Related Courses Research Articles

Differences in Multiple-Choice Questions of Opposite Stem Orientations Based on a Novel Item Quality Measure

Objective. To determine whether there are differences in the performance and quality of multiple-choice items with opposite stem orientations (positive or negative), based on a novel item quality measure and conventional psychometric parameters.Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on multiple-choice assessment items used in years two and three of pharmacy school for pharmacotherapy and related courses administered between August 2018 and December 2019. Conventional psychometric parameters (difficulty and discrimination indices), average response time, nonfunctional distractor percentage, and a novel measure of item quality of negatively worded items were compared with those of control items, namely positively worded items (n=103 each). This novel measure uses difficulty and discrimination in tandem for the decision to reject, review, or retain items in an assessment. Statistical analyses were performed on continuous and categorical variables, on the relationship between difficulty and discrimination, and on differences in correlation coefficients between positively and negatively worded items.Results. Stem orientation was not significantly associated with the novel measure of item quality. Also, there were no significant differences between positively and negatively worded items in any of the psychometric parameters. There were significant, negative correlations between difficulty and discrimination indices in both groups, and the correlation coefficients were significantly stronger in positively versus negatively worded items.Conclusion. Items with opposite stem orientations show no differences in the novel item quality measure nor in conventional measures of performance and quality, except in difficulty-discrimination relationships. This suggests that negatively worded items should be used when necessary, but cautiously.

Alexander Barder on Global Racial Hierarchization and International Relations

Only within recent years has race become a common analytical framework within mainstream international relations (IR) theory. Alexander Barder argues in his book Global Race War: International Politics and Racial Hierarchy that the dominant paradigms of international relations are rooted in historical racial hierarchies and power relations. The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs (GJIA) discusses the implications of this theory not only for political hotspots but also for International Relations courses as microcosms of imperial ideology.

The influence of substance abuse on inhibition capacities and risky decision in a group of outpatient schizophrenia patients

IntroductionSubstance abuse is common among patients with schizophrenia, is related toworse course and outcome of illness. Unfortunately, little is known about how substanceabuse affects the cognitive function of schizophrenia patients, whose cognitive function isoften already comprised. Neurocognitive functioning includes inhibition control and decision-making, and both schizophrenia and substance use disorder are related to impairmentsof inhibition control. However, the influence of substance abuse on inhibition capacitiesamong schizophrenia patients is unclearObjectivesThis study measured the influence of substance use disorder on inhibition capacities and risky decision-making in a group of 39 schizophrenia patients that were evaluated using a socio-demographic questionnaire and clinical assessment using the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale for Schizophrenia. To assess inhibition control we utilized the Matching Familiar Figure Test (MFFT) and the Stroop task, and to evaluate decision-making we used the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and self-report questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsiveness ScaleMethodsUnivariate analysis found significant differences between the groups with regard to criminal history (v2¼5.97, p¼.015), smoking status (v:12.30, p<.001), and total BIS score (t: 2.69, df¼37, p¼.01). Our model did not find a significant effect of substance abuse on the first response time and number of errors on the MFFT or in the total interference index of Stroop performance and net score on risky decision-making in the IGT.ResultsThe two groups did not differ significantly either in first response time or in number of errors on the MFFT (F¼0.54, p¼.47, d¼0.24, 95% CI [-0.4, 0.88]; F¼0.28, p¼.60, d¼0.61, 95% CI [0, 1.26], respectively), nor did they differ in the total interference index of the Stroop task (F(1)¼0.49, p¼.49, d¼0.25, 95% CI [-0.38, 0.88]).ConclusionsThe analyses did not detect any statistically significant effect of substance abuse on inhibition control or risky decision-making processes in outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia, despite increased impulsivity, criminal history and smoking status. These results neither support nor disprove previous findings.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Definition of occult hypoperfusion in trauma: A systematic literature review

