Synthesizing Huber\u27s Problem Solving and Kolb\u27s Learning Cycle: A Balanced Approach to Technical Problem Solving

How do we model and improve technical problem solving, such as network subnetting? This paper reports an experimental study that tested several hypotheses derived from Kolb\u27s experiential learning cycle and Huber\u27s problem solving model. As subjects solved a network subnetting problem, they mapped their mental processes according to Huber\u27s problem solving stages by tapping a keypad. Based on Kolb\u27s model, concrete and abstract representations of the subnetting problems were tested to determine whether the form of the problem representation improved performance. For subjects for whom full process data was available, nine of the ten hypotheses were supported. A partial least squares model was developed which explained 27.5 percent of the variance in performance with three predictors. Two of the three predictors for performance were from the Kolb side of the integrated model, whereas the third predictor was from the Huber side. We draw some implications for research and practice, based on the integrated model to explain performance. We conclude that technical problem solving can be modeled as an integration of Kolb\u27s experiential learning cycle and Huber\u27s stages of problem solving. Additional research is needed to extend Kolb\u27s cycle and Huber\u27s stages to other knowledge intensive problem solving domains and to a more diverse set of problem solvers

Effect of xylanase immobilisation conditions by combination of entrapment and covalent binding on alginate beads

The immobilisation of enzymes offer improvement in enzyme stability and characteristics as well as overcome the limitations of free enzyme systems for commercial purposes. In the current study, xylanase was immobilised using a combination technique of entrapment and covalent binding within and onto calcium alginate beads. The sodium alginate and calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentration used for the preparation of alginate beads which is the support matrix for xylanase immobilisation were fixed at 3% (w/v) and 0.3 M, respectively. The effect of immobilisation conditions (agitation rate, enzyme loading, and glutaraldehyde concentration) were studied using One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) approach. The best condition for optimum immobilisation yield (83.93%) was found to be made up of the following parameter combination: agitation rate, 200 rpm; xylanase loading, 200 U; and glutaraldehyde concentration, 12% (w/w). The study shows the immobilisation conditions play a significant role towards the immobilisation yield of xylanase

The mitochondrial genome of Angiostrongylus mackerrasae as a basis for molecular, epidemiological and population genetic studies

BACKGROUND: Angiostrongylus mackerrasae is a metastrongyloid nematode endemic to Australia, where it infects the native bush rat, Rattus fuscipes. This lungworm has an identical life cycle to that of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. The ability of A. mackerrasae to infect non-rodent hosts, specifically the black flying fox, raises concerns as to its zoonotic potential. To date, data on the taxonomy, epidemiology and population genetics of A. mackerrasae are unknown. Here, we describe the mitochondrial (mt) genome of A. mackerrasae with the aim of starting to address these knowledge gaps. METHODS: The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of A. mackerrasae was amplified from a single morphologically identified adult worm, by long-PCR in two overlapping amplicons (8 kb and 10 kb). The amplicons were sequenced using the MiSeq Illumina platform and annotated using an in-house pipeline. Amino acid sequences inferred from individual protein coding genes of the mt genomes were concatenated and then subjected to phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference. RESULTS: The mt genome of A. mackerrasae is 13,640 bp in size and contains 12 protein coding genes (cox1-3, nad1-6, nad4L, atp6 and cob), and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. CONCLUSIONS: The mt genome of A. mackerrasae has similar characteristics to those of other Angiostrongylus species. Sequence comparisons reveal that A. mackerrasae is closely related to A. cantonensis and the two sibling species may have recently diverged compared with all other species in the genus with a highly specific host selection. This mt genome will provide a source of genetic markers for explorations of the epidemiology, biology and population genetics of A. mackerrasae

Effect of altered eating habits and periods during Ramadan fasting on intraocular pressure, tear secretion, corneal and anterior chamber parameters

