Research

An Evaluation of Student Conformity When Using Professor Rating Websites

An Evaluation of Student Conformity When Using Professor Rating Websites

Are all students equally likely to utilize websites like RateMyProfessor to determine the appropriate courses to take in college? Positive and negative professor reviews were examined to discover whether previous student feedback might influence future students’ perceptions of instructor attractiveness and anticipated academic effort. Two hypothetical professors, Professor X and A were created for this study. Each professor had either positive or negative commentary. Two hypotheses were formulated: (1) there would be a main effect between the low self-esteem individuals and the likelihood of choosing Professor X, with positive student commentary; and (2) students that are attracted to a professor review will anticipate more positive academic effort for the course

Bioassay and Antibiotic Activity of Jamaican Actinomycetes Isolates

Bioassay and Antibiotic Activity of Jamaican Actinomycetes Isolates

The growth in antibiotic resistance has resulted in a constant need for novel antimicrobials. To slow down the acquisition of resistance many pharmaceutical companies are now focusing on the development of novel, narrow-spectrum therapeutics with specificity, potency and decreased side effects. Antibiotic production is a feature of several soil microbes and may represent a survival mechanism whereby organisms can eliminate competition and colonize a niche. Since many of the original antibiotics were harvested from tropical soil Actinomycete species, we collected soil samples from Jamaica as the island’s soil microbiology is rich and poorly understood.

The Effect of Salinity on Particle Filtration Rates of the West African Mangrove Oyster

The Effect of Salinity on Particle Filtration Rates of the West African Mangrove Oyster

Previous studies exploring the potential of developing mangrove oyster fisheries in Ghana have suggested that this approach could provide both financial gain (Obodai and Yankson, 1999a) and nutritional value (Yankson 2004) to the Ghanaian people, supplementing a historically low-protein diet as well as augmenting local economies. However ,information on the basic ecology of the West African mangrove oyster (Crassostrea tulipa) is limited. This study aimed to build preliminary knowledge of this species by investigating the precise relationship between environmental salinity and filtration rates

Treatment Options in Motor Neuron Disease: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Treatment Options in Motor Neuron Disease: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are two poorly understood Motor neuron diseases.  Both diseases eventually prove fatal and their complex pathogenesis makes them difficult to treat. We reviewed the current literature to produce a comprehensive but succinct guide to ALS and SMA for the undergraduate. We review the genetics, aetiology and pathogenesis to identify similarities and differences between the two diseases.