Persistence and Academic Performance of Medical Students in Online Learning Environment During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Government response to the COVID 19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 came as a wave of physical closures requiring sudden change in the method of instruction from face-to-face to a completely online. Assessment of students adaptation to this change during emergency lockdown is the focus of this study. We used a One-way ANOVA to compare pandemic and pre-pandemic Performance of First Year medical students at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the brain and behavior module. Students’ test scores related to perception of persistence levels was studied using correlation analysis. In addition, a regression analysis was performed to examine prediction factors of medical student course grades during COVID-19. Students’ grades in the module during the COVID-19 were significantly higher compared to the grades in recent prior years at the p less than .001 level [F (3, 692) = 9.08]. Pearson product-moment correlation results showed a strong and positive correlation between students’ persistence level (M = 3.46, SD = .997, n = 79), and their module grade during COVID-19 (M = 258.777, SD = 14.6878, n = 79), r = .33, p = less than .01. The multiple linear regression analysis accounts for 14% of the variance in students’ module grades and the variance was statistically significant at p less than .05. As such, we conclude that students’ persistence to adjust to a new learning environment coupled with module directors and faculty successfully employing remote education methods, met the learning challenges during the pandemic and students maintained a high level of academic success

A simplified finite element model for assessing steel fibre reinforced concrete structural performance

The present numerical investigation offers evidence concerning the validity and objectivity of the predictions of a simple, yet practical, finite element model concerning the responses of steel fibre reinforced concrete structural elements under static monotonic and cyclic loading. Emphasis is focused on realistically describing the fully brittle tensile behaviour of plain concrete and the contribution of steel fibres on the post-cracking behaviour it exhibits. The good correlation exhibited between the numerical predictions and their experimental counterparts reveals that, despite its simplicity, the subject model is capable of providing realistic predictions concerning the response of steel fibre reinforced concrete structural configurations exhibiting both ductile and brittle modes of failure without requiring recalibration

Seismic response of steel fibre reinforced concrete beam-column joints

The present research work aims to investigate numerically the behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete beam-column joints under seismic action. Both exterior and interior joint types were examined and 3D nonlinear finite element analyses were carried out using ABAQUS software. The joints were subjected to reversed-cyclic loading, combined with a constant axial force on the column representing gravity loads. The joints were initially calibrated using existing experimental data – to ascertain the validity of the numerical model used – and then parametric studies were carried out using different steel fibre ratios coupled with increased spacing of shear links. The aim was to assess the effect of introducing steel fibres into the concrete mix in order to compensate for a reduced amount of conventional transverse steel reinforcement and hence lessen congestion of the latter. This is particularly useful for joints designed to withstand seismic loading as code requirements (e.g. Eurocode 8) lead to a high amount of shear links provided to protect critical regions. The spacing between shear links was increased by 0%, 50% and 100%, whilst the fibre volume fraction (Vf) was increased by 0%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%. Potential enhancement to ductility, a key requirement in seismic design, was investigated as well as potential improvements to energy absorption and confinement. The work also examined key structural issues such as strength, storey drift, plastic hinges formation and cracking patterns

Numerical Investigation on Reduced Moment Resistance and Increased Reinforcement Spacing in Reinforced Concrete Wall Subjected to Blast Load

Numerical investigation becomes a highly demanding tool for the best design in engineering. With one validated numerical result available, further investigation is possible to conduct. Especially, for the expensive and limited access for civilian to conduct the test like a blast experiment. With the capability of Arbitrary Lagrange Euler (ALE) solver coupling approach between structure and air in AUTODYN, a detail three-dimensional assessment for RC wall on reduced moment resistance and increased reinforcement spacing are conducted. The RC wall has a cross-sectional dimension of 1829 mm x 1219 mm with wall thickness of 305 mm thickness of strip footing. It is subjected to 13.61 kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosive at 1.21 m standoff distance from the centre. The numerical blast impact on RC wall indicated, although the horizontal and vertical flexural reinforcements are reduced from one of the simulated RC walls, it is capable of demonstrating an equivalent strength to the RC wall tested in the experiment

