Should an intercalated degree be compulsory for undergraduate medical students?

Undertaking an intercalated year whilst at medical school involves taking time out of the medicine undergraduate programme in order to pursue a separate but related degree. It is widely seen as a challenging but rewarding experience, with much to be gained from the independent project or research component of most additional degrees. However, whilst intercalating is encouraged at many universities and is incorporated into some undergraduate curricula, it is by no means compulsory for all students. The literature would suggest that those who have intercalated tend to do better academically, both for the remainder of medical school and after graduating. Despite this, the issue of making intercalation mandatory is one of considerable debate, with counter-arguments ranging from the detrimental effect time taken out of the course can have to the lack of options available to cater for all students. Nonetheless, the research skills developed during an intercalated year are invaluable and help students prepare for taking a critical evidence-based approach to medicine. If intercalated degrees were made compulsory for undergraduates, it would be a step in the right direction. It would mean the doctors of tomorrow would be better equipped to practise medicine in disciplines that are constantly evolving

Trait Emotional Intelligence and Personality: Gender-Invariant Linkages Across Different Measures of the Big Five.

This study investigated if the linkages between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and the Five-Factor Model of personality were invariant between men and women. Five English-speaking samples (N = 307-685) of mostly undergraduate students each completed a different measure of the Big Five personality traits and either the full form or short form of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue). Across samples, models predicting global TEIQue scores from the Big Five were invariant between genders, with Neuroticism and Extraversion being the strongest trait EI correlates, followed by Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness. However, there was some evidence indicating that the gender-specific contributions of the Big Five to trait EI vary depending on the personality measure used, being more consistent for women. Discussion focuses on the validity of the TEIQue as a measure of trait EI and its psychometric properties, more generally

Organizational team building culture among teachers in Gombak Selangor

This study examined the organizational team building culture among teachers in Gombak, Selangor. Aspects that were being studied were the teachers’ perception on the elements of team building, the relation between team building factors and motivational factors and differences between gender and the eight factors of team building which were goals, priorities, roles and responsibilities, self-awareness, leadership, group dynamics, communications and environment. The study employed a survey method for collecting data from 100 purposively selected teachers from 10 government aided secondary schools

Treatment needs and skill mix workforce requirements for prosthodontic care: a comparison of estimates using normative and sociodental approaches.

The traditional measure for assessing dental treatment needs and workforce requirements based solely on normative need (NN) has major shortcomings. The sociodental approach (SDA) to assess needs overcomes some of the shortcomings as it combines normative and subjective needs assessments and also incorporates behavioural propensity (Sheiham and Tsakos 2007). The objective of this study was to estimate and compare prosthodontic treatment needs and workforce requirements, using the normative and the sociodental approaches for different skill mix models

Treatment needs and skill mix workforce requirements for prosthodontic care: a comparison of estimates using normative and sociodental approaches.

The traditional measure for assessing dental treatment needs and workforce requirements based solely on normative need (NN) has major shortcomings. The sociodental approach (SDA) to assess needs overcomes some of the shortcomings as it combines normative and subjective needs assessments and also incorporates behavioural propensity (Sheiham and Tsakos 2007). The objective of this study was to estimate and compare prosthodontic treatment needs and workforce requirements, using the normative and the sociodental approaches for different skill mix models

3D printing dimensional calibration shape: Clebsch Cubic

3D printing and other layer manufacturing processes are challenged by dimensional accuracy. Several techniques are used to validate and calibrate dimensional accuracy through the complete building envelope. The validation process involves the growing and measuring of a shape with known parameters. The measured result is compared with the intended digital model. Processes with the risk of deformation after time or post processing may find this technique beneficial. We propose to use objects from algebraic geometry as test shapes. A cubic surface is given as the zero set of a 3rd degree polynomial with 3 variables. A class of cubics in real 3D space contains exactly 27 real lines. We provide a library for the computer algebra system Singular which, from 6 given points in the plane, constructs a cubic and the lines on it. A surface shape derived from a cubic offers simplicity to the dimensional comparison process, in that the straight lines and many other features can be analytically determined and easily measured using non-digital equipment. For example, the surface contains so-called Eckardt points, in each of which three of the lines intersect, and also other intersection points of pairs of lines. Distances between these intersection points can easily be measured, since the points are connected by straight lines. At all intersection points of lines, angles can be verified. Hence, many features distributed over the build volume are known analytically, and can be used for the validation process. Due to the thin shape geometry the material required to produce an algebraic surface is minimal. This paper is the first in a series that proposes the process chain to first define a cubic with a configuration of lines in a given print volume and then to develop the point cloud for the final manufacturing. Simple measuring techniques are recommended.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl

Computer self-efficacy, anxiety and attitudes towards use of technology among university academicians: a case study of University of Port Harcourt Nigeria

The 21st century also called ICT literacy includes not only the traditional concept of literacy, but it also encompasses the ability to incorporate new technologies into teaching and learning. The paper focus on computer, self-efficacy, anxiety and attitudes towards use of technology, as it influence the behavioral intention of the university academicians to accept and use ICT for teaching and learning. The University of Port Harcourt Nigeria was use as a case study, and 100 questionnaires were administered and collected. The technology usage by the academic staff shows that 74% are willing to use ICT once or more a day. 51% of the respondents said that the use of ICT is voluntary. Three null hypotheses were stated. The findings shows that the Uniport academic staff had medium computer anxiousness, they have moderate computer self efficacy and high attitudes towards use of technology. Therefore, as attitudes towards use of technology increase, computer self efficacy also increase and this cause a gradual decrease in computer anxiety. The most influential construct is attitudes towards use of technology. This was determined by the regression analysis and the hypotheses. The knowledge gained from this study is beneficial to university administrators, academic staff and the Nigerian ICT policy makers

Integrasi realiti terimbuh (AR) dalam aktiviti mewarna

Mewarna merupakan salah satu kaedah pembelajaran yang digunakan untuk meningkatkan kemahiaran psikomotor dan kreativiti kanak-kanak. Namun begitu, kandungan yang disediakan di dalam buku mewarna adalah bersifat statik dan tidak menyediakan elemen-elemen dinamik seperti interaktiviti. Kanak-kanak mudah merasa bosan kerana tiada interaksi dua hala yang berlaku antara mereka dan karakter ketika proses mewarna dilakukan. Sebagai penambahbaikan terhadap permasalahan tersebut, satu aplikasi mewarna yang dinamakan Dr Bubble Coloring AR dibangunkan. Aplikasi ini menggunakan teknik realiti terimbuh (AR) yang diintegrasikan ke dalam aplikasi mewarna. Imej yang diwarnakan menjadi penanda untuk diimbas oleh peranti mudah alih lalu dipaparkan secara maya dalam bentuk tiga dimensi (3D). Aplikasi ini menyediakan bebutang interaksi bagi membolehkan pengguna berinteraksi dengan karakter serta mengesan objek yang diwarnakan di dalam buku mewarna. Secara keseluruhan, 75% responden sangat bersetuju aplikasi ini menarik dan menyeronokkan, manakala 84% responden sangat bersetuju keseluruhan aplikasi ini berfungsi dengan baik dan sempurna

Recursive representation of the torus 1-point conformal block

The recursive relation for the 1-point conformal block on a torus is derived and used to prove the identities between conformal blocks recently conjectured by R. Poghossian. As an illustration of the efficiency of the recurrence method the modular invariance of the 1-point Liouville correlation function is numerically analyzed.Comment: 14 pages, 1 eps figure, misprints corrected and a reference adde