CONTEXTUALIZED LEARNING MODULES IN BRIDGING STUDENTS’ LEARNING GAPS IN CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY THROUGH INDEPENDENT LEARNING

The transition of the educational system in the Philippines vastly affects basic and higher education. A mismatch of pre-requisite Mathematics learning competencies from the basic education level occurred when the student reached higher education. This descriptive-developmental method of the study utilized the developed contextualized learning modules for the bridging course on the identified learning gaps in Calculus with Analytic Geometry for the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) major in Mathematics. Real-world concepts and situations featuring the Province of Sorsogon, Philippines were integrated into the learning modules while promoting independent learning. The content, format, presentations and organizations, accuracy, and up-to-datedness of information of the learning modules passed the evaluation of 13 experts (Mathematics Professors) from the different Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Bicol Region, Philippines. Also, the 18 student participants were very much satisfied with the utilization of the learning modules that bridged their learning gaps in the conic section through independent learning

Novel Textbook Outcomes following emergency laparotomy:Delphi exercise

Background: Textbook outcomes are composite outcome measures that reflect the ideal overall experience for patients. There are many of these in the elective surgery literature but no textbook outcomes have been proposed for patients following emergency laparotomy. The aim was to achieve international consensus amongst experts and patients for the best Textbook Outcomes for non-trauma and trauma emergency laparotomy. Methods: A modified Delphi exercise was undertaken with three planned rounds to achieve consensus regarding the best Textbook Outcomes based on the category, number and importance (Likert scale of 1–5) of individual outcome measures. There were separate questions for non-trauma and trauma. A patient engagement exercise was undertaken after round 2 to inform the final round. Results: A total of 337 participants from 53 countries participated in all three rounds of the exercise. The final Textbook Outcomes were divided into ‘early’ and ‘longer-term’. For non-trauma patients the proposed early Textbook Outcome was ‘Discharged from hospital without serious postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ grade III; including intra-abdominal sepsis, organ failure, unplanned re-operation or death). For trauma patients it was ‘Discharged from hospital without unexpected transfusion after haemostasis, and no serious postoperative complications (adapted Clavien–Dindo for trauma ≥ grade III; including intra-abdominal sepsis, organ failure, unplanned re-operation on or death)’. The longer-term Textbook Outcome for both non-trauma and trauma was ‘Achieved the early Textbook Outcome, and restoration of baseline quality of life at 1 year’. Conclusion: Early and longer-term Textbook Outcomes have been agreed by an international consensus of experts for non-trauma and trauma emergency laparotomy. These now require clinical validation with patient data.</p

Melanin-producing <i>Streptomyces</i> spp. respond to potato plant growth and differentially to potato cultivars

Population dynamics of Streptomyces spp. producing melanoid pigments were monitored in field plots planted to the potato cultivars 'Chippewa' (susceptible to common scab) or 'Superior' (resistant), and in fallow control plots. Relative frequencies of streptomycetes most commonly isolated from soil, the rhizosphere, and potato tuber surfaces were determined during two growing seasons. Shannon indices of diversity indicated populations in soils planted to potatoes were more diverse than populations in fallow soil. In 1986, S. diastatochromogenes and S. longisporus accounted for ≥38% of all streptomycetes observed in all three environments. In 1987, S. diastatochromogenes was observed frequently in soil, while S. longisporus was observed rarely in all environments. Relative numbers of three Streptomyces spp. differed in the rhizospheres of 'Chippewa' and 'Superior' (P ≤ 0.05). This is the first report of a differential response of Streptomyces spp. to potato cultivars. Key words: rhizosphere, Solanum tuberosum, Streptomyces spp., melanin. </jats:p

CONTEXTUALIZED LEARNING MODULES IN BRIDGING STUDENTS’ LEARNING GAPS IN CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY THROUGH INDEPENDENT LEARNING

The transition of the educational system in the Philippines vastly affects basic and higher education. A mismatch of pre-requisite Mathematics learning competencies from the basic education level occurred when the student reached higher education. This descriptive-developmental method of the study utilized the developed contextualized learning modules for the bridging course on the identified learning gaps in Calculus with Analytic Geometry for the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) major in Mathematics. Real-world concepts and situations featuring the Province of Sorsogon, Philippines were integrated into the learning modules while promoting independent learning. The content, format, presentations and organizations, accuracy, and up-to-datedness of information of the learning modules passed the evaluation of 13 experts (Mathematics Professors) from the different Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Bicol Region, Philippines. Also, the 18 student participants were very much satisfied with the utilization of the learning modules that bridged their learning gaps in the conic section through independent learning.</jats:p

The accumulation of ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) components reduces post-colectomy length of stay at small and low volume hospitals

In small hospitals, where the majority of colectomy surgery is performed in the United States, adopting more individual ERAS components improves outcomes. The accumulation of individual ERAS components influences outcome more than an ERAS designation and this can be used by small hospitals to improve outcomes