Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Gauge Students’ Reading Comprehension Performance

Assessment is an essential part of the teaching-learning process. Students’ learning can be measured by different procedures. Despite a significant increase in test procedures, numerous issues surrounding testing of comprehension remain unresolved. This paper investigates the relationship between the level of thinking processes in comprehension questions and the students` performance. The findings indicate that the level of questions designed according to Bloom’s Taxonomy influence the students’ performance in answering comprehension questions. The findings conclude that there’s a relationship between the level of thinking processes needed and the students’ ability to answer these questions correctly. This paper provides a common base for further discussionsont the undergraduates’ competence in English Language as well as the recommendations on the techniques that could be used to handle higher order level questions. Keywords: Level of thinking process; Reading Comprehension Questions; Performance; Bloom’s Taxonomy; Multiple choice questions (MCQs) Résumé: L'évaluation est une partie essentielle du processus de l'enseignement-apprentissage. L'apprentissage des élèves peut être mesuré par des procédures différentes. Malgré un accroissement significatif dans les procédures de test, de nombreuses questions concernant les tests de compréhension restent non résolues. Cet article étudie la relation entre le niveau des processus de pensée dans les questions de compréhension et de la performance des étudiants. Les résultats indiquent que le niveau de questions conçues selon la taxonomie de Bloom influence sur la performance des élèves dans leurs réponses aux questions de compréhension. Les résultats concluent qu'il y a une relation entre le niveau de processus de pensée nécessaire et la capacité des élèves à répondre à ces questions correctement. Ce document fournit une base commune pour des discussions plus approfondies sur la compétence de l'anglais des élèves de premier cycle, ainsi que les recommandations sur les techniques qui pourraient être utilisées pour traiter des questions d'un plus haut niveau.Mots-clés: niveau de processus de pensées; questions sur la compréhension écrite; performance; taxonomie de Bloom; questions de choix multiple (MCQs

Gendered-Linked Differences in Speech Styles: Analysing Linguistic and Gender in the Malaysian Context

This study aims to look at the differences in speech styles of Malaysian men and women. The assertion that women and men typically employ different linguistic style is pursued in a wide range of studies. There is significant interest in the sociolinguistic variation associated with the speaker’s gender. Over the last few years there has been an explosion of research in this field. Research conducted to date in anthropology and education clearly states that gender-specific patterns of behavior remain relevant factors and important social variables to be analyzed through the most common cultural codes of society, which is its language. Turning to linguistic differences between women and men, there do seem to be linguistic features that are stereotypically associated with men and women, and there is a large measure of agreement about the association of such features with one of the other gender. Gender is the term used to describe socially constructed categories based on sex. Most societies operate in terms of two genders, masculine and feminine, and it is tempting to treat the category of gender as a simple binary opposition. This paper limits itself to describe language use, in particular the different usage of women and men as speakers. Particular attention is given to the usage of five linguistic features; questions, hedges, adjectives, verbosity and politeness. Subsequent discussion of language of women and men will be presented in sociolinguistic terms.Key words: speech styles, linguistic, gender, hedges, sociolinguisticsRésumé: Cette étude vise à examiner les différences dans les styles de discours des hommes et des femmes malaisiens. L'affirmation que les femmes et les hommes emploient généralement des styles linguistiques différents est poursuivie dans un large éventail d'études. Il y a un intérêt significatif dans la variation sociolinguistique associée au sexe du locuteur. Au cours des dernières années, il y a eu une explosion des recherches dans ce domaine. Les recherches menées à ce jour dans l'anthropologie et l'éducation montre clairement que des modèles spécifiques de comportement des sexes restent des facteurs pertinents et des variables sociales importantes à être analysées à travers les codes culturels les plus courants de la société, c’est-à-dire la langue. Quant aux différences linguistiques entre les femmes et les hommes, il semble qu’il y a des éléments linguistiques stéréotypiquement associés aux hommes et aux femmes, et qu’il y a un vaste accord sur l'association de ces caractéristiques avec l'un de l'autre sexe. Le genre est le terme utilisé pour décrire les catégories socialement construites fondées sur le sexe. La plupart des sociétés marchent en fonction de deux genres, masculin et féminin, et il est tentant de traiter la catégorie des sexes comme une opposition binaire simple. Le présent article se limite à décrire l'usage des langues, notamment l'usage différent des femmes et des hommes en tant que locuteurs. Une attention particulière est accordée à l'utilisation de cinq caractéristiques linguistiques, c’est-à-dire les questions, les haies, les adjectifs, la verbosité et la politesse. Les discussions subséquentes de la langue des femmes et des hommes sera présentées en termes sociolinguistiques.Mots-Clés: style de discours, linguistique, sexe, refuge, sociolinguistiqu

Development of an optimal manufacturing strategy for low-volume specialty vehicles

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84).by Asoka Veeravagu.S.M.M.B.A

Microsurgical vs. Endoscopic Excision of Colloid Cysts: An Analysis of Complications and Costs Using a Longitudinal Administrative Database

