The IALLT Language Center Evaluation Toolkit: Context, Development, and Usage

In the summer of 2014, a committee composed of members of the International Association for Language Learning Technology (IALLT) began discussions toward accomplishing the following charge: Design a tool that internal evaluation committees can use to evaluate and make recommendations for the improvement of their institution\u27s language center. We emphasize the fact that it is the university appointed evaluation committee that will use this evaluation toolkit, not the language center directors themselves (although the LC Director should have input on how the toolkit should be deployed). Such evaluation committees might be composed of language department Chairs, TA/Language coordinators, Dean or Assistant Deans. We need to keep in mind that those put in charge of evaluation language centers might not know much about language centers in general. (excerpt

Verstehen - bewerten - gestalten : transdisziplinäres Wissen für eine nachhaltige Gesellschaft ; Memorandum zur Weiterentwicklung der sozial-ökologischen Forschung in Deutschland

Die Lösung globaler Probleme wie Klimawandel, Umweltzerstörung oder Ernährungssicherung erfordert grundlegende Transformationen unserer Gesellschaft. Um diese neuartigen und existenziellen Herausforderungen bewältigen zu können, brauchen wir neues Wissen – über die Entstehung der Probleme, über anzustrebende Lösungsansätze und über Wege zu deren Umsetzung. Mit dem Ziel, dieses Wissen zu schaffen, hat sich die transdisziplinäre sozial-ökologische Forschung entwickelt – eine innovative, praxisnahe Forschung entlang der zentralen Motive Verstehen – Bewerten – Gestalten: Komplexe Probleme zu verstehen, die erarbeitete Wissensbasis zu bewerten und Handlungsoptionen zu gestalten greifen bei diesem Forschungstypus ineinander. Die sozialökologische Forschung hat eine Pionierfunktion für die Umwelt- und Nachhaltigkeitsforschung in Deutschland übernommen und wegweisende Arbeiten etwa zur Energie-, Mobilitäts- oder Ernährungswende vorgelegt. Im Förderschwerpunkt Sozial-ökologische Forschung (SÖF) hat das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) im Jahr 2000 erstmals ein Programm zur Förderung dieses spezifischen Forschungszugangs aufgelegt. Bis zum Jahr 2012 wurden darin Verbünde und Einzelvorhaben unterstützt, etwa zu Themen wie Umwelt - Ernährung - Gesundheit: Langfriststrategien für einen nachhaltigen Konsum oder Soziale Dimensionen von Klimaschutz und Klimawandel. Mit Erfolg: Forschungsvorhaben zur Transformation stehen inzwischen prominent auf der Tagesordnung von Politik und Gesellschaft. Und auch die Wissenschaft selbst öffnet sich immer mehr für die Fragen und Methoden der sozial-ökologischen Forschung. Dieses Memorandum setzt sich dafür ein, die Basis der sozial-ökologischen Forschung in den kommenden Jahren konsequent zu vertiefen und zu verbreitern – inhaltlich, organisatorisch und institutionell. Dazu gibt das Memorandum Empfehlungen zur Förderung von Themenfeldern und von Maßnahmen der Strukturentwicklung

Proteome changes in autosomal recessive primary microcephaly

Background/aim: : Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by intellectual disability and microcephaly at birth, classically without further organ involvement. MCPH3 is caused by biallelic variants in the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 2 gene CDK5RAP2. In the corresponding Cdk5rap2 mutant or Hertwig's anemia mouse model, congenital microcephaly as well as defects in the hematopoietic system, germ cells and eyes have been reported. The reduction in brain volume, particularly affecting gray matter, has been attributed mainly to disturbances in the proliferation and survival of early neuronal progenitors. In addition, defects in dendritic development and synaptogenesis exist that affect the excitation-inhibition balance. Here, we studied proteomic changes in cerebral cortices of Cdk5rap2 mutant mice. Material and methods: : We used large-gel two-dimensional gel (2-DE) electrophoresis to separate cortical proteins. 2-DE gels were visualized by a trained observer on a light box. Spot changes were considered with respect to presence/absence, quantitative variation and altered mobility. Result: : We identified a reduction in more than 30 proteins that play a role in processes such as cell cytoskeleton dynamics, cell cycle progression, ciliary functions and apoptosis. These proteome changes in the MCPH3 model can be associated with various functional and morphological alterations of the developing brain. Conclusion: : Our results shed light on potential protein candidates for the disease-associated phenotype reported in MCPH3

The CoDiNOS trial protocol: an international randomised controlled trial of intravenous sildenafil versus inhaled nitric oxide for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

INTRODUCTION: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect of the diaphragm that impairs normal lung development, causing pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH in CDH newborns is the main determinant for morbidity and mortality. Different therapies are still mainly based on 'trial and error'. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is often the drug of first choice. However, iNO does not seem to improve mortality. Intravenous sildenafil has reduced mortality in newborns with PH without CDH, but prospective data in CDH patients are lacking. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In an open label, multicentre, international randomised controlled trial in Europe, Canada and Australia, 330 newborns with CDH and PH are recruited over a 4-year period (2018-2022). Patients are randomised for intravenous sildenafil or iNO. Sildenafil is given in a loading dose of 0.4 mg/kg in 3 hours; followed by continuous infusion of 1.6 mg/kg/day, iNO is dosed at 20 ppm. Primary outcome is absence of PH on day 14 without pulmonary vasodilator therapy and/or absence of death within the first 28 days of life. Secondary outcome measures include clinical and echocardiographic markers of PH in the first year of life. We hypothesise that sildenafil gives a 25% reduction in the primary outcome from 68% to 48% on day 14, for which a sample size of 330 patients is needed. An intention-to-treat analysis will be performed. A p-value (two-sided) <0.05 is considered significant in all analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been granted by the ethics committee in Rotterdam (MEC-2017-324) and the central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (NL60229.078.17) in the Netherlands. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act and the national rules and regulations on personal data protection will be used. Parental informed consent will be obtained. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR6982; Pre-results

Maximizing L2 Speaking Practice through iPads

This study investigates the effects of additional out-of-class speaking practice, using a simple iPad application, on students’ overall speaking proficiency, fluency, and syntactic complexity. Students in the experimental and control groups (N = 52) completed an adapted Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI) at the end of the semester, which was rated by two independent raters. Results of an independent-samples t-test revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups. The students who had received additional speaking practice on iPads achieved higher SOPI scores than the students in the control group. Two of the seven tasks of the SOPI test were used for the analysis of fluency and complexity. Results did not show any statistically significant differences between the two groups for fluency and complexity. The study suggests that mobile technology can be effectively implemented for beginning language learners to enhance their learning outcomes

Peroxiredoxin 6 Is a Potent Cytoprotective Enzyme in the Epidermis

Peroxiredoxin 6 is an enzyme that detoxifies hydrogen peroxide and various organic peroxides. In previous studies we found strongly increased expression of peroxiredoxin 6 in the hyperproliferative epidermis of wounded and psoriatic skin, suggesting a role of this enzyme in epidermal homeostasis. To address this question, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing peroxiredoxin 6 in the epidermis. Cultured keratinocytes from transgenic mice showed enhanced resistance to the toxicity of various agents that induce oxidative stress. However, overexpression of peroxiredoxin 6 did not affect skin morphogenesis or homeostasis. On skin injury, enhancement of wound closure was observed in aged animals. Most importantly, peroxiredoxin 6 overexpression strongly reduced the number of apoptotic cells after UVA or UVB irradiation. These findings demonstrate that peroxiredoxin 6 protects keratinocytes from cell death induced by reactive oxygen species in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that activation of this enzyme could be a novel strategy for skin protection under stress conditions