Effects of course coordination and part-time precalculus instructor support on student academic performance

This study aims to measure the impact of course coordination and part-time Precalculus instructor support on students academic performance. Our results show the Precalculus passing rate (71.53%) was slightly higher in the post-coordination cohorts. However, this difference was not statistically significant from the passing rate (70.70%) of the cohorts in pre-coordination. Also, there was no significant difference between the passing rates (66.90% vs 65.25%) of calculus in the pre- and post-coordination cohorts. However, when accounting for the two versions of calculus, we observed one passing rate was statistically significantly lower in post-coordination cohorts, while the other passing rate was statistically significantly higher after Precalculus coordination. This paper discusses how our results confirm that a careful curriculum design in addition to a dedicated course coordination can have a significant positive impact on students’ learning and their academic performance. We observed that the reflective teaching philosophy and opportunity to engage in critical conversations about teaching and learning promoted through course coordination influenced classroom practice and resulted in improved student outcomes. We recommend that departments should recognize the importance of course coordination and encourage faculty to work closely towards the common aim of delivering the best teaching practices.Golnabi, A.; Murray, E.; Su, H. (2020). Effects of course coordination and part-time precalculus instructor support on student academic performance. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):407-415. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11079OCS40741530-05-202

Technical Efficiency And Its Determinants: An Empirical Study Of Surgical Instruments Cluster Of Pakistan

The empirical study was conducted to examine the technical efficiency of SMEs in the export-oriented surgical instruments cluster of Sialkot, Pakistan. Data was collected through survey questionnaire from 70 SMEs, listed at Census of Manufacturing Industries and Federal Bureau of Statistics. For data analysis, Cobb-Douglas production function and an inefficiency model based on stochastic frontier approach, estimated through OLS method, were employed. The study draws on its inferences from both the qualitative and quantitative data. There was widespread prevalence of technical inefficiencies and provision of indirect inputs, labor, material and energy found to be significant determinants of technical efficiency. Moreover, this export-oriented industrial cluster is shown to experience constant returns to scale.  Provision of proximate specialized surgical instruments and raw-material market is recommended. We also put forward cluster-specific suggestion of pursuing of 'triple-helix+1' model, whereby local community is integrated with the traditional triple helix forces. It was further advocated that by reducing the prevailing technical inefficiency in this urbanization economy, productivity can be enhanced by as much as 5.6%. Implications for cluster-based industries are drawn from our findings to provide pragmatic recommendations to both policymakers and prospective entrepreneurs

Determinants Of Non-Performing Loans: An Empirical Investigation Of Bank-Specific Microeconomic Factors

The empirical study was undertaken to explore the determinants of non-performing loans (NPLs) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector held by the commercial banks. Stratified sampling technique was used to collect primary data through well-structured survey questionnaire from credit analysts / bankers of 42 branches of 9 commercial banks, operating in the district of Lahore (Pakistan), for 2014-2015. Selective descriptive analysis and Pearson chi-square technique were used to illustrate and evaluate the significance of different variables affecting NPLs. Branch age, duration of the loan, and credit policy were found to be significant determinants of NPLs. The study proposes that bank-specific and SME-specific microeconomic variables directly influence NPLs, while macroeconomic factors act as intermediary variables. The results elaborate various origins of NPLs and suggest that they are primarily instigated by the loan sanctioning procedure of the financial institution. The paper also underlines the risk management practices adopted by the bank at branch level to averse the risk of loan default. Empirical investigation of bank-specific microeconomic factors of NPLs with respect to Pakistan’s economy is the novelty of the study. Broader strategic policy implications are provided for credit analysts and entrepreneurs

