Advanced Evolution Of Massive Stars .4. Secondary Nucleosynthesis During Helium Burning

NSF GP-32051, GP-23282Astronom

Is a picture worth a thousand words: an analysis of the difficulty and discrimination parameters of illustrated vs. text-alone vignettes in histology multiple choice questions.

Background Advances in cognitive load theory have led to greater understanding of how we process verbal and visual material during learning, but the evidence base with regard to the use of images within written assessments is still sparse. This study examines whether the inclusion of images within the stimulus format of multiple choice questions (MCQs) has a predictable or consistent influence on psychometric item properties, such as difficulty or discrimination. Methods Item analysis data from three consecutive years of histology multiple choice examinations were included in this study. All items were reviewed and categorised according to whether their stem, or stimulus format, was purely textual or included an associated image. Results A total of 195 MCQs were identified for inclusion and analysed using classical test theory; 95 used text alone and 100 included an image within the question stem. The number of students per examination ranged from 277 to 347, with a total of 60,850 student-question interactions. We initially examined whether the inclusion of an image within the item stem altered the item difficulty using Mann–Whitney U. The median item difficulty for images with purely textual stems was 0.77, while that for items incorporating an appropriate image was 0.80; this difference was not significant (0.77 vs. 0.80; p = 0.862, Mann–Whitney-U = 4818.5). Mean values showed that the Item Discrimination Index appeared unaffected by the inclusion of an image within the stem, and Item point biserial correlation also showed no difference in means between these two groups (Independent samples t-test; 2-tailed). Conclusion We demonstrate that the addition of illustrations within undergraduate histology Multiple Choice Question stems has no overall influence on item difficulty, or measures of item discrimination. We conclude that the use of images in this context is statistically uncritical, and suggest that their inclusion within item stems should be based upon the principles of constructive alignment. However, further research with respect to the effect of images within item stems on cognitive processing, particularly with regard to image complexity or type, would enable the development of more informed guidelines for their use

Is a picture worth a thousand words?

Background: It has previously been suggested that the use of illustrations in MCQs may have variable effects on individual items. This study examines the effect of illustrated questions, as opposed to pure text, to discern if any overall bias between the two formats is detectable. Summary of work: We reviewed 6 Histology MCQ papers from our Medical Junior Cycle. Classical test theory analysis was performed on all MCQs, which were then divided into two groups, those with associated images and those without. Summary of results: We analysed 195 single best answer MCQs; 100 with associated illustrations, 95 without. The number of students per examination ranged from 277 to 347, with a total of 60,850 student-question interactions. There was no difference in question difficulty between the two groups (0.800 vs. 0.770; p = 0.862, Mann-Whitney-U). The discriminating power of the questions, as measured by point biserial correlation, was also identical (0.315 vs. 0.300; p = 0.939; Independent t-test). Conclusions: We found no overall bias or effect on either item difficulty or discrimination resulting from the addition of illustrations. We suggest that illustrated questions, as with textual vignettes, may test a range of cognitive levels depending on how they are employed

Modern Spectroscopy with a Spectrometer by the Optogalvanic Effect

An Experiment Involving the Optogalvanic Effect Suitable for the Advanced Physics Laboratory is Described. This Experiment Complements the Usual Basic Experiment in Atomic Spectroscopy Where Spectra Are Recorded on Photographic Film with a Spectrograph or with a Monochromator and Photomultiplier. the Optogalvanic Effect Used the Atoms Being Studied as the Detector and a Tunable Dye Laser as the Source. Linewidths Observed Are Those of the Dye Laser that Are Considerably Smaller Than Those Obtained with the Usual Laboratory Monochromator. the student is Introduced to the Techniques of Spectroscopy with Pulsed Dye Lasers and to a Spectrum for Which LS Coupling Does Not Hold. © 1981, American Association of Physics Teacher

Comparison of performance in a four year graduate entry medical programme and a traditional five/six year programme.

Background In 2006 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, (RCSI), introduced the first four year Graduate Entry Programme (GEP) in medicine in Ireland in line with national policy to broaden access to medical education. One concern considered at the time, was whether the GEP students could be trained to the same standard as their undergraduate Direct Entry Programme (DEP, five/ six year duration) counterparts in the shorter time frame. Since students from both cohorts undertake the same examinations in the final two years, it is possible to directly compare GEP vs DEP outcomes. The primary aim of the current study was to analyse the comparative performance of GEP and DEP students undergoing these examinations between 2008 and 2013.MethodsScores from five assessments performed during the final two years were transformed to z scores for each student and 4 scores for the penultimate year were summed to create a unit weighted composite score. The resultant scores for each of the two years were used to assess the comparative performance of GEP vs DEP cohorts and to perform sub-cohort analyses of GEP outcomes.ResultsIn all cohorts/years examined, evidence demonstrated significantly better assessment outcomes for the GEP group for the final two years¿ examinations as compared with the DEP group. In all but one cohort examined, this advantage was retained when nationality factors were excluded. Further analyses showed no difference in outcomes between GEP students having science vs. non-science backgrounds and or between those from EU vs non-EU backgrounds. Finally, data suggested weak correlations between total composite scores and entry scores in American (r¿=¿0.15) and Australian (r¿=¿0.08) medical school admissions tests.ConclusionsWe have shown for the first time in Ireland, that graduate-entry students perform at least as well, or even better, than a corresponding undergraduate-entry group. Moreover, having a scientific background on entry to the GEP confers no advantage in final assessments. These data provide evidence of the viability of the graduate entry route into medical education in Ireland

Aseptic fluid transfer system

A method and means is provided, which permits the transfer of fluids between separate detached containers, in a manner which preserves the sterility of the fluids during and after their transfer

