Requirements and Forms of Classroom Tests at High School

As we all know, Testing is a fundamental component in the English language education. And it’s a complex job.Large-scaled criterion tests are carried out by some specialagencies and full-time personnel. The whole test processesare systematic work, which contains laying down test aims, working out test syllabus, designing and developing testpapers, scoring and analyzing test results. The whole scientificand modern processes ensure that testing has higher testreliability and validity and so on. But small-scaled tests, likeclassroom tests, have also their requirements and forms.1.A Classroom TestA Classroom test which is a kind of achievement test issmall-scaled, it has the testing demands and processes. But athigh school, a Classroom test is often operated and organized     

Responses of gross‐bred layers fed at specific meal times

1. Three meal‐feeding regimens were applied to cross‐bred layers from 20 to 68 weeks of age. Birds were fed either for 4 h in the morning, 4 h in the evening, or 2 h in the morning plus 2 h in the evening, and egg production and anatomical variables compared with those of control birds fed ad libitum.

2. Food intake restriction ranged from 22% in birds fed only in the morning to 13% in birds fed twice daily. However, egg production of birds fed twice daily was only marginally reduced compared with control birds. Giving free access to food from 69 to 84 weeks increased the total 20 to 84‐week egg production of the latter birds to greater than that of controls.

3. Birds fed only in the evening ate more and laid more and heavier eggs than birds fed only in the morning. However, a high proportion of the eggs from these former birds were laid in the evening.

4. The only anatomical adaptation to meal feeding was the larger crops observed in both groups of birds given one meal daily.     

Assisted reproduction for felid species conservation—Sperm competences at risk

Cryobanking of gametes in combination with artificial insemination is an essential option to support conservation programmes for endangered and threatened species. About two-thirds of the felid species are classified as ‘near threatened’, ‘vulnerable’ or ‘endangered’ ( www.cites.org ), and mostly, epididymal sperm are collected from euthanized or castrated male felids and cryopreserved. However, epididymal compared with ejaculated and cryopreserved compared with fresh sperm have a limited potential to fertilize if vaginal non-surgical insemination is applied in feline species. Missing or highly diluted seminal fluid in epididymal and cryopreserved sperm, as well as a potential interference of extender ingredients with the natural interactive properties of sperm in the female genital tract is discussed as potential drawback which hampers a proper sperm transit and fertilization besides the limited longevity of cryopreserved feline sperm. Individual components in seminal fluid as well as cryoextenders may adversely alter sperm properties and have a different impact on fertility and preservation success. The identification and investigation of beneficial as well as detrimental components is a precondition to deduce options for improving the process of cryopreservation in felids, particularly, if only epididymal sperm are available.     

What is it like to be an international student at veterinary school? Perception and performance in first year-a case study at a UK veterinary school

Transition into higher education requires students to adjust to a new environment while showing greater independence in managing their own academic and personal life. This is often more difficult for international students who have to adjust to a different country, culture, and potentially another language. A cohort of first-year veterinary medicine students (17% international students) was investigated at a UK university using qualitative and quantitative questionnaires rating first-year experience and support services and statistical analysis of students' assessment performance. While the overall undergraduate perception was that they had learned a lot and progressed well, students in both groups struggled to cope with the workload. The non-UK educated students and students with English as a foreign language also struggled more with teaching delivery in lectures and participation in self-directed group learning and were more likely to feel that the veterinary degree program was too difficult. There was no statistical difference in how British and international students perceived the support system, although it was noticeable that the level of tutorial support was perceived as tutor-dependent. The international students particularly struggled with the assessments in early modules and also with the spot assessment method. However, in the practical assessments, using observed, structured practical exam stations, international and British students performed equally well. Increased support in the initial transition time, especially with regard to communication skills and confidence required for interactive teaching and learning environments such as small-group teaching, as well as increased time for specific assessment types, might benefit the needs of many international students.     

Magnetic resonance imaging anatomy of the rabbit brain at 3?T

Background

Rabbits are widely accepted as an animal model in neuroscience research. They also represent very popular pet animals, and, in selected clinical cases with neurological signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indicated for imaging the rabbit brain. Literature on the normal MRI anatomy of the rabbit brain and associated structures as well as related reference values is sparse. Therefore, it was the purpose of this study to generate an MRI atlas of the normal rabbit brain including the pituitary gland, the cranial nerves and major vessels by the use of a 3 T magnet.

