Teaching mathematics at a distance: Trialling a wiki community to focus reflection and share resources

Professional development for academic staff in Higher Education is always more interesting and inspiring if good practice can be embedded in a way which is meaningful and relevant to the individual. The current project focuses on raising awareness of significant or difficult parts of a course, and promoting the exchange of good practice using a wiki environment. Our findings suggest that this methodology has promise, and is particularly valuable to new tutors, or at the start of a new course. The wiki can be used to host a repository of teaching materials and we illustrate a number of examples. We have also learnt a number of useful lessons on the ways in which a wiki might be used to support a staff community in the future, and offer a list of recommendations

Muscle fiber typology is associated with the incidence of overreaching in response to overload training

The aim of this study was to identify markers of training stress and characteristics of middle-distance runners related to the incidence of overreaching following overload training. Twenty-four highly-trained runners (n=16 male; VO2peak=73.3(4.3) mL·kg·min-1; n=8 female, VO2peak=63.2(3.4) mL·kg·min-1) completed 3 weeks of normal training (NormTr), 3 weeks of high-volume training (HVTr; a 10, 20 and 30% increase in training volume each successive week from NormTr), and a 1-week taper (TapTr; 55% exponential reduction in training volume from HVTr week 3). Before, and immediately after each training period, an incremental treadmill-running test was performed, while resting metabolic rate (RMR), subjective fatigue responses and various resting blood biomarkers were assessed. Muscle fiber typology of the gastrocnemius was estimated by quantification of muscle carnosine using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and expressed as a z-score relative to a non-athlete control group. Twelve runners were classified as functionally overreached (FOR) following HVTr (decreased running TTE), whereas the other twelve were classified as acutely fatigued (AF; no decrease in running TTE). The FOR group did not demonstrate systematic alterations in RMR, resting blood biomarkers or submaximal exercise responses compared to the AF group. Gastrocnemius carnosine z-score was significantly higher in FOR (-0.44 ± 0.57) compared to AF (-1.25 ± 0.49, p = 0.004, d = 1.53) and was also associated with changes in running TTE from pre- to post-HVTr (r=-0.55, p=0.005) and pre-HVTr to post-TapTr (r=-0.64, p=0.008). Muscle fiber typology is related to the incidence of overreaching and performance super-compensation following increased training volume and a taper

An Adaptive Cybersecurity Training Framework for the Education of Social Media Users at Work

Formalizing the approach towards risk management on social media is critical for organizations. Regrettably, a review of the state-of-the-art on cybersecurity training highlighted that the existing frameworks are either too generic or too cumbersome to be adapted to different organizations and needs. Thus, we developed the Adaptive Cybersecurity Training Framework for Social Media Risks (ACSTF-SMR), a framework that incorporates social media cybersecurity policies and best practices. The ACSTF-SMR enables organizations, trainers, and policymakers to address the challenges posed by social media in a way that satisfies employees’ training needs and adjusts to their preferences. We tested the ACSTF-SMR with 38 case studies. Employees’ behaviors, learning, and responses after training were assessed, and feedback was gathered to improve the framework. Interviews with policymakers were held to gain insight into the enforcement of social media policies. We conclude that the ACSTF-SMR is a reliable option to mitigate social media threats within organizations

Insight Into Myocardial Microstructure of Athletes and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains the commonest cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes. Differentiating between physiologically adaptive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy observed in athletes' hearts and pathological HCM remains challenging. By quantifying the diffusion of water molecules, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) MRI allows voxelwise characterization of myocardial microstructure. Purpose To explore microstructural differences between healthy volunteers, athletes, and HCM patients using DTI. Study Type Prospective cohort. Population Twenty healthy volunteers, 20 athletes, and 20 HCM patients. Field Strength/Sequence 3T/DTI spin echo. Assessment In‐house MatLab software was used to derive mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) as markers of amplitude and anisotropy of the diffusion of water molecules, and secondary eigenvector angles (E2A)—reflecting the orientations of laminar sheetlets. Statistical Tests Independent samples t‐tests were used to detect statistical significance between any two cohorts. Analysis of variance was utilized for detecting the statistical difference between the three cohorts. Statistical tests were two‐tailed. A result was considered statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05. Results DTI markers were significantly different between HCM, athletes, and volunteers. HCM patients had significantly higher global MD and E2A, and significantly lower FA than athletes and volunteers. (MDHCM = 1.52 ± 0.06 × 10−3 mm2/s, MDAthletes = 1.49 ± 0.03 × 10−3 mm2/s, MDvolunteers = 1.47 ± 0.02 × 10−3 mm2/s, P < 0.05; E2AHCM = 58.8 ± 4°, E2Aathletes = 47 ± 5°, E2Avolunteers = 38.5 ± 7°, P < 0.05; FAHCM = 0.30 ± 0.02, FAAthletes = 0.35 ± 0.02, FAvolunteers = 0.36 ± 0.03, P < 0.05). HCM patients had significantly higher E2A in their thickest segments compared to the remote (E2Athickest = 66.8 ± 7, E2Aremote = 51.2 ± 9, P < 0.05). Data Conclusion DTI depicts an increase in amplitude and isotropy of diffusion in the myocardium of HCM compared to athletes and volunteers as reflected by increased MD and decreased FA values. While significantly higher E2A values in HCM and athletes reflect steeper configurations of the myocardial sheetlets than in volunteers, HCM patients demonstrated an eccentric rise in E2A in their thickest segments, while athletes demonstrated a concentric rise. Further studies are required to determine the diagnostic capabilities of DTI. Evidence Level 1 Technical Efficacy Stage

