Lecturer’s Feedback and Students’ Writing Performance: Social Constructivism Perspective

EFL writing as the form of productive skill has been the main issue for university students in Indonesia. Therefore, to maintain EFL students to be a good writer, lecturer’s feedback is necessary. The aims of this study were to find out whether there is any relationship between lecturer’s feedback and students’ writing performance, and to find out in what ways the lecturer’s feedback given seen from social constructivism. The researcher employed mixed method which took the data from 60 third-semester students in two Essay Writing Classes, and it was collected by using questionnaire, students’ writing score, and interview guide. The findings showed that correlation coefficient was .273 which indicates that the correlation between lecturer’s feedback and students’ writing performance was positive. While, seen from the significant level, it showed the number .042 which means there was statistically significant relationship between those two variables. The qualitative finding asserted that the lecturers always gave feedback frequently in the two forms, both were oral and written feedback. Other than that, although only one of the lecturers who used elaborated feedback, they both provide the assistance and objectivity during the assessment process. Based on the results of this study the lecturers must give feedback continuously towards students’ work and it should be given together with an explanation. Moreover, the future researcher can find the similar topic from another learning theory such as behaviorism or cognitivism.

Morphometry of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 particles in ultrathin plastic sections of infected Vero cell cultures

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative of the COVID-19 disease, which has spread pandemically around the globe within a few months. It is therefore necessary to collect fundamental information about the disease, its epidemiology and treatment, as well as about the virus itself. While the virus has been identified rapidly, detailed ultrastructural analysis of virus cell biology and architecture is still in its infancy. We therefore studied the virus morphology and morphometry of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to SARS-CoV as it appears in Vero cell cultures by using conventional thin section electron microscopy and electron tomography. Both virus isolates, SARS-CoV Frankfurt 1 and SARS-CoV-2 Italy-INMI1, were virtually identical at the ultrastructural level and revealed a very similar particle size distribution with a median of about 100 nm without spikes. Maximal spike length of both viruses was 23 nm. The number of spikes per virus particle was about 30% higher in the SARS-CoV than in the SARS-CoV-2 isolate. This result complements a previous qualitative finding, which was related to a lower productivity of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture in comparison to SARS-CoV.

Teaching Self-Assessment of Doppler Ultrasound for Bubble Grading in Divers: Learning Curve, Reliability, and Surveying Precision.

BackgroundObserving modern decompression protocols alone cannot fully prevent Diving Accidents especially in repetitive diving. Audio Doppler bubble measurements to estimate supersaturation are done in special professional settings only, being not available for the broad community of sports SCUBA divers. In case SCUBA divers without medical and ultrasound training could learn audio Doppler self-assessment for reliable bubble grading on a stable skill level and with an efficient single teaching intervention, this skill could add significantly to diving safety. MethodsWe taught audio Doppler self-assessment of the subclavian vein and cardiac precordial probe position to 41 divers in a 45-minute standardized training session. Assessment was made of 684 audio Doppler measurements by both the trained divers and a medical professional plus additional 2D-echocardiography as reference. ResultsAll air dives were within normal sports diving limits and decompression bubbles were observable via echocardiography in 32.3% of all measurements. The specificity of audio bubble detection was 96.1% but the sensitivity was low for lower bubble grades, increasing to 25%, 35% and 67% for higher echo-detected bubble grades 3, 4 and 5. The number of attempts to achieve a reliable venous signal within 30 seconds was 13 at the subclavian position and 18 at the precordial position. More bubble positive measurements could be detected at the precordial position for both self and medical professional assessment. The performance level of the taught skill remained stable over six months without further practice.ConclusionAudio Doppler self-assessment can be learned by people without medical and ultrasound training and a reliable venous signal can be achieved after a comparably steep learning curve. However, accurate bubble grading is not possible using audio Doppler as only higher bubble grades can be detected. Nevertheless, this qualitative finding can be important in self-evaluating decompression stress and potentially help the diver to judge on measures for avoiding decompression accidents.

Determinants of Severe Acute Malnutrition Among Children 6-36 Months in Kalafo District, Riverine Context, Ethiopia. Unmatched Case Control With Qualitative Study.

