Omani Teachers' Professional Identity and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Opportunities

The overall aim of this study is to investigate the nature of Omani teachers’ professional identity. Of particular interest, was teachers’ conceptualisations of their sense of professional identity, the evolution process of this sense and the role of CPD opportunities provided by the Human Resources Development (HRD) Directorate in the Ministry of Education in the development of this identity. The ultimate aim of these investigations is to develop a better understanding of the implications the findings may have for our understanding of teacher professional identity and development and how this affects teaching and learning. To address this issue, an interpretive study of fourteen teachers at varying stages in their career, working within a variety of school contexts was undertaken. Three data collection tools were utilised during the study. First, the participants completed ‘drawing and text’ sheets followed by individual semi-structured interviews to obtain teachers’ perceptions of themselves in relation to their work. Second, a combination of ‘graphic story-line’ and follow-up semi-structured interviews were utilised to elicit teachers’ experiences in relation to the evolution process of their professional identity. Lastly, semi-structured interviews were the tool used to examine teachers’ perspectives and experiences pertinent to the CPD opportunities provided in order to unpack their role in the development of these teachers’ sense of professional identity. The findings reveal four different professional self-images of teachers: their care for their students’ well-being, concerns about their own well-being, a willingness to learn and develop professionally and their value of subject matter knowledge. This study also shows that becoming and being a teacher in Oman is affected by culture, the nature of the education system and the political environment within which teachers work. In addition, teachers’ career stories reveal two key dynamic aspects, which teachers perceived as evolving in their sense of professional identity: professional self-efficacy and job-satisfaction. Moreover, this study indicates that the potential success of INSET offerings in the development of teacher professional identity was blocked due to tradition, culture and structure. Based on these findings, implications for policy-makers and practitioners in both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education are drawn

Domain wall dynamics in stepped magnetic nanowire with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

Micromagnetic simulation is carried out to investigate the current-driven domain wall (DW) in a nanowire with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). A stepped nanowire is proposed to pin DW and achieve high information storage capacity based on multi-bit per cell scheme. The DW speed is found to increase for thicker and narrower nanowires. For depinning DW from the stepped region, the current density Jdep is investigated with emphasis on device geometry and materials intrinsic properties. The Jdep could be analytically determined as a function of the nanocontriction dimension and the thickness of the nanowire. Furthermore, Jdep is found to exponential dependent on the anisotropy energy and saturation magnetization, offering thus more flexibility in adjusting the writing current for memory applications

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma : Cytogenetics and pathological findings

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare neoplasm with a non-specific and insidious presentation further complicated by the difficult diagnostic and therapeutic assessment. It has a low to intermediate risk of recurrence and metastasis. Unlike other soft tissue sarcomas or histiocytic and dendritic cell neoplasms, cytogenetic studies are very limited in FDCS cases. Although no specific chromosomal marker has yet been established, complex aberrations and different ploidy types have been documented. We report the case of a 39-yearold woman with FDCS who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, in February 2013. Ultrastructural, immunophenotypical and histological findings are reported. In addition, karyotypic findings showed deletions of the chromosomes 1p, 3q, 6q, 7q, 8q and 11q. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these have not been reported previously in this tumour. Techniques such as spectral karyotyping may help to better characterise chromosomal abnormalities in this type of tumour

Activated carbon from grape seeds upon chemical activation with phosphoric acid: Application to the adsorption of diuron from water

The preparation of activated carbon from grape seeds was studied by chemical activation with phosphoric acid. Grape seeds were pretreated with sulfuric acid to improve wettability and impregnated at different grape seed to phosphoric acid ratios (1:1-1:4). The impregnated grape seeds were carbonized in a static horizontal furnace at temperatures between 350 and 550°C. Microporous activated carbons with some contribution of mesoporosity were obtained. The best results in terms of surface area (1139m2/g) and mesopore volume (0.24cm3/g) development were observed for a grape seeds to phosphoric acid ratio of 1:3 and a carbonization temperature of 500°C. The activated carbon prepared shows granular morphology and an egg shell structure that favors application in liquid phase. The activated carbon was tested in the adsorption of diuron from aqueous phase. The adsorption rate was measured within the temperature range of 15-45°C. First and second order rate equations and intraparticle diffusion model were checked to fit the kinetic dataWe greatly appreciate financial support from the Spanish MCYT (CTQ2009-09983 and CSD2006-44) and CAM (REMTAVARES S-2009/AMB-1588). M. Al Bahri thanks to the Spanish MICINN a research grant (CTQ2006-13512

