WHAT DO SCIENTISTS KNOW ABOUT THE NATURE OF SCIENCE? A CASE STUDY OF NOVICE SCIENTISTS’ VIEWS OF NOS

The purpose of this study was to explore 15 graduate research assistants’ understanding of the nature of science. Data were collected through administration of a modified version of the Views of Nature of Science Questionnaire (VNOS-C). The findings suggest that graduate research assistants held underdeveloped views related to several nature of science (NOS) aspects including the argumentative nature of science, the process of modeling in science, scientists’ treatment of unexpected results, collaborative nature of science, and the process of theory formation. The discussion focuses on the missing link in preparation of future scientists and offers suggestions to address the learning needs of graduate research assistants regarding their understanding of NOS.     

Assessing the Emotional Intelligence of Gifted and Talented Adolescent Students in the Kingdom of Bahrain

This study assessed the differences in the emotional intelligence of gifted adolescent students and talented adolescent students in Bahrain. The sample consisted of 80 gifted adolescent students and 80 talented adolescent students in Grades 9 through 12. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicates that there were significant differences in emotional intelligence levels, as measured by the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, between gifted students and talented students in Bahrain in the direction of gifted students. There were differences between the gifted and the talented students in intrapersonal, adaptability, general mood subtest, and total emotional intelligence scores. Finally, gifted males had higher total emotional intelligence scores than gifted females; talented females had higher interpersonal scores than talented males.     

A parametric study on the contact stress of half toroidal continuously variable transmission

1. Introduction A toroidal continuously variable transmission (CVT) that uses a traction drive to transmit torque has a vastly larger torque capacity than a conventional CVT. This transmission technology has attracted considerable interest owing to its capability in substantially improving vehicle fuel economy and power performance [1]. The half toroidal CVT transmits torque by means of shear resistance of the traction fluid film taking advantage of the property of the fluid solidificatio…     

College Student Utilization of a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program

The authors sought to identify college students at risk for experiencing a mental health crisis that warranted a psychiatric evaluation at a hospital and/or a psychiatric hospitalization. A retrospective chart review of college students evaluated at a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program during a 1‐year period was conducted. Demographic variables, mental health treatment history, diagnosis, and hospital discharge plans were found to predict those students likely to be hospitalized and those likely to have positive discharge outcomes.     

Programme Quality Assessment by the Implication of Variable Entry Qualifications on Students' Performance

Since its inception 30 years ago, the then Department of Engineering Science, Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) was given the responsibility of preparing all the students in the first year engineering programmes by giving enough knowledge in basic science and mathematics. The nation's vision to become a fully‐industrialised economy by the year 2020 required all institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in Malaysia to increase their intake of students in the science and technology courses, especially in engineering. However, at the upper secondary education level, students have the freedom to choose between the science‐based or non‐science combination of subjects. This has led to a dearth of science‐based students enrolling in IHLs. Because ITM believes that it is possible to educate individuals from various backgrounds, the engineering courses are open to students with a variety of academic qualifications. Special bridging courses were designed and created for such students since late 1996. The success or failure of the new courses can be assessed after the students have gone through the proper first year engineering courses which consist of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. This paper reports on a pilot study on the pioneer groups of students with variable entry qualifications to assess the effectiveness of the courses. The study involved the analysis of the students’ examination results as a performance indicator, and it was found that the bridging programme for non‐science students needed to be redesigned. It is also proposed that to improve the quality of the programme, and hence students’ performance, a regular review be conducted, student support activities be continued and to expand the use of self‐study materials.     

干旱胁迫下甘草等八种牧草种子萌发特性及抗旱性差异研究

主要研究了甘草(Glycyrrhiza L.)等八种牧草在干旱胁迫下的种子萌发特性、叶片含水量变化和叶片细胞膜透性等。研究结果表明,两种甘草在12%的PEG浓度条件下能保持85%以上的种子发芽率,分枝期干旱胁迫15 d还能保持76%的叶片含水量,说明甘草的抗旱性较强、其次为苦豆子,其它牧草相对较差。     

Review on development progress of automatic manual transmissions control

In recent years, the sustainable development of automatic manual transmissions (AMTs) control in vehicles is conspicuous. The control applications have grown fast and steadily due to the tremendous progress in power electronics components and the control software that enhance the requirements for delivering higher vehicles performance. AMTs control strategies achieve a reduction in the driveline dynamic oscillations behavior during gear shifting and clutch starting up processes. AMTs future expectations are an increase of torque capacity, more speed ratios and the development of advanced and efficient electronic control systems. This paper concerns with the progressing view of AMTs in the past, today and future, gives an overview of the potential dynamic problems concerned with AMTs and some control strategies used to solve those problems.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠西南部两地沙粒形貌分布特征

以巴楚县和岳普湖县两个地方的沙漠沙粒作为研究对象,研究塔克拉玛干沙漠西南的自然沙粒的形貌特征,运用生物显微镜观察测量两个地方沙漠沙粒的形貌分布特征,得到结论：巴楚和岳普湖两个地方的沙漠沙粒以次棱角状沙粒为主,次圆状所占比例少,其他形状如圆状和棱角状很少.说明此两地的沙是风成沙,但是风的作用时间短和作用强度弱.     

After Six Decades of Systematic Study of Creativity: What Do Teachers Need to Know About What It Is and How It Is Measured?

With creativity now being emphasized in schools, it is important for teachers to understand what it is and how it is measured. This review of the literature is an attempt to make sense of the many definitions and measures of creativity. As a result, this comprehensive review shows that most definitions agree that there are at least two criteria to judge whether a person or a product is creative or not, originality and usefulness. Organized according to Rhodes’s 3 P conceptualization of creativity—person, process, product, and press—more than 40 assessments used in creativity research were reviewed. Familiarity with the definitions, views of, and measurement of creativity can help teachers recognize and foster creativity in their students.