Background: Malnutrition remains prevalent and existing health problem globally. Particularly Undernutrition is a major public health issue in developing countries.Globally the causes of severe acute undernutrition varies across context. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of severe acute malnutrition to uncover contextual factors based on UNICEF conceptual framework, as there was no study done in a similar context in Ethiopia.Methods: Health facility based (health post) un-matched case control study with Key informant interview was conducted to identify determinant factors of severe acute malnutrition(SAM) among children between 6 to 36 months. 246 children (82 cases and 164) with their mothers or care takers participated the study which was conducted between December 20, 2019 to January 20, 2020 in Kalafo district in Shebele River. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to identify the determinants of SAM among children aged 6-36 months using multivariate logistic regression.Results: The Odds of Severe Acute Malnutrition was 2.28(1.22,4.26); 4.68(2.29,9.58); 2.85(1.26,6.45); 2.39(1.16,4.96) and 3.262(1.46,7.31) and 3.237(1.45,7.23); respectively for mothers with three or more under five children, Children with inadequate dietary diversity, experienced diarrhea in past two weeks, their mothers had not nutrition counselling during pregnancy, Children’s age between 6-11 and 12-17 months as compared to controls.Conclusion: The finding of this study reveals that the main determinants of severe acute malnutrition in riverine context are multi-level. On top of poor childcare and polygamy in qualitative finding, Diarrhea and inadequate dietary intake under the category of immediate cause of malnutrition. Having more than (≥3) under-five children, young age (6-11 and 12-17months) and not having nutrition counseling during pregnancy were also among basic determinants of severe acute malnutrition in riverine context. Decisive and multi-sectoral approach is required to addressing SAM in the riverine area.

Teaching Self-Assessment of Doppler Ultrasound for Bubble Grading in Divers: Learning Curve, Reliability, and Surveying Precision.

BackgroundAudio Doppler bubble measurements of SCUBA divers are done in special professional settings to estimate supersaturation and avoid decompression accidents. However, it is unknown whether sports SCUBA divers without medical and ultrasound training can learn audio Doppler self-assessment for reliable bubble grading with a single teaching intervention. Further, it is unknown whether they are able to establish a stable practical skill level after that teaching intervention in order to allow appropriate judgment on decompression stress.MethodsWe taught audio Doppler self-assessment of the subclavian vein and cardiac precordial probe position to 41 divers in a 45-minute standardized training session. Assessment was made of 684 audio Doppler measurements by both the trained divers and a medical professional plus additional 2D-echocardiography as reference. ResultsAll air dives were within normal sports diving limits and decompression bubbles were observable via echocardiography in 32.3% of all measurements. The specificity of audio bubble detection was 96.1% but the sensitivity was low for lower bubble grades, increasing to 25%, 35% and 67% for higher echo-detected bubble grades 3, 4 and 5. The number of attempts to achieve a reliable venous signal within 30 seconds was 13 at the subclavian position and 18 at the precordial position. More bubble positive measurements could be detected at the precordial position for both self and medical professional assessment. The performance level of the taught skill remained stable over six months without further practice.ConclusionAudio Doppler self-assessment can be learned by people without medical and ultrasound training and a reliable venous signal can be achieved after a comparably steep learning curve. However, accurate bubble grading is not possible using audio Doppler as only higher bubble grades can be detected. However, this qualitative finding can be important in self-evaluating decompression stress and potentially help the diver to judge on measures for avoiding decompression accidents.

Morphometry of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 particles in ultrathin plastic sections of infected Vero cell cultures

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative of the COVID-19 disease, which has spread pandemically around the globe within a few months. It is therefore necessary to collect fundamental information about the disease, its epidemiology and treatment, as well as about the virus itself. While the virus has been identified rapidly, detailed ultrastructural analysis of virus cell biology and architecture is still in its infancy. We therefore studied the virus morphology and morphometry of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to SARS-CoV as it appears in Vero cell cultures by using conventional thin section electron microscopy and electron tomography. Both virus isolates, SARS-CoV Frankfurt 1 and SARS-CoV-2 Italy-INMI1, were virtually identical at the ultrastructural level and revealed a very similar particle size distribution with a median of about 100 nm without spikes. Maximal spike length of both viruses was 23 nm. The number of spikes per virus particle was about 30% higher in the SARS-CoV than in the SARS-CoV-2 isolate. This result complements a previous qualitative finding, which was related to a lower productivity of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture in comparison to SARS-CoV.