Occult hypoperfusion (OH) entails inadequate tissue oxygenation in the presence of normal vital signs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that this phenomenon is associated with impaired outcome and increased mortality, however definitions of OH differ between studies. The aim of the current study was to identify and evaluate the published definitions of the term `occult hypoperfusion` in trauma (tOH). A review of literature was performed using the Medline database. The following MeSH terms have been used: occult hypoperfusion, severe trauma, polytrauma, resuscitation. Clinical studies on OH were included and utilized definitions have been compared. A predefined data-interpretation process was applied to create an integrative definition for tOH. A total of 43 publications used the term OH. A definition of OH was provided in 16 manuscripts. A pooled mean number of participants of 729 (SD: 1158) was found per study. The majority of manuscripts combine multiple parameters for inadequate tissue oxygenation and normal vital signs to define OH in trauma. In 12 manuscripts, specific cut-off values for hemodynamic parameters (SBP/PR/UP) and in 11/16 papers exact metabolic thresholds (lactate/B.E) were defined. The following definition best integrates definitions in current literature: Lactate > 2mmol/l or BE <-3mmol/l (to define inadequate oxygenation) plus SBP > 90mmHg and PR < 120bpm (to define normal macroperfusion). The current systematic review demonstrates that definitions of occult hypoperfusion in trauma differ in the literature. The following comprehensive definition for (tOH) is proposed: Lactate > 2mmol/l or BE <-3mmol/l plus SBP > 90mmHg and PR < 120bpm. This recommendation appears to represent current literature on tOH and may improve the identification of trauma patients at risk for OH and related complicated courses. Further validation studies are required to demonstrate the clinical role of tOH and the proposed definition.

Understanding the cultivation mechanism for mental health education of college students in campus culture construction from the perspective of deep learning.

Nowadays, there is an increase in attention to the college student's mental health, and to enhance the awareness related to college students' mental health, colleges and universities have executed an immense range of mental health publicity activities. In order to better combine deep learning with classroom teaching, this paper puts forward a deep learning algorithm formulated on convolutional neural networks. The purpose of this research is to investigate the development and use of a cultivation mechanism for mental health education of college students in campus culture creation from the perspective of deep learning. The study's primary goal is to comprehend college students' mental health training in campus culture creation. The study's objective is to develop experimental outcomes of college students utilizing mental health education courses as an optional or mandatory course. Finally, investigations related to college students' mental health from the current situation in China, the investigation, statistics and analysis related to the college students in China are carried out in this situation. The experimental results of this study show that 62 of the 156 schools and universities assessed provide courses on mental health education for college students that are both obligatory and optional. According to the students questionnaire survey, 86.7% of respondents believe that it is critical to establish mental health related educational courses, 61.9% believe that compulsory courses should be established, and students want to add group guidance or activities to the teaching process to improve their experience and participation.

Teaching Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Practice Teaching

Physical education, skill training and other related courses with physical exercises and experience training as the main means are suitable for teaching with virtual reality technology. Constructing teaching knowledge sharing strategy can promote the sharing of virtual practical teaching resources among students. At present, no scholars have paid attention to how to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences among students participating in virtual practical teaching, so that teaching knowledge can spread among students faster and more effectively. Therefore, this article studies the teaching knowledge sharing method of virtual practice teaching and constructs BiLSTM-Attention relation extraction model to recognize named entities of teaching knowledge resources in virtual practice teaching, to record the information of knowledge points involved in teaching knowledge resources, and to explore the information hidden in knowledge resources more deeply. This article constructs a knowledge sharing model of virtual practice teaching based on traditional evolutionary game, and analyzes the local stability of the model based on Jacobin Matrix. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the model.

Development and Integration of DOPS as Formative Tests in Head and Neck Ultrasound Education: Proof of Concept Study for Exploration of Perceptions.

