Problem Solving Strategies among Primary School Teachers

The purpose of this article was to examine problem solving strategies among primary school teachers. The researchers employed survey research design to examine their problem solving strategies. The participants of this study consisted of 120 primary school teachers from a public university in Peninsula Malaysia who enrolled in a 4-year Graduating Teachers Program (Program Pensiswazahan Guru) majored in mathematics. Purposive sampling technique was used to select these participants. This article presents the analysis of the responses of the participants related to a particular problem, namely fencing problem. Result of the study suggests that 79.2% of the participants have successfully solved the fencing problem. They employed various problem solving strategies: (i) trial-and-error (also known as guess-and-check), (ii) using algebra, (iii) making tables, charts or systematic list, (iv) drawing diagrams, (v) identifying pattern, and (vi) logical reasoning. Result of the study also suggests that 85% of the participants used same strategy to check their solutions for the fencing problem without being probed. The implications of the results were also discussed. Keywords: problem solving strategies, primary school teachers, survey research design

Dengue fever in end-stage renal failure patient case report and updated literature review in the diagnostic and management challenges

Dengue viral infection is common in tropical and subtropical parts of the world and may lead to death. There are an estimated 390 million cases of dengue viral infections reported worldwide each year, putting 2.5 billion individuals at risk of this arthropod-borne viruses. The cornerstone of its management is prompt diagnosis, appropriate monitoring, and careful fluid replacement. This is particularly difficult in end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients on maintenance dialysis, as there is a complex issue of the ability of making a prompt diagnosis, the presence of coagulopathy, and the risk of fluid overload due to constant evolving fluid dynamic as part of the dengue fever disease process. There is a serious lack of literature report in the area of dengue infection in ESRF patient. We report a case of a man with ESRF with a delayed diagnosis of dengue viral infection, who admitted at the critical phase of the illness. Despite that, he managed to recover uneventfully with tailored management in his fluid replacement, medication adjustment, and dialysis prescription. Hence, a high index of suspicion is needed when an ESRF patient presents with fever in a dengue-endemic area. A multidisciplinary approach with good collaboration between physician and nephrologist is needed to ensure the best outcome. Renal replacement therapy and medications should be individually tailored according to the patient's clinical condition. We hope that our reported clinical case will contribute to the understanding of the complex issue of management of dengue fever in ESRF patients

Preservice teachers’ assessment knowledge: Do teaching experiences make a difference?

This study aimed to statistically compare preservice teachers’ assessment knowledge in crafting assessment task and selecting assessment method in relation to their teaching experience. This study involved 397 preservice teachers’ who were final year undergraduate students in a local university. The instrument of data collection consisted of eight superitems test. Data collected was analysed by using statistical method (SPSS version 22.0). The result showed that preservice teachers for all categories of teaching experience performed better in the selecting assessment method than crafting assessment task. However, there was no significant differences existed between the three categories of teaching experience of preservice teachers for both standards of assessment knowledge assessed

Halted Lymphocyte Egress via Efferent Lymph Contributes to Lymph Node Hypertrophy During Hypercholesterolemia

Dyslipidemia is a central component of atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome linked to chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction. Previously, we showed that hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E knock out (apoE−/−) mice exhibit systemic effects including skin inflammation and hypertrophic lymph nodes (LNs). However, the mechanisms accounting for LN hypertrophy in these mice remain unknown. Here, we show that hypercholesterolemia led to the accumulation of lymphocytes in LNs. We excluded that the increased number of lymphocytes in expanded LNs resulted from increased lymphocyte proliferation or entry into those LNs. Instead, we demonstrated that the egress of lymphocytes from the enlarged LN of apoE−/− mice was markedly decreased. Impairment in efferent lymphatic emigration of lymphocytes from LNs resulted from an aberrant expansion of cortical and medullary sinuses that became hyperplastic. Moreover, CCL21 was more abundant on these enlarged sinuses whereas lymph levels of sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) were decreased in apoE−/− mice. Normal LN size, lymphatic density and S1P levels were restored by reversing hypercholesterolemia. Thus, systemic changes in cholesterol can sequester lymphocytes in tissue draining LNs through the extensive remodeling of lymphatic sinuses and alteration of the balance between retention/egress signals leading to LN hypertrophy which subsequently may contribute to poor immunity. This study further illustrates the role of lymphatic vessels in immunity through the regulation of immune cell trafficking

Riverine sustainment 2012

Student Integrated ProjectIncludes supplementary materialThis technical report analyzed the Navy's proposed Riverine Force (RF) structure and capabilities for 2012. The Riverine Sustainment 2012 Team (RST) examined the cost and performance of systems of systems which increased RF sustainment in logistically barren environments. RF sustainment was decomposed into its functional areas of supply, repair, and force protection. The functional and physical architectures were developed in parallel and were used to construct an operational architecture for the RF. The RST used mathematical, agent-based and queuing models to analyze various supply, repair and force protection system alternatives. Extraction of modeling data revealed several key insights. Waterborne heavy lift connectors such as the LCU-2000 are vital in the re-supply of the RF when it is operating up river in a non-permissive environment. Airborne heavy lift connectors such as the MV-22 were ineffective and dominated by the waterborne variants in the same environment. Increase in manpower and facilities did appreciable add to the operational availability of the RF. Mean supply response time was the biggest factor effecting operational availability and should be kept below 24 hours to maintain operational availability rates above 80%. Current mortar defenses proposed by the RF are insufficient.N

Diabetic ketoacidosis in end stage renal failure patient on maintenance dialysis – key challenges in management

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a medical emergency which requires prompt management to prevent mortality. Treatment is complicated in end stage renal failure (ESRF) patients due to their altered physiology in sugar metabolism and fluid haemodynamics. To date, there are only a few case reports illustrating the presentation and management of DKA in ESRF patients and a definite guideline on treatment of DKA in ESRF is seriously lacking. We report here a case of an ESRF patient on maintenance haemodialysis, who develops DKA due to missed insulin, and outline our successful treatment plan. We hope our reported case report research can further contribute to the knowledge of DKA management in ESRF

Technical analysis: uncovering the japanese indicators.

The report seeks to understand the relative effectiveness of using Japanese indicators, namely the Kagi and the Renko charting techniques

Characterization of osteogenically induced adipose tissue-derived precursor cells in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional environments

10.1159/000091713Cells Tissues Organs18211-11CTOR

Animal protein versus plant protein in supporting lean mass and muscle strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

10.3390/nu13020661Nutrients1321-1

International collaborative project to compare and monitor the nutritional composition of processed foods

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the world with overnutrition a primary cause of diet-related ill health. Excess energy intake, saturated fat, sugar, and salt derived from processed foods are a major cause of disease burden. Our objective is to compare the nutritional composition of processed foods between countries, between food companies, and over time.Design: Surveys of processed foods will be done in each participating country using a standardized methodology. Information on the nutrient composition for each product will be sought either through direct chemical analysis, from the product label, or from the manufacturer. Foods will be categorized into 14 groups and 45 categories for the primary analyses which will compare mean levels of nutrients at baseline and over time. Initial commitments to collaboration have been obtained from 21 countries.Conclusions: This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable objective and transparent tracking of processed food composition around the world. The information collected will support government and food industry efforts to improve the nutrient composition of processed foods around the world. <br /