Culturally Relevant Science Teaching: A Literature Review

This educational research literature review paper aims to discuss the rationale, review eight empirical research studies, and identify knowledge gaps in culturally relevant pedagogy in science education. This paper focuses on synthesis, review, and comparison of the findings of the empirical studies, and categorizes them into thematic heads such as similarities and differences between studies under the broad categories of professional development (PD) programs and case studies. Following these reviews, the author summarizes her reflections and thoughts about the literature to understand the big picture of culturally relevant pedagogy in science education. The basis of this literature review are various philosophical foundations that undergird the research in this field, looking at the theoretical frameworks and standards in science education, such as Next Generation Science Standards. This paper hopes to identify knowledge gaps for future research and help educators address serious and pressing concerns regarding culturally relevant science teaching in an increasingly diverse world

Oxidant-Antioxidant disturbance in men classified as obese according to the preliminary WHO guidelines for Asians

Background: Though there are experimental and clinical evidences regarding oxidant-antioxidant disturbance in obese subjects, clinical data supporting the same in Indian male subjects is lacking. The objective of the present study was to verify the oxidative stress status of male subjects classified as obese according to the WHO guidelines for Asians.Methods: Thirty six obese men with BMI between 25-30 Kg/m2 and 30 non-obese men with BMI < 25 Kg/m2 were enrolled in the study. Malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, fasting glucose and body mass index were assessed in both the groups.Results: Plasma MDA and erythrocyte activity of glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in the obese subjects when compared with controls. The levels of reduced glutathione were significantly reduced in the obese group when compared with controls. Among the obese group, BMI was significantly associated with MDA and glutathione peroxidase. Further among the obese subjects, glutathione peroxidase correlated significantly with MDA. A significant negative correlation was obtained between MDA and GSH in obese subjects.Conclusion: The data from the present study indicates a significant perturbation of the oxidant – antioxidant status in Indian males considered as obese according to the preliminary WHO guidelines for Asians. The increase in oxidative stress and glutathione peroxidase activity in obesity may contribute towards its pathological complications

A clinical analysis of 50 cases of pathological myopia.

INTRODUCTION: Eye is the most important sense organ of the human body. The primary responsibility of the visual function is carried out by retina. Pathological changes of retina can cause irreversible blindness. Myopia causes impaired visual acquity among school children as well as in adults. Retinal degeneration and retinal detachment is also commonly in myopic patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the clinical features and biometric parameters in pathological myopia. To analyze the visual parameters in relation to posterior polar changes and disc changes. To study the incidence of retinal degenerations and detachment in pathological myopes. To analyze the association of other ocular association like lens changes, open angle glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, strabismus in cases of pathological myopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out at Retina clinic, Regional Institute of ophthalmology and Government ophthalmic hospital Chennai from December 2004 to September 2006 . This is a prospective study.Cases were registered, evaluated, treated and followed up during the study period. Inclusion criteria : a. Patients with a refractive error of > 6.00 D. b. Patients with normal corneal curvature. c. Patients with axial length of > 24 mm. Exclusion criteria : a. Patients with index myopia. b. Patients with abnormal corneal curvature.( curvature myopia were excluded). c. Low degrees of myopia and congenital myopia. d. Other ocular pathologies like micro ophthalmos, ROP, ectopia lentis were excluded. Study design : Myopic patients attending the RIO GOH - OPD between the period December 2004 to September 2006 were selected randomly – criteria applied. SUMMARY: 96 eyes of 50 patients with pathological myopia were analysed based on their axial length, corneal curvature and ocular fundal changes at the posterior pole and in the peripheral retina Highest incidence of pathological myopia was noted in the age group between 21 – 30 yrs. CONCLUSION: Degenerative changes are more commonly seen in higher degrees of myopia & so all cases of myopia must be examined meticulously with indirect ophthalmoscope which can pick up complications at the earliest & can be treated effectively. This can aid in retaining useful ocular function. Awareness need to be created among myopic population regarding visual hygiene, safety precautions, risks & complications involved

Performance Enhancement of MIMO MC-CDMA System employing Cylically Rotated Complete Complementary Codes

Wireless communication needs very high data rate and throughput in order to meet increasing demand for multimedia applications. MC-CDMA technique along with multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technique is used to increase data rate and to reduce the channel impairments. Spreading code plays a major role in CDMA technique, Cyclically rotated complete complementary codes (CRCCCs) are used for spreading which have perfect auto-correlation and cross correlation properties. Bit error rate (BER) can be reduced and have other advantages like high data rate, high throughput, reduced inter symbol interference (ISI) and multiple access interference (MAI). MIMO MC-CDMA system employing CRCCCs is designed and simulation results are shown. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150614

Removable Partial Denture: A “Stopgap” arrangement or a “Stepping stone” for complete dentures?

