The Effectiveness of Using Calibrated Peer Review (CPR) Against Non-CPR (Traditional) Means in Submitting Chemistry Laboratory Reports

This paper examines the impact of the use of CPR in submitting general Chemistry (123L) laboratory report. This is expected to improve writing skills and alleviate grading burdens particularly when dealing with a large class due to lack sufficient instructors and high grading burden. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used in statistical analyses. When ANOVA was used for group I students (11 sections) post-laboratory reports submitted by using CPR revealed F = 0.87, p > 0.01, which implies it is consistent with the null hypothesis. The ANOVA done on group II (15 sections) post-laboratory using CPR revealed F = 2.07, p > 0.01, which is statistically significant. On the other hand, the comparison of students’ who did post-test after using CPR and Non-CPR user revealed t = 4.18, p < 2 x 10-5, t = 6.3, p < 7 x 10-10, which are statistically significant respectively. In addition, comparison using ANOVA for group I who did pre-test and post-test after using CPR and group II which did not use CPR revealed F = 2.94, p < 3 x 10-5, F = 2.20, p < 4 x 10-4, which are statistically significant respectively. It is most probable that the noted achievements may not necessarily be due to the use of CPR because the time spent in this research and size of sample used. Indeed, both t-test, and ANOVA analyses have shown existence differences between pre-test and post-test scores, regardless of whether or not the group used CPR to submit post-laboratory report. Statistical analysis has provided little support to connect the use of CPR programme and student writing skill improvement

Physical Properties of Biomass Fuel Briquette from Oil Palm Residues

Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Mesocarp Fibre (MF) were used for the production of fuel briquettes in this study in order to supplement the energy mix of the nation. PKS was pulverized and then sieved into different grain particles of 350 μm, 250 μm and 150 μm, before mixing with MF in the ratios: 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30 (PKS: MF respectively). Cassava Peel (CP) was used as binder for the briquettes. A 200 kN force was exerted during densification while the waiting time for the briquettes to properly form was 120 seconds. Proximate/physical analysis was carried out and the results showed that briquette series of 150 μm (80:20) has the minimum moisture content of 6.00 % while series 350 μm (90:10) recorded the lowest ash content of 1.50 %. Volatile matter of 72.80 % was recorded from series 150 μm (70:30) as the highest of all the series produced. Briquette series of 350 μm (70:30) have the highest fixed carbon and calorific value of 19.90 % and 18.1063 kJ/g, respectively. The results showed that the fuel briquettes from PKS and MF (especially 350 μm series) could serve as alternative source of energy for domestic and industrial applications. Keywords: Palm kernel shell; Mesocarp fibre; Briquette; Biomass solid fuel; proximate analysis

Recurrent pneumothorax in pregnancy: What should we do after placing an intercostal drain

Recurrent pneumothorax is rare during pregnancy. We describe a Chinese woman, with a history of spontaneous pneumothorax managed with an intercostal drain, who developed a recurrent pneumothorax during her 32nd week of pregnancy. There is no consensus on management in this situation. We review the literature and discuss different management approaches. Thirty-six cases of antepartum pneumothorax have been reported in 31 case reports. An intercostal drain only (n=11) or surgeries (thoracotomy, n=9; or video-assisted thoracoscopy, n=2) were common treatment options with no surgical complications reported. Twenty-two (61%) patients progressed to a normal vaginal delivery, while the rest required forceps delivery (22%) or Caesarean section (14%). No single treatment option outweighed the others. There were no maternal or foetal complications reported in those who underwent antepartum surgical intervention. Surgical management of recurrent pneumothorax during pregnancy is well tolerated.published_or_final_versio

Exploring Swarm-Based Visual Effects

In this paper, we explore the visual effects of animated 2D line strokes and 3D cubes. A given 2D image is segmented into either 2D line strokes or 3D cubes. Each segmented object (i.e., line stroke or each cube) is initialised with the position and the colour of the corresponding pixel in the image. The program animates these objects using the boid framework. This simulates a flocking behavior of line strokes in a 2D space and cubes in a 3D space. In this implementation the animation runs in a cycle from the disintegration of the original image to a swarm of line strokes or 3D cubes, then the swarm moves about and then integrates back into the original image (an example clip has been uploaded to YouTube and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV6h0VzTZ8)

Plasma EGFR Mutation Detection Associated With Survival Outcomes in Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer

published_or_final_versio

Stop stereotyping.