Pelatihan Induksi Sitogenetika untuk Pengamatan Mikronukleus dan Aberasi Kromosom pada Guru-Guru Biologi di Kota Mataram

Siswa kurang berminat dan tidak termotivasi untuk belajar materi genetika sub bahasan mutasi karena metode mengajar guru yang kurang menarik dan materi dianggap bersifat abstrak oleh sebagian besar siswa. Untuk meningkatkan motivasi siswa pada materi tersebut, visualisasi proses mutasi dapat menjadi solusi. Pembuatan preparat mikronukleus dan aberasi kromosom untuk pengamatan mutasi mudah dilakukan disekolah dan dapat diamati dengan jelas dibawah mikroskop cahaya. Namun karena keterbatasan keterampilan guru-guru mitra, praktikum pembuatan sediaan mutasi tersebut dan pengamatannya sangat terbatas dilakasanakan oleh guru-guru biologi di Kota Mataram, sehingga konsep genetika yang diberikan di sekolah belum ditunjang dengan praktikumnya. Oleh sebab itu pelatihan teknik pembuatan preparat mikronukleus dan aberasi kromosom untuk menunjang materi mutasi, yang dilanjutkan dengan pengamatannya dibawah mikroskop perlu dikuasai guru-guru biologi. Kegiatan pengabdian ini dilaksanakan di SMA Negeri 2 Mataram. Tujuan pengabdian ini adalah memberikan pelatihan mikroteknik pembuatan preparat mikroskopis squash mikronukleus dan aberasi kromosom untuk pengamatan mutasi dan melatih keterampilan observasi (pengamatan) tipe-tipe mikronukleus dan aberasi kromosom di bawah mikroskop. Metode yang digunakan pada kegiatan pengabdian ini adalah pelatihan dan unjuk kerja dalam bentuk praktik, yang dikombinasikan dengan kegiatan ceramah, diskusi dan tanya jawab. Kegiatan praktik yang dilakukan, yaitu (1) praktik teknik induksi sitogenetik jaringan meristem ujung akar bawang bombay (Allium cepa) dengan bahan karsinogen, (2) praktik pembuatan preparat squash ujung akar untuk pengamatan mikronukleus, (3) praktik pembuatan preparat squash ujung akar untuk pengamatan aberasi kromosom, (4) praktik observasi tipe-tipe dan jumlah mikronukleus di bawah mikroskop, (5) praktik observasi peristiwa aberasi kromosom dibawah mikroskop, dan (6) praktik dokumentasi mikronukleus dan aberasi kromosom dibawah mikroskop. Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa guru-guru mitra biologi di Kota Mataram menjadi terampil dalam pembuatan preparat squash untuk pengamatan uji mikronukleus dan aberasi kromosom, serta memiliki kemampuan yang baik dalam analisis kerusakan sitogenetik pada kromosom dan mutasi kromosom dibawah mikroskop sebagai bekal dalam menunjang pembelajaran genetika di sekolah &nbsp

Application of real-time global media monitoring and ‘derived questions’ for enhancing communication by regulatory bodies:the case of human papillomavirus vaccines