In Germany, progress assessments in head and neck ultrasonography training have been carried out mainly theoretically and lack standardisation. Thus, quality assurance and comparisons between certified courses from various course providers are difficult. This study aimed to develop and integrate a direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) in head and neck ultrasound education and explore the perceptions of both participants and examiners. Five DOPS tests oriented towards assessing basic skills were developed for certified head and neck ultrasound courses on national standards. DOPS tests were completed by 76 participants from basic and advanced ultrasound courses (n = 168 documented DOPS tests) and evaluated using a 7-point Likert scale. Ten examiners performed and evaluated the DOPS after detailed training. The variables of "general aspects" (6.0 Scale Points (SP) vs. 5.9 SP; p = 0.71), "test atmosphere" (6.3 SP vs. 6.4 SP; p = 0.92), and "test task setting" (6.2 SP vs. 5.9 SP; p = 0.12) were positively evaluated by all participants and examiners. There were no significant differences between a basic and advanced course in relation to the overall results of DOPS tests (p = 0.81). Regardless of the courses, there were significant differences in the total number of points achieved between individual DOPS tests. DOPS tests are accepted by participants and examiners as an assessment tool in head and neck ultrasound education. In view of the trend toward "competence-based" teaching, this type of test format should be applied and validated in the future.

Myxoid glioneuronal tumor: Histopathologic, neuroradiologic, and molecular features in a single center series

BackgroundMyxoid glioneuronal tumor (MGT) is a benign glioneuronal neoplasm recently introduced in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors. MGTs are typically located in the septum pellucidum, foramen of Monro or periventricular white matter of the lateral ventricle. They were previously diagnosed as dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNT), showing histological features almost indistinguishable from classical cortical DNT. Despite that, MGTs have been associated with a specific dinucleotide substitution at codon 385 in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene, replacing a lysine residue with either leucine or isoleucine (p. LysK385Leu/Iso). This genetic variation has never been described in any other CNS tumor. Materials and methodsThirty-one consecutive tumors, previously diagnosed as DNTs at the Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS between January 2010 and June 2021 were collected for a comprehensive study of their clinical, imaging, pathological features, and molecular profile. ResultsIn six out of the thirty-one tumors we had previously diagnosed as DNTs, we identified the recurrent dinucleotide mutation in the PDGFRA. All six tumors were typically located within the periventricular white matter of the lateral ventricle and in the septum pellucidum. We then renamed these lesions as MGT, according to the latest WHO CNS classification. In all patients we observed an indolent clinical course, without recurrence. ConclusionMGT represent a rare but distinct group of neoplasm with a typical molecular profiling, a characteristic localization, and a relative indolent clinical course.

Spatialising Sport Management

ABSTRACT Sport and geography may be considered allied and complementary disciplines. They share, variously, interests in ideological and physical spaces, political and socio-cultural processes of space- and place-making, historical dis-/continuities, individual and collective identity formation, demography and topographies and representational practices therein. Sports geography modules may, for example, be taught independently within Geography, Sport Management/Studies/Science, Urban Studies, Development or Liberal Arts programmes, or form a bridge across shared degree/honours courses as a way of attracting an interdisciplinary audience of students. Regardless of institutional “home”, sports geography, affords a rich context for engaging students with critical contemporary issues, global-local analysis, and socio-cultural complexities and social justice concerns. We argue in this paper for a more pronounced place for sports geography – specifically, critical spatial studies – within Sports Management. We draw on our professional and personal experiences teaching sport and geography related courses. We contextualise the teaching of sports geography against wider Higher Education forces. Next we provide pedagogical illustrations of the benefits of a sports geography focus. We offer some recommendations and reflections. Ultimately, we advocate for improved collaboration between Sports Management and Geography fields, and call for continued scholarly and pedagogical symbiosis and play that might produce new and creative interdisciplinary inquiry.

An Experimental Study of Students’ Attitude towards ICT Teaching Process in Educational Psychology

Mastery of students’ attitudes, beliefs, and interests in ICT is indispensable in designing effective Educational Psychology related courses. This study examined the relationship between the learners’ attitude towards ICT teaching and students’ active involvement in the class. Acquisition of ICT knowledge has become an integral part of today’s life. The participants were the student teachers under the age of 21-35 age group – I year of Thiagarajar College of Preceptors, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. At the present era, the educational system seeks to prepare teachers and students for the workforce, and technology has become significant in Higher education. Results indicated significant substantial between the learners’ attitudes towards ICT teaching. In this study, Nearpod is considered an ICT tool that can be used to enhance teaching and learning for those class lectures and assessment. ICT tool like Nearpod helps the teacher and educators to make any lesson interactive, whether in the classroom or virtual. The study’s findings showed that the activities of Nearpod have promoted active and joyful learning in the actual classroom. Students feel comfort in responding to questions by answering digitally while the teacher encourages in-class discussion.

