Support Faculty Members Research Articles

Abstract 3942: Novel BCL2 inhibitors with anti-lymphoma activity

Abstract Background: Diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are aggressive tumors that account for almost half of all lymphoma incidences. In particular, double-hit and triple-hit DLBCLs, with translocations involving BCL2, MYC and/or BCL6, have a very poor prognosis and occur in up to 7% of cases. Double expressor DLBCLs, with overexpression of BCL2 and MYC in the absence of chromosomal translocations, also have a poor prognosis. BCL2 inhibitors (BCL2i) have shown preclinical and clinical efficacy in lymphomas. Here, we synthesized and tested seven novel BCL2i in DLBCL cells with deregulated BCL2, and splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) cell lines with acquired resistance to idelalisib, copanlisib or ibrutinib. Methods: Using in silico-based drug design complemented by classical and kinetic target-guided synthesis (KTGS) led to the synthesis of seven potential BCL2 inhibitors (BCL2i). The MTT assay was used to assess the anti-proliferative activities of BCL2i: ST-59, ST-64, ST-65, R, Z-89, Z-103, Z-116-8 in BCL2-translocated DLBCLs: SU-DHL-4, Toledo, DOHH2, KARPAS422, WSUDLCL2, Pfeiffer; BCL2 amplified DLBCL: U2932 and resistant SMZLs. Cells were treated with increasing concentrations of BCL2i for 72 hours [h]. Results: Median IC50 values for the seven BCL2i ranged from 22 μM to 49 μM. ST-65 was the most potent BCL2i (range = 12 - 46 μM, median = 22 μM), showing anti-proliferative activity in DLBCL and SMZL. The other BCL2i were inactive in at least 2 cell lines (IC50 > 50 μM). The three least potent BCL2i were Z-89, Z-103 and R (median IC50 = 49, 44 and 45 μM, respectively). ST-65 was the only BCL2i synthesized by BCL2 using KTGS, indicating KTGS as a superior technique for generating BCL2i. The poor activity of R agreed with its inability to cross the cell membrane as determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among the resistant SMZLs, parental KARPAS1718 were most sensitive to the BCL2i, responding to 5 out of 7 inhibitors (range = 11 - 47 μM, median = 22 μM). The activated B cell like (ABC)-DLBCL, U2932, was only sensitive to ST-65 (IC50 = 20 μM). U2932 lacks translocated BCL2, but BCL2 is amplified and overexpressed in this cell line. Conclusions: We report the in vitro anti-lymphoma activities of novel BCL2i, particularly ST-65, in DLBCL and SMZL cells. Our results suggest that these compounds are structures further exploitable for the design of improved anti-lymphoma drugs. Acknowledgements: The research work was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project Number: 991 to AGT). Citation Format: Afua Adjeiwaa Mensah, Christos M. Chatzigiannis, Dimitrios A. Diamantis, Vasileios K. Gkalpinos, Alberto Arribas, Andreas G. Tzakos, Francesco Bertoni. Novel BCL2 inhibitors with anti-lymphoma activity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3942.

Management Strategies for Engineering Faculties under Consideration of Current Developments in the Higher Education Sector

Faculty management organizes the effective operation of a faculty and is responsible for all occurring problems. As the work will be done mainly behind the scenes, faculty management’s influence on performance and development of a faculty often is underestimated. The challenge for faculty managers lies in balancing the conflict between governing and supporting faculty members while being in an uncomfortable sandwich position – between the central university administration and the faculty members. The big ambition of administration should be to appear “invisible” for university staff, to work efficiently and to avoid a waste of faculty resources. Nevertheless, administration has a strong positon in a higher education institution. Its decisions about resources and facilities are able to influence teaching and research to advantage or disadvantage of a faculty. The paper explains typical tasks of faculty management and shows in which way it influences engineering teaching and research by using examples from the daily working practice. Additionally, author gives advices how to improve faculty administration at engineering faculties. Efficient faculty management can contribute to teaching and research immensely, and, as a result, decide about success or failure of faculty performance. Keywords: faculty management, administration, engineering education and research

