Learning style and learning strategies in a multimedia environment

There is a growing realization that it may be expeditious to combine elements from different theories of learning when trying to derive a coherent and usable policy towards computer‐mediated learning. Consideration of the subtle distinction between Computer‐Aided Learning (CAL) and Computer‐Aided Instruction (CAI) conform the basis of a possible classification of computer‐mediated learning, and hence of multimedia tools. This classification enables the development of a continuum upon which to place various strategies for computer‐mediated learning, and hence a means of broadly classifying multimedia learning tools

Is the bladder filling protocol for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy fit for purpose? (Abstract only)

Introduction: Conventional radiotherapy has been planned with a full bladder based on the rationale that it will move the small bowel out of the treatment field and result in greater sparing of the bladder itself[1]. Our department has moved from a ‘comfortably full’ bladder to a strict drinking protocol of emptying the bladder, drinking three cups of water and waiting 30 minutes prior to treatment for our prostate cancer patients. A service evaluation was carried out to determine if this change in practice results in a more consistent bladder volume from CT panning to treatment. Method and Materials: Based on 233 prostate patients treated per year a sample size of 146 was determined to result in a 95% confidence level with a 5% margin of error[2]. The last 73 patients on the comfortably full protocol and the first 73 patients on the new bladder protocol were compared. Their bladder volume from CT and on their CBCT fraction one was outlined by one observer to ascertain the difference in bladder volume and assess consistency. Results: The bladder filling protocol does not result in a statistically significant difference in bladder volume from CT to CBCT fraction one compared to comfortably full; the results prove that there is statistically no benefit from moving from comfortably full to the strict drinking protocol in terms of consistency of bladder volume achieved. Conclusion and Discussion: In the UK there are currently no official guidelines on what is the optimal volume of bladder for prostate cancer patients[3]. To attend a busy regional cancer centre patients may have had to travel a long distance. This coupled with any unintended delays can result in patients having to empty or be taken of the treatment couch, therefore a strict drinking protocol may not be feasible .The results of this well powered study that there is no statistically significant difference in consistency gained from employing a strict drinking protocol compared to maintaining a comfortably full bladder

The role of integrins and chemokines in the regulation of mucosal mast cell migration in the mouse

Mucosal mast cells (MMC) play a major role in allergic disease of the gut and in the immune response to gastrointestinal nematodes where, in the mouse, their precursors are recruited into the jejunum and migrate intraepithelially. There, they can be identified as the mature phenotype by their expression of the MMC-specific chymase, mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1).Migration of other immune cells is regulated by adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins via expression of adhesion molecules such as integrins, and by interactions with chemotactic molecules such as chemokines. Previous work with other mast cell phenotypes suggests mast cells to be no exception to this regulatory system, therefore the aim of this project was to investigate the role of integrins and chemokines in mast cell migration.Initial experiments analysed, using RT-PCR, expression of potential mast cell chemoattractants from intestinal epithelium following infection of mice with the nematode parasite, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Chemokines MlP-la, RANTES, fractalkine and TECK, and cytokines SCF and TGF-Pi were constitutively expressed from intestinal epithelium; and MCP-1 expression was detected only on days 7 and 14 post-infection, coinciding with intraepithelial migration of mast cells. Cultured MMC and the CMT-93 intestinal epithelial cell line expressed some of these molecules, suggesting epithelial cells or intraepithelial MMC as potential sources of mast cell chemoattractants. Furthermore, expression of mRNA for chemokine receptors including CCR1, CCR2, CCR5, CX3CR1 and CXCR4 was detected in cultured MMC, possibly enabling migration towards chemokines expressed from intestinal epithelium.Adhesion of cultured MMC to ECM proteins was regulated by TGF-Pi, which also regulates the mucosal phenotype, as shown by expression of mMCP-1. MMC cultured with TGF-Pi adhered to laminin-1 via expression ofthe integrin a7pl, as demonstrated by RT-PCR, flow cytometry and use of neutralising antibodies. MMC cultured in the absence of TGF-Pi adhered to fibronectin and vitronectin but not laminin-1, and did not express a7pi. Expression of a7pi integrin has not previously been shown in a haemopoeitic cell and, as epithelial basement membranes are rich in laminin, this integrin may aid migration and retention of MMC intraepithelially.In conclusion, this work suggests expression of integrins and chemokine receptors by MMC or their precursors, and of chemokines and cytokines by intestinal epithelium as possible mechanisms regulating intraepithelial migration of MMC