Hubungan Pembelajaran Scaffolding dengan Keterampilan Sosial Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun di TK Dharma Tunas Kekar Banyuasin

This research focuses on students' understanding of the learning tools to be used before conducting Field Experience Practice (PPL). This study aims to determine students' understanding of learning tools before conducting Field Experience Practice (PPL). The type of research used in this study is descriptive with a qualitative approach. The research subjects used are students at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education who are taking PPL courses. Data collection techniques are carried out with objective tests. The data analysis technique is carried out using a percentage formula with the test instruments covering five learning device components. From the total number of respondents who answered the objective question test, scores were obtained in the range of 20-40. The average of the total student test scores was obtained with a score of 27.86 with the criteria of not being ready to carry out PPL. Collaboration in related courses is needed before PPL is carried out in the form of seminars and direct assistance related to the preparation of learning tools so that students better understand the material other than those obtained in lectures.

Utilizing STEM-based practices to enhance mathematics teaching in Vietnam: Developing students' real-world problem solving and 21st century skills

In Vietnam, STEM-based teaching approaches have been recommended for schools since 2018 with the integration of multiple related courses in schools. Teachers' perspectives on integrated STEM education, and how to design a STEM lesson that supports students’ learning are critical for ensuring that an integrated STEM curriculum is implemented successfully. This paper aims to describe a study applied successfully to STEM education in teaching Mathematics, in particular “Trigonometry ratio of an acute angle” in Vietnam. This study utilized mixed methods approaches with three phases: the first stage employed a quantitative study to examine the Vietnamese teachers' perspectives on STEM education. The second phase was an experiment on teaching while applying STEM education to design and organize a mathematics lesson, and the final phase was to employ a qualitative study to explore the Vietnamese students' experiences of STEM education connected with real-world problem solving and 21st-century skills development. A total of 47 teachers and 85 students participated in this study and data was collected through multi ways of surveys and semi-structured interviews. The findings show Vietnamese teachers' perspective of the necessity and importance of applying STEM education, however, they reported facing many challenges. A lesson designed as a STEM education application and the student's feedback regards the real-world roles. Learning outcomes connect with 21st-century skills in this study that are expected to provide the success evidence for further discussion and practice to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning STEM education in Vietnam

Negative link prediction to reduce dropout in Massive Open Online Courses.

In recent years, the rapid growth of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has attracted much attention for related research. Besides, one of the main challenges in MOOCs is the high dropout or low completion rate. Early dropout prediction algorithms aim the educational institutes to retain the students for the related course. There are several methods for identification of the resigning students. These methods are often based on supervised machine learning, and require student activity records to train and create a prediction model based on the features extracted from the raw data. The performance of graph-based algorithms in various applications to discover the strong or weak relationships between entities using limited data encouraged us to turn to these algorithms for this problem. Objective of this paper is proposing a novel method with low complexity, negative link prediction algorithm, for the first time, utilizing only network topological data for dropout prediction. The idea is based on the assumption that entities with similar network structures are more likely to establish or remove a relation. Therefore, we first convert the data into a graph, mapping entities (students and courses) to nodes and relationships (enrollment data) to links. Then we use graph-based algorithms to predict students' dropout, utilizing just enrollment data. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves significant performance compared to baseline ones. However, we test the supervised link prediction idea, and show the competitive and promising results in this case as well. Finally, we present important future research directions to improve the results.

