A java applet for exploring the new higher level classification of eukaryotes with emphasis on the taxonomy of protists

ABSTRACT. We have converted the hierarchically organized new higher level classification of eukaryotes with emphasis on the taxonomy of protists proposed by Adl et al. into an interactive and dynamic Java applet. The current version of the applet can be accessed via http://phylogenetics.bioapps.biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de/etv . We use the layout from a Degree-of-Interest tree (DOITree) that effectively displays all the taxonomic information as well as the phylogenetic relationships described in the original article by Adl et al. The tree was made using the Prefuse Toolkit for interactive information visualization. All browsers capable of using Java applets will be able to view the tree. The applet is freely available for scientists, teachers, and students.     

Enhancing students’ experimental planning competences by introducing and evaluating the IS4O teaching approach

ABSTRACT

We herein report the introduction of the IS⁴O (Improving Students’ Scientific Skills by Using Scaffolding Outlines) teaching approach and its implementation to successfully empower students with initial minor planning competences in mastering complex scientific challenges in the course of Germany’s most-renowned scientific competitions. The IS⁴O teaching approach itself comprises the unique combination of the differentiating teaching methods Backward Planning and Project Mapping as core teaching elements. The beneficial effect of the IS⁴O teaching approach on the enhancement of the students planning competences is also discussed. Based on the given results, this teaching approach is mandatory to empower students with initial minor competences in completing a scientific competition successfully with very high assignment of tasks.     

An ecological energetics field course for sixth forms

the field course described has recently been piloted with a sixth-form group and is currently undergoing a more extensive evaluation. It consists of written materials for students and a teacher's booklet giving all the necessary techniques, lists of apparatus, and practical hints. The course aims to estimate the energy flows in a woodland ecosystem by means of a series of practical sessions involving field and laboratory investigations and calculation.

It is hoped the course will eventually be published and made generally available. designed with the non-ecologist teacher in mind. By using the supporting materials any teacher should be able to run the course.     

The natriuretic peptide time-course in end-stage heart failure patients supported by left ventricular assist device implant: focus on NT-proCNP

This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular assist device (LVAD) effects on natriuretic peptide (NP) prohormone plasma levels in end-stage heart failure (HF) patients, especially NT-proCNP, in order to better characterize the NP system during hemodynamic recovery by LVAD. HF patients (n=17, NYHA III-IV) undergoing LVAD were studied: 6 died of multi-organ failure syndrome (NS) and 11 survived (S). Total sequential organ failure assessment (t-SOFA) score and blood samples were obtained at admission (T1) and at 24, 72h and 1, 2, 4 weeks (T2-T6) after LVAD. In S, NT-proANP and NT-proCNP significantly increased at 24h after implantation, reaching a reduction to basal levels at 4 weeks following LVAD [NT-proANP: T1 vs. T2 p=0.017, NT-proCNP: T1 vs. T2 p=0.028, T1 vs. T3 p=0.043]. Elevated NT-proBNP plasma levels were observed at all times. In NS, NP plasma levels sustained higher with respect to S. No statistical variation was observed for NT-proCNP and NT-proANP in S and NS while NT-proBNP reached significant differences at T4 in NS. Considering S+NS, only NT-proCNP strongly correlated with t-SOFA score at T1 (rho=0.554, p=0.04) while subdividing patients NT-proCNP positively correlated in NS with t-SOFA score (rho=0.988, p=0.002) only at T4. In NS a correlation between NT-proCNP and NT-proBNP at T1 was observed (rho=-0.900, p=0.037). Both IL-6 and TNF-alpha sustained higher in NS patients than in S; in particular, statistical significance was observed for IL-6. The study of new peptides, such as NT-proCNP, would provide additional information for identifying patients who are more likely to recover.     

做好实验准备工作,提高微生物学实验教学质量

完善的微生物学实验准备工作是确保实验成功的开始,也是提高微生物学实验教学质量的重要环节。从加强实验室管理,制定详细的实验准备内容,严格进行实验预做等方面介绍做好微生物学实验准备工作的经验,为提高实验教学质量,培养具有创新能力的人才提供参考和借鉴。     

基因突变的教学设计

教学设计围绕基因突变这一核心概念,设计多样化的教学活动,让学生从实例分析入手,按照认知的规律从现象到概念,从宏观到微观来归纳总结出基因突变的概念;利用环环相扣的问题、科研资料引导学生在不断地探究、思考、分析和讨论,理解基因突变特征和基因突变的意义。     

基于网络环境下植物学实验课程的设计与构建

植物学实验网络课程是植物学实验教与学的网络平台。探讨网络环境下植物学实验课程体系的结构和网络教学系统组成,通过建立植物学实验网络辅助教学系统并予以应用,优化整合资源,探索提高植物学实验教学质量的途径。     

琥珀酸脱氢酶实验的优化设计

琥珀酸脱氢酶作用的实验是《生物化学》课程的重要实验之一。由于材料来源、成本、操作、结果等在实验教学中存在的问题,影响了该实验的效果和开出率。采用普通鸽子胸脯处肌肉作为实验材料,并对实验条件和程序进行优化,从而使教学取得了较好的效果,实验开出率也得以提高。     

PBL 结合案例教学法在病理生理学教学中的应用

以问题为基础(Problem-based learning,PBL)的教学法和案例教学法都是近年来我国医学教育改革中经常采用的两种新型教学方法。但二者从教学论方面来看,在教学材料的选择上、教学目的上都存在着差别。病理生理学是沟通基础和临床各学科间的桥梁学科,将"以问题为基础"的教学模式与案例教学法有机地结合引入病理生理学教学,符合病理生理学的学科特点,能够有效提高教学质量,在教育观念上更易于被医学生所接受,因而适应对高素质医学人才培养的需要。     

介绍一种用卡介苗进行改良抗酸染色的实验教学方法

利用卡介苗取代结核分枝杆菌阳性痰液作为实验标本,使用改良后的抗酸染液进行抗酸染色实验教学。卡介苗水溶液为标本,石炭酸复红染色液中加入5%的Tween-80进行抗酸染色。染色后,卡介苗标本片与结核菌阳性痰液标本比较,菌体形态与染色均无明显差异。此法具有染色效果好、标本来源方便、安全无污染等优点,满足抗酸染色实验教学需要。