Cultural Domain in Development and Validation of Tests on Arts to Assess the Skills of Student Graphic Designers

The purpose of the study was to examine whether the presence of items that covered cultural questions in the test оn arts for student graphic designers influenced the fairness of the test across different ethnic and social groups. The reason for the study was to address the gap in the development and validation of tests оn arts that include a cultural domain to assess the skills of undergraduate graphic designers. The research design was based on DIF and DTF methods to examine the factorial structure of test data and to identify whether the factorial structure of the test was the same across ethnic and social groups. A one-factor CFA model was applied to perform measurements for categorised ethnic and social status groups to identify whether the factorial structure was similar or identical for them. The goodness-of-fit measures were calculated using the chi-square statistics, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA to identify how the obtained data is consistent with the hypothesised model. The inclusion of local culture-related questions in the tests оn arts to assess the skills of student graphic designers influences the individuals' latent traits which lead to an increase in DIF values. Though there were detected seven items with the DIF for the whole test, the DTF measurements showed that the DIF effect eliminated each out at test level which is related to the fact the certain ethnic groups performed better in answering some specific test items, while certain status groups performed better in answering some other test items. It is noteworthy that DTF for the Ukrainian art (miscellaneous) section was between 0.07 and 0.14 meaning a moderate DTF effect. However, the DTF variance values for the sections of principles of design and principles of art were lower than 0.07 meaning a small effect. Therefore, it could be concluded that small DTF effects found in both the whole test and each test section separately indicated that DIF effects eliminate each other at the test level.

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Aloe Vera Gel on Pain Perception among Patients with Osteoarthritis at Selected Communities in Kanyakumari District

Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel on pain perception among patients with osteoarthritis in selected communities at Kanyakumari district. Objectives: (i) To assess and compare the pre-test and post-test level of pain perception among patients with osteoarthritis in experimental and control group. (ii) To evaluate the effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel on level of pain perception among patients with osteoarthritis in experimental group. (iii) To find out the association between the post-test level of pain perception among patients with osteoarthritis in experimental group and control group with the selected demographic variables. A Quasi experimental, non-equivalent, pre test and post test control group design was adopted. The convenience sampling technique was used to select 30 samples for experimental group and 30 samples for control group. OARSI (osteoarthritis research society international) questionnaire was used to assess the osteoarthritic pain. Aloe Vera gel was applied locally on painful areas for 28 consequent days and post test was conducted on 28th day by using OARSI questionnaire. The data were gathered and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical method. The findings revealed that during pre test 20(67%) of them had moderate pain, 10(33%) of them had mild pain. During post test 19(63%) of them were in mild pain, 11(37%) of them were in moderate pain. The mean score on level of pain perception among patients with osteoarthritis was 33.3 in pre test and 22 in post test. The estimated t’ value was 8.99* which is significant at p < 0.05. It shows that local application of Aloe Vera gel was effective in reducing the level of pain perception among osteoarthritis pain. Hence the research hypothesis H1 is retained. This study statistically proved the pain reducing effect of Aloe Vera gel on Osteoarthritic patients at 5% significant level. The researcher concluded that Aloe Vera gel application is a non pharmacological, cost effective and very practicable measure to reduce the level of pain perception among patients with osteoarthritis. Keywords: Aloe Vera gel, Pain perception, Osteoarthritis.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on the Knowledge Regarding Management of Pre-Eclampsia among Antenatal Mothers

Background of the Study: Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem disorder with an unknown aetiology that appears as hypertension of 140/90 mm hg or higher with proteinuria after the 20th week in a previously normotensive and non-proteinuric woman. Pre-eclampsia is unique among hypertension illnesses in terms of the effects it has on maternal and newborn health. It is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity around the world. Objectives of the Study: 1. To assess the existing knowledge regarding pre-eclampsia among antenatal mothers. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching on knowledge regarding pre-eclampsia among antenatal mothers. 3. To find out the association between knowledge score with selected Demographic variables. Materials and Methods: 100 samples were taken from selected Hospital Wardha by Non probability sampling technique. Research design descriptive survey was used. Statistical compare ANOVA and t-test formula used. Results: In pre test Antenatal mothers have 65% fair knowledge regarding pre-eclampsia , and mean knowledge score was 2.02%. In post-test of Antenatal mothers have 52% Excellent knowledge and mean knowledge score was 0.97 % regarding management of pre-eclampsia. Conclusion: It is concluded that In Pre – test level of knowledge score fair was 65 % and mean knowledge score was 2.02 % And In Post - test level of knowledge score excellent was 52 % andmean knowledge score was 0.97 %. Study conclude that their is lack of knowledge of Pre-eclampsia among antenatal mothers. After the completion of the study it is revealed that the planned teaching program was effective in gaining the knowledge regarding management of pre-eclampsia among antenatal mothers. It can improve their health status and prevent from sideeffect.