Purpose To determine whether altered eating habits and periods, especially the pre-dawn meal, during Ramadan fasting have any significant effect on intraocular pressure (IOP), tear secretion, corneal and anterior chamber parameters. Methods IOP, basal tear secretion (BTS), reflex tear secretion (RTS), and Pentacam measurements of 31 healthy volunteers were performed at 0800 and 1600 hours during Ramadan fasting and 1 month later during non-fasting period. Results Comparison of measurements between fasting and non-fasting periods at 0800 hours revealed significantly higher values for IOP (P = 0.005), RTS (P = 0.006), and BTS (P = 0.014) during fasting. Conversely at 1600 hours, IOP = was significantly lower during fasting (P = 0.013) and no statistically significant difference was noted for RTS and BTS. IOP showed a diurnal variation of 2.45 mmHg (P <0.001) and BTS showed a 3.06 mm decrease (P = 0.04) during the fasting period. No significant differences could be found in the corneal and anterior chamber parameters during fasting and non-fasting periods. Conclusions Our results revealed that fluid loading at the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan fasting might increase the IOP = and tear secretion in the early morning period and these values decrease remarkably at the end of 12 h of fasting due to dehydration. Eye (2010) 24, 97-100; doi: 10.1038/eye.2009.96; published online 8 May 200

Relationship between eye dominance and pattern electroretinograms in normal human subjects

PubMedID: 15764000The authors conducted a study in 100 non-smoker healthy normal human subjects to find a relationship between eye dominance and macular function as tested by using transient stimulus and electroretinography. Eye preference procedure was carried out using two reference points and pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) were recorded using black and white checks, each check subtending 23'. Trace averager was retriggered every 300 milliseconds (ms) with data collection time of 150 ms. The difference in PERG P50 amplitudes between right and left eyes was analyzed using Student's t test. There was no significant difference in PERG P50 amplitudes between the right and left eye dominant subjects as well as no significant differences between the right and left eyes in right eye dominants and left eye dominants, but in the left-eye dominant group the left eye PERG P50 amplitudes were significantly higher in females than males. Although pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials of healthy subjects provide electrophysiological evidence of lateralization in the nervous system, sensory eye dominance seems to have no correlation with macular function

Students' Satisfaction on the Quality of Service University Parcel Centre (Upc): a Focus on Uum

The purpose of this paper is to measure the level of students' satisfaction on University Parcel Centre (UPC) among University Utara Malaysia (UUM) students. The University Parcel Centre (UPC) play pivotal role in providing fundamental services to classify, arrange and store the students' parcel which arrive from the third-party couriers. It also recognizes as a one stop parcel hub center, so that students can collect their respective parcel by themselves at UPC. This study has adopted SERVQUAL model as the research framework. The five dimensions of this model which are tangibility, assurance, reliability, responsiveness and empathy were used to determine its effect on students' satisfaction on using the UPC services. This study adopted quantitative research design. A total of 370 respondents participated in the survey from which all of them were taken from around 20,000 UUM students living in campus. The Cronbach's Alpha score was 0.813. The findings showed that all the factors tested (tangible, reliability, responsiveness and empathy) were significant with positive relationship. Only one factor (assurance) is not significant. Strategies and dynamic initiatives should be driven by these factors to improve UPC service quality

Three-dimensional structure of Wza, the protein required for translocation of group 1 capsular polysaccharide across the outer membrane of <i>Echerichia coli</i>

Wza is a highly conserved multimeric outer membrane protein complex required for the surface expression of the serotype K30 group 1 capsular polysaccharide in Escherichia coli. Here we present the first three-dimensional structure of this type of polysaccharide exporter at a 15.5-Angstrom resolution obtained using single particle averaging on a dataset of cryo-negatively stained protein. Previous structural studies on purified Wza have revealed a homo-oligomeric ring structure that is most probably composed of eight subunits. Symmetry analysis of the three-dimensional structure combined with biochemical two-and three-dimensional crystallographic data strongly suggest that Wza is an octameric complex with a C4 quasi-rotational symmetry and is organized as a tetramer of dimeric subunits. Wza is best described as a stack of two 4-Angstrom high rings with differing diameters providing a mushroom-like aspect from the side. The larger ring has a distinctive square shape with a diameter of 115 Angstrom, whereas the smaller is almost circular with a diameter of 90 Angstrom. In the center of the complex and enclosed by the four symmetrical arms is a small elliptical cagelike cavity of similar to 40 Angstrom in diameter. The central cavity is effectively sealed at the top and bottom of the complex but has small inter-arm holes when viewed from the side. We discuss the structure of this complex and implications in the surface translocation of cell-surface polysaccharide.</p