mntE </it>mutant was delayed in manganese-supplemented media. Furthermore, there was a substantial increase in the <it>in vivo </it>concentration of manganese ions. Consistent with these characteristics, the <it>mntE </it>mutant was more resistant to H₂O₂, ultraviolet rays, and γ-radiation. The intracellular protein oxidation (carbonylation) level of the mutant strain was remarkably lower than that of the wild-type strain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicated that <it>dr1236 </it>is indeed a <it>mntE </it>homologue and is indispensable for maintaining manganese homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The data also provide additional evidence for the involvement of intracellular manganese ions in the radiation resistance of <it>D. radiodurans</it>.</p

Identification and evaluation of the role of the manganese efflux protein in Deinococcus radiodurans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Deinococcus radiodurans </it>accumulates high levels of manganese ions, and this is believed to be correlated with the radiation resistance ability of this microorganism. However, the maintenance of manganese ion homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans </it>remains to be investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we identified the manganese efflux protein (MntE) in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The null mutant of <it>mntE </it>was more sensitive than the wild-type strain to manganese ions, and the growth of the <it>mntE </it>mutant was delayed in manganese-supplemented media. Furthermore, there was a substantial increase in the <it>in vivo </it>concentration of manganese ions. Consistent with these characteristics, the <it>mntE </it>mutant was more resistant to H₂O₂, ultraviolet rays, and γ-radiation. The intracellular protein oxidation (carbonylation) level of the mutant strain was remarkably lower than that of the wild-type strain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicated that <it>dr1236 </it>is indeed a <it>mntE </it>homologue and is indispensable for maintaining manganese homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The data also provide additional evidence for the involvement of intracellular manganese ions in the radiation resistance of <it>D. radiodurans</it>.</p

EFFECTS OF PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICES ON INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING IN HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of personal technology devices during classroom instruction as learning tools by high school biology students. The study sought to determine how a classroom environment with a Bring Your Own Device instructional method in place affected student achievement and student perceptions about biology, as well as viewpoints about their devices as tools for learning. Technology in the hands of teenagers today is nearly ubiquitous and often distracting in the traditional classroom. As the literature indicates, different views exist about the efficacy of using personal technology for learning. This study intended to learn more about the benefits and barriers associated with deliberately employing hand-held personal technology devices in a traditional high school classroom setting. In the data analysis, the results of the pre-test and post-test score data and pre-survey and post-survey score data reveal interesting information regarding the use of personal technology for learning in a high school biology classroom. Overall, the results of this study support the assumption that the presence of a personal technology device as a learning tool in a high school biology class makes no statistically significant difference in student achievement, nor do they significantly influence student perceptions about using their own device to learn or their attitudes about the subject of biology. Regardless of the effectiveness of the method, students participating in this study provided some interesting insights about their experiences using their own technology for educational purposes during a genetics instructional unit. Their responses provided some valuable information about their experiences and informs the researcher about how to improve future research endeavors. The intention of this research is that the results help to inform and complement the body of research about the emergence of personal technology in the lives of students

A stilbene synthase allele from a Chinese wild grapevine confers resistance to powdery mildew by recruiting salicylic acid signalling for efficient defence

Stilbenes are central phytoalexins in Vitis, and induction of the key enzyme stilbene synthase (STS) is pivotal for disease resistance. Here, we address the potential for breeding resistance using an STS allele isolated from Chinese wild grapevine Vitis pseudoreticulata (VpSTS) by comparison with its homologue from Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Carigane’ (VvSTS). Although the coding regions of both alleles are very similar (>99% identity on the amino acid level), the promoter regions are significantly different. By expression in Arabidopsis as a heterologous system, we show that the allele from the wild Chinese grapevine can confer accumulation of stilbenes and resistance against the powdery mildew Golovinomyces cichoracearum, whereas the allele from the vinifera cultivar cannot. To dissect the upstream signalling driving the activation of this promoter, we used a dual-luciferase reporter system in a grapevine cell culture. We show elevated responsiveness of the promoter from the wild grape to salicylic acid (SA) and to the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) flg22, equal induction of both alleles by jasmonic acid (JA), and a lack of response to the cell death-inducing elicitor Harpin. This elevated SA response of the VpSTS promoter depends on calcium influx, oxidative burst by RboH, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling, and JA synthesis. We integrate the data in the context of a model where the resistance of V. pseudoreticulata is linked to a more efficient recruitment of SA signalling for phytoalexin synthesis

Association of dementia with immunoglobulin G N-glycans in a Chinese Han population

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) functionality can drastically change from anti- to proinflammatory by alterations in the IgG N-glycan patterns. Our previous studies have demonstrated that IgG N-glycans associated with the risk factors of dementia, such as aging, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic stroke. Therefore, the aim is to investigate whether the effects of IgG N-glycan profiles on dementia exists in a Chinese Han population. A case–control study, including 81 patients with dementia, 81 age- and gender-matched controls with normal cognitive functioning (NC) and 108 non-matched controls with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was performed. Plasma IgG N-glycans were separated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Fourteen glycan peaks reflecting decreased of sialylation and core fucosylation, and increased bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) N-glycan structures were of statistically significant differences between dementia and NC groups after controlling for confounders (p \u3c 0.05; q \u3c 0.05). Similarly, the differences for these 14 initial glycans were statistically significant between AD and NC groups after adjusting for the effects of confounders (p \u3c 0.05; q \u3c 0.05). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) value of the model consisting of GP8, GP9, and GP14 was determined to distinguish dementia from NC group as 0.876 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.815–0.923] and distinguish AD from NC group as 0.887 (95% CI: 0.819–0.936). Patients with dementia were of an elevated proinflammatory activity via the significant changes of IgG glycome. Therefore, IgG N-glycans might contribute to be potential novel biomarkers for the neurodegenerative process risk assessment of dementia

Glycomics: Immunoglobulin GN-glycosylation associated with mammary gland hyperplasia in women

© Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2020. Mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) is very common, especially among young and middle-aged women. New diagnostics and biomarkers for MGH are needed for rational clinical management and precision medicine. We report, in this study, new findings using a glycomics approach, with a focus on immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycosylation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a community-based population sample in Beijing, China. A total of 387 participants 40-65 years of age were enrolled in this study, including 194 women with MGH (cases) and 193 women who had no MGH (controls). IgG N-glycans were characterized in the serum by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The levels of the glycan peaks (GPs) GP2, GP5, GP6, and GP7 were lower in the MGH group compared with the control group, whereas GP14 was significantly higher in the MGH group (p \u3c 0.05). A predictive model using GP5, GP21, and age was established and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. The sensitivity and specificity of the model for MGH was 61.3% and 63.2%, respectively, likely owing to receptor mechanisms and/or inflammation regulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting on an association between IgG N-glycosylation and MGH. We suggest person-to-person variations in IgG N-glycans and their combination with multiomics biomarker strategies offer a promising avenue to identify novel diagnostics and individuals at increased risk of MGH