An investigation into requirement of mobile app for apartment residents

High-rise residential buildings, such as apartments, flats, and condominiums, are places of shelter for humans, just like any other types of houses. In a high-rise residential block, the building management plays a vital role in keeping the place pristine and habitable for its residents. Research shows that effective communication and harmonious relationship between the building management and the residents are crucial in maintaining a high-rise residential building. A solution needs to be proposed to alleviate this challenge. Traditionally, the mode of information dissemination and communication between the residents and the building management is done manually using information boards and feedback forms. However, their effectiveness, reliability and reach-ability are questionable. With the increasing adoption of mobile devices and cloud computing in today’s scenario, the application of mobile technologies such as mobile applications has become viable as a solution to many real-world problems. This research studies how information about the happenings around the high-rise residential area is conveyed to the residents that is deemed as an essential part of the communication between the building management and the residents. This study aims to improve overall communication efficiency between the residents and the management parties of high-rise residential buildings by introducing a mobile app for apartment residents. Two data collection methods – observation and questionnaire – were used in this study and inspections were carried out in this research. Representations were made to investigate how the residents of a high-rise building receive information about happenings around the apartment complex and how the building management and residents committee communicate to share the information. The questionnaire survey was distributed to Facebook groups of high-rise residential buildings, particularly those staying in Sri Bahagia Court and Angkasa Condominium, as well as UCSI University network. Based on the results collected from participants, most of the communication was through physical noticeboard or online social media platforms such as Facebook. Hence, this research investigates the requirement of a mobile app and proposes the development of a mobile app for apartment residents (MyAPT), which addresses the problems of information sharing and further improves communication among the residents and management of high-rise buildings

A novel SPECT camera for molecular imaging of the prostate

Citation: Proc. SPIE 8143, Medical Applications of Radiation Detectors, 814305 (September 14, 2011); doi:10.1117/12.896235The objective of this work is to develop an improved SPECT camera for dedicated prostate imaging. Complementing the recent advancements in agents for molecular prostate imaging, this device has the potential to assist in distinguishing benign from aggressive cancers, to improve site-specific localization of cancer, to improve accuracy of needle-guided prostate biopsy of cancer sites, and to aid in focal therapy procedures such as cryotherapy and radiation. Theoretical calculations show that the spatial resolution/detection sensitivity of the proposed SPECT camera can rival or exceed 3D PET and further signal-to-noise advantage is attained with the better energy resolution of the CZT modules. Based on photon transport simulation studies, the system has a reconstructed spatial resolution of 4.8 mm with a sensitivity of 0.0001. Reconstruction of a simulated prostate distribution demonstrates the focal imaging capability of the system

Surface acoustic waves induced micropatterning of cells in gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels

Acoustic force patterning is an emerging technology that provides a platform to control the spatial location of cells in a rapid, accurate, yet contactless manner. However, very few studies have been reported on the usage of acoustic force patterning for the rapid arrangement of biological objects, such as cells, in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. In this study, we report on a bio-acoustic force patterning technique, which uses surface acoustic waves (SAWs) for the rapid arrangement of cells within an extracellular matrix-based hydrogel such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). A proof-of-principle was achieved through both simulations and experiments based on the in-house fabricated piezoelectric SAW transducers, which enabled us to explore the effects of various parameters on the performance of the built construct. The SAWs were applied in a fashion that generated standing SAWs (SSAWs) on the substrate, the energy of which subsequently was transferred into the gel, creating a rapid, and contactless alignment of the cells (<10 s, based on the experimental conditions). Following ultraviolet radiation induced photo-crosslinking of the cell encapsulated GelMA pre-polymer solution, the patterned cardiac cells readily spread after alignment in the GelMA hydrogel and demonstrated beating activity in 5–7 days. The described acoustic force assembly method can be utilized not only to control the spatial distribution of the cells inside a 3D construct, but can also preserve the viability and functionality of the patterned cells (e.g. beating rates of cardiac cells). This platform can be potentially employed in a diverse range of applications, whether it is for tissue engineering, in vitro cell studies, or creating 3D biomimetic tissue structures