Motivation of Employees towards the Adaptation of Technology

Technological change has become the mode of operation in the 20th century business community. As the workplace product transforms from paper to information services, employers and employees scramble to keep abreast of the rising tide of information and the new service opportunities created by the innovations in technology available to business. Employees are naturally expected to adapt to the ever changing norms of technology. New technological changes face employees in the workplace every day. Some employees embrace the changes that technology brings. They seek new applications for the innovations, while others resist and become defensive. Is the defensive behavior of some, a symptom of a sociological system controlling the individual? Does cognitive ability govern individual attitudes toward technological innovations? Does race, age or gender play a role in one’s perception of incorporation of new technology in the workplace? Is an individual’s attitude predetermined by past experiences? This research is the summary of a review of the literature around the above questions and a try to explore the aspect or factors that really affect the attitude of a person to adopt new technology at work place. The objective is to identify the contributing influences of an individual’s attitude towards a technological innovation in the workplace. Keywords: Employees, Motivation, Information Technology, Training, Success

SAM-SoS: A stochastic software architecture modeling and verification approach for complex System-of-Systems

A System-of-Systems (SoS) is a complex, dynamic system whose Constituent Systems (CSs) are not known precisely at design time, and the environment in which they operate is uncertain. SoS behavior is unpredictable due to underlying architectural characteristics such as autonomy and independence. Although the stochastic composition of CSs is vital to achieving SoS missions, their unknown behaviors and impact on system properties are unavoidable. Moreover, unknown conditions and volatility have significant effects on crucial Quality Attributes (QAs) such as performance, reliability and security. Hence, the structure and behavior of a SoS must be modeled and validated quantitatively to foresee any potential impact on the properties critical for achieving the missions. Current modeling approaches lack the essential syntax and semantics required to model and verify SoS behaviors at design time and cannot offer alternative design choices for better design decisions. Therefore, the majority of existing techniques fail to provide qualitative and quantitative verification of SoS architecture models. Consequently, we have proposed an approach to model and verify Non-Deterministic (ND) SoS in advance by extending the current algebraic notations for the formal models as a hybrid stochastic formalism to specify and reason architectural elements with the required semantics. A formal stochastic model is developed using a hybrid approach for architectural descriptions of SoS with behavioral constraints. Through a model-driven approach, stochastic models are then translated into PRISM using formal verification rules. The effectiveness of the approach has been tested with an end-to-end case study design of an emergency response SoS for dealing with a fire situation. Architectural analysis is conducted on the stochastic model, using various qualitative and quantitative measures for SoS missions. Experimental results reveal critical aspects of SoS architecture model that facilitate better achievement of missions and QAs with improved design, using the proposed approach

Shear behaviour of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete simply supported beams

The structural behaviour of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete beams was studied using non-linear finite-element analysis and existing experimental data. The work aim was to examine the potential of using steel fibres to reduce the amount of conventional transverse steel reinforcement without compromising ductility and strength requirements set out in design codes. To achieve this, the spacing between shear links was increased while steel fibres were added as a substitute. Parametric studies were subsequently carried out and comparisons were also made with BS EN 1992-1-1 predictions. It was concluded that the addition of steel fibres enhanced the load-carrying capacity and also altered the failure mode from a brittle shear mode to a flexural ductile one. The provision of fibres also improved ductility. However, interestingly it was found that adding excessive amounts of fibres led to a less-ductile response. Overall, the study confirmed the potential for fibres to compensate for a reduction in conventional shear reinforcement

Anticonvulsant activity of nitrendipine in albino mice

Background: The objective is to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of nitrendipine in seizure-induced mice.Methods: Albino mice (25-30 g) of either sex were randomly selected and divided into four groups of six mice each. After overnight fasting, Group I received 0.25 ml of propylene glycol and served as the control, Group II received valproic acid (110 mg/kg orally) as standard, Groups III received 5 mg/kg of nitrendipine and 100 mg/kg of valproic acid, Group IV received 5 mg/kg of nitrendipine and 75 mg/kg of valproic acid, and Group V received 5 mg/kg of nitrendipine and 50 mg/kg of valproic acid all of which were administered orally 60 mins prior to the test in this acute study. The anticonvulsant activity was screened using maximal electroshock (MES) model and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model.Results: The nitrendipine showed a considerable reduction in the duration of hindlimb extensor phase in MES model and also delayed the latency of seizures induced by PTZ when compared with control group. The probable mechanism of anticonvulsant action of nitrendipine could be due to its interference with the gamma amino butyric acid type aminergic mechanism, modulation of nicotinic, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.Conclusion: Nitrendipine possesses the anticonvulsant activity and has a beneficial role in epilepsy