ObjectiveOpen microsurgical and endoscopic approaches are the two main surgical options for excision of colloid cysts. Controversy remains as to which is superior. Previous studies consist of small cohort sizes. This topic has not been investigated using national administrative claims data which benefits from larger patient numbers.MethodsCurrent Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease version 9 (ICD-9) coding at inpatient visit was used to select for index surgical procedures corresponding to microsurgical or endoscopic excision of colloid cysts. Comorbidities, costs, and complications were collected.ResultsWe identified a total of 483 patients. In all, 240 were from the microsurgical cohort and 243 were from the endoscopic cohort. The two groups displayed similar demographic and comorbidity profiles. Thirty-day post-operative complications were also similar between groups with the exception of seizures and thirty-day readmissions, both higher in the open surgical cohort. The seizure rates were 14.7 and 5.4% in the microsurgical and endoscopic cohorts, respectively (p = 0.0011). The thirty-day readmission rates were 17.3 and 9.6% in the microsurgical and endoscopic cohorts, respectively (p = 0.0149). Index admission costs and 90-day post discharge payments were higher in patients receiving microsurgical excision.ConclusionAn analysis of administrative claims data revealed few differences in surgical complications following colloid cyst excision via microsurgical and endoscopic approaches. Post-operative seizures and thirty-day readmissions were seen at higher frequency in patients who underwent microsurgical resection. Despite similar complication profiles, patients undergoing microsurgical excision experienced higher index admission costs and 90-day aggregated costs suggesting that complications may have been more severe in this group

Global adoption of robotic technology into neurosurgical practice and research

Recent technological advancements have led to the development and implementation of robotic surgery in several specialties, including neurosurgery. Our aim was to carry out a worldwide survey among neurosurgeons to assess the adoption of and attitude toward robotic technology in the neurosurgical operating room and to identify factors associated with use of robotic technology. The online survey was made up of nine or ten compulsory questions and was distributed via the European Association of the Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in February and March 2018. From a total of 7280 neurosurgeons who were sent the survey, we received 406 answers, corresponding to a response rate of 5.6%, mostly from Europe and North America. Overall, 197 neurosurgeons (48.5%) reported having used robotic technology in clinical practice. The highest rates of adoption of robotics were observed for Europe (54%) and North America (51%). Apart from geographical region, only age under 30, female gender, and absence of a non-academic setting were significantly associated with clinical use of robotics. The Mazor family (32%) and ROSA (26%) robots were most commonly reported among robot users. Our study provides a worldwide overview of neurosurgical adoption of robotic technology. Almost half of the surveyed neurosurgeons reported having clinical experience with at least one robotic system. Ongoing and future trials should aim to clarify superiority or non-inferiority of neurosurgical robotic applications and balance these potential benefits with considerations on acquisition and maintenance costs.Scientific Assessment and Innovation in Neurosurgical Treatment Strategie

Sparse canonical correlation analysis for identifying, connecting and completing gene-expression networks

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We generalized penalized canonical correlation analysis for analyzing microarray gene-expression measurements for checking completeness of known metabolic pathways and identifying candidate genes for incorporation in the pathway. We used Wold's method for calculation of the canonical variates, and we applied ridge penalization to the regression of pathway genes on canonical variates of the non-pathway genes, and the elastic net to the regression of non-pathway genes on the canonical variates of the pathway genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We performed a small simulation to illustrate the model's capability to identify new candidate genes to incorporate in the pathway: in our simulations it appeared that a gene was correctly identified if the correlation with the pathway genes was 0.3 or more. We applied the methods to a gene-expression microarray data set of 12, 209 genes measured in 45 patients with glioblastoma, and we considered genes to incorporate in the glioma-pathway: we identified more than 25 genes that correlated > 0.9 with canonical variates of the pathway genes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We concluded that penalized canonical correlation analysis is a powerful tool to identify candidate genes in pathway analysis.</p

Global adoption of robotic technology into neurosurgical practice and research

Recent technological advancements have led to the development and implementation of robotic surgery in several specialties, including neurosurgery. Our aim was to carry out a worldwide survey among neurosurgeons to assess the adoption of and attitude toward robotic technology in the neurosurgical operating room and to identify factors associated with use of robotic technology. The online survey was made up of nine or ten compulsory questions and was distributed via the European Association of the Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in February and March 2018. From a total of 7280 neurosurgeons who were sent the survey, we received 406 answers, corresponding to a response rate of 5.6%, mostly from Europe and North America. Overall, 197 neurosurgeons (48.5%) reported having used robotic technology in clinical practice. The highest rates of adoption of robotics were observed for Europe (54%) and North America (51%). Apart from geographical region, only age under 30, female gender, and absence of a non-academic setting were significantly associated with clinical use of robotics. The Mazor family (32%) and ROSA (26%) robots were most commonly reported among robot users. Our study provides a worldwide overview of neurosurgical adoption of robotic technology. Almost half of the surveyed neurosurgeons reported having clinical experience with at least one robotic system. Ongoing and future trials should aim to clarify superiority or non-inferiority of neurosurgical robotic applications and balance these potential benefits with considerations on acquisition and maintenance costs

Tumor Heterogeneity: Mechanisms and Bases for a Reliable Application of Molecular Marker Design

Tumor heterogeneity is a confusing finding in the assessment of neoplasms, potentially resulting in inaccurate diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tests. This tumor heterogeneity is not always a random and unpredictable phenomenon, whose knowledge helps designing better tests. The biologic reasons for this intratumoral heterogeneity would then be important to understand both the natural history of neoplasms and the selection of test samples for reliable analysis. The main factors contributing to intratumoral heterogeneity inducing gene abnormalities or modifying its expression include: the gradient ischemic level within neoplasms, the action of tumor microenvironment (bidirectional interaction between tumor cells and stroma), mechanisms of intercellular transference of genetic information (exosomes), and differential mechanisms of sequence-independent modifications of genetic material and proteins. The intratumoral heterogeneity is at the origin of tumor progression and it is also the byproduct of the selection process during progression. Any analysis of heterogeneity mechanisms must be integrated within the process of segregation of genetic changes in tumor cells during the clonal expansion and progression of neoplasms. The evaluation of these mechanisms must also consider the redundancy and pleiotropism of molecular pathways, for which appropriate surrogate markers would support the presence or not of heterogeneous genetics and the main mechanisms responsible. This knowledge would constitute a solid scientific background for future therapeutic planning