Robo-Teaching? : Automated Essay Scoring and K-12 Writing Pedagogy

This paper will examine the current state, and future, of AES in secondary literacy education through a review of current research in the topic. An analysis of the history of assessment will seek to explain why AES systems have gained such popularity within high-stakes assessment, and how the use of AES in secondary education, high-stakes testing affects pedagogy. This paper will also look into reliability and validity issues that are presented when using AES as a form of scoring essays. Finally, this paper explores some ways that AES can be used effectively within the K-12 writing classroom, rather than solely in high stakes assessments. Ultimately, this paper will assert that AES is not the right tool for use in high-stakes assessments, but can be beneficial within the high school English classroom as a means of formative assessment

Glyoxalase I gene deletion mutants of Leishmania donovani exhibit reduced methylglyoxal detoxification

Background: Glyoxalase I is a metalloenzyme of the glyoxalase pathway that plays a central role in eliminating the toxic metabolite methyglyoxal. The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani possesses a unique trypanothione dependent glyoxalase system. Principal Findings: Analysis of the L. donovani GLOI sequence predicted a mitochondrial targeting sequence, suggesting that the enzyme is likely to be targeted to the mitochondria. In order to determine definitively the intracellular localization of GLOI in L. donovani, a full-length GLOI gene was fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene to generate a chimeric construct. Confocal microscopy of L. donovani promastigotes carrying this chimeric construct and immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-GLOI antibodies demonstrated that GLOI is localized in the kinetoplast of the parasite apart from the cytosol. To study the physiological role of GLOI in Leishmania, we first created promastigote mutants heterozygous for GLOI by targeted gene replacement using either hygromycin or neomycin phosphotransferases as selectable markers. Heterozygous mutants of L. donovani display a slower growth rate, have lower glyoxalase I activity and have reduced ability to detoxify methylglyoxal in comparison to the wild-type parasites. Complementation of the heterozygous mutant with an episomal GLOI construct showed the restoration of heterozygous mutant phenotype nearly fully to that of the wild-type. Null mutants were obtained only after GLOI was expressed from an episome in heterozygous mutants. Conclusions: We for the first time report localization of GLOI in L. donovani in the kinetoplast. To study the physiological role of GLOI in Leishmania, we have generated GLOI attenuated strains by targeted gene replacement and report that GLOI is likely to be an important gene since GLOI mutants in L. donovani showed altered phenotype. The present data supports that the GLOI plays an essential role in the survival of this pathogenic organism and that inhibition of the enzyme potentiates the toxicity of methylglyoxal

Screening of potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria from fresh water fish intestine

Probiotic, Lactic Acid Bacteria are associated with normal microbial ecosystem of gastrointestinal tract of human and fish and plays a vital role during in-vivo interactions occurring in Gastro Intestinal Tract (GI) of human beings, hence exert health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition. In the recent study, some potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria were screened from fresh water fish intestine. Sixteen strains have been selected on the basis of growth in Lactobacillus selective media (MRS) and subjected to Gram staining, Catalase activity and Oxidase test. Out of these, 6 strains have been selected for further studies on the basis of morphology, Lactobacillus specific biochemical test and amplification of Lactobacillus genus specific gene. Five strains named (KTIT, KT2W, KT1B, KA2, FS) have been identified as Lactobacillus casei. Sixth strain has been identified and named as KT1, Lactobacillus delbrueckii on the basis of bergey's manual of systematic bacteriology. Out of these six strains KT1 has proved its probiotic credibility more by producing antimicrobial Bacteriocin-like compound, which were having inhibitory property against potential pathogenic strains. Strain KT1 was found to be more potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria after further identification by biochemical analysis and molecular identification (16s rDNA Sequencing) was done. The study is extremely promising, that underscores the important role of Lactobacillus strains, having probiotic effects, which may play an important role in food industry as starter-culture, co-culture and bio protective cultures to improve quality and safety of preserved food and beverages

Photon-Photon Collision: Simultaneous Observation of Wave-Particle Characteristics of Light

The proposed paper presents the analysis of electromagnetic waves meeting at a point in terms of their particle characteristics. The observation that light beams moves un-deviated when encountered at a point, which is commonly justified on the wave characteristics of light, is now presented as momentum and wavelength exchange phenomenon of photon collision. Theoretical and mathematical justification of photon’s inter-collision, on the basis of their quasi-point particle behavior is offered and the observation of the non-variation of wavelength of light beams is explained. Thus, the observation of light’s non-deviation at the crossing point is explained as momentum exchange phenomenon on the basis of particle characteristics of light. Keywords: Basic Quantum Mechanics, Bohr’s Complementary Principle, Collision Mechanic

Ácido glicirrícico: extracción, cribado y evaluación de la propiedad anti-inflamatoria

