Evaluating the Assessment Process in the EFL Teaching Programs and the General Secondary Education Certificate English Exams for 1989-1993

The focal point in this paper is the evaluation of the current assessment process in our EFL teaching program in the general secondary school certificate education and the general secondary school certificate English exams (G.S.E.C.E.E.) being the only tool used in this respect. The purpose of such evaluation is to decides its effectiveness as an integrated part in the EFL teaching process since effective assessment makes effective teaching. The hypotheses tested in this study have been: a. The assessment process in our EFL program is not effective enough and it has harmful effects on the the EFL teaching process., b. The G.S.E.C.E.E. are note adequate enough as assessment tools. Yet, it is important to note that the present study is not intended to exclude the G.S.E.C.E.E. from the assessment process but to shed light on the other additional tools that can be used in this respect. In chapter one, the rationale of the study is presented. It includes the statement of the problem and its significance. It also covers the objectives of the present study and its hypotheses along with the definition of terms. The development of the assessment process in ESL/EFL programs all over the world and the current issues in language assessment have been topped in this chapter. In chapter two, the literature related to the assessment process in language teaching has been reviewed and classified. It has been classified into the following three categories: 1. Literature related to the ESL/EFL assessment in general; 2. Literature related to the current trends in this respect; and 3. Literature related to the portfolio assessment approach that is claimed to be the right alternative. In chapter 3 the methodology of the study has been presented and the development of the present study has been stated. The current study has developed according to the following stages: a. setting the criteria that can be used for the evaluation purposes of the present study; b. The criteria found effective for the purpose of the present study were subcategorized into: a. Criteria for language assessment in general; and b. Criteria for language test in particular. It is important to refer to the point that the criteria set have been based on the framework presented by L.J. Harp (1991) and others in language assessment. For more effective criteria, two questionnaires based on these two categories of criteria, were subjected to some ESL/EFL and evaluation professors in the States. In chapter 4, the current assessment process has been analyzed and evaluated according to the criteria set in chapter 3. The current assessment process and the G.S.E.C.E.E. have proved ineffective since they do not meet the criteria of effective assessment process or language tests. In chapter 5, the conclusions have been made along with the findings of the study. The portfolio, the alternative assessment approach has been presented in this chapter. The guidelines for planning a portfolio, its requirements have been shown in chapter 5. Also, recommendations, along with the suggsted proposals are included in chapter 5. The study appendices and bibliography have been included at the end of the present study. The findings of the current study can be stated in brief as follows: a. The present assessment process has not been effective enough to do its functions in the EFL teaching programs and it has harmful effects on the EFL teaching process. b. The G.S.E.C.E. Exams lack the criteria of the effective language exams and tests. They may be reliable but their validity and efficiency are inadequate. The assessment process needs a reform that can be the key to the educational reform we are looking forward to

Exceptional Points of Degeneracy in Periodic Coupled Waveguides and the Interplay of Gain and Radiation Loss: Theoretical and Experimental Demonstration

We present a novel paradigm for dispersion engineering in coupled transmission lines (CTLs) based on exceptional points of degeneracy (EPDs). We develop a theory for fourth-order EPDs consisting of four Floquet-Bloch eigenmodes coalescing into one degenerate eigenmode. We present unique wave propagation properties associated to the EPD and develop a figure of merit to assess the practical occurrence of fourth-order EPDs in CTLs with tolerances and losses. We experimentally verify for the first time the existence of a fourth EPD (the degenerate band edge), through dispersion and transmission measurements in microstrip-based CTLs at microwave frequencies. In addition, we report that based on experimental observation and the developed figure of merit, the EPD features are still observable in structures that radiate (leak energy away), even in the presence of fabrication tolerances and dissipative losses. We investigate the gain and loss balance regime in CTLs as a mean of recovering an EPD in the presence of radiation and/or dissipative losses, without necessarily resorting to Parity-Time (PT)-symmetry regimes. The versatile EPD concept is promising in applications such as high intensity and power-efficiency oscillators, spatial power combiners, or low-threshold oscillators and opens new frontiers for boosting the performance of large coherent sources

Distributed Degenerate Band Edge Oscillator

We propose a new class of oscillators by engineering the dispersion of two-coupled periodic waveguides to exhibit a degenerate band edge (DBE). The DBE is an exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) of order four, i.e., representing the coalescence of four eigenmodes of a waveguide system without loss and gain. We present a distributed DBE oscillator realized in periodic coupled transmission lines with a unique mode selection scheme that leads to a stable single-frequency oscillation, even in the presence of load variation. The DBE oscillator potentially leads to a boost of the efficiency and performance of RF sources, thanks to the unique features associated to the EPD concept. This class of oscillators is promising for improving discrete-distributed coherent sources and can be extended to radiating structures to achieve a new class of active integrated antenna arrays

Transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) versus totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic techniques for inguinal hernia repair

Background: Hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide. Surgical treatment is usually successful in the majority of cases. However, a recurrence rate of 10% is reported irrespective of the surgical approach. Postoperative pain and disability are frequent. Laparoscopic repair has largely replaced open surgery in the treatment of inguinal hernia. Objectives: To evaluate TAPP and TEP laparoscopic techniques for treatment of inguinal hernia repair regarding safety and outcome. Patients and methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 40 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent laparoscopic repair. Patients were distributed into 2 groups, group A patients had transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair while group B patients underwent totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. Both groups were evaluated according to occurrence of intraoperative complications, operative time, bleeding amount, hospital stay, postoperative pain (visual analogue scale) and duration for return of bowel movements. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in each studied parameter. However, there was significantly less postoperative pain in TAPP group (p-value= 0.008) and TEP group (p-value= 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, both TAPP and TEP achieved similar results in the parameters evaluated during this study. Both approaches can be used in the treatment of inguinal hernia repair