An Information System for Converting of ’Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka’ Programs

Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program enables universities to convert independently the programs into department courses hence those can be considered as its course credits. MBKM program guideline requires universities, specifically departments, to carefully convert MBKM program since they have to consider Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) and relevancy of courses in the conversion process. To follow the guideline, departments must explore learning outcomes of each courses and learning outcome of the programs. The job is certainly time and resource consuming. Therefore it needs to be supported by a reliable strategy and system to manage efficiently and effectively relational data between MBKM program, PLO and courses. Through these data, departments then enable to identify quickly related courses with those programs. This paper introduces a model to represent the conversion strategy. We then developed in-house application called e-OBE to implement the model to enable the departments to map PLO, MBKM program and course data efficiently and effectively. The mapping data can be used to retrieve department courses quickly in which their PLO are linked with MBKM program PLO. Finally, a recommendation based on text similarity from courses and MBKM program can be generated automatically to support department decision in the conversion process.

The effects of short interventions of focused-attention vs. self-compassion mindfulness meditation on undergraduate students: Evidence from self-report, classroom performance, and ERPs.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training has been shown to improve cognitive processing, wellbeing, and academic performance. However, mindfulness interventions that are integrated into non-mindfulness related courses have not been well-investigated. Further, the unique effects of different aspects of MBSR training are not as well understood. This paper examines the effects that are uniquely associated with focused-attention versus self-compassion mindfulness practices utilizing a multi-method approach. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during an Emotional Flanker task, and self-report measures of wellbeing and measures of classroom performance were collected before and after training. Participants were students in two sections of the same undergraduate course and either completed 10 weeks of focused-attention practice or self-compassion practice that was built into their class sessions. Students in the focused-attention group (mean age = 22.08) had reduced interference effects on their reaction times following the training. Students in the self-compassion group (mean age = 23.91) showed altered processing of conflict on negative trials via the N2 and P3 ERP amplitudes after the training. This group also reported significant improvements in wellbeing and performed significantly better on more class tests compared to the focused-attention group. These data support the effectiveness of incorporating brief, simplified mindfulness practices in any classroom as an intervention to improve attention, wellbeing and classroom performance.

A Descriptive Analysis of Lively Accounting Acceptance from the View of Accounting Education: The Integration of Academic Flashcards and Augmented Reality Technology

Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the use of technological advancement is increasingly becoming a great determinant in education which demands accounting educators to consistently establish new innovative teaching and learning methods. Accounting education seeks to develop concepts, rules and theories for solving accounting problems. However, teaching accounting in accounting education is not an easy task. Students ordinarily encounter the complexities of not just understanding the technical mechanisms, but also to apply the terminology and fundamentals of accounting. The main objective of this study is to develop primary results on the practicality of the main features of Lively Accounting which integrates flashcards with augmented reality application and to identify other expanded TAM variables towards technology acceptance of Lively Accounting. Reminiscing and understanding accounting theories is the main issue experienced by students. Therefore, Lively Accounting as a flexible educational tool creates a different style of experience where users can learn both offline and online. Descriptive approach was used in this present study. For data collection, questionnaires were distributed through an online platform and an illustrative video about Lively Accounting was disseminated to accounting students in UiTM Tapah. The major findings of this study discovered that the main attributes of Lively Accounting do satisfy the needs and preferences of students as it enhances students’ knowledge and understanding for the related course. The acceptance of Lively Accounting is believed to be contributed initially by the constructs of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment and attitude toward use. It seems that students with a pleasant feeling about the usefulness of technology will be motivated to use and accept this new learning experience. Due to the demand for an innovative accounting learning tool, Lively Accounting is considered as one of the recommended methods especially in accounting education. Future research should consider the effect of augmented reality applications on students' learning effectiveness to give better insight for educators to use appropriate learning styles and strategies.

IABC: A Toolbox for Intelligent Analysis of Brain Connectivity.