Faculty Motivation in Service-Learning Based on Expectancy x Value Theory

Background: Research has established that service-learning is a high-impact practice with significant consequences for student learning. Research in this area can provide greater understanding and recognition of the value faculty bring to the service-learning experience. Purpose: Examining faculty members’ memorable experiences in service-learning pedagogy through the Expectancy x Value theory of motivation will help colleges and universities more effectively support and retain faculty who teach service-learning courses. Methodology/Approach: Twenty-two faculty from a medium-sized liberal arts institution each participated in a 24-min interview and described memorable service-learning experiences with students. Inductive analysis and the Expectancy x Value theory of motivation were used to analyze the data. Findings/Conclusions: The study found that faculty members highlighted themes of faculty fostering student and community connections, valuing the service-learning work, and assisting students in learning from their discomfort during service-learning experiences. Faculty's expectations of success centered on their own self-efficacy and view of ability. Faculty valued the relationships that were established, benefits that were gained, and risks that were taken. Implications: Through the Expectancy x Value theory, this research provides a foundation for understanding what motivates faculty to continue teaching service-learning courses, which can help institutions more effectively support faculty members.

The Advocates Library, Edinburgh

AbstractIn this article Sara Berry provides an account of some of the history relating to the Advocates Library in Edinburgh. She explains how the Advocates Library played a key role in the Scottish Enlightenment and acted as Scotland's national library up to the foundation of the National Library of Scotland in 1925. The article also looks at the library's integral role in supporting Faculty Members and the Scottish justice system through history to modern day. The last section looks at some of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Members, library staff and working practices.

Medical Educators’ Response to Changes in Medical Education due to COVID‐19

To analyze medical professors’ evaluation of their online education experiences in an attempt to support faculty members and indicate the future direction of medical education. Faculty members who taught online in the first semester of 2020 at Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea were surveyed. The results of the survey were analyzed in June 2020. There were 88 respondents (35.1% of 251): 59 professors (67.0%), 16 associate professors (18.2%), and 13 assistant professors (14.8%). Their specialties lay in basic medicine (25.0%), clinical medicine (65.9%), and research and special purposes (9.1%). Sixteen participants (18.2%) had previous experience in online lectures; 23 (26.1%) reported that preparation time for online lectures was the same as before; 65 (73.9%) reported that the preparation time had increased; 38 (43.2%) faced difficulties in preparation and lecturing online, and among them 16 (42.1%) indicated inadequate interaction with students; 11 (28.9%) needed extra preparation time; and 11 (28.9%) attributed their difficulties to technical issues with the online platform. Participants’ satisfaction with online lectures was low (p

Taking a Leap of Faith: A Study of Abruptly Transitioning an Undergraduate Medical Education Program to Distance-Learning Owing to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities worldwide to immediately transition to distance-learning. Although numerous studies have investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on universities in the Middle East, none have reflected on the process through which medical education programs for health professions underwent this transition. This study aimed to elucidate the rapid transition to distance-learning of an undergraduate medical program at the College of Medicine, Mohammad Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. An action research approach constituted the foundation of this collaborative effort that involved investigations, reflections, and improvements of practice, through ongoing cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. Efforts of transitioning to distance-learning were grouped into four interrelated aspects: supporting faculty members in delivering the program content, managing curriculum changes, engaging with the students to facilitate distance-learning experiences, and conducting web-based assessments. Challenges included the high perceived uncertainty, need for making ad hoc decisions, lack of experiential learning and testing of clinical skills, and blurring of work-life boundaries. Our preliminary findings show the successful generation of a strong existing digital base, future prospects for innovation, and a cohesive team that was key to agility, rapid decision-making, and program implementation.

Information and Communication Technologies in A Postgraduate TESOL Program: A Human Capital Investment

With the global advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the national and international demand for well-developed ICT skills and competencies, academic programs at higher education institutions need to make necessary adjustments to content and processes. This study reports on the current ICT integration practices in a TESOL postgraduate program at a Saudi Arabian university, addressing viewpoints at administrative, faculty, and postgraduate student levels. Three different questionnaires were used to answer the following questions: What are the TESOL postgraduate students’ practices of ICT integration, and how do they perceive their professors’ practices? What ICT integration practices do faculty members use, and how do they perceive the merit and desirability of their practices? And ‘How is ICT integration tackled at the administrative level with respect to policy and procedures, infrastructure, training, and technical support? The findings indicate that ICT integration practices in this program are lagging expectations. This is not a matter of attitude, potential, and challenges in the current situation, but is related to understanding the national ICT policy and developing sustainable strategies at an institutional level to guide and support faculty members’ practices. Since the impact of such changes will go beyond higher education to the broader national education system, much more attention needs to be dedicated to teacher education and professional development programs, including TESOL postgraduate programs.