Abstract Background The benefit-risk balance of vaccines is regularly debated by the public, but the utility of media monitoring for regulatory bodies is unclear. A media monitoring study was conducted at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines during a European Union (EU) referral procedure assessing the potential causality of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) reported to the authorities as suspected adverse reactions. Methods To evaluate the utility of media monitoring in real life, prospective real-time monitoring of worldwide online news was conducted from September to December 2015 with inductive content analysis, generating ‘derived questions’. The evaluation was performed through the validation of the predictive capacity of these questions against journalists’ queries, review of the EMA’s public statement and feedback from EU regulators. Results A total of 4230 news items were identified, containing personal stories, scientific and policy/process-related topics. Explicit and implicit concerns were identified, including those raised due to lack of knowledge or anticipated once more information would be published. Fifty derived questions were generated and categorised into 12 themes. The evaluation demonstrated that providing the media monitoring findings to assessors and communicators resulted in (1) confirming that public concerns regarding CRPS and POTS would be covered by the assessment; (2) meeting specific information needs proactively in the public statement; (3) predicting all queries from journalists; and (4) altering the tone of the public statement with respectful acknowledgement of the health status of patients with CRSP or POTS. Conclusions The study demonstrated the potential utility of media monitoring for regulatory bodies to support communication proactivity and preparedness, intended to support trusted safe and effective vaccine use. Derived questions seem to be a familiar and effective format for presenting media monitoring results in the scientific-regulatory environment. It is suggested that media monitoring could form part of regular surveillance for medicines of high public interest. Future work is recommended to develop efficient monitoring strategies for that purpose

Application of real-time global media monitoring and ‘derived questions’ for enhancing communication by regulatory bodies:the case of human papillomavirus vaccines

Abstract Background The benefit-risk balance of vaccines is regularly debated by the public, but the utility of media monitoring for regulatory bodies is unclear. A media monitoring study was conducted at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines during a European Union (EU) referral procedure assessing the potential causality of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) reported to the authorities as suspected adverse reactions. Methods To evaluate the utility of media monitoring in real life, prospective real-time monitoring of worldwide online news was conducted from September to December 2015 with inductive content analysis, generating ‘derived questions’. The evaluation was performed through the validation of the predictive capacity of these questions against journalists’ queries, review of the EMA’s public statement and feedback from EU regulators. Results A total of 4230 news items were identified, containing personal stories, scientific and policy/process-related topics. Explicit and implicit concerns were identified, including those raised due to lack of knowledge or anticipated once more information would be published. Fifty derived questions were generated and categorised into 12 themes. The evaluation demonstrated that providing the media monitoring findings to assessors and communicators resulted in (1) confirming that public concerns regarding CRPS and POTS would be covered by the assessment; (2) meeting specific information needs proactively in the public statement; (3) predicting all queries from journalists; and (4) altering the tone of the public statement with respectful acknowledgement of the health status of patients with CRSP or POTS. Conclusions The study demonstrated the potential utility of media monitoring for regulatory bodies to support communication proactivity and preparedness, intended to support trusted safe and effective vaccine use. Derived questions seem to be a familiar and effective format for presenting media monitoring results in the scientific-regulatory environment. It is suggested that media monitoring could form part of regular surveillance for medicines of high public interest. Future work is recommended to develop efficient monitoring strategies for that purpose

The Synergistic Effect of Concomitant Schistosomiasis, Hookworm, and Trichuris Infections on Children's Anemia Burden

Polyparasitic infections have been recognized as the norm in many tropical developing countries, but the significance of this phenomenon for helminth-associated morbidities is largely unexplored. Earlier studies have suggested that multi-species, low-intensity parasitic infections were associated with higher odds of anemia among school-age children relative to their uninfected counterparts or those with one low-intensity infection. However, specific studies of the nature of interactions between helminth species in the mediation of helminth-associated morbidities are lacking. This study quantifies the extent to which polyparasitic infections have more than the sum of adverse effects associated with individual infections in the context of childhood anemia. This study found that the risk of anemia is amplified beyond the sum of risks for individual infections in children simultaneously exposed to 1) hookworm and schistosomiasis, and 2) hookworm and trichuris, and suggests that combined treatment for some geohelminth species and schistosomiasis could yield greater than additive benefits for the reduction of childhood anemia in helminth-endemic areas. However, more studies to understand the full range of interactions between parasitic species in their joint effects on helminth-associated morbidities will be necessary to better predict the impact of any future public health intervention