Mind-mapping strategy in process writing approach: Idea extension evidence for introductory paragraph

Extending ideas in essay writing is challenging for many ESL students, let alone the low ones. The students need help writing ideas, even in the introductory paragraph. Mind mapping strategy could help students develop ideas by forming wh-questions using identified keywords. Hence, this research is conducted to determine the evidence of a mind-mapping strategy in extending ideas for writing introductory paragraphs in the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Writing Task 2 (Extended Essay). Also, it intends to explore the students’ steps in the mind-mapping strategy to extend ideas in the introductory paragraph writing process. The research design is a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach where data were gathered through a needs assessment survey, diagnostic tests, and semi-structured interviews. Process writing activities were designed as a treatment after the survey, and pre-test scores supported the necessity to employ the mind-mapping strategy to the experimental group. Conversely, a control group was formed to contrast the strategy with free writing activities. Test scores of the two groups after eight weeks of the treatment were compared using Klimova’s (2014) writing components. The diagnostic pre and post-test scores on ideas extension showed evidence of the strategy. The qualitative findings also augmented the strategy’s usefulness in five aspects: 1) as an idea generation strategy; 2) using keywords and wh-questions; 3) clear step-by-step processes; 4) improved idea development; and 5) the importance of a good beginning. Further study could expand the strategy’s advantages in idea extension and content paragraph organisation for the MUET writing tasks and other essay writing processes

Questioning strategy in process writing approach : Evidence for idea extension in introductory paragraph

Many students at the tertiary level find it hard to have ideas in the introductory paragraph. One way to overcome that issue is by applying a questioning strategy. The convergent parallel design of qualitative and quantitative methods is adopted to collect data through a need assessment survey, diagnostic tests, and face-to-face interviews. Process writing activities were designed after the needs assessment survey findings, and pre-test scores showed the necessity to introduce the questioning strategy to the experimental group. On the other hand, the control group was formed to contrast the strategy with free writing activities. Tests scores of the two groups after 18 weeks of the writing process activities were compared using Klimova’s (2014) writing assessment criteria. The scores of diagnostic pre and post-tests on ideas extension showed that most of the experimental students’ scores were better than those in the control group. The questioning strategy in the process writing approach improved the students’ ideas for the introductory paragraph compared to free process writing. The strategy’s effectiveness could be extended to help students develop ideas and organise content paragraphs

Spatial Pattern Recognition of School Performance Based on Anthropometric and Motor Parameters using Multivariate Analysis and Kriging Interpolation Technique

The purpose of this study is to determine spatial pattern recognition of school performance based on children’s anthropometric and motor skills component. This study involved 93 primary schools with a total 2237 male students aged 7.30±0.28 years in Pahang, Malaysia. The parameters of anthropometric (weight and height) and motor component included low muscular power (standing broad jump), flexibility (sit and reach), coordination (hand wall toss) and speed (20 meter run) were selected. Cluster Analysis (CA) and Discriminat Analysis (DA) under Multivariate Method and technique of Kriging Interpolation in Geographic Interpolation Software (GIS) were used. CA revealed two clusters of school performance. There are a total 34 high performance schools (HPS) and 60 low performance schools (LPS). Then, the assigned groups were treated as independent variable (IV) while anthropometric and motor parameters were treated as dependent variable (DV) in DA. Standard mode of DA obtained 95.74% correctness of classification matrix with three discriminated variables (height, standing broad jump and 20 meter run) out of six variables. Meanwhile, forward and backward stepwise mode of DA discriminated only one (standing broad jump) out of six variables with 96.81% of classification correctness. The map output of Kriging interpolation has shown graphically the pattern of discriminated variables that greatly influence school performance. It exposed the ability of children develop their motor skills in particular region is higher than another region. This finding would suggest that follow up studies must be carried up to investigate the factors of these pattern could happened

Generation of femtosecond pulsed from TI:Ssapphire oscillator

A Ti:Sapphire oscillator was aligned to form a Z" folded cavity. Diode pumped solid state laser with wavelength of 532 nm was employed as a pumping source. The oscillator comprised a set of mirrors including high reflectivity of 99.8% mirror and an output coupler with 5% transmission. A pair of prism was interposed into the cavity to induce mode-locked pulses. External perturbation was introduced to initiate femtopulse generation. The femtosecond pulse spectrum was found to be centered at 806.74 nm with bandwidth of 24.8 nm at full width half maximum (FWHM). The pulse duration of the signal is estimated to be as 27.56 femtosecon

A Nested Allele-Specific Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Method for the Detection of DRD2 Polymorphisms

Background: The dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) plays a role in many diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and addictive behaviour. Methods currently available for the detection of DRD2 polymorphisms are costly and cannot detect all 8 polymorphisms of our research interest simultaneously (Val96Ala, Leu141Leu, Val154Ile, Pro310Ser, Ser311Cys, TaqI A, A-241G, and −141C Ins/Del). Therefore, we developed a nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection of these polymorphisms. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood using standardised methods. Primers specific at the 3’-end for the polymorphic sites were designed. A two-step PCR method was developed. In the first PCR, a region from exon 3 to 4, exon 7, the promoter region, and the 3’-region of DRD2 were specifically amplified. The products were subsequently used as templates in the second PCR. Sequencing was performed to validate the test results. Results: Specific bands corresponding to the amplified product of interest were obtained. The method was reproducible and specific when used to genotype patients with schizophrenia. The amplified sequences showed 100% homology to the DRD2 sequence. Conclusion: The method was found to be simple, rapid, specific, and reproducible for the simultaneous detection of the DRD2 polymorphisms

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)