THE LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE LEADERSHIP STYLES IN THE IN INDONESIAN COMPANIES: A QUALITATIVE FINDING

A leader is a crucial factor in the life of an organization. The progress of an organization depends on the extent to which the leader can bring the organization to achieve organizational goals. What emerges is the quality of foreign workers (expatriates). Many expatriates have quality and competences under local workers. The aim of this study is to know and analyze the problem of foreign workers, whether they are capable of working in accordance with competence since many positions as expatriates occupy leaders or managers. The research method uses a qualitative approach with respondents of local workers who have ever been led by expatriates and locals. The approach used in this study is a qualitative approach; the sampling method uses purposive sampling. The result of this study reveals that local leaders are more effective (than expatriate ones) due to the same culture and language. Expatriate leaders and local leaders have a different working culture that is brought from their own country so that they have their strengths and weaknesses resulted from their leadership style or the way they lead their subordinates.

Marital satisfaction of breast cancer patients and their spouses: A qualitative study

This study is part of a larger PhD research project on marital satisfaction of Breast Cancer Patients and their spouses in the Discipline of Sociology. The study was conducted by using a mixed method design. An interpretative research approach was used to collect data from 12 couples confronting breast cancer to unveil their experiences of marital satisfaction, while data from 279 couples were taken through a survey. In this paper the qualitative finding will be presented to highlight the couples’ nuanced experience as a consequence of their diagnosis. The findings reveal that the majority of participants experienced distress in their marital relationship. Breast cancer-confronting couples stated that breast cancer affected their intimate and /sexual relationship, besides acquainting them with individual psychological and mutual spousal issues. Difficulties in dealing with physical deformity and psychological effects resulting from breast cancer, and the ways these changes influenced their marital satisfaction, were observed by a majority of the participants. The findings suggest that couples with strong emotional bonding and understanding dealt with these consequences in a better way.

Early postnatal care utilization among mothers gave birth in the last six weeks in remote district of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background majority of neonate and maternal death is occurring in the first week of delivery. Therefore, utilization of postnatal care within the first week of delivery is essential to increase the survival of both a mother and newborn. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the use of postnatal care in the first week of delivery and factors associated among women who gave birth in the last six weeks. Method A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Dano District, one of the remotest districts in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. A total of 274 women who gave birth during the last six weeks and selected using random sampling method were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the utilization of postnatal care within the first week of delivery. Finding with a p-value less than 0.05 is considered a statistically significant association. Result early postnatal care utilization is found to be (within the first week of delivery) was 23.7 percent. Mother given appointment after delivery [AOR=4.84, 95% CI= (1.46, 16.1)], have used postnatal care previous [AOR= 7.4, 95% CI= (2.9, 18.5)] and aware of postnatal care within first week of delivery [AOR=4.27, 95% CI= (1.46, 12.49)] were more likely to use the postnatal care within first week. The qualitative finding indicated traditional beliefs during postpartum also found to affect the use of postnatal care. Conclusion The utilization of postnatal care within first week of delivery in was low in the district. Therefore, creating awareness on the benefits of early postnatal care, and designing of strategies to decrease the effect of traditional belief on postnatal care recommended to improve the coverage.

Living at the Friendship House: Findings from the Transition Planning Inventory

<p><em>A residential initiative, named the Friendship House, was created through advocates focused on helping people with intellectual disabilities live independently in affordable and safe housing on a university campus. The Friendship House is a small residence hall where individuals with intellectual disabilities live side-by-side with similarly aged and same gendered university students. Qualitative finding as in resident reports and observational data provides support that the Friendship House experience has been successful. However, to better equip these residents with intellectual disabilities, it is important to assess the program in terms of post school transition acquisition skills. This study focuses on whether the residents with intellectual disabilities are mastering the skills necessary to live successful lives after high school. Hence, the purpose of this quantitative study is to determine the effect of living in the Friendship House on the acquired transition skills (as measured by the nine Transition Planning Inventory skill sets) on individuals with intellectual disabilities. </em></p>