A CASE STUDY OF PEER ASSESSMENT IN A MOOC-BASED COMPOSITION COURSE: STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS, PEERS’ GRADING SCORES VERSUS INSTRUCTORS’ GRADING SCORES, AND PEERS’ COMMENTARY VERSUS INSTRUCTORS’ COMMENTARY

Although the use of peer assessment in MOOCs is common, there has been little empirical research about peer assessment in MOOCs, especially composition MOOCs. This study aimed to address issues in peer assessment in a MOOC-based composition course, in particular student perceptions, peer-grading scores versus instructor-grading scores, and peer commentary versus instructor commentary. The findings provided evidence that peer assessment was well received by the majority of student participants from their perspective as both peer evaluators of other students’ papers and as students being evaluated by their peers. However, many student participants also expressed negative feelings about certain aspects of peer assessment, for example peers’ lack of qualifications, peers’ negative and critical comments, and unfairness of peer grading. Statistical analysis of grades given by student peers and instructors revealed a consistency among grades given by peers but a low consistency between grades given by peers and those given by instructors, with the peer grades tending to be higher than those assigned by instructors. In addition, analysis of peer and instructor commentary revealed that peers’ commentary differed from instructors’ on specific categories of writing issues (idea development, organization, or sentence-level). For instance, on average peers focused a greater percentage of their comments (70%) on sentence-level issues than did instructors (64.7%), though both groups devoted more comments to sentence-level issues than to the two other issue categories. Peers’ commentary also differed from instructors’ in the approaches their comments took to communicating the writing issue (through explanation, question, or correction). For example, in commenting on sentence-level errors, on average 85% of peers’ comments included a correction as compared to 96% of instructors’ comments including that approach. In every comment category (idea development, organization, sentence-level), peers used a lower percentage of explanation—at least 10% lower—than did instructors. Overall, findings and conclusions of the study have limitations due to (1) the small size of composition MOOC studied and small sample size of graded papers used for the analysis, (2) the lack of research and scarcity of document archives on issues the study discussed, (3) the lack of examination of factors (i.e. level of education, cultural background, and English language proficiency) that might affect student participants’ perception of peer assessment, and (4) the lack of analysis of head notes, end notes, and length of comments. However, the study has made certain contributions to the existing literature, especially student perception of peer assessment in the composition MOOC in this study. Analysis of the grades given by peers and instructors in the study provides evidence-based information about whether online peer assessment should be used in MOOCs, especially composition MOOCs and what factors might affect the applicability and consistency of peer grading in MOOCs. In addition, analysis of the data provides insights into types of comments students in a composition MOOC made as compared to those instructors made. The findings of the study as a whole can inform the design of future research on peer assessment in composition MOOCs and indicate questions designers of peer assessment training and practice in such MOOCs could find helpful to consider