Effect of Interaction through Child to Child Approach on Knowledge towards Junk Foods among Adolescents at Selected Private School, Kelambakkam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: ‘Home and school is the primary source for beginning the food habits and in school, it is a place for learning and nurturing’ it is an important priority to provide intervention to improve their knowledge and competency of junk foods among adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study aimed to assess the effect of interaction through child to child approach on knowledge towards junk foods among adolescents. A quantitative evaluative approach with a one group pre-test post-test design. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 150 adolescents aged between 13-15 years, who were studying in Bhuvana Krishnan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kelambakkam, Chengalpattu district. The students were trained with instructional teaching programme based on child to child approach in the ratio of 1:10 for a period of one month. The structured standardized questionnaire on junk foods was used to assess the pre-test and post- test was conducted after 14 days. Results: The study findings revealed that the post test level of knowledge of junk foods among adolescents was found to be statistically significant compared to the pre test level at p<0.001. Conclusion: The instructional teaching programme on junk foods was effective in improving the level of knowledge of junk foods among adolescents.

Polybenzoxazine Resins with Cellulose Phosphide: Preparation, Flame Retardancy and Mechanisms

Phosphated cellulose (PCF) was synthesized based on urea, phosphated acid and cellulose. The structure of the PCF was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with the Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Benzoxazine (Ba)/PCF hybrid materials were fabricated and thermally cured to prepare polybenzoxazine composites (PBa/PCF). The effects of PCF on the curing temperature of Ba were analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermogravimetric (TGA) results demonstrated an increased char residue of 50% for the PBa composites incorporating PCF-5% compared with the pure PBa. The peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) values of the PBa/PCF-5% composites clearly decreased by 58.1% and 16.5% compared to those of the pristine PBa. The smoke released from the PBa/PCF system significantly reduced with the loading of PCF. Moreover, the limited oxygen index (LOI) and vertical burning test level (UL-94) of PBa/PCF-5% reached up to 31 and V0. The flame retardant mechanism of the PCF in the PBa matrix was investigated TG-FTIR and char residues analysis. Finally, the dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) results demonstrated that the Tg of the PBa/PCF composites was approximately 230 °C, which does not affect further applications of PBa composites.

PELATIHAN HSK SEBAGAI UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KEMAHIRAN BERBAHASA MANDARIN BAGI GURU-GURU BAHASA MANDARIN SE-MALANG RAYA

ABSTRAKPembelajaran Bahasa Mandarin menjadi kebutuhan masyarakat untuk membekali diri dalam dunia kerja, sehingga banyak sekolah mulai dari Sekolah Dasar (SD) sampai Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) memunculkan mata pelajaran Bahasa Mandarin. Guru merupakan salah satu faktor utama berlangsungnya pembelajaran efektif. sebagian besar guru Bahasa Mandarin di Malang belum memiliki sertifikat 汉语水平考试 HSK yang menjadi tolak ukur kemampuan minimal seseorang dalam menguasai Bahasa Mandarin, terutama bagi pengajar atau guru Bahasa Madarin. Pengabdian pelatihan 汉语水平考试 HSK sebagai upaya meningkatkan kemahiran berbahasa Mandarin bagi guru-guru bahasa Mandarin ini dimaksudkan untuk mengoptimalkan tingkat profesionalitas serta kemampuan berbahasa Mandarin guru-guru Bahasa Mandarin. Adapun kegiatan dalam pengabdian berupa (1) Memperkenalkan beberapa hal yang harus diperhatikan dalam 汉语水平考试 HSK; (2) Meperkenalan materi汉语水平考试 HSK; (3) Mendemonstrasikan penggunaan kosakata, tata Bahasa serta tips-tips mengertakan tes 汉语水平考试 HSK; (4) Guru praktek mengerjakan secara langsung tes汉语水平考试 HSK 4. Hasil dari kegiatan pelatihan HSK ini menunjukkan bahwa para guru antusias dalam mengikutipelatihan yang dilaksanakan, terbukti dari para guru dengan antusias mengerjakan soal latihan HSK, mengajukan beberapa pertanyaan mengenai HSK serta merespon pemateri selama kegiatan pelatihan HSK berlangsung. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahwa pelatihan HSK penting dilakukan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berbahasa Mandarin guru-guru bahasa Mandarin dan juga dapat menambah wawasan tentang HSK terbaru bagi guru. Kata kunci: pelatihan; HSK; bahasa mandarin ABSTRACTLearning Chinese has become a community need to equip themselves in the world of work so that many schools from Elementary School (SD) to Senior High School (SMA) introduce Chinese subjects. The teacher is one of the main factors for effective learning to take place. Most Chinese teachers in Malang do not yet have an HSK certificate which is a benchmark for a person's minimum ability to master Chinese, especially for Chinese teacher. The HSK training as an effort to improve Chinese language proficiency for Chinese teachers is intended to optimize the level of professionalism and Chinese language skills of Chinese teachers. The activities in this training are (1) Introducing several things that must be considered in HSK; (2) Introducing the material汉语水平考试 HSK; (3) Demonstrating the use of vocabulary, grammar, and tips for writing the HSK test; (4) Teachers practice working directly on the HSK test level 4. The results of this HSK training activity show that the teachers are enthusiastic in participating in the HSK test the training carried out, the teachers enthusiastically working on the HSK training, asking several questions about HSK, and responding to the presenters during the HSK training activities. Thus, it can be concluded that HSK training is important to improve the Mandarin language skills of Chinese teachers and can also add insight into the latest HSK for teachers. Keywords: training; HSK; chinese language.