Brain functional networks and connectivity have played an important role in exploring brain function for understanding the brain and disclosing the mechanisms of brain disorders. Independent component analysis (ICA) is one of the most widely applied data-driven methods to extract brain functional networks/connectivity. However, it is hard to guarantee the reliability of networks/connectivity due to the randomness of component order and the difficulty in selecting an optimal component number in ICA. To facilitate the analysis of brain functional networks and connectivity using ICA, we developed a MATLAB toolbox called Intelligent Analysis of Brain Connectivity (IABC). IABC incorporates our previously proposed group information guided independent component analysis (GIG-ICA), NeuroMark, and splitting-merging assisted reliable ICA (SMART ICA) methods, which can estimate reliable individual-subject neuroimaging measures for further analysis. After user inputs functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of multiple subjects that are regularly organized (e.g., in Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS)) and clicks a few buttons to set parameters, IABC automatically outputs brain functional networks, their related time courses, and functional network connectivity of each subject. All these neuroimaging measures are promising for providing clues in understanding brain function and differentiating brain disorders.

The detection rate of granulomas differs between intestinal segments and lesions in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease

BackgroundCrohn's disease (CD) is characterized by non-caseating intestinal granulomas. However, the reported detection rate of granulomas on endoscopy is low. This study aimed to analyze the differences in the detection rate of granulomas in different intestinal segments and lesions in Chinese patients with CD to improve the detection rate of granulomas in clinical practice. Patients and methods113 patients with CD were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: those with (n = 51) and without granulomas (n = 62) on endoscopic biopsies. Clinical information was collected from the medical records, including age; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels; platelet count; disease course; sex; smoking history; related operation history; Montreal classification; and lesion location, size, and shape. ResultsThe detection rates of granulomas in different lesion shapes were significantly different (P < 0.001), with those of longitudinal ulcers and circular ulcers being higher than those of erosion and irregular ulcers. We also found that the detection rates of granulomas in ascending colon and sigmoid colon were relatively higher than other segments of the intestine, however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.716). Additionally, age, sex, smoking history, Montreal classification, related surgical history, disease course, and serum biochemical indicators (ESR; platelet count; and CRP, albumin, and Hb levels) were not significantly different between the two groups. ConclusionsThe detection rate of granulomas in patients with CD is related to the morphology of the intestinal lesions. Meanwhile, lesion location may be correlated with the detection rate of granulomas.

Decision Tree Algorithm Use in Predicting Students’ Academic Performance in Advanced Programming Course

Student’s academic performance or achievement has from time to time been a subject of discourse to academicians, scholars, researchers and educational institutions all over the globe. To this regard, schools are expected to play major and active roles in ensuring that students actually have good performance at end of their programmes. The academic performance is normally used to classify or predict how students would be ultimately capable to withstand and face future challenges after graduation. Students’ academic performance/achievement in any course of study plays a vital role in contributing and producing outstanding students who will be future viable leaders. The use of algorithms to classify and predict students’ academic performance/achievement is not new in machine learning using different techniques like neural network, logistic regression, decision tree and many more. This study classifies and predicts with the use of graphical technique called Decision Tree. The dataset was built from student’ attendance, practical assessment, assignment, ability to complete a free related course on internet, test score, and examination grade; the dataset was divided into training test and testing set. The training test was used to build and validate the decision tree algorithm (CHAID) while testing set was used to evaluate CHAID on the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The results show that decision tree algorithm makes classification and prediction visible and clear with the use of graphics to display the results. Hence, the model built produces 96% accuracy.

“I am here because I wanted to shine”: how poetry can be used to better understand undergraduate students’ first-year chemistry or related course experiences

In this study we investigate how first-year chemistry/biology undergraduate students’ original poetry can be used as a reflective tool for others to understand their course experiences. By inviting students from an integrated first-year chemistry/biology course to write poetry about their experiences, we use poetic content analysis as a qualitative research method to analyze the students’ responses to an open-ended prompt. In analyzing the poetry, four major categories emerged: knowledge, community, emotions, and identity, each of which includes examples that reflect and enhance our understanding of well-documented milestones and ideas in the literature regarding first-year student academic experiences, therefore highlighting the extent to which poetry can be useful in this regard. In presenting these findings we also demonstrate how such an approach might be used by others to better understand student experiences, including those related to learning, belonging, and/or identity in their introductory chemistry or related courses.