Developing Radiotherapy services in Iraq

A 5 year partnership between Sheffield Hallam University and the Iraq Ministry of Health was established to provide education and development for healthcare professionals; including Radiation Therapy Physicists and Technicians (Radiographers) and Doctors. Supported by the UK Government, the Iraqi Ministry of Health requested the planning and delivery of courses to develop their existing staff and train new practitioners to expand their Radiotherapy service following significant investment in equipment and infrastructure. Reported here are the initial stages of the project: The first cohort of 6 students arrived in August 2012 followed by a 2nd in February 2013. All worked in some aspect of healthcare with a first degree (or higher) in Physics. A minimum of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 4 in English language ability was required. Many were currently working as Radiotherapy Physicists but students had mixed levels of clinical experience: some being completely new to Radiotherapy. The overall programme of study was divided into 2 parts. The 1st was designed to enable students to develop their English language skills to a minimum of IELTS level 5; whilst also studying fundamental aspects of Radiotherapy, in preparation for a subsequent CPD Radiation Therapy Physics course (Part 2). Course aims: Facilitate the improvement of cancer care in Iraq and help improve radiation safety by increasing the use of evidence based practice Give students opportunities to use, develop and share their subject/profession specific knowledge and skills Develop language for presentation and group discussion Develop awareness of the classroom culture in UK Higher Education Institution

The molecular pathogenesis of Ovine Herpesvirus 2

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a lymphoproliferative and inflammatory disease of cattle, deer and other ruminants. It is caused mainly by one of two herpesviruses, alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (A1HV-1) and ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). A1HV-1 can be grown in tissue culture; its complete genome has been sequenced and the virus characterised as a gammaherpesvirus. OvHV-2 cannot be grown in tissue culture and only a small amount of OvHV-2 genome sequence is known. Lymphoblastoid cell lines can be propagated from the tissues of cattle, deer and experimentally infected rabbits with MCF. Some of these cell lines transmit disease. The initial aim of this project was to further characterise these cell lines and to use them as a source for cloning the OvHV-2 viral genome.g the OvHV-2 viral genome. The OvHV-2 infected cell lines were found to contain on average 50 copies of viral genome per cell. Gardella gel analysis of OvHV-2 infected rabbit lines showed evidence of substantial levels of viral replication, whilst analysis of an OvHV-2 infected bovine cell line showed the virus genome to be predominantly in the latent form. Analysis of RNA extracted from OvHV-2 infected rabbit cell lines demonstrated evidence of early (ORF 57) and late (ORF 75) gene expression. This prompted examination of cell lysates from OvHV-2 infected rabbit cells, resulting in the first visualisation of an OvHV-2 capsid.A cosmid library was constructed using genomic DNA extracted from the OvHV-2 infected cattle cell line BJ/1035. Screening the cosmid library led to the generation of overlapping cosmids spanning most of the viral genome. The virus sequence was further extended using splinkerette PGR. Analysis of the viral sequence revealed that the OvHV-2 genome is similar to that of A1HV-1 and the unique "A"genes of A1HV-1 are conserved in OvHV-2. OvHV-2 also contains ORFs not present in the A1HV-1 genome, including an IL-10 homologue. The sequence derived is expected to be an invaluable resource for further study of OvHV-2 pathogenesis.The OvHV-2 ORFs 07 and 08 were contained in the cosmid sequence. It was hypothesised that the two sequences were spliced together to form a membrane glycoprotein of similar function to gp350/220 of EBV. Evidence of splicing of the 07/08 sequence was found in 07/08 transfected tissue cultured cells, however this iv splicing appeared incomplete and it was hypothesised that viral factors might be required for correct splicing. Immunofluorescence analysis of OvHV-2 infected rabbit cells using anti-08 immune sera showed evidence that a high proportion of OvHV-2 infected cells expressed 08. These studies provided a starting point for further investigation of this potentially important region of the OvHV-2 genom

Morphological population balance modelling of the effect of crystallisation environment on the evolution of crystal size and shape of para-aminobenzoic acid

A current morphological population balance (MPB) modelling methodology, which integrates crystal morphology, facet growth kinetics with multi-dimensional population balance, is overviewed and demonstrated, hence providing an attractive approach for modelling crystallisation processes. MPB modelling is applied to simulate the batch crystallisation of the alpha-form of para-aminobenzoic acid from ethanolic solutions as a function of the crystallisation environment including cooling rate, seeding temperature and seed conditions (loading, size and shape). The evolution of crystal shape/size and their distributions revealed that higher loading led to smaller and less needle-like crystals with similar yields, hence potentially being an important parameter for process control. Examination of the development of the fracture surface for broken seeds, mimicking the seed conditions after milling in practice in the simulated processes, demonstrated that these faces grew fast and then rapidly disappeared from the external crystal morphology. Restriction and challenges inherent in the current model are also highlighted