This review is aimed to discuss the pros and cons of early and uneventful extraction routinely carried out in the dental clinics. Abrupt extractions are damaging physiologically as well as psychologically. Transition is the need of the day and should be stressed. A smooth uneventful transition from natural teeth to artificial ones is the key in a successful patient - dentist relation and a successful treatment

Language rights of Indigenous Tribal Minorities (ITM) and their protection under the ambit of Human Rights Law = Importância dos direitos linguísticos das minorias tribais nativas e sua proteção no âmbito do Direito dos Direitos Humanos

DOI: 10.5102/rdi.v19i3.8407Examina o reconhecimento e a proteção dos direitos linguísticos como parte dos Direitos Humanos, com foco nas comunidades indígenas de minorias tribais em todo o mundo, incluindo estudos de caso da Índia. Analisa como a falta de reconhecimento dos direitos linguísticos das minorias tribais indígenas leva a violações de seus direitos humanos, particularmente no acesso à saúde

TRIP BASED INFERENCE USING AUTOMATED FARE COLLECTION AND NAVIGATING BUS

The methodology is applicable to entry-only system designs coupled with distance-based fare structures, also it aims to boost raw AFC system data using the destination of person journeys. Automated fare collection (AFC) systems are utilized in lots of urban trains and buses systems all over the world. Because the designation indicates, these are generally made with the particular reason for automating the ticketing system, easing trains and buses use for travellers and adding efficiency to revenue collection procedures. It proposes new spatial validation features to improve the precision of destination inference results and also to verify key presumptions contained in previous origin-destination estimation literature. A methodology for estimating the destination of passenger journeys from automated fare collection (AFC) system information is described. The outcomes brought towards the conclusion the methodology works well for estimating journey locations in the disaggregate level and identifies false positives reliably. This paper describes a formula designed to implement the methodology and also the is a result of its application to bus service data from Porto. Additionally, AFC systems are utilized to enable integrated ticketing across different trains and buses modes and operators in cities

Synergistic antibacterial activity of mycosynthesized AgNPs with antibiotics against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and investigation of protein profile

842-848Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been identified as promising bactericidal agents especially towards multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR). Fungi are excellent biogenic sources for synthesizing AgNPs with antibacterial activity. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using Aspergillus niger extract and characterized. Individual and synergistic antibacterial activities of AgNPs were tested against isolated hospital strain of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa by disc diffusion assay. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed to analyse the protein expression before and after treatment with AgNPs. Results revealed the successful synthesis of AgNPs using A. nigerby 24 hrs and the average particle size was measured as 18.72±0.2 nm. AgNPs were predominantly spherical and monodispersed. 18±0.05 mm zone of inhibition was observed for P. aeruginosa when treated with AgNPs alone whereas synergistic treatment of synthesized AgNPs along with Tetracycline showed impressive antibacterial activity (27.32±2 mm). Protein expression of P. aeruginosa varied before and after treatment which was evident from the results. This indicated the effective breakdown of cell wall and cellular proteins on the synergistic treatment of AgNPs and antibiotics. Thus the study demonstrates a feasible and eco-friendly approach to synthesize AgNPs with enhanced antibacterial activity against MDR bacterial strains

Synergistic antibacterial activity of mycosynthesized AgNPs with antibiotics against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and investigation of protein profile

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been identified as promising bactericidal agents especially towards multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR). Fungi are excellent biogenic sources for synthesizing AgNPs with antibacterial activity. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using Aspergillus niger extract and characterized. Individual and synergistic antibacterial activities of AgNPs were tested against isolated hospital strain of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa by disc diffusion assay. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed to analyse the protein expression before and after treatment with AgNPs. Results revealed the successful synthesis of AgNPs using A. nigerby 24 hrs and the average particle size was measured as 18.72±0.2 nm. AgNPs were predominantly spherical and monodispersed. 18±0.05 mm zone of inhibition was observed for P. aeruginosa when treated with AgNPs alone whereas synergistic treatment of synthesized AgNPs along with Tetracycline showed impressive antibacterial activity (27.32±2 mm). Protein expression of P. aeruginosa varied before and after treatment which was evident from the results. This indicated the effective breakdown of cell wall and cellular proteins on the synergistic treatment of AgNPs and antibiotics. Thus the study demonstrates a feasible and eco-friendly approach to synthesize AgNPs with enhanced antibacterial activity against MDR bacterial strains