Multilevel determinants of children's health outcomes

Background: Children’s health, particularly in the early years, forms the basis of future health and development and plays a significant role in predicting individual life and opportunities. Thus, studies which enhance the understanding of the determinants of children’s health status are needed. Previous research on children’s health had focused on the family’s and infant’s characteristics and ignored the potential impact of macro-level influences. The objectives of this thesis were (i) to examine the independent effects of neighbourhood factors on childhood health outcomes, (ii) to explore neighbourhood moderating effects on the associations between some individual risk factors and childhood health outcomes, and (iii) to quantify the contribution of neighbourhood factors to childhood health outcomes.Method: The study population included 9,888 children born to women residing in Saskatoon during three years, 1992-1994. The data used in this study were extracted from three sources. The information related to birth outcomes and the mother’s characteristics was extracted from the birth registration files maintained by Saskatchewan’s Vital Statistics Branch. The health services utilization information was generated from Saskatchewan Health’s computerized administrative databases. The information related to the neighbourhood characteristics was obtained from Statistics Canada’s 1991 Census, from local sources such as the Planning Department of the City, and two specialized neighbourhood surveys. Six domains of neighbourhood were examined in this study: socio-economic disadvantage, social interaction, physical condition, population density, local programs and services, and unhealthy lifestyle norm. This study was divided into two focused topics corresponding to two children’s health outcomes: low birth weight (LBW) and children’s hospitalizations (both incidence and length of stay). Multilevel modelling was employed to examine the independent/moderating impacts of neighbourhood characteristics on these children’s health outcomes. GIS mapping was used to visualize the associations between neighbourhood characteristics and children’s health outcomes.Findings of focused topic 1: There was a significant variation across Saskatoon neighbourhoods in the distribution of LBW rate. This significant variation was attributed to both the characteristics of individuals living within the neighbourhoods as well as the characteristics of the neighbourhood of residence. Neighbourhood variables were both independent risk factors for LBW and moderators for the association between maternal characteristics and LBW. Specifically, a greater level of socio-economic disadvantage, a lower level of program availability and accessibility within the neighbourhoods were associated with a higher risk of LBW. A significant interaction between neighbourhood social interaction and single parent status was found. The risk of single parent status on LBW was mitigated by a greater level of social interaction within neighbourhoods. With individual level variables held constant, three neighbourhood variables predicted LBW, together contributing to a change in LBW rate of 7.0%.Findings of focused topic 2: This focused topic employed a longitudinal/multilevel design to examine the effects of socio-economic status at multiple levels on children’s hospitalization. The key findings of this focused topic are the following: (i) There was a gradient association between the number of adverse birth outcomes and childhood hospitalization; (ii) There was a significant interaction between family income and adverse birth outcomes (i.e., the effect of adverse birth outcomes on childhood hospitalization was heightened among those children living in low income families); (iii) Neighbourhood characteristics, specifically neighbourhood socio-economic disadvantage, neighbourhood physical condition, and neighbourhood population density had independent effects on childhood hospitalization over and above the effect of family income; (iv) With individual level variables held constant, three neighbourhood variables (i.e., neighbourhood socio-economic disadvantage, physical condition and population density) together accounted for a variation of 40% in the incidence rate of hospitalization, and two neighbourhood variables (i.e., neighbourhood socio-economic disadvantage and physical condition) together accounted for a change in the length of stay per hospitalization from 2.88 days to 5.18 days across neighbourhoods.Conclusion: Both individual and neighbourhood characteristics determined childhood health outcomes examined. Neighbourhood factors acted as independent risk factors as well as moderators on the association between individual risk factors and health outcomes. The contribution of neighbourhood factors to children’s health outcomes was quite substantial. The findings suggest that future interventions aimed at improving children’s health status in Saskatoon may be enhanced by targeting both high risk individuals and high risk neighbourhoods. The geographical variations in children’s health outcomes reported in this study are modifiable; they can be altered through public policy and urban planning, and through the efforts of families and children

Current Status of Elderly Social Support Services in Elderly Care Centers in Hanoi

The Article aims to elaborate and analyze the current status of social support services for the elderly in general and semi-professional social work services provided in care centers in Hanoi in particular today. The centers subject to the investigation include Social Protection Center 3 Hanoi, Dien Hong Nursing Home, Bach Nien Thien Duc Elderly Care Center, and Social Protection Center 2 Hanoi. The service performance is determined based on the satisfaction of the needs of the elderly group. The results evidence that from the point of view of the elderly, “the need for medical care, examination and treatment is the highest among other needs of the elderly (with 149 votes, taking up 64.2%), from the point of view of social support workers, the need for “someone to share their feelings” is the highest (with 144 votes, taking up 77.4%). The services subject to assessment and review to the extent of the Article include (1) Consultancy; (2) Legal aid; (3) Supporting the elderly in the integration; (4) Communication. The frequency of rendered services changes at the “sometimes received by the elderly” level, approx. 50% on average. The level of performance as assessed by the elderly and social workers is at a medium and quite high level, ranging from 2.26 to 3.30 and from 1.98 (high) to 3.1 (medium), respectively.  Keywords: the elderly, social support services, care centers DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-20-04 Publication date:October 31st 202

Impact of Internal Control on the Quality of Accounting Information at Enterprises Listed on the Stock Market in Vietnam

