Paperless assessment via VLE: the pros and the cons

The aim of this short paper is to share our experience of paperless assessment using the submission facility provided in the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). An important part of a tutor’s work is monitoring and assessing students’ work on modules of study, in order to measure progress and attainment. Assessment may be continuous throughout the module to help students progress by providing feedback on their learning, or it may be a final summative examination to measure attainment at the end of the module. Most modules make use of a combination of the two types of assessment. In the Research and Information Technology Skills (RITS) module in Salford Business School, we have endeavoured to use the Blackboard VLE to manage a portfolio of continuous assessment exercises and a final summative examination. This Level 1 module comprises activities to develop Information Communication Technology (ICT) and research skills, and is an important foundation for new students, both to encourage good study habits and to ensure that a minimum level of expertise in skills is achieved. Student numbers on this module were about 40 this year

Atomic oxygen effects on boron nitride and silicon nitride: A comparison of ground based and space flight data

The effects of atomic oxygen on boron nitride (BN) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) were evaluated in a low Earth orbit (LEO) flight experiment and in a ground based simulation facility. In both the inflight and ground based experiments, these materials were coated on thin (approx. 250A) silver films, and the electrical resistance of the silver was measured in situ to detect any penetration of atomic oxygen through the BN and Si3N4 materials. In the presence of atomic oxygen, silver oxidizes to form silver oxide, which has a much higher electrical resistance than pure silver. Permeation of atomic oxygen through BN, as indicated by an increase in the electrical resistance of the silver underneath, was observed in both the inflight and ground based experiments. In contrast, no permeation of atomic oxygen through Si3N4 was observed in either the inflight or ground based experiments. The ground based results show good qualitative correlation with the LEO flight results, indicating that ground based facilities such as the one at Los Alamos National Lab can reproduce space flight data from LEO

A comparison of ground-based and space flight data: Atomic oxygen reactions with boron nitride and silicon nitride

The effects of atomic oxygen on boron nitride (BN) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) have been studied in low Earth orbit (LEO) flight experiments and in a ground-based simulation facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Both the in-flight and ground-based experiments employed the materials coated over thin (approx 250 Angstrom) silver films whose electrical resistance was measured in situ to detect penetration of atomic oxygen through the BN and Si3N4 materials. In the presence of atomic oxygen, silver oxidizes to form silver oxide, which has a much higher electrical resistance than pure silver. Permeation of atomic oxygen through BN, as indicated by an increase in the electrical resistance of the silver underneath, was observed in both the in-flight and ground-based experiments. In contrast, no permeation of atomic oxygen through Si3N4 was observed in either the in-flight or ground-based experiments. The ground-based results show good qualitative correlation with the LEO flight results, thus validating the simulation fidelity of the ground-based facility in terms of reproducing LEO flight results

RECIPROCAL RECURRENT SELECTION FOR 21-DAY LITTER WEIGHT OF CROSSBRED GILTS. I. SELECTION APPLIED AND GENETIC CHANGE IN REPRODUCTION OF CROSSBRED GILTS

Six cycles of reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) between Line 8 (Duroc) and Line 9 (Beltsville No. 1) were completed at the Fort Reno Livestock Research Center, E1 Reno, Oklahoma. A randomly mated control line was maintained. Each cycle of selection required three seasons. Selection of purebred pigs (born in the second season) was based on the mean 21-d litter weight of their maternal and paternal half-sib crossbred gilts that were born in the first season and farrowed in the third season (XB21DLWT). On the average, 5.8 maternal and paternal half-sib gilts contributed to the mean XB21DLWT for each purebred individual. The average potential selection differential for XB21DLWT was 5.64 kg, but only 70.2% of this value was realized in the initial selection (3.95 kg). Disease problems and unsoundness were the primary reasons for this discrepancy. The potential, initial, final and weighted final standardized selection differentials for females averaged 61, 60, 55 and 47%, respectively, of the corresponding differentials for males. Standardized selection differentials were similar for Line 8 and Line 9. The estimate of realized heritability for XB21DLWT was .076 ± .319 for the average of 8 x 9 and 9 x 8 gilts. Environmental trends, estimated from control data, were not significant for any of the traits evaluated. The genetic change in reproductive ability of 8 x 9, 9 x 8 and their unweighted average was estimated by regressing the deviation of the line mean from the control mean on generation number. In general, estimates of genetic change for litter size, litter weight and average pig weight/litter at 0, 21 and 42 d of age were not significant, but all estimates were favorable. The estimated genetic change for 21-d litter weight was 1.04 ± 1.25 kg/cycle of selection. Based on these results and considering the complexity of RRS, the increase in generation interval and the expected decline in purebred performance that theoretically should accompany successful RRS, it seems doubtful that RRS can be more beneficial than selection based on purebred performance as a method to improve productivity of crossbred gilts