Faculty Survey on OER: Perceptions, Behaviors, and Implications for Library Practice

INTRODUCTION The Mary Couts Burnett Library at Texas Christian University (TCU) seeks to learn more about university faculty members’ perceptions and behaviors related to open educational resources (OER), and to identify one or more initiatives to increase adoption of OER at the university. METHODS The researchers sent a survey to all university faculty using Qualtrics™, and 104 persons responded. The survey used a combination of multiple-choice and free-text questions, and covered OER adoption and creation by faculty members, their perceptions of OER, and recommendations related to possible initiatives to increase OER interest. RESULTS Among respondents, almost half used OER either currently or in the past, while a fifth created their own OER. When comparing OER to traditional textbooks in terms of being scholarly, the majority indicated that OER and traditional textbooks were about the same level, but a quarter of faculty indicated that traditional textbooks were more scholarly. When asked about initiatives the library could pursue to increase faculty OER creation, the leading responses included financial support of faculty using OER, along with training opportunities. DISCUSSION The researchers were pleased to see that many faculty have used OER either currently or in the past, and that many had positive views surrounding OER. The researchers now have data that support the establishment of OER initiatives. CONCLUSION The survey informs the TCU Library and academic libraries in general. Two initiatives that libraries should consider are establishing an OER training program for faculty and developing a grant program to support faculty members who are adopting or creating OER. Libraries should collaborate with other units on campus such as the center for teaching excellence or the faculty senate.

Down-Regulation of Human Long Non-Coding RNA LINC01187 Is Associated with Nephropathies

Background: Chronic kidney diseases affect a substantial percentage of the adult population worldwide, emphasizing the need for novel insights into the molecular mechanisms that control the onset and progression of renal diseases. Recent advances in genomics have uncovered a previously unanticipated link between the non-coding genome and human kidney diseases. Methods: We screened and analyzed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), previously identified in mouse kidneys by genome-wide transcriptomic analysis, for conservation in humans and differential expression in renal tissue from healthy and diseased individuals. Murine models of renal diseases were used to analyze selected lncRNAs expression. Moreover, the role of LINC01187 lncRNA was assed in human kidney cell line in vitro. Findings: Our data, suggest that LINC01187 is strongly down-regulated in human kidney tissues of patients with diabetic nephropathy and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, as well as murine models of unilateral ureteral obstruction, anti-glomerular basement membrane and ischemia-reperfusion. LINC01187 overexpression in human kidney cells in vitro inhibits cell death indicating an anti-apoptotic function. Interpretation: Collectively, these data suggest a negative association of LINC01187 expression with renal diseases implying a potential protective role. The new findings provide novel insights on the involvement of non coding genome in nephropathies. Funding Statement: This work was supported by: the European Research Council (agreement no. 742390) to Dimitrios Boumpas; the German Research Foundation (DFG; SFB/TRR57, SFB/TRR219, BO3755/3-1, BO3755/9-1, BO3755/13-1) and the German Federal Ministries of Education and Research (BMBF: STOP-FSGS-01GM1901A) to Peter Boor; Fondation Sante grant and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project Number: 1782) to Panagiotis Politis. The ERCB-KFB was supported by the Else Kroner-Fresenius Foundation. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: Samples were collected after signed consent forms were provided, following standard procedures from the Research Ethics Committee of each Institution. All procedures regarding animal experimentation were in accordance with the European Union Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and approved by the local ethics committee of the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) (for the Glomerulonephritis and Ischemia/Reperfusion models) and of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) (for the UUO model).