Designing with and for people with dementia: developing a mindful interdisciplinary co-design methodology

This paper reports on the development of a mindful interdisciplinary design methodology in the context of the MinD project research into designing for and with people with dementia, which takes the particular focus on supporting the subjective well-being and self-empowerment of people with early to mid stage dementia in social context. Existing research is for the most part focussed on functional support and safe-keeping from the perspective of the carer. References to decision-making and empowerment are predominantly related to action planning for dementia care or advance care planning. References to care and social interaction show that caregivers tend to take a deficit-oriented perspective, and occupation of people with dementia is often associated with doing 'something' with little focus on the meaningfulness of the activity. Furthermore, caregivers and people with dementia tend to differ in their perspectives, e.g. on assistive devices, which might offer support. The MinD project, has therefore developed an interdisciplinary co-design methodology in which the voices to people with dementia contribute to better understanding and developing mindful design solutions that support people with dementia with regard to their the subjective well-being and self-empowerment a well as meaningful and equitable social engagement. This paper discussed the design methodological framework and methods developed for the data collection and design development phases of the project, and their rationale. It thus makes a contribution to interdisciplinary methodologies in the area of design for health

Knockdown of Moesin Expression Accelerates Cellular Senescence of Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells

PURPOSE: Endothelial cells maintain the homeostasis of blood, which consists of plasma and cellular components, and regulate the interaction between blood and the surrounding tissues. They also have essential roles in vascular permeability, the circulation, coagulation, inflammation, wound healing, and tissue growth. The senescence of endothelial cells is closely related to the aging of the adjacent tissues and to age-related vascular disease. Recently, the expression of moesin was found to be decreased in elderly human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), and an association between moesin and senescence has been suggested. This study examined the functional role of moesin in cellular senescence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study the effects of decreased moesin expression on cellular senescence and metabolism, HDMECs were transfected with short hairpin-RNA (shRNA) lentivirus to silence moesin gene expression. In addition, specimens from young and old human skin were stained with antimoesin and anti-p16 antibodies as an in vivo study. RESULTS: Using shRNAlentivirus, moesin knock-down HDMECs developed characteristics associated with aging and expressed senescence associated-beta-galactosidase during early passages. They also showed increased p16 expression, decreased metabolic activity, and cell growth retardation. Human skin tissue from elderly persons showed decreased moesin expression and increased p16 expression. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there is a functional association between moesin expression and cellular senescence. Further study of the functional mechanism of moesin in the cytoskeleton and cellular senescence is needed. In addition, this study provides a useful model for developing anti-aging treatments.ope

Challenges experienced with early introduction and sustained consumption of allergenic foods in the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study: A qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The early introduction group participants of the Enquiring About Tolerance study were asked to undertake a proscriptive regimen of early introduction and sustained consumption of 6 allergenic foods. It was envisaged that this might be challenging, and early introduction group families were presented with an open-text question to express any problems they were experiencing with the regimen in recurring online questionnaires. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze these open-text questionnaire responses with the aim of identifying challenges associated with the introduction and regular consumption of allergenic foods. METHODS: Three combinations of interim questionnaire responses were selected for analysis, representing the early period (4, 5, and 6 months), middle period (8 and 12 months), and late period (24 and 36 months) of participation in the Enquiring About Tolerance study. Responses were assigned a code to describe their content and subsequently grouped into themes to portray key messages. A thematic content analysis allowed for conversion of qualitative codes into quantitative summaries. RESULTS: Three main challenges to allergenic food consumption were identified. First, some children refused the allergenic food, causing a sense of defeat among caregivers. Second, caregivers were concerned that allergenic foods might be causing a reaction, triggering a need for reassurance. Third, practical problems associated with the regimen compromised caregivers' capacity to persist. CONCLUSION: Understanding the challenges experienced with allergenic food introduction and sustained consumption is the necessary precursor to developing specific communication and support strategies that could be used by caregivers, practitioners, policymakers, and key stakeholders to address these problems

Efficacy of the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study among infants at high risk of developing food allergy.

BACKGROUND: The Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study was a randomized trial of the early introduction of allergenic solids into the infant diet from 3 months of age. The intervention effect did not reach statistical significance in the intention-to-treat analysis of the primary outcome. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether infants at high risk of developing a food allergy benefited from early introduction. METHODS: A secondary intention-to-treat analysis was performed of 3 groups: nonwhite infants; infants with visible eczema at enrollment, with severity determined by SCORAD; and infants with enrollment food sensitization (specific IgE ≥0.1 kU/L). RESULTS: Among infants with sensitization to 1 or more foods at enrollment (≥0.1 kU/L), early introduction group (EIG) infants developed significantly less food allergy to 1 or more foods than standard introduction group (SIG) infants (SIG, 34.2%; EIG, 19.2%; P = .03), and among infants with sensitization to egg at enrollment, EIG infants developed less egg allergy (SIG, 48.6%; EIG, 20.0%; P = .01). Similarly, among infants with moderate SCORAD (15-<40) at enrollment, EIG infants developed significantly less food allergy to 1 or more foods (SIG, 46.7%; EIG, 22.6%; P = .048) and less egg allergy (SIG, 43.3%; EIG, 16.1%; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Early introduction was effective in preventing the development of food allergy in specific groups of infants at high risk of developing food allergy: those sensitized to egg or to any food at enrollment and those with eczema of increasing severity at enrollment. This efficacy occurred despite low adherence to the early introduction regimen. This has significant implications for the new national infant feeding recommendations that are emerging around the world