RECIPROCAL RECURRENT SELECTION FOR 21-DAY LITTER WEIGHT OF CROSSBRED GILTS. II. REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF PUREBRED FEMALES PRODUCING PUREBRED AND TWO-WAY CROSS LITTERS AND PERFORMANCE OF PUREBRED AND CROSSBRED PIGS

This paper reports estimates of correlated genetic change in reproductive performance of purebred gilts producing two-way cross litters and purebred sows producing purebred litters as well as postweaning performance of two-way cross and purebred pigs produced during reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) between Line 8 (Duroc) and Line 9 (Beltsville No. 1) for 21-d litter weight production of crossbred gilts. A randomly mated control line developed from a crossbred foundation was maintained to monitor environmental change. Data were adjusted for age of dam, inbreeding of dam, inbreeding of litter (or pig) and linear and quadratic effects of day born within season. The traits evaluated were: litter size, litter weight and average pig weight/litter at birth and weaning (42 d); postweaning average daily gain; age at 90.7 kg and backfat thickness at 90.7 kg. Two data sets were analyzed; the first set included seven seasons of data with purebred gilts producing two-way cross litters, and the second set included seven seasons of data with purebred sows producing purebred litters. No estimates of environmental trend were significant in either set of data. In the first data set, only the estimate of genetic change in backfat thickness of two-way cross pigs was significant and it was in the desired direction. All other estimates were small and did not approach significance. In the second data set, estimates of genetic trend were greater in Line 9 than in Line 8. Estimates of genetic trend in Line 9 were significant for average pig weight at birth, age at 90.7 kg and backfat probe at 90.7 kg, and approached significance for litter size at weaning and average daily gain. The estimates were undesirable for preweaning traits and desirable for postweaning traits. The estimates of genetic trend in Line 8 were of the same sign as those in Line 9, but only the estimate for backfat thickness was significant. The decrease in size of purebred litters in Line 9, and to some degree Line 8, suggests an accelerated accumulation of homozygosity beyond that accounted for by adjustment for pedigree inbreeding. The fact that Line 9 showed a greater decrease than Line 8 suggests that most of the increase in level of reproduction of crossbred gilts may have resulted from genetic change in Line 9 rather than Line 8, or that favorable alleles were being fixed in Line 8 and unfavorable alleles in Line 9

CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION, UNIT OPERATIONS SECTION MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR APRIL 1959

A concentration cell electrode was installed in a fritted glass surface and was used to measure the surface KCl concentration while water was being transpired through the surface into a mixed tank of 0.1 M KCl. The results from the first Fluorox run made with crude UF/sub 4/ showed that 85.3% of the theoretical amount of UF/sub 6/ was accounted for, with 17.9% being collected in cold traps and the remainder being consumed in various side reactions. Installation was completed of apparatus to study the electrolytic removal of nickel on an engineering scale from concentrated HRT fuel solution. An extremely low yield stress of 0.02 lb/sq ft was measured for a thoria-urania slurry containing 2.5 wt.% Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and spherical particles of 1.7 micron mean diameter. Preliminary data on the rate of uranium sorption on Dowex 21K from sulfate solutions were correlated with a simple spherical diffusion model. Laboratory scale studies to determine the effect of reflux time, HNO/sub 3/ concentration, and air sparge on chloride removal from APPR-type Darex dissolver product showed that an air sparge is definitely beneficial in chloride removal. Preliminary cyclic cleaning tests showed that boiling 25% caustic solution was adequate for cleaning type F (20 micron) porous metal filter elements fouled in the absence of filter aid with siliceous sludge from Darex solvent extraction feed solutions. Sections of unirradiated stainless steel-clad UO/sub 2/, sheared into lengths of 1/2 in., 1 in., 2 in., and 2 3/4 in., were leached free of UO/sub 2/ with 10 M HNO/sub 3/ in 30, 45, 60, and 75 min, respectively. The abrasive blade cost for the removal of inert end adapters from selected reactor assemblies ranges from 12 for the Gas-Cooled Reactor to 19 for Consolidated Edison. A zirconium dissolution was carried to completion at 600 ction prod- C in a NaF-LiF salt mixture containing initially 23 mol per cent ZrF/sub 4/ at an average rate of 1.3 mg/(cm/sup 2/)(min) with an HF feed rate of 2 lb/hr. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity at the center of an 8-in. diameter cake of Darex waste calcined at about 900 ction prod- C were determined as a function of temperature. (For preceding period see CF-59-3-61.) (auth

CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION UNIT OPERATIONS SECTION MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT, FEBRUARY 1958

The alpha activity for scintillation area measurement was estimated to be 10/sup -6/ of that for the ( alpha ,n) methcd. The UF/sub 6/ recovery during Run FBR-16 was 67.3% of the theoretical recovery for the Fluorox reaction. Hydroclones were used for collection of thoria loop slurries with recoveries exceeding 99%. Flame calcination studies were continued with thoria dispersed in methanol by oxalic acid, using graphite and zirconia reflected burners and acetyleneoxygen flame. Equations for complex ion formation in 4/-H/sub 2/O systems were solved for a few hypothetical solution compositions. A continuous Darex dissolution and stripping run was carried out for 32 hours with chloride removal in the product to 100 ppm. A nine pound section of a fuel element was completely hydrochlorinated in 24 hours with an HCI utilization of 70% and uranium losses to the ZrCl/sub 4/ sublimate of 0.07%. The specific dissolution rate for the fused salt dissolution of Zircaloy-3 was propcrtional to the logarithm of the HF feed rate. One percent of the initial ore resistant t activity and fourteen percent of the initial activity was leached by distilled water from a 900 tained C fired sinter of concentrated fission products in a mix of shale and limestone (Mix 15). (For preceding period see CF- 58-2-139.) (J.R.D.

CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION, UNIT OPERATIONS SECTION MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR JANUARY 1958

Absolute calibration of neutron yields from a polonium nitrate- fluorocarbon interface gave 8 neutrons/min, sq cm, mc/ml. In two Fluorox fluidized bed reactor runs UF/sub 6/ recoveries of 47 and 70% theoretical were attained. Washing and descaling operations for Loop P-1 have been completed. Preliminary studies of ThO/sub 2/ classification by hydroclones showed that particles as small as 0.5 micron could be classified. Continuous, self- sustaining operation of the Darex dissolver, stripper, and reflux condenser was maintained during a 48-hr period. Uranium losses to the sublimate were less than 0.1% in a 24 hr Zircex run. A 32 hr dissolution run was completed in which a fuel element fabricated of Zircaloy-3 was dissolved in a NaF-ZrF/sub 4/ fused salt. (auth

WhoLoDancE: Towards a methodology for selecting Motion Capture Data across different Dance Learning Practice

<p>In this paper we present the objectives and preliminary work of WhoLoDancE a Research and Innovation Action funded under the European Union‘s Horizon 2020 programme, aiming at using new technologies for capturing and analyzing dance movement to facilitate whole-body interaction learning experiences for a variety of dance genres. Dance is a diverse and heterogeneous practice and WhoLoDancE will develop a protocol for the creation and/or selection of dance sequences drawn from different dance styles for different teaching and learning modalities. As dance learning practice lacks standardization beyond dance genres and specific schools and techniques, one of the first project challenges is to bring together a variety of dance genres and teaching practices and work towards a methodology for selecting the appropriate shots for motion capturing, to acquire kinetic material which will provide a satisfying proof of concept for Learning scenarios of particular genres. The four use cases we are investigating are 1) classical ballet, 2) contemporary dance, 3) flamenco and 4) Greek folk dance.</p