Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on grade inflation in higher education in Turkey

This study analyzes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on grade inflation in higher education. Data were collected from five universities in Turkey, including grades of 152,352 students who attended 2,841 courses conducted by 903 instructors before the COVID-19 pandemic and grades of 149,936 students who attended 2,841 courses conducted by 847 instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic causes a marginal increase in grades in higher education when the other factors that might explain the differences are controlled. Grade inflation of 9.21% is the highest ever reported in literature. Compared with a year ago, DD and DC grades decreased 55%; FD and FF grades decreased 31%; and the highest-grade AA increased 41% for courses taken during the pandemic. Additionally, classroom population, academic history of the instructor, class level, field, university entrance scores, and course execution and evaluation (grading) forms of course notes are important determinants. This increase can be explained by the effort of instructors who are accustomed to face-to-face settings. When they suddenly switch to distant education, they might try to grade higher to compensate for the unforeseen negative circumstances.

A speed-of-play limit reduces gambling expenditure in an online roulette game

UK online casino games are presently not subject to any limitations on stakes or speed-of-play. Two policy recommendations have been recently put forward: One proposal is to limit the maximum bet to £2, and another is to ensure that no online casino game can be played faster than its in-person equivalent. However, any policy proposal may be ineffective or have unintended consequences. This research experimentally investigated the speed-of-play proposal, in an experiment with 1,002 UK online roulette players, incentivized payouts, and £4 endowments. Participants played on a commercial online roulette game, which was slowed-down in one condition to enforce a speed-of-play limit of one spin every 60 seconds. The preregistered analysis plan showed no effect of the speed-of-play limit on participants’ choice to gamble at all, a marginal reduction in participants’ probability to gamble everything, and a credible reduction in the proportion of endowments gambled amongst participants who gambled some of their money. Expenditure reductions occurred via a credible reduction in the number of spins played that outweighed a marginal increase in per-spin bet sizes. This research shows how speed-of-play limits for online casino games may be effective in reducing gambling expenditure, and how the structural characteristics of online gambling games can be explored via ecologically-valid online experiments.

Effect of Changing Amounts of Promoters and Base Fe Metal in a Multicomponent Catalyst Supported on Coal-Based Activated Carbon for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

The effect of varying the amounts of metals Fe, Cu, K, and Mo was studied on a catalyst supported on activated carbon (AC), which is an item of novelty of this paper. The base-case catalyst contains 16% Fe, 0.9% K, 6% Mo, and 0.8% Cu relative to the AC support. For all of the catalysts used, alcohol production is small. The production of hydrocarbons depends upon the amount of Fe and other promoters used. The amount of Fe was increased from 0% to 32% on the catalyst containing base-case amounts of the other materials. While 0% Fe shows no activity towards Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS), 32% Fe shows a marginal increase in FTS activity when compared with 16% Fe. Furthermore, the amount of K was increased from 0% to 1.8%, with the other metals in their base-case amounts. The selectivity of C1–C4 decreases with the addition of K, while the selectivity of C5+ increases. Analogously, the amount of Mo was increased from 0% to 12%. A small amount of Mo results in an increase in FTS activity but decreases with the addition of more Mo. Cu on the catalyst was increased from 0% to 1.6%, with 0.8% Cu proving optimum for FTS.

The Mass and Volume Parameters and the Linear Dimensions of the Platform of Tractor Trailers

The paper is armed at determining the mass and volume parameters of tractor trailers and looking far the qualitative and quantitative relations between the linear dimensions of the platform of transport vehicles and their mass and volume parameters. The mass and nominal loading capacity of trailers, as well as the volume of their plat form according to the main ramps were taken as the above parameters. The linear dimensions of the platform determine their internal length and width and the height by the mass ramps. The investigated statistical binary relations are assessed by the coefficients correlation which augured additional values within the limits of 0.319–0.891, as well as by the correlation relations between the resultative indices according to factorial values from 0.530 to 0.868. The qualitative chandes in the resultative indices depending on the factorial indices with the use of standard computer prodrams are described by the regression equations. In accordance with R2-coefficient by means of equalizing the experimental values of the investigated resultative indices by a set of approximizing functions the character of the corresponding changes is determined. Depending on the mass and nominal loading capacity of the trailer and the volume of the platform according to the main ramps its internal length is changed according to rectilinear dependences with additional angular coefficients its width – by gradually increasing hyperbolas, and the height of the platform according to the main ramps gradually increases according to the degree functions. With respect to the changes in the height of the platform depending on the investigated factorial indices by the equations of gradually increasing hyperbolas as to their asymptotes the authors have determined the marginal increase in the height of the main ramps of the platform. Along with the change in the mass and nominal loading capacity of the trailers from 0.735 to 7.10 t and from 2.0 to 24.0 t respectively per ton, the increase in the mass and loading capacity of the trailer the length of the platform increases with the same consequence by 424 and 152 mm. Along with the change of the platform volume per from 2.0 to 15.2 m3, its increase per m3 is accompanied by the increase in the length of the platform by 330 mm. Along with the increase of mass and loading capacity of the trailer in more than 4 and 10 t respectively, as well as the increase of the platform volume in more than 8 m3, the intensity of the increase of its width slows down gradually. The marginal increase in the height of the main ramps of the platform along with the change in its volume, mass and loading capacity of the trailer amounts to 713, 714 and 775 mm respectively. The research results can be used for prognosticating the dimensions of the trailers under their calculation and design, as well as under the organization of the transporting support of the mechanized production of agricultural produce.