RESPON TANAMAN CABAI MERAH (Capsicum annum L.) TERHADAP KOMPOSISI DAN DOSIS BOKASHI PELEPAH SAWIT DAN DAUN REMUNGGAI

This experiment aims to determine the response of red chili (Capsicum annum L.) plants to the composition and dosage of bokashi oil palm and remunggai (Moringa oleifera). This research was conducted from January to April 2021, in Kayu Arang Village, Sukaraja District, Seluma Regency. The design used was a Factorial Completely Randomized Desing (CRD). The first factor is the composition (A) namely: A1: remunggai + palm frond (1:1), A2: remunggai + palm frond (1:3), A3: remunggai + paln frond (1:5) and the second factor is bokashi dose (B) namely: B0 : 1 ton/ha bokashi + NPK recommendation, B1 : 10 ton/ha bokashi, B2 : 20 ton/ha bokashi, B3 : 30 ton/ha bokashi, B4 : 40 ton/ha bokashi. The treatment was repeated 3 times to produce 45 experimental units. The result of the analysis of variance was continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with a test level of 5%. The results showed that giving bokashi composition had on significant effect on all observed variables. Meanwhile, in giving bokashi dose, there were observational variables that had a significant effect, namely plant height, number of productive branches, the total number of fruit per plant, fruit weight per plant, the weight of dry stover stove, and the parameters of variables that had no significant effect were flowering age and age harvest.

Relationship Between Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test-Level 1 and Match Running Performance in Soccer: Still on the Right Path?

Introduction. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test-Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) is considered a valuable measurement tool in assessing specific soccer endurance. However, there is a lack of recent research validating this test with regard to match running performance (MRP) in elite-level soccer. Material and Methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Yo-Yo IR1 in predicting MRP during elite-level soccer matches. The participants were soccer players who competed in the highest-level Croatian soccer league (23.57 ± 2.84 years, 181.9 ± 5.17 cm, 78.36 ± 4.18 kg), and they were all tested using Yo-Yo IR1 in the middle of the season 2019/2020. The players’ MRP (n = 71) was measured using the Global Positioning System over one-half season, and included the total distance covered, the distance covered in different speed zones, accelerations and decelerations. The association between MRP and Yo-Yo IR1 was identified with Pearson’s correlation. Results. The results indicated that central midfielders and fullbacks achieved significantly higher results in Yo-Yo IR1 than forwards and central defenders (F-test: 29.80; p < 0.01; large effect size). Higher results in Yo-Yo IR1 were correlated with the match amount of (i) the total distance covered (r = 0.65); (ii) high-speed running (r = 0.42); (iii) high-intensity distance covered (r = 0.36); (iv) total accelerations (r = 0.37); and total decelerations (r = 0.42). Conclusions. The established associations between Yo-Yo IR1 and MRP in this study confirmed the validity of Yo-Yo IR1 in predicting MRP in professional soccer today.

Test-level and Item-level Model Fit Comparison of General vs. Specific Diagnostic Classification Models: A Case of True DCM

The current study compared the model fit indices, skill mastery probabilities, and classification accuracy of six Diagnostic Classification Models (DCMs): a general model (G-DINA) against five specific models (LLM, RRUM, ACDM, DINA, and DINO). To do so, the response data to the grammar and vocabulary sections of a General English Achievement Test, designed specifically for cognitive diagnostic purposes from scratch, was analyzed. The results of the test-level-model fit values obtained strong evidence in supporting the G-DINA and LLM models possessing the best model fit. In addition, the ACDM and RRUM were almost very identical to that of the G-DINA. The value indices of the DINO and DINA models were very close to each other but larger than those of the G-DINA and LLM. The model fit was also investigated at the item level, and the results revealed that model selection should be performed at the item level rather than the test level, and most of the specific models might perform well for the test. The findings of this study suggested that the relationships among the attributes of grammar and vocabulary are not ‘either-or’ compensatory or non-compensatory but a combination of both.

Effect of fatliquor level on the physical quality of Indonesian rabbit fur leather

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fatliquor level on the physical quality of Indonesian rabbit fur leather. A total of 15 sheets of Indonesian local rabbit leather (30 cm long and 26 cm wide) were randomly divided into 5 treatments with 3 replicates. The five treatments were level of fatliquor: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. In this study, the physical quality of rabbit fur leather was measured in tension, elongation, tensile strength, and tear strength. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test. Level of fatliquor affects (P<0.05) softness, elongation, tensile strength, and tear strength of rabbit fur leather. The use of fatliquor up to 20% increased the rabbit leather softness and elongation, but there was a decrease at 25%. The use of 10% fatliquor produces the highest tensile strength. The highest tear strength resulted from the use of fatliquor levels of 5% and 15%. It is concluded that using 20% fatliquor on the fatliquoring process of rabbit fur leather tanning produces the best physical quality.