Combined orthodontic and surgical open bite correction: Principles for success. Part 2

Objectives: To present a clinical description of the team's treatment techniques. Materials and Methods: In Part 1, 30 patients underwent segmental maxillary orthodontics, multisegment Le Fort I, and bilateral sagittal osteotomies of the mandible. Part 1 reported excellent occlusal stability at a mean follow-up of 49.43 months (range, 36-92 months). Cases presented in Part 2 were selected based on availability of excellent technique photographs. The same techniques described in Part 2 cases were used on all Part 1 patients. Results: The coordination of arch widths and forms, overbite, overjet, and maxillary curve of Spee corrections were stable using the team protocols for orthodontic and surgical treatment. Conclusions: In the study group, long-term three-dimensionally stable occlusal results were achieved. To duplicate these results, specific orthodontic preparation, intraoperative surgical steps, and postsurgical steps must be carefully planned and executed. These steps are described in this article, Part 2. (Angle Orthod. 2022;92:431-445.

Proceedings of the 11th Annual Meeting, Southern Soybean Disease Workers (March 27-29, 1984, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida): Economics of Soybean Disease

Contents 1984 Southern Soybean Disease Workers Officers 1984 Southern Soybean Disease Workers Program Committee 1984 Southern Soybean Disease Workers Committee Chairmen Workshop Diagnosing early season soybean disorders. D Stuckey and A Wrather General session Presidential address. HJ Walters Southern United States Soybean Disease Loss Estimate for 1983. Southern Soybean Disease Workers, Soybean Disease Loss Estimate Committee. RP Mulrooney Soybean nematodes. R Dunn presiding A New Publication on the Soybean Cyst Nematode. WF Moore Soybean Cultivars and Development of Populations of Meloidogyne incognita in Soil: A Concept of Tolerance. R Rodríguez-Kábana and DB Weaver A Comparison of Soybean Cultivars for Their Resistance to Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria. RA Kinloch Ethylene Dibromide and Alternative Nematicides for Soybeans. RA Dunn Involvement of Fungi in Phytonematode Pathology. G Morgan-Jones and R Rodríguez-Kábana Graduate student presentations. EC McGawley presiding Interaction Between Heterodera glycines and Glomus macrocarpus on Soybeans as Affected by Aldicarb. DP McCormack, DP Schmitt, and KR Barker Phomopsis sp. and Soybean Seedling Emergence: Influence of Soil Water Potential. M Gleason and RS Ferriss Soybean seed, seedling and soil-borne diseases. WS Gazaway presiding Report of Southern Soybean Disease Workers Seed Treatment Committee, 1983. MC McDaniel Effects of Soil Source, Soil Moisture, Seed Quality and Seed Treatment on Soybean Emergence. RE Stuckey, RS Ferriss, and MR Siegel Epidemiological and Mycofloral Relationships in Soybean Seedling Disease. JF Killebrew and KW Roy Seed Treatments for Control of Seedling Diseases and Rhizoctonia Root Rot in No-Till Soybeans. AY Chambers Soybean foliar, pod and stem diseases. JW Shriver presiding Southern Soybean Disease Workers Standardized Foliar Fungicide Test, 1983. AY Chambers and MA Newman Stem Canker in the Southeastern United States. WS Gazaway Timings of Foliar Fungicide Applications on Soybeans in Louisiana. JS Gershey, GT Berggren, and ME Pace Levels of Chlorine in Leaves and Seed Causing Leaf Scorch of Soybeans. MB Parker, TP Gaines, and GJ Gascho Incidence and Yield Loss Estimates on Stem and Foliar Diseases as Affected by Row Spacing and Overhead Irrigation. MC Hirrell and MC McDaniel Foliar Fungicides in Georgia: A Ten-Year Summary. DV Phillips New developments. E Barrett presiding The Use of Microcomputers in Soybean Disease Research. ME Pace, GT Berggren, Jr, and JS Gershey Aerial Web Blight in Mississippi in 1983. JA Fox SSDW Treasurer\u27s repor

Computing and data processing

The applications of computers and data processing to astronomy are discussed. Among the topics covered are the emerging national information infrastructure, workstations and supercomputers, supertelescopes, digital astronomy, astrophysics in a numerical laboratory, community software, archiving of ground-based observations, dynamical simulations of complex systems, plasma astrophysics, and the remote control of fourth dimension supercomputers

Design and Evaluation of a New National Pharmacy Internship Programme in Ireland

Objective. To design, deliver and evaluate a National Pharmacy Internship Programme to meet the educational needs of pharmacy graduates for registration as competent pharmacists, recognising the learning by way of an educational award. Methods. The programme was designed as a twelve month, full-time, blended-learning, competency-based programme leading to an educational award at Master’s Level. Intern performance was assessed academically and by pharmacy tutor (preceptor) appraisals. Interns who demonstrated competency were invited to sit the Professional Registration Examination (PRE). Feasibility and performance were evaluated and a longitudinal approach allowed intern and tutor views to be compared to the former pre-registration year. Results. Overall performance in the PRE was good and relatively consistent with almost all interns proceeding to register as pharmacists. Interns expressed a view that the programme had enabled them to develop the knowledge, skills and overall competencies required for future independent practice as a pharmacist. Tutors considered the programme to have built on prior learning and provided a sufficiently rounded experience for professional practice. Tutors also expressed the view that the programme was an improved educational experience over the former, less structured, pre-registration training. Conclusion. The National Pharmacy Internship Programme was a structured, competency-based programme at Master’s Level. The education and training was perceived to be an improvement on the previous pre-registration year. The programme quality assured pharmacy education outcomes at entry-to-practice on a national basis, and uniquely recognised the learning by way of an educational award