Improving Science Teachers’ Nature Of Science Views Through An Innovative Continuing Professional Development Program

Background This study describes how teachers’ nature of science (NOS) views changed throughout an innovative Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program that provided sustained support throughout the process in a collaborative and reflective environment and activities that are consistent with the current curriculum and NOS tenets integrated within. Eighteen in-service science teachers enrolled in a yearlong nature of science, Continuing Professional Development (NOS-CPD) program. Data were collected by pre/post-interviews using the Views of Nature of Science-Form C (VNOS-C) questionnaire, and a post-interview using an open-ended questionnaire developed by researchers to uncover teacher reactions to the NOS-CPD program. Results The results indicated that the NOS-CPD program improved the teachers’ NOS views more effectively than previously reported short-term teacher development programs, and thus, the findings should be useful for future studies in support of the professional development of teachers. Conclusions The article concludes with practical advice for implementing NOS-focused, in-service teacher development programs.PubMedScopu

Epiglottic masses identified on CT imaging: A case report and review of the broad differential diagnosis

Epiglottic masses may be cystic, granulomatous, infectious, benign or malignant neoplastic, or manifestations of a systemic disease. When large in size, the airway may become obstructed, and when accompanied by suspicious features such as cartilaginous invasion, extension to the pre-epiglottic or para-glottic spaces, or lymphadenopathy, the radiologist must consider malignancy as a primary differential diagnosis. However, when only benign features are identified, the differential diagnosis is broad. We present a 65-year-old female with an incidental 1 cm exophytic, pedunculated, papillomatous lesion on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis discovered upon endoscopic evaluation for dyspepsia and heartburn. Because of her risk factors for malignancy, CT scan was requested and revealed only benign features. Subsequent excisional biopsy revealed a benign squamous papilloma; however, multiple additional differential considerations were entertained preoperatively

Mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

The genetic make-up of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. Although environmental, clinical and social factors have a role in the chance of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-191,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and clarify causal relationships of modifiable environmental risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes. We formed a global network of researchers to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Here we describe the results of three genome-wide association meta-analyses that consist of up to 49,562 patients with COVID-19 from 46 studies across 19 countries. We report 13 genome-wide significant loci that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe manifestations of COVID-19. Several of these loci correspond to previously documented associations to lung or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases3,4,5,6,7. They also represent potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection. Mendelian randomization analyses support a causal role for smoking and body-mass index for severe COVID-19 although not for type II diabetes. The identification of novel host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 was made possible by the community of human genetics researchers coming together to prioritize the sharing of data, results, resources and analytical frameworks. This working model of international collaboration underscores what is possible for future genetic discoveries in emerging pandemics, or indeed for any complex human disease