Results

Based on transverse, dorsal and sagittal T2-weighted (T2w) and pre- and post-contrast 3D T1-weighted (T1w) sequences, 60 intracranial structures were identified and labeled. Typical features of a lissencephalic brain type were described. In the 5 investigated rabbits, on T1w images a crescent-shaped hyperintense area caudodorsally in the pituitary gland most likely corresponded to a part of the neurohypophysis. The optic, trigeminal, and in part, the facial, vestibulocochlear and trochlear nerves were identified. Mild contrast enhancement of the trigeminal nerve was present in all rabbits. Absolute and relative size of the pituitary gland, midline area of the cranial and caudal cranial fossa and height of the tel- and diencephalon, 3rd and 4th ventricles were also determined.

Conclusions

These data established normal MRI appearance and measurements of the rabbit brain. Results provide reference for research studies in rabbits and, in rare instances, clinical cases in veterinary medicine.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0139-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Skull typology of byzantine dogs from the theodosius harbour at yenikapı, istanbul

This study presents the results of craniometric analysis of 500 Byzantine Era dog skulls from the ancient site of the Theodosius Harbour in Istanbul (modern Yenikap? neighbourhood). To determine the typology of the skulls, up to 36 craniometric measurements were taken on each specimen. Fourteen indices and ratios were calculated from the measurements. Results show that the majority (97%) of the Byzantine dogs from the Yenikap? excavations were of mesocephalic type. Only 15 of the analysed skulls (3%) were of the dolichocephalic type. Only one dog skeleton has been recovered in situ during the excavations; analysis indicates that this individual belonged to a mesocephalic type dog. Brachycephalic dog skulls were absent in the samples studied from Byzantine Yenikap?. The results give important insight in continuities and discontinuities in dog‐breeding traditions from the Roman to the Byzantine Eras, and between the West and the East during Medieval times.     

Reflections,applications and future directions of Long-Term Ecological Research at Tierberg§

Tierberg-LTER is a research site established in 1987 in the semi-arid Succulent Karoo near Prince Albert in the Western Cape province, South Africa. The original purpose for its establishment was to study ecosystem dynamics and the drivers of vegetation in the context of historical land use. The large body of work that has materialised from Tierberg-LTER is grounded on extensive baseline data and has greatly influenced the broader Karoo literature. It stands as the only long-term ecological research facility for the semi-arid region of South Africa. The Karoo environment faces several new developments centred largely on the expanding energy sector. Under a changing climate, ecosystems will have to further adapt to the impacts of such developments. The future research programme for Tierberg-LTER will accordingly continue to focus on understanding Karoo ecosystem dynamics and drivers of climate and anthropogenic change at local scales, thereby informing management and mitigation of future development impacts. Among a growing network of Karoo research sites, Tierberg-LTER maintains a unique role for long-term and intensive research that will contribute significantly towards the South African Environmental Observation Network’s vision of furthering ecosystem integrity, societal prosperity and sustainable development.     

The hen's EGG: Shell forces at impact and quasi‐static compression

1. An equation is derived which relates the maximum force, P_m , exerted on an egg shell to the relative velocity, v₀ , of the egg and a body on which it impacts and to their masses, M₁ and M₂ , and stiffnesses, S₁ and S₂ ; it is

2. Another equation is derived which relates the maximum force exerted by the egg to the reciprocals, R_a and R_e , of its average and first principal curvatures at the point of impact, to the shell thickness, T_ε , that is effective in respect of tensile strength, and to the ultimate strength of shell material, St_u ; it is P_m = kStuT_εR^χ _α(Ra/Re)y in which k, χ and y are constants.

3. These equations are shown to be concordant with published data on egg shell fracture under both quasi‐static and dynamic conditions when x and y have the values — 1 and 0 respectively.

4. The equations provide a theoretical structure that can be used to identify the factors likely to affect egg shell fracture under specified conditions.     

Water balance of Colostomised and non‐Colostomised hens at different ambient temperatures

1. The quantities of water gained and lost, and hence the total water balance, were determined in normal and colostomised White Leghorn laying hens at ambient temperatures of 5, 20 and 35 °G.

2. In both groups the water intake and water loss at all temperatures were well balanced.

3. Water to food ratios and water content of excreta of normal hens increased with increasing temperature.

4. The wetter excreta at 35 °C are caused by an increased urine production and not by an increased water passage through the alimentary tract.