Trends of Major Food Grain Crops in Haryana

Foodgrains are cultivated in Haryana in an area of 4452 thousand hectares with a production of 16333.8 thousand tonnes. Owing to the importance of foodgrains in the state the present study was undertaken in 2016-17. The secondary data related to the area, production, and productivity of major food grain crops were collected for the periods of 1995-96 to 2015-2016. The results of the study revealed that the food grains production increased at a rate of 2.46 percent per annum which was contributed by a marginal increase in area (0.48 percent) and productivity (1.97 percent) during the study period. As far as percentage share occupied by various food grains crops was concerned, almost 98 percent area was occupied by the cereals followed by pulse crops. The availability of food grains is of great concern as Haryana is the second largest contributor in the central pool of the country to provide food to a huge population, therefore, proper attention is needed to enhance food grains production to ensure future food sustainability in India.

Performance of Fly Ash - Lime Stabilized Lateritic Soil Blocks Subjected to Alternate Cycles of Wetting and Drying

The study investigated the durability performance of lime and fly ash stabilized lateritic soil blocks subjected to conditions of alternate wetting and drying. A locally available lateritic soil was collected and characterized in the laboratory for its geotechnical properties. The soil was then stabilized using lime and fly ash of various combinations. The blocks were tested for their compressive strength, water absorption and efflorescence. Durability was evaluated by subjecting the blocks to three cycles of wetting and drying and testing its compressive strength. The investigation revealed that fly ash-lime stabilization was capable of producing stabilized blocks meeting the standard requirements of Indian codes in terms of compressive strength, water absorption and efflorescence. The results revealed that a combination of 10 % fly ash with 10 % lime was enough to stabilize the soil to achieve the strength of a class 20 block whereas a combination of 10 % fly ash and 14 % lime was required to achieve the strength of a class 30 block. Wetting and drying cycles resulted in a marginal increase in strength after the first cycle but reduction thereafter. The optimal combination of 10 % fly ash and 14 % lime resulted in less than 25 % loss in strength after three cycles of wetting and drying.

BLUP’s to Quantify Yield Gain under Wheat Coordinated System for Northern Hills Zone by Factor Analytic Approach

Trend in linear manner has been observed for wheat production under irrigated timely and late sown along with rainfed timely sown trials of Northern Hills Zone of country. Production elevated to the level of 53, 30 and 36q/ha for irrigated timely, late sown and rainfed timely sown trials. By the end of considered period 0.81, 0.61 and 2.06 quintal per hectare could be added in subsequent trials. Low values of R2 for irrigated timely and late sown trials suggested marginal increase in linear fashion in production values. More over consistent improvement observed in rainfed timely sown trials as justified by highly significant value of R2.

Ectoparasites of brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Grenada, West Indies

Background and Aim: Arthropod ectoparasites (mites, lice, ticks, and fleas) on common house rats or brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are known to transmit zoonotic pathogens and diminish rat health. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published information regarding the prevalence of ectoparasites on R. norvegicus in Grenada. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of ectoparasites present on brown rats from Grenada. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty-eight rats were collected live from the parishes of St. George and St. David, Grenada, from May to July 2017. Following euthanasia, external parasites were collected using fine combs, thumb forceps, and paper tape. Tape samples and free specimens were placed in containers with 70% ethanol. External parasites were evaluated using dissection microscopy. Results: Over 2000 ectoparasites were collected from 149 of the 168 trapped rats (88.7%). Ectoparasites identified included mesostigmatid mites (found on 84.6% of infested rats), fur mites in the families Atopomelidae and Listrophoridae (67.1%), Polyplax spp. lice (6.7%), fleas (3.4%), an unidentified larval tick (0.7%), and a mite in the family Myobiidae (0.7%). Infestation rates were higher in St. David Parish (86/89; 96.6%) than in St. George Parish (63/79; 79.7%) (p=0.001). When comparing sex and age, males had a marginal increase in infestation rate (83/89; 93.3%) compared to females (66/79; 83.5%) (p=0.054), and adults had an infestation rate of 90.7% (97/107) compared to juvenile rats who had a 66.7% (14/21) infestation rate. Conclusion: Brown rats in Grenada are heavily infested with ectoparasites, including known vectors of pathogens. Future studies will examine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in these arthropods.