The authors wish to thank Founder President Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Amity University for his kind support during the researchObjective: Glycyrrhizic acid is a widely used medicinal component as an anti-inflammatory agent, anti ulcer agent, anti-allergy agent and anti-psoriatic agent. The present investigation deals with the extraction of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice roots and evaluating its in-vitro anti inflammatory activity. Methods: Glycyrrhizic acid was extracted using the procedure of maceration. The extract was evaluated for its physicochemical property, biochemical tests and phytochemical properties. The Ii vitro anti- inflammatory activity was evaluated by albumin denaturation technique Results: The results showed that the ash value and the extractive values for the extract were found to be in the limit as given by Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Presence of flavonoids, saponins and triterpinoids were identified in the extract from phytochemical parameters. Thin layer chromatographic technique showed a retention value of 0.5 cm. The percentage inhibition showed that the extract is having some potential of healing inflammation. Conclusion: Glycyrrhizic acid was successfully extracted from licorice roots. The evaluation parameters showed the presence of less impurity in the extract, with the potential of having anti-inflammatory property.Objetivo: El ácido glicirrícico es un componente medicinal ampliamente utilizado como agente antiinflamatorio, agente antiulceroso, agente antialérgico y agente anti-psoriásico. La presente investigación trata de la extracción de ácido glicirrícico a partir de raíces de regaliz y la evaluación de su actividad antiinflamatoria in vitro. Métodos: el ácido glicirrícico fue extraído usando el procedimiento de la maceración. El extracto fue evaluado por su propiedad fisicoquímica, pruebas bioquímicas y propiedades fitoquímicas. La actividad antiinflamatoria in vitro fue evaluada por la técnica de desnaturalización de albúmina Resultados: los resultados demostraron que el valor de la ceniza y los valores extractivos para el extracto se encontraron en el valor límite según lo dado por la farmacopea de Ayurveda de la India. La presencia de flavonoides, de saponinas y de triterpenoides fue identificada en el extracto mediante parámetros fitoquímico. La técnica cromatográfica en capa delgada demostró un valor de retención de 0,5 centímetros. La inhibición porcentual mostró que el extracto tiene algún potencial de curación de la inflamación. Conclusión: el ácido glicirrícico fue extraído con éxito de las raíces de regaliz. Los parámetros de evaluación mostraron la presencia de menos impureza en el extracto, con el potencial de tener propiedades antiinflamatorias

A Method for Two Face Detection and Comparison using Image Processing with MATLAB Techniques

This Research paper designing for two photos face similarity comparison method, first we have to capture camera picture for 13 megapixels of two faces Image. It should be set by Photoshop software from size between 1.5MB to 1.7 MB. The all sample Images to attach in MATLAB software and cerate joint Histogram graph for each Image. Then we get scaling (X, Y) coordinate for each joint Histogram minimum and maximum peak point. Then it should be stored in table format in Ms-Access before the table creation then we used to image processing technique in MATLAB .Then we create coddling sections to compared (Xi,Yi) and (Xj,Yj) where (i = 1,2,3.?.) and (j = 1,2,3,4?.) values. If Xi = Xj and Yi = Yj for each point if both point value are same then output will be ?similar image ? otherwise ? images are not same ?

Comparative Analysis of MANET Routing Protocol by Varying Number of Groups in Group Mobility Model

A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a network consisting of wireless mobile nodes that are self configuring and communicate with each other any centralized infrastructure. Each device in a MANET can move freely and independently in any direction and will therefore change its links to other devices frequently. In order to facilitate the communication within a network, a routing protocol is used to discover the routes between nodes. The preeminent goal of such an ad-hoc network routing protocol is to establish correct and efficient routes between a pair of nodes so that messages are delivered in a timely manner. In this paper, we have compared the performance of MANET routing protocol AODV in Group Mobility Model. We have analyzed the performance of protocol by varying the number of groups in a Group Mobility Model. The simulation has been carried out in Qualnet 6.1. The metrics used for performance are Average Jitter, Throughput, End-End delay and Data Received. It has been observed that AODV gives better result when there are maximum numbers of groups in Group Mobility Model

Comparative study of the smear microscopy, with conventional culture in clinically suspected cases of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the Indian subcontinent. A major challenge to clinical microbiology is the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as accurately as possible. Objective: Tthe most important tool in the diagnosis of tuberculosis is direct microscopic examination of appropriately stained specimens for acid- fast bacilli and the gold standard for diagnosing tuberculosis is MTB convention culture on L-J media So, the present study was undertaken to compare smear microscopy by Z – N staining with conventional culture on L-J media, in cases of clinically suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Methods: 279 samples were processed within 24 hours of receipt. Samples from non-sterile sites were subjected to decontamination by the modified Petroff’s method. Sterile samples were directly processed as per conventional methods. Smear microscopy was done by Z- N staining and culture was done on L- J media. A control organism in the form of M. tuberculosis H37Rv was also tested with each batch of clinical isolates. Result: Results of smear microscopy and conventional culture of pulmonary and extra pulmonary specimens were compared. 22 and 14 more cases were detected by culture as compared to smear in case of pulmonary and extra pulmonary specimens respectively.Conclusion: From this study we can state that direct microscopic examination of appropriately stained Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary specimens for acid fast Bacilli is an important tool in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The Technique is simple, inexpensive and fast .However many Paucibacillary cases may be missed on smear microscopy. Thus specimens from all suspected cases of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis should be subjected to conventional culture on LJ media. This is the Gold Standard for Diagnosing Tuberculosis.