Building Global Competence and Language Proficiency through Virtual Exchange

The goal of this short-form article is to provide an overview of the opportunities and benefits for faculty and students who are considering the implementation of Virtual Exchange (VE) learning experiences to globalize the curriculum and their classrooms. The essay describes the benefits of students developing global competence, improving proficiency, and increasing their levels of digital literacy and fluency. As consequences from the pandemic resulting from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have driven language courses to remote learning formats and as instructors become more comfortable with remote education technologies, it is the ideal time for instructors to explore new opportunities. VE allows for interactions across borders, authentic learning, and native speaker connections in classrooms. This essay compiles the growing number of resources to support faculty members in implementing VE and embarking on new and engaging classroom activities that will take them and their students beyond the classroom walls.

The New Norm: Faculty Perceptions of Condensed Online Learning

ABSTRACT Over the past 10 years or so the realm of distance and online education has been expanding rapidly. With the help of the Internet, it has almost eliminated the need for students to be in the same space as their instructors for learning or to be assessed for learning. While the educational landscape continues to be reformed with technology in the United States, there are individuals and institutions engaging in distance learning to better serve a larger population of students. Faculty support is necessary for a successful distance program and it is up to their respective administration and policymakers to make this happen. The purpose of this study was to explore faculty perceptions of online learning in condensed degree programs at a traditional “brick and mortar” campus. It sought to contextualize online learning no longer as the exclusive right of ‘virtual universities’ but to understand how faculty feel it will continue to influence the future of higher education. The findings of the study indicated that faculty members’ perceived online education to be valuable when used to help people that would otherwise not have the ability to receive an education. Also, they agreed that online education would continue to grow as more universities see its value in educating the masses and expanding their brand. Although this study is based on perceptions of current faculty members, the findings also provide ways to support faculty members in the online environment in the condensed format.

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

A scaffolded structured approach for efficient transition to online small group teaching.

Responding to social distancing guidelines, small-group teachers in the University of British Columbia's Undergraduate Medical Program were required to transition from face-to-face small-group teaching to a synchronous, online format within days. To do this effectively, teachers needed to simultaneously master new technological skills, respond to altered group dynamics and ensure that learning objectives were met. In the context of a Distributed Medical Education program, this was a daunting task, with approximately 125 faculty teaching 576 learners across small-group contexts at four sites making the transition simultaneously.

Unpublished Mediterranean records of marine alien and cryptogenic species

Unpublished Mediterranean records of marine alien and cryptogenic species

Integrating ICT in Teaching and Learning at Sultan Qaboos University: Current Status and Future Recommendations

The present study investigated the current status of integrating ICT into teaching and learning at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). A sample of 220 faculty members from six different colleges and four administrators from the Center of Educational Technology (CET) and the Center for Information Systems (CIS) at SQU in Oman were chosen, and quantitative qualitative design using a semi-structured questionnaire, interviews and checklists was employed. The findings show that SQU had a high availability of ICT infrastructure in terms of hardware, software and support services, as well as adequate computer labs for educational purposes. However, the results also indicated that, although SQU provided a series of professional development workshops related to using ICT in teaching, few faculty members were interested. Furthermore, the finding indicated that, the degree of ICT integration into teaching at SQU was at a medium level. Given the importance of ICT integration in teaching and learning, it is recommended that SQU should recognise and acknowledge the faculty members’ role in ICT integration. Therefore, it should provide ways to support faculty members in developing their ICT skills and knowledge and increasing capability in performing their role.

Propuesta de control de asistencia y deserción estudiantil en la Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador

El presente proyecto de investigación describe una propuesta de solución tecnológica para el control de asistencia y deserción estudiantil en la Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador, a través de una herramienta que facilite la realización de las actividades administrativas y académicas de apoyo al docente y la institución para el monitoreo de los estudiantes que asisten o no a la universidad. El estudio permitirá optimizar los procesos de administración de control de asistencia y deserción estudiantil que la universidad ejecuta y complementan la gestión académica del docente sobre sus estudiantes. Se diseña un modelo que hace uso de los recursos actuales de la institución, se desarrolla y valida la herramienta tecnológica para apoyar el modelo propuesto que es elaborado por un grupo de estudiantes, utilizando el lenguaje de programación de PHP para el diseño e implementación de interfaces dinámicas y amigables que permitirá al usuario un manejo fácil a través de dispositivos móviles y una herramienta de administración web.