Purpose: This study is intended to show the impact of internal control on the quality of accounting information at companies listed on the stock market in Vietnam.   Theoretical framework: We using the multivariate linear regression model between the five independent variables according to five components of internal control in the framework of the COSO 2013 and the dependent variable - accounting information quality according with four attributes namely: appropriateness, reliability, consistency and comparability, completeness and ease of understanding which was presented Susanto in 2016.   Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative research methods are used through questionnaires sent to directors and chief accountants of enterprises. The sample size is 193 valid questionnaires for the period from 2021-2022. Statistical analysis tools, testing the reliability of the scale, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple linear regression are used to evaluate the impact of internal control on the quality of accounting information.   Findings: The research results have proved that all hypotheses are accepted and internal control factors have a positive impact on the usefulness of accounting information. In which, the control environment variable has the strongest impact with the coefficient β5 = 0.276, followed by the monitoring activity variable with the coefficient β5 = 0.258. The risk assessment variable has the impact level of β2 = 0.201; the information, communication and control variables have the lowest impact with the coefficients of β4 = 0.175 and β3 = 0.141, respectively.   Research, Practical & Social implications: The study has provided a basis to confirm the relationship and direction of impact of internal control on the quality of accounting information at companies listed on the stock market in Vietnam. Thereby, this research gives some recommendations for improving the internal control of enterprises in order to improve the quality of accounting information.   Originality/value: The findings reveal that the quality of internal control plays an important role in increasing the quality of accounting information, ensuring the safety of enterprises' assets, reducing financial fraud, and improving risk prevention

Residue of Selected Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Soil of Some Areas in Vietnam

This chapter evaluates the contamination of selected persistent organic pollutants (S-POPs) in soil of some typical areas in Vietnam (mangrove forest, industrial, and urban areas in northern part). S-POPs are composed of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The collected data and analyzed results indicated the wide occurrence of significant S-POPs residues in study areas. The main sources of S-POPs are discussed by using composition analyses and diagnostic ratios of S-POPs indicator. Risk assessment of S-POPs in soil is assessed by using the guidance of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The obtained results have contributed to assess the S-POPs fate in the soil environment in Vietnam

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa and Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Crude Extracts

The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction method for R. tomentosa and C. zeylanicum leaves and the evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activities of crude extracts. The results of the study showed that the active ingredients of crude extracts were clearly separated by Thin-layer chromatography and the presence of rhodomyrtone in R. tomentosa crude extract and cinnamaldehyde in C. zeylanicum crude extract. R. tomentosa crude extract was antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with 13.1 mm of inhibition zone, but is not effective against Salmonella Typhimurium. C. zeylanicum leaf extract did not show antibacterial activity on both S. aureus and S. Typhimurium. At a dilution of 1/2 of the R. tomentosa crude extract can completely inhibit S. aureus growth. This study also indicated the presence of antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, phenols and terpenoids in C. zeylanicum and R. tomentosa crude extracts. The results showed that R. tomentosa and C. zeylanicum crude extracts should be used as a biotherapy alternative to antibiotic therapy. However, further study would be needed to investigate the antibacterial activity of crude extracts in vivo

Genome Sequence of a Virulent African Swine Fever Virus Isolated in 2020 from a Domestic Pig in Northern Vietnam

This study reports the genome sequence of an isolated African swine fever (ASF) virus (VNUA-ASFV-05L1/HaNam) obtained at the fourth passage on pulmonary alveolar macrophages. The virus was isolated during a typical acute ASF outbreak in pigs in a northern province of Vietnam in 2020

Expression of gene encoding flavonol synthase isolating from trung du xanh tea (Camellia sinensis var. macrophylla) in E. coli

Common flavonols in plants including quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin are synthesized from dihydroflavonols (dihydroquercetin-DHQ, dihydrokaempferol-DHK and dihydromyricetin-DHM) by flavonol synthase (FLS). In tea, FLS has been shown to metabolize dihydroquercetin to quercetin. The FLS gene was cloned and sequenced from the cultivated tea (Camellia sinensis var. macrophylla) in Thai Nguyen province. In this study, we presented the results of optimizing and designing an expression vector for recombinant FLS (recombinant FLS-rFLS). The FLS gene was ligated completely to the pET32a (+) vector, then expressed in E. coli Rosetta1 and Rosetta2 strain. Using 1mM IPTG to induce the expression of rFLS at 37oC, rFLS was obtained with 52.83 kDa in size and existed predominantly as insoluble form. E. coli Rosetta1 pET32a (+)_FLSproduces rFLS in the soluble fraction than E. coli Rosetta2 pET32a (+)_FLS. Next, E. coli Rosetta1 pET32a (+)_FLSwas optimized for expression at temperatures of 30oC, 23oC and 16oC (24 and 48 hours). After being induced for expression with 1mM IPTG in 48 hours and cultured at 16oC, E. coli Rosetta1 strain containing pET32a (+) FLS produced the largest amount of rFLS in the soluble form.