Intraoperative endomanometric laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication improves postoperative outcomes in large sliding hiatus hernia with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. A retrospective cohort study

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) is the gold standard surgical intervention for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). LNF can be followed by recurrent symptoms or complications affecting patient satisfaction. The aim of this study is to assess the value of the intraoperative endomanometric evaluation of esophagogastric competence and pressure combined with LNF in patients with large sliding hiatus hernia (> 5 cm) with severe GERD (DeMeester score >100). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study. Baseline characteristics, postoperative dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome, recurrent symptoms, and satisfaction were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Outcomes analyzed included recurrent reflux symptoms, postoperative side effects, and satisfaction with surgery. Results: 360 patients were stratified into endomanometric LNF (180 patients, LNF+) and LNF alone (180 patients, LNF). Recurrent heartburn (3.9% vs. 8.3%) and recurrent regurgitation (2.2% vs. 5%) showed a lower incidence in the LNF+ group (P=0.012). Postoperative score III recurrent heartburn and score III regurgitations occurred in 0% vs. 3.3% and 0% vs. 2.8% cases in the LNF+ and LNF groups, respectively (P=0.005). Postoperative persistent dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome occurred in 1.75% vs. 5.6% and 0% vs. 3.9% of patients (P=0.001). Score III postoperative persistent dysphagia was 0% vs. 2.8% in the two groups (P=0.007). There was no redo surgery for dysphagia after LNF+. Patient satisfaction at the end of the study was 93.3% vs. 86.7% in both cohorts, respectively (P=0.05). Conclusions: Intraoperative high-resolution manometry (HRM) and endoscopic were feasible in all patients, and the outcomes were favorable from an effectiveness and safety standpoint

Safety and Efficacy of Myval Implantation in Patients with Severe Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis-A Multicenter Real-World Experience.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common valvular congenital anomaly and is apparent in nearly 50% of candidates for AV replacement. While transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a recommended treatment for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) at all surgical risk levels, experience with TAVI in severe bicuspid AS is limited. TAVI in BAV is still a challenge due to its association with multiple and complex anatomical considerations. A retrospective study has been conducted to investigate TAVI's procedural and 30-day outcomes using the Myval transcatheter heart valve (THV) (Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. Vapi, Gujarat, India) in patients with severe bicuspid AS. Data were collected on 68 patients with severe bicuspid AS who underwent TAVI with the Myval THV. Baseline characteristics, procedural, 30-day echocardiographic and clinical outcomes were collected. The mean age and STS PROM score were 72.6 ± 9.4 and 3.54 ± 2.1. Procedures were performed via the transfemoral route in 98.5%. Major vascular complications (1.5%) and life-threatening bleeding (1.5%) occurred infrequently. No patient had coronary obstruction, second valve implantation or conversion to surgery. On 30-day echocardiography, the mean transvalvular gradient and effective orifice area were 9.8 ± 4.5 mmHg and 1.8 ± 0.4 cm2, respectively. None/trace aortic regurgitation occurred in 76.5%, mild AR in 20.5% and moderate AR in 3%. The permanent pacemaker implantation rate was 8.5% and 30-day all-cause death occurred in 3.0% of cases. TAVI with the Myval THV in selected BAV anatomy is associated with favorable short-term hemodynamic and clinical outcomes

Quantitative aortography for assessment of aortic regurgitation in the era of percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a shortcoming that can erode the clinical benefits of transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) and therefore a readily applicable method (aortography) to quantitate PVL objectively and accurately in the interventional suite is appealing to all operators. The ratio between the areas of the time-density curves in the aorta and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-AR) defines the regurgitation fraction (RF). This technique has been validated in a mock circulation; a single injection in diastole was further tested in porcine and ovine models. In the clinical setting, LVOT-AR was compared with trans-thoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. LVOT-AR &gt; 17% discriminates mild from moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiography and confers a poor prognosis in multiple registries, and justifies balloon post-dilatation. The LVOT-AR differentiates the individual performances of many old and novel devices and is being used in ongoing randomized trials and registries.</p

Quantitative aortography for assessment of aortic regurgitation in the era of percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a shortcoming that can erode the clinical benefits of transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) and therefore a readily applicable method (aortography) to quantitate PVL objectively and accurately in the interventional suite is appealing to all operators. The ratio between the areas of the time-density curves in the aorta and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-AR) defines the regurgitation fraction (RF). This technique has been validated in a mock circulation; a single injection in diastole was further tested in porcine and ovine models. In the clinical setting, LVOT-AR was compared with trans-thoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. LVOT-AR &gt; 17% discriminates mild from moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiography and confers a poor prognosis in multiple registries, and justifies balloon post-dilatation. The LVOT-AR differentiates the individual performances of many old and novel devices and is being used in ongoing randomized trials and registries.</p

Quantitative aortography for assessment of aortic regurgitation in the era of percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a shortcoming that can erode the clinical benefits of transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) and therefore a readily applicable method (aortography) to quantitate PVL objectively and accurately in the interventional suite is appealing to all operators. The ratio between the areas of the time-density curves in the aorta and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-AR) defines the regurgitation fraction (RF). This technique has been validated in a mock circulation; a single injection in diastole was further tested in porcine and ovine models. In the clinical setting, LVOT-AR was compared with trans-thoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. LVOT-AR > 17% discriminates mild from moderate aortic regurgitation on echocardiography and confers a poor prognosis in multiple registries, and justifies balloon post-dilatation. The LVOT-AR differentiates the individual performances of many old and novel devices and is being used in ongoing randomized trials and registries