The writing center and international students in a Japanese university: a language management perspective

ABSTRACTOne of the institutional challenges of taking in large numbers of international graduate students is supporting their academic literacy skills. To accommodate a large population of international students, Japanese universities offer various services to support their academic studies and life-related issues, such as hiring international student advisors, offering Japanese language courses, and implementing peer-support programs. As a type of academic support for writing for international students, writing centers have caught the attention of universities in the last decade. To examine the institutional role of the writing center at a Japanese university, this study employs a language management lens to compare the beliefs and interests among administrators, tutors, and international students in improving international students’ Japanese writing. Interviews with the three groups of participants displayed incongruences between the administrators’ interests aligned with institutional goals, the educational philosophy of the writing center, and international students’ language learning needs. The findings point to the tutors' crucial role as language specialists who inform organized language management, and the necessity for collaboration between academic support units and faculty members in providing sufficient academic socialization environments for international students.

ZCSPC faculty swot analysis: Basis for human capital development plan

This study aimed to determine the faculty profile in terms of age, sex, educational attainment, involvement in research and publication, community engagement and linkages, and trainings attended. The study employed a descriptive-qualitative research design through the existing data available in the offices of the institution. It was used to establish the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for analysis. The findings revealed that majority of the faculty members were male middle-aged individuals who had a bachelor's degree. It was found out that faculty has a strong capabilities. The institution has been supporting faculty members by sending them out to seminars and trainings. In addition, faculty tends to be encouraged in conducting skill trainings to the community which is one of the best practices of the institution. This is a good manifestation that the institution is committed to serve the country by producing human capital by providing quality education to the stakeholders who will eventually contribute significantly to the community in addressing social and economic problems. It can be concluded that the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College is committed to take actions on the needs of the faculty members with its dream of becoming university. With the support coming from the higher authority with its excellent human capital management and in cooperation of the faculty members, the vision, mission and goals can be possibly achieved. It is recommended that faculty development programs be developed by having its policies be in place and be fully implemented. The administration must continuously empower its faculty members for its institution's directions to development and excellence.

A comparative analysis of National Institutes of Health research support for emergency medicine – 2008 to 2017

ObjectivesWe sought to compare National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding received by Emergency Medicine (EM) to the specialties of Family Medicine, Neurology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics and Psychiatry over the 10-year period from 2008 to 2017. MethodsThe NIH database of both submitted and funded NIH applications were queried and crossed with the departmental affiliation of the principal investigator. Research Grants were defined by the following activity codes: R, P, M, S, K, U (excluding UC6), DP1, DP2, DP3, DP4, DP5, D42 and G12. Derived data were further analyzed using information from the Association of American Medical Colleges to determine the relationship between the number of awards and the size of respective teaching and research faculty. ResultsFrom 2008 to 2017, there were a total of 14,676 funded grants across included specialties with total monetary support of $6.002 billion. Of these funded grants, 250 (1.7%) were from EM principal investigators which corresponded to total support of $89,453,635 (1.5% of overall dollars). There was an increase in total support after 2012 in EM, however when compared to the other specialties, EM investigators submitted relatively fewer grants and awarded grants were funded by a wider distribution of NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). ConclusionsCompared to other select specialties, EM investigators accounted for a small proportion of grants submitted and funded over the past decade. Though findings illustrate promising trends, to foster success, more submitted grant applications are needed from within EM along with systematic approaches to support faculty members in their pursuit of NIH funding.

STEM Faculty as Learners in Pedagogical Reform and the Role of Research Articles as Professional Development Opportunities.

Discipline-based education research (DBER) publications are opportunities for professional development around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education reform. Learning theory tells us these publications could be more impactful if authors, reviewers, and editors pay greater attention to linking principles and practice. This approach, which considers faculty as learners and STEM education reform as content, has the potential to better support faculty members because it promotes a deeper understanding of the reasons why a pedagogical change is effective. This depth of understanding is necessary for faculty members to successfully transfer new knowledge to their own contexts. A challenge ahead for the emergent learning sciences is to better integrate findings from across sister disciplines; DBER reports can take a step in that direction while improving their usefulness for instructors.