Identification of Continuing Professional Development Needs of Primary School English Teachers of Kuala Terenganu District

The study was carried out mainly to identify the perceived needs for continuing professional development of primary school English teachers of Kuala Terengganu District. It also sought to find out the relationship between selected variables and the perceived needs for continuing professional development. The data was collected using a questionnaire from 82 primary school English teachers of Kuala Terengganu district. The findings of the study indicated that majority of the respondents have high perceived needs for continuing professional development. The study also revealed that the respondents have perceived needs in all the six categories identified in the questionnaire which were (A) Knowledge, (B) Teaching Strategies, (C) Classroom-Based Skills, (D) Pastoral Care, (E) Student Management Skills and (F) Personal Development. It was found that there was a significant correlation between age and perceived needs for continuing professional development but it was low in nature. The study recommended that provision of professional development activities for primary school English teachers of Kuala Terengganu District should be based on a needs assessment and teachers should be allowed to choose in-service courses based on their own needs. The study has also suggested that further research should be conducted to obtain a more in-depth view of the perception of professional needs of English teachers through other research designs

A study on functional outcome of biological reconstruction of acromioclavicular joint dislocations type III to VI using semitendinosus graft with endobutton: Prospective study

BACKGROUND: Acromio clavicular joint dislocations are common in physically active young adults that too most common in persons who are participating in sports activities. incidence is more in males who are participating in contact sports like rugby , basket ball, hockey. It accounts for 9% of all shoulder injuries. The injury severity is graded according to the Rockwood classification system. The aim of surgical treatment is to restore normal anatomy and to regain normal shoulder function in type III to VI. Many surgical procedures have been reported, including transarticular pins or screws; AC wire or suture fixation; coracoclavicular (CC) screws; and CC fixation with synthetic grafts. Patients and methods: This was a prospective study of 14 patients with acute grades III–V AC joint dislocations through anatomic reconstruction of the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligament using autogenous semitendinosus tendon. There were 12 male and 2 female patients, ranging in age from 26 to 60 years (mean 39 years). The right shoulder was involved in 10 patients (70%) and the left shoulder was involved in four (30%). The primary diagnosis was AC joint dislocation Rockwood type III in thirteen patients, type v in one. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 12 months (12–24 months). On constant score, 7patients had excellent outcome, 6patient had good outcome and 1 patient had adequate outcome. The procedure allowed for both satisfactory functional outcome and a low complication rate, with excellent or good results in 94% of the patients, with full return to previous activities in 12 months. CONCLUSION: Biological reconstruction with autugenous semitendinosus graft provides near normal anatomical reconstruction of Acromioclavicular joint with ligament complex (AC&CC) with better stability and mobility

A Method to Identify and Isolate Pluripotent Human Stem Cells and Mouse Epiblast Stem Cells Using Lipid Body-Associated Retinyl Ester Fluorescence.

We describe the use of a characteristic blue fluorescence to identify and isolate pluripotent human embryonic stem cells and human-induced pluripotent stem cells. The blue fluorescence emission (450–500 nm) is readily observed by fluorescence microscopy and correlates with the expression of pluripotency markers (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG). It allows easy identification and isolation of undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells, high-throughput fluorescence sorting and subsequent propagation. The fluorescence appears early during somatic reprogramming. We show that the blue fluorescence arises from the sequestration of retinyl esters in cytoplasmic lipid bodies. The retinoid-sequestering lipid bodies are specific to human and mouse pluripotent stem cells of the primed or epiblast-like state and absent in naive mouse embryonic stem cells. Retinol, present in widely used stem cell culture media, is sequestered as retinyl ester specifically by primed pluripotent cells and also can induce the formation of these lipid bodies

Isolation and characterization of a biosurfactant-producing heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM isolated from chromium-contaminated soil

Objective of the study was to isolate heavy metal resistant bacteria from chromium-contaminated subsurface soil and investigate biosurfactant production and heavy metal bioremediation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the isolate was identified as Rahnella sp. RM. The biosurfactant production by heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM was optimized using Box- Behnken design (BBD). The maximum emulsification activity was obtained 66% at 6% soybean meal in pH 7.0 and 33.5°C. The biosurfactant was characterized using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The highest metal removal rates using the biosurfactant were found 74.3, 72.5, and 70.1%, respectively, at the 100 mg/L amended flasks at 48 h. This study indicated the biosurfactant from heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM could be used as a potential tool to remediate the metals in contaminated environments

Cross sectional, qualitative thematic analysis of patient perspectives of disease impact in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis

BACKGROUND: Chronic health conditions in children can have a significant impact on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the subjective experience of children and young people being treated for chronic, non-infectious uveitis associated with a systemic disease such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. METHODS: A semi-structured interview was conducted with 10 children and young people aged between 6 and 18 years of age and their parents. RESULTS: Preliminary thematic analysis indicated that both the treatment and complications of the disorder have a significant impact on the quality of life and emotional well-being of patients, not only in terms of the discomfort experienced but also in perceptions of social isolation, anxiety and sense of injustice. CONCLUSION: This study shows that themes including "impact on school", "social factors" and "emotional reactions" are important domains influencing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with chronic uveitis. Inclusion of questions relating to these domains should be considered in future uveitis-specific tools examining HRQoL in these patients

Influence of mineral admixtures on the properties of self-compacting concrete: An overview

Mineral admixtures are often utilized in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) mixtures to provide stability and resistance to bleeding and segregation throughout transportation and placement. Additionally, these more refined materials help in lowering building costs and reducing the use of main resources. SCC is an innovative method of concrete, which is placed and compacted without the use of vibration. As a result, the concrete mixture has the ability to flow under its self-weight to fully fill formwork and achieve total compaction even when reinforced by crowded reinforcement. However, self-compacting concrete is not cost-effective, which results in the use of large amounts of ordinary cement and chemical admixtures. The utilization of mineral admixtures, including silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, and coal bottom ash, is an alternative method to decrease the high cost of self-compacting concrete - it is a term, which refers to the components that have been finely divided and added to concrete during the mixing process. Furthermore, the utilization of admixtures in the fabrication of self-compacting concrete has shown that it helps in lowering the heat of hydration. In addition, the inclusion of admixtures reduces the necessity for chemical admixtures that increase viscosity in concrete mixtures. This study aims to provide an overview of the previously conducted studies on mineral admixtures, which are utilized in SCC. Moreover, the study aims to discuss the durability and mechanical performance of SCC

Salinity changes in the estuary and the coastal sea adjacent to the portmouth at Cochin

The article deals with the details of salinity changes in the Cochin estuary and its influence and interrelations with the Vembanad lake