Analyzing the periocular biometric-based access control systems

Biometrics is a widely studied topic for security applications or identity identification. This project had focused on primarily on studying a small region around the eye known as the periocular region as a supplementary biometric. This is the region that includes eyelids, lashes and eyebrows. A few previous studies had proven that periocular biometrics has applied as an independent recognition system under unconstrained scenarios. The biometric data for this region can be easily obtained with existing setups used face and iris recognition. In this project, the data and information was gathered mainly through two methods which were the observation and review on other documentations related to the system. The qualitative research was performed through observation and surveys related to the system. The samples was obtained in a way that the cooperation from the subject or participant was informal while interaction with the biometric system was facilitated. the prototype generated alternative way to allow access to the system using the periocular biometric

An Investigation into Requirement of Mobile App for Apartment Residents

High-rise residential buildings, such as apartments, flats, and condominiums, are places of shelter for humans, just like any other types of houses. In a high-rise residential block, the building management plays a vital role in keeping the place pristine and habitable for its residents. Research shows that effective communication and harmonious relationship between the building management and the residents are crucial in maintaining a high-rise residential building. A solution needs to be proposed to alleviate this challenge. Traditionally, the mode of information dissemination and communication between the residents and the building management is done manually using information boards and feedback forms. However, their effectiveness, reliability and reachability are questionable. With the increasing adoption of mobile devices and cloud computing in today’s scenario, the application of mobile technologies such as mobile applications has become viable as a solution to many real-world problems. This research studies how information about the happenings around the high-rise residential area is conveyed to the residents that is deemed as an essential part of the communication between the building management and the residents. This study aims to improve overall communication efficiency between the residents and the management parties of high-rise residential buildings by introducing a mobile app for apartment residents. Two data collection methods – observation and questionnaire – were used in this study and inspections were carried out in this research. Representations were made to investigate how the residents of a high-rise building receive information about happenings around the apartment complex and how the building management and residents committee communicate to share the information. The questionnaire survey was distributed to Facebook groups of high-rise residential buildings, particularly those staying in Sri Bahagia Court and Angkasa Condominium, as well as UCSI University network. Based on the results collected from participants, most of the communication was through physical noticeboard or online social media platforms such as Facebook. Hence, this research investigates the requirement of a mobile app and proposes the development of a mobile app for apartment residents (MyAPT), which addresses the problems of information sharing and further improves communication among the residents and management of high-rise buildings

A paper-based in vitro model for on-chip investigation of the human respiratory system

Culturing cells at the air–liquid interface (ALI) is essential for creating functional in vitro models of lung tissues. We present the use of direct-patterned laser-treated hydrophobic paper as an effective semi-permeable membrane, ideal for ALI cell culture. The surface properties of the paper are modified through a selective CO2 laser-assisted treatment to create a unique porous substrate with hydrophilic regions that regulate fluid diffusion and cell attachment. To select the appropriate model, four promising hydrophobic films were compared with each other in terms of gas permeability and long-term strength in an aqueous environment (wet-strength). Among the investigated substrates, parchment paper showed the fastest rate of oxygen permeability (3 times more than conventional transwell cell culture membranes), with the least variation in its dry and wet tensile strengths (124 MPa and 58 MPa, remaining unchanged after 7 days of submersion in PBS).The final paper-based platform provides an ideal, robust, and inexpensive device for generating monolayers of lung epithelial cells on-chip in a high-throughput fashion for disease modelling and in vitro drug testing

Global Three-Dimensional Water Vapor Feature-Tracking for Horizontal Winds Using Hyperspectral Infrared Sounder Data From Overlapped Tracks of Two Satellites

The lack of measurements of three-dimensional (3D) distribution of horizontal wind vectors is a major challenge in atmospheric science. Here, we develop an algorithm to retrieve winds for nine pressure levels at 1° grid spacing from 70°N to 70°S. The retrieval is done by tracking water vapor from the hyperspectral Cross-track Infrared Sounder aboard two polar satellites (NOAA-20 and Suomi-NPP) that have overlapped tracks separated by 50 min. We impose a gross error check by flagging retrievals that are too different from ERA-5 reanalysis. Testing the algorithm for the first week of January and July 2020 indicates that our algorithm yields 104 wind profiles per day and these 3D winds qualitatively agree with ERA-5. Compared with radiosonde data, the errors are within the range of reported errors of cloud-tracking winds