Restraining the expression of stereotypes is a necessary requirement for harmonious living, yet surprisingly little is known about the efficacy of this process. Accordingly, in two experiments, here we used a stop-signal task to establish how effectively stereotype-related responses can be inhibited. In Experiment 1, following the presentation of gender-typed occupational contexts, participants reported the sex of target faces (i.e., Go trials) unless an occasional auditory tone indicated they should withhold their response (i.e., Stop trials). In Experiment 2, following the presentation of male and female faces, participants made either stereotypic or counter-stereotypic judgments, unless a stop signal was presented. Regardless of whether stereotyping was probed indirectly (Experiment 1) or directly (Experiment 2), a consistent pattern of results was observed; inhibition was faster for stereotypic compared with counter-stereotypic responses. These findings demonstrate that stopping stereotyping may be less challenging than has widely been assumed

Mathematically Gifted Adolescents Have Deficiencies in Social Valuation and Mentalization

Many mathematically gifted adolescents are characterized as being indolent, underachieving and unsuccessful despite their high cognitive ability. This is often due to difficulties with social and emotional development. However, research on social and emotional interactions in gifted adolescents has been limited. The purpose of this study was to observe differences in complex social strategic behaviors between gifted and average adolescents of the same age using the repeated Ultimatum Game. Twenty-two gifted adolescents and 24 average adolescents participated in the Ultimatum Game. Two adolescents participate in the game, one as a proposer and the other as a responder. Because of its simplicity, the Ultimatum Game is an apt tool for investigating complex human emotional and cognitive decision-making in an empirical setting. We observed strategic but socially impaired offers from gifted proposers and lower acceptance rates from gifted responders, resulting in lower total earnings in the Ultimatum Game. Thus, our results indicate that mathematically gifted adolescents have deficiencies in social valuation and mentalization

Reference values of haematological parameters of healthy adults in the north central zone of Nigeria

Background: Haematological parameters differ from one population to another due to several factors. To determine the clinical implication of the blood parameters of an individual in the state of health or disease, we need to have the knowledge of the normal reference range for that locality.Objectives: To determine the reference values of haematological parameters of apparently healthy adults in Ilorin.Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.Setting: Ilorin, North Central zone of NigeriaSubjects: Nine hundred and ten (443 males and 467 females) randomly selected normal, HIV negative individuals aged 18-65 yearsResults: The red blood cell count, Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCHC were significantly higher among males than females while the platelet count, total WBC count and absolute neutrophil count were significantly higher in females than in males. There was however no significant gender difference in the values of MCV, MCH and absolute lymphocyte count. The normal reference values obtained in this study were notably different from those that are used currently in the hospital.Conclusion: The normal reference value obtained in this study was notable different from those that are currently used in the hospital. These findings will have clinical implications regarding the adjustment of our current reference values and definitely add value to the management of patients in this part of the country

Comets, historical records and vedic literature

A verse in book I of Rigveda mentions a cosmic tree with rope-like aerial roots held up in the sky. Such an imagery might have ensued from the appearance of a comet having `tree stem' like tail, with branched out portions resembling aerial roots. Interestingly enough, a comet referred to as `heavenly tree' was seen in 162 BC, as reported by old Chinese records. Because of weak surface gravity, cometary appendages may possibly assume strange shapes depending on factors like rotation, structure and composition of the comet as well as solar wind pattern. Varahamihira and Ballala Sena listed several comets having strange forms as reported originally by ancient seers such as Parashara, Vriddha Garga, Narada and Garga. Mahabharata speaks of a mortal king Nahusha who ruled the heavens when Indra, king of gods, went into hiding. Nahusha became luminous and egoistic after absorbing radiance from gods and seers. When he kicked Agastya (southern star Canopus), the latter cursed him to become a serpent and fall from the sky. We posit arguments to surmise that this Mahabharata lore is a mythical recounting of a cometary event wherein a comet crossed Ursa Major, moved southwards with an elongated tail in the direction of Canopus and eventually went out of sight. In order to check whether such a conjecture is feasible, a preliminary list of comets (that could have or did come close to Canopus) drawn from various historical records is presented and discussed.Comment: This work was presented in the International Conference on Oriental Astronomy held at IISER, Pune (India) during November, 201